No matter your destination, travel insurance can offer peace of mind in the event of unforeseen circ*mstances while traveling. Learn about coverage options, costs, and if travel insurance is worth it in this Nationwide travel insurance review.
We at the MarketWatch Guides Team have reviewed the best travel insurance providers to help you choose the best policy for your trip. While Nationwide offers insurance for a variety of trips, it is our pick for cruise travel specifically. Read on to compare Nationwide’s many travel insurance plans and coverages.
Nationwide Travel Insurance
4.6
Cost:5/5
Coverage Extras:1.875/5
Coverage Details:5/5
Cancellation/Interruption Coverage Amount:4.8/5
Customer Service and Reviews:4.375/5
Quick Facts
- Average Cost: $206
- BBB Rating: A+
- AM Best Score: A+
- Medical Expense Max: $150,000
- Emergency Evacuation Max: $1,000,000
Plan Options
| Essential Plan | Prime Plan |
| Trip Cancellation | Trip Cancellation |
Cancellation for Any Reason (additional premium required) | |
| Trip Interruption | Trip Interruption |
| Trip Delay | Trip Delay |
Missed Connection / Itinerary Change | |
| Baggage and Personal Effects | Baggage and Personal Effects |
| Baggage Delay | Baggage Delay |
| Accident & Sickness Medical Expense Coverage (Emergency only) | Accident & Sickness Medical Expense Coverage |
| Emergency Dental Coverage | Emergency Dental Coverage |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation / Repatriation of Remains | Emergency Medical Evacuation / |
| Terrorism in Itinerary City Trip Cancellation and Interruption | Terrorism in Itinerary City Trip Cancellation and Interruption |
| Accidental Death and Dismemberment – 24 Hour (additional premium required) | Accidental Death and Dismemberment – 24 Hour |
| Accidental Death – Flight Only (additional premium required) | Accidental Death – Flight Only (additional premium required) |
| Rental Car Collision / Loss Optional coverage (additional premium required) | Rental Car Collision / Loss Optional coverage (additional premium required) |
| Travel Assistance | Travel Assistance |
| Refund Policy | Refund Policy |
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Nationwide Travel Insurance Overview
Nationwide offers comprehensive travel insurance coverage across a range of plans. The company’s insurance products include plans to cover standard and luxury cruises. Plus, Nationwide also has single-trip plans for one-time travelers and annual coverage for frequent and business travelers.
You can upgrade your Nationwide coverage with add-ons, such as cancel for any reason coverage (CFAR). Plus, Nationwide offers travel assistance at no additional cost with all its plans. Overall, the company earned 4.6 out of 5 stars based on our review standards.
Did You Know?
According to our travel insurance survey of 1,000 people, 139 chose Nationwide for their coverage. Of those participants, 43 (31%) ended up filing a claim. All 43 claim filers received a reimbursem*nt, with none having their claim denied, and all 43 were satisfied with their payout.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Has specialized plans for cruise travel
Annual plans provide affordable coverage for frequent travelers
Offers rental car damage as an optional upgrade
Cons
Baggage delay reimbursem*nt only available after 12 or more hours
Cannot add CFAR coverage to basic plan
Nationwide Travel Insurance Review: Our Ratings
Get a look at how Nationwide scored in our 2024 travel insurance study in the table below. You can also see the averages from all insurers in our study to help you compare.
Compare Nationwide to the Competition
The table below compares average cost, coverage, and more of Nationwide to othertop travel insurance companies.
| Company | Average Plan Cost | CFAR Coverage | COVID-19 Coverage | BBB Rating | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $182 | Yes, up to 75% | Yes, limited | A+ | EXPLORE PLANS |
| $298 | Yes, up to 75% | Yes | Not Rated | EXPLORE PLANS |
| $242 | Yes, up to 75% | Yes | A+ | EXPLORE PLANS |
| $228 | Yes, up to 60% | Yes | A+ | EXPLORE PLANS |
| $273 | Yes, up to 75% | Yes, limited | A+ | EXPLORE PLANS | |
| $208 | Yes, up to 75% | Yes | B | EXPLORE PLANS |
| $266 | Yes, up to 75% | Yes, limited | C- | EXPLORE PLANS |
| $72 | Yes, up to 75% | Yes, limited | A- | EXPLORE PLANS |
| $206 | Yes, up to 75% | Yes | A+ | EXPLORE PLANS |
| $241 | Yes, up to 50% | Yes, limited | A+ | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Company | BBB Rating | Average Plan Cost | CFAR Coverage | COVID-19 Coverage | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | $182 | Yes, up to 75% | Yes, limited | EXPLORE PLANS |
| Not Rated | $298 | Yes, up to 75% | Yes | EXPLORE PLANS |
| A+ | $242 | Yes, up to 75% | Yes | EXPLORE PLANS |
| A+ | $228 | Yes, up to 60% | Yes | EXPLORE PLANS |
| A+ | $273 | Yes, up to 75% | Yes, limited | EXPLORE PLANS | |
| B | $208 | Yes, up to 75% | Yes | EXPLORE PLANS |
| C- | $266 | Yes, up to 75% | Yes, limited | EXPLORE PLANS |
| A- | $72 | Yes, up to 75% | Yes, limited | EXPLORE PLANS |
| A+ | $206 | Yes, up to 75% | Yes | EXPLORE PLANS |
| A+ | $241 | Yes, up to 50% | Yes, limited | EXPLORE PLANS |
No results were found.
