Reviews Report
- On average, Nationwide’s full coverage car insurance costs an average of $1,485 per year in the U.S., according to 2021 data from Bankrate.com.
- Drivers can earn up to 40% off premiums when enrolled in usage-based SmartRide.
Choosing an auto insurance company can be overwhelming when you look at the number of providers available. Nationwide auto insurance is one of the largest and most popular providers of vehicle insurance. Founded in 1925, Nationwide has been selling insurance policies for almost 100 years and earned a spot on FORTUNE’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list the past seven years.
We reviewed Nationwide’s customer ratings, financial stability, availability of coverage by area, discounts and vehicle coverage options for a complete review of Nationwide’s biggest strengths — and where it may fall short.
Nationwide’s Full Coverage Average Premium In Each State
| State | Average Annual Full Coverage Premium* |
| Alabama | N/A |
| Alaska | N/A |
| Arizona | $1,110 |
| Arkansas | $1,350 |
| California | $2,155 |
| Colorado | N/A |
| Connecticut | $1,280 |
| Delaware | $1,184 |
| Florida | N/A |
| Georgia | $1,202 |
| Hawaii | N/A |
| Idaho | $951 |
| Illinois | $1,098 |
| Indiana | $1,103 |
| Iowa | N/A |
| Kansas | N/A |
| Kentucky | $1,645 |
| Louisiana | N/A |
| Maine | N/A |
| Maryland | $1,232 |
| Massachusetts | N/A |
| Michigan | N/A |
| Minnesota | N/A |
| Mississippi | N/A |
| Missouri | N/A |
| Montana | $1,479 |
| Nebraska | $1,047 |
| Nevada | $1,582 |
| New Hampshire | $851 |
| New Jersey | N/A |
| New Mexico | N/A |
| New York | N/A |
| North Carolina | $1,374 |
| North Dakota | $1,090 |
| Ohio | N/A |
| Oklahoma | N/A |
| Oregon | $1,066 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,058 |
| Rhode Island | $1,722 |
| South Carolina | $1,326 |
| South Dakota | N/A |
| Tennessee | $1,219 |
| Texas | $1,362 |
| Utah | $1,052 |
| Vermont | $984 |
| Virginia | $770 |
| Washington | N/A |
| Washington D.C. | $1,985 |
| West Virginia | $993 |
| Wisconsin | N/A |
| Wyoming | N/A |
*Data Source: Bankrate.com
Nationwide Car Insurance Overview
Policyholders in the Southeast and Mid Atlantic regions rate Nationwide well in J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction study, earning Nationwide an average score of 815 out of 1,000 across all regions. Nationwide also offers innovative ways to save, such as bundling Nationwide home and auto insurance or by signing up for SmartMiles, a flexible way to pay less for driving fewer miles each month. However, contrary to its name, Nationwide is not available in every state.
Besides providing the level of car insurance required in each state it serves, drivers can opt for extras to reduce your vehicle coverage expense. Vanishing Deductible reduces your deductible for every year without a claim and Total Loss Deductible Waiver waives the deductible if your vehicle is declared a total loss.
PROS
CONS
Nationwide Auto Insurance Highlights
Nationwide’s Car Insurance Bundling Discounts for Cheaper Insurance
According to data from the NAIC, Nationwide sells nearly twice more homeowners insurance than vehicle coverage. Based on its strengths in both types of insurance, bundling Nationwide home and auto insurance could provide you with cheap coverage across the board while simplifying your insurance needs. Nationwide claims policyholders who bundle end up saving an average of $646 per year. However, getting a Nationwide car insurance quote is the best way to find out how much you may save when buying both types of insurance with the carrier.
Nationwide Car Insurance vs. The Competition
| A.M. Best AM Best rates insurance providers creditworthiness. Ratings are based on the provider’s ability to follow through with a payout when a consumer files a claim. | J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction J.D. Power scores are based on surveys for customer satisfaction and product quality. | No. of Discounts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pin Nationwide | A+ | 814* | 10 | |
| Pin Progressive | A+ | 830* | 19 | |
| Pin State Farm | A++ | 847* | 13 | |
| Pin Geico | A++ | 833* | 16 |
Information accurate as of May 2021
*J.D. Power 2021 Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study average rating across all regions. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Nationwide vs. Progressive
Nationwide and Progressive have a similar approach to car insurance by providing ways to reduce deductibles in case of a claim and scoring similarly in customer satisfaction from J.D. Power. With both carriers, customers can file claims over the phone, online or through the mobile app. However, ProgressiveiInsurance beats Nationwide in the number of discounts available. Furthermore, families with teen drivers will find more discounts geared toward new drivers with Progressive.
Nationwide vs. State Farm
State Farm is stronger when it comes to customer ratings and financial strength. The carrier also has a large network of offices and State Farm agents nationwide for local servicing of your insurance policy. However, Nationwide does provide customers with a free annual On Your Side review. If having to choose between Nationwide and State Farm, the decision may come down to which carrier returns the lowest quote for coverage.
Nationwide vs. Geico
Both Nationwide and Geico are well-known for low-cost car insurance. Geico beats Nationwide when it comes to the number of discounts available, with 16 compared to Nationwide’s 10. However, Nationwide’s home insurance package is popular, which is ideal for homeowners looking to purchase both car and vehicle insurance from one carrier.
Nationwide Car Insurance FAQ
Methodology
We evaluated Nationwide based on discounts, coverage, online resources, financial strength, and customer satisfaction to create our best car insurance reviews. To compare car insurance companies with other providers across the board, we analyzed:
- Discounts: Auto insurance companies that advertised more discounts received higher scores in our methodology.
- Financial Stability: Reviews.com utilized AM Best ratings to assign a score based on each car insurance company’s financial stability.
- Customer Satisfaction: J.D. Power ranks car insurance companies by customer satisfaction, so we used its 2021 Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study to compare the average rating of insurers across all regions.
- Coverage: Car insurance companies were awarded higher scores for advertised coverages beyond the body liability, property liability, collision and personal injury protection.
- Online Resources: We reviewed the digital resources of each car insurance company and awarded higher scores to insurers with mobile claim estimates, digital insurance cards, and more.
As for average pricing, we used Bankrate.com’s data of car insurance, based on the profiles of a 40-year male and female. For full coverage, the details used were the following:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2019 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
About the Authors
Cynthia Paez Bowman is a contributing writer for Reviews.com. Over the last two years, she has covered insurance, home security and more. She has been featured in MSN, Bankrate, Coverage.com, The Simple Dollar and GOBankingRates. She has dual bachelors degrees in International Business and Journalism from American University in Washington, D.C. “Is It Getting Harder to Get Home Insurance in High-Risk Areas?” is Cynthia’s favorite story on Reviews.com.
