Nationwide Pet Insurance Review and Pricing (2024 Guide)
Written by
Most pest insurance companies cover only cats and dogs, but Nationwide goes beyond the status quo to insure birds and other exotic animals. Keep reading to learn more about Nationwide’s plans, pricing, and benefits so you can determine if it’s the best pet insurance company for you and your pet.
Key Takeaway
- We reviewed dozens of top pet insurance companies and scored Nationwide a 93 out of 100.
What’s Our Review of Nationwide Pet Insurance?
We were impressed by its coverage options for exotic pets. Most pet insurance companies only insure cats and dogs, but Nationwide also covers a range of different animals, including birds and snakes.
Despite Nationwide’s extensive coverage options, its pricing isn’t customizable and is more expensive than other providers. Customer satisfaction is also lower based on negative reviews from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Yelp, where many complaints referenced denied claims and price spikes.
How Does Nationwide Compare to Other Pet Insurance Providers?
Quickly compare Nationwide to other top-rated pet insurance providers:
| Company | Star Rating | Monthly Cost for Dogs* | Monthly Cost for Cats* | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $33.69 | $13.32 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $38.44 | $21.53 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $65.15 | $53.43 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $20.76 | $18.47 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $44.83 | $24.68 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $34.34 | $14.98 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $49.85 | $26.55 | VISIT SITE | ||
| $44.79 | $16.36 | VISIT SITE |
Nationwide vs. Lemonade
Nationwide and Lemonade’s coverage options are similar. Both cover treatments, surgeries, X-rays, and more for accidents and illnesses. Both also offer wellness plan options for routine preventive care.
Where they differ is in the numbers. Nationwide has a $10,000 annual coverage limit and one deductible option of $250. Lemonade has three deductible options: $100, $250, and $500. It also has five annual coverage limit choices that range from $5,000 all the way up to $100,000. Reimbursement rate options are 70%, 80%, and 90%. Prices are comparable as long as you stick with Nationwide’s Major Medical Plan. If you choose a Whole Pet Plan, expect to pay more than you would for a Lemonade plan.
Nationwide vs. Spot
Spot also has both accident-and-illness and wellness plans. It differs from Nationwide in that it offers an accident-only plan for pet owners who don’t want illness coverage. Spot’splans cover much of the same vet care as Nationwide’s. However, Spot has five deductible options ranging from $100 to $1,000. It also has an option for unlimited annual coverage, plus six other annual limits spanning $2,500 to $10,000. Nationwide’s Major Medical Plan prices are slightly lower than Spot’s accident-and-illness plan, but again, the Whole Pet Plan will cost you more.
Nationwide vs. Embrace
Nationwide and Embrace have similar coverage, offering both accident-and-illness and wellness plans. However, Embrace’s wellness coverage is more comprehensive, including holistic care, prescription diet food, spaying and neutering, and other care that Nationwide’s wellness plan doesn’t. Embrace has five deductible options ranging from $200 to $1,000. It has five annual limits, ranging as low as $5,000 and as high as $30,000. On average, Embrace’s accident-and-illness plan pricing is slightly lower than Nationwide’s Major Medical Plan.
Learn More: Best Cheap Pet Insurance Providers
How Much Does Nationwide Pet Insurance Cost?
Here are some pricing details and sample premiums for each plan by various dog and cat breeds:
Monthly Sample Premiums
| Species/breed* | Dog – Medium Mixed | Dog – Golden Retriever | Dog – Yorkshire Terrier | Cat – Domestic Medium Hair |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Major Medical Plan |
$34.34 |
$43.67 |
$35.61 |
$14.98 |
|
Whole Pet Plan |
$54.91 |
$81.53 |
$55.47 |
$29.02 |
|
Major Medical Plan with Wellness |
$52.34 |
$61.67 |
$53.61 |
$32.98 |
|
Whole Pet Plan with Wellness |
$72.40 |
$107.51 |
$73.14 |
$38.26 |
*All sample quotes are for 4-year-old pets located in Raleigh, North Carolina.
What Discounts Does Nationwide Pet Insurance Offer?
Nationwide offers a 5% discount for customers who enroll two or more animals. Customers may also qualify for a 5% discount if they’re already a Nationwide customer and have homeowners or auto insurance through the company.
What Plans and Coverage Does Nationwide Pet Insurance Offer?
Nationwide offers four pet insurance plans. There aren’t many options to customize deductibles or coverage limits, so these plans’ pricing is generally higher than other providers.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Plans
- Major Medical Plan: This plan covers vet bills for accidents, illnesses, cancer, and some hereditary conditions, such as glaucoma or intervertebral disc disease. This plan also includes access to any licensed vet and a 24/7 vet helpline. Rather than an annual coverage max and reimbursement percentage, this plan defines amounts per condition in each policy based on a benefits schedule with a list of covered procedures and individual limits. The annual deductible for this plan is $250.
- Major Medical with Wellness Plan: This plan covers everything in the Major Medical Plan plus routine care, wellness exams, vaccinations, blood work, urinalysis, and flea and heartworm prevention. The annual deductible is also $250.
