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Nationwide has provided homeowners, auto, and other insurance products since 1926. However, its pet insurance has only been on the market since 1999. Still, many families trust Nationwide products to reimburse them for pet fees, cover wellness care, and more.
Nationwide Pet Insurance
compare policies and rates with Petted
Insider’s Rating
3.89/5
Perks
Offers exotic pet coverage
AM Best Financial Strength Rating
A+
Pros
- Rated highly with AM Best
- Insures exotic pets
- 5% discount for enrolling multiple pets
- Covers hereditary and congenital conditions
Cons
- Rigid deductibles and coverage limits
- Low reimbursem*nt levels
- Premiums rise as pet ages
Insider’s Take
Nationwide pet insurance can be bundled with home, auto, and other Nationwide Insurance products. It's the only pet insurance company currently offering exotic pet coverage.
Introduction to Nationwide Pet Insurance
Nationwide pet insurance is a well-known company offering pet owners customized pet insurance coverage at competitive rates. It's the only pet insurance company currently offering exotic pet coverage, which makes it a top pick in our guide to the best pet insurance.
Nationwide pet insurance offers the weighty coverage expected from one of the leading brands in the insurance industry. It offers coverage in all 50 states and makes it easy for pet owners to find coverage regardless of where they live. Its Whole Pet plan offers coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions with no waiting periods. Nationwide also covers exotic pets, which is unique among pet insurance companies.
The most serious mark against Nationwide is that it increases premiums each year according to your dog's age. We'll talk about this at length, but customers have reported Nationwide increasing premiums by over 100%, effectively pricing pet owners out of their policies. All this to say, Nationwide isn't the cheapest pet insurance.
Additionally, Nationwide doesn't offer much flexibility in coverage levels, with a set deductible of $250. Its Whole Pet plan has a set annual coverage limit of $10,000 with a 50% or 70% reimbursem*nt, which is lower than many pet insurance companies.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Plans & Coverage
Nationwide Pet Insurance offers three pet insurance plans: major medical, major medical with wellness, and Whole Pet.
Nationwide Major Medical Plan
The major medical plan provides pet insurance coverage for illnesses and injuries. Reimbursem*nts depend on the treatment received, though a $250 deductible applies to the entire policy.
It's the least expensive of the Nationwide pet insurance options but offers the lowest coverage. In the event of an accident or illness, your out-of-pocket expenses would be higher. Cats must be enrolled before they turn 10.
Nationwide Major Medical With Wellness Plan
With major medical and wellness coverage, you'll be reimbursed for preventative services like heartworm tests, vaccinations, illnesses, and injuries. This is an excellent option if you don't need coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions with the benefits of wellness coverage. In addition, premiums are affordable for the average pet parent providing significant financial relief in an emergency without a massive strain on their wallets.
Once again, reimbursem*nts depend on the treatment received, though a $250 deductible applies to the entire policy. Similar to the Major Medical plan, cats must be enrolled before they turn 10.
Nationwide Whole Pet Plan
Whole Pet is the most comprehensive and expensive plan compared to the other two coverage options. It will cover illnesses, injuries, accidents, exams, and testing, up to a $10,000 annual maximum, with a $250 deductible, and either 50% or 70% reimbursem*nt. It will also cover treatment for hereditary and congenital conditions.
However, the Whole Pet plan does not offer wellness coverage. Additionally, dogs must be enrolled before they turn 6.
How Much Does Nationwide Pet Insurance Cost?
The cost of pet insurance with Nationwide pet insurance will depend on various factors, including your pet's age, breed, and where you're located.
To get an idea of how much Nationwide's coverage costs, we'll look at how much a pet owner living in New York City would pay in pet insurance premiums. We chose New York City for our quotes because it is one of the most expensive places to receive vet care, which insurance premiums will reflect. Your premiums will likely be lower than the prices below.
Quotes for the most common dog breeds under Nationwide's Major Medical With Wellness plan outline the following prices:
| Breed | 2-year-old (monthly) | 6-year-old (monthly) |
| French Bulldog | $80.32 | $130.80 |
| Labrador Retriever | $80.59 | $131.31 |
| Golden Retriever | $77.63 | $125.71 |
| German Shepherd | $74.01 | $118.88 |
| Poodle | $78.27 | $126.93 |
| Mixed Medium (31-50 lbs) | $65.87 | $103.49 |
Let's go over premiums for cats covered by Nationwide's Major Medical With Wellness plan.
| Breed | 2-year-old (monthly) | 6-year-old (monthly) |
| Ragdoll | $46.35 | $59.09 |
| Maine Coon | $51.47 | $67.09 |
| Devon Rex | $51.42 | $67 |
| Exotic Shorthair | $51.58 | $67.25 |
| Persian | $50.67 | $65.82 |
| Medium Hair Mixed | $45.54 | $67.83 |
How to Purchase and Manage a Nationwide Pet Insurance Policy
Dog and cat owners can obtain a quote through Nationwide's website. Exotic pet owners must call 1-800-874-0651 to get a quote for their animal. You'll need to provide the following information about yourself and your pet.
- ZIP code
- Pet species
- Purebred or mixed
- Pet name
- Pet age
Once you obtain your quotes, you'll choose between Nationwide's three plans. You can pay for your policy on a monthly or annual basis. If you pay monthly, Nationwide requires that you pay for two months of coverage upfront, plus a $3.25 installment fee. Paying annually saves you $32.50 in installment fees, but there's no additional discount for an annual payment plan.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Claims Process
Nationwide's claims process is pretty straightforward. You can either file a claim online or download the claims form. Then email it, fax it, or mail it in.
