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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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Linda &

5/1/2017
We are really pleased with the help we got, and Benny is feeling real good. He is happier and eating well.
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Gabrielle S

5/1/2017
Excellent customer service, quick reimbursements, I would recommend Nationwide to all of my friends and family members in a heartbeat.
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Ellen L

4/30/2017
My policy is great! after the $250.00 deductible I end up paying only 10% of my total bill. I couldn't ask for a better plan. It is well worth it. When I had my pup neutered it only cost me $38.00 as the shots he had cleared my deductible.
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Steven W

4/30/2017
I submitted various claims, which were all denied for the same illness, even though the vet visits were for different issues. My puppy had developed a cherry eye originally which was denied as a Pre-existing condition? Wasn't even aware of the condition when I insured her or when I bought her. Everything else submitted was denied under the same claim even though they were all not related to one another. If I'm not getting reimbursed for vet services that have now cost me over a grand, why do I need insurance?
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Christine S

4/27/2017
IVES IS DOING VERY WELL. HER STITCHES WILL COME OUT ON SATURDAY. I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE AT NATIONWIDE PET INSURANCE FOR THE GREAT SERVICE I RECIEVE FOR MY FUR BABIES. EVERY TIME I HAD TO CALL OR HAD QUESTIONS EVERY ONE IS SO NICE AND HELPFUL. PAYMENT ARRIVE IN A SHORT TIME. I HAVE BEEN WITH PET INS FOR ALMOST TWENTY YEARS SINCE ITS NATIONWIDE NOW THE SERVICE IS EVEN BETTER. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP THIS YEAR AT ONE TIME I HAD THREE CATS SICK AT ONE TIME ALL WITH DIFFERENT ISSUES. PRIOR TO THIS I HAD LOST MY CAT BELLE OF 16 YEARS IN NOVEMBER. YOUR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU CHRISTINE PICKARD CHLOE SHELBY AND IVES
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F
fordmack

4/27/2017
I have had this pet insurance for 10 1/2 years. I had the cancer coverage as a cautionary plan. So when my beloved Coach was diagnosed with lung cancer I felt secure knowing that we could get him the best care. Up until this time Coach has been a very healthy dog. Imagine my surprise when our bill was $9000 thousand dollars and was only covered at $2000 thousands dollars. Surely this must be a error so I resubmitted the claim and they told me this is all they cover. Moving forward I had to put my coach to sleep a couple of months later. I called to cancelled my insurance and was told in the future make sure you use us if you decide to get another pet. I said oh no I won't being using you.... Read More
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A
Amy C

4/26/2017
We have been very pleased with our Nationwide Pet Insurance. I would recommend them to anyone who is getting or has a puppy. You never know what could happen and it is so nice to be able to say yes to the vet even if the expense would normally be too high. We have been so pleased with the quick turn around with our statements as well. Our sweet pup is so thankful for Nationwide and so are we!
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G
Gene G

4/25/2017
Nationwide Pet Insurance provides outstanding services and support. I rest easier knowing that my pet is covered by Nationwide
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Nicole A

4/25/2017
The service was great! We got an email that our claim was processed a while back, but we have not yet gotten the check.
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E
Elizabeth L

4/25/2017
Super easy to file a claim online. Quick reimbursement turn around! If you own a pet you should have pet insurance. I recommend Nationwide!
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