Nationwide Pet Insurance Review 2024

Nationwide has several pet insurance policies to choose from, including a comprehensive Whole Pet with Wellness plan and scaled down plans, such as an accident-only plan.

Nationwide Accident and Illness Insurance

Whole Pet with Wellness plan

Nationwide has a variety of pet insurance policies to choose from. The most comprehensive offering is its Whole Pet with Wellness plan which covers:

• Accidents such as poisonings, ACL ruptures and sprains
• Common illnesses such as vomiting, diarrhea or ear infections
• Serious illnesses such as heart disease and diabetes
• Chronic illnesses such as arthritis, allergies and skin conditions
• Hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia, blood disorders and eye disorders
• Testing and diagnostics such as X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds and blood tests
• Holistic therapy such as chiropractic care, laser therapy and acupuncture
• Procedures such a surgeries or chemotherapy
• Wellness exams and vaccinations
• Flea & heartworm prevention

Major Medical plan

Nationwide’s Major Medical plan is a scaled back accident and illness plan, and it excludes some problems that are covered by the Whole Pet plans.

For example, the Whole Pet plan covers hereditary and congenital conditions such as hip dysplasia and heart disease. The Major Medical plan covers only some hereditary conditions (such as hip dysplasia after the first 12 months of coverage) and it does not cover congenital conditions or developmental disorders (such as heart disease).

Since Nationwide’s Major Medical plan covers fewer health problems than the Whole Pet plan, it’s a cheaper option for pet owners. You can also add a wellness plan to its Major Medical plans.

Pet Insurance Accident-Only Plan

Nationwide offers an accident-only plan called the “Injury plan.” Accident-only plans cover medical expenses for injuries but they do not cover medical expenses for illnesses.

Since an accident-only plan has limited coverage, this is generally the cheapest type of pet insurance plan you can buy.

Nationwide Avian and Exotic Pet Plan

In addition to dogs and cats, Nationwide’s pet insurance can cover birds and exotic animals, such as chinchillas, geckos, goats, potbellied pigs, hamsters, iguanas, turtles and snakes.

Nationwide’s avian and exotic pet insurance plan covers medical expenses such as:

• Accidents
• Illnesses
• Examinations
• Hospitalizations
• Lab fees
• Prescription medications
• X-rays

Nationwide Pet Insurance Add-Ons

Nationwide’s wellness coverage plans help cover expenses for regular exams and preventative treatments, including:

• Behavior exam and treatment
• Deworming
• Fecal test
• Flea or heartworm prevention
• Health certificate
• Heartworm or FeLV/FIV test
• Microchip
• Nail trim
• Physical exams (two per policy term)
• One additional test per policy term, including a blood test, EKG and X-rays

Nationwide Pet Rx Express

Nationwide pet insurance policyholders also have access to Pet Rx Express, which gives you preferred pricing on pet prescriptions at any Walmart or Sam’s Club pharmacy. And they can process the prescription insurance claim at the pharmacy counter.

Similar to other pet insurance policies, Nationwide’s pet insurance doesn’t cover every expense. Coverage exclusions include:

• Pre-existing conditions such as an injury or illness that your pet had before coverage started
• Therapy or treatment not prescribed by your veterinarian
• Diagnosis or treatment that is experimental, investigational or not within the standard of care accepted by the veterinary medical board in your state
• Any expense not directly related to a vet service such as taxes, waste disposal and record-keeping

Keep in mind, more coverage exclusions apply depending on the type of policy you select. For example, you won’t have coverage for wellness costs or common illnesses if you select the Major Medical plan. Shop around on Forbes Advisor’s list of best pet insurance companies if you aren’t seeing coverage that fits your needs.

Generally pet insurance companies stipulate a certain amount of time before your plan starts reimbursing you for veterinary expenses. This is known as a waiting period. For example, Nationwide has a 14-day waiting period for accidents and illness, and a 12-month waiting period for cruciate ligaments or meniscus (knee) injuries.

A 14-day accident waiting period is common across the industry, but some insurers have shorter accident waiting periods. For example, Embrace offers a two-day accident waiting period.

Also, not all pet insurers have extended waiting periods for other conditions, such as ligament or knee injuries. For example, ASPCA’s pet health insurance does not have a waiting period for these types of conditions.

Maximum Annual Limit Options

Pet insurers have a coverage cap on how much they will reimburse you for your pet’s health-related expenses in a given year. Nationwide Whole Pet with Wellness has only an unlimited coverage limit. The Whole Pet plan has a $10,000 cap and the Major Medical plan applies caps per condition.

Deductible Options

You must pay a set amount before your coverage begins to reimburse you for any vet bills. This amount is known as the deductible. Nationwide Whole Pet with Wellness has a $250 deductible option.

Reimbursement Options

A reimbursement level is the portion of your pet’s health-related expenses your insurance provider will reimburse. With Nationwide’s Whole Pet with Wellness plan you can select a reimbursement level of 50%, 70% or 90%.

