Nationwide is one of the biggest car insurance companies in the country and is widely known by Americans for its popular commercial slogan, but is Nationwide as good to its policyholders as its reputation and “on your side” motto suggest? Below, our team digs into Nationwide Insurance reviews, cost, coverage, and more.
Anytime you shop for auto coverage, we recommend getting quotes from the best auto insurance companies on the market before making any decisions. The provider that’s best for you might not be what’s best for your neighbor. Make sure you find the best rates and coverage for your own individual needs.
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Nationwide Insurance Overview
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company has been in business since 1926 and provides auto insurance coverage in 47 states. The company wrote over $6.2 billion in premiums in 2019, according to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The company has an A+ financial strength rating from AM Best, and there are many positive Nationwide insurance reviews from customers.
In addition to standard auto insurance, Nationwide offers insurance for classic cars and alternative vehicles such as boats and motorcycles. The insurer also offers homeowners insurance, renters insurance, life insurance, and specialty insurance products such as flood insurance, pet insurance, and identity theft protection.
Nationwide Coverage
With Nationwide, you can get the following standard types of auto insurance:
- Collision coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
- Medical payments
- Personal injury protection
- Bodily injury liability and property damage liability insurance
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
Additionally, you can secure these extra types of coverage and policy add-ons with your Nationwide car insurance policy:
- Roadside assistance: Get 24/7 emergency services like locksmiths, towing, fuel delivery, and tire repair with your vehicle.
- Accident forgiveness: Avoid paying more after your first at-fault accident or minor violation.
- Gap coverage: Gap insurance pays for the difference between the value of your totaled car and the replacement.
- Total loss deductible waiver: In the event of a total loss, Nationwide will have the physical damage deductible waived.
- Vanishing deductibles: Earn $100 off your deductible for each year of safe driving. Your deductible could vanish completely (up to $500).
- Rental car expense: Nationwide provides access to a rental car or other transportation while your car is in the repair shop after a covered accident.
- Guaranteed asset protection (GAP) insurance: Cover a portion of the difference between the replacement cost of your vehicle and the amount you owe on it when it is totaled in a covered loss.
Nationwide Insurance Cost
Nationwide has a reputation for being expensive, according to Nationwide insurance reviews from customers. However, our own rate estimates show Nationwide is somewhat cheaper than the national average. Good drivers can find annual full coverage rates for around $1,533 per year with Nationwide, while the average is $1,732.
Below, you can see how Nationwide compares to a variety of popular providers. These estimates apply to 35-year-old drivers with good driving records and good credit.
| Car Insurance Provider | Average Annual Cost Estimate |
|---|---|
| USAA | $1,113 |
| Erie Insurance | $1,113 |
| Auto-Owners | $1,229 |
| State Farm | $1,339 |
| Geico | $1,352 |
| Progressive | $1,397 |
| Nationwide | $1,533 |
| Travelers | $1,617 |
| National Average Cost | $1,732 |
| Farmers | $2,032 |
| The Hartford | $2,166 |
| Allstate | $2,430 |
The state where you live also dictates what you pay for car insurance to a large degree. Below, you can see how Nationwide estimates compare to the average in 28 states and Washington, D.C. You’ll notice that Nationwide is cheaper than the average in many places.
