Nationwide Pet Insurance 2025: Full Review of Coverage, Pros & Cons

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At HelloSafe, our pet insurance experts review the terms and pricing of insurance policies available in the market every year to provide you with reliable and unbiased analysis. Thanks to this rigorous approach, hundreds of thousands of Americans trust us each month to help guide them in making their most important financial decisions.

Nationwide Coverages

Nationwide offers three main pet insurance plans: Whole Pet (comprehensive, with 90% reimbursement and a single annual deductible), Major Medical (benefit schedule, set annual dollar limits per condition), and Wellness (preventive care add-on).
Whole Pet is notable for its simplicity, broad coverage—including wellness care if selected—and the ability to use any licensed vet worldwide, positioning it among the most comprehensive pet policies, though premiums tend to be higher.

Key strengths include no vet network restrictions, 24/7 VetHelpline®, exotic pet coverage, and optional prescription drug discounts, but coverage for hereditary, dental, and behavioral issues varies by plan and some limits apply to older pets.

Weaknesses are found in benefit schedule restrictions for Major Medical, exclusions for pre-existing conditions and grooming, and waiting periods for certain conditions; coverage details and limits depend heavily on the plan and policy choices.

Nationwide Pet Insurance Coverage Details

Nationwide covers exotic pets, including birds, reptiles, and small mammals, which is uncommon among US insurers. There's no maximum age for enrollment, but premiums may increase, and certain limits or waiting periods may apply for older pets or pre-existing conditions. Claims can be filed online or via the mobile app, and a 24/7 VetHelpline® is included. Whole Pet reimburses 90% of the vet invoice (after deductible), while Major Medical reimburses based on an annual benefits schedule.

Compare several plans to find the best coverage and rate for your pet’s needs.

Nationwide Exclusions

Nationwide pet insurance policies exclude pre-existing conditions, which is standard, but they also do not reimburse for grooming, waste disposal, tax, and general boarding fees, setting clear boundaries for non-medical expenses. Elective procedures, cosmetic surgeries, and conditions resulting from neglect or intentional harm are not covered, nor are experimental or investigational treatments, even if prescribed by a veterinarian. An important distinction is that injuries or illnesses that arise before or during waiting periods—including chronic and hereditary conditions—may be indefinitely excluded depending on the plan and policy choices. Additionally, breeding, birthing, and reproductive procedures are systematically excluded, distinguishing Nationwide from policies that may offer optional add-ons for these events.

Nationwide Prices

Nationwide positions itself in the mid-range to slightly premium segment, offering broad coverage that includes accidents, illnesses, and optional preventive care, with flexibility to use any vet—even abroad. Monthly premiums are not the lowest on the market, reflecting generous reimbursement rates (often up to 90%) and comparatively low deductible options. This higher cost is generally justified by the inclusion of high-ticket items like hereditary and chronic condition coverage (if not pre-existing), comprehensive illness and accident benefits, and supportive services like VetHelpline® and easy digital claims. Nationwide is not as inexpensive as direct-to-consumer pure players, but the combination of coverage, customer support, and established history makes it attractive for owners wanting fewer reimbursement limits and more security for a range of health scenarios.

Compare Nationwide’s pet insurance plans below to find the best option for your pet and budget:

Promo Codes Nationwide

Note: Promo codes are subject to change. For the latest offers, check our comparison of the best pet insurance providers.

Nationwide reimbursement amounts

With Nationwide’s Whole Pet with Wellness plan, you’ll pay your annual deductible first, and then the plan reimburses a high percentage of eligible costs up to the annual limit—significantly reducing your out-of-pocket expenses for your companion animal compared to paying entirely on your own.

Reimbursement example: Swallowing a foreign object

Emergency treatment for swallowing a foreign object
Total vet costs: $2,400 (X-ray, surgery, hospitalization, medication)
Deductible to subtract: $250 (annual deductible, first claim of the year)
Amount eligible after deductible: $2,400 – $250 = $2,150
Reimbursement at 90%: $2,150 × 90% = $1,935
👉 You receive a reimbursement of $1,935.
ℹ️ The deductible is only applied once per year; future expenses will not be reduced by the deductible again within the same year.

Chemotherapy Reimbursement Example

Chemotherapy for diagnosed cancer
Total vet costs: $4,500 (consultation, imaging, treatment)
Deductible already used earlier in the year
Reimbursement at 90%: $4,500 × 90% = $4,050
👉 You receive a reimbursement of $4,050, subject to your annual coverage cap.

ℹ️ If you have already used the deductible, your plan applies the 90% reimbursement immediately to any new eligible expense.

Preventive Care Reimbursement Example

Example 3: Preventive care—annual wellness visit, vaccines, and bloodwork.
Total vet costs: $340 (exam $80, vaccines $70, bloodwork $120, parasite prevention $70).
No deductible applies to wellness care (covered at 100% up to annual benefit limits).
Reimbursement: $340 × 100% = $340.
👉 You receive a reimbursement of $340 (if within the plan’s annual wellness allowance).
ℹ️ Whole Pet with Wellness covers preventive care separately at 100%, so you have no out-of-pocket costs up to the annual benefit maximum for these services.

Nationwide Assistance

Customer Reviews of Nationwide

We analyzed reviews from the sites listed above. On the positive side, customers who subscribed to Nationwide for their pets often mention:

• ✅ An informative, empathetic, and responsive customer service that makes the claims process easier and provides regular updates.
• ✅ A simple and fast policy enrollment, with straightforward online and phone support.
• ✅ Reliable reimbursements and quick direct deposit payments for approved claims.
• ✅ A clear application process for coverage and flexibility in using any licensed vet, including specialists.

On the negative side:

• ❌ Regular complaints about slow response times and delays in policy approval or claim resolution.
• ❌ Instances where customers encounter issues with policy changes, premium increases, or reductions in coverage levels over time.
• ❌ Some find the app and website less user-friendly for managing more than one pet or tracking claims.
• ❌ Reports of disappointment when policies are cancelled unexpectedly or pre-existing condition exclusions are enforced after renewal or re-enrollment.

Contacting Nationwide

FAQ

Jordan Mitchell

Personal finance editor

Jordan is a U.S.-based personal finance editor with over a decade of experience in financial literacy and consumer advocacy. He holds a BA in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a CFP® certification. Before joining HelloSafe, Jordan worked as a financial advisor and later as lead content strategist at several fintech startups. His mission: making money management clear, relatable, and empowering for everyday Americans. At HelloSafe, he writes in-depth guides on topics like insurance, credit, loans, savings, and budgeting—focused on helping readers make smart, confident financial choices.