Nationwide vs. Met Life Pet Insurance


Updated: January 20, 2026

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Nationwide vs. Met Life Pet Insurance: Key Takeaways
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Met Life provides more affordable pet insurance, charging $35 monthly for middle-aged cats and $61 monthly for dogs, while Nationwide's monthly rates are higher at $52 and $101, respectively.

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Nationwide delivers superior customer experience against Met Life, earning a higher BBB rating and positive sentiment on Reddit for its responsive customer representatives and clear policy terms.

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Met Life offers broader pet insurance coverage than Nationwide, featuring options for zero deductible, plus shorter waiting periods for accidents and orthopedic conditions.

Is Nationwide or Met Life Pet Insurance Better?

Nationwide offers better pet insurance for cats, while Met Life is more ideal for dogs. However, your best choice between these two pet insurance providers may change based on what matters most to you:

  • Affordability: Met Life wins on price for both cats and dogs. For cats, it ranks 10th nationally compared to Nationwide's 13th position, while dog owners see Met Life place sixth against Nationwide's 14th.
  • Coverage: Met Life offers better coverage options, holding seventh place nationally for both pets. Nationwide lags behind at ninth for both pet types.
  • Customer Experience: Nationwide pulls ahead with superior customer service, ranking fourth nationally compared to Met Life's eighth place. The customer experience advantage holds consistent whether you're insuring dogs or cats.
Data filtered by:
Overall Score
CatNationwide1112
DogMet Life1014

How We Decided the Winning Pet Insurance Provider

Compare Pet Insurance Rates

Ensure you are getting the best rate for your pet insurance. Compare quotes from the top pet insurance companies.

Learn more about the best pet insurance options for your pet across different situations:

Nationwide and Met Life Comparison by State

Met Life edges out Nationwide as the best pet insurance company for dogs, winning in 49 states compared to Nationwide's single win in Virginia. For cat insurance, the tables turn, with Nationwide taking the lead against Nationwide across all 50 states.

Data filtered by:
Select
AlabamaCatNationwide
AlabamaDogMet Life
AlaskaCatNationwide
AlaskaDogMet Life
ArizonaCatNationwide
ArizonaDogMet Life
ArkansasCatNationwide
ArkansasDogMet Life
CaliforniaCatNationwide
CaliforniaDogMet Life
ColoradoCatNationwide
ColoradoDogMet Life
ConnecticutCatNationwide
ConnecticutDogMet Life
DelawareCatNationwide
DelawareDogMet Life
FloridaCatNationwide
FloridaDogMet Life
GeorgiaCatNationwide
GeorgiaDogMet Life
HawaiiCatNationwide
HawaiiDogMet Life
IdahoCatNationwide
IdahoDogMet Life
IllinoisCatNationwide
IllinoisDogMet Life
IndianaCatNationwide
IndianaDogMet Life
IowaCatNationwide
IowaDogMet Life
KansasCatNationwide
KansasDogMet Life
KentuckyCatNationwide
KentuckyDogMet Life
LouisianaCatNationwide
LouisianaDogMet Life
MaineCatNationwide
MaineDogMet Life
MarylandCatNationwide
MarylandDogMet Life
MassachusettsCatNationwide
MassachusettsDogMet Life
MichiganCatNationwide
MichiganDogMet Life
MinnesotaCatNationwide
MinnesotaDogMet Life
MississippiCatNationwide
MississippiDogMet Life
MissouriCatNationwide
MissouriDogMet Life
MontanaCatNationwide
MontanaDogMet Life
NebraskaCatNationwide
NebraskaDogMet Life
NevadaCatNationwide
NevadaDogMet Life
New HampshireCatNationwide
New HampshireDogMet Life
New JerseyCatNationwide
New JerseyDogMet Life
New MexicoCatNationwide
New MexicoDogMet Life
New YorkCatNationwide
New YorkDogMet Life
North CarolinaCatNationwide
North CarolinaDogMet Life
North DakotaCatNationwide
North DakotaDogMet Life
OhioCatNationwide
OhioDogMet Life
OklahomaCatNationwide
OklahomaDogMet Life
OregonCatNationwide
OregonDogMet Life
PennsylvaniaCatNationwide
PennsylvaniaDogMet Life
Rhode IslandCatNationwide
Rhode IslandDogMet Life
South CarolinaCatNationwide
South CarolinaDogMet Life
South DakotaCatNationwide
South DakotaDogMet Life
TennesseeCatNationwide
TennesseeDogMet Life
TexasCatNationwide
TexasDogMet Life
UtahCatNationwide
UtahDogMet Life
VermontCatNationwide
VermontDogMet Life
VirginiaCatNationwide
VirginiaDogNationwide
WashingtonCatNationwide
WashingtonDogMet Life
West VirginiaCatNationwide
West VirginiaDogMet Life
WisconsinCatNationwide
WisconsinDogMet Life
WyomingCatNationwide
WyomingDogMet Life

How We Decided the Winning Pet Insurance Provider by State

Nationwide vs. Met Life Pet Insurance Cost

Met Life wins on pet insurance cost for most age categories, delivering the biggest savings on puppy coverage at 41% less than Nationwide's rates. Nationwide only beats Met Life for senior dogs, where it costs 19% less.

