Nationwide auto insurance

Overview

Nationwide is a mutual insurer based in Columbus, Ohio, that sells auto, home, farm, business, life, pet and motorcycle insurance along with retirement and investment products. It ranked #14 among U.S. private passenger auto insurers by 2025 direct premiums written according to NAIC market share data, with $4.07 billion in auto premiums and a 1.09% national share.

The company is owned by its policyholders rather than stockholders. Personal auto is sold through independent agents, online and by phone; Nationwide no longer uses an exclusive agent force. It is best known among drivers for its two telematics programs, SmartRide and SmartMiles, and its "On Your Side" claims service.

History

Nationwide began as Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, which sold its first policy in 1926. The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation sponsored the company, and early growth came through partnerships with state Farm Bureaus; Nationwide says eight Farm Bureaus still promote it. In 1948 the insurance companies separated from the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation at the request of insurance commissioners, with Murray D. Lincoln continuing to lead them. In 1955 the company changed its name to Nationwide Mutual to reflect its ambition to become a national insurer.

Key later milestones:

• 1998: acquired Des Moines, Iowa-based ALLIED Group, adding Midwest and Western business and an independent agent channel.
• 2012: acquired Harleysville Mutual, expanding commercial lines and its presence in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
• 2017: completed the acquisition of Jefferson National, an investment products distributor.
• 2018: transitioned away from exclusive agency distribution to independent agents, according to Nationwide's corporate history.
• 2025: bought Allstate's employer stop-loss business for $1.25 billion.

The group also includes Harleysville and Nationwide Private Client, which keep their own roadside numbers, and Titan Insurance Company, which AM Best rates separately.

Auto insurance coverage

Nationwide's auto policy includes the standard liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured/underinsured motorist and medical payments or personal injury protection coverages. Optional coverages include rental reimbursement, roadside assistance (which can apply when you are a passenger in someone else's car), gap insurance and classic car coverage.

Its Vanishing Deductible option builds a deductible credit for safe driving. In Nationwide's own example, a driver with a $500 deductible who goes three years without an accident earns a $300 credit and pays $200 after a claim. See disappearing deductible for how these programs work. Accident forgiveness is also available.

Discounts and programs

Nationwide has two usage-based programs, and households with several cars can use both:

• SmartRide tracks driving through an app or plug-in device. Drivers get an instant 10% participation discount at enrollment and can earn up to 40% at renewal based on safe driving; the final discount could be zero. Criteria differ in California and North Carolina.
• SmartMiles is pay-per-mile insurance: a base premium plus a variable charge based on the miles and days driven, with the same coverage as a standard policy.

Nationwide says driving data is used for pricing and program purposes and is not sold to third parties. Other discounts include multi-policy bundling (Nationwide cites average annual savings of $1,032 for home and auto), an accident-free discount, good student for drivers 16 to 24 with a B average, defensive driving (some states require drivers to be 55 or older), anti-theft devices, a safe-driver discount for five years without at-fault accidents or major violations, automatic payments and paperless documents.

Claims

Auto claims can be filed online, in the Nationwide app or by phone at 800-421-3535, which is also the roadside assistance number. Glass claims can be filed online. Nationwide's On Your Side Auto Repair Network is a direct repair program of prescreened shops that handle the paperwork, are paid directly and carry a written repair guarantee for as long as you own or lease the car. Customers can get text or email updates during repairs.

In the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, Nationwide scored 729, fourth of 20 insurers and well above the study average of 700.

Ratings and reputation

AM Best affirmed the Nationwide Property and Casualty Group at A (Excellent) with a stable outlook in November 2025. AM Best described the group's balance sheet as very strong but its operating performance as marginal, and noted that Nationwide has tightened underwriting and slowed premium growth in recent years to improve profitability.

Customer satisfaction is a strength. In the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, Nationwide ranked highest among usage-based insurance programs (711) for the third straight year, and second in the North Central, Southeast and Texas regions. Results were weaker in the Northeast: it scored 618, 11th of 14, in the Mid-Atlantic and 612 in New York, below both regional averages.

Who it suits

Nationwide suits drivers who want an independent agent's help plus a well-regarded telematics option, and low-mileage drivers who can benefit from pay-per-mile pricing. Its claims service scores are among the best of the national carriers. Drivers in states without Nationwide auto coverage, or who prefer a captive agent who represents only one company, will need another option.

• Strengths: Top J.D. Power usage-based insurance score three years running; both a safe-driving discount (SmartRide) and pay-per-mile pricing (SmartMiles); fourth-place claims satisfaction in 2025; On Your Side repair network with a lifetime repair guarantee.
• Weaknesses: Not offered in Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts or Washington, D.C., based on its state pages; AM Best rates operating performance as marginal; below-average 2026 J.D. Power scores in the Mid-Atlantic and New York; cancellations must go through an agent.

How to contact Nationwide