Nationwide Insurance Review (2025)
- Overall rating: good (3.6/5 stars)
- Average cost: $1,037 for a 6-month policy
- 87.4% of customers recommend Nationwide
Read more below to get a quote directly from Nationwide.
Nationwide Insurance: A good choice for most shoppers
Nationwide earns a good rating from The Zebra for its wide range of discounts, flexible coverage options, and pricing that comes in below average compared to similarly sized carriers.
Our survey results show that customers tend to agree. While feedback on customer service is mixed, Nationwide’s affordable premiums and broad availability help balance things out.
-
Availability of Support Channels: Nationwide offers help through your preferred method—phone, chat, app, or in-person.
-
Website User Experience: Nationwide's easy-to-use website makes managing your policy simple.
-
Dispute Resolution Fairness: Customers report unfair resolution can leave valid claims unpaid.
-
Agent Knowledge and Helpfulness: Nationwide staff may be unable to provide answers and require multiple contacts.
How The Zebra evaluates insurance companies
| Rating | Explanation | Star rating equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Subpar | Lowest ranking, suggesting instability or high risk | 0-1.9 |
| Fair | Somewhat stable but not consistently reliable | 2-2.9 |
| Good | Generally dependable with moderate stability | 3-3.9 |
| Solid | Strong, reliable and dependable with minor risks | 4-4.4 |
| Exceptional | Highest rating, indicating outstanding stability and reliability | 4.5-5 |
Methodology — how The Zebra reviews insurance companies
The team of insurance experts at The Zebra evaluates companies by focusing on customer experience first, with an emphasis on service quality, reliability, and ease of interaction. Unlike previous models, pricing is not scored but is instead presented separately as context for comparison.
Each category has been scored using a combination of our internal customer satisfaction survey results and published scores from reputable organizations such as AM Best and J.D. Power.
- Service Accessibility & Support Quality (25%): This category measures how easy it is to get help when needed, evaluating factors such as support channel availability (phone, chat, in-person, app), response times, agent knowledge, service hours, and language accessibility.
- Claims Experience (25%): This category assesses how smoothly the claims process works, considering ease of filing (online, app, or phone), transparency and communication, processing times, and fairness in dispute resolution.
- Digital Experience & Policy Management (25%): This category evaluates the convenience of managing your policy: this includes mobile app usability, website experience, account management, digital document access, self-service options, and platform integrations
- Trust & Reliability (25%): This category looks at a company’s overall reliability, measuring financial strength, market stability, regulatory history, communication transparency, and consistency in policy terms.
Price context: Pricing varies significantly based on individual circumstances and risk factors. Customers can evaluate cost-effectiveness based on their specific situation and the service quality scores provided.
How much is Nationwide car insurance?
Currently, the national average for a 6-month car insurance policy is $1,084, whereas Nationwide is about $1,037.
Updating data...
| Company | Liability only | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | $438 | $1,037 |
Source: The Zebra
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool 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.
See how Nationwide stacks up against competitors →
Discounts offered at Nationwide: more options than competitors
In addition to the programs we listed above, Nationwide also offers some ways to save that are competitive with other car insurance companies. Below are highlights of Nationwide's discounts and reward programs. See more information on common discounts for car insurance.
With Nationwide, if you steer clear of major accidents or violations for at least five years, you can earn this discount.
By linking your bank account to your Nationwide policy, you can earn a discount.
If you or someone on your insurance policy is aged 16 to 24 and maintains a B average or better, you can qualify for this student discount.
| SmartRide® | Defensive driving |
| Multi-policy | Anti-theft |
| SmartMiles® | Safe driver |
| Accident Forgiveness | Automatic payments |
| Good student |
To learn more about each discount Nationwide has to offer, see their discounts page.
Compare with other companies
See how Nationwide stacks up against similar companies
Cost: $1,037 average cost for a six month policy
Customer satisfaction: Medium
Our take:
- Excellent availability of support
- A+ financial strength ratings
- Superb website user experience
Cost: $1,086 for a six month auto policy
Customer satisfaction: High
Our take:
- Similar prices to Nationwide
- Better customer service scores than Nationwide
- Better bundling options than Nationwide
Cost: $1,460 average cost for a six-month policy
Customer satisfaction: Medium
Our take:
- Higher prices than Nationwide
- Lower market stability and longevity than Nationwide
- Similar customer service experience to Nationwide
Nationwide's customer service & claims experience: Some good, some bad
Nationwide's customer service shines in a few facets and can improve in a few others. While their availability of support channels helps and hours of availibity are second to none, the overall claims experience once a claim is filed can drag on.
Thinking of Nationwide?
See what other drivers are asking
Is accident forgiveness with Nationwide a good idea?
Is a tracking app worth it if I hardly drive?
Nationwide Customer Survey results
87.4% of customers recommend Nationwide
The Zebra conducted a survey across 4,000+ users to gather ratings on major carriers' customer service, claims process, ease of use, and more. See how Nationwide was rated in individual categories by expanding the section below.
Source: The Zebra
How much will your rates climb after filing a claim with Nationwide?
No one wants to file a claim, but sometimes it's impossible to avoid. See the table below for some examples of what you could be facing after filing a claim.
Updating data...
| Accident/Violation | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| None | $1,070 |
| One comp claim | $1,070 |
| Two comp claims | $1,077 |
| At-fault accident - $1000-$2000 | $1,709 |
| At-fault accident - greater than $2000 | $1,771 |
Source: The Zebra
Nationwides's claims process is easily accessible online and via their mobile app, making it convenient for policyholders. While simple claims are often resolved quickly, more complex cases can lead to longer wait times. Customer satisfaction surveys consistently place Nationwide in the middle tier, indicating they offer reliable service but may struggle with handling complicated claims efficiently.
Coverage options: Many options that fit all needs
Nationwide car insurance can likely provide all the coverage you need, whether you're seeking basic state-mandated liability coverages or full coverage insurance for a high-value vehicle. These coverages include comprehensive and collision coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection (where applicable), medical payments and more. Read on to find out more about some of Nationwide's unique coverage options.
✔️ Nationwide telematics programs
✔️ Rental reimbursement coverage
Carrier pulse: Recent news from Nationwide
- Back-to-Back Wins - Nationwide again tops J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction among usage-based insurers[3]
Final thoughts: Is Nationwide Right for You?
Put simply, Nationwide is a high-quality major insurance carrier that offers a satisfying range of insurance products at reasonable prices. With strong customer service ratings, bundling options, and a telematics program, customers can rest assured that Nationwide will provide what they are looking for in an insurer. The Zebra believes that Nationwide is a great choice for a variety of customers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nationwide
Get quotes from Nationwide and other top companies
Data Methodology. The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool
Anonymized User Survey. The Zebra
2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. J.D. Power
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.