CarInsurance.com Insights
- Nationwide car insurance ranks highly in multiple J.D. Power auto insurance studies, receiving high ratings for customer experience and usage-based insurance.
- In our analysis of top auto insurance providers, Nationwide ranked fourth, with a score of 4.54 out of 5.
- Nationwide’s average monthly premiums were some of the lowest in our rate analysis.
Nationwide’s car insurance is known for being “on your side,” but what is it like to be a Nationwide policyholder? To find out, we studied Nationwide’s auto insurance options, average premiums and financial strength ratings and surveyed existing customers to gauge overall customer satisfaction with the company.
Below, learn everything you need to know about Nationwide car insurance, including the claims process, what it’s like to request a quote and the average cost compared to other insurers. Nationwide is available in 46 states plus Washington, D.C.
At a glance
Pros
- Average rates are lower than most competitors’
- Lower-than-average customer complaints, per the NAIC complaint index
- A variety of discounts is available, including rewards for safe driving with its SmartRide app
- Highly rated for customer satisfaction
Cons
- Coverage is not available in all states
- Some discounts aren’t available in all states
- The SmartRide program isn’t available in all states
Who is Nationwide best for?
Nationwide ranked No. 4 in our Best Car Insurance Companies of 2025 study, with a score of 4.54 out of 5. The company offers affordable rates and customers applaud its usage-based insurance program, KnowYourDrive. Nationwide scored the highest for usage-based insurance for the second consecutive year and first in Texas in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, receiving 698 out of a possible 1,000 points.
Nationwide also received the highest ranking for service in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Insurance Digital Experience Study with a score of 730.
How much does Nationwide car insurance cost?
Nationwide’s average car insurance premiums are among the lowest in our study of major insurers. Our rate analysis showed Nationwide’s average monthly premium for drivers with a clean driving record was $205.
Remember, the rate you pay may be higher or lower, depending on various factors, some of which are beyond your control. Your age, gender, driving history, location, choice of vehicle and coverage selections can each affect the rate you pay for car insurance and each state has its own regulations.
| Company | Full coverage monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Nationwide | $205 |
| Allstate | $267 |
| Farmers | $257 |
| American Family | $159 |
| GEICO | $179 |
| Progressive | $223 |
| State Farm | $239 |
| Travelers | $175 |
| USAA* | $131 |
*USAA is only available to military community members and their families.
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Nationwide car insurance discounts and savings
Nationwide’s average monthly premiums are already some of the lowest of the insurers we evaluated, but you might find even more ways to save with car insurance discounts.
Sign up for SmartRide, Nationwide’s usage-based insurance app and you could receive a 10% discount at enrollment and further discounts for good driving. However, SmartRide isn’t available in all areas and poor driving habits may result in no discount for you.
You may also be eligible for one or more of the following Nationwide car insurance discounts:
- Multi-policy
- SmartMiles, which offers flexible premiums based on how much you drive
- Accident forgiveness
- Good student
- Defensive driving course completion
- Anti-theft devices
- Safe driver (five or more years accident-free)
- Autopay
- Paperless statements
Coverage options
Nationwide offers a variety of car insurance coverage options, including standard coverages you’re probably familiar with:
- Liability: This coverage pays for property damage or bodily injury you cause to another person.
- Collision: If you’re in a crash and your vehicle is damaged, collision helps pay for repairs.
- Comprehensive: This coverage extends to other types of damage that may occur to your car, including hail damage, theft, fire and vandalism.
- Medical expenses: You may hear this referred to as “MedPay.” It pays medical expenses if you or your passengers are injured in an accident.
- Personal injury protection (PIP): A type of coverage that helps with other expenses resulting from an accident, such as rehabilitation costs or lost wages.
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist: This coverage helps cover costs when you’re involved in a crash with a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance.
In addition to those standard coverage options, you can tailor your policy with other add-ons, including:
- Rental car expense
- Gap coverage
- Towing and labor
- Accident forgiveness
- Roadside assistance
- Vanishing deductible
- Total loss deductible waiver
Nationwide claims experience
Managing your car insurance claims is relatively straightforward when you use the Nationwide Mobile app, available for both iOS and Android devices.
The Nationwide mobile app receives a 4.7 out of 5 stars rating on the Apple App Store, with nearly 63,000 reviews as of November 2025.
On the Google Play Store, the app receives 4.5 stars, based on almost 20,000 reviews and over one million downloads.
In addition to using the Nationwide app, you can also file a claim in several other ways:
- Using the online self-service tool
- By phone at 1-800-421-3535
Nationwide also provides a list of repair shops that will guarantee your repair for as long as you own the vehicle.
Nationwide customer satisfaction
Nationwide ranks very highly for its customer service. In the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, Nationwide ranked fourth with 729 points, far above the industry average of 700.
Nationwide ranked even higher for its digital offerings. The company received 730 out of a possible 1,000 points in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Insurance Digital Experience Study, the highest score among all insurers (except USAA, which is only available to members of the military and their families).
The NAIC Complaint Index, which calculates the frequency of complaints for an insurer relative to its size, indicates that Nationwide receives fewer complaints than expected.
AM Best assigned Nationwide an A (Excellent) rating for financial strength and deemed its outlook stable, indicating that it should have no issues paying out its auto insurance claims.
