Nationwide Auto Insurance Review

The details

The good

Comprehensive coverage options. In our ratings, Nationwide received a perfect policy options score. They not only have great basic coverage, but they also have exceptional add-ons like vanishing deductible and total deductible waivers.

Relatively low baseline price. Nationwide’s average baseline price of $1,463 is about 15 percent less than the average baseline in the industry, but there are still several other companies that offer a lower average rate.

Interactive phone app. The available phone application (for iOS and Android) is a convenient tool that allows you to manage policies, view insurance cards, as well as file and follow claims.

The bad

You can’t get coverage if you’re in Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, or Massachusetts. While Nationwide is available in most states, it’s not fully available nation...wide.

The breakdown

According to data assessed by Quadrant Information Services, the average price for auto insurance at Nationwide is $1,463. 

This is about 15 percent less than the national average in the industry, which we think is a good deal, but there are definitely carriers that offer a lower average rate. 

Rates do vary, and your cost will depend on a myriad of factors like your age, driving history, location, and type of car.

You can read more here to understand how auto insurance premiums are calculated.

Discounts

Nationwide has plenty of discounts you can take advantage of, ranging from typical multi-policy bundles to unique SmartRide and SmartMiles discounts that use different tools to monitor your driving and adjust your rates. All in all, discounts at Nationwide are straightforward, and they outline nine different options available on their website. 

Those include:

• Multi-policy. You can bundle other insurances like home and auto together for a discounted price on both.

• SmartRide. This uses a tool to monitor your driving, so you get better rates for driving safely.

• SmartMiles. You add a device to your car to track how many miles you drive, and you can get an adjusted rate if you drive less.

• Accident free. Your rate is lowered if you keep an accident-free driving record.

• Good student. This rewards drivers from ages 16 to 24 when they maintain at least a B average.

• Defensive driving. You get a discount on your rates for completing a defensive driving course. 

• Anti-theft. If your car has certain anti-theft devices, you can get a discount (with proof).

• Safe driver. You can get a discount if your driving record has at least five years without major traffic violations or at-fault accidents.  

• Easy Pay sign-up. If you set up auto-withdraws from your bank account, you can receive a one-time discount on your rates.

Nationwide started its business selling auto insurance in 1925. Over 90 years later, it remains a highly trusted, well-known insurance group with a catchy theme song (that’s probably stuck in your head right about now). Throughout this long history, Nationwide has proven to financial-rating agencies that it is highly credible. 

Here’s how their ratings breakdown:

• A.M. Best: A+

• Moody’s: A1

• S&P: A+

A.M. Best scores the financial health of companies, but their sole focus is insurance carriers. They rate companies based on a carrier’s ability to pay out claims as well as withstand various economic situations. A.M. Best gave Nationwide an A+ rating (effective November 23, 2021).

Moody’s is one of the largest credit rating agencies. They rate companies on their ability to pay back debts and on their financials as a whole. Moody’s gave Nationwide an A1 score, which means they’re highly confident in the company.

Standard & Poor’s is a credit rating agency that identifies a company’s financial standings and ability to pay out your claims. Nationwide has an A+ score, which is one of the highest ratings an insurance company can get.

For a major, well-known insurance company, Nationwide has a good reputation among their customers. Not only do they score well in third-party assessments, but they also hold up when customers have free reign to review them. 

Here’s how their scores break down:

• Consumer Affairs: 4.0

• Consumer Advocate: 4.2

• NAIC: 0

Consumer Affairs allows verified customers to rate companies directly. They’ve scored Nationwide with a 4.0 out of 5, which is a solid score overall.

Consumer Advocate, a third-party reviews site, ranks Nationwide as a 4.1 out of 5. This is considered “Excellent,” which is on par with what consumers have ranked the carrier, as well. 

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners rates companies based on the number of complaints they receive. Nationwide has a score of zero, which means they haven’t received complaints about the company.

Coverage options

Nationwide has a perfect score when it comes to coverage. First off, their auto insurance offers the basic core coverages. 

These include:

• Liability coverage covers the costs if you damage someone else's car or injure another driver in an accident.

• Personal injury coverage helps cover the cost if you or your passengers are harmed in an accident.

• Uninsured motorist coverage will cover you and your vehicle if someone without insurance hits your car.

• Underinsured motorist coverage ensures your costs are covered if someone without adequate insurance causes an accident with you.

• Comprehensive coverage will cover the costs of any non-collision damage done to your car including vandalism or theft.

• Collision coverage covers the cost of the damage to your car in the case of an at-fault accident.

• Gap insurance protects you in the event that your car is totaled by paying the difference between what you owe on your car and the overall cash value of it.

There are also other add-ons for your coverage you can purchase. These are:

• Medical payments coverage helps with medical costs for yourself and your passengers if you get into a covered accident.

• Towing and labor will be useful in the event that your car is totaled and/or is stuck.

• Rental car expense covers the costs of a rental car in the case your car is in the shop after an accident.

• Roadside assistance provides aid 24/7 in the event you need more basic help like a flat tire fix. 

• Vanishing deductible eliminates $100 from your deductible every year of safe driving. This goes up to $500, and it could ultimately get rid of your deductible all together.

• Total deductible waiver this waives the deductible for the repair of your car if you end up with a total loss.

• Accident forgiveness helps you avoid raising your premium after your first accident that’s your fault.

Roadside assistance

Roadside assistance is a really useful feature when it comes to car insurance. This ensures you’ve got help when it comes to common car instances like a dreaded flat tire or dead battery. 

Nationwide’s assistance offers:

• Towing

• Jumpstart

• Delivering fuel/fluids

• Flat tire changes

• Lockout services

Other insurance products

Nationwide offers a myriad of other insurances. This is really convenient in keeping all your coverages in one place, and gives you more opportunities to bundle your insurance for a lower rate. However, Nationwide doesn't offer one payment, so bundlers will still have to pay separate bills even when linked to the same billing account.

The other insurances you can purchase through Nationwide are:

• Homeowners

• Condo

• Motorcycle

• Boat

• Classic car

• RV

• ATV

• Wedding/event

• Flood

Perks

As mentioned in the coverage options, you can purchase accident forgiveness with Nationwide as an add-on to your policy. This means that in your first at-fault accident, your premium won’t automatically go up. This is a one-time perk, however, so it doesn’t protect you from all at-fault accidents.

Note: The information above represents potential policy options and may not be available for every applicant. Speak to a licensed expert for a personalized look at your coverage options.

State availability

Nationwide auto insurance is available in 48 states. The only few they aren’t available in are Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana and Massachusetts.

Digital tools

Nationwide has a handy online quote tool to understand what you’d pay for before committing to a policy and log in with your email address to access your provided quote anytime. 

Another useful tool is Nationwide’s phone application (for iOS or Android). You can easily manage your policy, file and follow your claims, contact your agent, and pay your bill from anywhere with the app. It also comes in handy when you need to access your insurance cards on-the-go.

Agent Points of Contact

You can reach your agent by phone, online, or via your Nationwide phone application.

Ease of claims

Claims can also be filed by phone, online, or with your Nationwide phone application. Through the latter two options, you can upload photos for your claims as well as check the status of them.

Payment methods

Nationwide gives you a few different ways to pay your bill. You can pay by:

• EFT/autopay

• Direct billing

• Credit card