Key Takeaways
- Nationwide offers auto, home and life insurance coverage in 47 states, though some offerings may be limited to select locations.
- The company’s positive reviews highlight its outstanding customer service from agents and claims adjusters alike across all coverage types.
- Nationwide coverage may be more affordable in some categories than others.
Nationwide is one of the largest insurance companies in the U.S. and has a reputation for offering dependable coverage across multiple categories. Car insurance rates from Nationwide are consistently below national averages, and the company also offers affordable insurance for homeowners, renters and people from all walks of life.
In this article, we at the MarketWatch Guides team break down Nationwide’s different insurance coverages. We’ll cover the company’s performance in various studies, its coverage options, its average rates and everything you’ll need to know to make an informed policy purchase.
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Nationwide Insurance: Summary Review
Flip Card Nationwide Insurance Rating
MarketWatch Rating 4.6 / out of 5 stars
Rating is based off of MarketWatch Guides Rating
Rating breakdown
Industry Standing 4.2 / 5
Availability 4.8 / 5
Coverage 4.9 / 5
Cost and Discounts 4.2 / 5
Customer Experience 4.5 / 5
Our Take
Nationwide has a good industry reputation and is a well-known insurance company among consumers in most states. Nationwide customers can choose from a wide selection of insurance coverages, including auto, homeowners and life insurance. The company’s car insurance rates tend to be below national averages, with many discounts available for all types of property insurance policies. We believe Nationwide is a great option for dependable, budget-friendly coverage.
How We Rate Nationwide Insurance by Category
| Overall Rating | 4.6 |
|---|---|
| Industry Standing | 4.2 |
| Availability | 4.8 |
| Coverage | 4.9 |
| Cost and Discounts | 4.7 |
| Customer Experience | 4.5 |
| Overall Rating | 4.6 |
|---|---|
| Industry Standing | 4.2 |
| Coverage | 5 |
| Cost | 4.4 |
| Customer Experience | 4.7 |
| Overall Rating | 4.7 |
|---|---|
| Riders | 4.9 |
| Coverage | 4.8 |
| Availability and Ease of Use | 3.9 |
| Brand Trust | 4.6 |
Nationwide Industry Ratings
When scoring Nationwide and other insurance companies, we consider ratings from established industry authorities, including:
AM Best: A
Better Business Bureau (BBB): A+
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index: 0.68
Trustpilot: 1.6 out of 5
BBB customer rating: 1.1 out of 5
Nationwide Insurance Reviews: What Customers Say
When we looked at what hundreds of customers were saying about Nationwide insurance, we noticed a few common themes. See what we found below:
Where Nationwide Excels
Positive reviews we found for Nationwide highlight the company’s outstanding customer service from agents and claims adjusters alike. Many of the 5-star reviews we found noted that the company’s turnaround time from filing a claim to claim payout was fast and that Nationwide representatives were informative and friendly during each step of the process.
Where Nationwide Falls Short
Like all major car insurance providers, Nationwide does have a large amount of negative online feedback. Issues listed by unsatisfied Nationwide customers are common complaints among major insurance providers and include issues with claims approval, renewal denial, or policy premium increases. As is typical for major insurance providers, Nationwide’s customer review scores on sites like Trustpilot and the BBB are low.
We reached out to Nationwide regarding its low review scores, but have not received a response. However, while browsing reviews on BBB, we noticed that Nationwide is consistent in responding promptly to customer complaints.
Nationwide Auto Insurance
Our Overall Rating
4.6
Key Takeaway
Nationwide offers a strong lineup of standard and optional car insurance coverages, with prices often well below national averages.
Nationwide Auto Insurance Coverage
In addition to the standard coverages included in liability-only and full-coverage policies, Nationwide offers a wide selection of add-ons. With Nationwide, you can customize your car insurance policy to include rental car reimbursem*nt, roadside assistance, gap protection or accident forgiveness.
MARKETWATCH GUIDES TIP
Available as a policy add-on, Nationwide’s Accident Forgiveness program may help you avoid an insurance rate increase after an at-fault accident. While Accident Forgiveness may only be used once her policy, it can apply to any driver insured under that policy. For parents, this translates to extra peace of mind when their teens hit the road for the first time.
