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Nationwide Homeowners Insurance Review 2024
Lead Writer | Home insurance, renters insurance, pet insurance
Sarah Schlichter is a NerdWallet authority on homeowners, renters and pet insurance. Prior to joining NerdWallet, she spent more than 15 years in digital media as a writer, editor and spokesperson. Sarah enjoys delving into complicated topics and helping readers understand the ins and outs of their insurance coverage. She lives in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Assigning Editor | Home insurance, renters insurance, pet insurance
Caitlin Constantine is an assigning editor at NerdWallet, focusing on homeowners, renters and pet insurance. She has more than 15 years of experience in digital media, including as the deputy managing editor at The Penny Hoarder and as a digital producer for a 24/7 news station based in the Tampa Bay area. Caitlin enjoys exploring the ways technology can help people become better informed about the world. She currently lives outside Asheville, North Carolina.
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money.
Nationwide
4.5
Coverage optionsRatings are based on the number of coverage options a company offers in comparison to other insurers.
DiscountsRatings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers.
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Pros
- Offers some coverage standard that other companies charge extra for.
- Many discounts available.
- Website offers lots of useful features and information.
Cons
- Doesn't insure mobile or manufactured homes.
- Unavailable in a handful of states.
Nationwide
4.5
Coverage optionsRatings are based on the number of coverage options a company offers in comparison to other insurers.
DiscountsRatings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers.
NAIC complaintsRatings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC.
Pros
- Offers some coverage standard that other companies charge extra for.
- Many discounts available.
- Website offers lots of useful features and information.
Cons
- Doesn't insure mobile or manufactured homes.
- Unavailable in a handful of states.
About Nationwide home insurance
4.5
NerdWallet ratingNationwide homeowners insurance earned 4.5 out of 5 stars for overall performance. One of the 10 largest U.S. home insurers, Nationwide stands out for including coverage in its homeowners policies that would cost you extra elsewhere. Nationwide home insurance is available in most states and offers plenty of opportunities for discounts.
Our star ratings are based on consumer complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners; financial strength grades from AM Best; coverage and discounts available; and the overall consumer experience. See our criteria for evaluating home insurance companies.
Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines that ensure fairness and accuracy in order to help you choose the financial products that work best for you. Here is a list of our partners, and here’s how we make money.
Where Nationwide stands out
Ways to save. Nationwide offers so many potential discounts that homeowners will likely qualify for at least one.
Number of coverage options. There are many ways to customize your policy with Nationwide, whether you’re looking for just the basics or a more comprehensive package.
Where Nationwide falls short
High rates. Nationwide’s average annual premium is higher than the national average, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis.
Not available in Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana or Oklahoma. Homeowners in these states will need to look for other insurers.
State availability
Nationwide sells homeowners insurance in Washington, D.C., and every state except Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
Nationwide home insurance coverage
You can customize your homeowners policy with numerous add-ons, but below are the types of coverage that generally come standard:
Type of coverage | What it does |
---|---|
Pays to repair or rebuild the structure of your home. | |
Covers damage to unattached structures such as sheds or fences. | |
Pays to repair or replace personal belongings such as furniture or clothing. | |
Pays for hotel stays, restaurant meals or other expenses if you have to live elsewhere while your home undergoes covered repairs. | |
Covers legal expenses and damages if you're responsible for injuries to other people or their property. | |
Covers injuries to guests in your home, regardless of fault. |
For more details, see What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?
A Nationwide homeowners policy includes the standard coverage you’d expect as well as insurance that other companies often charge extra for. For instance, you may be able to get ordinance or law coverage for no additional cost; this pays to bring your house up to building codes during rebuilding or repairs after a claim, up to your policy limits.
A Nationwide home insurance policy also covers losses up to $500 due to unauthorized credit or debit transactions, forged checks or counterfeit money. You can upgrade to $10,000 worth of coverage.
Depending on where you live and which policy you have, you may be able to add the following features:
Extended replacement cost coverage, which pays out above your dwelling coverage limit in case it costs more than expected to rebuild your home after a covered disaster.
