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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
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Customer Comments

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Amyphillipslcpc

10/15/2016
My puppy Carter ate the squeaker from a soft squeaky toy and needed it surgically removed. The turn around time for tne claim was a little over a week. It was a huge help, since the bill was just about $3000.
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Roger G

9/26/2016
Nationwide Pet insurance is one of the best investments we have made recently. Our family member, MR Raggs, is in great shape and very active and happy. The peace of mind this policy allows us is why we like it so much. My pup is always there for me happy and willing to do anything to please me. The least I can do is make sure he has the very best health care I can provide. Thank you Nationwide for giving us that opportunity. Cathy, Roger and Mr. Raggs
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Lisa C

9/23/2016
I bought a "Superior" plan policy with a cancer endorsement for my Golden retriever as a puppy 11 years ago. I am currently paying about $60 a month for the policy. I had never made a claim until recently, when my dog had to have a CT scan and rhinoscopy for probable sinus cancer. With vet visits, tests, and biopsies, I submitted claims to Nationwide for about $3000. Although they paid out as expected for the less expensive bills, I will be receiving only about a third of the cost of the CT scan and rhinoscopy (which constitutes about $2600 of the claim). When I called their customer service I was told that they knew that their "allowed" benefit for CT scans and rhinoscopies was (a lot)... Read More
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Carole T

9/18/2016
I had my 2 previous pets insured thru VPI, and was happy with the service. When I got a new puppy, I could Nationwide had replaced them, so I signed up! I have had great service with Nationwide thus far, and am pleased with the company.
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M
MISHELE

9/15/2016
THIS IS THE WORST PET INSURANCE / INSURANCE COMPANY EVER! RUN...RUN FAR AWAY! THIS IS A SCAM. WE PURCHASED INSURANCE FOR AN ELDERLY STRAY CAT THAT WE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF HIS HISTORY. HE WAS DEHYDRATED AND WASN'T KEEPING HIS FOOD DOWN. SO WE TOOK HIM AS AN EMERGENCY TO A VET. THIS VISIT WAS A FREE CONSULTATION. SINCE THE VET WAS ABLE TO TELL US HE WAS OKAY, WE OPTED TO WAIT TO BRING HIM FOR A REAL CHECK-UP WHEN OUR POLICY STARTED. NOW, THIS RIP OFF COMPANY TOOK OUR MONEY FOR A POLICY AND IS REFUSING TO COVER OUR PET. THEY ARE DIAGNOSING HIM WITH ISSUES HE DOES NOT HAVE. WE PAID OVER $400 OUT OF POCKET FOR BLOOD WORK WHICH CAME BACK 100% CLEAR, NO ISSUES, NO DIAGNOSIS OF ANYTHING!!!! HIS... Read More
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Susan L

9/11/2016
September 10,2016 I am writing this letter to update you of the claims disagreement between myself and Nationwide regarding my puppy, Max. As I anticipated Nationwide is not covering my claims and has added the following exclusions which are incorrect to Max’s policy: Rhinitis, Sinusitis, Canine Upper Respiratory Infection, Dermatopathy, and Gastroenteritis. I disagree with these exclusions and believe them to be excessive. My veterinarian at Estrella Veterinarian Hospital, Julie Owen, contacted Nationwide’s Vet Services Department to dispute these exclusions. Nationwide did not value Julie’s input or expertise regarding the misinformation included in Max’s policy as pre-existing... Read More
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A
Alison R

9/9/2016
Both my cats have been insured through VPI, now Nationwide. Since the merger I have been met by nothing but prevarication, ridiculous denial of claims and a foul attitude. I now find that my plan for the younger cat no longer covers annual check-ups or vaccinations, which used to be standard, plus there is a $50 per item deductible. No only will I be changing my insurer but I will be reporting Nationwide to the California Department of Insurance Consumer Service Division. I encourage all other Nationwide customers to do the same.
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Susan L

8/28/2016
August 26, 2016 I am a responsible pet owner and a loyal customer who has had pet insurance through VPI which is now Nationwide for over ten years. I have been fortunate to have a healthy dog, so I have not had to make many claims for my other dog. I recently bought a new purebred AKC registered Shiba Inu puppy. The day I brought my puppy home on June 17, 2016, at eight weeks old, I set up a new policy with Nationwide since I know how expensive a new puppy can be. I was informed by the Nationwide representative I spoke with that I had a $250 deductible, and after that I would receive 90% reimbursement for any vet visits after my deductible was met. I have taken my puppy to the... Read More
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E
ebony l

8/23/2016
I recently changed to the new plans and was convinced that I would be reimbursed 90% of my bill only to find out the deductible was increased to $250 per pet, so we spent $400 for both pets so we got a big fat goose egg!!! Just cancelled my plan. I wish I would have known about the increase in deductible with the new policy.
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P
Pat

12/19/2015
Rascal has been insured with VPI/Nationwide for 13 years. Excellent customer service. They pay exactly what is in print on the schedule of benefits. Never ever a problem in all those years - pay promptly. In fact a couple years ago I called to pay my premium and they suggested I drop the wellness coverage because at Rascal's age he would not be getting as many vaccinations, teeth cleaning, etc. They saved me money in the premium. Rascal recently passed away and when I notified them, the pro-rated balance of my annual premium was credited to my credit card within 2 days. I would always use VPI
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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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