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One of the oldest and most trusted names in insurance, Nationwide has been offering pet insurance since 2009 but the company’s roots go all the way back to 1926. Nationwide Pet Insurance offers highly customizable plans, access to veterinary telehealth, and their signature Nationwide PetRxExpress program for fast, easy, and discounted pet prescriptions.
Like all pet insurance, Nationwide has its pros and cons. Here’s an in-depth review to help you decide if it’s the right insurance for your pet.
Pros And Cons Of Nationwide Pet Insurance
Pros
- Customizable plans: Nationwide offers multiple plans to choose from as well as several add-ons. It’s one of the most customizable pet insurance plans on the market.
- Insurance for all pets: While most pet insurance companies provide coverage for only dogs and cats, Nationwide offers plans for birds, reptiles, small mammals, and more. Every pet is covered!
- Access to veterinary telehealth: Policyholders have access to Nationwide’s 24/7 Vet Helpline for medical questions about their pet.
- Prescription drug discounts: Nationwide offers easy refills and discounts on pet medications through their PetRxExpress program.
Cons
- Age limits: Some plans have age limits for coverage of 8 or 9 years.
- State availability: While Nationwide Pet Insurance is available in all states, some plans are not.
- Extended cruciate injury waiting period: Nationwide has an extended 12-month waiting period for cruciate ligament injury coverage.
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Nationwide Pet Insurance Plans
Nationwide offers the following pet insurance plans:
Major Medical Plan Or Whole Pet Plan
These plans are considered standard accident and illness plans. They provide coverage for your pet’s medical expenses related to accidents and illnesses.
The main difference between both plans is the level of coverage offered. Major Medical offers per-incident limits, while Whole Pet offers a maximum annual limit of $10,000.
These plans cover accidental injuries such as broken bones, hit-by-car incidents, and wounds, plus illnesses like cancer, diabetes, infections, and more. Covered costs include diagnostics, lab work, treatments, hospitalizations, surgeries, and more.
Modular Plan
This plan allows policyholders to choose from a menu of coverage options for a truly customized plan. Individual coverage will vary based on what options are chosen but may include accidents, illnesses, wellness items, and more.
Wellness Add-ons
Nationwide offers a preventative care add-on that covers items like wellness exams, vaccines, parasite screening, blood work, and more.
Avian and Exotic Plan
This plan covers accidents and illnesses for avian and exotic pets such as birds, reptiles, potbelly pigs, etc.
Covered costs include diagnostics, lab work, treatments, hospitalizations, surgeries, and more.
Other Add-ons
Other optional add-ons are offered ala carte for pet owners to choose the customized coverage they’d like for their pet. Policyholders can choose from items like behavioral treatment, parasite prevention, extra lab work coverage, microchipping, and others.
State Availability
Nationwide Pet Insurance is available in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia however, some plans are not available in every state. To see which plans are available for your state, complete an online quote form.
What Doesn’t Nationwide Pet Insurance Cover?
Like all pet insurance plans, Nationwide has exclusions:
- Preexisting conditions: Any medical problems your pet had prior to enrollment.
- Illnesses or injuries during the waiting period: Similar to preexisting conditions, any illness or injury sustained during the waiting period will be excluded from coverage.
- Experimental treatments: Any treatments that are considered investigational, experimental, or beyond the standard scope of care in veterinary medicine like non-FDA approved medications or enrolling your pet in a clinical trial.
- Breeding costs: Any veterinary expenses related to breeding your pet such as ultrasounds, c-sections, and birthing care.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Waiting Periods
Pet insurance coverage doesn’t kick in until after a specific period of time. This is known as the waiting period.
Nationwide’s waiting periods are:
- 14 days for accidents
- 14 days for illnesses
- 12 months for cruciate ligament injuries
- 90 days for certain wellness care on the modular plan
For comparison, Nationwide’s waiting periods are a bit longer than some other major providers. Notably the 14-day accident waiting period (most are 2 to 15 days) and the 12-month cruciate ligament waiting period (most are 0 to 6 months).
How Much Does Nationwide Pet Insurance Cost?
Like all pet insurance, your monthly premium for a Nationwide plan will vary based on several factors including your pet’s age, breed, sex, and location.
