Nationwide offers two single-trip plans with distinct coverage tiers. Both plans include 24/7 travel assistance, primary emergency medical coverage and pre-existing condition waivers when purchased within specified timeframes.
Nationwide Travel Insurance Review
Nationwide ranks #12 in our travel insurance analysis with an 88 out of 100 score, offering budget-friendly rates starting at $59 backed by strong financial stability.
Find out if you should buy travel insurance from Nationwide.
Updated: January 7, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Nationwide ranks #12 of 13 companies with an 88 out of 100 overall score, but leads in affordability (93) and financial stability (100), making it suitable for budget-conscious travelers prioritizing cost over comprehensive coverage.
Essential plan costs $59 for a $2,500 trip compared to competitor averages of $75-95, though baggage coverage of just $500 falls 50% below industry standards.
AM Best A (Excellent) rating with $150 billion in investments provides reliable claims-paying ability, while primary emergency medical coverage simplifies the reimbursement process.
Nationwide Travel Insurance Pros and Cons
- Competitive pricing on basic coverage: Essential plan costs 22-38% less than competitor averages ($75-95), ranking #3 for affordability among 13 companies.
- Strong financial stability: AM Best A (Excellent) rating and $150 billion in investments earned a perfect 100 stability score.
- Primary medical coverage: Coverage pays first without requiring claims through personal health insurance.
- Extended pre-existing condition window on Prime: 21-day purchase window beats competitors' 14-15 day requirements.
- Limited coverage depth: 82 out of 100 coverage score ranks second-lowest among 13 companies. Essential plan's $500 baggage limit falls 50% below competitors' $1,000+ standard, and neither plan offers rental car damage protection.
- No cancel for any reason option: Missing CFAR coverage that reimburses 75% of trip costs for non-standard cancellations.
- High age-based pricing for seniors: 65-year-olds pay 69% more than 30-year-olds ($100 vs $59), while age-neutral competitors charge identical rates.
- Limited plan customization: Two plans force choice between minimal Essential coverage and higher-cost Prime without mid-tier alternatives.
Nationwide Travel Insurance Plans and Features
Trip Cancellation | 100% trip cost | 100% trip cost |
Trip Interruption | 125% trip cost | 150% trip cost |
Emergency Medical | $100,000 | $250,000 |
Emergency Evacuation | $250,000 | $1,000,000 |
Baggage Loss | $500 | $1,000 |
Baggage Delay | $100 | $250 |
Trip Delay | $200 per day | $600 per day |
24/7 Assistance | Included | Included |
Pre-existing Condition Waiver | 15 days | 21 days |
CFAR | Not available | Not available |
*Pre-existing condition waiver requires purchase within specified days of initial trip deposit and full trip cost insurance.
Nationwide Travel Insurance Rates
Nationwide earned a 93 out of 100 affordability score, ranking third among 13 companies for cost efficiency. The Essential plan costs 15-35% less than competitors' basic tiers through stripped-down baggage coverage and elimination of premium features like CFAR coverage.
Age impacts Nationwide's premiums. Older travelers pay more than younger travelers for identical coverage, with a 65-year-old paying 69% more than a 30-year-old. This age-based pricing contrasts with age-neutral competitors like World Nomads, where seniors pay identical rates to younger travelers.
Nationwide Pricing by Scenario
$2,500 trip, age 30, 7 days to Australia | $59 | $85 |
$2,500 trip, age 65, 7 days to Australia | $100 | $143 |
$3,000 trip, age 30, 14 days to Australia | $71 | $103 |
$5,000 trip, 2 travelers age 30, 7 days to Australia | $118 | $171 |
$10,000 trip, age 30, 7 days to Australia | $433 | $638 |
Pricing based on MoneyGeek analysis of California residents traveling to Australia with coverage purchased in August for October trips.
Travelers with expensive trips should compare Nationwide's per-dollar cost against competitors offering tiered pricing structures.
Comparing Nationwide vs. Other Companies
Nationwide ranks #12 in MoneyGeek's overall analysis, trailing most competitors:
World Nomads | 93 | 98 | 86 | 89 | 95 |
Generali | 92 | 94 | 88 | 89 | 100 |
Allianz | 91 | 86 | 89 | 100 | 100 |
IMG | 91 | 83 | 95 | 95 | 100 |
Travel Guard | 91 | 88 | 86 | 98 | 100 |
Travel Insured | 91 | 92 | 86 | 89 | 95 |
Nationwide | 88 | 93 | 82 | 89 | 100 |
Nationwide vs. World Nomads: World Nomads scores 5 points higher overall with stronger coverage (86 vs 82) and age-neutral pricing that benefits seniors. Nationwide edges ahead slightly in affordability (93 vs 98) but lacks adventure sports coverage and CFAR options.
