Nationwide Pet Insurance Review & Prices
Nationwide places No. 7 in our Best Pet Insurance Companies of 2022 rating. The company sold its first policy in 1926 and offers a variety of insurance policies including homeowners, renters, car, and life insurance, as well as investment options. It began offering pet insurance individually or through employers in 2009 after acquiring Veterinary Pet Insurance Company, which opened in 1982 as the first pet insurance company in the United States. Today, insurance is underwritten by National Casualty Company across the country, and by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company in California. Nationwide Pet Insurance offers four major plans for cats and dogs: Major Medical, Major Medical with Wellness, Whole Pet and Whole Pet with Wellness.
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Nationwide’s Whole Pet with Wellness plan is a convenient way to keep your pet healthy by covering vet bills for routine care. For pet owners looking for financial protection for only significant problems, Nationwide also offers a pet major medical plan that caps benefits for each condition.
Pros
- covers the cost of veterinary examinations
- includes a wellness strategy
- has a 24-hour telehealth line for pets
- Current Nationwide customers receive a further 5% discount when purchasing a pet plan on top of the multipet discount of 5%.
- Pet medicines at Walmart and Sam’s Club have preferential pricing for policyholders of Nationwide’s Pet Rx Express, and the prescription claim can be handled at the pharmacy counter.
Cons
- There is a 12-month waiting period before cruciate ligament or meniscus (knee) injuries are covered.
- There is only one option for the deductible and annual coverage maximum.
- No coverage for final expenses, in contrast to top competitors
Table of Contents
- About Nationwide Pet Insurance
- What Does Nationwide Pet Insurance Cover?
- What Nationwide Pet Insurance Doesn’t Cover
- Nationwide Pet Insurance Waiting Periods
- Nationwide Pet Insurance Coverage Levels
- How to Save Money on Nationwide Pet Insurance
- Nationwide vs. Embrace Pet Insurance
- Nationwide vs. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
- Nationwide vs. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
About Nationwide Pet Insurance
When Nationwide was first established, it was a modest vehicle insurer, more than 90 years ago. The Columbus, Ohio-based Nationwide has developed into a well-known brand with a broad range of insurance, retirement, and investment products.
The first pet insurance provider in the United States, Veterinary Pet Insurance, was purchased by Nationwide in 2009. National Casualty Co. underwrites the company’s pet insurance. The Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. underwrites policies for California residents.
What Does Nationwide Pet Insurance Cover?
There are numerous pet insurance options from Nationwide. The Whole Pet with Wellness plan is their most complete product and includes the following coverage:
- Accidents like sprains, ACL tears, and poisonings
- Typical ailments such ear infections, diarrhea, and vomiting
- serious conditions include diabetes and heart problems
- arthritis, allergies, and skin disorders are examples of chronic diseases
- Hereditary problems such blood illnesses, eye disorders, and hip dysplasia
- Diagnostic procedures such X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, and blood tests
- Acupuncture, laser therapy, and chiropractic adjustments are examples of holistic therapy.
- surgeries or chemotherapy, for example,
- immunizations and health examinations
- prevention of heartworm and fleas
Additionally, Nationwide provides scaled-down plans, such as its Major Medical plan, which covers costs for medicines, chronic diseases, some inherited conditions, procedures, diagnostic tests, and hospitalization (a waiting period will apply).
The Pet Rx Express programme, which offers preferred pricing on pet prescriptions at any Walmart or Sam’s Club pharmacy, is now available to policyholders of nationwide pet insurance. Additionally, the prescription insurance claim can be processed at the pharmacy counter.
Nationwide also provides coverage for exotic pets such chinchillas, geckos, goats, potbellied pigs, hamsters, iguanas, turtles, and snakes in addition to dogs and cats.
What Nationwide Pet Insurance Doesn’t Cover
Nationwide’s pet insurance doesn’t cover all costs, just like other pet insurance plans. Exclusions from coverage include:
- Pre-existing conditions, such as a wound or disease that afflicted your pet before coverage began
- Treatment or therapy not recommended by your veterinarian
- a diagnosis or course of action that is unorthodox, unproven, or not in accordance with your state’s veterinary medical board’s acknowledged standards of care
- Taxes, trash disposal, and record-keeping are a few expenses that aren’t specifically connected to veterinary services.
Keep in mind that depending on the type of policy you choose, extra coverage exclusions may apply. If you choose the Major Medical plan, for instance, you won’t have coverage for wellness expenses or minor ailments.
How to Save Money on Nationwide Pet Insurance
With Nationwide, there are several ways to save money on pet insurance:
- 5% off for multiple pet insurance policies
- Existing Nationwide clients receive a 5% discount
- Employees at Nationwide are eligible for discounts
Nationwide vs. Embrace Pet Insurance
Embrace has waiting periods of two days for accidents, fourteen days for illnesses, and six months for orthopedic issues. In contrast, Nationwide has a 12-month waiting time for knee injuries or cruciate ligament injuries and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses and accidents.
Because accidents can happen at any time, Embrace’s quicker waiting times for accidents might help you feel more at ease. Additionally, if your pet is prone to this kind of injury, Nationwide’s 12-month waiting time for ligament and knee problems could be problematic.
