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Nationwide Pet Insurance Review

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Nationwide is a Fortune 100 company with unparalleled financial stability and claims-paying ability that has recently ventured into the pet insurance marketplace.

The company stands out because they offer expanded coverage beyond just cats and dogs, as well as wellness plans that cover things like checkups and vaccinations.
 
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How is Nationwide rated?

Breakdown

5.0/5
Coverage
3.0/5
Cost
4.0/5
Extras

Overall Rating: 4.3 / 5 (Excellent)

Nationwide's Whole Pet with Wellness Plan is one of the most comprehensive on the market, and it will, as a result, cost you more than most standard pet insurance plans.

Nationwide is one of the few pet insurance providers that will extend coverage beyond dogs and cats, covering birds and all manner of other pets.

Truly unlimited coverage, however, is only offered if you choose the top tier plan.

Be aware that all plans besides Whole Pet with Wellness operate on a benefit schedule.

Nationwide Coverage

Coverage - 5 / 5

Nationwide's Whole Pet with Wellness plan is a great option for a complete pet insurance plan.

In addition to the normal accident and illness coverage, it also provides for yearly physical exams, vaccinations, and flea/heartworm prevention. It is, however, on the pricey side as a result. Its Major Medical plan is more in line cost and coverage-wise with the standard accident and illness plans offered by most companies.

You can also purchase the wellness plan on it's own, and it is relatively inexpensive. Finally, Nationwide recently released a more inexpensive Whole Pet plan without the wellness component.

This plan has many of the same characteristics of Whole Pet with Wellness, operates on a percentage reimbursement basis, but is subject to different annual caps.

It is interesting to note that Nationwide is the only company we are aware of that extends pet insurance beyond cats and dogs.

The company will cover most birds and a wide range of exotic pets.
Pets Covered
Dogs
Cats
Birds
Exotic Animals
Coverage Types
Medical
Wellness
Vet Selection
Unrestricted
Out-of-State Coverage
Yes
Commercial Pets Covered

Medical Conditions Covered

  • Accidental
  • Illness
  • Hereditary
  • Congenital
  • Cancer
  • Chronic
  • Accidental Dental
  • Dental Illness

Medical Treatments Covered

  • Diagnostic Testing
  • Surgery
  • Hospitalization
  • Prescription Medications
  • Emergency Care
  • Specialty Care
  • Alternative Care
  • Behavioral Therapy

Benefit Limits

Benefit Limits - 5 / 5

Both Nationwide models -- Whole Pet with 90% reimbursement, and all other plans with a benefit schedule -- offer unlimited annual maximums. The new Whole Pet plan without wellness, though, is subject to a $10,000 annual cap.

Additionally, you must remember that any plan but the Whole Pets are going to limit you by condition or procedure.

So even though technically there is no limit to the dollar amount they will spend on your pet in a year in total, there are limits on a condition and service basis with the lower two plans.
Benefit Limit Types
Unlimited

Reimbursement & Deductibles

Reimbursement - 5 / 5

Nationwide's top tier Whole Pet with Wellness, as well as the new Whole Pet (alone) plan, both reimburse 90% of the total vet bill.

However, Major Medical and Pet Wellness reimburse according to a benefits schedule.

These schedules cap payouts by condition or service. If you are going with one of these plans we suggest you scrutinize your policy carefully before purchase, as your pet's breed may be susceptible to certain conditions with low coverage limits in the plan.

Benefits schedules, and no choice in customizing the reimbursement percentage in the top tier plan, limit the flexibility of Nationwide's offerings.
Reimbursement Model
Actual Cost
Benefit Schedule
Minimum Percent Reimbursement
90%
Maximum Percent Reimbursement
90%

Deductibles - 5 / 5

Nationwide Whole Pet with Wellness offers one annual deductible of $100.

This is in some ways good because it is so low. But you will not have the flexibility of choosing higher deductibles should you want a lower monthly premium or should it somehow fit your needs in other ways.

Most of our top companies offer customizable deductibles.

The new Whole Pet without the wellness component, as well as the Major Medical plan, both have annual deductibles set at $250.
Deductible Type
Annual
Minimum Deductible Offered
$100
Maximum Deductible Offered
$250

Pricing: How much does Nationwide cost?

Cost - 3 / 5

Nationwide's plans are comprehensive, but you are going to pay the price. Their monthly premiums are a little on the high end as opposed to our other companies.