Nationwide's claims department can be reached by email at submitmyclaim@petinsurance.com. By fax at 714-989-5600. Or by mail at:
Nationwide Claims Department
PO Box 2344
Brea, California 92822
Claims are typically processed within 30 days, and you can choose between a paper check or electronic payment. Submit your documents and application, including vet's invoices, for speedier claims.
Nationwide's pet insurance customer service number is 800-540-2016, and agents are available Monday through Saturday.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Customer Service and Claims Experience
Nationwide pet insurance reviews are mixed, receiving an average of 3.7 stars on Trustpilot and 1.14 on its Better Business Bureau page, though this page is for Nationwide as a whole, not just pet insurance. While the majority of customers had positive experiences with customer service and claims, some members expressed frustration with the claims limits. Additionally, customers found that their premiums rose significantly after a year of coverage.
When considering customer reviews, it's also important to see a company's response or lack thereof. Nationwide slants toward the latter, refraining from responding to any Trustpilot reviews, positive or negative. The company is more responsive on its BBB page, but again, this page encompasses all of Nationwide's insurance departments.
How Does Nationwide Pet Insurance Compare?
See how Nationwide compares to some of the best pet insurance companies on the market.
Nationwide vs. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance and Nationwide offer comparable coverage, but there are a few key differences. Nationwide pet insurance's plans include vet exam fees for covered conditions, whereas Healthy Paws does not. However, Healthy Paws does not have limits on its coverage like Nationwide does.
Compared to Nationwide, Healthy Paws is more affordable and will accept pets up to 14 years old. The only downfalls are no wellness plan options and no coverage for exotic pets. In addition, to be covered by Healthy Paws, a vet must complete a clinical exam. With Nationwide, it's sometimes possible to use records for enrollment.
For some parents, two distinguishing features could be the breaking point. First, Nationwide customers already signed up for auto, home, or other insurance policies may qualify for multi-policy discounts. Familiarity is key. While Healthy Paws discounts and premiums vary, the company donates part of its profits to shelters and rescue organizations.
Read our Healthy Paws pet insurance review.
Nationwide vs. Figo Pet Insurance
Figo Pet Insuranceand Nationwide are both well-known in the pet insurance space and offer many similar types of coverage.
Figo's offerings are more flexible than Nationwide's as you have more annual coverage limit options to choose from with Figo. You can also select various reimbursem*nt levels and deductibles with Figo. While some pet parents choose yearly limits of $5,000-$10,000, Figo is among a shrinking list of pet insurance companies offering unlimited coverage options.
Nationwide offers coverage for exotic pets, while Figo does not. But Figo's premiums are generally slightly less expensive than Nationwide when comparing coverage options.
Read our Figo pet insurance review.
Trupanion vs. Nationwide Pet Insurance
Trupanion is another leading name in pet insurance for dogs and cats only. It offers a single plan that's comparable to Nationwide's Whole pet plan, covering medical procedures, hereditary and congenital conditions, and unidentified symptoms. Like Nationwide's Whole Pet plan, Trupanion doesn't cover wellness procedures or spaying and neutering.
While Trupanion only has the one coverage option, you'll actually end up with more flexibility when it comes to payment plans, offering a variety of deductible options and up to 90% reimbursem*nt, compared to Nationwide's 70% max. Additionally, Trupanion offers unlimited coverage, while Whole Pet limits coverage to $10,000 per year. However, Trupanion doesn't offer any multi-pet discounts.
Ultimately, you'll find more flexibility with Trupanion if you're looking for comprehensive coverage. However, if you only want light coverage or need coverage for an exotic pet, Nationwide is the better choice.
Read our Trupanion pet insurance review.
Nationwide Pet Insurance FAQs
Does Nationwide pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
No, Nationwide pet insurance typically doesn't cover pre-existing conditions. Nationwide's Whole Pet plan covers some hereditary and congenital conditions, but most of its policies exclude pre-existing conditions. However, your pet can get coverage for a pre-existing condition if you obtain a note from a vet that your pet has been cured for at least six months.
Does Nationwide pet insurance have a waiting period?
Yes, Nationwide pet insurance policies have a 14-day waiting period before coverage starts.
Can I use any veterinarian with Nationwide pet insurance?
Yes, you can use any vet with Nationwide, even specialty and emergency veterinarians.
Does Nationwide pet insurance offer a multi-pet discount?
Yes, Nationwide offers a multi-pet discount: 5% off for enrolling multiple pets.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Nationwide Pet Insurance
In reviewing Nationwide pet insurance, we looked at a variety of factors, including:
- Cost
- Coverage limits
- Options for customization
- Available add-ons
- Customer service
When considering cost, we compared Nationwide's premiums to industry averages. Then, in looking at coverage and add-ons, we factored in the various levels of coverage offered by the company and whether or not it provided additional coverage.
Of course, customization was also a factor in our review because people want a pet insurance policy fitting their personal needs and wants. Customer service is also an essential factor. Pet parents looking for pet insurance will want to know they're taken care of if they need to use their policy. Our primary question in pet insurance reviews is whether the plans make sense for the average user.
See the full breakdown of how we rate pet insurance.
Meghan Hunter is a personal finance and travel expert who has been writing about travel, credit cards, and miles and points since 2015. Previously, she worked as a writer and editor at Million Mile Secrets and The Points Guy. She covers travel, credit cards, and travel insurance for Personal Finance insider. Beyond travel, she's passionate about real estate investing and encouraging women toward financial independence. When she's not writing or editing, you can find her looking for her next investment or reviewing her retirement goals. Meghan lives in Portugal with her adventure-loving daughter.
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Evelyn He is a Compliance and Operations Associate on the Personal Finance team to ensure content accuracy and editorial independence so readers get up-to-date and objective financial advice.The compliance team's mission is to provide readers with fact-checked and current stories so they can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by ensuring language is clear, precise, and fully compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team.
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