Haris Ashley
Nationwide Pet Insurance is one of the oldest and largest pet insurance companies in the United States, offering coverage in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The company provides a range of plans, including accident-only, injury, and illness coverage, as well as wellness plans for routine veterinary expenses. While Nationwide has received praise for its broad and customizable coverage, there have been concerns about its reimbursement rates, claim processing times, and policy cancellations. So, is Nationwide Pet Insurance worth it? Let's delve into the pros and cons to help you decide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of plans | 3 |
| Coverage | Accidents, injuries, illnesses, wellness, behavioural therapies, prescription food and supplements |
| Reimbursement rate | 70-80% |
| Availability | All 50 states and Washington, D.C. |
| Claim processing time | Up to 30 days |
| Customer experience | Mixed reviews |
| Plan flexibility | Customizable coverage, modular plan available |
| Perks | VetHelpline service, PetRxExpress |
| Deductible | Annual deductible options starting at $100 |
| Premium | Starting at $16/month |
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What You'll Learn
Nationwide's Major Medical Plan
Nationwide is one of the oldest and largest pet insurance companies in the US. It offers broad and customisable coverage for a wide range of pets, including cats, dogs, parrots, rabbits, guinea pigs, cockatoos, goats, hamsters, iguanas, parrots, pot-bellied pigs, turtles and snakes.
Nationwide offers two accident and illness plans: the Whole Pet Plan and the Major Medical Plan. The Major Medical Plan is a scaled-back accident and illness plan, excluding some problems covered by the Modular policy. It covers only some hereditary conditions (such as hip dysplasia after the first 12 months of coverage) and does not cover congenital conditions or developmental disorders (such as heart disease). The Major Medical Plan is a cheaper option for pet owners, as it applies caps per condition. The deductible is the amount you'll have to pay toward vet bills before your pet insurance kicks in.
While the Major Medical Plan offers a more affordable option, it is not recommended by some sources due to its limited coverage. The plan does not cover congenital conditions and has a 12-month waiting period for hereditary conditions. Additionally, it may have shorter coverage periods for accidents compared to other plans.
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Nationwide's Modular Plan
Nationwide is one of the oldest and largest pet insurance companies in the US. It offers broad and customisable coverage, with policies for dozens of species, including cats, dogs, parrots, rabbits, guinea pigs, cockatoos, goats, hamsters, iguanas, parrots, pot-bellied pigs, turtles, and snakes.
Nationwide's Major Medical Plan is a more affordable option that covers fewer health problems than the Modular Plan. It covers some hereditary conditions (such as hip dysplasia after the first 12 months of coverage) but does not cover congenital conditions or developmental disorders (such as heart disease). The Major Medical Plan also has caps per condition and a longer waiting period for cruciate ligament injuries (12 months) than most other insurers. This plan can also be customised with a wellness plan.
Nationwide's Injury Plan is an accident-only policy that covers veterinary expenses for injuries such as bite wounds but does not cover illnesses such as cancer. Accident-only policies are generally the cheapest type of pet insurance.
Nationwide's Preventative Pet Insurance is a wellness plan that covers routine vet expenses and offers two different levels of coverage.
Nationwide's Avian and Exotic Pet Plan covers medical expenses for accidents and illnesses in exotic pets, such as soft tissue trauma, poisoning, feather picking/loss, and internal parasites.
Nationwide's website is easy to use, with information and FAQs about its plans and an online claim submission process. The company says it generally handles claims within five to 30 days, but some cases may take longer. Policyholders get free access to the VetHelpline service, which connects them with veterinarians for advice and consultations. The Nationwide app can be used to check claim status, view policy information, and see perks and rewards.
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Nationwide's Injury Plan
The Injury Plan is part of Nationwide's broader pet insurance offerings, which include various plans catering to different needs. One such plan is the Modular plan, which allows pet owners to choose their desired coverage. For example, you can opt for accident-only coverage or add-on options like illness coverage, behavioural therapies, prescription food, and wellness. This flexibility makes the Modular plan a popular choice among pet owners.
Nationwide also offers a Major Medical plan, which is a scaled-back version of the Modular policy. The Major Medical plan covers specific hereditary conditions and accidents but excludes congenital conditions and developmental disorders. This plan is more affordable due to its limited coverage. Additionally, Nationwide provides a wellness plan that covers routine veterinary expenses, with two levels of coverage available.
Nationwide's pet insurance plans are available across all 50 states in the US and Washington, D.C. The company offers a user-friendly website, a mobile app, and a VetHelpline service for policyholders to connect with veterinarians for advice and consultations. Claims can be filed online or through various other methods, with a stated processing time of up to 30 days.
