What Nationwide auto insurance is and how it differs from other insurers
Nationwide is a mutual insurance company — meaning it is owned by its policyholders rather than shareholders — that sells auto insurance in all 50 states. The company offers standard coverage types (liability, collision, comprehensive) alongside optional add-ons like roadside information and accident forgiveness. Nationwide also bundles auto insurance with home, life, and business policies, which some people use to lower their overall premium.
Nationwide operates through agents — both captive agents who work only for Nationwide and independent agents who represent multiple insurers. This means you can buy directly through a Nationwide agent, through an independent agent, or online at nationwide.com. The coverage options and pricing structure are the same regardless of how you buy, but the agent you work with affects how you manage your policy and file claims.
Unlike some insurers that focus on a single customer type (young drivers, high-risk drivers, or low-mileage drivers), Nationwide markets to a broad range of people. This means you will find customers with clean driving records and customers with accidents or violations all under the same company, which can affect how quickly claims are processed and what discounts are available to you.
Key Takeaways
- Nationwide is a mutual company owned by policyholders and sells auto insurance in all 50 states through agents, independent brokers, and its website.
- You can bundle auto insurance with home, life, or business policies to potentially lower your total premium across multiple policies.
- Nationwide offers standard liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage plus optional add-ons like accident forgiveness and roadside information.
- Claims can be filed online, through the Nationwide mobile app, by phone, or in person at a local office, and the process varies slightly by state.
- Discounts vary by state and personal situation but commonly include multi-policy bundling, safe driver, paid-in-full, and usage-based monitoring programs.
Coverage types Nationwide offers and what each one pays for
Nationwide offers liability coverage, which pays for damage or injury you cause to someone else. This is required by law in every state. Liability splits into two parts: bodily injury liability (covers medical bills and lost wages for injured people) and property damage liability (covers damage to their vehicle or property). You choose your limits — common options are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage, though you can buy higher limits.
Collision coverage pays to repair or replace your own vehicle if you hit another car, a fixed object, or a pothole — regardless of who is at fault. You pay a deductible (typically $250, $500, $750, or $1,000) and Nationwide pays the rest, up to the car's actual cash value. Collision is optional if you own your car outright, but required if you have a loan or lease.
Comprehensive coverage pays for damage from events other than collisions: theft, weather, vandalism, animal strikes, and falling objects. Like collision, you choose your deductible. Comprehensive is also optional if you own your car, but required if you are financing it.
Nationwide also offers uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which protects you if you are hit by someone without insurance or without enough insurance to cover your damages. This is required in some states and optional in others. Additional options include medical payments coverage (pays your medical bills regardless of fault), roadside information, rental car reimbursement, and gap insurance (covers the difference between what you owe on a loan and what the car is worth if it is totaled).
How Nationwide calculates your premium and what factors affect your rate
Nationwide uses a formula that includes your driving record, age, gender, marital status, credit score, the vehicle you drive, how far you drive, where you live, and the coverage limits you choose. The company does not publish its exact formula, so two people with identical records can receive different quotes based on factors Nationwide weighs differently than other insurers do.
Your driving record is typically the largest factor. A clean record (no accidents, tickets, or violations in the past three to five years) usually qualifies you for the lowest rates. Each accident or violation raises your premium, and the increase varies by state and by Nationwide's internal guidelines. Some violations (speeding 1–15 mph over the limit) cost less than others (DUI or reckless driving).
Your vehicle's make, model, year, and safety features affect your rate. Expensive cars, sports cars, and vehicles with high theft rates cost more to insure. Vehicles with safety features like automatic emergency braking or anti-theft devices may lower your premium. Your age and driving experience also matter — drivers under 25 and over 65 typically pay higher rates, and new drivers pay more than experienced ones.
Where you live influences your rate because some areas have higher accident rates, theft rates, or repair costs. Urban areas usually cost more than rural ones. Your credit score can also affect your premium in most states (though not all), because Nationwide and other insurers use credit as a predictor of claim likelihood. If you pay in full rather than monthly, you may receive a small discount.
Discounts Nationwide offers and how to find out which ones explore to you
Nationwide offers discounts that vary by state, so the list available to you depends on where you live. Common discounts include multi-policy bundling (combining auto with home, life, or business insurance), safe driver discounts (for a clean record over a set period), paid-in-full discounts (for paying your annual premium upfront), and good student discounts (usually 3.0 GPA or higher).
The company also offers usage-based insurance programs under the name Nationwide SmartRide, which uses an app or a plug-in device to monitor your driving habits. If you drive safely (smooth acceleration, gentle braking, driving during daylight hours, avoiding high-speed roads), you can earn a discount of up to 40 percent. This program is optional and you can turn it off at any time.
Other discounts may include paperless billing, automatic payment setup, completing a defensive driving course, being a member of certain professional organizations, or having certain occupations (teachers, military members, government employees). Some discounts stack — you can combine bundling, safe driver, and paid-in-full discounts on the same policy — but others do not. The only way to know which discounts you may have access to for is to get a quote or speak with a Nationwide agent, because the company does not publish a complete list by state.