Nationwide car insurance review and quote experience: $89/month for full coverage
I started the Nationwide quote process online by providing my ZIP code, legal name, address and other personal information.
How Nationwide's Online Quote Process Stacks Up: An Expert's Honest Take
When our car insurance expert put Nationwide's online quote tool to the test, the experience was exactly what most people hope for: simple and free of unnecessary hurdles. The process only required basic personal information and a quick driving history check, nothing overwhelming. What stood out? Nationwide only factors in violations if a driver has three or more minor infractions on record. So even with a speeding ticket in the household, the quote came back unaffected, a relief for a lot of drivers who might assume one mistake automatically raises their rates.
The company then asked for a driving history for me and any other drivers in my household. A family member received a speeding ticket last year, but Nationwide only inquired about whether we had three or more minor violations like that. Up to two are permitted.
Next, I began to add information about my spouse as the other driver in my family: his name, birth date and marital status. After entering details about my vehicle, a 2025 Subaru Outback, some good news emerged: I qualified for a discount on my vehicle’s anti-theft device.
I also had the opportunity to save up to 40% by signing up for Nationwide’s Smart Ride mobile app, which tracks driving behavior, including miles driven, hard braking and fast acceleration. Just signing up for Smart Ride earned me a 10% discount.
My quote was $89.29 and included:
- Bodily Injury Liability: $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence
- Property Damage: $100,000 per occurrence
- Uninsured/Underinsured Bodily Injury: $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence
- Comprehensive deductible: $500
- Collision deductible: $500
The quote also included $1,500 in funeral benefits, accident forgiveness, $5,000 in medical payments coverage and $10,000 per person in accidental death benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions: Nationwide
Is Nationwide cheaper than other car insurance companies?
Yes. Nationwide’s average monthly premium for car insurance is among the lowest of the insurers we evaluated in our rate analysis. Keep in mind that car insurance rates can vary based on your driving history, location, coverage selections and even gender, so compare multiple quotes to find the best balance of price and coverage.
What discounts does Nationwide offer?
Nationwide’s SmartRide telematics app could save you up to 40% with good driving. Still, there are plenty of other available discounts, too: multi-policy, good student and safe driver discounts, for example.
Does Nationwide offer accident forgiveness?
Yes, Nationwide offers accident forgiveness in select states as an add-on to your policy. It can only be used once per policy to avoid a rate increase after your first at-fault accident.
Does Nationwide have gap insurance?
Yes, like most major insurers, Nationwide offers gap insurance. This coverage helps cover the gap between what you still owe on your car loan and the car’s actual cash value if you’re in an accident.
How do I file a claim with Nationwide?
Filing a claim is straightforward, whether you file through the Nationwide mobile app, the website or by calling an agent. Nationwide offers digital tools for submitting photos and documenting damage and you can track the progress of your claim, too.
How does Nationwide rank in customer satisfaction?
Nationwide ranks very highly, according to J.D. Power. The company received top scores for auto claims satisfaction, usage-based insurance and digital experience. It was also the highest-ranking car insurance company in Texas.
Does Nationwide raise rates after an accident or ticket?
Most insurers will typically raise premiums after major violations or at-fault accidents. Nationwide does offer accident forgiveness coverage, which helps you avoid an increase in your car insurance rates after your first at-fault accident.
Is Nationwide suitable for high-risk drivers?
You’ll encounter higher rates if you have a high-risk driver profile. However, even with DUIs, multiple claims, poor credit or other risk factors, you may find coverage available.
Does Nationwide offer telematics or usage-based insurance?
Yes. In fact, Nationwide is ranked No. 1 for usage-based insurance in a J.D. Power study. The telematics program is called SmartRide and it uses a mobile app to track your driving habits and will adjust your rates accordingly.
What types of add-ons does Nationwide provide?
In addition to standard coverages, Nationwide also offers accident forgiveness, rental expense coverage, gap insurance, roadside assistance and its Vanishing Deductible option.
Can I manage my policy online with Nationwide?
Yes. As with most insurers, you can manage your policy, download ID cards, pay your bill and track claims by logging in to your Nationwide account online.
Is Nationwide a good insurance company overall?
Nationwide is ranked highly for its digital experience, telematics program and customer satisfaction. To know whether it’s the best choice for your needs, compare a quote from Nationwide to other insurance providers and make sure Nationwide offers the features and tools you’re looking for.
Sources
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. “National Complaint Index Report.” Accessed February 2026.
- J.D. Power. “Auto Insurer Websites and Apps Become Battleground for New Customers as Policy Shopping Activity Skyrockets, J.D. Power Finds.” Accessed February 2026.
- J.D. Power. “Satisfaction with Auto Insurance Claims Strained by Higher Deductibles, More Total Losses, J.D. Power Finds.” Accessed February 2026.
View More
- Nationwide. “Nationwide auto claims.” Accessed February 2026.
- Nationwide. “Personal auto coverages.” Accessed February 2026.
- Nationwide. “Auto insurance discounts.” Accessed February 2026.
- J.D. Power. “It’s Now a Buyer’s Market for Auto Insurance, J.D. Power Finds.” Accessed February 2026.
- Nationwide. “Find local Nationwide agents near you.” Accessed February 2026.
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