Nationwide pet insurance is one of the largest insurance providers in the United States. They have been providing pet insurance since 1982, making them one of the first companies to offer comprehensive coverage for cats and dogs.
Nationwide itself is a Fortune 100 company that was founded in 1926. Originally just an auto insurer, Nationwide expanded into pet insurance in the early 1980s at a time when veterinary costs were rising and pet owners sought a way to budget for unexpected vet bills.
Over the past 40 years, Nationwide has established itself as a top brand in pet insurance. They now insure over 1 million pets across the U.S. and have an extensive network of vets that they partner with.
Nationwide’s pet insurance plans are administered through the Veterinary Pet Insurance Company – a Nationwide subsidiary focused specifically on pet health insurance. VPI employs its own veterinarians and pet insurance experts.
Today, Nationwide continues to be a leading provider of veterinary insurance, offering comprehensive plans that can help pet owners budget for medical expenses and provide peace of mind. Their long history in the pet insurance industry and strong financial backing make them a top choice for many pet owners seeking coverage.
Types of Pet Insurance Plans Offered
Nationwide offers three main types of pet insurance plans: accident only, accident and illness, and comprehensive.
Accident Only
An accident-only pet insurance plan covers only injuries from accidents like broken bones, bites, cuts, and torn ligaments. Illnesses are not covered. This is the most affordable option but provides limited coverage.
With Nationwide’s accident-only plans, you can choose an annual limit of $1,000, $5,000 or $10,000. Reimbursement rates range from 70% to 90% based on the plan. There is a deductible per incident that typically ranges from $250-$500 depending on the plan.
Accident and Illness
Accident and illness pet insurance provides more extensive coverage, including both injuries from accidents as well as common illnesses like ear infections, vomiting, diarrhea and more. However, pre-existing conditions are usually not covered.
Nationwide’s accident and illness plans have a choice of annual limits up to unlimited. Reimbursement rates are 70-90% after the deductible, which ranges from $250-$1,000. Some wellness benefits like vaccines may be included.
Comprehensive
A comprehensive or major medical pet insurance plan offers the most complete coverage. This includes accident and illness coverage as well as other services like prescriptions, hospitalization and surgery. Hereditary and congenital conditions are often covered as well.
Nationwide’s comprehensive plans offer unlimited annual benefits with a 70-90% reimbursement rate. Deductibles from $250-$1,000 apply. These plans cost the most but provide peace of mind for pet owners.
Coverage and Limitations
Nationwide’s pet insurance plans cover veterinary costs related to accidents, illnesses, injuries, cancer treatments, emergency care, surgeries, and prescriptions. However, the specifics of what is covered can vary between plans.
Some notable inclusions are:
- Hereditary and congenital conditions
- Chronic conditions
- Alternative therapies like acupuncture
- Behavioral therapies
- Dental diseases
The maximum annual limit per year ranges from $7,000 to unlimited coverage depending on the plan. Maximum lifetime limits go up to $100,000. These limits replenish every 12 months.
Some common exclusions include:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Elective and preventative procedures like spaying/neutering
- Pet foods and vitamins
- Grooming and boarding
Overall, Nationwide pet insurance provides comprehensive accident and illness coverage for dogs and cats. However, per condition limits and exclusions apply. Customers should read policy documents carefully to understand what is and isn’t covered by their selected plan.
Costs and Premiums
Nationwide offers comprehensive pet insurance plans ranging from basic accident-only coverage to more robust plans covering accidents, illnesses, cancer treatments, and even wellness care. Monthly premiums can vary quite a bit depending on the pet’s breed, age, location, and level of coverage selected. Some factors that affect your monthly premium include:
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Breed: Some breeds are predisposed to certain medical conditions, which increases the likelihood of claims being filed. As a result, premiums are higher for breeds like French Bulldogs, Great Danes, Boxers, and other brachycephalic dogs.
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Age: Younger pets typically have lower premiums as they are less likely to develop conditions needing veterinary treatment. Premiums increase as pets get older.
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Location: The cost of veterinary care can vary significantly by region. Premiums tend to be higher in places like California and New York where vet costs are high.
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Selected coverage: More comprehensive plans with lower deductibles and higher annual limits will have higher premiums. Accident-only plans are the most affordable.
On average, pet owners pay $30 to $70 per month for accident and illness coverage from Nationwide with $250 or $500 deductibles and $5,000 to $15,000 annual limits. Wellness coverage costs an additional $15 to $40 per month. Overall, Nationwide’s premiums are competitive with top pet insurers like Healthy Paws and Trupanion. Getting a quick quote online lets you estimate costs based on your pet’s details.
Claims Process
Filing a claim with Nationwide is easy and can be done through the website, mobile app, email, fax or mail.
To start a claim, you’ll need your policy number and your veterinarian’s contact information. You’ll also need to provide information about your pet, the condition or illness being treated, and attach the itemized invoice from your vet.
Nationwide offers direct deposit for claim reimbursements, which is the fastest option. With direct deposit set up, claims are usually reimbursed within 5-7 business days.
If you don’t use direct deposit, reimbursements will be sent by check, which takes 7-10 business days.
You can expedite claims by submitting through the VitusVet app, which uses AI to validate and process claims instantly. With the app, you’ll be reimbursed in just 3-5 business days.
Claims can also be submitted by fax or mail, but this extends the processing time to 10-14 business days on average.
Nationwide aims to process claims promptly and avoid excessive wait times. Their customer service team is available to assist if any issues come up during the claims process.
Discounts and Savings
One way to save money on your pet insurance through Nationwide is by taking advantage of their multi-pet discount. If you insure more than one pet through Nationwide, you can receive a discount of up to 10% on your premiums. This provides a nice incentive for pet parents with multiple furry friends to bundle their pet insurance policies.
Nationwide also offers a variety of other discounts that can help reduce your monthly premiums. These include:
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Employee discounts – If your employer has a partnership with Nationwide, you may be eligible for reduced rates on pet insurance.
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Military and federal employee discounts – Both active and retired military members as well as federal employees can save 5% on their pet insurance premiums.
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Long-term customer discounts – The longer youcontinually insure your pet with Nationwide, the more you can save. Discounts range from 5-10% for long-term customers.
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Pay in full discount – If you pay for your policy in full upfront rather than in monthly installments, you can save up to 10% on your premium.
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Multiple pet policy discount – Insuring both a cat and dog? You can save up to 10% when bundling multiple pet policies.
Conclusion
Nationwide pet insurance can provide valuable financial protection and peace of mind for pet owners. However, pet owners should carefully evaluate their specific needs and budget when choosing a provider.
Key factors to consider are the levels of coverage, reimbursement rates, exclusions, deductibles, and overall costs. Nationwide offers comprehensive plans but at higher premiums than some competitors. Their plans do have flexibility in customization though.
For owners primarily concerned about covering major accidents and illnesses, Nationwide’s Whole Pet plans with high annual limits are a great option. However, for more routine care, other providers may be more budget-friendly.
In the end, pet insurance is highly individual. There is no one-size-fits-all best provider. Pet owners should thoroughly research multiple companies, read reviews, and compare plans. The goal is finding the right balance of coverage, price, and company reputation that makes sense for your finances and furry family member’s needs.
With proper due diligence, Nationwide can provide quality protection. But be sure to also consider competitor plans and your specific budget and coverage preferences before making a decision. The priority is finding the plan that provides the right level of financial safety net for you and your pet’s unique situation.