Auto-Owners vs Nationwide
Last updated July 2026
Auto-Owners
The 'no problem' people
Advantages
- Consistently top J.D. Power scores for claims and customer satisfaction
- Diminishing deductible and accident forgiveness available on eligible policies
- Green Deductible waives up to $250 of your deductible for a claim-free year
- Strong bundling discounts with home, life, and umbrella policies
- Available in 26 states across the Midwest, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic
Drawbacks
- Quotes only through independent agents, no online purchase
- Not available on the West Coast or in the Northeast
- Digital tools trail Progressive and Geico for on-the-go management
Nationwide
On your side, and increasingly online
Advantages
- SmartRide telematics gives up to 40% off for consistently safe drivers
- Vanishing Deductible cuts your deductible by $100 each claim-free year
- Multi-policy discounts stack well when bundling auto with home or renters
- Accident forgiveness available as an add-on for eligible drivers
- Roadside assistance and rental car coverage are affordable add-ons
Drawbacks
- Not available in every state, notably Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Massachusetts
- Base rates can trail Geico or Progressive for younger or single-policy drivers
- Agent quality varies widely by region
Auto-Owners and Nationwide both play in auto insurance, but they're aimed at different buyers. Auto-Owners is built for drivers in Auto-Owners' 26 states who want elite service and don't mind an agent-only process. Nationwide is built for drivers who want strong telematics savings and plan to bundle multiple policies. Which one fits depends on which of those descriptions sounds more like you.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Auto-Owners | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Monthly Cost | Avg $115-$170/mo before bundling | Avg $130-$185/mo before bundling |
| Quote Process | Independent agent only | Local agent, online, or phone |
| Available Discounts | Multi-policy, safe driver, diminishing deductible, paid-in-full, good student | SmartRide, multi-policy, safe driver, accident-free, good student |
| Claims Experience | 24/7 phone, agent-assisted, app for basic submission | 24/7 phone, app, and agent-assisted |
| Customer Support | Independent agents, phone | Local agents, phone, app, online chat |
| Coverage Options | Liability, collision, comprehensive, gap, roadside, rideshare in some states | Liability, collision, comprehensive, gap, roadside, rental car |
| Mobile App Quality | Basic, ID cards, payments, simple claim start | Good, ID cards, claims, payments, SmartRide |
| Bundling Options | Auto, home, life, umbrella, business, boat | Auto, home, renters, life, pet, umbrella |
Auto-Owners Wins
Auto-Owners takes it overall (9/10 vs 8/10), but Nationwide is still the sharper pick for drivers who want strong telematics savings and plan to bundle multiple policies.
Auto-Owners's standout strength: Consistently top J.D. Power scores for claims and customer satisfaction. Its biggest drawback (quotes only through independent agents, no online purchase) is easier to live with than Nationwide's (not available in every state, notably Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Massachusetts). Nationwide isn't out of the running though — its own standout strength is smartRide telematics gives up to 40% off for consistently safe drivers. If you fit the profile of drivers who want strong telematics savings and plan to bundle multiple policies, that alone can flip the decision.
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