Nationwide is the 10th-largest auto insurance company in the U.S. by market share. The insurer sells coverage in most states, though it started as a small business in 1926 in Columbus, Ohio.
Nationwide sells home, renters, pet, life, and other insurance products in addition to numerous vehicle insurance coverages. Its car insurance rates are below average, and while it doesn’t have the cheapest national average rates, Nationwide offers competitive auto insurance quotes in many states. J.D. Power also ranked Nationwide highest for usage-based insurance, which can help people save by driving safely or paying per mile.
Here’s what to know about Nationwide as you shop for car insurance.
How Nationwide compares to other insurance companies
How Nationwide rates compare to competitors
Nationwide isn’t among the cheapest car insurance companies based on national averages but could still offer competitive rates in your area and for your unique needs. Farmers and Travelers are two of Nationwide’s top competitors, and Nationwide offers lower rates than both insurers.
Here’s how Nationwide’s national average full-coverage rate compares to the rates of several different companies.
Average cost of Nationwide auto insurance
Nationwide’s average auto insurance rates are below the national average for full-coverage and liability-only insurance, though they’re not the cheapest available. But higher-risk drivers, like young drivers and drivers with a speeding ticket or DUI, pay below-average rates for coverage. For example, drivers with an at-fault accident on their record pay about 25% more for a Nationwide auto insurance policy versus the national average increase of 47%.
Here’s how Nationwide’s average monthly liability-only rates compare to the national average for a few different driver profiles.
Nationwide car insurance cost by state
Many factors affect your auto insurance premiums, and your location is one of the big ones. Your state insurance market, regional inflation, and local severe weather — like fire, hail, or hurricanes — can influence your rates. Drivers in urban areas also tend to pay more than rural drivers, given the increased risk of theft and accidents in densely populated areas.
Nationwide’s rates are often below average but rarely the cheapest option in most states. Rates do vary widely, though. For example, drivers pay a monthly average of $108 in Alabama and $249 in Georgia for liability coverage.
These are the average monthly liability-only insurance quotes for Nationwide in each state, compared to the overall state average liability-only quote.
Nationwide car insurance discounts
It’s important to consider car insurance discounts when choosing the right insurance company since savings vary and insurers offer different options. For example, SmartRide, Nationwide’s usage-based insurance program, rewards you for safe driving. Low-mileage drivers could also save with SmartMiles, a pay-per-mile program that could lower your costs if you don’t drive much or very far.
Always ask about what discounts you’re eligible for since not all insurers will automatically apply them and you may have to provide documentation.
How customers feel about Nationwide
Like most insurers, Nationwide’s online reviews are mixed. On Trustpilot, Nationwide reviews add up to a “bad” score of 1.6 out of 5. While some negative comments report frustration with renewals conditional on repairs, other responses praise the claims process and customer service. The insurer scores 1.12 out of 5 for customer reviews with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) but is still an A+ accredited business.
Nationwide consistently scores average in industry customer and claims satisfaction ratings but also receives fewer complaints than other auto insurers.
These are a few sources to consider to learn how Nationwide customers feel about their insurer.
Nationwide customer reviews
Insurify asks consumers to rate their insurance companies and collects the information so shoppers can hear from people directly about their experience. These are all real, verified Nationwide insurance reviews, and more policyholders report their experiences every day.
Nationwide ratings
Industry ratings can help you understand an insurance company’s business reliability and how it scores for customer satisfaction. A higher score from financial credit-rating agency AM Best lets you know that an insurer has good risk management and can pay claims reliably.
Consumer insights agency J.D. Power measures customer and claims satisfaction among auto insurers, and Nationwide mostly ranks slightly below average. It ranks highest in the usage-based insurance category, though, with a score of 842/1000, and it ranks above average in a couple regions.
The insurer’s National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) company complaints index score tells you how the company’s number of complaints compares to the industry average for a company of its size.
Nationwide car insurance coverage options
Nationwide offers standard coverage options, including liability coverage that meets state minimum insurance requirements, collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages, personal injury protection, and medical payments. Drivers can also purchase optional coverages, like roadside assistance, accident forgiveness, and gap insurance.
Knowing insurance terms and definitions can help you understand policies as you shop. Here’s what each type of coverage includes.
Other options for Nationwide customers
Nationwide offers many other types of insurance, and auto insurance customers could save by bundling with other Nationwide policies, like renters or homeowners insurance.
Here are a few more coverages you can get from Nationwide:
Vehicle: Nationwide insures motorcycles, RVs, boats, snowmobiles, classic cars, and more.
Property: Nationwide sells renters, homeowners, condo, flood, and business insurance.
Personal: Nationwide also offers travel, pet, umbrella, identity theft, and life insurance.
How Nationwide SmartRide works
SmartRide is Nationwide’s telematics car insurance program, which uses a mobile app — highly rated in the App Store — to track your driving. It’s an optional discount program. Drivers get an instant 10% discount just for enrolling and can save up to 40%. Most drivers earn their discount in 80 days and, once earned, you can improve it at every renewal.
SmartRide measures four factors: miles driven, hard braking, fast acceleration, and nighttime driving. Hard braking and fast acceleration can indicate reckless driving habits, and statistics show drivers on the road more and/or late at night have a higher chance of being in an accident.
It’s free to enroll in SmartRide, and it won’t make your insurance go up. Nationwide only uses SmartRide data to calculate a discount. If you’re a confident, safe driver, or committed to practicing safe driving habits, telematics insurance could help you lower costly premiums significantly.
SmartRide is different from SmartMiles, Nationwide’s pay-per-mile insurance policy. For example: A 35-year-old driver pays a $60 base rate and a $.07 per mile rate with 500 miles per month — that’s $95 per month, versus $133 for a traditional policy. If you drive infrequently or short distances, this could be cheaper than a traditional auto policy.