Nationwide Auto Insurance Logo

Nationwide Auto Insurance

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6.2

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: November 12th, 2021

Nationwide Insurance was founded as the Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company in Columbus, Ohio in 1925. Initially, auto insurance policies were offered primarily to area farmers. In 1928, the company expanded into West Virginia then moved from farms to small towns in 1931. By 1943, the company had spread across 12 states and offered policies in big cities as well as small towns and rural areas.

Today, with nearly 100 years of experience, Nationwide is a Fortune 100 company that offers auto insurance in 48 states. In addition to auto insurance, Nationwide provides several types of insurance, including homeowners, business, renters, condo, flood, RV, boat, pet, and dental. 

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The Good

  • Customizable Coverage Features
  • Special Auto Coverage Options
  • Discounts
  • Customer Service

Customizable Coverage Features

Nationwide provides a good range of auto insurance policy options, including liability, collision and comprehensive coverage, uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, medical payment and personal injury coverage, along with roadside assistance, towing, and rental reimbursement. Policy rates are comparable to many other insurance companies, and customers can pick and choose their own insurance packages based on the variety of features listed below.

  • Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability Coverage, which is required by law in most states and covers expenses from injuring a person during an accident or damaging their vehicle.
  • Personal Injury Protection, known as PIP insurance, helps cover the medical bills, lost wages, or other expenses resulting from an auto accident.
  • Uninsured Motorist protects the policyholder and any passenger from accidents caused by uninsured drivers or a hit-and-run.
  • Underinsured Motorist protects the policyholder from other drivers not having enough insurance to cover the cost of expenses incurred due to an accident.
  • Medical Payments, which is mandatory in some states, helps pay for the cost of medical expenses due to an accident, regardless of who is at fault.
  • Collision Coverage pays for damages to the policyholder's vehicle during an accident with another vehicle.
  • Comprehensive Coverage assists in payments for damages caused by natural disasters, accidents involving animals, vandalism, or theft.
  • Towing and Labor Insurance can reimburse for towing and labor costs in order to get the covered vehicle up and running.
  • Rental Reimbursement helps pay for a rental car should the policyholder's vehicle take time to repair. Nationwide typically has a specified amount using a daily limit and overall maximum.
  • Gap Coverage may cover the cost between the actual cash value of the policyholder’s car and what they owe on the lease or loan, should the car be a total loss after an accident.

Standard coverage options are Bodily Injury, Property Damage Liability, Personal Injury Protection, Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury, and Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury. It's important to remember that each state varies in its standard coverage limit.

Special Auto Coverage Options

On top of the standard coverage options listed above, Nationwide Auto Insurance also offers an array of specialized coverage features for drivers seeking additional options. These include the following:

  • Accident Forgiveness Coverage helps policyholders avoid a rate increase following their first at-fault accident.
  • Roadside Assistance Coverage protects policyholders should they need a tow, run out of gas, or have a flat tire.
  • Vanishing Deductible is an exclusive program offered to reward safe drivers by reducing the deductible by $100 for each year of safe driving, up to $500.
  • Total Loss Deductible Waiver is a feature where the policyholder can have the physical damage deductible waived if the vehicle is a total loss following an incident.

Discounts

Nationwide's Vanishing Deductible program rewards safe drivers by reducing the size of a policy's deductible over time the longer the policyholder goes without an accident. Along with accident forgiveness, this provides people with extra incentive to drive safely, and it can lead to significant savings.

Other discounts include the following:

  • Multi-policy
  • SmartRide discount
  • SmartMiles discount
  • Good student
  • Defensive driving
  • Anti-theft
  • Safe driver
  • Easy pay sign-up
  • Affinity car insurance discounts
  • Paperless documents
  • Customer service

A unique feature of Nationwide's commitment to customer service is the On Your Side review program. This review is a free annual consultation with a Nationwide Insurance agent who helps customers determine the options that are right for them and meet their budgetary requirements. They can also discuss recent or upcoming life events that might impact coverage. Lastly, the agent looks for all applicable discounts, benefits, and coverage options, making sure customers are getting as much out of their policy as possible.

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The Bad

  • Not Available in All States
  • Customer Complaints About High Rates

Not Available in All States 

Nationwide does not provide auto insurance coverage in Alaska or Hawaii.

