Deciding on a car insurance company can be complicated: companies' rates differ based on your driving record, age, and location, and insurers offer a variety of perks. Nationwide and Safe Auto are two of the top insurance companies, providing affordable insurance policies in most regions.
In an effort to make shopping for car insurance easier, we've pulled average policy rates from Safe Auto and Nationwide. These take into account myriad rating factors, including credit history, driving infractions, and age. Examine these rates and find your next car insurance policy today.
Seeking more info? Check out our reviews of Nationwide and Safe Auto.
If you have very poor credit, Nationwide could be the way to go. On average, Nationwide offers lower prices than Safe Auto for prospective clients with credit scores of lower than 580. Drivers with extraordinary credit — a score of 800-plus — should opt for Nationwide, which typically beats Safe Auto by $884 per year. View average insurance rates by credit score for Safe Auto and Nationwide below.
| Credit level | Nationwide avg. annual premium | Safe Auto avg. annual premium |
| Very Poor (300-579) | $1,593 | $3,799 |
| Fair (580-669) | $1,262 | $2,483 |
| Good (670-739) | $1,283 | $3,358 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $1,109 | $1,937 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $1,037 | $1,921 |
If you are carrying an at-fault crash, speeding violation, reckless driving citation, or DUI offense on your record, Nationwide could be a better choice than Safe Auto. Each auto insurance company will handle driving offenses differently, so it's worth comparing quotes to understand which insurer suits you.
| Violation | Nationwide avg. annual premium | Safe Auto avg. annual premium |
| At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) | $1,836 | $2,867 |
| At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) | $1,475 | $2,837 |
| DUI/DWI | $2,691 | $2,867 |
| Reckless driving | $2,508 | $2,867 |
| Speeding ticket | $1,469 | $2,738 |
Car insurance companies use a driver's age as an estimator of risk, pricing policies accordingly. An insurance policy is typically most expensive for drivers younger than 25 — due to their increased odds of being involved in an accident — and more affordable for middle-aged drivers. Since every insurance company prices ages in a different way, it's worth comparing rates and shopping around.
As a general rule, teen drivers should choose Nationwide over Safe Auto: Nationwide offers average yearly savings of $4,638 versusSafe Auto.
| Age bracket | Nationwide avg. annual premium | Safe Auto avg. annual premium |
| Teens | $3,624 | $8,262 |
| 20s | $1,582 | $2,764 |
| 30s | $1,163 | $2,764 |
| 40s | $1,151 | $2,053 |
| 50s | $1,114 | $1,862 |
| 60s | $1,028 | $1,707 |
Aside from finances, Nationwide and Safe Auto come with pros and cons, including the insurers' discount programs, add-ons, customer satisfaction ratings, and financial stability. Be sure to get quotes and compare rates before purchasing a policy.
| Discount Comparison | Nationwide | Safe Auto |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Safe Auto |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Strength | Superior | N/A |
| JD Power Rankings | Average | N/A |
| User Satisfaction | 4.3/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Other Products | Nationwide | Safe Auto |
|---|---|---|
| Boat Insurance | ||
| Condo Insurance | ||
| Life Insurance | ||
| Homeowners Insurance | ||
| Travel Trailer Insurance | ||
| Renters Insurance | ||
| RV Insurance | ||
| Motorcycle Insurance | ||
| Mobile Home Insurance |
| Other Features | Nationwide | Safe Auto |
|---|---|---|
| About | Auto Insurance from Nationwide gives you peace of mind when you're on the road. Save money without sacrificing coverage by participating in one of our usage-based discount programs, and save even more with multi-policy discounts. With our On Your Side Claims® Service, you'll get a written guarantee on repairs and a choice of qualified car repair shops you can trust. | Safe Auto strives to provide affordable insurance to every driver, no matter the situation. |
| 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. | Safe Auto's roadside assistance coverage pays for towing services and certain repair costs required to make your car operable. |
| Additional Discounts | Nationwide offers additional savings through a Family Discount, which allows you to share discounts with members of your family. | Safe Auto specializes in providing minimum, state required coverage and full coverage to drivers who have had some trouble getting affordable rates due to tickets, accidents, and license issues. |
| 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 legislation that would prohibit employment status from being considered.
What's the ADOT code for Nationwide
The 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.
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Should I get full coverage from a less well-known insurer?
Whether or not the company is a "mainstream" provider doesn't mean that you would have a bad claims experience. There are several companies out there that have been around for several years and just don't advertise like other companies.
Do I pay a deductible for a liability claim?
You are not responsible for a deductible unless you have comprehensive and collision coverage. Since you only have liability, the damages to your car will not be covered which means there is no deductible.
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