State Farm vs Nationwide: Which is Better for You?
Read on to see which company is best for you.
State Farm or Nationwide: Which company is best for you?
Two of America's most popular insurance companies, State Farm and Nationwide each offers a variety of insurance options. Read on to see which company comes out on top.
State Farm car insurance
State Farm is among the nation's most popular auto insurance companies, claiming nearly one-fifth of U.S. car insurance market share. The company's network of agents ensure each customer receives a personalized experience. The company received good ratings from third-party reviewers and customers alike, earning positive assessments of its customer relations and finances, and strong overall placement in The Zebra's independent customer satisfaction survey.
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Nationwide car insurance
Nationwide is also one of the largest car insurance companies in the U.S. Customers can expect relatively affordable rates, a variety of discount options and a wide selection of coverage lines to pair with an auto policy. Nationwide customers can bundle auto insurance with homeowners, renters and life insurance policies, to name a few.
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Which company comes out on top?
State Farm
State Farm tops Nationwide in a variety of categories: it earned higher marks in The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey, placing third overall (Nationwide ranked ninth). In the survey, State Farm scored 4.7 out of 5 in Claims Satisfaction and 4.5 out of 5 in Customer Satisfaction. State Farm's rates were higher than Nationwide's, on average, so price-conscious consumers should consider both options.Â
State Farm vs. Nationwide: car insurance rate comparison
Choosing an auto insurance company can be tricky: rates may vary based on your location, vehicle, and driving record, and companies offer an array of perks. State Farm and Nationwide are two the nation's most popular insurers, offering high-quality insurance policies across large portions of the country.
To simplify the shopping process, we've gathered average prices from Nationwide and State Farm. These rates take into account various factors, including credit history, driving record, and age. Examine these figures and find the right policy for you.
To learn more about each company, check out our in-depth reviews of State Farm and Nationwide.
The insurer with the cheapest rates is Nationwide, at $90 per month, less expensive than State Farm's $108 per month.Â
State Farm vs. Nationwide: pricing by credit score
If you have a low credit score, Nationwide is among the more affordable options. On average, Nationwide offers some of the most affordable rates for drivers with credit scores lower than 580. Drivers with exceptional credit — scores of 800-plus — should also lean toward Nationwide, which bests State Farm's rates by $18 per month. See below typical insurance rates by credit tier for Nationwide and State Farm.
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RATES BY CREDIT LEVEL: NATIONWIDE VS. STATE FARM
| Credit level | State Farm avg. annual premium | Nationwide avg. annual premium |
| Very Poor (300-579) | $3,522 | $1,593 |
| Fair (580-669) | $2,003 | $1,262 |
| Good (670-739) | $1,613 | $1,283 |
| Very Good (740-799) | $1,451 | $1,109 |
| Exceptional (800-850) | $1,260 | $1,037 |
The Zebra’s auto insurance 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.
State Farm vs. Nationwide: rates for high-risk drivers
If you have an at-fault crash, speeding ticket, reckless driving violation or DWI on your résumé, your rates could be lower with Nationwide than with State Farm. Every auto insurance company prices policies differently after a violation, so don't be afraid to shop around to figure out which insurer suits you.
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RATES BY CITATION: NATIONWIDE VS. STATE FARM
| Citation | State Farm avg. annual premium | Nationwide avg. annual premium |
| At-fault accident (damage < $1,000) | $2,849 | $1,836 |
| At-fault accident (damage > $1,000) | $1,524 | $1,475 |
| DUI/DWI | $3,854 | $2,691 |
| Reckless driving | $2,895 | $2,508 |
| Speeding ticket | $1,983 | $1,469 |
State Farm vs. Nationwide: rates by age
Auto insurance companies use a driver's age to gauge risk, pricing premiums accordingly. Auto insurance policies are usually expensive for teen drivers — due to their lack of driving experience — and cheapest for middle-aged drivers. Because every car insurance company assigns rates differently, it's always a good idea to compare rates.
As a general rule, teen drivers concerned about cost should choose Nationwide over State Farm. The former is one of the best budget choices for young drivers.Â
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RATES BY AGE: NATIONWIDE VS. STATE FARM
| Age tier | State Farm avg. annual premium | Nationwide avg. annual premium |
| Teens | $5,820 | $3,624 |
| 20s | $2,379 | $1,582 |
| 30s | $1,585 | $1,582 |
| 40s | $1,587 | $1,151 |
| 50s | $1,558 | $1,114 |
| 60s | $1,485 | $1,028 |
Aside from their rates, State Farm and Nationwide each comes with pros and cons, including their customer satisfaction ratings, discount programs, add-ons and financial stability. Be sure to get quotes and compare rates before settling on a policy.
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Ratings comparison: State Farm vs. Nationwide
As two of the largest insurance companies in the United States, State Farm and Nationwide have received ratings from third-party evaluators for years. We've collected some of these recent ratings to help you determine each company's customer satisfaction standards, complaint ratios and financial security scores.
| Ratings comparison | State Farm | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Financial strength (A.M. Best) | Excellent | Superior |
| JD Power (claims satisfaction) | Above average | Average |
| JD Power (customer satisfaction) | Above average | Poor |
| NAIC rating | Above average | Below Average |
| The Zebra's editorial review score | 4.5 | 3.5/5 |
| The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey | 4.5/5 | 4.3/5 |
Which company scores best?
State Farm
State Farm earned better ratings than Nationwide across the board in categories such as customer satisfaction, claims satisfaction, number of formal complaints and even financial security. The Zebra's editorial reviews placed State Farm well above Nationwide (4.5 versus 3.5, out of a possible 5).
The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey
The Zebra conducted an in-house survey of insurance consumers to discover how they viewed their insurance companies across a number of topics. See below how each of these companies performed.
