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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
What We’re Hearing From Our Readers
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Customer Comments

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A
Amy

1/8/2018
You guys are great to work with and quick turn over for the Vet visits. Rizzo is doing well. I appreciate the follow ups!!
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robbie

1/8/2018
I'm very thankful to be able to have insurance for Ellie! She has torn an ACL and needs surgery and I think nationwide has been very great through the whole thing. Before my dog Toby passed a few years ago, I know that as a sr. she would not have much coverage but when I submitted my claim, they covered more than I expected and was happy to recovery anything through that painful experience. I know my baby couldn't be brought back but having financial burden is equally painful. I am a true believe now to have insurance for my pet and I highly recommend them to my friends.
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Janis

1/8/2018
Fast & good coverage
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Mega A

1/6/2018
Nationwide Pet Insurance has been wonderful. It's simple and easy and reliable! I wish my own health insurance was the same!
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A
Arlene G

1/6/2018
Nexpected emergencies leave people scrambling for cash. Insurance for humans removes having to come up with cash while dealing with stressful decisions. It would be better to have insurance that works in the same way as human insurance.
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Roellyn A

1/5/2018
Good communications, both email and on phone, speedy reimbursement and friendly concern for my pooch.
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Brenda B

1/5/2018
We recently submitted vet bills for our small terrier mix. Nationwide has consistently been great. We email vet bill with claim form and receive verification that materials were received within a day or so. Nationwide has a convenient online secure sign-in page where we can check on our updates. It couldn't be easier. Documents with updated information appear on our secure page explaining benefits. Our digital document with a copy of the payment check shows up on this site and within a few days we found it in our mailbox. We couldn't be happier with Nationwide's excellent service.
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R
Ryan W

1/5/2018
Nationwide came through in a situation where I suspected they might not given the expense. Our Boxer puppy ended up having a Vasovagal Syncope brought upon from extreme strain during vomiting. However, prior to this diagnosis it appeared that he had passed away. It was incredibly traumatic and he required extensive testing as heart disease and other factors were suspected. All of that testing amounted to a large dollar amount and Nationwide was there for all of it. Henry is doing great now and all of that testing proved that he is in fact incredibly healthy and this was a fluke incident. Thank you so much for being there during a time of incredible distress! The financial burden... Read More
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Jane H

1/5/2018
Timely and responsive to claim. Greatly appreciated!!!
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B
Beryl M

1/4/2018
Nationwide is a life saver for my Bentley. I think everyone who has a pet should have pet insurance. Thank you so much for helping me with my bulldog.
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