If you’re in the market for pet insurance for your four-legged companion, Nationwide is one of the companies you might consider. Our review delves into what Nationwide offers to help you decide if it’s right for your needs.
TIME’s Take
Nationwide Pet Insurance
Max annual coverage
$5,000 to unlimited
Reimbursement choices
50%, 70%, or 90%
Money back guarantee
Not specified
Nationwide pet insurance has a lot going for it. Not only can you get accident and illness coverage for your dog or cat, but the company offers optional wellness coverage, and also covers avian and exotic pets. It even offers discounts for multiple pets, helping you save.
Who is Nationwide pet insurance for?
Nationwide offers pet insurance for owners of cats, dogs, birds, and exotic pets. Those customers enjoy multiple ways to customize coverage to suit their budget—and the needs of their pet. If you prize such flexibility, it’s a company to consider.
What Nationwide pet insurance covers
Nationwide covers a wide range of issues and illnesses common to pets. Exactly what is covered will vary based on your plan choice, but may include the following:
- Broken bones.
- Poisoning.
- Injuries sustained when hit by a car.
- Heatstroke.
- Swallowed a foreign body.
- Lacerations.
- Animal attack/snake bites.
- Ear infections.
- Vomiting/diarrhea.
- Skin infections.
- Bladder infections.
- Allergies.
- Arthritis.
- Heart disease.
- Cancer.
Coverage provides reimbursement for the cost of appropriate services related to such issues, including x-rays, MRIs, medications, surgeries, and more.
Optional coverages
Pet insurance plans typically do not include wellness coverage—that’s insurance for routine services such as annual veterinary checkups. Nationwide is no exception. However, the company does offer an optional wellness package that provides reimbursement for a variety of these types of expenses. These include:
- Annual veterinary exam.
- Vaccinations.
- Microchipping.
- Fecal test.
- Flea control.
- Deworming.
- Health screening.
What Nationwide does not cover
Like many pet insurance providers, Nationwide does place limits on what its policy will and won’t cover. This includes coverage exclusions for certain types of expenses. Nationwide pet insurance does not cover the following:
- Pre-existing conditions (with some exceptions, which we’ll discuss below).
- Grooming.
- Cruciate ligament issues that arise during the waiting period.
- Congenital anomalies or developmental disorders.
- Hereditary disorders.
- Expenses not directly related to veterinary services, such as waste disposal, record access, or credit card fees.
- Routine/wellness care (coverage is available as an optional add-on with some plans).
Other noteworthy policy features
Nationwide lists pre-existing conditions among its policy exclusions. But, the company notes that, in some circumstances, a pre-existing condition may be eligible for coverage.
Specifically, if you have veterinary records stating that a pet’s condition has been cured for at least six months prior to coverage going into effect (including any applicable waiting period), then Nationwide may provide coverage if that condition should return.
Nationwide offers policyholders several features that add value and convenience to a policy. Its VetHelpline offers unlimited, 24/7 virtual pet care, including advice from licensed veterinary professionals. And its PetRxExpress helps you save money on veterinary prescriptions filled at Walmart or Sam’s Club.
Plans available from Nationwide
Nationwide offers several insurance plans for cats, dogs, and other types of pets.
Modular pet insurance plan
The Nationwide modular plan allows you to build a policy to suit your and your pet’s needs. Coverage for common accidents and illnesses is included, and wellness coverage is available as an option.
With the modular plan, you choose a reimbursement level—between 50% and 90% for accident and illness coverage—and either a $5,000 or an unlimited max annual benefit. Wellness coverage provides a defined annual benefit depending on the procedure.
Pets must be a minimum of eight weeks old and cannot be older than eight years to be eligible for illness coverage.
Major medical
Major medical uses a set benefit schedule that pays a maximum annual reimbursement amount depending on the condition. A $250 deductible applies. Wellness coverage is available with this plan as an option.
Pets must be no older than nine years to be eligible for this plan.
Whole pet
Whole Pet reimburses either 50% or 70% of the cost of treatment for common accidents and illnesses (you choose the reimbursement percentage when you purchase the policy). A $250 deductible applies, and the policy has a $10,000 maximum annual benefit. Wellness coverage is not available with this plan. The company does not list an age minimum or maximum for this plan.