Minimum Coverage
Also known as liability coverage, minimum-coverage car insurance helps pay for bodily injuries and property damage sustained by other parties involved in an accident you caused. Liability-only policies conform to state-mandated car insurance requirements in most states, and policy minimums vary by state. Learn more about the different types of coverages included in liability insurance below:
| Coverage | Description |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury (BI) liability | Pays for medical bills, lost wages and related expenses for other parties in an accident you cause. |
| Property damage (PD) liability | Pays for repairs for property damages sustained by other parties in an accident you cause. |
| Uninsured/underinsured motorist | Pays for your medical bills, up to coverage maximums, if you’re in an accident with an at-fault driver with inadequate insurance. |
| Personal injury protection (PIP) | Pays for your medical bills, lost wages and related expenses no matter who is at-fault in an accident. |
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Read more: Liability Car Insurance
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance policies include minimum-liability coverages like bodily injury and property damage. These policies also include protections for you and your property, such as collision and comprehensive coverages. Learn more about what’s included in full-coverage insurance below:
| Coverage | Description |
|---|---|
| Collision coverage | Pays for the repair or replacement of your vehicle after an accident. |
| Comprehensive coverage | Pays for the repair or replacement of your vehicle after non-accident damages caused by things like severe weather, fire and theft. |
| Medical payments (MedPay) | Pays for your medical expenses, with limitations, after an accident. |
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Read more: Full-Coverage Car Insurance
Nationwide Car Insurance Cost
Nationwide customers pay an average of $2,063 per year for full-coverage car insurance. That’s just over 23% cheaper than the national average of $2,681 annually for similar coverage. Below, compare Nationwide’s rates across different driver profiles.
| Age | Nationwide Full-Coverage Monthly Cost | National Average Full-Coverage Monthly Cost | Nationwide vs. National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | $400 | $519 | -23% |
| 21 | $261 | $349 | -25% |
| 25 | $196 | $256 | -23% |
| 35 | $172 | $223 | -23% |
| 45 | $157 | $214 | -27% |
| 55 | $146 | $198 | -26% |
| 65 | $148 | $202 | -27% |
| 75 | $164 | $232 | -29% |
| Risk Factor | Nationwide Full-Coverage Monthly Cost | National Average Full-Coverage Monthly Cost | Nationwide vs. National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean | $172 | $223 | -23% |
| Speeding ticket | $213 | $270 | -21% |
| Recent accident | $253 | $299 | -15% |
| DUI | $291 | $323 | -10% |
| Risk Factor | Nationwide Full-Coverage Monthly Cost | National Average Full-Coverage Monthly Cost | Nationwide vs. National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Good credit | $172 | $223 | -23% |
| Poor credit | $230 | $446 | -48% |
Nationwide Car Insurance Discounts
Nationwide offers several opportunities for many drivers to save on their car insurance premiums.
MARKETWATCH GUIDES TIP
While many car insurance companies offer discounts for safe driving, Nationwide offers several incentives, including its safe driver discount. If you have at least five years of safe driving on your record, you may receive a discounted rate from Nationwide. The company also offers an accident-free discount.
Nationwide SmartRide
SmartRide is Nationwide’s usage-based car insurance program. You’ll get a discount of 10% just for enrolling and activating the app on your smartphone. This app will measure your miles driven, hard braking, acceleration, idle time and nighttime driving. After 80 days, you could receive a discount of up to 40% in exchange for safe driving habits.
List of Car Insurance Discounts
Nationwide offers other great car insurance discounts, including:
| Car Insurance Discount | Details |
|---|---|
| Multi-policy | Earn a discount for bundling your multiple insurance policies — including homeowners, renters, life and auto insurance — for one convenient payment. |
| Accident-free | Remain accident-free to earn an extra discount from Nationwide. |
| Good student | Student drivers ages 16 to 24 can earn car insurance discounts for maintaining a B average or higher. |
| Defensive driving | Drivers ages 55 and older can complete a state-approved driver education course to get discounted insurance rates. |
| Anti-theft | If your vehicle is equipped with select anti-theft devices, you may be eligible for an additional discount. |
| Safe driver | Drivers with at least 5 years of safe driving under their belt receive discounted insurance rates from Nationwide. |
| Automatic payments | Sign up for automatic payments to receive an extra premium discount. |
| Paperless billing | Pay your insurance premium online and opt-in for paperless billing for a small discount. |
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Nationwide Homeowners Insurance
Our Overall Rating
4.6
Key Takeaway
While Nationwide home insurance costs are slightly higher than average, the insurer offers a solid selection of coverage options for homeowners.