- Whole Pet Plan: This plan covers vet bills for accidents, illnesses, cancer, and most hereditary and congenital conditions. Reimbursement level options include 90%, 70%, or 50% at different price points with a $10,000 annual benefits cap. The annual deductible is $250.
- Whole Pet with Wellness Plan: This is the most expensive but most comprehensive plan Nationwide offers. It covers everything in the Whole Pet Plan plus wellness exams, spay or neuter procedures, urinalysis, blood work, flea and heartworm prevention, vaccinations, and routine care. It includes the same reimbursement options and annual deductible as the Whole Pet Plan but has an unlimited coverage maximum.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Plans for Exotic Pets
Nationwide also offers policies for birds and exotic pets. The pricing and coverage details vary by each animal’s species and medical history, so you’ll need to contact a Nationwide representative for more information.
Here are a few pets Nationwide covers other than cats and dogs:
- Amphibians
- Ferrets
- Goats
- Guinea pigs
- Hamsters
- Hedgehogs
- Mice and rats
- Rabbits
- Reptiles
- Turtles
What Are Nationwide Pet Insurance’s Coverage Exclusions?
Nationwide excludes the following items from its pet insurance policies:
- Preexisting conditions
- Boarding and grooming
- Cosmetic procedures
- Breeding
- Non-veterinary fees, such as waste disposal or taxes
Nationwide also excludes the following diseases and medical diagnoses:
- Collapsed trachea
- Elbow dysplasia
- Hip dysplasia
- Malignant histiocytosis
- Patellar luxation
- Primary glaucoma
Where Is Nationwide Pet Insurance Available?
Nationwide Pet Insurance is available in all 50 states. However, specific policy details and discounts may vary in certain states.
Note: Nationwide policies purchased in California are underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company.
Find the Best Pet Insurance in Your State
How Do Customers View Nationwide Pet Insurance?
Nationwide reviews on the company’s Yelp and BBB profiles are mixed. Some customers expressed satisfaction with their policies, while others complained about unreliability, price increases, and rejected claims.
“I’ve been with Nationwide since 2017—I was lucky that my employer offered Nationwide Pet Insurance through payroll deductions. Our English Bulldog has had recurring issues with allergies and they have covered all his visits and medications. Never had an issue. Recently, I had to take our Maltipoo to the ER with seizures. I did not want him on phenobarbital so I took him to a vet that offered alternative treatments. Nationwide has covered his acupuncture treatments.”
Elena J. on Yelp
“Our dog had emergency surgery in October and we submitted a claim on November 3, 2020. Nationwide requested additional documentation from any veterinary visits since August and this was provided December 3, 2020. In January 2021 we received a letter indicating Nationwide needed another 30 days to process this claim. Another letter was received today, January 27, that another 30 days was necessary to process our claim.”
Sally H. on BBB
Accurate as of January 2023
Is Nationwide Pet Insurance Worth it?
Nationwide offers impressive plans for cats and dogs and provides comprehensive coverage through its Whole Pet Plan, which covers a variety of hereditary conditions. Nationwide is also one of the few companies that insures exotic pets and birds.
However, Nationwide has minimal customizability and may be expensive compared to other pet insurance providers.
If Nationwide doesn’t fall within your budget or you want to customize your plan, check out our ‘Best Overall’ company, Lemonade, which has a unique mobile app for fast signup, or consider Healthy Paws for an unlimited coverage limit at lower prices.
FAQs About Nationwide Pet Insurance
Is Nationwide pet insurance cheap?
Nationwide’s pet insurance isn’t cheap compared to other providers. Based on the sample quotes we received, Nationwide’s plans can be as high as $107.51 per month, more expensive than many other providers. We suggest considering other companies, such as Lemonade or Spot, for more customizable policies and affordable pricing.
When did Nationwide start offering pet insurance?
Nationwide has been selling top-rated pet insurance products since 2009.
Who has the best pet insurance?
Based on our review of pet insurance brands, we found that Lemonade is the best overall provider. Other top pet insurance brands include Healthy Paws and Prudent Pet. The top-performing companies score well on coverage, plan options, monthly cost, company reputation, customer service, and covered animals.
Does Nationwide pet insurance cover preexisting conditions?
Similar to other pet insurance companies, Nationwide doesn’t cover preexisting conditions of any kind. However, it may cover common hereditary issues that occur during the policy term.
How can I reach Nationwide pet insurance customer service?
Nationwide’s customer service for pet insurance policyholders can be reached by phone during the following hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST, and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. EST.
Our Rating Methodology
We are dedicated to thorough, in-depth reviews of each product or service that we detail in our content. Determined to build trust with our readers through transparency, accuracy, and accountability, we’ve built a detailed rating system to score pet insurance brands. Included in this methodology are the following six factors with their respective scoring weights:
- Coverage (25)
- Plan options (20)
- Monthly cost (20)
- Company reputation (15)
- Customer service (10)
- Species eligibility (10)
Our researchers keep all data in each company’s score up to date, making any changes to our content when necessary to provide our readers with the most accurate information on relevant metrics, such as plan options, customer service, reputation, and monthly cost.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
