Our Thoughts on Nationwide Pet Insurance
Nationwide is a longstanding insurance provider that offers a variety of products. The company entered the pet insurance space when it acquired Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) in 2009 and currently offers a full suite of customizable pet insurance products, including accident, illness and wellness coverage.
Nationwide and Petco, a large national pet retailer, also launched a co-branded pet insurance offering in January 2024 with built-in discounts for Petco’s veterinary clients. Petco’s veterinary office, called Vetco, operates a growing number of full-service veterinary hospitals and more than 1,000 weekly vaccine clinics across the country.
As one of the oldest pet insurers, Nationwide is available in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Based on our objective rating methodology, we gave Nationwide 4.2 out of 5 stars. In general, it’s a solid option for pet owners who already have other Nationwide insurance products or those who frequently visit Vetco locations. Still, our team found that its plans have many limitations, and perusing the website may leave customers feeling puzzled about their options.
Pros and Cons
How Nationwide Scored in Our Methodology
Nationwide Pet Insurance earned 4.2 out of 5 stars based on our pet insurance rating methodology. The company scored well in the cost and customer experience categories. However, it lost points for having minimal customization options and many exclusions and limitations. Despite its limitations, we think Nationwide is a good option for customers who already have other company-issued policies and would prefer to keep their pet insurance in the same ecosystem.
Nationwide’s Plans and Pricing
Nationwide’s plans, pricing and the sign-up process seemed confusing to our team when gathering quotes. As pet insurance experts, we struggled to understand the available plans and discrepancies between website listings and plans offered using the quote tool. To ensure you know what you’re getting, we suggest calling customer service to enroll.
How Much Does Nationwide Pet Insurance Cost?
We determined the average price of a basic pet insurance plan using Nationwide’s online quote tool. The tool breaks down plan costs by applying a separate annual limit to each category of coverage: accident, illness and wellness. All plans require accident coverage, but you may choose to add or skip the other two (illness or wellness). In general, illness coverage adds a $5,000 coverage limit for a monthly fee — however, the plan excludes coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions unless you purchase an add-on.
Based on our research, the average cost of an accident-only plan is $17 per month for dogs and $5 for cats. For accident and illness coverage with a hereditary conditions add-on, average costs are $61 per month for dogs and $25 for cats. A 5% discount is available for each additional pet added to a policy, which increases to 10% when you reach four or more pets.
Here’s a breakdown of the average costs of coverage for Nationwide pet insurance, based on our research.
| Plan | Accident Coverage | Accident and Illness Coverage | $450 Wellness Plan | $800 Wellness Plan |
| Average Monthly Cost* | $11 | $43 | Adds $22 | Adds $42 |
| Summary | Coverage for accidental injuries | Coverage for accidents and acute or chronic illnesses | Add-on with wellness reimbursements up to $450 | Add-on with wellness reimbursements up to $800 |
*Quotes for the above plans include a 70% reimbursement rate and a $250 deductible.
Our team determined the above rates by requesting quotes for a series of sample pets in Denver, Colo., including:
- A 5-year-old medium, mixed-breed male dog
- A 2-year-old female golden retriever
- A 5-year-old mixed-breed male cat
- A 2-year-old female Siamese cat
Our average cost estimates offer estimates you can use as a starting point. To know how much you’ll pay for coverage, call Nationwide to learn about plan options, your coverage structure, and whether you can add riders to cover plan exclusions, such as behavioral conditions or prescription food.
Based on our sample quote collection, Nationwide plans cost less than the average of providers we researched. A Nationwide accident and illness plan costs around $61 for dogs and $25 for cats, compared to a national average of $66 and $32, respectively. You can also save on Nationwide plans if you have a home or auto policy with the provider, and the company’s partnership with Petco offers additional savings for pets that visit Vetco vaccine or full-service clinics. However, we suggest reading plan documents carefully before committing, as low-cost plans may include hidden exclusions.
What Does Nationwide Pet Insurance Cover?
Available Nationwide coverage and specific plan options depend on your pet’s characteristics and location. Although the company lists several plan options on its website, your pet may only qualify for one or two.
The biggest difference among plans is the reimbursement rate. Some plans pay back up to a percentage of veterinary bills up to an annual coverage maximum, which is how most companies operate, while other options limit benefits by category.
Nationwide’s Plan Offerings
Nationwide generally offers the following plans, but availability may vary depending on the customer.
- Modular Plan: This plan offers accident, illness, and wellness options with a fixed $250 annual deductible, two annual limit choices and a range of reimbursement rates.
- Major Medical: This accident and illness plan is available with or without wellness coverage. Major Medical plans provide a fixed $250 deductible and fixed, per-condition reimbursements based on a detailed fee schedule.
- Whole Pet: These plans provide accident and illness coverage with no option for wellness care. Plans have a fixed deductible and annual limit with a choice of 50% or 70% reimbursement. This plan is also available for exotic pets.
- My Pet Protection: An employer-sponsored plan that provides a fixed annual limit and deductible with the option to choose from a range of reimbursement rates. This plan extends coverage to exotic pets. However, only employers can offer this plan, based on our review.