Customer Complaints About High Rates

Some Nationwide Auto Insurance customers have left reviews stating that the company’s coverage is very expensive or that compared to other auto insurance companies, Nationwide’s estimates are much higher. Other customers complain that their rates at Nationwide increased unexpectedly or without any explanation from the company.

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The Bottom Line

Nationwide provides a good array of insurance products to meet the needs of drivers from many walks of life, and the company offers nice incentives for safe driving. Also, Nationwide is committed to providing customers with what they need rather than merely trying to sell the most expensive policy. The free annual On Your Side review is a clear demonstration of this, and it has the benefit of ensuring that customers don't miss any discounts that they might qualify for. 

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Star Rating

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4.0

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44 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

57%

4 grade

14%

3 grade

11%

2 grade

5%

1 grade

14%

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DealStar Salt Lake City, UT

Nationwide was my auto insurance provider for decades until I relocated and started up with a friend who is with another company. Nationwide was consistently fair, and their rates were very reasonable. The company has a stellar reputation for a reason: they are just that good. Trustworthy, good customer service, good rates, and good coverage. What more could we want from an insurance company?

3 years ago

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Eddie Rios Ogden, UT

Nationwide Auto Insurance helped us out a ton. They offered full coverage auto insurance for a great low rate. They had helpful agents that just knew what you needed and found policies that delivered for the right price. Full service and a comfort of peace of mind.

4 years ago

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Sherry Wootton Ogden, UT

The greatest Credit Union to work with, we have been with them for over 30 years. If you ever need a great interest rate, loan this is the bank to have. Customer Service is top notch.

6 years ago Edited September 14, 2021

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Willie Sneed Dallas, TX

One of the best companies I've ever seen you do business with if you get into trouble your car gets damaged this is the insurance company you need to have but I'm telling you they are just that good I got hit four times and that one time in my insurance go up take a look

3 years ago

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Dave Spokane, WA

I was hesitant to sign up with Nationwide in spite of their good rates since there was no local office and no particular agent was assigned to me. But those turned out to be non-issues. Their customer support is just excellent even when dealing with claims.

3 years ago

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Jim Schwartz

Superb customer service, fair prices and great accident coverage. We have car, boat. Home owner and umbrella coverage and have never been disappointed.

6 years ago

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Diane Shaw

There has never been an issue with claims we've submitted, our agent "has our back" in that he makes sure we have the credits we deserve, and the cost is very competitive.

6 years ago

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Spencer Barclay

Nationwide has been my favorite auto insurance provider to date. They have reasonable rates and good bundled packages. Their website is user friendly and their service team is helpful.

6 years ago

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Suzanna Wootton Springville, UT

When I got in a car accident, Nationwide was very helpful. They weren't even my insurance provider--they were the other party's insurance provider. No complaints!

6 years ago

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Kaitlyn G. Vienna, VA

I had Nationwide for years when I was young and dumb, and didn't check the market. Well when I finally priced out alternatives, I realized I'd been overpaying by more than $200/yr! I went to my agent to inquire and there was nothing he could do so I had to switch and save myself a ton of money for the same coverage! My overall experience was fine with Nationwide - no claims, but the pricing was ridiculous!

6 years ago

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Derek Scoville Pleasant Grove, UT

Local agent was really good to work with. Was able to get a fast quote for auto insurance, and even offered motorcycle insurance. Was by far the cheapest insurance with the highest amount of coverage.

6 years ago

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Carolynn West Jordan, UT

We had nationwide for years before having to switch. They were good for the first few years of having them, then it just kept getting worse. It was hard to deal with them when it came to coverage when our car was involved in an accident. Also when our premium went up and I called to see why, they couldn't really give me a straight answer. When I asked if there was anything they could do for a long time good standing customer they told me no. I ended up switching and finding a better lower auto insurance.

6 years ago

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Anne Marie Milne Layton, UT

I loved my agent so much. He was so helpful and knowledgeable. I loved the company very much. In very picky about the insurance company that I use. I'm driving my children around. Nothing more important.

6 years ago

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Angelina Hamilton Gulfport, MS

Saw their commercial so I thought I would try and see what rates were. Got a quote and it was going to be over $300 more than I pay now. They offered coverage for liability up to full overage with all the extras. Their customer service was friendly. They just were not able to get it to a rate I was comfortable with.