Here’s a breakdown from one study on pet insurance quotes for Dallas, a populated Texas city.
| Nationwide | Whole Pet | Major Medical | Major Medical + Wellness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labrador Retriever | |||
| 8-week-old puppy | N/A | $33.59 | $54.54 |
| 5-year-old | $73.36 | $53.74 | $74.69 |
| Senior | N/A | $97.41 | $118.36 |
| French Bulldog | |||
| 8-week-old puppy | N/A | $48.75 | $69.70 |
| 5-year-old | $106.57 | $78.00 | $98.95 |
| Senior | N/A | $114.08 | $135.03 |
| Golden Retriever | |||
| 8-week-old puppy | N/A | $35.90 | $56.85 |
| 5-year-old | $76.50 | $57.45 | $78.40 |
| Senior | N/A | $104.12 | $125.07 |
| German Shepherd | |||
| 8-week-old puppy | N/A | $29.69 | $50.64 |
| 5-year-old | $69.73 | $47.50 | $68.45 |
| Senior | N/A | $69.47 | $90.42 |
| Poodle | |||
| 8-week-old puppy | N/A | $23.50 | $44.45 |
| 5-year-old | $71.09 | $37.60 | $58.55 |
| Senior | N/A | $68.16 | $89.11 |
| Exotic Shorthair Cat | |||
| 8-week-old kitten | N/A | $16.46 | $37.41 |
| 5-year-old | $44.39 | $21.24 | $42.19 |
| Senior | $68.38 | $46.09 | $67.04 |
Other Factors Determining Cost
There are other factors that will determine your premium costs on a Nationwide Pet Insurance plan including the following:
Annual Limit
This is the most your pet insurance will reimburse you for the year. Once you reach your annual limit, you’ll pay out-of-pocket for any remaining vet bills until your renewal date.
Nationwide’s annual limit options may vary by state but here are some general guidelines:
- $500 for Wellness Coverage
- $5,000 for Modular Plan
- $10,000 for Whole Pet Plan
- Per-incident limits for Major Medical (vary per individual policy)
- Unlimited (where available)
Deductible
This is the amount you must pay out-of-pocket for your pet’s veterinary expenses before you are eligible for reimbursements.
Nationwide has a set deductible of $250 for all plans.
Reimbursement
This is the percentage of your veterinary bills the insurance will pay after the deductible has been met.
Nationwide offers the following reimbursement options:
- 50%
- 70%
- 90%
Possible Discounts
- 5% multi-pet discount for insuring more than one pet
- 5% discount for bundling with other Nationwide policies like car, home, or life
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Nationwide offer a wellness plan?
Nationwide offers an add-on wellness option to certain plans. Wellness coverage includes items like annual exams, vaccines, parasite prevention, and more.
Does Nationwide cover preexisting conditions?
Like all pet insurance, Nationwide does not cover preexisting conditions. A medical records review and/or veterinary exam may be required in order to complete the enrollment process.
Does Nationwide cover dental cleaning?
Nationwide does not cover routine dental cleanings however, some plans may cover periodontal treatment.
Does Nationwide have any coverage limits?
Nationwide has varying limits on coverage based on plan choice. Some have annual limits of $5,000 to $10,000 while others have per-incident limits. Review chosen plan for full details.
How do I file a claim with Nationwide?
You can easily file a claim with Nationwide by uploading your invoice into their digital claims portal and filling out a short form. Alternatively, paper claims can be sent by email, fax, or postal mail.
How long does it take Nationwide to pay out?
Claims are usually processed within 5 days but can take as long as 30 days. Policyholders with electronic payments will typically receive their reimbursement within two business days after approval. Mailed checks will take a few days longer.
How do I cancel a policy from Nationwide?
A cancellation request must be completed in writing. Policyholders can submit their written request by fax, email, or through the customer portal cancellation section.
Does Nationwide cover spaying or neutering?
Spaying or neutering may only be covered if the policyholder chooses this particular item under the modular plan.
Does Nationwide cover hip dysplasia?
Hip dysplasia is covered under certain plans as long as there were no signs of the condition prior to the beginning of coverage (preexisting condition).
Does Nationwide cover euthanasia?
Euthanasia may be covered under certain plans if it is medically necessary due to a covered condition.
Is Nationwide accepted by every vet?
Nationwide’s pet insurance plans operate based on a reimbursement model so there are no in-network or out-of-network vets to worry about. Your pet can be treated by any licensed veterinarian and their covered medical costs will be reimbursed.
Does Nationwide pay the vet directly?
Nationwide does not offer direct-to-vet payment options. It operates strictly on a reimbursement model. You’ll pay your pet’s medical bill upfront, file a claim, and receive reimbursement from Nationwide.
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