Short answer: Nationwide sells several plan types that reimburse 50% to 80% of eligible bills after a mostly $250 annual deductible, with annual limits from $2,500 to $10,000 depending on the plan, according to its product page. Its standout feature is cover for birds and exotic pets. The trade-offs: lower top reimbursement than many rivals, capped annual benefits, and age cut-offs for new illness cover.
Nationwide is one of the oldest and largest pet insurers in the US market, and its coverage structure differs from many competitors in a few specific, useful-to-know ways — most notably, its willingness to insure pets that most other major carriers won’t.
How Big Is Nationwide in Pet Insurance?
Nationwide describes itself as the “#1 choice for pet parents for more than four decades” and says it is trusted by 1 million Americans. Independent data back up its size: S&P Global Market Intelligence ranked Nationwide the second-largest US pet insurance underwriter in 2025, with $956.3 million in direct premiums written. That figure was down about 6.4% from 2024, and S&P notes Nationwide “has been pulling back its presence” in pet insurance while the market overall grew — worth knowing if long-term stability of your plan matters to you.
What Plan Types Does Nationwide Offer?
| Plan (dogs and cats) | Reimbursement | Annual deductible | Annual limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modular Pet Insurance Plan | 50–80% | $250 | $2,500–$10,000 | Accident-only or accident and illness; optional wellness add-on ($450 or $800 a year) |
| Whole Pet | 70% or 50% | $250 | $10,000 | Accident and illness; no wellness option |
| Major Medical | Set amounts per condition | $250 | Defined benefits per condition | Optional wellness |
| My Pet Protection / My Pet Protection Choice | 50–80% | $100–$1,000 | $5,000–$7,500 | Sold only through employers |
From Nationwide’s product page, checked September 2026. Plans may not be available in all states.
Nationwide’s published starting prices are for a one-year-old medium mixed-breed dog: $11 a month for accident-only Modular cover in Chicago (70% reimbursement, $5,000 limit), $65 a month for Major Medical with wellness in New York, and $98 a month for Whole Pet in New York. For comparison, the US average for accident-and-illness cover was about $70 a month for dogs in 2025 — see how much pet insurance costs per month.
How Does Nationwide’s Reimbursement Work?
On most plans it follows the common model: you pay the vet, submit a claim (Nationwide offers mobile claims with direct-deposit reimbursement), and get back your reimbursement percentage after the annual deductible. Nationwide says you can use any licensed veterinarian in the US or abroad. Its own coverage examples show a $2,123 broken-bone bill reimbursed at 80% after the deductible was met: $1,698 back, $425 paid by the owner.
Major Medical works differently. Instead of a percentage of the bill, it pays “defined annual benefits per condition” — a benefit schedule. If your vet charges more than the scheduled amount, you pay the difference, so ask to see the schedule for the conditions you’re most worried about. Nationwide’s coverage examples also describe a $5,000 annual maximum for each coverage category, such as accident or illness. For how limits affect big claims, see annual limit vs. per-incident pet insurance.
What Makes Nationwide Genuinely Distinct?
- Exotic pets. Nationwide sells plans for birds, reptiles, rabbits, ferrets and other exotic pets from 8 weeks old, with annual limits of $1,500–$3,000 on its exotic Modular plan and $10,000 on Whole Pet. Trupanion, Fetch and Lemonade, by comparison, insure dogs and cats. See Nationwide’s avian and exotic pet insurance.
- A benefit-schedule option (Major Medical) alongside percentage-based plans.
- Employer plans that can be paid per paycheck.
- Member extras such as a 24/7 vet helpline and prescription discounts, per its homepage.
What Doesn’t Nationwide Cover?
Nationwide’s FAQ defines pre-existing conditions using the same wording as the NAIC Pet Insurance Model Act: a condition where, before the policy or during the waiting period, a vet gave advice, the pet was treated, or verifiable sources show related signs. Its example: a dog that was limping before enrollment and is diagnosed with hip dysplasia months later has a pre-existing condition.
Its plan restrictions for the Modular plan also exclude, among other things:
- Knee ligament injuries — cruciate ligament or meniscus damage where signs appear during the first policy term
- Dental disease where signs such as tartar or gingivitis were present before the policy or during the waiting period
- Behavioral training that isn’t medically necessary, and obedience training
- Experimental treatment and conditions caused intentionally
There are age limits too. New illness enrollment on the Modular plan is only for dogs and cats aged 8 and under, Major Medical only for pets 9 and under, and cats 8 or older can’t enroll in hereditary coverage. For what that means for older pets, see does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions.
When Does Nationwide Coverage Start?
Nationwide says most plans start 1–14 days after your application is approved and payment is processed; group and employer plans can differ. Anything that shows signs before then, or during the waiting period, is excluded as pre-existing. More in pet insurance waiting periods explained.
How Does Nationwide Compare With Other Insurers?
| Nationwide | Trupanion | Fetch | Lemonade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reimbursement | 50–80% | 90% | Up to 90% | 70%, 80% or 90% |
| Deductible type | Annual | Per condition, once per lifetime | Annual | Annual |
| Annual limit | $2,500–$10,000 (plan-dependent) | None | $5,000–$15,000 | $5,000–$100,000 |
| Species | Dogs, cats, birds, exotics | Dogs and cats | Dogs and cats | Dogs and cats |
From each insurer’s own website, 2026. Figures are plan options, not quotes.
How Should You Compare Nationwide to Other Insurers?
- Confirm what species you need covered. For a dog or cat you have many options; for a bird or other exotic pet, Nationwide narrows the field significantly
- Compare reimbursement structure, not just price — an 80% ceiling or a benefit schedule can leave you paying more on a large claim than a 90% plan with a similar premium
- Check the age limits if your pet is 8 or older
- Get a current quote for your specific pet, since age, breed and ZIP code all move the price
- Read the exclusions for the specific plan, since they differ by tier. If you use a chain clinic, see does Banfield accept Nationwide pet insurance
Is Nationwide the Right Choice for You?
For dog and cat owners, Nationwide is a long-established option worth including in a comparison, but its 80% reimbursement ceiling and capped annual limits mean it isn’t automatically the best value for a young, large-breed dog likely to need expensive care. For owners of birds, reptiles or other exotic pets, it’s worth a close look precisely because so few alternatives exist.
This article is general information, not insurance or financial advice. Plans, prices and terms vary by state and change over time — check Nationwide’s policy documents and a current quote before buying.
Sources
- Nationwide — All pet insurance products
- Nationwide — Pet insurance FAQ
- Nationwide — Plan restrictions
- Nationwide — What’s covered
- S&P Global Market Intelligence — US pet insurance market growth slows in 2025, but still robust, April 2026
- Trupanion — How pet insurance works
- Fetch Pet Insurance — What’s a maximum annual payout?
- Lemonade — What is co-insurance?, October 2025, and Lemonade Pet FAQ, September 2026
