Nationwide car insurance review 2023
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 1:34 p.m. UTC Nov. 2, 2023
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Nationwide
Pros
- Very low level of consumer complaints.
- Below average rates for comprehensive and collision coverage.
- Competitive rates for drivers with poor credit and teens added to a parent policy.
- Offers both usage-based insurance and pay-per-mile insurance.
Cons
- High rates for drivers with a DUI and drivers who caused an accident with injuries.
- Rideshare insurance is not offered.
Why trust our insurance experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 780 companies analyzed.
- 7,800 rates reviewed.
- 5 levels of fact-checking.
Does Nationwide have good car insurance?
Nationwide earns a spot in our ratings of the best car insurance and best cheap car insurance, making it a good choice for many drivers. It offers competitive rates for a variety of customers, including senior drivers, drivers with poor credit and parents adding a teen to their policy. It also offers some of the most affordable car insurance rates for collision and comprehensive coverage, both of which you likely need if you finance your vehicle
Nationwide has a very low number of consumer complaints, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which can indicate a higher level of customer satisfaction compared to insurers with higher complaint levels.
Nationwide coverage is available in all but three states — Alaska, Louisiana and Massachusetts — and it offers a variety of other insurance products, such as homeowners insurance and life insurance.
Nationwide is also one of the few companies in our best car insurance rating to offer a pay-per-mile program, SmartRide, making it worth considering if you don’t drive often or want to be rewarded for driving safely.
Nationwide may not be the best option for drivers with a DUI on their record or those who have been found at fault for an accident resulting in injuries. Its rates are higher than average for drivers with those infractions on their record.
It’s also worth noting that Nationwide does not offer rideshare insurance, so you’ll need to look elsewhere if you want insurance to cover accidents sustained while driving for companies like Uber or Lyft.
Nationwide compared to other top car insurance companies
| Company | Our rating | Average annual cost | Complaint level | LEARN MORE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Family | 5.0 stars | $2,176 | Very low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Auto-Owners | 5.0 stars | $1,628 | Low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Nationwide | 5.0 stars | $2,041 | Very low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| USAA | 5.0 stars | $1,412 | Average | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Geico | 4.5 stars | $1,716 | Average | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Travelers | 4.5 stars | $1,852 | Very low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Westfield | 4.5 stars | $1,759 | Very low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Allstate | 3.5 stars | $3,000 | Low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Farmers | 3.5 stars | $2,381 | Low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Progressive | 3.5 stars | $2,157 | Low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| State Farm | 3.5 stars | $1,959 | Low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Erie | 3.0 stars | $2,144 | Low | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners | |
| Safe Auto | 1.0 stars | $2,647 | Very high | Compare Rates | Compare rates offered by participating partners |
Types of car insurance coverage offered by Nationwide
Nationwide offers several types of coverages including:
- Liability car insurance.
- Collision and comprehensive car insurance.
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.
- Gap insurance.
- Nonowners insurance.
- Accident forgiveness.
- New car replacement.
- Vanishing deductible.
- SR-22s.
- Pay-per-mile insurance.
- Usage-based insurance.
- Medical payments coverage.
- Personal injury protection.
- Rental car expense coverage.
- Roadside assistance.
- Total loss deductible waiver.
- Towing and labor coverage.
Your insurance agent can help you navigate your options, make sure you meet state requirements and decide what type of coverage is most suited for your coverage needs.
Other insurance products from Nationwide
In additional car insurance, Nationwide offers a variety of other insurance products, including:
- Flood insurance.
- Homeowners insurance.
- Life insurance.
- Pet insurance.
- Renters insurance.
- Travel insurance.
- Umbrella insurance.
- ATV.
- Boat.
- Business auto.
- Business property.
- Classic car.
- Condo.
- Dental.
- Golf cart.
- Identity theft.
- Motorcycle.
- Personal watercraft.
- Private client.
- RV.
- Scooter.
- Snowmobile.
- Trucking and specialty auto.
Nationwide car insurance reviews
Our team of auto insurance experts analyzed data from the National Association of Insurance Commissions and compared it to both the national average and scores received by other insurers. Nationwide has a very low number of consumer complaints compared to other insurers we reviewed.
If you’re considering Nationwide or any other insurer, it’s a good idea to read multiple reviews from insurance experts as well as consumers. You can also ask trusted friends, family members and colleagues to learn about their experience with a specific insurer.
Methodology
Our insurance experts evaluated top car insurance companies in the nation to determine which offer the best auto insurance based on average rates, coverage features, collision claims process and consumer complaints.
Each car insurance company was eligible for up to 100 points, based on its performance in the following key categories:
Cost: 50 points. We analyzed rates from Quadrant Information Services based on seven driver profiles for a policy with 100/300/100 in liability coverage, uninsured motorist coverage and comprehensive and collision coverage. We awarded up to 50 points based on insurers’ average rates for:
- Drivers in various age groups.
- Drivers with bad credit.
- Good drivers.
- Drivers with infractions, such as speeding tickets, an accident or a DUI on their record.
Consumer complaints: 30 points. We collected complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which shows the volume of car insurance consumer complaints against each company. When a consumer lodges a complaint to their state’s department of insurance — often about an insurance company’s claims process, delays, denials or settlements — these complaints are logged and tracked.
Car insurance coverage features: 15 points. Car insurance policy features can help make coverage more affordable both before and after an accident or covered incident. We evaluated car insurance policies offered by each insurer and awarded points to insurers that offered these valuable benefits:
- Accident forgiveness (5 points).
- New car replacement (5 points).
- Vanishing deductible (5 points).
SR-22 availability: 5 points. After a major traffic violation, some drivers must provide proof that they have the type and amount of coverage required by their state. Proof of coverage is obtained through an SR-22 filing, but not all insurers offer SR-22. Insurance companies that offer SR-22s were awarded points.
You can get a free car insurance quote from Nationwide by visiting its website and completing the online form. You can also contact Nationwide by phone to work directly with an agent.
To get a car insurance quote from Nationwide, it’s helpful to have the following information on hand:
- Your name, birthdate and address.
- Your phone number and email address.
- Make, model and year of the vehicle.
- Vehicle identification number (VIN).
- Estimated weekly mileage.
- Desired type and amount of coverage.
Rates vary by insurer, so it’s always a good idea to compare car insurance quotes to make sure you find the best coverage for your needs.
If you are at fault for an accident, your rate may increase when you renew your policy. Based on our analysis of Nationwide rates, drivers who are at fault for an accident resulting in injuries pay nearly 50% more for coverage. Drivers at fault for an accident resulting in only property damage pay nearly 32% more.
Whether or not your rate increases will also depend on the type of coverage you have. Nationwide policyholders in some states can add accident forgiveness coverage to their policy for an additional fee. With this coverage, you may be able to avoid a rate increase after your first at-fault accident.
If you have an accident on your record, it’s a good idea to shop around for coverage. Doing so can help you determine if it makes sense to stay with your existing insurer or if you can find more affordable car insurance elsewhere.
No, Nationwide does not offer rideshare insurance. If you use your personal car for a rideshare service like Lyft or Uber and need rideshare insurance, consider USAA or American Family, both of which have 5 stars in our best car insurance rating. You can also consider top-name car insurers, such as Allstate, Erie, Progressive and State Farm.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
