Table of Contents

Nationwide Pet Insurance

Nationwide Pet Insurance Review 2026 – Plans, Costs & Coverage Explained

Full review of Nationwide Pet Insurance. Learn about plans, costs, coverage, exclusions, claims process, pros & cons, and whether it’s worth it for dogs and cats.

nationwide-pet-insurance-review

What Is Nationwide Pet Insurance?
How Nationwide Pet Insurance Works
Coverage Plans Explained
What Does Nationwide Pet Insurance Cover?
What Is Not Covered?
How Much Does Nationwide Pet Insurance Cost?
Factors That Affect Pricing
Nationwide Pet Insurance Deductibles & Reimbursement
How to File a Claim
Pros and Cons
Is Nationwide Pet Insurance Worth It?
Nationwide vs Other Top Pet Insurance Companies
Customer Reviews & Reputation
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Final Verdict

1. What Is Nationwide Pet Insurance?

Nationwide Pet Insurance is one of the oldest and most recognized pet insurance providers in the United States.

It offers insurance coverage for:

Dogs 🐶
Cats 🐱
Exotic pets (in select plans)

Nationwide is backed by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, a large financial services company known for insurance products.

Unlike many competitors, Nationwide offers:

Accident & illness coverage
Wellness coverage
Exotic pet coverage
Comprehensive plan options

2. How Nationwide Pet Insurance Works

Nationwide operates on a reimbursement model:

Step 1 – Visit the Vet

You pay the vet bill upfront.

Step 2 – Submit Claim

Upload invoices through the Nationwide app or website.

Step 3 – Get Reimbursed

Nationwide reimburses you based on:

Your chosen plan
Deductible
Reimbursement percentage

💡 Typical reimbursement range: 50% – 90%

3. Coverage Plans Explained

Nationwide offers several plan options:

1. Major Medical Plan

Covers:

Accidents
Illnesses
Surgeries
Hospitalization
Diagnostics

✅ Most popular option
❌ Does NOT include routine care

2. Whole Pet with Wellness

This is Nationwide’s premium plan.

It includes:

Accident coverage
Illness coverage
Wellness coverage
Vaccinations
Annual exams
Flea/tick prevention
Dental cleaning (in some cases)

✅ Best coverage option
💰 Higher premium

3. Pet Wellness Plan

Covers routine preventive care only:

Vaccines
Annual checkups
Heartworm tests
Spay/neuter

❌ Not accident/illness coverage

4. What Does Nationwide Pet Insurance Cover?

Covered Conditions

Nationwide typically covers:

🐕 Accidents

Broken bones
Ingested objects
Poisoning
Trauma

🏥 Illnesses

Cancer treatment
Diabetes
Allergies
Infections
Digestive issues

🩺 Medical Treatments

Surgery
X-rays
Blood tests
MRI/CT scans
Prescription medications

Exotic Pet Coverage

One major advantage of Nationwide is coverage for:

Birds
Rabbits
Reptiles
Amphibians
Small mammals

Few competitors offer this.

5. What Is Not Covered?

Like most insurers, Nationwide excludes certain conditions:

❌ Pre-existing conditions
❌ Cosmetic procedures
❌ Breeding-related expenses
❌ Experimental treatments
❌ Elective procedures (unless medically necessary)

Important:
If your pet had symptoms before enrollment, it may be classified as pre-existing.

6. How Much Does Nationwide Pet Insurance Cost?

Average Monthly Cost

Pet Type	Average Monthly Premium
Dog	$35 – $90
Cat	$20 – $50
Exotic Pet	Varies

Premium depends on:

Breed
Age
Location
Coverage level
Deductible selected

Example Cost Breakdown

Example:

3-year-old Labrador
$500 deductible
90% reimbursement
Major Medical Plan

Estimated cost: ~$60 per month

7. Factors That Affect Pricing

Premium increases when:

✅ Pet is older
✅ Breed is prone to illness
✅ You choose lower deductible
✅ You choose higher reimbursement
✅ You live in high-cost vet areas

Premium decreases when:

✅ Higher deductible
✅ Lower reimbursement rate
✅ Young pet
✅ Basic coverage

8. Nationwide Pet Insurance Deductibles & Reimbursement

Deductibles

Common choices:

$100
$250
$500
$1,000

You pay deductible first before reimbursement begins.

Reimbursement Rates

Common options:

Higher reimbursement = Higher premium.

9. How to File a Claim

Nationwide makes claims simple:

Online:

Log in to your account
Upload vet invoice
Submit claim

Mobile App:

Scan receipt
Upload directly

⏳ Processing time: Usually 5–14 business days

💰 Reimbursement via:

Direct deposit
Check

10. Pros and Cons

✅ Pros

✔ Established insurance company
✔ Covers exotic pets
✔ Multiple plan options
✔ Good wellness add-ons
✔ Easy claims process

❌ Cons

✖ Premiums can be higher than competitors
✖ Pre-existing condition exclusions
✖ Some coverage limits on certain plans

11. Is Nationwide Pet Insurance Worth It?

It depends on your situation.

It’s Worth It If:

✅ You want comprehensive coverage
✅ You own an exotic pet
✅ Your pet is young and healthy
✅ You want wellness + accident protection

It May Not Be Worth It If:

❌ Your pet already has chronic conditions
❌ You prefer cheaper minimal coverage

12. Nationwide vs Other Top Pet Insurance Companies

Feature	Nationwide	Trupanion	Lemonade
Accident Coverage	✅	✅	✅
Illness Coverage	✅	✅	✅
Wellness Add-On	✅	❌	✅
Exotic Pets	✅	❌	❌
Price	Medium	High	Low-Medium

13. Customer Reviews & Reputation

Nationwide generally receives:

⭐ 3.5 – 4.2 star ratings online

Customers praise:

Easy claims process
Wide coverage
Reliability

Common complaints:

Premium increases
Coverage limitations
Claims processing delays sometimes

14. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does Nationwide cover pre-existing conditions?

❌ No.

How fast are claims paid?

Typically within 5–14 business days.

Can I use any vet?

✅ Yes. Nationwide allows any licensed vet.

Is there a waiting period?

✅ Yes.
Usually:

14 days for illness
24 hours for accidents

Does Nationwide cover dental care?

Yes — depending on the plan and condition.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. Monthly policies allow cancellation anytime.

15. Final Verdict

Nationwide Pet Insurance is:

✅ One of the most comprehensive pet insurance providers
✅ Strong for pet owners who want flexibility
✅ Excellent for exotic pet coverage

However:

⚠ It may not be the cheapest option
⚠ Premiums increase with pet age