Nationwide Auto Insurance Review 2023

Last modified: September 20, 2021
  • Claims 9
  • Buying 8.5
  • Transparency 8
  • Coverage Variety 9
  • Value For Money 8.5
  • OVERALL RATING 8.6
  • Financial Strength A+
  • BBB Rating A+
  • Coverages 5/5
  • Flexibility Customizable policies
  • Discounts 5/5
  • Support mail, phone or text, online, app
  • User Ratings 2 on Trustpilot
  • Availability 48 states and the District of Columbia.
  • Pricing Competitive

Protecting more than just Ohio farmers and cars, Nationwide Auto Insurance has been providing its services for the last 90 years.

Founded in 1926 with its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, Nationwide Auto Insurance was formerly known as the Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company.

It first started off as a small mutual auto insurer that was owned by policyholders and later transformed into one of the largest, most important financial and insurance companies across the globe.

Nationwide Auto Insurance Company is known as one of the major giants in the insurance industry offering not only auto insurance but also a variety of different banking products, insurance products, banking, retirement, and investment.

According to the many Nationwide auto insurance reviews, the company offers financial stability to all its clients. It also holds a great reputation for many other things, including comprehensive coverage, flexible coverage options, multiple discounts, and exceptional customer service, to name a few.

How We Reviewed

We followed these protocols to conduct our review:

  1. We analyzed the website for features and coverage types
  2. We asked for quotes with different conditions  
  3. We studied reviews and ratings from user review websites
  4. We found and unearthed data on the financial strength
  5. We took a look at Nationwide auto insurance ratings

Where Is It Available?

Nationwide is available in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia.

The states served by the company exclude Massachusetts, Louisiana, Alaska, and Hawaii.

The company is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, and has affiliations with dozens of other firms in both financial, plus property and casualty services.

Auto Insurance Review

The Nationwide auto policy is quite comprehensive and offers many different types of coverage. For instance, it covers you for accidents that involve other vehicles, animals, weather, vandalism, bodily injuries, and so much more. The best part is that Nationwide coverage policies are customizable, giving you a chance to choose the kind of auto insurance policies that best meet your needs and requirements.

Take a look at the variety of Nationwide auto policy coverages that the company has to offer to you.

Personal Auto Coverage

This type of coverage aims to protect you, your passengers, as well as the people, present on the road at the time of the accident.

It includes the following:

  • Bodily injury liability
  • Property damage liability
  • Personal injury protection
  • Uninsured motorist
  • Underinsured motorist
  • Medical payments

Vehicle Coverage

As the name suggests, this coverage assists you with repairing any kind of damage done to your own or someone else’s vehicle.

It also provides additional resources if, for any reason, you aren’t able to use your own car. It includes the following:

  • Rental car expense
  • Gap insurance coverage
  • Collision
  • Comprehensive (other than collision)
  • Towing and labor coverage

Special Auto Coverage

In addition to the basic car insurance policy, Nationwide offers additional optional features that can prove to be extremely beneficial for you.

Special auto coverages comprise of the following features:

Additional Bundles or Packages

There are two additional types of insurance programs that the company offers to its customers: SmartRide and SmartMiles.

SmartRide is a usage-based insurance program that aims to reward you for driving safely. If you are a safe driver that follows the rules of the road, avoids distractions, and commits to staying alert, the company will reward you for it. The insurance program offers personalized feedback to you so that you are able to make even better and safer driving decisions. When you sign up, you receive an instant 10% discount that can go as high as 40% if you keep driving safe.

SmartMiles is a type of car insurance for low-mileage drivers, and it includes a pay-per-mile system that can help you save money. It follows a flexible monthly rate that depends on the number of miles you drive.

List of Additional Coverages

Nationwide Auto Insurance has branched out into many other different types of insurance offerings. It offers a plethora of additional policies that make it a one-stop-shop for people looking for a variety of insurance coverages under a single roof.

The company offers 26 different types of insurance policies on top of its original auto insurance. These include:

  • Motorcycle, boat, recreational vehicle, and other vehicle insurance
  • Homeowners, renters, condo, and flood insurance
  • Term, universal, whole, and variable life insurance
  • Personal umbrella and specialty liability insurance
  • Dental and accident medical insurance
  • Pet insurance
  • Wedding insurance
  • Identity theft insurance
  • Travel insurance

Nationwide Auto Insurance Pricing

In terms of Nationwide insurance rates, the company offers flexible coverage and billing options to its customers. It also allows members to pay their dues monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually through different avenues, including online, mail, or over the phone.