How to file a claim with Nationwide and what to expect during the process
You can file a claim with Nationwide through its website, mobile app, by phone at 1-800-NATIONWIDE, or in person at a local Nationwide office. The fastest method is usually the app or website, which allows you to upload photos of damage when ready. When you file, have your policy number, the date and time of the incident, the other driver's information (if applicable), and photos of the damage ready.
After you file, Nationwide assigns a claims adjuster to your case. The adjuster reviews your claim, may request additional information or photos, and may schedule an inspection of your vehicle. For minor damage, this process can take a few days. For major damage or complex claims (such as those involving multiple vehicles or injuries), it can take weeks. Nationwide publishes average claim resolution times by state on its website, though individual claims vary.
Once the adjuster approves your claim, Nationwide pays you or the repair shop directly, depending on how you set it up. If you use a Nationwide-preferred repair shop, the company may pay the shop directly and waive your deductible for certain types of damage. If you use an independent shop, you typically pay the deductible upfront and Nationwide reimburses you after the repair is complete. Rental car coverage (if you have it) begins when your car is in the shop and ends when it is returned to you.
Nationwide's customer service options and how to reach them
Nationwide offers customer service through multiple channels: phone (1-800-NATIONWIDE), its website (nationwide.com), its mobile app, email, and in-person visits to local offices. Phone lines are open 24/7 for claims reporting but have limited hours for policy questions and billing (typically 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays). The website and app allow you to view your policy, make payments, update coverage, and file claims at any time.
Response times vary by channel. Phone support typically connects you to a representative within a few minutes during business hours, though wait times can be longer during peak times (early morning, lunch, early evening). Email responses usually arrive within one business day. The app and website provide when ready access to your information without waiting for a representative.
If you work with a local Nationwide agent, you can also contact them directly for policy questions, billing issues, or to discuss coverage changes. Agents often have more flexibility to explain options and may be able to adjust your policy faster than the main customer service line. Independent agents who represent Nationwide may have different hours and response times than Nationwide's own offices.
How Nationwide compares to other major auto insurers on price and coverage
Nationwide's rates are competitive but not the lowest in every market. The company tends to offer mid-range pricing for drivers with clean records and slightly higher pricing for drivers with accidents or violations. For bundling (combining auto with home or life insurance), Nationwide often offers better discounts than insurers that focus only on auto, which can make the total cost lower even if the auto premium alone is higher.
On coverage options, Nationwide is similar to other major insurers like State Farm, Allstate, and GEICO. All four offer standard liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, plus optional add-ons. Nationwide's SmartRide usage-based program is comparable to similar programs from other companies (Allstate's Drivewise, State Farm's Drive Safe & Save, GEICO's DriveEasy), though the discount amounts and monitoring methods differ slightly.
One difference is that Nationwide is a mutual company, which means profits are returned to policyholders as dividends rather than paid to shareholders. In some years, Nationwide has paid policyholder dividends, though this is not may provide and varies by state and year. Other major insurers (GEICO, State Farm) have different ownership structures that affect how they operate, but this does not necessarily mean better or worse coverage or service.
The best way to compare is to get quotes from multiple insurers for your specific situation, because rates vary widely based on your driving record, age, vehicle, location, and coverage choices. A rate that is low for one person may be high for another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Nationwide offer discounts for low mileage or working from home?
Nationwide offers usage-based discounts through SmartRide, which monitors actual driving and can reward low-mileage drivers with discounts up to 40 percent. However, the company does not offer a flat low-mileage discount without monitoring. If you work from home and drive very little, SmartRide may be worth exploring because it tracks your actual miles and driving patterns rather than estimating them.
Can I switch coverage mid-policy if my situation changes?
Yes. You can update your coverage, deductibles, or add optional coverage at any time through the Nationwide website, app, or by contacting your agent. Changes typically take effect when ready or on the date you request. Your premium will be adjusted based on the new coverage, and you will either owe additional premium or receive a refund depending on whether you increased or decreased coverage.
What happens to my rate if I have an accident that is not my fault?
In most states, an accident that is not your fault does not raise your rate, though this varies by state and by Nationwide's specific rules. If the other driver is found at fault and their insurance pays your claim, your rate typically stays the same. If the other driver is uninsured and you use your own collision coverage, your rate may increase depending on your state's laws and Nationwide's policy. Ask your agent about accident forgiveness, which prevents your rate from rising after your first accident.
How do I know if my vehicle is a total loss?
Nationwide determines whether a vehicle is a total loss by comparing the cost of repairs to the vehicle's actual cash value. If repairs cost 70 to 80 percent or more of the car's value (the threshold varies by state), the company declares it a total loss. You receive the actual cash value minus your deductible. If you owe more on a loan than the car is worth, gap insurance (if you have it) covers the difference.
Can I cancel my Nationwide policy anytime, or are there penalties?
You can cancel your Nationwide policy at any time without penalty. If you have paid your premium in full and cancel mid-term, Nationwide refunds the unused portion. If you pay monthly, you straightforward stop making payments after notifying the company. Cancellation typically takes effect on the date you request or the date your current payment period ends, whichever you choose.