Nationwide’s pet insurance plans can range from $16 to $47 per month for dogs and $5 to $22 per month for cats, according to Nationwide.

Pet insurance costs will depend on factors such as:

• Breed
• Age
• Where you live
• How much coverage you buy

There are a few ways you can save on pet insurance with Nationwide:

• 5% discount when you insure multiple pets
• 5% discount for existing Nationwide customers
• Discounts available for Nationwide employees

Nationwide pet insurance is available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Nationwide and Petco announced plans in October 2022 for a multiyear partnership to co-develop pet health and wellness plans. The plans are expected to be available in 2023.

The new pet insurance from Nationwide and Petco will include coverage for accidents, illnesses, preventative care (such as vaccinations) and Petco’s Vital Care program. Petco’s Vital Care program is a wellness plan that includes:

• Unlimited routine vet exams at all Vetco Total Care locations
• $20 Pals Reward for every routine exam at the vet of your choice
• 20% off every groom for dogs
• 20% off litter for cats
• 10% off nutrition products (excluding chews and treats)
• 5% off nutrition products if you sign up for repeat delivery
• A one-time $20 discount for dog walking, pet boarding or pet sitting on Rover.com
• $15 Pals Reward every month

Pet health and wellness plans from Nationwide and Petco are expected to be fulfilled through Petco’s pharmacy, veterinary hospitals and clinics.

Company	Company - Logo	Forbes Advisor Rating	Forbes Advisor Rating	Reimbursement Choices	Deductible Choices	Learn More CTA text	Learn more CTA below text	View More
Pets Best		5.0		70%, 80%, 90%	$50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000	Compare Plans	Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
Embrace		4.5		70%, 80%, 90%	$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000	Compare Plans	Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
Paw Protect		4.5		70%, 80%, 90%	$100, $250, $500	Compare Plans	Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
Fetch		4.0		70%, 80%, 90%	$300, $500, $700	Compare Plans	Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
Figo		4.0		70%, 80%, 90%, 100%	$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000, $1,500	Compare Plans	Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
Healthy Paws		4.0		50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%	$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000	Compare Plans	Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
Lemonade		4.0		70%, 80%, 90%	$100, $250, $500, $750	Compare Plans	Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website
Spot		4.0		70%, 80%, 90%	$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000	Compare Plans	Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website

Reimbursement and deductible choices may vary by state.

Pet insurance benefits and waiting periods vary by pet insurance company. For example, Nationwide pet insurance has a 12-month waiting period for cruciate ligament issues, but Trupanion has no waiting period for cruciate ligament issues. But Nationwide offers an optional wellness plan while Healthy Paws and Trupanion does not.

Nationwide Pet Insurance vs. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

Rating and coverage	Nationwide pet insurance	Healthy Paws pet insurance
Accident coverage waiting period	14 days	15 days
Illness coverage waiting period	14 days	15 days
Special waiting periods	12 months for cruciate ligament issues	12 months for hip dysplasia; coverage for hip dysplasia not available for pets age six or older at time of enrollment
Pays for the vet exam fee?	Yes	No
Optional wellness plan available?	Yes	No
24/7 vet helpline available?	Yes	Yes

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Nationwide Pet Insurance vs. Pets Best Pet Insurance

Rating and coverage details	Nationwide pet insurance	Pets Best pet insurance
Accident coverage waiting period	14 days	3 days
Illness coverage waiting period	14 days	14 days
Special waiting periods	12 months for cruciate ligament issues	6 months for cruciate ligaments, 14 days for hip dysplasia
Pays for the vet exam fee?	Yes	Included
Optional wellness plan available?	Yes	Yes
24/7 vet helpline available?	Yes	Yes

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Nationwide Pet Insurance vs. Spot Pet Insurance

Rating and coverage details	Nationwide pet insurance	Spot pet insurance
Accident coverage waiting period	14 days	14 days
Illness coverage waiting period	14 days	14 days
Special waiting periods	12 months for cruciate ligament issues	None
Pays for the vet exam fee?	Yes	Yes
Optional wellness plan available?	Yes	Yes
24/7 vet helpline available?	Yes	Yes

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Nationwide Pet Insurance vs. Trupanion Pet Insurance

Rating and coverage details	Nationwide pet insurance	Trupanion pet insurance
Accident coverage waiting period	14 days	5 days
Illness coverage waiting period	14 days	30 days
Special waiting periods	12 months for cruciate ligament issues	None
Pays for the vet exam fee?	Yes	No
Optional wellness plan available?	Yes	No
24/7 vet helpline available?	Yes	No

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Nationwide was founded more than 90 years ago and started as a small auto insurer. Based out of Columbus, Ohio, Nationwide has grown into a nationally recognized company that offers many insurance products along with retirement and investment products.

In 2009, Nationwide acquired Veterinary Pet Insurance, the first pet insurance company in the U.S. The company’s pet insurance is underwritten by National Casualty Co. If you are a California resident, policies are underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Co.