Everything About a Nationwide Car Insurance Quote

Though their average quote is higher than other providers, Nationwide offers vanishing deductibles and affordable options for drivers with low credit scores.
Written by Bonnie Stinson
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
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Nationwide offers plenty of options for one-stop-shop insurance coverage, but is this company the right
car insurance
provider for you?
Comparing
cheap car insurance
options can be a tedious process. This is why
Jerry
has gathered all the information you need to know about Nationwide auto insurance. And if you're looking for quotes, our
trusted insurance comparison app
has the end-to-end support you need.
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How much does Nationwide car insurance cost?

Your insurance payment depends upon individual factors, such as your age, your driving record, and the type of coverage you want. That is why your Nationwide car insurance quote will be totally unique to you.
These rates assume a
clean driving record
, average coverage limits, average driving distances, and a
good credit score
.
With Nationwide, a 25-year-old driver pays an average of $2235.44 annually. For 60-year-old drivers, the annual rate goes down to about $1,600 annually.
Your credit score and driving record will have a major impact on your rate. With Nationwide, people with poor credit pay nearly $700 more per year. However, other insurance companies charge even higher rates. If you have a single speeding violation, your premium will grow by $400. With a single
DUI
, rates skyrocket to $4000 per year.
Overall, Nationwide’s average annual policy cost is $1,864. Compared to other insurers, Nationwide is ranked one of the most expensive at nearly $450 above the average rate.
However, Nationwide only charges an average of $15 more per year for people who drive twice as much. Other companies charge up to $120 more for higher mileage drivers.
"My old insurance doubled my previous quote, so I went to the Jerry app, browsed, and got my final quote from Nationwide. I'm 22, and my new quote is about $130 (full coverage) with a $250 deductible. That's unheard of!" - Satisfied Jerry User
Nationwide pros
Nationwide cons
Affordable prices for people with low credit scores
Below-average customer service ratings
Lots of options to enjoy one-stop-shop insurance coverage
Less affordable than other options
Intuitive website
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What types of basic car insurance does Nationwide offer?

Nationwide offers most standard car insurance policy options, but the types of coverage you receive will depend on your individual policy.

Liability coverage

Nationwide offers
bodily injury liability
as well as
property damage liability
. If you invest in these coverage options, it will cover the cost of the other party’s medical bills or property damage up to your policy limit.

Comprehensive and collision coverage

Collision
and
comprehensive coverage
protects your vehicle, regardless of who is at fault.
For example, Nationwide’s policy for collision coverage would cover costs for your vehicle if it hits a tree or another car. Comprehensive coverage covers perils that are not collisions, such as:
  • Hitting an animal
  • Flooding
  • Inclement weather
  • Fire
  • Theft
  • Vandalism

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage

If you are injured in an accident and the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your medical bills,
uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage
can help pay for your expenses.

Medical payments coverage

Nationwide’s
medical payments coverage
can protect you from legal fees, emotional distress, hospital bills, and lost wages following a claimable incident. This coverage may also include bereavement costs and other fees your family might incur if your accident is fatal.

Personal injury protection

PIP
coverage covers medical payments in long-term injury scenarios. If you need longer rehabilitation or help to pay for childcare as a result of your accident, Nationwide’s Personal Injury Protection is the only policy that will cover all of these payments.

Optional coverage options

Rental reimbursement coverage

If your car is being repaired due to a collision or comprehensive insurance claim, Nationwide’s
rental coverage
add-on covers the cost of a rental car up to your policy limit. It may also cover the cost of taxis or public transit.

Towing and labor

Towing and labor coverage
provides protection against some of the expenses and hassles associated with car breakdowns. It will typically cover costs like:
  • Towing your vehicle to a repair shop
  • Labor charges for roadside repairs

Gap insurance

If your vehicle gets totaled, then your collision or comprehensive insurance will pay you the actual cash value (ACV) of your vehicle.
Cars depreciate quickly, so the ACV payment might be less than what you originally paid. If you still owe car loan payments, then
gap insurance
will cover the difference between your ACV payment and the amount you still owe.

Roadside assistance

Roadside assistance provides up to $100 in lock-out services, whether you lose your keys, break them off in the lock, or lock them inside your vehicle. Roadside assistance also covers the following:
  • Vehicle unlocking
  • Jump-starting a battery
  • Delivering gasoline
  • Changing a flat-tire

Accident forgiveness

If you don’t want your rate to increase if you cause an accident, then you can pay for
accident forgiveness coverage
. Keep in mind, you can only use it once per policy.

Vanishing deductible

It sounds like a magic show...but Nationwide’s
vanishing deductible coverage
is a little bit magical. With this coverage add-on, you’ll get $100 taken off your collision or comprehensive deductible for every year you don’t have an accident. You could end up saving $500 on your deductible.

Antique or collector car insurance

Collector car insurance
is designed to cover the increased expenses that could be associated with damage or loss of a collector car.
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Nationwide’s auto insurance discounts

Nationwide offers a wide range of worthwhile
discounts
. You can get discounts for membership in affiliated organizations or by bundling your policy. There’s also Nationwide’s unique
SmartRide
program, where a
telematics
device on your car tracks good driving behavior and triggers a discount.
Nationwide discounts
Multi-Policy Discount
Good student discount
Family plan discount
Defensive driving course completion
Installing an anti-theft device
Signing up for SmartRide
Safe driver discounts through SmartRide
Member of an affiliated alumni organization
Paperless billing discount
Keep in mind that Nationwide’s products and discounts may vary by state.