Avian and exotic
Nationwide also offers a plan for avian and exotic pets, covering veterinary services for common accidents and illnesses. This plan has a choice of a 50% or 70% reimbursement level, a $250 deductible, and a $10,000 maximum annual benefit.
The pet must be at least eight weeks old to be eligible for coverage.
Nationwide restrictions and waiting periods
Nationwide pet insurance does require a waiting period for specific conditions, including cruciate rupture, meniscus damage, and hereditary conditions. These vary by state and are listed on the Nationwide pet insurance website.
A waiting period means that Nationwide will not provide coverage for these conditions until a certain amount of time has elapsed after the policy inception date.
Let’s say you purchase a Nationwide policy for your dog on June 1. On Dec. 1—just six months later—you file a claim for veterinary bills related to meniscus damage for the pet. Because that falls within the waiting period, Nationwide will not pay that claim.
Nationwide discounts
If you have more than one pet to insure, you’re in luck, as Nationwide offers a 5% multiple-pet discount. You’re even luckier if you insure four or more pets, as the discount bumps to 10%.
Nationwide also offers a 5% group discount. So, if you’re shopping for pet insurance, check to see if your employer offers Nationwide. You could save a little money on your policy.
Nationwide pet insurance rates
Nationwide offers some transparency on its website about the cost of insurance. Dog insurance starts at $16 per month, with the most popular plans costing $47 per month. Cat insurance starts at $5 per month, with the most popular plans going for $22 per month. Insurance for exotic pets starts at $9 per month, with the most popular plans costing $20 per month.
A recent review by US News included some Nationwide sample pet insurance rates, including the following:
- 5-year-old Labrador Retriever: $97.81.
- 5-year-old German Shepherd: $92.98.
- 5-year-old French Bulldog: $142.09.
- 5-year-old Ragdoll cat: $39.47.
- 5-year-old Exotic Shorthair: $59.18.
There’s obviously some dissonance between the rates published by Nationwide and the sample rates published by U.S. News. But bear in mind that the cost of a policy can vary based on the animal type and breed, policy selections, and other factors. The only way to know your cost with any certainty is to get a quote.
About Nationwide pet insurance
Nationwide reputation
Based in Columbus, Ohio, Nationwide is one of the country’s most recognized insurance brands, offering car, home, life, and business insurance. The company has an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best, which signifies Nationwide’s financial strength and ability to pay claims.
State availability
Nationwide pet insurance is available in all 50 states. Certain plans may not be available in some states.
Consumer experience
You can get a quote for Nationwide pet insurance online at nationwide.com, or by calling 1-800-872-7387.
Claims can be filed online, by email, fax, or U.S. mail. The company asks for 30 days to approve claims, provided it has received all the requested information.
How Nationwide stacks up
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$2,500, $5,000, $10,000, or unlimited |
$50 to $2,000 in $50 increments |
Bottom line
Pet insurance is becoming more and more popular. According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, 6.25 million pets were insured in 2023, up from 5.17 million in 2022.
It’s really no wonder why. We love our pets, and many pet owners are willing to go to great financial lengths to get veterinary care. But that care is also getting more expensive, as veterinary costs have been hit hard by inflation. For many people, pet insurance simply makes financial sense.
Nationwide is one of the country’s leading providers of insurance for cars, homes, and life. It offers pet insurance as well and is worth considering if you’re in the market for coverage. The company offers multiple plans and customization options to insure cats, dogs, birds, and exotics.
Nationwide Pet Insurance
Max annual coverage
$5,000 to unlimited
Reimbursement choices
50%, 70%, or 90%
Money back guarantee
Not specified
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How does Nationwide pay pet claims?
You can file a claim with Nationwide online at the company’s website. If you prefer, you can download and print the claim paperwork and send it to the company via mail, email, or fax.
Nationwide states that once it receives your paperwork, it needs at least 30 days to process your claim. Payment can be made via check or electronic deposit into a bank account.
How long is the Nationwide pet insurance waiting period?
Nationwide’s waiting period varies by issue and by state. Most states, however, have a 12-month waiting period for coverage of cruciate ligament damage, meniscus damage, and hereditary illnesses.
What is the annual deductible for Nationwide pet insurance?
Nationwide plans have a $250 annual deductible.
Does Nationwide pet insurance cover the death of a pet?
Nationwide states that certain veterinary expenses related to the death of a pet, such as euthanasia and remains care, may be covered.