Brand New Belongings, which pays enough to restore damaged belongings or replace them with new items. (A default homeowners policy covers older items for only their depreciated value.)
Better Roof Replacement, which pays to rebuild your roof with stronger materials if it’s damaged for a covered reason.
Identity theft coverage to monitor your personal data and help with resolution if your identity is stolen.
Additional valuables coverage for jewelry, art and other high-value belongings.
Water backup coverage for damage due to an overflowing sump pump or a backed-up drain.
Personal injury coverage, which covers lawsuits for issues like slander, libel and other personal offenses.
Service line coverage, which pays for damage, excavation costs, additional living costs and other expenses that arise from needing to repair or replace underground service lines like piping and wiring.
Other optional coverage types may be available.
Nationwide home insurance rates
The average cost of Nationwide home insurance is $2,270 per year, according to a NerdWallet rate analysis. That's more expensive than the national average of $1,915 per year. It's also above the average rates of some of Nationwide's large national competitors.
Company | Average annual rate |
---|---|
$1,815 | |
$1,935 | |
$2,010 | |
$2,205 | |
$2,270 | |
$2,415 | |
USAA* | $1,875 |
*USAA homeowners insurance is available only to active-duty military members, veterans and their families. |
The sample rates above are for 40-year-old homeowners with good credit, a $1,000 deductible, $300,000 in dwelling coverage and $300,000 in liability insurance. Your rates will be different.
Discounts
Nationwide offers a variety of ways to save on your homeowners insurance depending on where you live, including discounts for:
Bundling homeowners and auto insurance with Nationwide.
Purchasing your home within the past 12 months.
Remaining claims-free.
Having a newer roof made out of qualifying materials.
Installing smoke detectors, fire alarms, burglar alarms or other protective devices.
Having been continuously insured by another carrier.
Living in a gated community.
Having select smart-home technology.
Homeowners may also receive a renovation credit for updating plumbing, heating, cooling or electrical systems.
Consumer complaints
Nationwide had close to the expected number of complaints to state regulators relative to its size for home insurance, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Consumer experience
Website: It’s easy to manage your homeowners policy on the Nationwide website, where you can pay bills, file and track claims, set up automatic payments and enroll in paperless billing. The site’s learning center features articles on a variety of home insurance topics.
App: On Nationwide’s mobile app, available for iOS and Android, you can view policy documents, file and track a claim, pay bills and enroll in autopay.
Claims: You can file a Nationwide home insurance claim online, on the Nationwide mobile app or by calling 800-421-3535. Nationwide will assign an adjuster who will help you through the process from there. For advice, see how to file a home insurance claim.
Customer service: You can reach out to your local agent or call 877-669-6877 for help. Customer service staff is available weekdays between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. and weekends between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET. After hours, you can get proof of insurance and pay your bill over the phone. You can also schedule a callback. Plus, there's a chatbot on the Nationwide site that can answer basic questions.
Nationwide vs. competitors
Nationwide vs. Allstate home insurance
The biggest difference between Nationwide and Allstate home insurance is the number of consumer complaints they receive. Nationwide draws about the expected number of complaints for a company of its size, while Allstate draws more.
Otherwise, Nationwide and Allstate have a lot in common. They’re among the biggest insurance companies in the country, with long lists of coverage options and discounts that you may be eligible for. They have websites and apps where you can pay bills, file claims and manage your policy, but they also have local agents available for more personal service.
Check out our Allstate home insurance review to learn more.
Nationwide vs. Geico home insurance
The main difference between Nationwide and Geico home insurance is that Nationwide sells its own policies while Geico offers policies from third parties. The coverage and discounts you get from Geico will depend on which insurer it pairs you with, and if you need to file a claim, you’ll need to file with the third-party company.
You can get online quotes from Nationwide and Geico, and either company may offer you a bundling discount if you buy auto and home insurance. Both companies are well-established insurers serving homeowners across the U.S.
Get more details in our Geico home insurance review.
