Liberty Mutual vs Nationwide: Which is Better for You?

Read on to see which company is best for you.

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Ross Martin

Insurance Writer

Ross joined The Zebra as a writer and researcher in 2019. He specializes in writing insurance content to help shoppers make informed decisions.

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Credentials
  • 5+ years in the Insurance Industry
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Kristine Lee

Insurance Analyst

Kristine is a licensed insurance agent who joined The Zebra in 2019 as an in-house content researcher and writer. Before joining The Zebra, she was a…

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  • Licensed Insurance Agent — Property and Casualty
  • 5+ years of Experience in the Insurance Industry

Liberty Mutual or Nationwide: Which company is best for you?

Liberty Mutual and Nationwide are two of America's most popular insurance companies. Both of the insurers provide a variety of insurance options to suit the needs of homeowners and drivers across the country. Read on for a detailed comparison of the two companies. 

Liberty Mutual car insurance

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Rating from The Zebra Question mark icon

Liberty Mutual's auto insurance product is notable for the vast variety of discount opportunities and its array of coverage types that meet or exceed those offered by other major insurers. The company's primary downside is its higher-than-average number of customer complaints. 

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3.0 stars Rating from The Zebra
Ratings based on price, customer service, coverage, and financial strength.
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Pros Cons
  • Affordable rates for most drivers
  • Wide-ranging coverage options
  • Great customer satisfaction scores
  • Lack of local agents   
  • High number of customer complaints                                      

Nationwide car insurance

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Rating from The Zebra Question mark icon

Nationwide customers should expect affordable rates, many discount options and a wide selection of coverages available for bundling. Nationwide customers can easily combine auto insurance with homeowners, renters and life insurance policies.

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Pros Cons
  • Wide-ranging coverage options
  • Multiple telematics options
  • Affordable rates
  • Plentiful discount options
  • Poor customer satisfaction scores
  • Relatively frequent customer complaints (according to the NAIC)                          

Which company comes out on top?

Tie


Liberty Mutual and Nationwide share some pros and cons in common: each provides ample opportunities to find discounts, along with reasonable rates and bundling availability. The carriers' customer satisfaction ratings each leave something to be desired. Read our detailed comparison below to learn more about the companies' rates, discounts, roadside assistance and more. 


Liberty Mutual vs. Nationwide: car insurance rate comparison

Choosing an auto insurance company on price alone can be difficult: rates differ based on a driver's vehicle, location, driving history and other factors, so rates are highly individualized. 

To streamline the comparison process, we collected average insurance rates from Nationwide and Liberty Mutual. These numbers take into consideration credit history, driving record and age.

To learn more about the two companies, check out our detailed reviews of Liberty Mutual and Nationwide.

Cheapest average rates
Cheapest average rates

The cheaper of the two auto insurance companies is Nationwide, at $90 per month, whereas Liberty Mutual's average rate is $144 per month. 


Liberty Mutual vs. Nationwide: pricing by credit score

If you have low credit score, Nationwide is among the cheapest insurers. Liberty Mutual's rates are around average for drivers across each of the credit tiers, meaning even a driver with exceptional credit could save around $62 per month by opting for Nationwide. See below insurance rates by credit tier for the two companies.

 

RATES BY CREDIT LEVEL: NATIONWIDE VS. LIBERTY MUTUAL
Credit level Liberty Mutual avg. annual premium Nationwide avg. annual premium
Very Poor (300-579) $3,228 $1,593
Fair (580-669) $2,276 $1,262
Good (670-739) $2,109 $1,283
Very Good (740-799) $1,878 $1,109
Exceptional (800-850) $1,792 $1,037

The Zebra’s auto insurance data methodology

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.

The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.

For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.

Liberty Mutual vs. Nationwide: rates for high-risk drivers

If you have a recent citation on your driving record, Nationwide may be a more affordable insurance option than Liberty Mutual. See rates by violation category below for the two companies.

