2024 Nationwide Pet Insurance Review

Pet insurance has been offered by Nationwide for over four decades, and they continue to excel with customizable plans and coverage for exotic pets.

We appreciate that Nationwide offers a 24/7 veterinary helpline, a user-friendly mobile claims process, and prescription discounts at Walmart and Sam's Club pharmacies. Additionally, we recognize Nationwide as one of the top providers for pets with pre-existing conditions due to its consideration of curable conditions.

In June 2024, Nationwide declared that it would not renew approximately 100,000 pet policies over the next 12 months due to the increasing cost of veterinary care.

Nationwide pet insurance pros and cons

Nationwide pet insurance plans

Accident-only coverage, accident and illness coverage, and a wellness plan for routine care like vaccinations and flea-and-tick treatments are available nationwide.

Access to a 24-hour veterinary helpline and the ability to see the vet of your choosing, including specialists and emergency veterinarians, are included in all plans.

Typically, waiting periods for pet insurance coverage vary by state but are usually:

Accident and illness: 14 days
Cruciate ligament: 12 months of consecutive coverage
Hereditary conditions: 12 months of consecutive coverage

Major Medical plan

Unlike most pet insurance options, Natiowide's Major Medical plans have per-condition reimbursement caps that reset annually with each policy renewal, in addition to a deductible.

This plan covers:

Accidents and illnesses
Some hereditary conditions
Cancer
Cruciate ligaments after 12 months

Major Medical with wellness coverage

You get the same coverage as Major Medical along with:

Wellness exams
Vaccinations
Flea and heartworm prevention
Bloodwork
Urinalysis

Whole Pet plan

A Whole Pet plan offers similar coverage to Major Medical plans, including coverage for hereditary conditions, as well as a $250 annual deductible and either 50% or 70% reimbursement, up to $10,000 annually.

Dental diseases
Behavioral exams and treatments
Congenital conditions
Eye disorders
Prescription medications
Prescription diets

Exotic pet insurance

Nationwide offers coverage for exotic pets, including birds, rabbits, miniature pigs, iguanas, frogs, ferrets, guinea pigs, and chinchillas. However, certain species are excluded, such as venomous or poisonous animals, endangered animals, and wild-domestic hybrids. To obtain a quote, you must speak with an agent. Coverage includes small mammals.

Dehydration/constipation
Overgrown teeth
Eye infection
Bladder infection
Upper respiratory infection

Birds

Feather picking/loss
Excessive egg-laying
Soft tissue trauma
Diarrhea
Runny nose

Reptiles and amphibians

Internal parasites
Diarrhea
Dehydration/constipation
Upper respiratory infection
Soft tissue trauma

Nationwide pet insurance rates

We obtained a quote for a 1-year-old domestic shorthair cat and a 1-year-old, 55-pound mixed-breed male dog in New York City, both with a deductible of $250 from Nationwide.

The average monthly cost of an accident and illness policy for a dog in 2023 was approximately $56.30, while for a cat it was about $31.94, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.

Discounts

Insuring multiple pets with Nationwide comes with a 5% discount for customers. Additionally, current Nationwide customers with home, auto, life, or other coverage can also receive a 5% discount on pet insurance.

Employers and professional associations can receive discounts from Nationwide, as listed on its website.

Shop to find the right pet insurance

How does Nationwide compare to other pet insurance?

Here's how Nationwide stacks up against two top pet insurance providers.

Nationwide vs. Spot

The cost of insuring a 1-year-old dog is $67 per month with Spot and $42 per month with Nationwide. For a year-old cat, the monthly cost with Spot is $30, while Nationwide offers coverage for $22 per month.

While Spot offers unlimited annual coverage, Nationwide sets limits either at $10,000 or on a per-condition basis, depending on the plan.

While Spot offers a deductible that fits your budget, Nationwide's most plans have a $250 deductible.

Nationwide vs. Pets Best

Pets Best is a better fit for senior pets as they don't have an age limit for enrollment, unlike Nationwide which only offers new illness policies to animals under 8 years old.

Pets Best offers between 70% and 90% reimbursement for eligible expenses, compared to 50% or 70% with Nationwide. However, Nationwide's Major Medical plans have annual per-condition coverage limits, which means that if your pet has a recurring illness, you could exceed the limit before the year is out and be responsible for the remaining balance.

Pets Best offers a direct payment option with your vet, eliminating the need for customers to file claims for reimbursement.

How do I get Nationwide pet insurance?

You can obtain a quote for insuring a cat or dog in approximately one minute on the Nationwide website by entering your pet's age, breed, and zip code. If you're insuring an exotic pet, you must contact 844-397-8937.

The customer service line for Nationwide is accessible at 877-263-6007 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET on Saturdays.

You can manage your policy and file claims through the Nationwide website and mobile app.

Is Nationwide pet insurance right for me?

If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, Nationwide has low monthly rates. However, it's important to note that it has lower reimbursement limits compared to its competitors. Additionally, Nationwide is a clear winner for pet owners with exotic pets, as it's one of the few major providers that covers these animals.

As a Nationwide customer, you'll receive a 5% discount on bundling, as well as the ease of managing all your insurance policies in one location.

If you have an older pet, you may need to explore alternative options. Check out our rankings of the top pet insurance providers for senior dogs.

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Our goal at CNBC Select is to deliver top-notch service journalism and in-depth consumer advice to our readers, enabling them to make well-informed decisions when it comes to their finances. Each pet insurance review we publish is the result of thorough reporting by our team of expert writers and editors, who possess extensive knowledge of pet insurance products. At CNBC Select, we take pride in our journalistic standards and ethics, and we ensure that our content is free from any commercial influence or external third-party input. While we do earn a commission from our affiliate partners on many offers and links, our editorial team remains independent and uninfluenced by any commercial considerations.

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