In addition to routine and wellness plans, 24/7 vet helplines, and policy reductions offered by both insurers, Embrace also offers a $50 vanishing deductible for each year you go without filing a claim. For instance, if you avoid making any claims for two years in a row and have a $200 deductible, your deductible will be decreased to $100.
Nationwide vs. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
While Nationwide offers a 14-day accident and illness waiting period, Healthy Paws has a 15-day waiting period.
Both insurance companies have lengthy waiting periods for other conditions, but if your pet is 6 years old or older, Healthy Paws won’t cover hip dysplasia. Nationwide is probably a better option if you are aware that your pet is susceptible to hip dysplasia.
On the other hand, since Nationwide has a 12-month waiting period for these ailments, Healthy Paws is a good option to take into account if your pet is prone to ligament and knee issues.
Compared to Healthy Paws, benefits from Nationwide are stronger. For instance, Healthy Paws does not include a wellness and regular care plan, nor does it pay for behavioural treatment or vet visits.
Nationwide vs. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
Although the accident and illness waiting periods for Nationwide and ASPCA Pet Health Insurance are the same, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance has no longer waiting period for any particular disease, but Nationwide does for ligament and knee injuries.
Both companies also offer a number of features that pet owners look for in insurance policies, like a wellness coverage add-on and round-the-clock vet helplines. The decision between the two can depend on your budget and whether your pet is prone to ligament or knee issues.
Four different types of pet insurance are available from Nationwide. Its pet wellness programme includes services including immunizations, physicals, and tests. Exams, medicines, chronic diseases, surgery, hospitalization, and a few hereditary conditions are all covered under the Major Medical plan. In addition to advantages like recommended pet diets and supplements, gingivitis, parasite treatments, and Cesarean sections, the Whole Pet package includes everything Major Medical does.
The majority of species of birds, reptiles, rodents, and odd pets including sugar gliders, goats, hedgehogs, ferrets, and chinchillas are covered under its Avian & Exotic Pet Plan, which also covers accidents and illnesses. Only Nationwide offers coverage for animals other than cats, dogs, and horses in our ranking for 2022.
Depending on the plan you select, your benefit caps may change. In contrast to Major Medical, which has an annual per ailment or service limit, the Whole Pet will have an annual cap.
The maximum enrollment age across the board is ten years old. Nationwide does not, however, permanently disallow specific pre-existing conditions. Your pet might qualify for coverage if it has a condition that has been thought to be cured for at least six months.
Bottom Line:
Pet owners have a variety of options nationwide. They can opt for basic wellness reimbursement, acquire insurance for illnesses and accidents, or buy a package to cover the majority of potential pet problems. The business also offers protection for owners of unusual pets who would have trouble locating trustworthy insurance for their iguanas, sugar gliders, or pot-bellied pigs.
Plans Available from Nationwide
In addition to Whole Pet with Wellness, Major Medical, Pet Wellness, and Avian & Exotic Pets, Nationwide also offers a number of other pet insurance policies. The Whole Pet Wellness plan covers both normal care for your pet and coverage for illnesses and injuries. Additionally, plans called Pet Wellness Basic or Pet Wellness Plus that include regular vaccines, nail clipping, and faecal tests are available. A Major Medical plan from Nationwide gives insurance protection against sickness and accidents. It is also the only business in our review that offers a bird and exotic pet insurance policy that covers a variety of animals, from pot-bellied pigs, gerbils, rats, and amphibians to snakes, goats, and rats.
Nationwide Optional Features
There are no additional add-ons to Nationwide’s plans because it offers a variety of plan types, including Whole Pet Wellness, Major Medical, Basic Wellness, and Avian and Exotic Pet. The plan you choose will determine how your plan can be customised. For instance, if you want to be compensated for a portion of your entire veterinary expense, you could choose the Whole Pet with Wellness policy. Choose Nationwide’s Major Medical coverage if you’d prefer to know the precise amount of reimbursement that will always be capped, regardless of the veterinarian bill’s price.
How Much Does Nationwide Cost?
A typical Nationwide Whole Pet Wellness plan is $56.74 per month for a one-year-old mixed-breed female dog weighing between 50 and 90 pounds. The monthly premium for our illustrative policy for a male domestic shorthair cat aged one is $28.15. Both rates include a $10,000 yearly cap and a $250 annual deductible for animals that live in Texas. The insurance also includes some wellness coverage, which the majority of the firms in our ranking do not offer except as an add-on, even though these rates are on the higher end of what we rate for organisations.
Nationwide FAQ
How do I buy pet insurance from Nationwide?
Throuh its website, Nationwide offers direct pet insurance sales. To get started, select ‘Get a Quote’ from the menu at the top of the page. To receive your price, you must first complete some basic information, such as your zip code, the breed of your pet, its age, and your contact details.
You are taken to a specific area of Nationwide’s website where you would follow the steps to get signed up if you decide to take advantage of the pet insurance option provided by your employer through Nationwide.
Is there a waiting period for a Nationwide pet insurance policy?
