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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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Theresa

3/7/2017
Worst insurance ever! I paid $57 a month and they covered nothing when our dog needed surgery at 2.5 yrs old. Looking for new insurance now!
8 People found this helpful.
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Joseph D

3/10/2017
This company is horrible !!! Please be aware of their policies they are limited in out payment ..I submitted a $176.00 claim and was paid $8.00 ...I paid this policy in full ...had a very hard time canceling policy and getting my money back
7 People found this helpful.
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J
John T

1/21/2017
Nationwide stinks. They take your money, then the moment you file a claim they have you send them every doctor's record from the time the dog was born. Then they turn down your claim because they say your dog has a pre-existing condition. Stay away from this insurance company, they are just a scam!!!!!! I would never think that would do this to me. They advertise that "Nationwide is on your side", but the reality is that they don't give a damn about you or your pet. As far as I'm concerned they rate a negative five stars. A total waste of money, and I hope a million potential customers read this review. John Torres, Jamaica, NY
7 People found this helpful.
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C
Carolyn B

1/13/2017
I would give them no stars. My 9 month of lab had to have knee surgery. My vet says it is rare in large breed dogs to have knee problems. They would not cover his surgery because it was not a year yet on the plan. We'll why do they charge me before the year. They said they don't cover grooming! He was shaved on his on leg for surgery I don't think that's grooming. Really crappie .
7 People found this helpful.
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Dee R

1/13/2017
Don't choose this insurer for your pet. My nine-year-old cat experienced some fur loss and I took her to the veterinarian. The vet was initially concerned about slightly elevated glucose and noted, since my cat is anxious about car rides in the cat carrier, that the elevation could be due to that. I asked a mobile veterinarian to visit and their tests confirmed that my cat didn't have elevated glucose. Testing showed she wasn't hyperthyroid. Both veterinarians confirmed she probably has an allergy to foods that were added into her diet by my elderly mother. I submitted all of the records during the lookback period (11/15 to 11/16) and yet Nationwide continued to send letters asking for... Read More
7 People found this helpful.
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A
Alison

12/27/2016
Very disappointed with nationwide. I have had this policy for two years and they have only covered one claim. I most recently took my dog to the vet for an ear infection. Nationwide refused to cover it because my dog has had an ear infection at some point During his life. Also because he has sensitive skin( could be allergies) they say everything( ear infections) can be caused by them. I find it very frustrating that I pay 50$ a month and whenever I submit a claim there is some exclusion. Not to mention the individuals on the phone are extremely rude.
7 People found this helpful.
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MaryRamon A

6/25/2018
these is worst place you can have your pet insurance 1 hr 35 minutes and service was complete mes up i spent $2390 per year and is difficult claim be paid took 90 days and more of 20 phone calls each time we call please not lot your time Nationwide is awful service
6 People found this helpful.
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D
Daniel D

1/19/2017
I signed up for Nationwide through my employer to cover my 3 cats. Same as all the others are saying: there were "pre existing condition" and "exclusions" to death. They had never been sick a day in their life but I was told they had conditions that could be re reviewed after six months provided they were monitored. Of course the visits to the pet to monitor them were excluded. One cat's name had been mis spelled. That got a denial too. It was also denied when I resubmitted with the correct spelling because there was already a claim for the same cat/same visit that had been denied. This was the same claim we were resubmitting. I've had Nationwide for only 2 months and I'm... Read More
6 People found this helpful.
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J
JJ G

1/3/2017
Very poor coverage for pet with near death illness. We have paid our premiums for 12 years and when our male border collie had a liver problem, this insurance was terrible. We paid $15,000 for a week of care in ICU, following a 3 hour surgery in which our pet's liver was partially removed and biopsied. The liver had ruptured into his stomach and lungs--he had pneumonia and needed to be on oxygen. The insurance paid less than 10% of his bills. This is the worst insurance policy I have ever seen. Do not waste your money on this policy.
6 People found this helpful.
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John G

2/21/2018
Bluebell is feeling much better & Thanks to this company there was minimal out of pocket expense. Getting my bluebell's coverage through Nationwide was the best decision I have ever made.
5 People found this helpful.
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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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