Nationwide Pet Insurance Review 2024: Flexible Customization Coverage for Multiple Pets

Pet insurance is becoming more and more popular. According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, 6.25 million pets were insured in 2023, up from 5.17 million in 2022.

It’s really no wonder why. We love our pets, and many pet owners are willing to go to great financial lengths to get veterinary care. But that care is also getting more expensive, as veterinary costs have been hit hard by inflation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the cost of veterinary services increased 7.6 from August 2023 to August 2024. For many people, pet insurance simply makes financial sense.

If you’re in the market for pet insurance for your four-legged companion, Nationwide is one of the companies you might consider. Our review delves into what Nationwide offers to help you decide if it’s right for your needs.

TIME’s Take

Nationwide pet insurance has a lot going for it. Not only can you get accident and illness coverage for your dog or cat, but the company offers optional wellness coverage, and also covers avian and exotic pets. It even offers discounts for multiple pets, helping you save.

Who is Nationwide pet insurance for?

Nationwide offers pet insurance for owners of cats, dogs, birds, and exotic pets. Those customers enjoy multiple ways to customize coverage to suit their budget and their pet's needs. If you prize such flexibility, it’s a company to consider.

What Nationwide pet insurance covers

Nationwide covers a wide range of issues and illnesses common to pets. Exactly what is covered will vary based on your plan choice, but may include the following:

• Broken bones.
• Poisoning.
• Injuries sustained when hit by a car.
• Heatstroke.
• Swallowed a foreign body.
• Lacerations.
• Animal attack/snake bites.
• Ear infections.
• Vomiting/diarrhea.
• Skin infections.
• Bladder infections.
• Allergies.
• Arthritis.
• Heart disease.
• Cancer.

Coverage reimburses the cost of appropriate services related to such issues, including X-rays, MRIs, medications, surgeries, and more.

Optional coverages

Pet insurance plans typically do not include wellness coverage—that’s insurance for routine services such as annual veterinary checkups. Nationwide is no exception. However, the company does offer an optional wellness package that provides reimbursement for a variety of these types of expenses. These include:

• Annual veterinary exam.
• Vaccinations.
• Microchipping.
• Fecal test.
• Flea control.
• Deworming.
• Health screening.

What Nationwide does not cover

Like many pet insurance providers, Nationwide does place limits on what its policy will and won’t cover. This includes coverage exclusions for certain types of expenses. Nationwide pet insurance does not cover the following:

• Pre-existing conditions (with some exceptions, which we’ll discuss below).
• Grooming.
• Cruciate ligament issues that arise during the waiting period.
• Congenital anomalies or developmental disorders.
• Hereditary disorders.
• Expenses not directly related to veterinary services, such as waste disposal, record access, or credit card fees.
• Routine/wellness care (coverage is available as an optional add-on with some plans).

Other noteworthy policy features

Nationwide lists pre-existing conditions among its policy exclusions. But, the company notes that, in some circumstances, a pre-existing condition may be eligible for coverage.

Specifically, if you have veterinary records stating that a pet’s condition has been cured for at least six months prior to coverage going into effect (including any applicable waiting period), then Nationwide may provide coverage if that condition should return.

Nationwide offers policyholders several features that add value and convenience to a policy. Its VetHelpline offers unlimited, 24/7 virtual pet care, including advice from licensed veterinary professionals. And its PetRxExpress helps you save money on veterinary prescriptions filled at Walmart or Sam’s Club.

Plans available from Nationwide

Nationwide offers several insurance plans for cats, dogs, and other types of pets.

My Pet Protection

The My Pet Protection plan is only offered through certain employers. It covers accidents, illness, and wellness visits to keep your pet happy and healthy. You can choose between a 50% or 70% reimbursement rate, and the plan comes with a $250 annual deductible and a $7,500 maximum annual benefit. Nationwide reports that this plan costs as low as $7 per paycheck.

Modular Pet Insurance Plan

The Nationwide Modular Pet Insurance Plan allows you to build a policy to suit your and your pet’s needs. Coverage for common accidents and illnesses is included, and wellness coverage is available.

With the modular plan, you choose a reimbursement level—between 50% and 80% for accident and illness coverage—and a maximum annual benefit between $2,500 and $10,000. Wellness coverage provides a defined annual benefit depending on the procedure and has a maximum yearly benefit of $450 or $800. The price of this plan starts at $16 per month.

To be eligible for illness coverage, pets must be at least eight weeks old and no older than eight years. However, pets older than eight years may still qualify for accident-only coverage.

Major Medical

Nationwide’s Major Medical plan uses a set benefit schedule that pays a maximum annual reimbursement amount depending on the condition. A $250 deductible applies. Wellness coverage is an option with this plan. Without wellness coverage, the plan starts at $25 a month; with wellness coverage added, the starting price is $43 per month. Pets must be at most nine years old to qualify for this plan.