Nationwide Home Insurance Coverage
Home insurance is a property insurance policy that financially protects your home in the event of a disaster or accident, covering losses to the house and its contents. Nationwide offers standard home insurance coverage in addition to several add-on coverage options.
| Nationwide HomeInsurance Coverage | Details |
|---|---|
| Dwelling | Helps protect your home’s structure, built-in appliances and wall-to-wall carpet from damage after a covered event |
| Ordinance or law insurance | May help pay to rebuild your home to current building codes after a covered loss |
| Contents | Covers your personal property not attached to or built into your home, such as furniture or clothing |
| Other structures | Protects additional structures not connected to your house such as a shed, fence, barn, detached garage or gazebo |
| Personal liability | Helps pay for damages caused by an accident in your home to someone or something |
| Loss of use | Covers your additional living expenses if you’re unable to live in your home due to a covered loss |
| Medical payments to others | Can help pay for the medical or funeral expenses if someone is injured on your property |
| Credit card coverage | Pays up to a limit of your choice for unauthorized transactions on your credit cards and debit card |
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Nationwide Endorsem*nts
Additionally, Nationwide provides add-on home insurance options for homeowners. These include:
| Nationwide Endorsem*nt Coverage | Description |
|---|---|
| Identity theft | Helps keep your data secure from risks and cybersecurity |
| Water backup | Expands coverage if water backs up through your sewer or drains, or if your sump pump overflows |
| Valuables Plus® | Provides additional coverage for high-value items such as jewelry, watches, antiques and fine art |
| Earthquake | Provides additional coverage for earthquake damage |
| Replacement cost plus | Can pay up to an extra 20% of your property coverage limit if your home needs to be rebuilt after a loss |
| Flood insurance | Protects your home and its contents from flood damage |
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Nationwide Home Insurance Costs
Nationwide home insurance costs are slightly more expensive than the national average. According to our research, home insurance coverage from Nationwide costs an average of $2,673 per year, or $223 per month, for a policy with $350,000 of dwelling coverage. This is over 6% more expensive than the national average of $2,511 per year or $209 per month.
The estimates below are based on quotes from Nationwide for $350,000 homes in select states.
| Location | Average Monthly Cost | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $131 | $1,569 |
| California | $139 | $1,665 |
| Virginia | $185 | $2,217 |
| North Carolina | $276 | $3,310 |
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What Factors Affect Home Insurance Costs?
Your home insurance quote from Nationwide is based on various factors, including your location and property details. Here are some factors that can influence the final price you pay for coverage:
- Location: The state and ZIP code where you live or purchase your home can affect your premium. States that are prone to natural disasters have higher home insurance rates overall.
- Claims history: Homeowners who have filed a claim within the past three to five years can expect to see a spike in their home insurance rates. Speak to a Nationwide agent to get a more accurate estimate if you have a recent claim.
- Property details: Having features like a pool or trampoline can cause you to pay more for home insurance. Insurance companies may see it as a liability concern and added insurance risk.
- Coverage needs: Homes with a high value may raise the rates you pay for dwelling coverage. This is because the costs to repair or rebuild after a covered accident will be greater.
- Deductible: Homeowners with a lower deductible have higher insurance premiums. If you want to lower your rates, consider choosing a higher deductible.
