Nationwide Car Insurance Review

Nationwide ranked sixth in our study of the best car insurance providers in the U.S. It stands out for its broad coverage options and solid financial strength. Check below to see how it compares to competitors nationwide.

Here’s a look at how Nationwide compares to other major insurers on a national scale:

Nationwide car insurance averages $54 per month for minimum coverage and $103 per month for full coverage, based on rates for 40-year-old drivers with good credit and clean driving records. To help you better understand how Nationwide's pricing applies to your situation, we've outlined their rates by coverage type, state and driver profile.

Nationwide car insurance costs can vary significantly based on your location. Nationwide offers the most affordable minimum coverage rates for drivers in Ohio, while it provides the cheapest full coverage rates in North Dakota. However, Nationwide doesn't consistently rank among the top three most affordable insurers in many states. Explore how Nationwide's rates for minimum and full coverage policies stack up in your state below.

The table below highlights Nationwide car insurance rates based on different coverage levels.

Nationwide is ranked 6th nationally for affordability, offering average savings of 12% on minimum liability and 10% on full coverage compared to the national averages. Drivers with good credit and clean records will generally find competitive pricing, though younger drivers and those with traffic violations may get better rates from other insurers.

Nationwide performs at an average level in overall customer satisfaction when compared to other national insurers in our analysis. External evaluations, such as those from J.D. Power, indicate the company ranks slightly below the industry average. Below, we present insights from our research alongside findings from other trusted organizations.

Nationwide’s overall customer satisfaction scores were below average in most categories. However, J.D. Power rated its service slightly above average in the Southeast region and ranked it 2nd in the North Central region.

Explore the ratings from this study organized by state and region below:

To clarify which states each region refers to, we’ve listed what they cover below:

• Central: Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota.
• Mid-Atlantic: Delaware, Washington D.C., Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia.
• New England: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
• North Central: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin
• Northwest: Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming
• Southeast: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tenessee
• Southwest: Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah

Nationwide’s weakest performance in our study was in overall customer satisfaction, where it ranked 8th nationally. However, J.D. Power's October 2024 report placed the company 4th overall, scoring 31 points higher than the industry average.

In terms of financial stability, Nationwide holds an impressive A rating from AM Best, indicating strong reliability in paying out claims. This makes it a leader among top insurers in financial strength.

Nationwide offers standard auto insurance coverages, including liability, comprehensive and collision insurance. Additionally, it provides several optional add-ons to enhance your policy:

• Roadside Assistance: Nationwide's roadside assistance program offers services such as towing, battery jump-starts and lockout assistance. This coverage can be added to your auto policy for an additional premium, which varies based on factors like vehicle type and location.
• Rental Car Reimbursement: This optional coverage helps pay for a rental car if your vehicle is being repaired due to a covered claim. The cost and coverage limits can vary; for instance, a policy might offer rental reimbursement coverage with limits such as $30 per day up to a maximum of $900 per claim. The annual cost for this coverage can range from $27 to $90, depending on the selected limits.
• Accident Forgiveness: If you qualify and it's available in your state, Nationwide's Accident Forgiveness can prevent your rates from increasing after your first at-fault accident.
• SmartRide® Program: Nationwide's SmartRide® is a usage-based insurance program that rewards safe driving habits. Upon enrollment, you receive an immediate 10% discount. As you continue to demonstrate safe driving behaviors, you can earn a discount of up to 40% at your next policy renewal.

Here’s an overview of additional coverage options beyond auto insurance that you can explore as standalone policies or as part of a bundle:

Nationwide is a reliable and reasonably priced choice for car insurance. While its customer service ratings may not be as high as some other national providers, the company compensates with competitive rates and robust coverage options. As always, it’s a good idea to compare quotes from several insurers to ensure you’re getting the best value for your needs.

Here are MoneyGeek’s expert responses to common questions about Nationwide car insurance:

To evaluate and review auto insurance companies, MoneyGeek carefully weighs factors such as price, financial strength, policy features, customer satisfaction, service and other leading indicators. MoneyGeek also references publicly available data from industry leaders such as J.D. Power, AM Best, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the Better Business Bureau. Learn more about MoneyGeek’s review methodology here.