North Star vs Nationwide: Which is Better for You?
Compare rates from the top car insurance companies in your area.
North Star Mutual or Nationwide: Which company is best for you?
Picking an auto insurance company is sometimes difficult: rates may vary based on your driving history, location, and age, and every company's discounts vary. North Star and Nationwide are two of the most popular insurance companies, offering affordable insurance policies in most US states.
In an effort to take the sting out of shopping for car insurance, we pulled average policy prices from Nationwide and North Star. These rates cover a variety of rating factors, including credit rating, driving history, and age. Take a look at these rates and find the right policy for you.
North Star vs. Nationwide: by credit level
If you have very bad credit, Nationwide could be preferable to North Star. On average, Nationwide offers more affordable premiums than North Star for prospective clients with credit scores of less than 580. Insurance shoppers with exceptional credit — a score of 800 or better — should lean toward North Star, which typically beats Nationwide by $75 per year. Check out average insurance rates by credit score for Nationwide and North Star:
INSURER RATES BY CREDIT SCORE: NATIONWIDE VS. NORTH STAR MUTUAL
| Credit score | North Star avg. annual premium | Nationwide avg. annual premium |
| Very Poor (300-579) | $1,980 | $1,593 |
| Fair (580-669) | $1,405 | $1,262 |
| Good (670-739) | $1,256 | $1,283 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $1,018 | $1,109 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $962 | $1,037 |
North Star vs. Nationwide: by citation
If you're saddled with an at-fault collision, ticket, reckless driving violation, or DWI in your rear view mirror, North Star could be a better choice than Nationwide. Every insurance company prices policies differently after a violation, so it's worth comparing quotes to figure out which insurer suits you.
INSURER RATES BY VIOLATION: NATIONWIDE VS. NORTH STAR MUTUAL
| Violation | North Star avg. annual premium | Nationwide avg. annual premium |
| At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) | $1,534 | $1,836 |
| At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) | $1,534 | $1,475 |
| DUI/DWI | $3,221 | $2,691 |
| Reckless driving | $2,339 | $2,508 |
| Speeding ticket | $1,516 | $1,469 |
North Star vs. Nationwide: by age
Auto insurance companies rely on a driver's age to estimate risk, pricing premiums accordingly. An auto insurance policy is typically more expensive for teens — due to their inexperience — and more affordable for middle-aged drivers. Because every auto insurance company prices age tiers uniquely, it's smart to shop around and find a great rate.
As a general rule, teen drivers should choose North Star instead of Nationwide: North Star offers average yearly savings of $886 versusNationwide.
INSURER RATES BY AGE: NATIONWIDE VS. NORTH STAR MUTUAL
| Age tier | North Star avg. annual premium | Nationwide avg. annual premium |
| Teens | $2,738 | $3,624 |
| 20s | $1,454 | $1,582 |
| 30s | $1,074 | $1,582 |
| 40s | $1,074 | $1,151 |
| 50s | $825 | $1,114 |
| 60s | $822 | $1,028 |
Affordability aside, North Star and Nationwide each come with pros and cons, including their customer satisfaction ratings, discount programs, add-ons, and financial stability. Be sure to shop around before settling on an option.
| Discount Comparison | North Star Mutual | Nationwide |
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| Good Student |
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| Multiple Policies |
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| Multiple Vehicles | ||
| Anti-Theft Device(s) |
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| Air Bags |
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| Good Driver |
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| Defensive Driver |
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| Student Away at School | ||
| Driver Training | ||
| Green Vehicles | ||
| Affinity Membership Alum |
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| Advanced Purchase | ||
| Pay in Full | ||
| Home Owner | ||
| eSign or ePay | ||
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| New Vehicle | ||
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| Military |
| Ratings Comparison | North Star Mutual | Nationwide |
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| Financial Strength | N/A | Superior |
| JD Power Rankings | N/A | Average |
| User Satisfaction | N/A | N/A |
| Other Products | North Star Mutual | Nationwide |
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| Travel Trailer Insurance |
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| RV Insurance |
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| Motorcycle Insurance |
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| Mobile Home Insurance |
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| Other Features | North Star Mutual | Nationwide |
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| About | North Star Mutual provides insurance protection through a variety of products along with friendly personal service and fast, hassle-free claims handling to keep you on course. | 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. |
| Roadside Assistance | North Star Mutual offers 24-hour emergency roadside assistance, including towing, tire, battery, delivery, and locksmith services, as well as mechanical first aid. | 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. |
| Additional Discounts | None Available | Nationwide offers additional savings through a Family Discount, which allows you to share discounts with members of your family. |
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