Nationwide Pet Insurance is the top pet insurance provider in the United States. They’re a stable, well-known company that provides many households with the coverage that they need. The company has been providing this service since 1982 [1].
It’s important to find the best available insurance for your pet, which is why you’ll want to learn more about Nationwide before you work with them. Read on to learn more about this insurance company and what they offer.
How Nationwide Pet Insurance Works
Nationwide Pet Insurance allows you to bring your pet to any licensed veterinarian in the world. You can have your pet treated by their regular veterinarian, and you can bring them to specialists as well.
You’ll simply pay your veterinarian at the time of treatment. When you receive an invoice, you can send a copy to that invoice to Nationwide and receive reimbursement.
You have the option of canceling your policy at any time online or in writing. You can receive a full refund for your expenses if you cancel within 10 days of when your policy became active, providing that you haven’t been reimbursed for claims within that time period.
If you decide to cancel at a later date, you will be refunded for any unused premium.
Nationwide Coverage Options for Pets
Nationwide offers three different plan options: Pet Wellness, Whole Pet with Wellness, and Major Medical [2]. Both the Pet Wellness and Whole Pet plans are designed to provide reimbursement for some of the treatment you receive from your vet.
However, the Major Medical plan operates differently. It provides benefits on a set schedule, and there is a limit to how much you can be reimbursed.
If you’re interested in pet insurance through Nationwide, you’ll want to look closely at all of your different options. You should compare the cost and the benefits provided by different plans so that you can find the plan that’s right for you and your pet.
Covered Conditions & Treatments
The conditions and treatments that are covered by your pet insurance will vary based on the plan that you select. There are no treatments that are covered by all three plans.
Pet Wellness Coverage
Pet Wellness provides coverage for deworming, fecal tests, heartworm and parasite prevention, microchipping, vaccinations, and wellness exams, including bloodwork. This offers the least amount of coverage out of all three plans.
Whole Pet Coverage
Whole Pet with Wellness offers coverage for numerous conditions, including skin infections, tooth removal, spaying and neutering, diabetes, and hip dysplasia. It also provides coverage for all of the treatments that the Pet Wellness plan covers.
Major Medical Coverage
Major Medical is specifically designed to provide coverage for pets dealing with medical emergencies. It provides full coverage for conditions like heart failure, Addison’s disease, and bladder stones, and partial coverage for conditions like ACL, elbow dysplasia, and Wobbler’s syndrome.
None of the plans provide coverage for pre-existing conditions, expenses that are unrelated to veterinary services, and grooming services. Before enrolling in a plan, it’s best to look at the full list of plan restrictions so that you can see all excluded services.
If you’re interested in coverage for specific treatments, you’ll want to look at each plan closely before choosing the best plan for your pet. You should make a point of selecting a plan that provides the type of coverage you want your pet to have.
Do They Cover Alternative Therapies?
Alternative therapies are covered under Nationwide’s insurance plan. However, there are some treatments that won’t be covered. Waste, grooming, and boarding won’t receive coverage.
If the therapy is related to a pet’s pre-existing condition, that won’t be covered either.
However, Nationwide does offer patients a great deal of flexibility when it comes to treatment. If you’re interested in alternative therapies like acupuncture or homeopathy, these treatments should be covered. You’ll also have the option of bringing your pet to a holistic veterinarian.
Benefit Limits
The benefit limits that you’ll have will vary based on the plan that you select. Some plans have no benefit limits, while other plans have a set benefit amount that renews each year.
The Whole Pet with Wellness plan is your best option if you want to be able to make unlimited claims and have no benefits limits. However, the Pet Wellness and Major Medical may be a better option for customers that don’t believe that they will exhaust their benefit limits.
You should consider both the cost of the plan and your pet’s needs when deciding how to proceed.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Cost
- Coverage Options Start at $25 per Month
The cost of coverage will vary based on the type of pet you have, your pet’s age, and the plan that you select. There are a number of other variables that will be considered when calculating your rate, such as your location.
If you’re interested in enrolling in Nationwide coverage, you’ll be asked to answer a few questions about your pet. You’ll need to specify whether you own a cat, a dog, or an exotic bird.
You’ll need to provide the age of your pet, and if you have a dog, you will be asked to provide its breed as well. Once you have provided all of the relevant information, you will be given quotes for various plans.
