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: June 12, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Nationwide ranks 12th of 13 companies with an overall score of 88 out of 100, but it scores well in affordability (93) and financial stability (100). It's a good fit for budget-focused travelers who prioritize low costs over extensive coverage options.
The Essential plan costs $59 for a $2,500 trip, about $16 to $36 less than most competitors, which charge $75 to $95. But baggage coverage tops out at $500, half of what other insurers typically offer.
Nationwide holds an AM Best A (Excellent) rating and backs its policies with $150 billion in investments, supporting reliable claims payment. Its primary emergency medical coverage also eliminates the hassle of multiple reimbursements.
Nationwide Travel Insurance Pros and Cons
- Competitive pricing on basic coverage: Essential plan costs 22% to 38% less than competitor averages ($75 to $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 to 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% to 35% less than competitors' basic tiers through stripped-down baggage coverage and elimination of premium features like CFAR coverage.
Age affects 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. World Nomads takes a different approach, charging seniors the same rates as 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 with tiered pricing.
Comparing Nationwide vs. Other Companies
Nationwide ranks 12th 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 five points higher overall and outpaces Nationwide in coverage (86 vs. 82). Its age-neutral pricing is the bigger differentiator for seniors, who pay the same rates as younger travelers. Nationwide costs less (93 vs. 98 on affordability), though it skips adventure sports coverage and CFAR options entirely.
Nationwide vs. Generali: Generali scores four points higher overall, with better coverage (88 vs. 82) and the same financial stability rating. Service scores are identical at 89. The main practical gap: Generali offers three plan tiers to Nationwide's two, which gives travelers more room to match coverage to their trip.
Nationwide vs. Allianz: Allianz scores three points higher overall, with a perfect 100 for service and stronger coverage at 89. Nationwide's affordability score (93 vs. 86) is the one area where it pulls ahead, a real advantage for budget travelers who can accept lower coverage limits.
Nationwide User Reviews
Based on analysis of customer reviews from Squaremouth, Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau.
What Customers Love About Nationwide
- Lower starting prices: Reviewers frequently mention Nationwide's Essential plan costs less than comparable basic coverage from other insurers.
- Easy online purchase: Most travelers get a quote and buy a policy without phone calls or lengthy forms.
- Primary medical coverage: Medical claims go directly through Nationwide rather than being routed through a personal health plan first, which reduces reimbursement delays.
- 24/7 claims hotline: Live coordinators are available at any hour to help travelers during urgent situations abroad.
Common Complaints About Nationwide
- Slow claims resolution: Some reviewers report claims staying open for months. One customer said outside help was needed to push a medically related cancellation claim forward.
- Trip interruption coverage gaps: Customers have run into unexpected restrictions on what qualifies for reimbursement. One review called out that only ground or sea transportation was covered during trip interruption, leaving airfare between cities out.
- No weekend customer service: Support isn't available outside standard business days, which can leave problems unresolved mid-trip.
- Hard to reach a live agent: Reviewers report long hold times and automated phone systems that make it difficult to get direct answers to policy questions or open claims.
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 offers a 10-day review period with a full refund if you cancel before departure and haven't filed a claim. The money-back guarantee isn't available in New York or Washington. After 10 days, refunds follow the cancellation terms in your policy documents.
Can I purchase Nationwide travel insurance for someone else?
Yes. You can buy Nationwide travel insurance for family members or travel companions, and you don't need to be a traveler on the trip yourself. 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?
Trip delay coverage kicks in after five consecutive hours of delay from a covered reason, including carrier-caused delays. Nationwide reimburses reasonable extra expenses such as meals and accommodation. For strikes specifically, coverage depends on whether the strike was publicly announced before you bought the 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 (P&C) Insurance Producer in Connecticut, is MoneyGeek's resident insurance expert. He has spent nearly a decade analyzing the market, first at LendingTree and now at MoneyGeek, where he has produced original research on hundreds of carriers and millions of rates across auto, home, renters, health and life insurance.
He covers economics and insurance at MoneyGeek, and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times and NPR, among other outlets.
Like all MoneyGeek analysts, he draws on independent cost and consumer experience data. No insurance company partnership influences his recommendations.
Fitzpatrick earned his degrees from Johns Hopkins University (M.A. Economics and International Relations) and Boston College (B.A.). He began his career in financial risk management at State Street. He's also a five-time “Jeopardy!” champion.