Nationwide Home Insurance Discounts
Nationwide stands out due to its wide variety of home insurance discounts. These include:
| Nationwide HomeInsurance Discount | Details |
|---|---|
| Multi-policy discount | Get a discount on home and renters insurance when you bundle your home and auto insurance with Nationwide. |
| Home purchase discount | Receive a discount if you purchased a home within the last 12 months. |
| Protective device discount | Earn a discount on your premium if your home has smoke detectors, fire alarms, burglar alarms or other monitoring devices. |
| Prior insurance discount | This discount is available to new members who were previously insured by another provider. |
| Claims-free discount | Qualify for a lower home insurance premium when you stay claims-free. |
| Gated community discount | A discount is available when all entrances to your community are protected by security guards, residence cards or key-lock devices. |
| Home renovation credit | Get a discount for renovating your home’s plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical systems. |
| Roof rating discount | Save on your insurance premium if you have a new roof. |
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Nationwide Smart Home Insurance Program
Nationwide partners with Notion for its smart home insurance program to keep your home safe from water damage, break-ins and fires. When you add this program to your policy, you get:
- Up to 10% off on your property insurance
- Potential for less damage with early detection
The program is currently not available in the following states:
| Alaska | Hawaii | Louisiana | Maine |
| Minnesota | North Carolina | North Dakota | New Hampshire |
| Nevada | New York | Oklahoma | South Carolina |
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Nationwide Life Insurance
Our Overall Rating
4.7
Key Takeaway
Nationwide has a long, reliable history as a life insurance provider and is particularly noteworthy for its extensive rider offerings.
Besides offering auto and home insurance coverage, Nationwide also provides life insurance policies for its clients. These policies can provide security for your loved ones after you pass away or after a designated period of time. It can pay off college, your mortgage, cover any final expenses or estate taxes.
Nationwide Life Insurance Coverage
Nationwide offers two main types of life insurance coverage — term life insurance and permanent life insurance. Term life insurance covers you for a specified amount of time, while permanent life insurance can be broken down into universal, whole and variable coverage.
Here’s a closer look at the different types of life insurance coverage offered by Nationwide:
- Term life insurance: This can be used to replace lost income. It provides a safety net for your family and helps them meet their financial goals.
- Universal life insurance: This policy offers flexible payment options, death benefits and cash value.
- Whole life insurance: This life insurance policy can be used as part of your estate planning to help preserve the wealth you plan to hand down to your beneficiaries.
- Variable life insurance: This offers whole life protection and an investing component similar to a mutual fund.
Nationwide Insurance Review: The Bottom Line
Nationwide offers a comprehensive selection of insurance products, including customizable home, auto and life insurance coverage. Nationwide’s car insurance rates are typically below average for good drivers as well as those with a history of accidents or traffic violations. If you’re deciding which insurance company to work with for your home, auto or life insurance needs, we recommend comparing a quote from Nationwide with quotes from other providers.
Nationwide Insurance: FAQ
Below are frequently asked questions about Nationwide insurance:
Yes, Nationwide is a good company with a good industry standing — AM Best gave it an A rating for financial strength and it was given an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau. Although customer reviews are mixed, Nationwide can be a good choice for some people. Getting a quote from the provider is the best way to find out for yourself.
No, Nationwide has not announced any plans to go out of business. The company has been around for almost 100 years.
We found that Nationwide has average rates and can get slightly expensive compared with competitors. Most estimates we received from the company came out higher than the reported average from the NAIC.
Nationwide currently holds an A+ rating from the BBB and an A financial strength rating from AM Best. Our review team gave the provider a score of 4.6 out of 5.
Nationwide has a strong A rating from AM Best for financial strength based on the provider’s ability to pay claims. However, its customer satisfaction for its claims process was just under the industry average for the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study℠, which indicates customers have had issues with claims.
How We Rate Insurance Providers
Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best auto, home and life insurance companies. We collected data on dozens of insurance providers to grade the companies on a wide range of ranking factors. Learn more about how we rate insurance providers in each industry below:
- Auto Insurance: Our team has analyzed more than 130 auto insurers based on their industry standing, availability, coverage, cost and discounts, customer service, and technology. We evaluate both national and regional insurers to determine the most reputable options on the market. Learn more about our auto insurance methodology.
- Home Insurance: We assessed dozens of home insurance providers and created a scoring system to compare each company’s quality and service. We took a comprehensive look at insurers’ reputations in the industry, coverage offerings, average costs and customer service. See our rating process in more detail in our home insurance rating methodology.
- Life Insurance: Our team has researched and ranked more than 30 life insurance companies using an in-depth scoring system that analyzes brand trust, coverage options, availability and ease of use, and riders. We look at how customizable each provider’s policies are to fit consumers’ needs. To learn more, read our full life insurance methodology for reviewing and scoring providers.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at [email protected].