What Does Nationwide Travel Insurance Cover?
Nationwide offers basic travel insurance plans with the single-trip Essential Plan, which allows policyholders to benefit from affordable yet comprehensive coverage. The Essential Plan includes the following coverage limits:
- $10,000 of trip cancellation costs
- $12,500 of trip interruption costs
- $75,000 for emergency medical expenses (with $500 for emergency dental)
- $250,00 for emergency medical transportation
- $600 for baggage damage or loss
- $100 for baggage delay
- $600 for travel delays
Nationwide travel insurance also offers basic plans for cruise travel and annual trips, including:
- Universal Cruise Plan: This plan is designed to suit travelers taking short cruise vacations. It includes coverage for itinerary changes, including missed prepaid excursions after your cruise ship departs.
- Travel Pro Plan: A yearly plan that provides coverage for post-departure events such as trip delays, medical emergencies and lost luggage.
Optional Riders
Add-ons, otherwise known as riders, are optional benefits you can add to your policy to increase your coverage. Nationwide offers optional trip protection depending on the plan you choose. Available add-ons include:
- Rental car collision or loss: Extends insurance to cover damage or loss of a rental vehicle.
- CFAR coverage: Allows you flexibility in choosing to cancel travel plans by reimbursing a percentage of nonrefundable trip costs
- Accidental death and dismemberment: Similar to life insurance, this add-on provides benefits if you die or experience a qualifying accident while on a flight
Some comprehensive plans also offer the option to increase benefit levels for travel delays, lost or delayed luggage, medical emergencies and medical evacuation.
Policies Offered
The chart below compares travel insurance policies offered by Nationwide based on coverage limits and plan details.
| Plan Type | CFAR Coverage | Trip Delay | Trip Cancellation/Interruption | Baggage Loss/Delay | Emergency Medical/Evacuation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | No | $600 (or $150 per day) | $10,000/$12,500 | $600/$100 | $75,000/$250,000 |
| Prime | Add-on available | $2,000 (or $250 per day) | $30,000/$60,000 | $2,000/$600 | $150,000/$1,000,000 |
| Universal Cruise | No | $500 | 100%/125% | $1,500/$250 | $75,000/$250,000 |
| Choice Cruise | Add-on available | $1,500 | 100%/150% | $2,500/$500 | $100,000/$500,000 |
| Luxury Cruise | Add-on available | $2,500 | 100%/150% | $2,500/$1,000 | $150,000/$1,000,000 |
| Annual Travel Pro | No | $200 per trip | Not included | $500/$100 | $10,000/$50,000 |
| Annual Travel Plus | No | $200 per trip | $1,250/$145 | $500/$100 | $10,000/$50,000 |
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How Much Does Nationwide Travel Insurance Cost?
Travel insurance costs depend on several factors, including your age, destination, and coverage selections. Based on our research, Nationwide’s travel insurance premiums compare favorably to those of other insurance providers. We obtained sample quotes from Nationwide’s website to give you an example of travel insurance costs.
Use the chart below to compare Nationwide's average cost to competitors:
*Insurance costs may vary depending on your trip details. For the most accurate estimate, we recommend obtaining a free insurance quote.
Read More: Travel Health Insurance For Visitors To USA
Does Nationwide Offer 24/7 Travel Assistance?
Yes, Nationwide offers 24/7 emergency travel assistance with all insurance plans. Support teams can help you with the following:
- Insurance claim processing
- Finding medical facilities abroad
- Monitoring emergency situations
- Assisting with issues regarding passports, visas, missed connections and more
Nationwide Travel Insurance Reviews
Reading online reviews can help give you an idea of the customer experience. The company as a whole holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). However, since Nationwide offers multiple insurance products — including car and pet insurance — not all online reviews focus on travel insurance.We included customer reviews sourced from Squaremouth and Trustpilot below to give you an idea of the Nationwide customer experience. Satisfied customers report an easy claims process and supportive travel assistance. Negative comments include complaints about claims wait times and policy exclusions.
