Nationwide pet insurance review 2026: affordable rates, coverage for exotic pets

Nationwide is a standout for pet insurance, with customizable plans, a 24/7 helpline and coverage for exotic pets.

We love that Nationwide has an easy-to-use mobile claims process and offers prescription discounts at Walmart and Sam's Club pharmacies. And because it covers curable conditions, we named Nationwide one of the best providers for pets with pre-existing conditions.

Nationwide has felt the bite of rising costs, however: In June 2024, it announced it would not renew approximately 100,000 pet policies over the following 12 months, citing the increased expense of veterinary care.

Nationwide offers basic accident-only coverage and accident and illness coverage, as well as a wellness plan to help with routine care like vaccinations and flea-and-tick treatments.

All plans come with access to a 24-hour veterinary helpline and allow you to see the vet of your choosing, even specialists and emergency veterinarians.

As with most pet insurance companies, coverage isn't available immediately. Waiting periods vary by state but are typically:

• Accident and illness: 14 days
• Cruciate ligament: 12 months of consecutive coverage
• Hereditary conditions: 12 months of consecutive coverage

Major Medical plan

Natiowide's Major Medical plans work differently than most pet insurance options. While you'll still have a deductible, the reimbursement caps are based on per-condition limits which reset with each annual policy renewal.

This plan covers:

• Accidents and illnesses
• Some hereditary conditions
• Cancer
• Cruciate ligaments after 12 months

An optional wellness rider includes wellness exams, vaccinations, flea and heartworm prevention and more

Whole Pet plan

A traditional pet insurance plan with a $250 annual deductible and either 50% or 70% reimbursement, up to $10,000 annually. The Whole Pet plan has similar coverage as the Major Medical plans but covers more hereditary conditions, as well as:

• Dental diseases
• Behavioral exams and treatments
• Congenital conditions
• Eye disorders
• Prescription medications
• Prescription diets

Modular pet insurance plan

This accident and illness plan comes with adjustable reimbursement levels and separate coverage limits for accidents and illnesses but one $250 deductible. There is also an optional wellness rider with a $450 or $800 maximum annual benefit

Exotic pet insurance

In addition to cats and dogs, Nationwide covers exotic pets, including birds, rabbits, miniature pigs, iguanas, frogs, ferrets, guinea pigs and chinchillas. Some species are excluded, including venomous or poisonous animals, endangered animals and wild-domestic hybrids

You'll need to speak with an agent to get a quote but coverage includes:

Small mammals

• Dehydration/constipation
• Overgrown teeth
• Eye infection
• Bladder infection
• Upper respiratory infection

Birds

• Feather picking/loss
• Excessive egg-laying
• Soft tissue trauma
• Diarrhea
• Runny nose

Reptiles and amphibians

• Internal parasites
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration/constipation
• Upper respiratory infection
• Soft tissue trauma

We requested a sample rate quote from Nationwide for a 1-year-old domestic shorthair cat and a 1-year-old, 55-pound mixed-breed male dog in New York City, both with $250 deductibles.

In comparison, the average cost of an accident and illness policy for a dog in 2023 was about $56.30 per month, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association. For a cat, the average was about $31.94.

Discounts

Nationwide offers a 5% discount for insuring multiple pets. Current Nationwide customers with home, auto, life or other coverage can also save 5% on pet insurance.

In addition, Nationwide offers discounts to specific employers and professional associations which are listed on its website.

Here's how Nationwide stacks up against two top pet insurance providers.

Nationwide vs. Spot

Nationwide's accident and illness coverage is more affordable than the quotes we gathered from Spot. A 1-year-old dog would cost about $67 per month with Spot, compared to $42 with Nationwide. Insuring a year-old cat would cost about $30 with Spot versus $22 with Nationwide.

However, Spot offers the option of unlimited annual coverage, while Nationwide sets limits either at $10,000 or on a per-condition basis, depending on the plan.

Spot also allows you to select a deductible that works with your budget, while Nationwide has a $250 deductible for most plans.

Nationwide vs. Pets Best

Pets Best might be a better match if you have a senior pet: While Nationwide only issues new illness policies to animals 8 and younger, Pets Best doesn't set an upper age limit for enrollment.

Pets Best reimburses between 70% and 90% of eligible expenses, compared to 50% or 70% with Nationwide. And Nationwide's Major Medical plans have annual per-condition coverage limits. If your pet has a recurring illness, you could hit that limit before the year is out and be responsible for the balance.

Pets Best also allows customers to set up direct payment with your vet, saving you the hassle of filing claims for reimbursement.

You can get a rate quote for a cat or dog in about a minute on the Nationwide website by inputting your pet's age and breed and your zip code. If you're insuring an exotic pet, however, you'll need to call 844-397-8937.

Nationwide's customer service line is available at 877-263-6007, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.  ET on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.  ET on Saturdays.

You can manage your policy and file claims on the Nationwide website and mobile app.

Nationwide has low monthly rates, making it a good option if you're budget-minded. (It does have lower reimbursement limits than competitors, however.)

It's also clear winner if your animal companion is something other than a cat or dog, since it's one of the few major providers that covers exotic pets.

If you're an existing Nationwide customer, you'll enjoy the 5% bundling discount, along with the convenience of having all your insurance policies in one place.

If you have an older pet, however, you might need to consider other options. See our rankings of the best pet insurance for senior dogs.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every pet insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of pet insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.

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