Nationwide Insurance: Legit Auto Coverage Or Scam?

Nationwide Insurance is a mutual insurance company that offers auto insurance to drivers across the country. It is one of the largest insurance providers in the U.S., with highly customizable policies and a wide range of add-ons and discounts. The company has received positive reviews for its low premiums and high recommendation rate, as well as its generous extras for loyal customers. However, it has also received some negative reviews, with some customers reporting issues with claim handling and unexpected rate increases. Overall, Nationwide auto insurance is a legitimate option for drivers, offering competitive rates and a variety of coverage options.

Nationwide's customer service

Nationwide has a range of customer service options. Customers can manage their accounts, pay bills, file and track claims, and view documents online or through the Nationwide mobile app. The company also provides a separate app for its SmartRide program, which tracks driving behaviour and offers discounts for safe habits.

Nationwide's website features a portal where customers can access resources, including a learning centre with detailed insurance information, and a self-help video library. The website also provides retirement planning resources and allows customers to apply for a quote or an insurance policy online.

For customers who prefer to speak with a representative, Nationwide offers support via phone, email, and live chat. The company's customer service team can assist with a range of issues, including policy changes, claims, and technical support.

Nationwide also offers roadside assistance and towing services, which can be requested online or by calling their dedicated phone line.

Nationwide's pricing

Type of Car Insurance Policy

The type of car insurance policy you buy plays a significant role in determining the cost. A state-minimum liability policy will likely be cheaper than a comprehensive insurance package that includes collision insurance, accident forgiveness, and personal injury protection.

Age of the Policyholder

Drivers in different age groups pose different risks, which is why rates tend to differ based on age. For example, Nationwide has the lowest average cost for senior drivers aged 65-80 among large insurers.

Location

Geography, weather, and population density are factors in the price of car insurance. Insurance costs vary from state to state, with Florida having the highest average rate and Maine the lowest.

Driving Record

Insurance providers want to see demonstrated responsible behaviour, so traffic accidents and citations will impact your rates. Points on your license won't stay forever, but the length of time they remain on your record depends on the state and the severity of the offence.

Type of Car

The price, style, and age of your vehicle will influence the cost of insurance. For example, a brand-new sports car will likely be more expensive to insure than a five-year-old sedan.

Policy Limits

While all auto policies have a minimum amount of coverage, you can raise your policy limits depending on how much protection you want, which will increase your premium.

Eligibility for Discounts

Nationwide offers various discounts, including bundling policies, going paperless, and safe driving. For example, their SmartRide and SmartMiles programs offer discounts for safe and low-mileage driving.

Nationwide's rates are below the national average in all driver categories, and it offers competitive rates for drivers with speeding tickets or accidents on their record, as well as for young adults, adults, and seniors.

Nationwide's coverage

Nationwide offers a wide range of coverage options for auto insurance, including standard coverages such as liability, comprehensive, and collision insurance. Here are some key aspects of Nationwide's coverage:

Personal Auto Coverages

• Bodily Injury Liability: This coverage helps pay for medical bills and loss of income if you cause an accident that injures someone else.
• Property Damage Liability: This coverage pays for damages to another person's vehicle or property if you are at fault in an accident.
• Personal Injury Protection: This coverage provides protection for you and your passengers in the event of an accident, including medical costs and lost wages.
• Uninsured Motorist Coverage: This coverage protects you if you are hit by an uninsured driver or are involved in a hit-and-run accident.
• Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This coverage helps when the at-fault driver does not have sufficient insurance to cover the costs of the accident.
• Medical Payments Coverage: Also known as "med pay," this helps pay for medical expenses for you and your passengers in a covered accident.

Additional Coverages

• Collision Coverage: This coverage pays for damage to your vehicle if you collide with another vehicle or object, regardless of who is at fault.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Also known as "other than collision," this coverage includes damage to your vehicle from vandalism, theft, weather events, and accidents involving animals.
• Towing and Labor Coverage: This coverage assists when your car is stuck or inoperable and provides towing and emergency services.
• Rental Car Reimbursement: This coverage provides a rental car or alternative transportation if your vehicle is in the repair shop due to a covered accident.
• Gap Insurance: This coverage is for leased or financed vehicles and pays the difference between the actual cash value of your car and the amount you still owe if it is totaled or stolen.

Special Auto Coverages (Optional)

• Accident Forgiveness: This feature helps prevent a rate increase after your first at-fault accident or minor violation.
• Vanishing Deductible: For each year of safe driving, your deductible decreases by $100, up to a maximum of $500.
• Total Loss Deductible Waiver: If your vehicle is deemed a total loss after an accident, this coverage waives your comprehensive or collision deductible.

Discounts

Nationwide offers various discounts to help reduce the cost of insurance, including safe driver, good student, multi-car, bundling, paperless, and defensive driver discounts. They also offer a unique discount for automatic payments, which is not common among insurers.

Nationwide's online tools

Nationwide offers a range of online tools to its customers. These include:

• An online quote tool that provides pre-packaged insurance quotes with room for customisation.
• The ability to pay bills through its mobile app or website.
• A simple claims process through its online portal and mobile app.
• A robust mobile app that allows customers to make claims, manage their policies and request roadside assistance. There is a separate app for its SmartRide program, which tracks driving behaviour and offers discounts for safe habits.
• Rate calculators for several insurance options.
• Access to online learning centres with detailed insurance information.
• Access to a business solutions centre with tips for starting and protecting a business, an ag insight centre with topics for farmers and agribusiness operators, and a loss control centre with solutions to help manage risk.

Nationwide's claims process

• Ensure Your Wellbeing: Before starting a claim, make sure you are in a safe location.
• Document the Incident: Use Nationwide's digital tools to document the details of what happened. Provide photos and documents if possible.
• Vehicle Assessment: Nationwide will assess your vehicle and evaluate the claim details to determine the necessary repairs or if the vehicle is a total loss.
• Repair Scheduling: Nationwide will help you find and schedule repairs with a trusted repair shop from their On Your Side Auto Repair Network. Repairs come with a written guarantee.
• Claim Resolution: Once the repairs are completed, Nationwide will provide payment and inform you that the claim has been closed. They may also offer tips for upgrading your coverage or purchasing a new vehicle.

You can track the status of your claim at any time using the Claims Tracker feature. Additionally, if your policy includes towing and labor coverage, Nationwide will reimburse you up to your policy limit upon coverage review. Rental car reimbursement is also available if your vehicle can't be driven due to a covered claim.

Frequently asked questions