Many or all of the companies featured compensate us. Compensation and research may determine where and how companies appear. Learn more
  1. Home
  2. Pet Insurance
  3. Nationwide Review

Nationwide Pet Insurance Review

2,370 Customer Comments & Reviews - see all comments
Our content is free because we may earn a commission when you click or make a purchase using our site. Learn more.
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.
 
View Top 10 List

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
Are you a customer of Nationwide Pet Insurance?
Submit a comment and tell other people about your experience!
Our Comment GuidelinesTips for Writing Effective Comments
Minimum 12 words.
 No maximum length.
* What's Your Rating?
To make this comment as helpful as possible for our community, please provide at least 2 sentences.

Customer Comments

Loading Reviews ...
N
Nancy M

12/29/2017
Bucky is doing quite well. His skin bump was benign. It is our Tinkerbelle who suffered a spinal cord stroke on 11/29/17, C-972790. After much needed care at Vet Specialty Center and Midwest Animal Hospital, she is now able to walk and making progress. She is still going to Rehab and receiving her acupuncture. I will be submitting a review for her claims, along with all Doctor Notes, disputing your findings of her diagnosis. I have been with VPI/Nationwide for over 20 years with several of our pets. This is the first time I have encountered a problem with benefits. Thank your for your concern.
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

S
Sandra N

12/29/2017
We are very pleased with Nationwide Pet Insurance. Our furry baby, Rox, is getting great care from his Vet. We are so glad we have Nationwide Pet Insurance when he has health issues. Couldn't be happier!
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

Bob M

12/29/2017
Recently, our Yellow Lab, Sasha, blew out her ACL. At just over 1.5 years old, we were shocked. Our vet recommended we take her to a local vet hospital for treatment. To make a long story short, she had surgery to repair her ACL by placing a stainless steel plate in her leg, held on with 6 screws. As you can imagine, this was very expensive. Nationwide covered 90% of the bill of almost $5000. We totally would recommend Nationwide Pet Insurance to other pet owners.
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

Cindy V

12/28/2017
Thank you!! On the night of Nov 30th I found myself in the emergency room with my husky, Logan, trying to make a tough decision of how I was going to financially handle the situation. I sat in the exam room and called you. One of your lovely representatives (I wish I could remember her name) kindly reviewed my policy and Logan's current emergency visit and eased my mind. She calmed me down and removed my fear of my Logan being hurt. 15 Days later, I received a full reimbursement check for Logan's emergency medical bills and I am so happy I made the right choice by choosing Nationwide for my fur baby's coverage! Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart xoxo
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

C
Cathy R

12/28/2017
Nationwide cares about your pet. They pay claims fairly quickly. We have been very satisfied so far.
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

Diane R

12/28/2017
Advised that no diagnoses was listed, but veterinary insisted she listed it. So I get it returned. I'm advised to just go ahead and resubmit with diagnoses myself. I did, then I'm advised that I did not have the invoice. The invoice accompanied the original submission. I called to speak to a real human after the form letters kept coming. It took over 2 months to be reimbursed.
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

Sharon G

12/28/2017
Your response time after I submit a reimbursement form is excellent.
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

Susan S

12/28/2017
Claim process was easy and pretty quick
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

P
pam

12/28/2017
Best insurance ever. No trouble getting the 90% back, deposited directly to my checking account. Simple and easy! I use the vitus vet app they are collaborated with and all I have to do is take pics of the invoice visit and submit.
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

Amelia K

12/28/2017
Amazing! So worth it !
Was this comment helpful?
HelpfulNot Helpful

Top Rated
Our Partner

Rated "Best Choice Overall" by Mashable

  • No Maximum Annual or Lifetime Payouts
  • No Enrollment or Administrative Fees
  • Most Claims are Processed in 2 Days
  • Trusted by More than 625,000 Parents
READ FULL REVIEW >
VIEW RATES

Related to Pet Insurance

Top Articles
Suggested Comparisons