Travel Insurance Reviews Nationwide Essential
The Essential plan from Nationwide Mutual Insurance is for travelers planning trips on a budget who don't want to sacrifice coverage. Coverages include Trip Cancellation and Interruption, Medical, Emergency Medical Evacuation, and Assistance Services.
To learn more, see the Nationwide Essential trip insurance product page.
Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Essential
I've never had to file a claim for travel insurance before so I was apprehensive but I had picked this plan based on the good reviews. The first time that I called the phone number listed in my policy to open a claim, nobody picked up so I left a voicemail. This policy processes its claims with a company called Coordinated Benefit Plans LLC. Unexpectedly, someone called me back the same day and they were very courteous on the phone. They sent me an email with the information they needed for filing a travel delay claim, but they attached the wrong document. When I replied by email to explain that they didn't attach the claim form, I received no response by email. However, when I called, they were very responsive and apologetic. I emailed my claim form and all backup documentation as instructed but I received no confirmation of receipt or any indication that my claim was being processed. I called after a few days and they confirmed that my claim was being reviewed. About 5 days after I emailed my claim, I receive an email indicating that my claim for trip delay was approved. I received a check in the mail within 2 weeks. I think my claim was straightforward so it was easy to process. It was pretty hassle free.
Angela C. would
recommend this plan to a friend or relative.
1 of
1 people found this review helpful
Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Essential
Didn't need it so it worked perfectly! ;-)
Sonja S. would
recommend this plan to a friend or relative.
The trip included a
cruise
Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Essential
Having travel insurance gave me peace of mind.
Lawrence T. would
recommend this plan to a friend or relative.
The trip included a
cruise
Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Essential
On day five of our cruise someone became seriously ill and needed to get back to the States for care. We detoured to Grand Turk where the person and his family were taken to the airport and airlifted to Florida. I certainly hope this man had trip insurance that covered the medical transport as well as the medical bill from the care he received on the ship. For me, the medical coverage is the most important part of trip insurance. I could survive loosing the cost of the cruise but a $30,000 hit for medical expenses could be devastating.
Michael F. would
recommend this plan to a friend or relative.
The trip included a
cruise
Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Essential
Had two issue with this plan.
1) Keys were lost in FLL airports security check. Long story short, I waited 20+ minutes for a pat down and in the process my keys were lost/stolen/taken. I guess the fine print does excludes keys, and a long list of other things someone might normally lose.
2) I had a medical issue. My ears stopped up with wax (after going underwater) on a snorkel/sail trip. My hearing was down to almost nothing afterward. I started to show signs of illness/infection related to this a couple days later. I called Nationwide several times, only to get passed around to several other reps (sound familiar?). After finally getting someone to respond, I was not given an answer if seeing the doctor would result in compensation from Nationwide.
Even though I explained the situation in detail, they said they could not guarantee payment and I would have to fill out a claim when I returned home!
As a result, I went to the pharmacist in Curacao and they sold/advised me on peroxide, and Royal Caribbean's ship nurse was nice and gave me a syringe. After some doctoring for 1+ hours, I was able to resolve my issue.
The doctor bill from Royal Caribbean would have been over $300.00.
Bottom line, I did not feel any "peace of mind" from Nationwide. It was just the opposite! I Will look elsewhere next time.
1) Keys were lost in FLL airports security check. Long story short, I waited 20+ minutes for a pat down and in the process my keys were lost/stolen/taken. I guess the fine print does excludes keys, and a long list of other things someone might normally lose.
2) I had a medical issue. My ears stopped up with wax (after going underwater) on a snorkel/sail trip. My hearing was down to almost nothing afterward. I started to show signs of illness/infection related to this a couple days later. I called Nationwide several times, only to get passed around to several other reps (sound familiar?). After finally getting someone to respond, I was not given an answer if seeing the doctor would result in compensation from Nationwide.
Even though I explained the situation in detail, they said they could not guarantee payment and I would have to fill out a claim when I returned home!
As a result, I went to the pharmacist in Curacao and they sold/advised me on peroxide, and Royal Caribbean's ship nurse was nice and gave me a syringe. After some doctoring for 1+ hours, I was able to resolve my issue.
The doctor bill from Royal Caribbean would have been over $300.00.
Bottom line, I did not feel any "peace of mind" from Nationwide. It was just the opposite! I Will look elsewhere next time.
Steven Z. would not
recommend this plan to a friend or relative.
2 of
2 people found this review helpful
The trip included a
cruise
Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Essential
I would never travel on vacation without travel insurance. Although I was lucky and didn't need to use the insurance, it gave me peace of mind at a reasonable price.
Ira C. would
recommend this plan to a friend or relative.
Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Essential
I didn't end up filing a claim, but the process to get the coverage was easy and it was nice knowing that the coverage was there if it was needed.
Brian G. would
recommend this plan to a friend or relative.
The trip included a
tour
Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Essential
Happy that I didn't have to use it.
Janice S. would
recommend this plan to a friend or relative.
Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Essential
Without a claim you can't really rate an insurance company.
Thomas V. would
recommend this plan to a friend or relative.
The trip included a
cruise
Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Essential
Nationwide had everything we wanted in travel insurance at a great price!
Paul B. would
recommend this plan to a friend or relative.
In event that you were treated by the ship doctor and were billed for the treatment/medication, you would be required to pay those expenses out of pocket and file a claim for reimbursement. Symptoms of an ear infection are certainly something to seek immediate treatment for, however, it is not typically an example of an illness or injury that would result in a guarantee or advance of payment from a travel insurance provider.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns by calling 800-487-4722.