Whole pet

Whole Pet reimburses either 50% or 70% of the cost of treatment for common accidents and illnesses (you choose the reimbursement percentage when you purchase the policy). A $250 deductible applies, and the policy has a $10,000 maximum annual benefit. Wellness coverage is not available with this plan. The plan starts at $34 or $46 monthly, depending on your chosen reimbursement rate.

Avian and exotic: My Pet Protection

Nationwide offers two plans for avian and exotic pets, covering veterinary services for common accidents and illnesses. The first plan is called My Pet Protection and is only offered by certain employers. This plan has a choice of a 50% or 70% reimbursement level, a $250 deductible, and a $7,500 maximum annual benefit. There is no option to add wellness coverage. The cost of the plan starts at $5 per paycheck for a 50% reimbursement rate or $6 per paycheck for a 70% reimbursement rate.

Avian and exotic: Whole Pet

The second plan for avian or exotic pets is called Whole Pet. This plan also has a 50% or 70% reimbursement level and a $250 annual deductible, but the maximum annual benefit is $10,000.

The pet must be at least eight weeks old to be eligible for coverage, and wellness coverage is not an option. Your monthly cost can be as low as $16, depending on your deductible.

Nationwide restrictions and waiting periods

Nationwide pet insurance does require a waiting period for specific conditions, including cruciate rupture, meniscus damage, and hereditary conditions. These vary by state and are listed on the Nationwide pet insurance website.

A waiting period means that Nationwide will not provide coverage for these conditions until a certain amount of time has elapsed after the policy inception date.

Let’s say you purchase a Nationwide policy for your dog on June 1. On Dec. 1—just six months later—you file a claim for veterinary bills related to meniscus damage for the pet. Because that falls within the waiting period, Nationwide will not pay that claim.

Nationwide discounts

If you have more than one pet to insure, you’re in luck, as Nationwide offers a 5% multiple-pet discount. You’re even luckier if you insure four or more pets, as the discount bumps to 10%.

Nationwide also offers a 5% group discount. So, if you’re shopping for pet insurance, check to see if your employer offers Nationwide. You could save a little money on your policy.

Nationwide pet insurance rates

Nationwide’s website offers some transparency about the cost of insurance. Dog insurance starts at $16 per month, with the most popular plans costing $47 per month. Cat insurance starts at $5 per month, with the most popular plans going for $22 per month. Insurance for exotic pets starts at $9 per month, with the most popular plans costing $20 per month.

We requested several quotes from Nationwide to get an idea of the company’s pet insurance rates. The following table lists our quoted rates.

There’s no online quote process for exotic pets; instead, you’ll need to call Nationwide to get a quote.

Bear in mind that the cost of a policy can vary based on the animal type and breed, policy selections, and other factors. The only way to know your cost with any certainty is to get a quote.

About Nationwide pet insurance

Nationwide reputation

Based in Columbus, Ohio, Nationwide is one of the country’s most recognized insurance brands. It offers car, home, life, and business insurance. The company has an A (Excellent) rating from AM Best, which signifies Nationwide’s financial strength and ability to pay claims.

State availability

Nationwide pet insurance is available in all 50 states. Certain plans may not be available in some states.

Consumer experience

You can get a quote for Nationwide pet insurance online at nationwide.com, or by calling 1-800-872-7387.

Claims can be filed online, by email, fax, or U.S. mail. The company asks for 30 days to approve claims, provided it has received all the requested information.

How Nationwide stacks up

Bottom line

Pet insurance is becoming more and more popular. According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, 6.25 million pets were insured in 2023, up from 5.17 million in 2022.

It’s really no wonder why. We love our pets, and many pet owners are willing to go to great financial lengths to get veterinary care. But that care is also getting more expensive, as veterinary costs have been hit hard by inflation. For many people, pet insurance simply makes financial sense.

Nationwide is one of the country’s leading providers of insurance for cars, homes, and life. It offers pet insurance as well and is worth considering if you’re in the market for coverage. The company offers multiple plans and customization options to insure cats, dogs, birds, and exotics.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How does Nationwide pay pet claims?

You can file a claim with Nationwide online at the company’s website. If you prefer, you can download and print the claim paperwork and send it to the company via mail, email, or fax.

Nationwide states that once it receives your paperwork, it needs at least 30 days to process your claim. Payment can be made via check or electronic deposit into a bank account.

How long is the Nationwide pet insurance waiting period?

Nationwide’s waiting period varies by issue and by state. Most states, however, have a 12-month waiting period for coverage of cruciate ligament damage, meniscus damage, and hereditary illnesses.

What is the annual deductible for Nationwide pet insurance?

Nationwide plans have a $250, $500, or $1,000 annual deductible.

Does Nationwide pet insurance cover the death of a pet?

Nationwide states that certain veterinary expenses related to the death of a pet, such as euthanasia and remains care, may be covered.