4 years ago

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terryjamison Gulfport, MS

Nationwide is on MY side! They helped me when i got in a car wreck and it’s almost like it never happened! They have such low rates and truly care for their costumers!

4 years ago

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Tevita Salt Lake City, UT

Had Nationwide for a few years and they were good to us. Our rates kept going up and we just couldn’t afford them anymore. Found a better quote elsewhere for the same policy.

6 years ago Edited September 14, 2021

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Peggy Darlington Winchester, VA

I sold my vehicle and wanted named non owned coverage. They took my down payment (existing customer) which has yet to appear on their site or my bank's web site.. They also want me to pay the February billing for my canceled auto policy. Nationwide NOT on your side.

8 years ago

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Ruth Anne Bright Mount Washington, KY

We found their customer service less than expected. Their product was very expensive. After the third raise in premiums in three years we found better coverage and price elsewhere.

6 years ago

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Joan Dragolic Morrisville, PA

Very responsive when I needed them after my car was stolen, and again when I had an accident.

4 years ago

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Joseph DelPonte

Personal customer service from local agents. No issues. Competitive rates. Claims handled promptly.

4 years ago

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Brayden D. Gilbert, AZ

Nationwide Auto is a great insurance company and they always help me in my situations.

6 years ago

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Stacy

I have been with Nationwide for 35 years and have always had trust in them as far as paying claims.

6 years ago

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Kumud Patel Columbia, MD

Great discount on insurance. Good customer service too. I will definitely recommend friends and family.

4 years ago

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Dee Farquharson Washington, DC

Took a little while to cancel my account ( and stop the auto draft). But at the end, they cut me a check so it wasn't too bad.

6 years ago

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dick wolfinger

auto accident, did good job handling very quick, excellent service

4 years ago

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Jean Whitaker

the least expensive for the full coverage I need because my car is financed

4 years ago

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Sharon Humphries Wellford, SC

Cheaper rates than any other insurance. Great about settling claims very quickly.

5 years ago

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Ed Mr Locksmith Sevierville, TN

Excellent customer service and they do a great job handling claims

6 years ago

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Joyce Oliver

very helpful; easy to talk to; service is fast within minimum time

6 years ago

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Maile Curtis Salt Lake City, UT

They are okay, but we found different insurance and now we are paying less and saving more. Nationwide was great for awhile but now we are better off.

7 years ago

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Jonathan Borgia

God forbid you actually have to use their service, because you'll soon find that they are no longer on your side. Dropped immediately and been struggling to get damages covered since.

3 years ago

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Spencer Cottle Orem, UT

My auto insurance for several years until another provider beat their price. Never had to make a claim but received good information via email.

3 years ago Edited September 24, 2021

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Happy Camper Mobile, AL

Great rates. Check back with them at renewal and they can requote you if your premium increase!

3 years ago

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valerie reed Gulfport, MS

They really are always on your side. Very helpful. Great customer service and friendly.

4 years ago

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Juan Beaver, PA

Nationwide is not on your side! I had them a few years back. They kept raising my rates without any explanation! I got tired of it so i looked into another company and ended up switching to a better rate.

5 years ago

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Tilda Saint George, UT

Great company!! Answered all my concerns and never feel rushed by customer service.

6 years ago

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Nita

I love the low rates and roadside assistance and agency

4 years ago

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Susan Cohen San Antonio, TX

Service, service, service, wonderful agency staff

6 years ago

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Robin Mccormick

always helpful very attantive and they rates seem to fair.

6 years ago

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Spencer Ashburn, VA

They had an issue charging my ACH and the email went to my junk folder. They never attempted to call me and by the time I noticed my insurance was canceled.

6 years ago

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Peter A Hogg

Very expensive considering we've had no tickets or accidents for over 10 years.

6 years ago

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Jami Howell Farmington, UT

I had an accident and once we used their insurance, they dropped us because they no longer wanted to cover us.

5 years ago

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Michael Ogden, UT

Catchy commercials. Always makes you think of them

6 years ago

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Dorothy

Rates keep increasing despite no tickets or claims

4 years ago