Root vs Nationwide: Which is Better for You?

Read on to see which company is best for you.
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The Zebra partners with some of the companies we write about. However, our content is written and reviewed by an independent team of editors and licensed agents. Reference our data methodology and learn more about how we make money.

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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…

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

Root or Nationwide: Which company is best for you?

Root and Nationwide both offer intriguing insurance options for drivers and homeowners. Read on to learn more about the carriers and decide which one is right for you.

Root car insurance

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Root was among the early adopters of telematics technology, which helps to assign insurance rates based on driving habits instead of traditional rating factors. In fact, the company aims to discontinue using credit scores — a practice it calls "discriminatory" — by the year 2025. Root car insurance could be a solid option for those with a clean driving history or those who drive limited mileage. 

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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
  • Fast-growing geographic availability
  • Potentially low rates for low-mileage and/or safe drivers
  • Few customer complaints, considering its size
  • Lacks the brand recognition of some more traditional insurers
  • Higher-than-average customer complaint ratio (NAIC)                                     

Nationwide car insurance

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Nationwide is one of the largest car insurance companies in the U.S. Drivers can expect relatively affordable rates, a good variety of available discounts and a wide selection of coverages to bundle with their auto policy. Nationwide customers can combine auto insurance with homeowners, renters and life insurance policies, earning potential multi-line savings.

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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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Pros Cons
  • Many coverage options
  • Telematics-powered policies
  • Cheaper-than-average rates
  • Plentiful discount options
  • Customer satisfaction scores are low
  • Frequent customer complaints (NAIC)                          

Which company comes out on top?

Tie


This one is too close to call since each carrier caters to a particular customer segment. Drivers who use their vehicles infrequently might stand to benefit from Root's pricing strategy, while everyday drivers looking for bundling savings and unique coverages may more easily find what they're looking for with Nationwide. 

Compare rates and start saving today!

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Ratings comparison: Root vs. Nationwide

Unbiased third-party publications evaluate insurance companies, measuring claims satisfaction, the number of customer complaints and other factors. We've gathered some of these ratings to provide perspective on the two companies' customer satisfaction standards, complaint ratios and financial stability.

Root vs. Nationwide
Ratings comparison Root Nationwide
Financial strength (A.M. Best) Not Rated Superior
JD Power (claims satisfaction) Not Rated Average
JD Power (customer satisfaction) Not Rated Poor
NAIC rating Below Average Below Average
The Zebra's editorial review score 3/5 3.5/5
The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey Not Rated 4.3/5

Which company scores best?

Nationwide


Not only was Nationwide evaluated by more entities than was Root, it earned decent marks for claims satisfaction and financial security, in addition to scoring a strong 4.3 out of 5 in The Zebra's in-depth customer satisfaction survey. Additionally, The Zebra's editorial reviews — taking into account myriad factors — placed Nationwide above Root.

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.


Root vs. Nationwide: discount comparison

See below a comparison of the companies' discount options for car insurance.

Root vs. Nationwide: discount comparison
Discount comparison Root Nationwide
Good student ✓
Multiple policies ✓ ✓
Anti-theft device(s) ✓
Good driver ✓ ✓
Defensive driver ✓
Affinity membership alum ✓
eSign or ePay ✓
Telematics ✓ ✓
Annual Mileage ✓

Telematics options: Root vs. Nationwide

Each of these companies stands as a solid option for drivers interested in usage-based insurance. Telematics sits at the heart of Root's product, powering its entire pricing strategy. Nationwide also offers telematics insurance in the form of its SmartRide program.

root logo
Root Insurance

Root is one of the most prominent telematics-first insurance companies. Root uses its telematics app to gather information and calculate customer premiums. Rates are then set based on the insured's driving habits and frequency, rather than solely on demographic and historical information like past driving record or credit history.

nationwide logo
Nationwide SmartRide

SmartRide is Nationwide's telematics offering. The primary benefit of the program is the opportunity it gives safe drivers to save money. The app tracks customers' driving habits and offers feedback to reduce risks and incidents on the road.

Zebra Tip: Turn to Root for telematics


Root sits at the vanguard of next-gen insurance technology, thanks to its intuitive app and usage-based pricing practices. 


Roadside assistance: Root vs. Nationwide

Find below summaries of the roadside assistance offerings available from Root and Nationwide.

Root

Every Root policy includes roadside assistance, helping drivers in the event of car trouble. One of the few extra coverages available from Root is rental car coverage. If you purchase this coverage, Root will reimburse costs up to a specific amount for a rental car until your vehicle is fixed or replaced after a collision. Root also reimburses its customers for rides through Lyft. 

 

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

Root vs. Nationwide: home insurance

Root and Nationwide both offer homeowners insurance. Consult our comparison below to find out which company might be the best fit for you and your home.

Root homeowners insurance review

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Root allows existing auto insurance customers to bundle homeowners insurance through a partnership with Homesite. Root home insurance is not available as a standalone insurance policy — a customer must be enrolled in Root's car insurance program to be eligible.

Though the company is seen as financially stable, it receives more customer complaints than average. Customers looking for top-notch customer satisfaction may do well to look into a policy with a more established carrier. In addition, Root homeowners insurance quotes can only be found via the company's mobile app, not its website. Root claims customers who bundle home and auto policies receive 10% discounts on their home insurance premium. 

 

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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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  • Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power) — Not rated: Root’s home insurance partner, Homesite, is currently unrated by J.D. Power.
  • Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power) — Not rated
  • Financial strength — Excellent: Homesite’s financial outlook is considered stable by AM Best.
  • NAIC Rating — Above average: Homesite received more customer complaints than average, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Nationwide homeowners review

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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 overall 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?

Nationwide


Nationwide is among the most established homeowners insurance companies in America, and that's reflected in its solid ratings and reviews. It's worth noting that Root home insurance may be a great fit for existing Root car insurance customers, thanks to the 10% discount. 


Root vs. Nationwide: homeowners discount comparison

Nationwide and Root both offer home insurance discounts for customers. Compare these discounts head-to-head below.

ROOT VS. NATIONWIDE: HOMEOWNERS DISCOUNT COMPARISON
Discount comparison Root Nationwide
Claims free ✓
Recent home buyer ✓ ✓
Multi-policy ✓ ✓
Early signing ✓
Newer/more durable roof ✓ ✓
Protective devices (smoke/burglar alarms, etc...) ✓ ✓
New home construction ✓

Zebra tip: Research potential discounts when choosing an insurance company


Both Nationwide and Root offer a strong collection of home insurance discounts. Be sure to do your due diligence to ensure you take advantage of as many of these clauses as possible when signing your contract.


Other insurance products and bundling options

Root and Nationwide offer a variety of insurance products, along with the option to bundle policies for extra savings. Compare product offerings from the two carriers below.

Nationwide vs. Root: other insurance products
Other products Root 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.