Deciding on a car insurer is difficult: companies' rates differ by location, age, and driving history, and companies offer an array of discounts. Nationwide and American Family are two of the most popular insurance companies, providing competitively priced policies across most of America.
To help make insurance shopping seamless, we gathered average rates from American Family and Nationwide. The below cover myriad rating factors, including credit score, driving behavior, and age. Take a look at these rates and find the right policy for you.
Looking for in-depth analysis? Read full-length reviews of Nationwide and American Family.
If you have extremely bad credit, Nationwide could be preferable to Nationwide. On average, Nationwide offers better prices than American Family for drivers with credit scores of 579 or less. Those with outstanding credit — a score of 800-plus — should lean toward View average insurance rates by credit score for American Family and Nationwide below.
| Credit level | Nationwide avg. annual premium | American Family avg. annual premium |
| Very Poor (300-579) | $1,593 | $1,931 |
| Fair (580-669) | $1,262 | $1,294 |
| Good (670-739) | $1,283 | $1,220 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $1,109 | $1,009 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $1,037 | $941 |
If you are saddled with an at-fault accident, speeding ticket, reckless driving citation, or DUI on your résumé, American Family could be a better choice than Nationwide. Every insurer prices its policies differently, so don't be afraid to shop around to understand which insurer is best for you.
| Infraction | Nationwide avg. annual premium | American Family avg. annual premium |
| At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) | $1,836 | $1,763 |
| At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) | $1,475 | $990 |
| DUI/DWI | $2,691 | $1,857 |
| Reckless driving | $2,508 | $1,857 |
| Speeding ticket | $1,469 | $1,270 |
Car insurance companies use age to estimate risk, pricing premiums accordingly. Insurance is commonly most expensive for teens — because of their inexperience — and relatively affordable for middle-aged drivers. Since each insurance company rates ages differently, it's smart to shop around and find the perfect policy for you.
As a general rule, teen drivers should choose Nationwide instead of American Family: NATIONWIDE offers average yearly savings of $186, compared to American Family.
| Age tier | Nationwide avg. annual premium | American Family avg. annual premium |
| Teens | $3,624 | $3,810 |
| 20s | $1,582 | $1,685 |
| 30s | $1,163 | $1,685 |
| 40s | $1,151 | $1,089 |
| 50s | $1,114 | $1,089 |
| 60s | $1,028 | $986 |
Finances aside, Nationwide and American Family come with pros and cons, including the insurers' discount programs, add-ons, customer satisfaction ratings, and financial stability. Dive into the data before making your decision.
| Discount Comparison | Nationwide | American Family |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Ratings Comparison | Nationwide | American Family |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Strength | Superior | Excellent |
| JD Power Rankings | Above average | Below average |
| User Satisfaction | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Other Products | Nationwide | American Family |
|---|---|---|
| Boat Insurance | ||
| Condo Insurance | ||
| Life Insurance | ||
| Homeowners Insurance | ||
| Travel Trailer Insurance | ||
| Renters Insurance | ||
| RV Insurance | ||
| Motorcycle Insurance | ||
| Mobile Home Insurance |
| Other Features | Nationwide | American Family |
|---|---|---|
| About | Auto insurance from Nationwide gives you peace of mind. When you choose an On Your Side Auto Repair Network® facility, you can get a written guarantee on your car repairs. With our On Your Side Claims® Service, you also get personal service like the On Your Side® Review, an annual check-in with your insurance professional to review your coverage. And with multi-policy and other discounts, such as the SmartRide® and SmartMiles® usage-based programs, you get peace of mind and value. | American Family strives to provide their customers with industry-leading service, an exceptional claims experience and products that build long-term relationships. |
| Roadside Assistance | Nationwide's Roadside Assistance is available in select states. Two levels of emergency Roadside Assistance coverage—Basic and Plus—are available. Nationwide Roadside Assistance Basic applies to everyone on your policy, in any car you might occupy with coverage that includes towing up to 15 miles, ditch extraction service, emergency fuel, battery jump-start, locksmith services up to $100 and tire changes. Nationwide Roadside Assistance Plus includes all the previously listed services in addition to a tow up to 100 miles and trip interruption coverage that may reimburse your expenses up to $500 for alternate transportation, lodging and meals if you find yourself broken down 100 or more miles from home. | American Family’s Emergency Roadside Service covers reasonable costs you can incur if you're car breaks down. These costs may include mechanical labor for up to one hour at the place of your vehicle’s breakdown, towing to the nearest place where the necessary repairs can be made, delivery of gas and oil, the cost of labor for a tire change or battery charge (not including the cost of any delivered item), and the cost of labor for locksmith services (not including the cost to replace locks or keys). |
| Additional Discounts | Nationwide offers additional savings through a Family Discount, which allows you to share discounts with members of your family. | None Available |
| Recent Questions | Can I get an EMT discount with Nationwide? To my knowledge, Nationwide does offer discounts to EMT but I'm not 100% if there are any specifics to the state of California. Because car insurance is regulated at the state, there could be some implications regarding California's state legislator that would prohibit employment status being considered. What's the ADOT code for NationwideThe ADOT code for Nationwide would be listed on your policy documents. But for Nationwide, it is 0014. Is accident forgiveness a good idea for me?You might be a good contender for this policy option. Most lease contracts will require you to keep the vehicle in good condition. See More Questions | Are some insurance providers better suited to my needs than others to get the best rate? Because most coverage options can be matched across insurance companies, I think what you are really looking for is the best customer service/claims support for the best cost. Right off the bat, I know Geico probably wouldn't be an option for you with a leased vehicle. See More Questions |
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| Top States | Arizona California Florida Illinois Michigan New Jersey New York Ohio Pennsylvania Texas | Arizona California Florida Illinois Michigan New Jersey New York Ohio Pennsylvania Texas |