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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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Natasha H

1/16/2017
I'm not sure why some people are so unhappy. We've had Nationwide since 2006. We have insured multiple dogs in that time and I have never had an issue. We did have to wait about 6 weeks or so for one complicated claim, but I was reimbursed beyond what I expected. We also had a dog die during a dental. I submitted everything and they actually combed through the policy to make sure we got as much as possible which ended up being more than expected. Obviously we would have preferred to have our dog back, but having most of the unexpected expenses (CPR, IV meds during attempts at resuscitation, etc) was helpful financially. I have a dog now that developed significant environmental... Read More
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Mary C

1/11/2017
I have found Nationwide Pet Insurance to be great. The claims are processed quickly and reimbursement checks are sent in a timely manner. The website is user friendly. It is easy to find pending claims and to access pre-filled claim forms. My veterinarian recommended Nationwide and I followed his advice with my new puppy It's fortunate I did as my puppy broke her leg in December, 2016 and the cost of the surgery was very high. Nationwide came through for me quickly. Anyone who has a pet should purchase insurance from Nationwide and I have highly recommended it to all my friends who have pets.
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Jessica K

12/27/2016
Do NOT, under any circumstances, use Nationwide Pet Insurance. This is the worst company I have ever done business with. They are basically a scam and invent excuses to not pay your claims. They made me feel like I was on trial as they tried to deny all my claims and demanded more and more evidence. Even worse, their coverage limits for each condition are so low it is almost impossible to recover your premium, and they certainly don't protect you again the huge expenses of having a critically ill pet. My wonderful dog experienced a catastrophic and life threatening health crisis and required intensive treatments, testing, inpatient hospital stays, repeated visits, and medications. This... Read More
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Chris

12/27/2016
I have had to call 4 times to get any information on my claim. The first few times they told me they had everything they needed and weren't sure why it was being delayed. I just called back again and they told me they were missing medical records, that they called my vet twice and never received anything. They never once told me this until the 4th time I called. I also then called my vet to check out what was going on and they said they sent it twice. I have no idea what's been going on, but the communication, or lack thereof from Nationwide has been appalling. Nationwide is NOT on my side.
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Paula

12/23/2016
When it was vpi insurance it was excellent , but since they changed names and nationwide bought them., when i got bloodwork on my yorkie they denied the claim. You file a claim you do not get anything back..
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Cheryl W

9/6/2016
Very disappointed in this insurance plan. Bought VIP insurance 14 years ago. Used it very little, but they always limited what was covered. When I needed the insurance, one day short of 14 years, my dog was diagnosed with collapsed trachea, which is not covered---No surprise, what a total rip off. Yes, when I bought the insurance this was about my only choice. Now that I have bills over 10 thousand, they only paid 74 dollars for her death benefit. I was paying over $84 per month for her insurance---they had no problem hiking up their rates as the dog got older but having the upper hand in limiting what they covered. I had better luck buying a car from a used salesman. Save your money,... Read More
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Sanjay G

9/18/2015
Worst company ever to deal with. No proper response. Have not settles a single claim yet. One time they said its a grooming product. However the shampoo was a prescription shampoo and was due to skin rash she had. I didn't wanted to give anitbiotics to my dog so went with Shampoo. but they never accepted that it was not grooming product. have been with them for about a year and feels like wasted all my money, as they have not covered a single claim. Please dont purchase this insurance its a scam company under the name of nationwide. Remember Nationwide just bought this company.
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Henley K

12/8/2016
We have used Nationwide Insurance for our ranch insurance for 20 years and have always been so pleased with their response for any problems. Now were so excited to find they offered pet insurance! With a few problems with puppy, they have come through just as they said they would, thank you Nationwide! Karen and AndaraLeigh!
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Jaime M

12/7/2016
My claim was submitted and check from NationWide was sent right away. I'm very pleased with the response time and the pleasant E-mail follow up. My car is currently insured with GEICO and from an accident I had on September 28,2016 it still hasn't been resolved. Trying to get answers or direct conversations with claim specialist is almost impossible and recently have been working with a supervisor that's become a nightmare. I'm aware of course you have car insurance too so I'm going to compare prices and coverages. If prices are the same or close I'll be switching.
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Alayna D

12/2/2016
So happy we purchased insurance for our English Bulldog puppy. Nationwide's claims forms are so easy to use and when our puppy was sick we received an email following up on how he's doing. How nice is that! We receive our claims checks in the mail very quickly and each time I've called with questions, customer service has been very helpful & friendly answering questions diligently. Would highly recommend Nationwide Pet Insurance for any pet owner.
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Top Rated
  • 25% discount on all in-office medical care 
  • Pet wellness plans available
  • No age restrictions
  • Covers pre-existing and hereditary conditions
  • Discounts available immediately on sign-up
  • A+ BBB accredited company
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