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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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Nicholas R

10/3/2019
This company is a scam, had the dog insurance for 3 years my dog never had any issues other than annual vet visit and now monthly cost was raised from $80 a month to $140 just because she turned 3
2 People found this helpful.
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Eric O

4/23/2019
123% premium hike in one year! What else there to say? It's all in the title. I paid $326 last year and they want me to pay $728 this year. Get the F*** OUT!. Best of luck to you Nationwide... people won't pay that. Who in the world made this business decision at Nationwide?
2 People found this helpful.
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D
DH

9/13/2018
I have had Nationwide Pet Insurance for my 2 goldens for about 5 years and have been extremely pleased with the treatment, knowledge, courteous customer service and handling of our claims. I have had no unexpected surprises and when questions have been posed, I found the staff very helpful. Our pets are our family so having a company show compassion and care in handling their care means so very much. I only wish there were fewer medical conditions not covered under the plan and the max limits were higher considering what we pay for the insurance but that is across all providers and not just Nationwide. Overall we highly recommend and I will continue with them for our current and future... Read More
2 People found this helpful.
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Tom H

9/5/2018
I cannot express how happy I am to have had Nationwide pet insurance for my two Berners. It has saved me THOUSANDS and I am not exaggerating. I had it from the first day I brought them home . I used it far more than I thought I ever would and they have covered everything they should. No hassles, just money deposited directly into my account. Thank you Nationwide!
2 People found this helpful.
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Kristina G

9/1/2018
Having pet insurance has put my worries to ease when it comes to my fur babies. Knowing that after my pets are seen by the vet I will receive a refund is awesome!
2 People found this helpful.
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Peggy M

8/27/2018
I'm sadden to see the reviews below regarding Nationwide. I joined the insurance plan two years ago after my new Doberman Pinscher decided to eat 2 socks and a McDonalds dipping sauce cup. My vet bill was $2400.00 all out of pocket for surgery, medication and care. Prior to my Dobie, we had a Boxer and had regular routine visits never anything costly until he passed away. However my Smokey was a different animal all together, literally. After the sock eating surgery, I researched some pet insurance, but my husband's cousin told us about Nationwide. Since then we have been very happy members, outside of the normal 250.00 deductible, everything else has been. From lacerations, nail... Read More
2 People found this helpful.
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J
Jennifer

2/23/2018
Beware, my cat needed treatment for the same illness within the same policy period. The second time the reimbursement was substantially lower. I was told the maximum payment for that illness was already reached. Basically you are not fully covered for all illness more than once in one policy period... why am I paying the insurance if they aren’t covering each claim?
2 People found this helpful.
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Jennifer W

2/6/2018
So glad I have this insurance! There's nothing that means more, than to not worry about medical bills for my fur baby, Spud!❤
2 People found this helpful.
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S
Steph

12/7/2016
I had VPI prior to them changing to Nationwide. I was NOT provided with new "uncovered" benefits so when my dog needed major surgery I was told it was NOT covered and spent $2k out of pocket...mind you I pay over $700 a year to this company. The claim process is also frustrating. Every claim gets rejected because they want specific detail...I take my dog to the vet for an office exam submit and every time they want to know what the exam entailed...its a routine exam if it were anything else it would say on the invoice. Would NOT recommend and am in the process of leaving them.
2 People found this helpful.
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Beth

8/14/2016
My Nationwide premium comes up for renewal in November, so I thought I might start looking for a new pet insurance policy. I recently submitted my yearly health and wellness bills for the year for which there is NO DEDUCTIBLE (they claim). My dog is just a year old, so these fees include regular vaccines plus Flea, Tick and Heartworm prevention. I sent this claim in last month, and I decided that their response would be the deciding factor. Well, they failed. I paid my annual premium (MajMed $412. plus Wellness $243.) My yearly preventative vet bills I submitted equaled $295. Every cent should have been covered, according to the plan, yet I received a check one month later for $134.00.... Read More
2 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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