Take a look at its basic coverages and policy limits offered by the company.

BASIC COVERAGES POLICY LIMITS
Bodily injury liability $50,000 each person, $100,000 each accident
Property damage liability $50,000 for each accident
Personal injury protection $15,000 medical expense, $0 deductible
Uninsured/underinsured motorists bodily injury liability $50,000 each person, $100,000 each accident
Comprehensive $500 deductible
Collision $500 deductible
Rental car reimbursement $30 a day, $900 maximum payout

Nationwide Auto Insurance Discounts

Nationwide offers a wide range of discounts, which can be identified through their online quote generator.

Nationwide discount policies can help lower your monthly premiums and save a great deal of money.

Take a look at the wide range of car insurance discounts offered by Nationwide to its customers.

  • Multi-policy discount
  • SmartRide insurance program discount
  • SmartMiles
  • Accident-free discount
  • Defensive driving
  • Safe driver discount
  • Anti-theft discount
  • Good student discount
  • Easy pay sign-up

Customer Satisfaction and Financial Strength

  • A.M. Best rating: A+ (Superior)
  • Better Business Bureau rating: A+
  • J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction rating: 858

Nationwide Insurance has an “A+” Better Business Bureau rating. Furthermore, it has a J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Rating of ⅗ (3 out of 5) for areas including repair process, overall customer satisfaction, settlement process, and rental car experience, among many others.

Customer Support

Nationwide insurance customer care makes the company stand out from its competitors, among many other features.

Types of Customer Support

Nationwide has a mobile app that provides customers with a digital insurance ID card, bill payment, and claims filing solution, along with the ability to choose services like uploading accident photos, selecting repair shops, and rental cars.

In addition, it has an option of on-demand roadside assistance for your convenience. You can also access your agent through Nationwide’s mobile app on both iOS and Android.

If you prefer using the website, you can refer to Nationwide’s online portal that provides an easy way to handle all the insurance paperwork, claims processes, and other related tasks. On the other hand, people who find calling more convenient can call (1-877-669-6877) 24 hours per day to reach a representative.

Billing Support

To pay your bills, Nationwide offers the following options:

By mail – Nationwide Insurance, PO Box 742522, Cincinnati, OH 45274-2522

By phone or text – Call 1-888-891-0267 or text PAY to 245569

Automatic payment systems (these include direct payment through credit/debit card, cash or check, electronic bill pay through the app or website, recurring bank card, and easy pay automated electronic fund transfer).

Overall, Nationwide’s customer support has great reviews from its clients, especially for its flexibility, responsiveness to reviews, and courteousness.

Ease of Buying & Claims Handling

The Nationwide insurance claim department is known to be super simple, responsive, and flexible.

The goal of this insurance company is to cause as little stress and hassle as possible to the clients, for which it will do anything and everything to handle your claim fairly and quickly.

To file a claim, here is everything you need to do:

Notify Nationwide About the Accident

You can do any of the three things here:

  • Login to your account to file a claim online
  • Call nationwide insurance claim number at 1-800-421-3535
  • Contact and notify your agent
  • Start a claim on the nationwide insurance mobile app    

Provide Necessary Information

When filing a claim, you will have to provide the following information:

  • Your name and address
  • Names and addresses of any witnesses or injured people
  • General loss information
  • Your Nationwide policy number, if available

Professional Review

Once the claims department has everything it needs, a nationwide claims professional will review your report and then begin the process. 

Pros & Cons

The Pros

  • Easy-to-use online quote generator
  • Robust mobile app
  • Comprehensive online learning center
  • Small upcharge for high-mileage drivers
  • Offers a variety of discounts
  • Comprehensive coverage options
  • Flexible coverage options and policy customization

The Cons

  • Slightly below average claims satisfaction ratings
  • Not available in some states
  • Six-month policy terms

Final Verdict

According to the numerous Nationwide auto insurance reviews, it is a company with strong financial background and stability. Nationwide offers attractive discounts and customizable policies. Yet, customer ratings are a bit lower compared to other insurers.

FAQs

What is needed for an auto quote?

The following information is required to get an auto quote: personal details, where you live, vehicles you drive, and people that live with you (if applicable).

Are Nationwide insurance rates competitive?

Yes, they are.

Why is Nationwide so cheap?

It just offers a lot of discounts to its customers.