Nationwide Auto Insurance Payouts: The Inside Story

Nationwide offers a range of auto insurance options, including collision, comprehensive, liability, medical payments, and more. They also have various discounts available to help make their insurance more affordable. For example, customers can save an average of $646 when they bundle home and auto insurance policies. Nationwide also offers usage-based insurance programs like SmartRide and SmartMiles, which can save customers up to 40%. Additionally, Nationwide provides accident forgiveness and vanishing deductible options, as well as roadside assistance and rental car coverage.

Discounts and savings

Nationwide offers 11 discounts across three main categories: loyalty-based, driver-based, and payment-based.

Payment-based discounts

Payment-based discounts are available to almost anyone. They include:

• EasyPay Discount: Customers can get a one-time discount when they set up automatic deductions from a bank account.
• Paperless Discount: Customers may be able to get a recurring discount if they sign up to receive communication about their car insurance policy via email.

Driver-based discounts

Certain types of people, like good students and safe drivers, can qualify for a variety of driver-based discounts. These include:

• Multi-Policy Discount: Customers who insure multiple types of insurance with Nationwide can get a discount. For example, drivers who bundled home and auto coverage saved an average of $646 per year in 2020. Customers can also get a multi-car discount if they insure more than one vehicle with Nationwide.
• SmartRide Discount: Customers can save 10% just for signing up for Nationwide’s usage-based insurance program. The safer you drive, the better your discount will be—up to 40%.
• SmartMiles Discount: Low-mileage drivers can get the same Nationwide coverage for less with flexible monthly payments based on how many miles they drive. You’ll pay a base rate plus a per-mile rate, so the amount you save and your total premium will vary month to month.
• Accident-Free Discount: If you have at least five years of driving experience and have been free from accidents and major violations for the last five years, you could save up to 10%.
• Good Student Discount: Drivers between the ages of 16 and 24 can save on car insurance if they maintain a B average or better in school.
• Defensive Driving Discount: Older drivers can get a discount of about 5% upon completing a state-certified defensive driving course with a passing grade. In most states, you must be 55 years or older and have no at-fault accidents in the past 35 months to be eligible for this discount.
• Safe Driver Discount: If you have five years of safe driving, you could be eligible for a lower Nationwide premium. The discount is for customers who have been free from accidents and moving violations for the past five years.

Loyalty-based discounts

Customers who insure more than one car or multiple types of insurance are also eligible for Nationwide’s loyalty-based discounts. This includes the Affinity Member Discount, which is available to customers who are affiliated with one of Nationwide's partners.

Customer service

Nationwide provides various auto insurance options, including full-coverage and liability-only insurance. Their full-coverage insurance costs an average of $182 per month, while liability-only insurance is around $167 per month. They also have several optional coverages, such as towing and labour, rental car, and gap insurance. Additionally, they offer accident forgiveness and a vanishing deductible feature, which lowers your deductible for each year of safe driving.

Nationwide has a large network of licensed agents and was the first major insurer to launch a mobile app and a 24-hour claims reporting service. Their website offers an easy-to-use quote tool, and they also provide account management tools like automatic payment withdrawals and paperless policies.

Nationwide has received recognition for its customer service and claims handling. They have a low level of auto insurance complaints compared to other large insurers and are on par with the industry average. The company also has an A+ rating from A.M. Best for financial stability, indicating a strong ability to pay out future claims.

However, it's important to note that Nationwide's reviews are mixed. While some customers praise the company, others have complained about rising insurance costs and issues with policy changes. Additionally, certain coverage features and discounts are not available in all states.

Claims handling

Nationwide is tied with State Farm as fourth for claims handling in a US News survey. Nearly 59% of survey respondents said they were completely satisfied with the ease of filing a claim, and the same percentage said they were completely satisfied with how their claim was resolved.

Nationwide offers a range of options for filing a claim. You can file a claim through your online account, or by calling 1-877-669-6877.

Nationwide also offers a range of paperless options for handling an auto claim. You can let the company work with the repair facility directly to discuss estimate approvals and pay for the repairs. Or you can have claim payments deposited directly into your checking or savings account. Either way, you will pay your deductible to the shop when you pick up your vehicle.

Nationwide also offers a superior claims service, providing a written guarantee on car repairs when you choose an On Your Side Auto Repair Network facility. With the On Your Side Claims Service, you also get personal service like the On Your Side Review, an annual check-in with your insurance professional to review your coverage.

Customer loyalty

Nationwide Auto Insurance has a long history of customer loyalty, dating back to its founding in 1926. The company's commitment to its policyholders is demonstrated through its Vanishing Deductible program, which rewards safe driving habits, and its On Your Side® Review program, which offers policyholders a free, annual insurance review with a Nationwide agent.

Nationwide Auto Insurance customers continue to renew their policies for many reasons, including car key replacement, minor accident forgiveness clauses, and special deductible provisions. In the 2022 J.D. Power Auto Insurance Study, Nationwide ranked in the top 14 for customer satisfaction in many geographic areas. In the Southeast region, Nationwide scored 850 out of a possible 1,000 points, just above the average score of 849 for the area and well above the overall average of 834 points. In 2023, J.D. Power also ranked Nationwide third among large auto insurers in providing a satisfactory auto insurance shopping experience.

Nationwide is rated No. 3 in customer loyalty by U.S. News, with over 58% of policyholders surveyed describing themselves as very likely to renew their policy and nearly 44% saying they are very likely to recommend Nationwide to someone looking for car insurance.

Nationwide also offers a range of discounts to its customers, including the multiple policy discount for those who get both their home and car insurance from the company, and the anti-theft discount, which gives policyholders a discount for installing anti-theft devices in their vehicles. The company also has an accident-free discount, a defensive driving discount, and special programs like SmartRide and SmartMiles.

Coverage options

Nationwide offers extensive coverage options that can be customized to give you peace of mind when you’re on the road.

Collision

Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle if you hit another vehicle or object, or if another vehicle hits you, regardless of who is at fault. It also covers you if your vehicle rolls over.

Comprehensive

Also known as "other than collision," comprehensive coverage can help pay for damage to your vehicle from vandalism, theft, weather events, and accidents involving animals.

Liability

Liability coverage is mandatory in most states and is the legal obligation to pay for any injury or damage suffered by another person. There are two types: bodily injury liability and property damage liability.

Medical Payments

Also known as med pay, this coverage helps pay for medical costs for you and your passengers in the event of a covered auto accident.

Uninsured Motorist

Uninsured motorist coverage helps pay for damage and medical costs if an uninsured or underinsured driver causes an accident resulting in property damage and/or bodily injury.

Personal Injury Protection

Personal injury protection (PIP) coverage helps protect you and your vehicle from uninsured drivers and hit-and-run accidents.

Underinsured Motorist

Underinsured motorist coverage helps protect you from drivers who do not have enough insurance to cover the costs of an accident.

Special Auto Coverages

Nationwide offers several optional features that can be added to your car insurance policy, including Accident Forgiveness, Vanishing Deductible, Roadside Assistance, Rental Car Coverage, and Total Loss Deductible Waiver.

Frequently asked questions