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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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Andrea V

12/8/2016
Before being acquired by Nationwide, VPI was an excellent pet insurance company. Now, I've dealt with poor customer service and complete thievery on my claims. My puppy was taken in for his first exam, and because I had honestly disclosed that he had previously been diagnosed with and tested for a parasite (cociddia), they didn't cover his fecal exam (something any vet would require for a first visit of a new puppy), or his $50 exam fee. He was diagnosed with hookworms and roundworms, two completely different parasites, and so they grouped everything other than his vaccines as "pre-existing conditions." The $50 exam fee was going to be incurred for his vaccinations. I'm absolutely... Read More
5 People found this helpful.
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L
lots o

10/12/2016
Very expensive. Have had this for years and my rates keep going up. My yearly limit for coverage is so low. Just do not like this company.
5 People found this helpful.
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J
Joy

9/30/2016
Absolutely the WORST experience with pet insurance I've ever had. Wasn't like this when it was VPI. I have had at least a dozen calls with them since July trying to get a $50 claim processed! Managers, customer service reps, and claims dept. people cannot figure out a simple $50 reimbursement. I currently have yet another manager online, Reyna. I don't have any high hopes that she will be able to figure this out either. But we'll see. I've spent much more than $50 of my time trying to get this processed. Oh... Reyna is sending this BACK through for processing YET again and has promised to call me with updates (so did the last manager - the call never happened). I am in pet... Read More
5 People found this helpful.
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S
Shannon C

8/4/2016
I have been with VPI (now Nationwide) for 13 years. I have always been extremely happy with thier services, until now. Not only did my beloved pet pass away, but Nationwide Pet then dragged this claim out for almost 4 months after. After repeated calls to the customer service department, I continually got “it’s in process”, nothing more. Nor did any of the customer service representatives offer to cancel my policy and reimburse me, after knowing full well my pet had passed. It wasn’t until my final email on 5/27/16 that the company offered to cancel the policy and then reimburse me, retroactive. Duncan’s passing was extremely difficult for me and for this claim to be “in process” for that... Read More
5 People found this helpful.
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T
Terri

7/12/2016
my previous dog was covered under VPI for 14 yrs of his 16 yr life. VPI WAS EXCELLENT in coverage & claim processing. I just adopted a 1 yr old Golden retriever , I assumed Nationwide who took over VPI would be just as great. THEY ARE A NIGHTMARE ‼️😡. I HAVE THE ROLLS ROYCE OF PLANS & Pay over 70.00 / mo. I have had to take the dog to the vet for testing, such as Ultrasound, blood work for Gi upset after the policy was in effect & during the required covered time period which he was covered & was healthy. Well, that claim was submitted in January, Feb March April right up until July 1. I finally demanded I speak with a supervisor. Supervisor advised me that the UNDERWRITERS had to... Read More
5 People found this helpful.
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A
Amber

8/12/2019
We signed up with Nationwide because on paper it seems like the best option so far as cost vs what you get. We were attracted to the $100 deductible and the extensive coverage that the Whole Pet with Wellness gets you - even dental! However, it's only been about a month since we started coverage and we're starting to see what the other reviews warn you about. Our cat Koda had a urinary crystal incident 2 years ago, and Nationwide used this to initially exclude us from crystalluria claims. We then submitted a recent urinanalysis showing that Koda does not have crystals and they took that off.. and replaced it with Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease! Why? Because our OTHER cat is on Urinary... Read More
4 People found this helpful.
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S
Sara

4/23/2019
So far I have had no problem with Nationwide Pet Insurance. I think they are a great insurance company. I see a lot of negative reviews online, and below in the comments sections, and I am a bit confused as to why. I purchased the Nationwide's Whole Pet with Wellness Plan. I purchased this plan immediately, as soon as I got my brand new puppy in 2015. I did a lot of research, and a lot of insurance plans have a yearly/lifetime cap (I'm not sure if their new plans now have caps, but at the time of purchase they did not). A lot of other pet insurance also seemed to refund you at a lower rate. Yes, the insurance isn't cheap, about 80+/month, in comparison to other insurances that cost... Read More
4 People found this helpful.
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Carrie A

2/6/2018
Nationwide Pet Insurance has been so helpful for our pup, Lari! Lari unfortunately had to undergo TPLO surgery, and Nationwide was able to cover a lot of the related surgery and follow-up appointment costs. We are very grateful for the benefits of Lari's coverage.
4 People found this helpful.
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Cynthia W

3/2/2017
It depends on who I am talking with some or some or not helpful.. u r higher rate. U take along time for my refund That why I canceled
4 People found this helpful.
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J
JJ

1/5/2017
WARNING! Do not insure through Nationwide. I signed up both of my pets for insurance and they came back with four exclusions for pre-existing conditions that 3 of the 4 are not conditions. My dog has not been treated for 3 of the 4 "conditions" in over 6 months and they are still excluded. I will be cancelling my policy with Nationwide and switching to Healthypaws.
4 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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