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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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Pat C

1/18/2018
If it is 1000 and your thinking of buying nationwide DO NOT WAIT until 1001 please do it NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love them enough said oh sorry and my dog loves them even more.
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Lynda A

1/18/2018
I could not do without Nationwide and the help with medical cost for my Little 3lb Yorkie. She is adorable and our life and Nationwide has been very prompt and a life saver for us. I would recommend them for your beloved pet
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Ravi T

1/18/2018
Could not be happier with the service that my former employer is providing . I am so glad I signed up because we had a fractured toe and Nationwide was most courteous and timely. No hassles. Nationwide is on your side - for sure
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Patti N

1/18/2018
I was touched to receive an email today asking how my Havanese puppy, Gus, was doing. Thank you for caring!
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Ami L

1/18/2018
Nationwide has helped us provide our Pet with the best are possible. Having the peace of mind that we wouldn’t be in financial ruin to get the tests Junior needed is priceless. Nationwide Pet insurance is a must have!
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Tommy

1/18/2018
Shyla is doing fine so far. She is in tough fight with skin allergies. Hope we found a fix this time.
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LeeAnn C

1/18/2018
I'm sure this insurance is great, if you can guarantee that your dog will be healthy for the first year, or are willing to be a negligent dog owner. The coverage is decent for wellness visits, but that's only fair, considering that in the end I'm still paying them far more than what I get back, but I kept it in case something serious happened to my dog. With only a few months left of the first year of coverage, I noticed something wrong with his back leg. It would lock up and was clearly causing him discomfort. Concerned, I took him to the vet who recommended x-rays and a visit to a specialist, none of which were covered, because it had not been a year yet. And then when I learned that the... Read More
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Mary L

1/17/2018
My sweet doxie developed hemmorhagic gastritis and had to be rushed to the ER. He was admitted to ICU and given medications, fluids, and hyperhbaric treatments. The bill was quite expensive, but Nationwide came through for us and for Schnitzel. We've had VPI and/or Nationwide for 23 years and they have helped us provide the best possible treatment for our fur babies. I wouldn't have a pet without Nationwide coverage.
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Julie H

1/17/2018
Nationwide Pet Insurance is really easy to work with. I love how claims are resolved approximately 2 weeks.
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Elissa N

1/17/2018
It's given me a peace of mind to know that I can get the care my pet needs reimbursed. I'm glad that I found a wonderful vet that uses a credit card option that keeps me from paying out of pocket while I wait for reimbursement to come back. It's always a struggle for some of us. The only way to possibly make this better is to develop more of a co-pay model. More pets could be saved and receive the preventive care they need.
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