Data filtered by:
Select
KittensMet Life$2523%
Young CatsMet Life$2923%
Middle Aged CatsMet Life$3532%
PuppiesMet Life$3641%
Young DogsMet Life$4437%
Senior CatsMet Life$570%
Middle Aged DogsMet Life$6140%
Senior DogsNationwide$9919%

How We Decided the Winning Pet Insurance Provider

Nationwide vs. Met Life Pet Insurance Cost by State

Met Life consistently offers the cheapest pet insurance across the country for kittens, puppies, and young and middle-aged pets. For senior cats, Met Life offers lower rates in 37 states, while Nationwide takes the lead in California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oregon, Virginia and Wisconsin. Nationwide is also more affordable than Met Life for senior dogs in all 50 states.

Data filtered by:
Middle Aged Dogs
AlabamaMet Life$4540%
AlaskaMet Life$5940%
ArizonaMet Life$7440%
ArkansasMet Life$4140%
CaliforniaMet Life$7740%
ColoradoMet Life$7640%
ConnecticutMet Life$6940%
DelawareMet Life$6140%
FloridaMet Life$6940%
GeorgiaMet Life$5540%
HawaiiMet Life$6140%
IdahoMet Life$6140%
IllinoisMet Life$7540%
IndianaMet Life$5540%
IowaMet Life$5140%
KansasMet Life$5540%
KentuckyMet Life$4840%
LouisianaMet Life$4940%
MaineMet Life$7440%
MarylandMet Life$6040%
MassachusettsMet Life$7840%
MichiganMet Life$6140%
MinnesotaMet Life$6340%
MississippiMet Life$5240%
MissouriMet Life$4840%
MontanaMet Life$5140%
NebraskaMet Life$5540%
NevadaMet Life$6340%
New HampshireMet Life$7140%
New JerseyMet Life$6840%
New MexicoMet Life$5440%
New YorkMet Life$6640%
North CarolinaMet Life$5440%
North DakotaMet Life$4740%
OhioMet Life$5640%
OklahomaMet Life$5140%
OregonMet Life$7540%
PennsylvaniaMet Life$6340%
Rhode IslandMet Life$5340%
South CarolinaMet Life$5840%
South DakotaMet Life$5440%
TennesseeMet Life$5640%
TexasMet Life$6440%
UtahMet Life$5840%
VermontMet Life$5640%
VirginiaMet Life$6539%
WashingtonMet Life$7040%
West VirginiaMet Life$5240%
WisconsinMet Life$6540%
WyomingMet Life$5640%

How We Decided the Winning Pet Insurance Provider by State

Nationwide vs. Met Life Pet Insurance Discounts

Met Life offers more pet insurance discounts than Nationwide, with nine savings opportunities compared to Nationwide's three. Although both providers match on employer group plans at 10% off, Nationwide wins for existing customers with its 5% loyalty discount, while Met Life rewards military members, veterinary staff, health care workers and federal employees.

Multiple pets

Get 5% off per pet when you insure two to three pets with Nationwide.

Provides savings when you enroll more than one pet with Met Life.

Existing customer

Existing Nationwide insurance customers receive 5% discount when buying a new pet policy.

None.

Employer group plan

10% automatically off for joining a participating employer's group plan.

Save 10% when you join a participating employer's group plan.

Veterinary staff

None.

Owners, staff members or volunteer workers in the animal care industry receive 10% discount.

Military, veteran and first responder

None.

First responders or active/former members of the Armed Forces or National Guard/Reservists save 10% on pet insurance.

Federal employee

None.

Met Life provides discount for federal employees of the U.S. government.

Health care worker

None.

10% off for those working in the health care industry.

Association

None.

Members of participating organizations get 5% off on pet insurance.

Internet purchase

None.

Lowers base premium by $1 when you purchase pet insurance online.

Deductible

None.

Reduces deductible by $50 for the next policy year if you didn't file a claim within the year.

Nationwide vs. Met Life Pet Insurance Customer Experience

Nationwide beats Met Life for customer service, ranking fourth nationally compared to Met Life's eighth position. While Met Life earns a higher rating on Trustpilot (4.7 versus 4.4 out of 5.0), Nationwide outperforms its competitor by maintaining a higher rating from the Better Business Bureau (A+ versus A-) and stronger positive sentiment on Reddit (43% versus 40% positive).

