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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 Do We Rate Nationwide?

Breakdown

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

Our 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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Theresa P

2/6/2018
I find you.my experiences with you are very satisfying and I am glad I chose to insure with ypu
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Karmelo N

2/6/2018
My boxer gets into things....a lot. She usually passes them but this time, something was wrong. She didn't eat her food and my wife, a nurse, noticed her stomach undulating and her attitude in line with a bowel obstruction. We rushed her to the vet where it was deemed surgery was needed to remove it. Because of the policy on her, we didn't have to think twice about the financial burden or think about the thought of putting down our beloved dog. Nationwide provided us not only with the financial assistance but also the "life" assistance we needed to get our Boxer back up and running. I always recommend Nationwide Pet Insurance to all of my fellow dog parents. It saved our Boxer's life!
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Tara S

2/6/2018
So far, you have kept your promise, and paid our claims as stated and promptly. Very satisfied with this insurance. Thank you
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Leia T

2/6/2018
Have had a wonderful experience with Nationwide Pet Insurance!! Have recommended it to several friends!! THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!!!
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James B

2/6/2018
THe King Charles Spaniel is a wonderful pet for retirees - and we are. Insurance is a fee paid to limit risk. Nationwide has been a Godsend to us. The King Charles is not an inexpensive dog to obtain or maintain. Having Nationwide limiting our risk of ownership has been a comfort.
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Lorraine B

2/6/2018
My experience with your company was great. When I had to call the person Imspoke with handled my questions with professionalism and helpful. Thank you
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Amy P

2/6/2018
Our cat recently had a major - and expensive - problem with abscessed anal glands, which required visits to both an emergency vet and our regular vet. Thanks to our Nationwide Pet Insurance, we never had to worry about whether we could afford his care. Quick reimbursement meant our budget never went off track, and we could just focus on our cat and his recovery.
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Karen N

2/6/2018
A pleasure to deal with
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Dave S

2/6/2018
Samantha is fortunately, fully recovered from her surgery. Your help with the cost was very helpful, for which I am very grateful. We carry insurance for Samantha, primarily for those unexpected, but necessary expenses, for her continued health and the medical care required to maintain it. My decision to have the policy and to continue it, is reinforced by the positive recent experience with both our Vet and Nationwide. Samantha's continued good health is something we take very seriously, and Nationwide's assistance is appreciated.
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Linda S

2/6/2018
I have had pet insurance on my pugs, Boo and Izzy for 9 years now since they were 12 weeks old. As they have grown older, naturally they require more visits to the vet for more things that come up. The filing of our claims are easy and we receive our reimbursement checks in a timely manner. In fact, we get our checks even more quickly than we do from insurance companies for humans! I very rarely need to contact Customer Service, but when I called to ask about getting my furbabies on to their best program, the rep was very professional and answered all my questions. I would highly recommend Nationwide to anyone looking into getting pet insurance for peace of mind.
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