What we like:
vethelpline® available to all members
| Age limits | Pets over 10 years old can’t enroll |
| Deductible | $100 or $250 |
| Reimbursement | Up to 90% |
| Benefit limit | $10,000 or unlimited |
Many of us consider pets part of the family, so we want to ensure they’re happy and healthy. When pets get sick or injured, it can also mean unexpected trips to the vet and high vet bills.
Pet insurance, like human health insurance, can help make pet care more affordable by covering part or all of the costs of new health problems or pet health emergencies. Nationwide Pet Insurance is one possible source of coverage.
This Nationwide Pet Insurance review will cover what Nationwide offers and help you decide whether it’s right for you.
In this review:
- Nationwide Pet Insurance: Costs & coverage
- Pros & cons of Nationwide Pet Insurance
- How to get a Nationwide Pet Insurance policy
- Nationwide Pet Insurance customer service
- Where to find Nationwide alternatives
Nationwide Pet Insurance: Costs & coverage
| Major Medical (with or without wellness coverage) | Whole Pet with Wellness | |
| Monthly premiums | Starting at $22 | Starting at $64 |
| Minimum deductible | $250 | $250 |
| Maximum reimbursement | Not disclosed | 90% |
| Eligible pets | Cats & dogs; birds & exotic pets may be eligible. | Cats & dogs; birds & exotic pets may be eligible. |
| View rates | View rates |
Nationwide offers insurance for dogs and cats—as well as birds and exotic pets on a case-by-case basis. Customers can choose from three basic options for their insurance plan:
- Whole Pet with Wellness
- Major Medical
- Pet Wellness
What does Nationwide Pet Insurance cover?
Nationwide Pet Insurance policies, rates, and coverage options vary based on your pet and location, so it’s important to visit the insurer’s website for a rate quote based on your pet.
It’s also important to look at what pet insurance doesn’t cover. If you don’t have Nationwide’s top-tier policy, wellness visits and vaccines are excluded.
Even on policies where routine care is covered, the policy may not cover the total costs of care. Also, Nationwide Pet Insurance, like other providers, does not cover preexisting conditions.
When exploring your coverage, you have three primary plan options, described below.
Whole Pet with Wellness
This plan covers:
- Accidents and illnesses
- Surgeries and hospitalization
- Chronic conditions
- Hereditary conditions
- Prescriptions
- Flea and heartworm prevention
- Vaccinations
- Wellness exams
- Dental cleaning
The annual deductible is $250, and Nationwide will reimburse 90% of your costs after you meet the deductible.
Major Medical with Wellness
This plan covers:
- Accidents and illness
- Surgeries and hospitalization
- Chronic conditions
- Some hereditary conditions (with a one-year waiting period)
- Prescriptions
- Cancer
- Wellness exams and tests
- Vaccinations
- Heartworm and flea prevention
The deductible is $250; after meeting the deductible, coverage is based on your benefits schedule, and owners are responsible for fees that exceed those listed.
Major Medical
This plan covers:
- Accidents and illness
- Some hereditary conditions
- Cancer
This plan has the same $250 deductible but a lower monthly premium.
How much does Nationwide Pet Insurance cost?
The plan’s cost depends on various factors, including pet type, breed, and age. The premium varies based on the plan you select.
If you’re considering Nationwide dog or cat insurance, be sure to visit the website for an accurate quote. Further, if you’re looking for coverage for a bird or an exotic animal, you must contact the company by phone.
As an example, if you have a medium-sized, mixed-breed two-year-old dog and live in Pennsylvania, you can expect plans ranging from $28 to $68 a month. However, if you have a two-year-old Great Dane, your coverage might be between $46 and $117.
Customers can expect prices as low as $22 per month for the Wellness plan, $34 per month for the Major Medical Plan, and $64 per month for the Whole Pet with Wellness plan. No riders or add-ons are available with Nationwide Pet Insurance policies.
>> Read More: Wellness plans vs. pet insurance
Pros & cons of Nationwide Pet Insurance
Pros
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Coverage for certain exotic pets, which is not an option with many other pet health insurance providers on the market.
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Plans cover wellness exams and vaccinations, while many insurers provide no coverage for wellness care.
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Unlimited coverage is available.
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Customers can submit claims from their smartphone and track claims in real time.
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You can get a policy online or by phone, but Nationwide also works with businesses. You may be able to get pet insurance through your employer.
Cons
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Several complaints deal with denied claims, where Nationwide allegedly labeled them as pre-existing conditions despite the owner’s insistence otherwise. Customers also point to high premiums and slow response times.
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Nationwide Pet insurance carries a 14-day waiting period, which means your pet is not covered for two weeks after approval and payment. This is common, but some providers offer pet insurance with shorter waiting periods.
How to get a Nationwide Pet Insurance policy
Getting a policy is easy. Just visit Nationwide’s website and enter basic information about yourself and your pet, including:
- Your location
- Your pet’s name
- Your pet’s species and breed
- Your pet’s age
After providing this information, you’ll get an offer for three tiers of coverage based on the plans outlined above. The premiums will vary based on your pet and location. You may also be able to adjust your reimbursement amount to change your premium.
After choosing a policy, you must provide additional information, such as:
- Whether your pet has been spayed or neutered
- Past injuries and illnesses
- Preventative care your pet has received
- Your current vet
After answering all questions, you can submit your payment information, and your policy will begin. However, you must allow eligible waiting periods to pass for certain coverage areas to take effect.
Note: If you’re insuring a cat or dog, follow the steps above. To insure a bird or other exotic pet, call Nationwide at 1-800-874-0651 to get covered.
Where is Nationwide Pet Insurance available?
Nationwide Pet Insurance is available in all 50 states.
Nationwide Pet Insurance customer service
Nationwide customer service has mixed reviews, with some customers offering positive feedback while others reporting an inconsistent or poor customer experience, especially when filing claims.
To contact Nationwide Pet Insurance, call 1-800-872-7387 Monday to Friday from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific time, or Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where to find Nationwide alternatives
Nationwide Pet Insurance provides several plans for dogs, cats, small animals, and exotic pets. Some plans include wellness care, which many other insurance providers don’t offer or only make available as an add-on.
This can benefit pet owners looking for comprehensive coverage.
But is Nationwide Insurance worth the cost? Nationwide pet insurance reviews are often negative, with many customers pointing to specific issues submitting claims and getting reimbursed.
It’s important to research before completing an application and determine what is best for you and your pet. You can compare Nationwide to other options in our guide to the best pet insurance or find a review of another company in this list.
How we rated Nationwide
Nationwide Pet Insurance earned a rating of 3.9 out of 5. We rate pet insurance companies based on various data points including coverage, cost, customer ratings, benefit limits, and exclusions.
You can learn more about our methodology here.
Ready to find out whether a Nationwide policy is right for your pet? Check your rates on its website.
- Premium (monthly): Depends on plan
- Deductible: $100 – $250
- Reimbursement: As high as 90%