There is a 14-day waiting period before receiving medical or wellness benefits under the Whole Pet plan. When your application and payment are received, the waiting time starts. There is a 14-day waiting period if you choose the Major Medical plan, starting from the time your application and payment are accepted.
After the policy is issued and your money is received, your coverage under Nationwide’s Pet Wellness plan starts 24 hours later. Only if you purchase this plan without the medical coverage does this apply. The 14-day waiting period is applicable if the wellness plan is acquired as an add-on to the medical plan.
You will be informed of the various effective dates for applications for enrolment as a member of a group or organisation.
Does Nationwide pet insurance offer a wellness plan?
Nationwide provides a number of pet wellness plans. This wellness plan covers routine treatment for your cat or dog. With its Whole Pet Wellness plan, wellness and accident and illness coverage are combined. The Wellness Basic plan, which costs between $12 and $18 per month, will cover up to $400 in veterinary expenses per policy year.
The monthly cost of the Wellness Plus plan ranges from $17 to $22, and its maximum benefit is $500 per year. You are reimbursed by both plans in varied amounts for two annual physicals as well as other wellness procedures including microchipping, flea and tick control, immunizations, and even behaviour checks.
Pre-existing conditions covered by Nationwide Pet Insurance?
Pre-existing conditions are not covered by Nationwide Pet Insurance. The business does not, however, completely bar all pre-existing conditions. If your pet’s medical records show that the ailment was treated at least six months ago, you might be able to get coverage for some of them.
Does Nationwide pet insurance cover spaying?
Spaying and neutering are not covered under Nationwide’s pet insurance plans.
Does Nationwide pet insurance cover dental cleanings?
Dental cleanings are not covered by any of Nationwide’s three pet insurance plans.
Retained baby teeth will be treated under Nationwide’s Whole Pet plan. Tooth extraction is covered by both the Whole Pet and Major Medical policies.
How do I contact Nationwide’s customer service?
There are several methods to get in touch with Nationwide’s pet insurance customer care. On its website, a toll-free number is provided right at the top. Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. PST, and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. PST, are the hours for customer support. In case you have any questions while submitting an application for coverage, Nationwide also provides phone numbers designated for enrollment and member services.
Customers can also get in touch with us by mail and email. To interact with its clients, Nationwide is present on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. On its website, Nationwide also provides a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions section.
Does Nationwide’s pet insurance have any coverage limits?
If you purchase pet insurance from Nationwide, you should be prepared for some payment limitations to be a part of your plan. Payments under Major Medical coverage are capped annually for each disease. There are annual coverage caps on its Whole Pet policy. The Wellness Basic plan from Nationwide has a $400 per policy term annual cap.
Does Nationwide’s pet insurance policies have a deductible?
There is a deductible on your Nationwide pet insurance policy. Before your insurance coverage begins to pay, you agree to pay this sum toward covered veterinarian costs. You might have a deductible each year. For its Whole Pet plan, My Pet Protection plans, Medical and Major Medical policies, as well as its injury plan, Nationwide has an annual deductible. No matter how many claims you file, you will only need to pay that deductible once during the course of the policy.
Nationwide offers a $50 deductible for every unrelated accident or illness per policy term for their Avian & Exotic Pet coverage. Additionally, on the Declarations page of your Nationwide account access, under “View My Documents,” you can find information on your deductibles.
How do I file a pet insurance claim with Nationwide?
Online claims can be filed using its website. You can submit a claim form that is either blank or pre-filled, depending on your preference. To ensure that your claim is processed effectively and swiftly, you should also submit your supporting documents at the same time. Any documents you attach should be properly scanned and readable, such as bills from your veterinarian. Once you print the online claim form, claims can also be sent to Nationwide via fax, email, or mail.
How long does it take Nationwide to reimburse a pet insurance claim?
Customers are warned by Nationwide that a claim’s payment may take up to 30 days. You may always monitor the status of your claim using your account access page.
Nationwide urges consumers to submit all relevant information, including treatment notes and test results, in one submission to ensure that your claim is processed swiftly. Your 30-day reimbursement window starts from the latest submission if you are required to provide more details after completing your initial claim form.
Making sure that your name, your pet’s name, and your insurance number are all listed on the claim form, that the diagnostic box on the form is correctly filled out, and that you’ve included an itemised invoice with your pet’s name and a description of the services involved can also help you prevent delays.
How do I cancel a pet insurance policy from Nationwide?
You have the right to revoke your Nationwide insurance coverage at any time. Your name, policy number, pet’s name, and the cause for the cancellation can all be included in a written (or faxed) notification to Nationwide. By going into your Nationwide account access, you can quickly and conveniently cancel your policy online as well. Under the details of your pet’s policy, there is a link that says “Cancel My Policy.”
When your cancellation request is accepted, your policy is deemed to be terminated, and you are no longer eligible to submit claims. If you are entitled to a refund as a result of the timing of your cancellation, it will be credited to the original account used to purchase your pet insurance. Additionally, Nationwide will send you a cancellation confirmation letter. If you decide to cancel your coverage within ten days of purchase and no claims have been made, there is also a 100% money-back guarantee.