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Nationwide's Preventative Pet Insurance
Nationwide is one of the oldest and largest pet insurance companies in the US. It offers pet insurance in all 50 states and Washington, DC, although the availability of specific plans may vary by state. Its website is user-friendly, with information and FAQs about its plans, and an online claim submission process.
Nationwide offers three main plans to cover accidents and injuries, although not all are available for all pets or in all states. Its plans have a reimbursement rate of 70% or 80%, which is lower than the 90% rate offered by many other insurers. The waiting period for cruciate ligament injuries is 12 months, which is longer than most other insurers.
Nationwide's modular plan allows you to pick the coverage you want. For example, you could choose accident coverage only or add coverage for illnesses, behavioural therapies, prescription food and supplements, and/or wellness. The modular plan covers hereditary and congenital conditions such as hip dysplasia and heart disease.
Nationwide's Major Medical plan is a scaled-back accident and illness plan, excluding some problems covered by the modular policy. It covers only some hereditary conditions and does not cover congenital conditions or developmental disorders. Since it covers fewer health problems, it is a cheaper option. You can also add a wellness plan to this policy.
Nationwide also offers an injury plan, which is an accident-only policy, and an Avian and Exotic Pet Plan that covers medical expenses for pets such as cockatoos, goats, hamsters, parrots, potbellied pigs, turtles and snakes.
The company says it generally handles claims within five days, but this may take up to 30 days or more.
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Nationwide's Exotic Pet Plan
Nationwide is one of the oldest and largest pet insurance companies in the U.S. It offers broad and customizable coverage, including for exotic pets.
Nationwide's Avian and Exotic Pet Plan covers pets such as cockatoos, goats, hamsters, iguanas, parrots, pot-bellied pigs, turtles, and snakes. This plan covers medical expenses resulting from accidents, such as soft tissue trauma and poisoning, and illnesses, such as feather picking/loss and internal parasites.
Reimbursement
Nationwide reimburses you for eligible veterinary expenses. The highest reimbursement rate available is 70% or 80%, which is lower than the 90% rate offered by many other pet insurers. You can add a wellness plan to either the Major Medical or Modular plan, with maximum benefits of up to $450 or $800 per year.
Perks
Nationwide pet insurance members get unlimited, 24/7 virtual pet care through the VetHelpline® app. Members can also use PetRxExpress, which gives preferred pricing on pet prescriptions at any Sam's Club or Walmart pharmacy.
Claims
Nationwide offers an online claim submission process, and the company says it generally handles claims within five days, but it can take up to 30 days or more in some cases.
Reviews
Reviews for Nationwide pet insurance are mixed. While some reviewers praise the company's broad and customizable coverage, others complain about the lengthy and difficult claims process and low reimbursement rates.
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Frequently asked questions
Some of the pros of Nationwide pet insurance include:
- It is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
- It covers dozens of species, including exotic pets like parrots, snakes, and iguanas.
- It offers broad and customizable coverage, including preventive care and wellness plans.
- It provides free access to the VetHelpline service for advice and consultations.
- It has a relatively easy-to-use website and mobile app for claims and policy information.
Some of the cons of Nationwide pet insurance include:
- A lower reimbursement rate compared to other insurers, with a maximum of 70-80%.
- A longer waiting period for cruciate ligament injuries (12 months).
- Recent cancellation of about 100,000 policies, refusing to cover pre-existing conditions.
- Complicated policies and a lengthy claims process, sometimes taking up to 30 days or more.
- Exclusions for items like grooming, taxes, waste disposal, boarding, and pre-existing conditions.
The cost of Nationwide pet insurance can vary depending on the coverage options chosen. Nationwide offers annual deductible options starting as low as $100, with most pet owners choosing a $250 annual deductible. The reimbursement rate may be as low as 50% and typically ranges from 70% to 80%$16/month.
Some alternatives to Nationwide pet insurance include Trupanion, Healthy Paws, ASPCA, and PetPlan. These companies offer different reimbursement rates, coverage limits, and plan options, so it's essential to compare them based on your specific needs and budget.
The decision to choose Nationwide pet insurance depends on various factors, including your pet's species, age, health, and specific needs. While Nationwide offers broad coverage for a wide range of species, its reimbursement rates are lower than some competitors, and it has a history of policy cancellations. Consider your budget, the level of coverage required, and alternative options before deciding if Nationwide pet insurance is worth it for your specific situation.