Like other providers, Nationwide and Petco pet insurance plans do not cover pre-existing conditions or health issues that occur during the waiting period. Additional limitations and exclusions can vary, but here’s a general guideline for conditions and treatments covered under each plan.
| Condition or Treatment | Accident Plans | Accident and Illness Plans |
| Arthritis | ✓ | |
| Behavior treatments | Add-on available | |
| Broken bones | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cancer | ✓ | |
| Cruciate ligament tears | ✓* | ✓* |
| Diarrhea | ✓ | |
| Ear infections | ✓ | |
| Heat stroke | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hereditary disorders | Add-on available | |
| Imaging tests | ✓ | ✓ |
| Medications | ✓ | ✓ |
| Poisoning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Prescription food | Add-on available | Add-on available |
| Surgery | ✓ | ✓ |
*The company will not cover cruciate ligament tears in an animal’s first year of coverage.
Preventive Care Plans
Nationwide’s wellness plans provide higher reimbursements than some other pet insurance providers we reviewed. Here’s a breakdown of the benefits provided by Nationwide’s wellness coverage plans.
| $450 Wellness Coverage | $800 Wellness Coverage | |
| Average cost | Adds $16 for cats and $28 for dogs | Adds $31 for cats and $54 for dogs |
| Two physical exams | $80 | $80 |
| Vaccine or titer | $80 | $80 |
| Heartworm or FIV/FeLV test | $35 | $35 |
| Fecal test | $30 | $30 |
| Deworming | $25 | $25 |
| Microchip | $50 | $50 |
| Health certificate | $50 | $50 |
| Flea or heartworm prevention | $100 | $100 |
| One additional test (such as a blood test, X-ray or EKG) | Not covered | $100 |
| Spay or neuter surgery or dental cleaning | Not covered | $250* |
*Spay or neuter surgery or dental cleaning coverage is subject to a 90-day waiting period.
Nationwide’s Optional Add-On Coverage
During the online quote process, we noted one optional add-on coverage. However, Nationwide has disclaimers on its website stating that customers can add certain excluded coverages by calling customer service to discuss riders. In these cases, pricing information is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Hereditary and Congenital Conditions
Nationwide excludes most hereditary and congenital conditions from its plans. While this can impact any pet, such exclusions may disproportionately affect pure breeds such as French bulldogs. Many eye and joint disorders fall into this category, often requiring expensive surgeries, based on our research.
If you have a purebred pet or are concerned about significant gaps in your pet’s coverage, you can pay for the hereditary and congenital condition add-on, which costs between $1 and $5 per month.
Nationwide Pet Insurance Plan Customization
Nationwide recently enhanced the customization options on its pet insurance plans. However, available options depend on your plan choice, your pet’s characteristics and other factors. We list some possible choices below.
Deductible Options
The deductible is the amount you pay toward your pet’s covered veterinary care each year before the insurer contributes. Nationwide offers annual deductible options of $100, $250 or $500. Choosing a higher deductible can lower your monthly premium and vice versa.
Reimbursement Rates
The reimbursement rate is the percentage of covered services a pet insurance plan pays for after you meet your deductible. Some Nationwide plans offer one-time, lump-sum reimbursements distributed on a per-condition basis, with no regard to the actual veterinary bill. Other plans offer a 50%, 70% or 80% reimbursement based on the veterinary services your pet receives.
Annual Limit Options
Annual limits determine how much a plan pays in a given term. Limits for Nationwide plans include $5,000, $10,000 and unlimited options, which may apply to the whole policy or only to specific sections. For example, one policy might include a $10,000 overall annual limit while another provides $5,000 in illness coverage combined with unlimited accident coverage.
Sign-Up, Claims Filing and Payout Processes
Signing up for a Nationwide plan is not as simple as with other pet insurance providers we’ve reviewed. The online quote tool provides only one plan option and doesn’t explain all possible coverages or riders. Due to the limitations of online sign-up, we recommend calling Nationwide’s customer service team to discuss options.
Once you know which plans are available to you, the website becomes a more useful resource that features frequently asked questions (FAQs) and sample plan documents. After enrollment, you can also use the website to manage your account.
To file a claim, head to the website or send in a claim form via email, mail or fax. A paid invoice is required to process claims, but the company may also require medical records. Nationwide says it processes most claims within five days of submission. However, it also stipulates that some claims take up to 30 days or longer.
Some online customer reviews of Nationwide noted prolonged claims processing and frequently denied claims based on pre-existing conditions. If your claim is approved, reimbursements are sent via direct deposit or paper check.
Nationwide’s Waiting Periods and Age Restrictions
Waiting periods and age restrictions for Nationwide vary by plan and pet. State insurance laws also influence waiting periods, so standard waiting periods may not apply in your state. In general, Nationwide waiting periods include 14 days for accidents and illnesses and one year for cruciate ligament injuries.
Some plans may also subject pets to extended waiting periods for hereditary and congenital conditions. Pets must be older than 8 weeks and younger than 10 years to enroll in a new Nationwide plan.
As long as pets enroll before turning 10 years old, Nationwide will not drop coverage as long as the policyholder continues to make payments on time. However, some plans allow rate hikes based on plan usage and claims history, which means the older your pet becomes and the more you use the insurance, the more you might pay in premiums.
