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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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M
Mako

8/11/2016
CON ARTISTS plain and simple. These snakes fabricate reasons to deny coverage. The only recourse is to sue in local small claims court and force them to arbitrate. Or better yet, avoid them entirely.
3 People found this helpful.
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Susan W

7/26/2016
I just got off the phone with a nationwide representative again and was told "your claim is now waiting to be re-opened". Problem: this is exactly what I was told 5 business days ago. Problem: We have been waiting since June 20 and it is July 26th today with no reimbursement. We initially did not have enough documentation sent with our claim. They told us that over the computer within 2 days of receiving our claim. The next day, they had our completed documentation via fax. Since then we have been told "it is in review", next week "it is in review". Next week, same, and last week we were told " it should only be a few days because it only now needs re-opened". This week: Oh, I... Read More
3 People found this helpful.
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L
Liz Z

3/18/2015
I have 17 years experience with VPI and they are TERRIBLE. Why did I keep them for so long? They were the only pet insurance available when my elder dog was a puppy. By the time that better options came into existence, she was so old that I could not enroll her in a different plan - so it was "better than nothing" and I kept it. By the end, they really were "worse than nothing." They jack up the rates on older dogs to the point where owners are forced to drop the policy. I won't go into all the problems I have had with them over the years. Now that my elder dog has passed, I am immediately switching policies for the younger one. Good riddance!
3 People found this helpful.
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R
Ronnie R

3/15/2015
I recently got a Vizsla puppy, and the first time we took him to the vet VPI rejected our claim. The reason was complete BS and was in their super fine print. This is the worst possible pet insurance company on the planet. STAY AWAY!!!
3 People found this helpful.
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Dave D

2/17/2016
After some confusion over my plan, I came to realize that while their site shows that their top tier plan covers "spaying", it in fact does not. When I asked an agent about it, their response was "yea... we know about that and have told management that they should take it down, but they haven't". The agent went on to tell me that they stopped covering spaying LAST FEBRUARY... over a year ago. When I asked why do they show it and what would happen if I had signed up under that plan and submitted a claim for a spaying, I was pretty much shrugged off by a "Richard". Be warned as well, if you submit a claim, make sure it is a closed invoice (even though it does not state it anywhere on... Read More
3 People found this helpful.
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D
Donna

9/28/2015
I have three cats well now two- I have had VPI now Nationwide for over two years. I have paid thousands of dollars in monthly premiums and never had to use the insurance. In reading these comments seems like a common thread-- They denied my claim for my Cat due to inherited condition.. What they have concluded on there information isn't anywhere on the 22 pages of data from my Vet-- So why even have a diagnosis from a Doctor when they come to their own conclusions. I am befuddled. Since I have had to euthanize by beloved pet--- after their 100.00 deductible i was granted 65.00- Buyer beware---
3 People found this helpful.
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E
Ellen S

1/30/2016
VPI has turned into Nationwide (is NOT on your side). I wish I had known of alternatives when I started with this company when my 11 yr old toy poodle was a puppy. Contrary to the above description, they don't charge an annual deductible, they charge $50 deductible for every illness. So if you need a vet visit for 2 things, you lose $100 off the top. Their 'reasonable charge' benefit schedule hovers around half of the real life charge. On top of that, they take 10% off of their reasonable charge, giving you even less. Now that my little guy is really sick, I'm dismayed at how little they pay for each disease, the exclusions, and their policy of limiting coverage to the one-time benefit... Read More
3 People found this helpful.
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B
Betty S

8/26/2015
since being taken over by another company VPI has hit an all time low. Nationwide is NOT on their side. I have been a customer for many years and it's become so bad I am renewing with another pet insurance company. DO NOT PURCHASE A POLICY HERE!
3 People found this helpful.
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V
VICTORIA F

7/13/2015
Becoming worse and worse !!!!!
3 People found this helpful.
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W
Wendy M

1/15/2016
Christmas night, my kids found our dog having seizures. We rushed her to the emergency vet and with great care, she is now doing well. We submitted the claim for the emergency visit thinking the pain of the huge emergency vet bill incurred on Christmas day won't be so bad. Of the $1352 submitted, they paid $295. Over her lifetime, I have paid $4648 in premiums, submitted $7264 in claims and have been paid $2696. Save your money, start a savings account for pet care because this is not the way to do it.
3 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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