Coverage for breeds that are prone to health problems will be more costly than coverage for healthier breeds. Coverage will also be more affordable for younger dogs. The standard cost of veterinary care in your area will also impact your total costs.
Monthly costs can be as low as $25 a month or as high as $200 a month based on the plan and deductible that you select. It’s quick and easy to get a personalized quote for your pet when you fill out the form on the Nationwide website.
Deductible Options
If you choose the Pet Wellness plan, you’ll typically have a $250 deductible and a $10,000 annual benefit. If you choose the Whole Pet with Wellness plan, you will be able to choose between a $100 and $250 deductible. You’ll have an unlimited annual benefit. If you choose the Major Medical Plan, you’ll have the option of a $100 or $250 deductible. A plan with no deductible is also an option.
The options you’ll have will vary based on the state that you’re in, which is why it’s important to receive a personalized quote. Once you have your quote, you’ll be able to see the precise cost of various plans and the deductibles that are available to you.
How Reimbursement Works
There are two separate types of reimbursement offered by Nationwide.
If you opt for the Whole Pet with Wellness plan, you’ll be reimbursed approximately 90% of what you paid your veterinarian, providing that the service you paid for is covered under your plan.
Both the Major Medical and Pet Wellness plans have a benefits schedule that has reimbursement caps on specific services.
No matter which insurance plan you choose, you’ll be able to pay for services when your pet receives treatment and then submit an invoice to Nationwide. Once your claim has been approved, you will be mailed a reimbursement check that subtracts the cost of any applicable deductible.
Nationwide Pros and Cons
Like all insurance companies, there are benefits and drawbacks to working with Nationwide. You’ll want to consider the pros and cons if you’re trying to decide if they’re a good fit for your needs.
Pros
- Offers exotic pet insurance
- Stable company with decades of history
- Offers plans with unlimited claims
- Easy to track and submit claims
- A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau
Cons
- One-year waiting period for ACL surgery
- The monthly payment option has a $2 transaction fee
- There are annual limits on the Major Medical Condition Plan
- Claims may be denied for pre-existing conditions
- Wellness plans are unavailable in many states
One of the biggest issues that customers have with Nationwide is the denial of claims due to pre-existing conditions. Customers have made numerous complaints about this online.
Typically, these customers have enrolled their animal in the Major Medical plan. Customers enrolled in other plans do not appear to have these problems.
How Do You File a Claim?
Filing a claim is a surprisingly simple process. As mentioned above, you’ll pay your veterinarian at the time of treatment and then submit a claim form along with an invoice. It’s possible to submit claims by mail, online, and even through your smartphone.
You can track your claim online and see when it has been approved. After your claim has been approved, your reimbursement check will be mailed to you. Customers report that claims are usually approved quickly and that checks are sent out right away.
Waiting Periods
The Pet Wellness plan has the shortest waiting period.
You’ll only have to wait 24 hours before coverage applies. The Major Medical and Whole Pet With Wellness plans have a longer waiting period of up 14 days.
With that said, longer waiting periods will apply if you are seeking treatment for specific types of care. For example, you’ll have to wait 1 year for cruciate ligament events like ACL. Because coverage is not available to pre-existing conditions, you will not be able to purchase treatment to cover a condition that your pet already has.
Review Summary
Nationwide’s Pet Insurance plans are a great option for customers that are looking for excellent coverage for their pets.
They’re one of the only pet insurance companies that provides coverage to exotic birds, and they offer flexible coverage. They also offer three separate plans, which makes it easier for customers to find a plan that works well for them.
Nationwide insurance may not be the best option for all pet owners. They provide more coverage than many other pet insurance companies, but their costs can be higher. If you’re looking for simple, inexpensive coverage, you may be better served by an alternative to Nationwide.
However, if you want excellent coverage and the option of bringing your pet to any vet, Nationwide is one of the best options available to you.
They have a very long history, provide fast payouts, and make it easy for customers to make claims.
They also have a variety of coverage available, which means you’ll be able to find a solution that works for you.
If you’re interested in Nationwide’s plans, you should take the time to fill out their online form so that you can receive a quote for coverage. Once you know exactly what each plan will cost you, you’ll be able to decide if their insurance is a good fit for your pet.
Resources
- History of Pet Health Insurance, NAPHIA. Retrieved at https://naphia.org/industry/history/
- What’s Covered, Nationwide Pet Insurance. Retrieved at https://www.petinsurance.com/whats-covered
- See How it Compares to Trupanion