| State | State Average Cost Estimate | Nationwide Cost Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,448 | $1,027 |
| Arkanksas | $1,449 | $1,192 |
| Colorado | $1,672 | $1,323 |
| Connecticut | $1,885 | $1,683 |
| Delaware | $1,921 | $1,550 |
| Washington, D.C. | $1,787 | $2,537 |
| Georgia | $1,548 | $1,255 |
| Iowa | $1,095 | $871 |
| Kansas | $1,364 | $1,069 |
| Kentucky | $1,817 | $4,913 |
| Maryland | $1,941 | $1,698 |
| Mississippi | $1,357 | $1,217 |
| Montana | $2,214 | $1,495 |
| Nebraska | $1,372 | $929 |
| New Mexico | $1,356 | $1,130 |
| New York | $3,964 | $5,485 |
| North Carolina | $1,277 | $1,056 |
| Ohio | $923 | $703 |
| Oregon | $1,284 | $1,067 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,405 | $1,228 |
| Rhode Island | $1,923 | $1,963 |
| South Carolina | $1,592 | $1,380 |
| South Dakota | $1,331 | $1,968 |
| Tennessee | $1,217 | $1,220 |
| Texas | $2,067 | $1,558 |
| Vermont | $1,013 | $871 |
| Virginia | $1,079 | $928 |
| Washington | $1,271 | $1,166 |
| West Virginia | $1,390 | $961 |
In addition to the state in which you live, there are several other factors that influence the cost of your premiums:
- Car insurance coverage: You can choose an auto insurance policy that only meets your state minimum requirements or choose to pay more in premiums to add more coverage.
- Coverage limits: You can also choose how much coverage you take on. The higher your coverage limits, the more you’ll pay for your premium.
- Driving record: A clean driving record will get you the lowest auto insurance rates. Any tickets or recent at-fault accidents will cause your rates to rise.
- Age: Young drivers and especially teen drivers pay the highest rates for car insurance. Seniors also pay more than middle-aged drivers.
- Credit history: You’ll get lower rates if you have a good credit score. Drivers with poor credit pay higher rates.
- Location: Different states have different average rates for insurance, but rates vary within states too. Drivers in urban areas tend to pay more than those in rural areas.
Nationwide Insurance Discounts
If you’re trying to make a decision on Nationwide coverage, check out some of the ways you could save on your auto policy.
| Nationwide Discount | Description |
|---|---|
| Multi-policy discount | Save an average of $710 per year when you combine home and auto. |
| SmartRide | Get a discount by joining Nationwide’s usage-based insurance program. |
| SmartMiles | Get a flexible monthly rate that is based on how many miles you drive. |
| Accident free | Get discounts by maintaining an accident-free driving record. |
| Good student discount | Young drivers (age 16 to 24) who maintain at least a B average are eligible for a discount. |
| Defensive driving | Complete a state-approved safety course to get a discount. (You may have to be 55 or over to be eligible.) |
| Anti-theft device discount | Install anti-theft devices in your vehicle. |
| Safe driver | If you have at least five years of safe driving experience, you could be eligible. |
| Easy pay sign-up | Get a one-time discount for setting up automatic deductions from your bank account or credit card. |
| Affinity member | Join one of Nationwide’s partner organizations. |
Nationwide Claims Process
Nationwide has an easy online claims process that allows customers to file and track claims, as well as search for repair facilities. The website also has a helpful list for “do’s” and “don’ts” after an accident – such as phone numbers to call and information you need to gather from the other party.
In the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction StudySM, Nationwide scored an 876 out of 1,000 possible points. That score is slightly below the national provider average of 880. This indicates that the company is relatively average at how it handles its insurance claims.
With any insurance company, reviews of the claims process will be mixed, but Nationwide insurance reviews typically point to a smooth claims experience.
Apps & Technology
Nationwide has a couple mobile applications available for its customers. Nationwide Mobile allows policyholders to access their insurance information on the go. Some features of the app include online payments, ID card sharing, filing claims, connecting with roadside assistance, and more. The app has a 4.4-star rating on Google Play with over 6,000 customer reviews. Most of the reviews are positive, but there are a couple reviews that mentioned glitches when logging in.
The SmartRide app is available to reward Nationwide customers for safe driving. The app gives you personalized feedback to help you save money. SmartRide tracks how many miles you’ve driven and other habits like hard braking, idle time, and night driving.
Customers earn 10 percent off by signing up for the program and can then earn up to 40 percent off by following the safe driving guidelines. The SmartRide app has a 3.7-star rating based on just a few reviews, with some frustration from customers about how the app tracks driving.