RATES BY CITATION: NATIONWIDE VS. LIBERTY MUTUAL
Citation Liberty Mutual avg. annual premium Nationwide avg. annual premium
At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) $2,776 $1,836
At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) $2,112 $1,475
DUI/DWI $4,182 $2,691
Reckless driving $3,459 $2,508
Speeding ticket $2,068 $1,469

Liberty Mutual vs. Nationwide: rates by age

Car insurance companies depend on a driver's age as a measure of risk and a way to price policies. Insurance is typically pricey for young drivers and cheaper for drivers in middle age. 

Budget-minded teen drivers should consider Nationwide before Liberty Mutual. Nationwide is among the cheapest choices for new drivers, while Liberty Mutual is closer to the middle of the pack.

 

RATES BY AGE: NATIONWIDE VS. LIBERTY MUTUAL
Age tier Liberty Mutual avg. annual premium Nationwide avg. annual premium
Teens $6,559 $3,624
20s $2,686 $1,582
30s $2,686 $1,582
40s $1,926 $1,151
50s $1,793 $1,114
60s $1,746 $1,028

Aside from the head-to-head rates comparisons above, Liberty Mutual and Nationwide each come with important pros and cons worth weighing as you make your insurance decision. Before settling on an auto insurance company, get quotes and compare policy options.

Compare rates and start saving today!

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Ratings comparison: Liberty Mutual vs. Nationwide

Leading third-party information sources — along with The Zebra — have evaluated the customer service and claims satisfaction standards of Liberty Mutual and Nationwide in recent years. We've collected these ratings to provide a head-to-head comparison of the companies that goes beyond rates to reveal what dealing with the companies is like day-to-day.

Liberty Mutual vs. Nationwide
Ratings comparison Liberty Mutual Nationwide
Financial strength (A.M. Best) Good Superior
JD Power (claims satisfaction) Average Average
JD Power (customer satisfaction) Above average Poor
NAIC rating Poor Below Average
The Zebra's editorial review score 3/5 3.5/5
The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey 4.2/5 4.3/5

Which company scores best?

Tie


While Liberty Mutual's customer satisfaction score beats that of Nationwide, the carrier came up short in financial strength, NAIC complaint index, and customer satisfaction, as measured by The Zebra's original survey of customers. The carriers' claims satisfaction levels were equal, according to J.D. Power.


The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey

The Zebra conducted an in-house survey of insurance consumers to discover how they viewed their insurance companies across a number of topics. See below how each of these companies performed.

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Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual scored near the bottom of The Zebra's survey of 15 carriers, placing 14th overall. However, with a score of 4.2, Liberty wasn't far from its nearest competitors. The company fared well in certain categories, including the below highlights.

  • Scored well in Online Satisfaction (4.3)
  • Older drivers rated the company higher than did their younger counterparts
survey logo
Nationwide

Nationwide earned middling reviews from customers in most categories. Out of the 15 companies for which we gathered data, Nationwide auto insurance placed 9th overall with a score of 4.3. 

  • Nationwide car insurance placed 9th overall
  • Millennial and Gen X respondents rated Nationwide highly for ease of interaction
  • Scored poorly for claims satisfaction and online satisfaction

The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey methodology

Methodology:

These results are based on a survey of 2,722 U.S. insurance policyholders assessing satisfaction with their car and homeowners insurance providers. The survey was conducted using Survey Monkey and designed by our in-house team. It aimed to collect detailed insights from a census-balanced sample reflecting age, gender, and region.

Questionnaire

The questionnaire included demographic questions about age and gender identification and detailed inquiries into insurance experiences. Key topics:

  • Duration with insurance provider and coverage specifics, including teen drivers.
  • Claim filing experiences and satisfaction with claims handling.
  • Customer service interactions, trust in providers, and likelihood of recommending their insurance.
  • Use and satisfaction with digital tools and usage-based insurance programs.

