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Nationwide logo on Personal Finance pattern background

Nationwide Insurance Pros and Cons

ProsCons
  • Established insurance company
  • National presence
  • Discounts for bundling insurance products
  • Customer satisfaction varies across products

Nationwide Auto Insurance Review

Nationwide started in 1926 as Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. In 1955, it changed its name to Nationwide as it expanded across the country.

Nationwide ranked #9 in J.D. Power's auto claims satisfaction. It also ranked as the best car insurance for senior drivers in our guide to the best car insurance companies.

Nationwide offers comprehensive, collision, liability, uninsured and underinsured, and full coverage car insurance. It features roadside assistance, accident forgiveness for minor violations, and discounts on your deductible for safe driving. If your car is totaled in an accident and you have collision or comprehensive coverage, your deductible will be waived.

Nationwide also gives drivers discounts for using telematics smartphone apps like SmartMiles and SmartRide.

Customers can track claims using smartphone tracker software if their car is in the bodyshop. Like most insurance companies, Nationwide provides discounts for bundling your home and auto insurance.

There are four types of insurance coverage: liability insurance (required by most states), comprehensive, collision, and full car coverage. If you lease or finance your car, your lender may require comprehensive and collision coverage.

The difference between the various coverage types is outlined in the table below:

DamageComprehensiveCollisionLiabilityFull
TheftYesNoNoYes
VandalismYesNoNoYes
FireYesNoNoYes
Natural disasterYesNoNoYes
Falling objects (tree)YesNoNoYes
Animal damageYesNoNoYes
Collision/accidentNoYesNoYes
RolloverNoYesNoYes
Bodily injury/medical billsNoNoYesYes
Physical damageNoNoYesYes
Property damageNoNoYesYes
Uninsured motoristNoNoYesYes

Nationwide Homeowners Insurance Review

Nationwide ranked #14 in J.D. Power's homeowners customer satisfaction rankings

Nationwide offers homeowners, condo, and renters insurance. Nationwide homeowners insurance features include better roof replacement, guaranteed replacement cost, service line protection, and SmartHome device discounts. Most of these features are available for an additional cost, as an add-on to your homeowners policy.

Homeowners insurance protects your dwelling, personal belongings, and offers personal liability coverage for injuries that happen on your property. Standard homeowners insurance looks like the table below, but coverage varies depending on your provider:

CoverageIncluded with homeowners insurance?
Dwelling/StructureYes
Personal liabilityYes
Personal belongingsYes
Loss of Use (additional living expenses)Yes
High-end electronics/special jewelryLimited, requires add-on*
Equipment breakdownYes
Electrical outageYes*
Service linesYes*
Cyber liabilityYes*
Water damageYes
FloodNo**
Wind or hailYes, but not high winds***
EarthquakeNo*
PetsYes*

*Available as add-on coverage if not part of policy

**Flood insurance is available through the NFIP and approved insurers

***If you live in hurricane or tornado areas, additional windstorm rider may be required

Nationwide Life Insurance Review

Nationwide Life Insurance - Product Name Only offers term life insurance with guaranteed conversion to permanent life products, whole life, universal life, guaranteed universal life, indexed universal life, and variable universal life. Nationwide offers a no medical exam life insurance product, Express Issue. Additionally, it has an intelligent underwriting program for ages 60 and under, with coverage up to $250,000. 

To read more about Nationwide life insurance, check out our Nationwide life insurance review here.

Nationwide vs The Competition

Nationwide's isn't as large as other national competitors like Geico and State Farm based on market share. However, it has good rates and decent customer service.

 
nationwide
GEICO
State Farm logo
AvailabilityNational presenceNational presenceNational presence
Types of insurance offeredAuto, homeowners, lifeAuto, homeowners, lifeAuto, homeowners, life
Claims and customer satisfaction

 

  • Ranked #9 in J.D. Power's auto claims satisfaction
  • Ranked #14 in J.D. Power's homeowners insurance customer satisfaction
  • Ranked #2 in J.D. Power's life insurance customer satisfaction

 

  • Ranked #13 in J.D. Power's auto claims satisfaction

 

  • Ranked #6 in J.D. Power's auto claims satisfaction
  • Ranked #11 in J.D. Power's homeowners insurance customer satisfaction 
  • Ranked #1 in J.D. Power's life insurance customer satisfaction

Is Nationwide Trustworthy?

We checked the NAIC Complaint Index for complaints against Nationwide. Nationwide has relatively few complaints filed against it compared to other top insurers.

Nationwide's financial stability is strong, with an A.M. Best's rating of A+ (superior).

Read the original article on Business Insider