Nationwide Insurance Reviews From Customers
Nationwide earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) based on more than 100 customer reviews. In the last three years, there have been more than 200 customer complaints, and all of them have been resolved. Most complaints and negative Nationwide reviews tend to be specific examples and should be read with that in mind.
Positive Nationwide Insurance Reviews
“I have had Nationwide auto insurance for over 15 years, and I have never had a problem. When my car was hit by a drunk driver, Nationwide paid for the repairs and then they, in turn, went after the other insurance company for reimbursement. Within a matter of a week, I had my own car back, fixed like new. Thank you, Nationwide!” – Kimberly A., BBB
“I was pleased by the service provided by [the Nationwide representative]. He is very helpful and friendly. … Blessed to get help from him. Thanks a ton!” – Saaqib P., BBB
Negative Nationwide Insurance Reviews
“Horrible experience. They don’t want to pay anything, deny, deny, deny. Using COVID as an excuse, refuse to refund all expenses after making me spend hours filling out pages and pages of paperwork.” – Amber B., BBB
“They are overpriced. I switched to GEICO in March and canceled Nationwide. My rates for the same coverage [are] so much lower.” – Nancy D., BBB
Our Verdict On Nationwide Insurance
Our team rated Nationwide at 89 percent because of its excellent availability and coverage options. The car insurance provider has a long list of discounts but lacks in general affordability and customer service, based on Nationwide insurance reviews.
We recommend getting a quote from Nationwide and comparing it with a few other free quotes before making your final decision on coverage.
Other Recommendations for Car Insurance
Nationwide is a good choice for car insurance, but it’s always smart to look into multiple providers and compare things such as coverage, discounts, and customer reviews. Some top providers you should consider are USAA and State Farm.
USAA: Best for Military Families
Our team rated USAA at 96 percent because of its outstanding customer service and affordability. Car insurance from USAA is a great choice if you or any of your family members are active or former members of the military. The insurer has an AM Best financial strength rating of A++, which is considered outstanding.
USAA has very good customer satisfaction. Its mobile app has a 4.5-star rating on Google Play. For more information about coverage, cost, and customer service, read our complete USAA car insurance review.
State Farm: Best for Student Drivers
Our team rated State Farm at 95 percent because of its many discounts for young drivers and outstanding online experience. State Farm has an A- rating from the BBB and a 4.7-star rating on Google Play.
With State Farm’s Drive Safe & Save™ program, you can save up to 30 percent if you are a safe driver. There’s also the Steer Clear® program, which is highly suited for students. Both of these tools have mobile applications that are also highly rated on the App Store. For more information, read our full review of State Farm auto insurance.
FAQ: Nationwide Insurance Reviews
How do I cancel Nationwide insurance?
To cancel your Nationwide insurance policy, you can contact your insurance agent. If you don’t have an insurance agent or don’t know how to reach them, you can also call 877-669-6877.
Where can you get Nationwide coverage?
Nationwide coverage is available in 46 states and Washington, D.C.. Coverage from Nationwide is not available in Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Massachusetts.
What is the Nationwide claims customer service phone number?
If you need help with your Nationwide claims, the customer service phone number is 1 (877) 669-6877. You can find support at this number 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Is Nationwide insurance expensive?
Nationwide insurance has a reputation for being expensive, but the company does have many discounts and a usage-based auto insurance option. Bundling discounts and practicing safe driving habits can save you money with Nationwide.
Is Nationwide better than State Farm?
Nationwide and State Farm are two of the biggest auto insurers in the country. Which one is better for you will depend on what you’re looking for. Nationwide is a good choice for senior car insurance, while State Farm has great discounts and programs for students and teens.
What is the best insurance company?
After performing in-depth industry research, our review team named GEICO auto insurance the Best Overall. The best insurance company for you will depend on what you’re looking for. With any company, your rates will depend on many factors, including your vehicle and driving history.
Original article: Nationwide Insurance Reviews, Coverage, & More (2021)
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