Nationwide insurance pros and cons
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Nationwide auto insurance review
Nationwide started in 1926 as Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. In 1955, it changed its name to Nationwide as it expanded across the country.
Nationwide ranked #9 in J.D. Power's auto claims satisfaction. It also ranked as the best car insurance for senior drivers in our guide to the best car insurance companies.
Nationwide offers comprehensive, collision, liability, uninsured and underinsured, and full coverage car insurance. It features roadside assistance, accident forgiveness for minor violations, and discounts on your deductible for safe driving. If your car is totaled in an accident and you have collision or comprehensive coverage, your deductible will be waived.
Nationwide also gives drivers discounts for using telematics smartphone apps like SmartMiles and SmartRide.
Customers can track claims using smartphone tracker software if their car is in the bodyshop. Like most insurance companies, Nationwide provides discounts for bundling your home and auto insurance.
There are four types of insurance coverage: liability insurance (required by most states), comprehensive, collision, and full car coverage. If you lease or finance your car, your lender may require comprehensive and collision coverage.
The difference between the various coverage types is outlined in the table below:
| Damage | Comprehensive | Collision | Liability | Full |
| Theft | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Vandalism | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Fire | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Natural disaster | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Falling objects (tree) | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Animal damage | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Collision/accident | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Rollover | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Bodily injury/medical bills | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Physical damage | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Property damage | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Uninsured motorist | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Nationwide homeowners insurance review
Nationwide ranked #15 in J.D. Power's homeowners customer satisfaction rankings.
Nationwide offers homeowners, condo, and renters insurance. Nationwide homeowners insurance features include better roof replacement, guaranteed replacement cost, service line protection, and SmartHome device discounts. Most of these features are available for an additional cost, as an add-on to your homeowners policy.
Homeowners insurance protects your dwelling, personal belongings, and offers personal liability coverage for injuries that happen on your property. Standard homeowners insurance looks like the table below, but coverage varies depending on your provider:
| Coverage | Included with homeowners insurance? |
| Dwelling/Structure | Yes |
| Personal liability | Yes |
| Personal belongings | Yes |
| Loss of Use (additional living expenses) | Yes |
| High-end electronics/special jewelry | Limited, requires add-on* |
| Equipment breakdown | Yes |
| Electrical outage | Yes* |
| Service lines | Yes* |
| Cyber liability | Yes* |
| Water damage | Yes |
| Flood | No** |
| Wind or hail | Yes, but not high winds*** |
| Earthquake | No* |
| Pets | Yes* |
*Available as add-on coverage if not part of policy
**Flood insurance is available through the NFIP and approved insurers
***If you live in hurricane or tornado areas, additional windstorm rider may be required
Nationwide life insurance review
Nationwide ranked #3 in J.D. Power's life insurance customer satisfaction study. It also ranked #5 on Insider's guide to the best life insurance companies.
Nationwide offers term life insurance with guaranteed conversion to permanent life products, whole life, universal life, guaranteed universal life, indexed universal life, and variable universal life. Nationwide offers a no medical exam life insurance product, Express Issue. Additionally, it has an intelligent underwriting program for ages 60 and under, with coverage up to $250,000.
There are two types of life insurance: permanent life and term life. Term life insurance lasts for a specified period. When it's up you can reapply for coverage, but the premiums most likely will go up as you age.
Permanent life insurance never expires, has a death benefit for your beneficiaries, and a cash value that you can use during your lifetime. Some financial advisors recommend a combination of term and permanent life insurance.
| Types of Term Life | Types of permanent life insurance |
| Level premium | Whole life |
| Annual renewal (ART) | Universal life |
| Return of Premium | Guaranteed Universal |
| Convertible | Indexed Universal |
| Group life insurance | Variable life |
| Guaranteed issue | Variable universal life |
| Simplified issue | |
| Final expense |
Nationwide versus the competition
Nationwide's isn't as large as other national competitors like Geico and State Farm based on market share. However, it has good rates and decent customer service.
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| Availability | National presence | National presence | National presence |
| Types of insurance offered | Auto, homeowners, life | Auto, homeowners, life | Auto, homeowners, life |
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Is Nationwide trustworthy?
We checked the NAIC Complaint Index for complaints against Nationwide. Nationwide has relatively few complaints filed against it compared to other top insurers.
Nationwide's financial stability is strong, with an A.M. Best's rating of A+ (superior).
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