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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
Molly

10/17/2017
Nationwide Pet Insurance has been a life saver on the pocket book. With a rescue puppy, there were many unexpected and expensive vet visits the first year but each claim was handled smoothly and efficiently, and the covered expenses truly helped us from being in a financial bind.
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Greg S

10/17/2017
Reimbursement on claims is never simple with Nationwide Pet Insurance. I have submitted 2 claims in the last 2 years with all paperwork from the Vet included. The reimbursement has been less than it should have been on both occurrences. I then have to call Nationwide and start asking questions and giving explanations of the charges on the bill from the Vet. After the phone call I was led to believe that they made a mistake and the claim will be resubmitted so I will receive the correct reimbursement. I later received the check for the incorrect amount and a letter requesting information I have already supplied. It feels like I'm getting the runaround and doesn't seem like claims... Read More
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Michael G

10/17/2017
Thankful for Nationwide! After 45 years as dog owners this is the first time we've had pet insurance. Nationwide has a great system which is easy to work with. Getting pre-filled out forms from the Nationwide website is simple, takes virtually no time and filling them out and emailing back to Nationwide is simple. Nationwide is fast and efficient in processing claims too. What's not to like!
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Luis M

10/17/2017
Best pet insurance in the market!
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B
Becki

10/17/2017
Nationwide takes care of all of our claims and quickly! They have paid for everything and have not been difficult to deal with at all. I have heard horror stories about pet insurance policies being difficult, stringent and not paying claims. That is not the case with Nationwide!! We are so happy to have decided to get insurance for both of our Rottweilers from day one
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Bob D

10/17/2017
First time pet insurance user and was very skeptical. To date, my experience has blown apart my expectations. Timely processing, no hassles and good communication. I am very happy with overall experience to date
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gregory l

10/17/2017
I am extremely satisfied. Next time I will use your direct deposit option .
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Sharon N

10/16/2017
Nationwide is very reasonably priced, and they are great at reimbursing us for our vet visits. So far we have been very happy and glad we signed up with Nationwide for our dog, Bailey.
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P
Prakash

10/16/2017
Chester is our first pet and Nationwide is our first Pet Insurance company. Chester had issues with one of his legs and had to undergo surgery for ACL tear. It was painful experience for the dog and all of us at home before, during and after the surgery. Some good relief during that journey was my interactions with Nationwide. When I called first before the surgery, the rep was very helpful explaining the benefits, coverage and the process. The day after surgery I submitted my claim. To my surprise it is not only processed in a week's time, but also covered all the costs. I truly felt Nationwide is ON MY SIDE.
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G
glenn f

10/16/2017
I shopped Pet Insurance companies to make a change from Pet-Plans. I went through the entire process with Nationwide Pet Insurance and was offered a policy which was accepted and paid for. Nationwide did state that there was 1 pre-existing condition that they would not cover, which I agreed to. It was then suggested that the better plan, known as the Wellness Plus would perhaps be a better option. I requested that we check out the additional coverage and then we could compare the plans and make an informed decision. Nationwide proceeded to cancel my insurance and then offer me the new insurance with a new litany of pre-existing conditions. I could no longer go back to the original... Read More
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