State Farm came in third overall with a score of 4.5. See additional survey highlights below.
- Scored well with younger drivers
- Second place for claims satisfaction
- Third place for ease, customer service, trust and willingness to recommend
Nationwide placed near the middle of the pack in most categories. Out of the 15 companies for which we gathered data, Nationwide auto insurance placed 9th overall with a score of 4.3. While it struggled in the claims satisfaction category, Nationwide is generally viewed as a trustworthy company.
- Nationwide auto insurance placed 9th overall
- Millennial and Gen X respondents rated Nationwide highly for ease of interaction
- Scored poorly for claims satisfaction and online satisfaction
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.
State Farm vs. Nationwide: discount comparison
Below you can see a head-to-head rundown of discount options for auto insurance.
In addition to the offers listed above, State Farm may provide an additional discount for vehicles built in 1994 or later, depending on the loss experience of the specific vehicle model.
Telematics options: State Farm vs. Nationwide
State Farm and Nationwide each has a telematics program. The companies' offerings — Drive Safe & Save and SmartRide, respectively — share much in common, but one may better suit your specific needs. See more information about each company's mobile app below.Â
State Farm Drive Safe & Save is a good option for safe and low-mileage drivers. The company claims that it can save customers up to 50% on premiums, though these types of savings are most likely to be seen by lower-mileage drivers. The program is available across most of the United States.
SmartRide is Nationwide's telematics offering, giving safe drivers the chance to save money. Because the app tracks your driving habits, it also provides feedback in an effort to help you avoid risk and stay safe.
Zebra Tip: Look into telematics offerings
Each company offers solid usage-based insurance options. Be sure to look into potential benefits and discounts affiliated with telematics before purchasing a policy.Â
Roadside assistance: State Farm vs. Nationwide
Find below summaries of the different roadside assistance options available from the companies.
State Farm
State Farm's Emergency Road Service offers the following:
- Mechanical labor at the place of breakdown
- Towing of your vehicle to a repair facility,
- Removal of a stuck vehicle
- Delivery of gas or oil
- Assistance with changing a tire or a jumpstart
- Locksmith services
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Nationwide
To provide roadside assistance to its customers, Nationwide also partners with Agero. Drivers who add roadside assistance receive access to the following services:
- Towing
- Battery jump start
- Fuel delivery
- Flat-tire change
- Winching services
- Lock-out services
State Farm vs. Nationwide: home insurance
While each company has a huge presence in the car insurance industry, the same is true of homeowners insurance. Each company has unique coverage options and price points. See our comparison to find out which company might be the best fit for your home insurance needs.
State Farm homeowners insurance review
State Farm has a number of solid options for coverage extras, making the company a great option for customers looking for flexible coverage. The company's rates are often more expensive than average. The company suffers from a lack of available homeowners discounts, with just four discount options available currently. State Farm's home insurance policies earn positive ratings from third-party reviewers, and the company ranked fifth overall in The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey. Still, homeowners looking for basic insurance with minimal bells or whistles may want to look elsewhere.
Learn more about State Farm home insurance in our detailed review below.
- The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.4/5: State Farm earned above-average reviews, compared with the top 15 home insurance providers in our study.
- Claims satisfaction (J.D. Power Rating) — Below average: J.D. Power's most recent study rated State Farm as just shy of the industry average for property claims satisfaction.
- Customer satisfaction (J.D. Power Rating) — Above average: State Farm was awarded an above-average rating for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power's Home Insurance Study.
- Financial strength — Excellent: A.M. Best rated State Farm as having excellent financial viability, signaling its ability to pay for claims.
- NAIC Rating — Average: State Farm's home insurance received an average amount of complaints as logged by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
Nationwide homeowners review
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.Â
- The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey — 4.3/5: Nationwide placed 10th overall in The Zebra's homeowners insurance customer survey.Â
- 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.Â
- 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?
Tie
Each company has appealing home insurance product offerings, and each earned similar reviews from customers and unbiased third-party sources. As an insurance customer, take some time to compare quotes, discounts and coverage options to understand which company best fits your unique coverage needs.
State Farm vs. Nationwide: home insurance rate comparison
Average annual home insurance rates with State Farm are $1,356. Nationwide's average is a bit cheaper, at $1,236 per year. Nationwide and State Farm vary in their underwriting practices, so it's important to consider your quotes may not match these exactly when looking for coverage.Â
Much like auto insurance rates, homeowners insurance prices can vary based on certain factors. Companies use your insurance history, along with historical data relating to your location, when putting together your quotes.
The insurer with the cheapest home insurance rates is Nationwide, at $103 per month, slightly cheaper than State Farm's average of $113 per month.
The Zebra’s homeowners insurance 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.
State Farm vs. Nationwide: homeowners discount comparison
Both companies provide home insurance discounts for customers who meet certain criteria. While these discounts are not as plentiful as many competitor companies, they may help customers find significant savings.
| Discount comparison | State Farm | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Claims free | ✓ | |
| Recent home buyer | ✓ | |
| Multi-policy | ✓ | ✓ |
| Early signing | ✓ | |
| Newer/more durable roof | ✓ | ✓ |
| Protective devices (smoke/burglar alarms, etc...) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paid in full | ||
| Auto pay | ||
| New home construction | ✓ | |
| Gated community | ✓ | |
| Home renovation | ✓ | |
| Smart home | ✓ |
Zebra tip: Check out Nationwide for homeowners insurance discounts
Nationwide offers more discount options than State Farm for qualifying customers. Note that this doesn't mean the company will be the cheapest option for everyone.
Other insurance products and bundling options
Both State Farm and Nationwide have many insurance products available, with the option to bundle policies for extra savings. See how the product offerings from State Farm and Nationwide compare below.
| Other products | State Farm | 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.