“My grandson fell ill on our vacation and when I called [Nationwide], the person there helped me through many questions. It was very comforting to have someone give advice [during] a difficult time. After our trip, when I began my claim, [an] agent walked me through the steps, answered my questions and made it so easy to complete the process. I travel often and will be using Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company as my go-to travel insurance company.” —Susan via Squaremouth
“The claims examiner was very efficient, considerate, patient and helpful in the handling of my claim. I was so happy with her assistance that I reached out to her manager to express my satisfaction with my contact with her. I would definitely use Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company in the future and recommend [it] to my friends.” —Richard via Squaremouth
“I am still waiting for claim processing [and]had to call to get confirmation that I had a claim number. I filed my claim via email within days of cruise cancellation due [to] flooding in my arrival city, which closed the airport [and forced] our flight to return to [the] departure city. The lack of communication and length of time for processing from National is frustrating. I hope to find out if my claim is approved and get a refund soon.” —Joyce via Squaremouth
“Due to Delta Airlines canceling our flight due to operational issues beyond our control, we found that our prepaid events were not covered by Nationwide Insurance. We thoroughly read the policy and thought all of our travel needs were covered. We never thought that operational issues were not covered. Nationwide Insurance misrepresented their policy.” —GP via Trustpilot
How To File a Claim with Nationwide
You can file a claim with Nationwide by phone, email, through the online customer portal or by using 24/7 assistance services. Once you contact Nationwide, travel insurance agents will send you the correct claim forms and requests for supporting documentation, such as receipts or medical records.
Nationwide does not include information on its website regarding claim processing times, but you can always follow up with your agent for updates.
Is Nationwide Travel Insurance Worth It?
Whether you are looking for basic travel insurance, going on a cruise, or need a multi-trip policy, Nationwide provides a range of plans to suit your needs and budget. The cruise-specific insurance plans are particularly unique in providing peace of mind if your itinerary changes or other events interrupt ship services.
98% of Nationwide travel insurance purchasers from our survey said travel insurance is worth the cost. 116 of 139 participants cited peace of mind as the reason.
Nationwide offers policies for any budget and various types of travelers. For example, the Essential and Prime plans include essential coverage for $79 to $121, and Annual Trip plans can cater to the needs of frequent and business travelers. Whichever policy is best for you, Nationwide can safeguard your nonrefundable trip payments and help cover medical emergency costs while traveling.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nationwide Travel Insurance
Most travel insurance policies provide a range of trip protections, including:
- Trip cancellation, interruption or delay
- Emergency medical coverage
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation
- Baggage loss or delay
Furthermore, add-ons or riders can provide extra protection for items such as rental cars, extended trip cancellation, business or sports equipment coverage, and more.
You can file a claim with Nationwide online, via email or by calling the Claims Department at (888) 490-7606. Customer service assistants will send you the correct forms to complete and advise you of supporting document requirements. Supporting documents depend on the type of claim you file, such as a trip delay, lost baggage, etc. You will typically need receipts and medical certificates to support claims.
Yes, Nationwide is considered a reputable insurance company. With over 90 years of experience, Nationwide has grown from offering auto insurance and home insurance to being among the largest insurance and financial service companies worldwide. A Fortune-100 company, Nationwide provides a range of financial services and insurance products, along with mutual funds, retirement plans and specialty health services.
The price of Nationwide travel insurance depends on the policy you choose and personal factors such as your age, destination and the type of insurance required. Based on sample quotes we pulled for a $2,500 trip to Mexico for eight days, it costs $79 to insure a 40-year-old traveler with the Essential Plan. More comprehensive coverage costs $121 with the Prime Plan.
Methodology: Our System for Rating Travel Insurance Companies
Our team surveyed dozens of travel insurance providers and created a scoring system to judge each company based on coverage, quality and service. We also collected sample quotes from each company, both over the phone and on the internet, to simulate an authentic customer experience. Here are the factors we take into consideration when rating providers:
- Cost (10%): To determine a baseline average travel insurance cost, we gathered quotes from each travel insurance company based on different traveler profiles. Travel insurance companies at or below our calculated average cost of $221 earn full points in this category. Specifically, we obtained quotes for the following trips
- A 30-year-old couple taking a $5,000 vacation to Mexico.
- A family of four taking an $8,000 vacation to Mexico.
- A 65-year-old couple taking a $7,000 vacation to the United Kingdom.
- A 30-year-old couple taking a $7,000 trip to the United Kingdom.
- A 19-year-old taking a $2,000 trip to France.
- A 27-year-old couple taking a $1,200 trip to Greece.
- A 51-year-old couple taking a $2,000 trip to Spain.
- Plan availability (10%): We look for insurers with a variety of travel insurance plans and the ability to customize a policy with coverage upgrades.
- Coverage details (29%): We review the baseline coverage each company offers in its cheapest comprehensive plan. A provider with robust coverage earns full points, including baggage delay and loss, COVID-19 coverage, emergency evacuation and medical coverage, trip delay and cancellation coverage, and more. Companies also receive points for offering a variety of policy add-ons like accidental death and dismemberment, extreme sports, valuable items, cancel for any reason coverage and more.
- Coverage times and amounts (34%): We compare each company’s waiting periods and maximum reimbursem*nt amounts for baggage, travel and weather delays. Companies that offer customers reimbursem*nt after fewer than 12 hours of delays earn full points in this category. We also reward travel insurance providers that cover more than 100% of trip costs in the event of cancellations or interruptions.
- Company service and reviews (17%): We look for indicators that a company is well-prepared to respond to customer needs. Companies with an established global resource network, 24/7 emergency hotline, mobile app, multiple ways to file a claim and concierge services score higher in this category. We assess reputation by evaluating consumer reviews, third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, specifically from AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
For more information, read our full travel insurance methodology.
A.M. Best Disclaimer
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