Respondents rated their satisfaction on a Likert scale from 1 to 10 and provided qualitative feedback.

Data Analysis

Data were analyzed focusing on descriptive and inferential statistics to identify satisfaction trends and demographic impacts. Data cleaning and weighting were applied to ensure accuracy, alongside strict confidentiality protocols to protect data security.


Liberty Mutual vs. Nationwide: discount comparison

See below a head-to-head comparison the carriers' discount options for auto insurance.

Liberty Mutual vs. Nationwide: discount comparison
Discount comparison Liberty Mutual Nationwide
Good student ✓ ✓
Multiple policies ✓ ✓
Multiple vehicles ✓
Anti-theft device(s) ✓ ✓
Anti-lock brake system ✓
Air bags
Good driver ✓ ✓
Defensive driver ✓
Student away at school ✓
Driver training
Green vehicles ✓
Affinity membership alum ✓ ✓
Advanced purchase ✓
Pay in full ✓
Home owner ✓
eSign or ePay ✓
Telematics ✓ ✓
New Vehicle
Annual Mileage
Military ✓

Telematics options: Liberty Mutual vs. Nationwide

Both insurers offer telematics-powered policies, providing drivers the opportunity to save through low monthly mileage or safe driving practices. See more information about each company's mobile app below. 

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Liberty Mutual RightTrack

Liberty Mutual RightTrack follows your driving habits to help determine your rates. The company claims users will save up to 30% on their premiums. At the time of writing, the app had scores of 4.5 on the Apple Store and 4.0 on Google Play.

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Liberty Mutual ByMile

Liberty Mutual offers another telematics option called ByMile. ByMile is designed for low-mileage drivers. Usage-based car insurance tracks the number of miles driven to tailor rates to the distance you drive. As of early 2022, the app has a 4.3 on the Apple Store and a 4.0 on Google Play.

nationwide logo
Nationwide SmartRide

SmartRide is Nationwide's telematics app. Nationwide's mobile application tracks customers' driving habits and provides feedback in an effort to help drivers avoid risk (and claims).

Zebra Tip: Look to Liberty Mutual for telematics-powered savings 


Whether you're interested in the advertised 30% savings associated with Liberty Mutual RightTrack or you want to capitalize on your status as a low-mileage driver with ByMile, Liberty Mutual's next-gen insurance options are top-of-the-line. 


Roadside assistance: Liberty Mutual vs. Nationwide

Many insurers offer roadside assistance as an optional add-on, though it may not be built into basic coverage. See below the roadside assistance programs from Nationwide and Liberty Mutual.

Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual offers 24-hour roadside assistance, with the below features:

  • Towing
  • Jump starts
  • Fuel delivery
  • Lockout services
  • Flat-tire changes

 

Nationwide

Nationwide partners with Agero to provide roadside assistance services. Drivers who add roadside assistance receive access to:

  • Towing
  • Battery jump start
  • Fuel delivery
  • Flat-tire change
  • Winching services
  • Lock-out services
tow truck

Liberty Mutual vs. Nationwide: home insurance

In addition to selling car insurance, each company offers homeowners insurance with unique coverages, customer service standards and rates. See our in-depth homeowners insurance comparison below to learn more about Liberty Mutual and Nationwide. 

Liberty Mutual homeowners insurance review

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Rating from The Zebra Question mark icon

Liberty Mutual maintains a variety of home insurance coverage options, including flexible add-ons and endorsements. This makes the carrier a worthwhile option for those with unique coverage needs. Liberty Mutual home insurance earns positive ratings from third-party reviewers, and the company placed eighth overall in The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey for home insurance.