Here’s how Nationwide’s waiting periods and enrollment age limit stack up against competitors.
| Nationwide | Lemonade | Spot | Embrace | |
| Accident waiting period | 14 days | Up to 2 days | 14 days | 2 days |
| Illness waiting period | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days | 14 days |
| Cruciate ligament waiting period | 12 months | 6 months | 14 days | 6 months |
| Enrollment age limit | 10 years old | 14 years old | None | 14–15 years old |
| Claims turnaround | 5 days | 2–4 days | 5–7 days | 4–7 days |
What Customers Think About Nationwide Pet Insurance
Customer experience and company reputation play a major role in our pet insurance provider evaluations. Nationwide Pet Insurance has 3.9 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. Customers generally have mixed reviews about Nationwide plans, with many praising or complaining about the same trends.
What Customers Like
- Customer service: Some customers noted that Nationwide’s representatives are helpful and friendly. Long-time customers also commented on Nationwide’s reliability.
- Simple claims processing: Reviewers, such as this one, noted that the online claims system is simple and claims get processed quickly. Some customers also liked the speedy reimbursements they received.
- Employee benefits: Several customers taking advantage of Nationwide pet insurance through employee benefits noted positive experiences with the company, including this reviewer.
What Customers Don’t Like
- Rate hikes: Some customers experienced rate increases after several years as policyholders.
- Low reimbursements: Major medical policyholders, such as this one, complained that fixed reimbursements were too low.
- Claims denials: Many customers complained that pre-existing conditions were seemingly unfairly invoked to deny claims. Several reviewers also noted they weren’t kept up-to-date about claims or other policy details.
We reached out to Nationwide for comment on its negative customer reviews but did not receive a response.
Nationwide Pet Insurance vs. the Market
Comparing pet insurance plans and obtaining multiple quotes can help you identify the best choice for your pet and budget. Use the comparison table to see how Nationwide compares to other top providers across several categories.
Nationwide vs. Embrace
Embrace’s policies generally cost more than Nationwide’s, but its coverage far exceeds what Nationwide offers. Embrace has a few standard exclusions but not nearly as many as Nationwide. Additionally, Embrace provides more customization options and offers a fast and easy online enrollment experience, which we did not experience with Nationwide.
We recommend Embrace for pet owners willing to pay a bit more for a well-rounded plan without major exclusions. Nationwide is the better option for pet owners enrolling through employee benefits or bundling with other Nationwide products.
| Nationwide | Embrace | |
| Reimbursements | 50%, 70% or 80% | 70%, 80% or 90% |
| Deductibles | $100, $250 or $500 | $100–$1,000 |
| Annual limits | $5,000, $10,000 or unlimited | $5,000–unlimited |
| Average cost for dogs | $61 per month | $73 per month |
| Average cost for cats | $25 per month | $39 per month |
Note: Nationwide also offers some plans with reimbursements in a scheduled lump sum, as well as per-condition annual limits.
Learn more about Embrace in our pet insurance review.
Nationwide vs. Lemonade
Nationwide and Lemonade offer similar base plans, allowing customers to choose riders and add-ons to round out their pet’s coverage. However, Lemonade’s plans start at lower rates than Nationwide’s, and Lemonade customers may enjoy faster claims processing thanks to the company’s use of artificial intelligence (AI).
We recommend Nationwide for pet owners looking for industry experience and reliability, but Lemonade may better suit those seeking technology and efficiency.
| Nationwide | Lemonade | |
| Reimbursements | 50%, 70% or 80% | 70%, 80% or 90% |
| Deductibles | $100, $250 or $500 | $100–$750 |
| Annual limits | $5,000, $10,000 or unlimited | $5,000–$100,000 |
| Average cost for dogs | $61 per month | $30 per month |
| Average cost for cats | $25 per month | $16 per month |
Note: Nationwide also offers some plans with reimbursements in a scheduled lump sum, as well as per-condition annual limits.
Learn more about Lemonade plans by reading our pet insurance review.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nationwide Pet Insurance
Nationwide scored 4.2 out of 5 stars based on our rating methodology. In general, our team found it a solid option for pet owners with existing Nationwide coverage looking to bundle policies. It’s also a viable option for pet parents who can enroll in coverage through an employer benefit program. However, customers may find Nationwide difficult to understand, including language about exclusions and limitations.
Petco pet retail stores and Nationwide recently partnered to create a co-branded pet insurance plan. Policyholders who frequently obtain veterinary care from Vetco’s vaccine or full-service clinics, typically located inside or next to Petco stores, can score discounts on their pets’ care.
You can sign up for a Nationwide plan through a representative or by calling the company. Although the online quote tool gives you an idea of possible costs and plan types, Nationwide does not display all options during this process. For this reason, our team found it worth a phone call for more information before signing up for coverage online.
Nationwide is one of the only pet insurance providers we’ve reviewed to offer coverage for exotic pets. You must call a Nationwide pet insurance representative to enroll your exotic pet in a new pet insurance plan.
Methodology: Our System for Rating Pet Insurance Companies
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