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    Nationwide vs Met Life Trustpilot Ratings

    Met Life earns a slightly higher Trustpilot rating at 4.7 out of 5.0 compared to Nationwide's 4.4 out of 5.0. Pet owners praise Met Life for fast claim processing and straightforward reimbursements, while some note premium increases, whereas Nationwide reviewers highlight helpful customer service representatives but occasionally mention longer claim timelines.

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    Nationwide vs Met Life BBB Ratings

    Nationwide holds an A+ BBB rating with full accreditation, while Met Life maintains an A- rating with no accreditation. The A+ rating means Nationwide consistently addresses customer concerns and meets BBB's standards for trustworthy business practices, while Met Life's A- stems from three unresolved complaints.

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    Nationwide vs Met Life Pet Insurance Reddit Sentiment

    We analyzed Reddit discussions and found Nationwide has 43% positive sentiment from 14 total comments (six positive, eight negative), whereas Met Life earns 40% positive feedback from 20 comments (eight positive, 12 negative). Nationwide users praise responsive customer service representatives and clear policy terms but criticize claim denials and slow processing times, while Met Life reviewers highlight fast reimbursements and helpful support yet express frustration with coverage gaps and billing issues.

Nationwide vs. Met Life Pet Insurance Coverage

Met Life offers better pet insurance coverage for dogs and cats than Nationwide, placing seventh in our national ranking, while Nationwide finishes ninth. Met Life provides more flexibility in policy customization, plus it has a $0-deductible plan and no waiting period for accidents. Met Life also includes hereditary and congenital conditions in its standard coverage, while Nationwide requires you to purchase an optional add-on.

Diagnostics
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Fractures and broken bones
✓
✓
Lacerations and bite wounds
✓
✓
Parasite treatment

Only covers prevention through an optional add-on

✓

✓
✓
Digestive illnesses
✓
✓
Hereditary conditions

Only provides coverage through an optional add-on

✓ 

Congenital conditions

Only provides coverage through an optional add-on

✓ 

Chronic conditions
✓
✓

Only provides coverage through an optional add-on

✓
$250, $500, $1,000

$0 to $750 in $50 increments and $1,000, $1,250, $1,500, $2,000 and $2,500

$2,500, $5,000, $10,000 

$500 to $25,000 in $1,000 increments 

50%, 70%, 80%

50%, 70%, 80%, 90%

Two days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, 12 months for cruciate ligament conditions

Zero days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses and orthopedic conditions

Age restrictions

8-year-old cats and older are not eligible for hereditary coverage

No upper age limits for enrollment

Pre-existing conditions

Curable pre-existing conditions may be covered if cured and symptom-free for six months

Only covers certain pre-existing conditions when you switch from another provider to its group policy, as long as the condition was covered by the previous insurer

Coverage varies by state and policy terms. Always review your specific policy documents to understand exact coverage terms, exclusions and limitations.

Nationwide vs. Met Life Pet Insurance Add-ons

Both Nationwide and Met Life allow you to extend your base coverage for more comprehensive financial protection. Nationwide offers two add-ons, while Met Life has one focused on routine care.

Nationwide Pet Insurance Add-ons

  • Wellness coverage: Comes in two tiers ($450 or $800) and provides coverage for exams, vaccines, blood tests, deworming, heartworm or FeLV/FIV test, microchip and health certificates.
  • Hereditary and Congenital Condition coverage: Covers hereditary and congenital conditions like hip dysplasia, patellar luxation and collapsed trachea.

Met Life Pet Insurance Add-ons

  • Preventive Care add-on: Comes in two tiers (Preventive 365 and Preventive 575) and covers routine care, such as wellness exams, vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, heartworm testing and prevention, routine blood work, urinalysis, fecal testing, dental cleaning, spay or neuter procedure, microchipping, nail trimming and behavioral training.

Nationwide vs. Met Life Pet Insurance: Bottom Line

Choosing between Nationwide and Met Life depends on your priorities. Nationwide offers better pet insurance for cats, particularly excelling in customer service, with its 4.4 out of 5.0 Trustpilot score and A+ BBB rating. Met Life is the ideal option for dog insurance, offering more affordable coverage with no waiting period for accidents and no upper age limits for enrollment.

Compare other major pet insurance companies to determine the best choice for your pet:

Nationwide vs. Met Life Pet Insurance Comparison: FAQ

Compare Nationwide and Met Life pet insurance through these common questions:

What are the main differences between Nationwide and Met Life pet insurance?

Is Nationwide or Met Life pet insurance more affordable?

Which offers better coverage for chronic and hereditary conditions: Nationwide or Met Life pet insurance?

How do reimbursement rates and deductibles compare between Nationwide and Met Life?

Which is better for older pets: Nationwide or Met Life pet insurance?

About Mark Fitzpatrick


Mark Fitzpatrick headshot

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.


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