Current Product
NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates discounts, coverage options, website transparency, financial strength, complaint data and more. 4.5 /5 | NerdWallet rating NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula incorporates discounts, coverage options, website transparency, financial strength, complaint data and more. 4.0 /5 | |
Complaints to NAIC Ratings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company's size, according to three years' worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Close to expected | Complaints to NAIC Ratings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company's size, according to three years' worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. More than expected | Complaints to NAIC Ratings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company's size, according to three years' worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. No data |
Coverage Ratings are based on the types of coverage a company offers in comparison to other insurers. About average | Coverage Ratings are based on the types of coverage a company offers in comparison to other insurers. About average | Coverage Ratings are based on the types of coverage a company offers in comparison to other insurers. No data |
Discounts Ratings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers. Great set of discounts | Discounts Ratings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers. Great set of discounts | Discounts Ratings are based on the number of discounts a company offers in comparison to other insurers. No data |
Bottom line For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill. | Bottom line Widely available across the U.S. with lots of ways to customize your policy, but receives more complaints than expected. | Bottom line Best for Geico car insurance customers looking to bundle their auto and homeowners policies. |
The bottom line
If you’re looking for a highly customizable homeowners insurance policy from a well-established national carrier, Nationwide’s policies are worth considering.
Yes, cell phones are covered for theft and certain types of damage up to the personal property limit on your policy. Note that a home insurance deductible applies to this coverage, so if your phone is stolen but it’s worth less than your deductible, filing a claim probably doesn’t make sense.
Nationwide sells several types of coverage, from flood to umbrella insurance. You can read our Nationwide auto insurance review, Nationwide renters insurance review and Nationwide life insurance review for more information on those policy options.
No. If you’re looking for other options, see NerdWallet’s guide to mobile home insurance.
It depends. Homeowners insurance is designed to cover sudden, accidental losses, not wear and tear or maintenance. So if a pipe suddenly bursts, sending water all over your basement, your homeowners policy would likely cover any resulting damage. But if a drain has been leaking slowly for weeks and you didn’t discover it until mold started growing, that damage would be considered a maintenance issue and would not be covered.
Yes, cell phones are covered for theft and certain types of damage up to the personal property limit on your policy. Note that a
home insurance deductible
applies to this coverage, so if your phone is stolen but it’s worth less than your deductible, filing a claim probably doesn’t make sense.
Nationwide sells several types of coverage, from flood to umbrella insurance. You can read our
Nationwide auto insurance review
,
Nationwide renters insurance review
and
Nationwide life insurance review
for more information on those policy options.
It depends. Homeowners insurance is designed to cover sudden, accidental losses, not wear and tear or maintenance. So if a pipe suddenly bursts, sending water all over your basement, your homeowners policy would likely cover any resulting damage. But if a drain has been leaking slowly for weeks and you didn’t discover it until mold started growing, that damage would be considered a maintenance issue and would not be covered.
Methodology
Homeowners insurance star ratings methodology
NerdWallet’s homeowners insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints, coverage, discounts and online experience. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews.
Here’s how we weighted each category to come up with our list of the best home insurance companies:
Consumer complaints (30%).
Financial strength (30%).
Coverage (20%).
Consumer experience (10%).
Discounts (10%).
Read our full ratings methodology for home insurance.
Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2020-2022. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
Homeowners insurance rates methodology
NerdWallet calculated median rates for 40-year-old homeowners from various insurance companies in every ZIP code across the U.S. All rates are rounded to the nearest $5.
Sample homeowners were nonsmokers with good credit living in a single-family, two-story home built in 1984. They had a $1,000 deductible and the following coverage limits:
$300,000 in dwelling coverage.
$30,000 in other structures coverage.
$150,000 in personal property coverage.
$60,000 in loss of use coverage.
$300,000 in liability coverage.
$1,000 in medical payments coverage.
We made minor changes to the sample policy in cases where rates for the above coverage limits or deductibles weren’t available.
These are sample rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.
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