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3.5 stars Rating from The Zebra
Ratings based on price, customer service, coverage, and financial strength.
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  • The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.3/5: Liberty Mutual received a 4.3 out of 5 in The Zebra's survey of customer satisfaction. 
  • Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power Rating) — Below average: In J.D. Power's most recent property claims satisfaction report, Liberty Mutual came in below the industry average.
  • Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power Rating) — Below average: Liberty Mutual fell below the industry average in J.D. Power's customer satisfaction study.
  • Financial strength — Good: According to AM Best, Liberty Mutual's financial outlook was rated at an "A".
  • NAIC Rating — Good: Fewer complaints were logged by the NAIC in regards to Liberty Mutual's homeowners insurance, falling just below the national complaint index.

Nationwide homeowners review

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Rating from The Zebra Question mark icon

Nationwide is a popular option for homeowners insurance, due to its solid product offerings and relatively affordable rates. The company earned roughly average reviews from various third-party reviewers and consumers, placing 10th in The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey. 

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4.0 stars Rating from The Zebra
Ratings based on price, customer service, coverage, and financial strength.
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  • The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.3/5: Nationwide placed 10th in The Zebra's homeowners insurance customer survey. 
  • Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power) — Above average: J.D. Power's property claims satisfaction study for 2021 gave Nationwide an above-average score of 892 out of 1,000.
  • Customer satisfaction — (J.D. Power) — Below average: Nationwide earned below-average marks in J.D. Power's study of customer satisfaction. 
  • Financial strength — Superior: AM Best rates Nationwide an A+.
  • NAIC Rating — Above Average: Nationwide received fewer complaints than did other major homeowners insurance companies.

Which company comes out on top?

Tie


Liberty Mutual and Nationwide both have pros and cons. Compare rates, discounts and coverage options to find the insurer that suits your situation.


Liberty Mutual vs. Nationwide: home insurance rate comparison

Liberty Mutual's average homeowners insurance rates are $1,414. Nationwide's average is more affordable, at $1,236 per year. 

Just like auto insurance rates, homeowners insurance prices vary by situation, so be sure to get quotes from multiple companies to compare your options comprehensively. 

Cheapest average rates
Cheapest average rates

The cheaper of the two options is Nationwide, at $103 per month. Liberty Mutual homeowners insurance isn't too much more expensive, at an average of $117 per month.

The Zebra’s homeowners insurance data methodology

The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.

The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.

For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.


Liberty Mutual vs. Nationwide: homeowners discount comparison

Nationwide and Liberty Mutual both offer home insurance discounts for customers meeting certain criteria. Compare these discounts head-to-head below.

LIBERTY MUTUAL VS. NATIONWIDE: HOMEOWNERS DISCOUNT COMPARISON
Discount comparison Liberty Mutual Nationwide
Claims free ✓ ✓
Recent home buyer ✓ ✓
Multi-policy ✓ ✓
Early signing ✓
Newer/more durable roof ✓ ✓
Protective devices (smoke/burglar alarms, etc...) ✓ ✓
Paid in full
Auto pay
New home construction ✓

Zebra tip: Look into discounts


No matter if you opt for Liberty Mutual or Nationwide as your home insurance company of choice, be sure to tap the companies' available discounts to make your policy more affordable. 


Other insurance products and bundling options

Liberty Mutual and Nationwide offer a variety of insurance products, along with the possibility of bundling policies for additional savings. Compare bundling and multi-line offerings from the two carriers below.

Nationwide vs. Liberty Mutual: other insurance products
Other products Liberty Mutual Nationwide
Boat insurance ✓ ✓
Condo insurance ✓ ✓
Life insurance ✓ ✓
Homeowners insurance ✓ ✓
Travel trailer insurance ✓ ✓
Renters insurance ✓ ✓
RV insurance ✓ ✓
Motorcycle insurance ✓ ✓
Mobile home insurance ✓
Umbrella ✓ ✓
ATV insurance ✓ ✓
Pet insurance ✓ ✓
Commercial insurance ✓

Find the best insurance policy for your needs.

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About The Zebra

The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.

  • The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
  • The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
  • The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
  • The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.