Nationwide vs. other insurance companies

If you have a poor driving record and you’re a
young driver
, Nationwide does not offer the best rates on the market.
Compared to other insurance companies, Nationwide may offer more attractive rates for people with poor credit scores.
When compared to
GEICO
, Nationwide policies cost more in every category. Allstate premiums are on par with Nationwide for many driver profiles, although
Allstate
offers cheaper coverage for younger drivers and more expensive coverage for people with poor credit.
State Farm’s rates are cheaper than Nationwide’s for nearly every driver profile, even people with an accident and DUI on their record. State Farm policyholders report that State Farm’s customer service is excellent, whereas Nationwide ranks below average in this category.

What is Nationwide Insurance?

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company was founded in 1926. Formerly known as Farm Bureau Mutual, the company’s original goal was to help Ohio farmers and rural drivers get reasonable insurance rates.
When the company expanded to cover the rest of the country in the 1940s and 1950s, it changed its name to Nationwide Insurance.
The company’s slogan, "Nationwide is on your side," was made famous in 1965 by a catchy jingle that’s still around today (sorry if we got it stuck in your head). Now, Nationwide Insurance provides a variety of coverage to Americans from coast to coast.
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How to get a Nationwide car insurance quote

The easiest way to get a quote from Nationwide is to visit their homepage and request a quote online. You can also call up an agent to get a quote if you prefer.
Keep in mind, in order to accurately compare car insurance quotes from different providers, you will need more sophisticated technology on your side.
The best way to get a good idea of what you can expect to pay for the coverage you want is with
Jerry
. Our
trustworthy insurance comparison app
will assess your needs and generate a variety of hassle-free car insurance quotes online (in just 45 seconds!).

How do customers rate Nationwide auto insurance?

According to the
2018 J.D. Power Associates U.S. Auto Insurance Satisfaction Study
, customer ratings for Nationwide are generally positive with a customer satisfaction score of 3 out of 5. Nationwide excelled in two categories:
  • Rental experience
  • Repair process
But customers rated Nationwide Insurance as below average in these categories:
  • Customer service
  • Value of product
Some policyholders reported that Nationwide takes a long time to process claims and does not communicate clearly about changing premiums. The company was rated 2/5 by J.D. Power for the insurance shopping experience.

Nationwide’s services and features

Mobile app & website

Nationwide offers a mobile app and a website, which allow you to submit a claim and access services.

First aid reimbursement

Nationwide offers first aid reimbursement up to $10,000 for first aid given after an accident.

Claims valet service

Nationwide’s Claims Valet Service will deliver a rental car to you and move your damaged vehicle to a repair shop.

SmartRide program

Reduce your premium by driving safely, and allowing the on-board telematics device to track your driving habits.

On Your Side network of repair shops

Nationwide offers a special network of mechanics and garages to help their policyholders ensure high-quality repairs.
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How to file a claim with Nationwide

As a Nationwide customer, you can
file a claim
three ways:
  • Use the mobile app
  • Sign into the website and file online
  • Call and talk with an agent
It’s important to file your claim as soon as possible to experience an effective claims process. Nationwide’s mobile app is a handy way to start a claim if you are out on the road. The app offers tracking so you can see how your claim is progressing over time.
To make sure the filing process goes smoothly, you will need to provide the following information when submitting a claim:
  • The location, date, and time of the accident
  • The names, addresses, phone numbers, and policy numbers of the other people involved
  • A summary of the weather conditions
  • Photo evidence of the accident scene and any damage
  • Any relevant copies of accident reports or police reports
While you wait, you can review your policy to understand what to expect with regard to your specific coverage. Then, once your claim is approved, you can schedule repairs and obtain a replacement vehicle (if it is included in your policy).

Payment methods

Nationwide accepts a variety of
payment methods
, including online payments.
  • Automatic online payments
  • Debit card payments
  • Credit card payments
  • Electronic checks
  • Person-to-person payments
If you prefer to pay your Nationwide premium via a more traditional method, it’s easy. They offer:
  • Mail payments
  • Phone payments
  • Multi-payment installments

Nationwide’s car insurance cancellation policy

Need to cancel your Nationwide car insurance? Contact your local agent.
You can find their contact information on your policy. If you don’t have a specific agent, you can cancel by calling their hotline, 800-882-2822, on weekdays between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM EST.

The Takeaway: is Nationwide right for me?

Nationwide is a well-rated company that offers auto insurance,
home insurance
, life insurance, and other financial services. If you want to bundle, Nationwide could be a great choice since they offer multi-policy discounts.
People with poor credit will find that Nationwide offers some of the best rates on the market.
It’s not the most affordable coverage out there, but Nationwide is a reputable company that takes care of its policyholders.
If you are looking for a quick and convenient way to compare and explore free car insurance quotes without the hassle,
Jerry
is designed to make your life easier.
Our
trustworthy insurance comparison app
does all the hard work of finding the cheapest quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.
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