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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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Steve I

10/11/2017
Superb coverage and speedy reimbursements make Nationwide the best pet insurance on the market.
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Shannon E

10/11/2017
Our Bubba is our baby and it's a relief, when he is sick to know that we have a little help with cost. Easy to submit and customer service has always been very helpful.
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caroline b

10/11/2017
Quick professional processing of claim, phone reps are always friendly
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Stephen L

10/11/2017
Nationwide Pet Insurance has been a godsend for me and my dog. It could not be easier to file a claim online and the reimbursements are done quickly and are always accurate. My pup has had two surgeries and the insurance has helped greatly with the expenses. Thank you Nationwide.
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Lucy L

10/11/2017
Chase pay was difficult to deal with. I accepted payment, but never got it. Ended up with a paper check! Love that everything was covered! Recheck will not be, as allotment for Echo procedure is exhausted, but I could not upgrade.
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Mary

10/11/2017
Nationwide Pet Insurance has been excellent in our times of need. The process is so easy and their customer service is exceptional! We highly recommend Nationwide Pet Insurance, especially to fellow English Bulldog owners like us!
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Bobbye m

10/11/2017
I have been carrying pet insurance since Sadie was 8 years old and now she is 15. Had an accident recently and as our animals get older things happen. I am so glad I have Nationwide Pet Insurance Major Medical otherwise I would not be able to handle these unfortunate surgeries. Thank you Nationwide I tell everyone about you, Sadie has recovered and doing well and hope she is with me many more years to come. Bobbye Marcus
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Roni

10/11/2017
After having a dog for 12 years and losing her to cancer, I decided that I would never go without Pet insurance again. Coming from the world of Health Care Insurance (for people) I compared every every possible Pet Insurance with a professional eye. Nationwide Whole Wellness covers everything you can possible think of.... sure the others look lower in price but once you add the additional coverage on that you need it adds up. I found that the Value was in the Nationwide coverage. I was very careful to watch on my first (and second) claim but they have not been a disappointment. 5 Stars to the Customer service staff that originally helped me sign on and to the Service Representatives that... Read More
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Marc S

10/10/2017
Nationwide's most expensive plan suits my particular needs but I would not recommend it for anyone concerned about costs. Nationwide denied multiple claims associated with a LEFT ear infection caused by three separate pathogens that required several different medications and office visits because, four months earlier, our dog had a RIGHT ear infection caused by one pathogen and easily cured with one medication. They argued that the dog had a pre-existing condition. Despite our vets records and her direct contact with Nationwide to convey that the two infections were unrelated, they denied our appeal. They claim "ears are bilateral." Our vet advised them that the literature is clear that... Read More
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Naira r

10/10/2017
We have chosen Nationwide for both of our dogs when they were still small puppies because we have had Nationwide insurance for years for our cars and have been very happy with them. And we are very happy with Nationwide Pet Insurance as well. They offer several different plans tailored to different needs, their customer service is excellent and courteous, processing of claims is fast, honest and with clear explanations. We have purchased similar plans for both pups and, although, we have barely used it for one of them, the other doggie is undergoing major treatment due to injury which would have financially extremely difficult without Nationwide Pet insurance. I have already recommended... Read More
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