Nationwide vs. Generali: Generali outperforms Nationwide by 4 points with better coverage (88 vs 82) and matching financial stability. Both score identically for service (89), but Generali offers three plan tiers versus Nationwide's two.
Nationwide vs. Allianz: Allianz scores 3 points higher with perfect marks for service (100) and comprehensive coverage (89). Nationwide beats Allianz on affordability (93 vs 86), making it better for budget travelers accepting lower coverage limits.
Nationwide User Reviews
Based on analysis of customer reviews from Squaremouth, Trustpilot, and Better Business Bureau.
What Customers Love About Nationwide
- Affordable premiums: Customers praise Nationwide's competitive pricing, especially for basic coverage needs, with Essential plan rates starting well below competitor averages.
- Straightforward purchase process: Travelers report easy online quoting and policy purchase without requiring phone calls or complex applications.
- Primary medical coverage benefit: Customers appreciate not having to coordinate claims with personal health insurance first, simplifying the reimbursement process during medical emergencies abroad.
- Responsive 24/7 claims hotline: Travelers highlight helpful emergency assistance coordinators available around the clock for urgent situations requiring immediate guidance.
Common Complaints About Nationwide
- Claims processing delays: Multiple reviewers report claims taking 3+ months to resolve, with one customer requiring Better Business Bureau intervention to receive payment after canceling for medical reasons.
- Coverage exclusions cause claim denials: Customers express frustration over unexpected exclusions, especially Nationwide's limitation on intermediate flight reimbursement during trip interruption. One reviewer noted Nationwide only covers "land or sea" expenses, excluding flights between cities, which is a limitation not found in competitor policies.
- Weekend customer service unavailable: Travelers report difficulty getting guidance when issues arise on weekends, with customer service limited to Monday-Friday business hours while claims occur during travel.
- Difficult to reach live representatives: Some customers report frustration navigating automated systems and long wait times when trying to speak with customer service representatives for policy questions or claim status updates.
Claims Documentation Requirements
Nationwide requires travelers to provide specific documentation within 30 days of incidents:
Medical Emergency Claims | Hospital records and treatment receipts, discharge summaries, prescription receipts, proof of payment. For evacuation: medical certificate stating evacuation necessity, evacuation company receipts, transportation records. |
Trip Cancellation and Interruption | Documentation showing cancellation reason (medical certificates, death certificates, employment letters), booking confirmations, payment receipts, proof of non-refundable costs, supplier refund statements. For medical reasons: completed medical certificate form and supporting records. |
Baggage and Personal Effects | Police reports for theft or loss, proof of ownership (receipts or photos), repair estimates for damage, airline reports for delayed or lost luggage. |
FAQ: Nationwide Travel Insurance
Does Nationwide offer cruise-specific travel insurance?
Nationwide offers cruise coverage through specialized cruise plans separate from its standard Essential and Prime plans. Cruise plans include coverage for missed cruise connections, itinerary changes and cruise-specific disruptions. Trip inconvenience coverage pays $250 per incident up to $500 for qualifying cruise disruptions.
What's Nationwide's refund policy for unused coverage?
Nationwide provides a 10-day review period, allowing full refunds if you cancel before departure and haven't filed claims. This money-back guarantee isn't available in New York or Washington. After 10 days, refunds follow standard cancellation terms in your policy documents.
Can I purchase Nationwide travel insurance for someone else?
You can purchase Nationwide travel insurance for family members or travel companions. The policy purchaser doesn't need to be a traveler on the trip. All travelers must be listed on the policy at purchase, and coverage applies to named individuals only.
Does Nationwide cover trip delays due to airline strikes?
Nationwide's trip delay coverage activates after delays of five consecutive hours due to covered reasons including carrier-caused delays. Coverage reimburses reasonable additional expenses like meals and accommodation. Strike coverage depends on whether the strike was publicly announced before you purchased your policy.
What medical documentation does Nationwide require for pre-existing condition waivers?
Nationwide requires documentation showing your pre-existing condition remained stable during the lookback period (120 days for Essential, 90 days for Prime). You'll need physician statements confirming no medication changes, treatment modifications or hospitalizations occurred during this window. Purchase within 15 days (Essential) or 21 days (Prime) of initial trip deposit.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.