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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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M
Maria

12/18/2017
Our pet Penny has been insured with Nationwide for approximately 3 years. Penny has the wellness and catastrophic plan and we do not regret paying for these services. Nationwide has been great in reimbursing us in Penny’s medical bills. I do not understand why a lot of pet owners do not insure they’re pets with Nationwide. I feel at ease knowing that if Penny were to need any emergency procedure done, Penny is in good hands with Nationwide. Thank you 🙏 Nationwide.
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Gwynne B

12/18/2017
Before we had pet insurance we had a cat that had diabetes. He was a true love of ours and so we did all we could to make his life good, healthy, and vibrant, but with diabetes there is a LOT of expense. Towards the end, we had paid out more than $12,000 that year alone! He lived to 16 years of age, and had diabetes since he was 9 but it was a true hardship on us financially. Your insurance has made all the difference in us even having another cat. The fear of what it will cost is gone, and we are able to get help right away without fear. And you pay so quickly, so that we are not waiting for weeks for a reimbursement. Our cats now are 14 and 16 and very healthy, no diabetes, but it... Read More
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Margaret R

12/18/2017
The pet insurance has come in handy. Have used it primarily for vaccinations and preventive meds like heartguard and Bravecto. This year my pup had allergies and most of those treatments were covered too. Love, love Vitus Vet and the ability to send in Nationwide claims electronically. I timed it, takes about one minute to file a claim and snapshot the receipt. Also like the ability to electronically receive reimbursements. My only ask would be to shorten processing time on claims. Seems to be taking 2 weeks or more.
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Charles W

12/18/2017
Nationwide is an awesome insurance service for pets. It is fair, comprehensive and timely. We and our pooch, Stella, are thankful for the coverage. Happy Holidays to you all from Stella and her mom and dad.
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Khara C

12/18/2017
I have recommended Nationwide any and all opportunities I've had. I recommend when I'm at the vet talking to Pet owners, or when I meet a new Pup owner on the street. An insurance company YOU CAN COUNT on is the best business there is. Don't change, Nationwide- you are a leader in your field. (For reference, my dog had 2 ACL surgeries, and some complications due to infection after- Nationwide covered everything outside the deductible. They're worth every penny.)
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P
Pamela L

12/18/2017
Our Greater Swiss Mountain Dog recently had to have a gastropexy. I was very pleased with how quickly Nationwide reviewed our case and had a check in the mail to cover the expenses. I can no longer imagine not having pet insurance. Thank you Nationwide.
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Jason'nDiane B

12/17/2017
Molly is doing great . Just have to watch her colotis when it acts up .
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A
Alice M

12/15/2017
I love Nationwide Pet health insurance. It helps me take care of my German Shepherd and to see that she has any medical care she needs. Thank you nationwide for allowing my girl to have the best of care!
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J
Julie M

12/15/2017
I can't imagine owning a dog without having pet insurance. Signing up with Nationwide Pet Insurance is one of the best decisions I made in 2017! Thanks for my peace of mind when it comes to our rescue dog, Bella!
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Bonnie W

12/14/2017
Always there for both my dogs And if I have a question. I just call They truly care about your pet
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