Starting Monthly Premiums

Dog: Sample Monthly Premium, 1 year old male Golden Retriever in zip code 92683
$34.25
Cat: Sample Monthly Premium, 1 year old male American Shorthair in zip code 92683
$18.84
Rate Details: Annual Deductible: $250, Benefits Cap: Annual & Unlimited, Reimbursement Model: Benefits Schedule
Available Discounts: 5% discount on current Nationwide member

Enrollment & Waiting Periods

Enrollment - 3 / 5

Like our other companies, Nationwide will enroll pets starting at 6 weeks. Unlike our other companies, Nationwide has a relatively lower age restriction with older pets at 10 years.

However, if the pet is enrolled before age 10, and the policy never lapses, they will be covered for the duration of their lives.

Waiting periods are industry standard at 14 days, although Wellness starts 24 hours after approval.
Min Enrollment Age
6 weeks
Max Enrollment Age
10 years
Accident Waiting Period
14 days
Illnesses Waiting Period
14 days
Free Look Period
10 days

Claims & Service

Extras - 4 / 5

Nationwide's claims procedure is standard for the pet insurance industry.

Like other companies, you must first pay the vet directly, download Nationwide's claim form, and submit the form with all paid invoices. You can submit via mail, fax or email.
Advertised Response Time
14 days
Claim Form
Mail
Email
Fax

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
https://www.petinsurance.com/
Headquarters Address
One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, OH, 43215
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 2344, Brea, CA, 92822
Year Founded
1981
What We’re Hearing From Our Readers
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Customer Comments

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Rhonda A

5/2/2017
The claims experience with Nationwide Pet Insurance is easy. You can scan a copy of your receipt, attach it to a pre-filled claim form and email it. That's it! Within a week or so, you receive your explanation of benefits and check.
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mariana n

5/2/2017
Nationwide has been great and very understanding about bulldog issues. Having a bulldog is not easy and certainly not cheap! Nationwide has been with us along the way, thanks!
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D
Diane

5/1/2017
Nationwide is the only way to go if you live your pet. Because of you, I don't worry that I might not be able to get Samson the care he needs.
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Lori D

5/1/2017
My best friend Gracie was recently diagnosed with cancer. Nationwide Pet insurance has covered every penny of her care (minus my $250 deductible of course). She has had multiple blood tests, biopsies and surgery...which included a toe amputation!! Never got one disagreement! Recieved updates, checks in the mail and emails asking how she was doing. Thank goodness i got the major medical, well worth it for me. Health plan paid for check ups, vaccinations and even $75 towards heartworm, flea & tick prevention yearly. Great experience!
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Joanne C

5/1/2017
Natonwide is a fabulous company with terrific customer service reps. I'm on a few Facebook bulldog sites and am always raving and recommending how good a health care provider y'all are for our pets. Have even given a friend of mine and his wife y'alls phone # and address to get their 3 dogs health insurance...the wife has called back on March 17th and received some quotes...he's suppose to follow up soon to "firm the deal" in the near future. I started off with y'all when I FIRST purchased my English bulldog in January 2014 and am so thankful to have y'all. Thank you for all you do!.
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Barbara M

5/1/2017
Matisse is fine, he has fully recovered. He was sick longer than it took for Nationwide to settle his claim. I really appreciate how quick your response was to my claim.
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S
Steve

5/1/2017
Having owned animals before, specifically dogs, it never really occurred to me to consider Insurance for them. However, when I acquired "Gracie" as a cute pup of 6 weeks old, some 10 years ago now, I thought otherwise, and decided that this loving animal should have better than ever. I chose VPI (Now Nationwide), by the mere fact of a brochure that I came across. I mean really.......who knows insurance companies? Their just big businesses ready to rob everyone, right? Boy, was I wrong about this one. I have had Gracie on this insurance for many years, and can honestly tell you that I am wayyyyyyyy ahead of the game, as far as that yearly policy fee is concerned. I have submitted... Read More
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K
Kelly H

5/1/2017
I have had pets for many years with very costly vet bills and the stress of whether to move forward with the high costs to save or family member or the struggle of the thought of euthanasia. Since having pet insurance I never have to think of the unimaginable. I received our reimbursement before I even received my credit card bill. One of best decision we have ever made for our family.
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R
RAJ A

5/1/2017
Your prompt attention to the surgery charges and payment is really appreciating . This was first big expense of surgery for Diesel and your coverage really helped us. Thanks a lot
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A
Alfred E

5/1/2017
The claims experience was excellent. From filing to receipt of payment Nationwide provided a smooth, trouble free process. The settlement was as expected with no surprises. Thanks for taking the worry out of taking care of our best friend!
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