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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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K
Kym D

8/20/2016
I like the 90%. But only buy if you get a brand new puppy with a completly clear 8 wk exam. They get records and even wax in the ears will end up being declined ear problems later Other issue IS HUGE INCREASES in.policy price each YEAR. HUGE. I now have to change my deductible to $1000 deductible to afford my premium. What ised to be $45 a month would be $68 a month just a few years later. But once you start having any health issues you are stuck because all insurance wont cover pre existing.
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A
Amanda s

7/25/2016
Nationwide Pet insurance is amazing! Iconically, I was working at Petplan pet insurance when I found out about Nationwide's Whole Pet With Wellness. I'm happy I did my research because nothing beats their coverage! Plus the claim process couldn't be more speedy!
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Jaime A

7/9/2016
I bought Nationwide pet insurance back in January for my dog and two cats. I have had to take the my dog to the vet 4 times, once for a wellness visit, the other three times for GI issues. When I submitted my four claims, they asked for more documentation, going back three years. Luckily my vet had all the information. Nationwide said they would take 30 days to review the information. Its now been 2 months and I still have no word from Nationwide to see if they would have covered my vet visits. Would not buy nor recommend.
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WC R

7/8/2016
I could not be more pleased with the value and performance of the entire VPI/Nationwide Pet Insurance program. I have two dogs (and formerly a cat) on their program ... And have saved many times the annual premium in claims reimbursement. Claims are processed quickly and efficiently (my VCA vet handles the submissions, and PREFERS VPI/Nationwides claims submission system over ALL others. Their customer service has always been friendly. The explanation of benefits has always been clean and concise. I highly recommend them
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Carol A

7/7/2016
I've insured three dogs with VIP which has become Nationwide. I'm not sure where your info came from that they insure congenital conditions. I have a rescue with a congenital leaking tricuspid valve and they have denied the treatment claims. I reviewed the policy and congenital and heredity conditions for the most part are excluded as I read it.
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Angela O

7/6/2016
Regretfully, I acquired this pet insurance through an offer at my job. What a waste of money. In March of 2016 I took my newly acquired puppy for his first visit to the Vet and to get his shots, up to today I have yet to receive a refund. I received a $55.00 refund for a $310.00 Hospital visit, when my puppy got an upset stomach and had a lot of diarrhea, I could not get an appointment on a Saturday afternoon, so the other option was to take him to the Hospital. This insurance advertises that they pay major medical and all accidents and sickness at 90%. How is 90% of $310.00 equals $ 55.00. In April I took the dog for his shots as mentioned before. To today I have yet to receive any money... Read More
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Lynn B

12/21/2015
I cannot STRESS HOW HAPPY I am with the NEW VPI plan which they started offering just six months ago. It literally covers everything! ( except dog food!). I had my three Chinese Cresteds on pet Plan and I have NO IDEA why it is rated so highly. Read the fine print with Pet Plan is all I can say. Then compare with the NEW VPI plan which now has NO LIMITS on major medical and covers wellness with only ONE deductible of 250 per pet per year. Pet Plan is 250 deductible for EACH SEPARATE VISIT if they are not related. Why take my word. Call VPI and ask about the new plan and then compare with the plan you have now. For me, there was no comparison.
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K
Karen C

12/2/2015
I wish I read these reviews before I signed up my 3 cats. They advertise "an annual deductible" - which is not true - there is a deductible for each and every claim. They also cap the amount they will pay out - which is basically - they not pay out more than you have paid in. I submitted a claim for one of my cats who was in an accident - which was paid out minus the deductible - which is good - but was then told that they will not pay any further claims for her this year. As for the wellness coverage - it's suppose to pay for annual vaccinations and flea prevention - they paid out less than half the cost! I have 3 cats insured with them and I am about to cancel all 3 policies.
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M
Mark N

9/22/2015
My first Lab was covered pretty well under VPI. Although the costs went up and coverage went down over the years I had him, I decided to use VPI again with my German Wirehaired. I just got the pup from the kennel and she had a minor ear infection-not even noticed by the dog. I called VPI to commence coverage and decided to ask about the ear infection/coverage because I didn't want to get caught up in the pre-existing bit. After avoiding the question several times, the rep at VPI informed me that the ear infection would be considered pre-existing for the life of the dog. She was 12 weeks old so I said good bye to VPI.and went with another carrier. Never had another ear infection since.
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T
Teresa W

9/15/2015
They denied an emergency surgery for a possible obstruction for preexisting condition. I have worked in healthcare for 20 plus years and have never heard of that. It also took them 2 months to let me know. Absolutely would not recommend.
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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
READ FULL REVIEW >
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