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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years in content creation and marketing
As Insurify’s home and pet insurance editor, Danny also specializes in auto insurance. His goal is to help consumers navigate the complex world of insurance buying.
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Becky Helzer is an editor at Insurify. She loves helping writers express their ideas clearly and authentically. With a diverse background in editing everything from curriculum and books to magazine articles and blog posts, she’s worked on topics ranging from home finance, insurance, and cloud computing to the best tools for home improvement.
A proud graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in technical journalism, Becky lives in Fort Collins, CO, with her husband and their two spoiled rescue dogs.
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7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
Updated
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
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Table of contents
Allstate and Nationwide are two of the most popular insurers in the U.S. While Allstate has a much larger 10% market share, Nationwide’s is a little less than 1.5%, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).[1] But Allstate’s larger market share doesn’t necessarily make it a better option.
Both insurers have pros and cons to consider. Although Nationwide has high claims satisfaction ratings, Allstate wins when it comes to affordability.
We’ll dive into more of the differences between these two insurers to help you choose the best car insurance policy for your needs.
Allstate’s average monthly full-coverage rate is $140, compared to Nationwide’s $181.
Both companies offer telematics programs that can reduce your rate.
Nationwide has fewer complaints than Allstate on the NAIC complaint index.
Allstate vs. Nationwide: Our verdict
As the fourth-largest car insurance company in the U.S. by market share, Allstate offers some of the cheapest insurance rates on the market. Its liability insurance averages $75 per month, with full coverage costing an average of $140.
These prices are much cheaper than Nationwide’s average monthly rates of $96 for liability coverage and $181 for full coverage.
Although Nationwide’s average rates are higher, Nationwide tops Allstate when it comes to claims satisfaction. It earned an above-average score of 729/1,000 compared to Allstate’s 693/1,000 in the 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.[2]
Nationwide’s private passenger auto insurance also receives fewer complaints on average than Allstate’s, according to the NAIC complaint index.
If affordability is your main priority, Allstate is a better choice. But if a smooth claims experience is most important to you, Nationwide is a solid option.
Either way, it’s important to compare car insurance quotes before buying a policy to ensure you get the coverage you need at a fair price.
Allstate vs. Nationwide
Average price Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $108/mo* | Average price Prices based on average across state-minimum and full coverage car insurance $139/mo* |
Overall rating 3.9 | Overall rating 4.3 |
Value for money 3.4/5 | Value for money 3.8/5 |
Customer service 3.8/5 | Customer service 4.1/5 |
Claims handling 3.8/5 | Claims handling 4.3/5 |
Special highlight Accident forgivenessAI-generated from 3950 user reviews | Special highlight Usage-based savingsAI-generated from 499 user reviews |
Allstate: Best for affordability
| User Reviews | 3.9 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.9 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $75/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $140/mo |
Drivers appreciate the friendly customer service and efficient claims processing, but many find the rates too high and experience unexpected price increases. Some also report poor communication from agents.
Drivers appreciate the friendly customer service and efficient claims processing, but many find the rates too high and experience unexpected price increases. Some also report poor communication from agents.
Allstate is the better of the two insurers when it comes to affordability, offering car insurance rates that are generally much lower than those of Nationwide. While Allstate’s claims satisfaction ratings are less impressive than Nationwide’s, it has an A+ (Superior) AM Best rating. This indicates strong financial strength and an ability to pay out claims.
Drivewise telematics program
Available rideshare insurance
Coverage available in all 50 states
Below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction score
Low Trustpilot rating
Many complaints reported to the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Nationwide: Best for claims satisfaction
| User Reviews | 4.3 |
|---|---|
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 9 /10 |
| Liability Only Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages. | $96/mo |
| Full Coverage Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible. | $181/mo |
Drivers appreciate the helpful and knowledgeable customer service but dislike the frequent and significant rate increases. Some also found the claims process to be slow and frustrating.
Drivers appreciate the helpful and knowledgeable customer service but dislike the frequent and significant rate increases. Some also found the claims process to be slow and frustrating.
Nationwide is the better of the two insurers when it comes to claims satisfaction. It earned a higher score than Allstate in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study and has fewer complaints than Allstate on the NAIC complaint index.
Nationwide’s telematics program also offers more potential savings than Allstate’s. Drivers can save up to 40% for safe driving.
Above-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction score
Local agents across the country
Available total loss deductible waiver
More expensive than some other insurers
Not available in every state
Low Trustpilot rating
Nationwide vs. Allstate: Which is cheaper?
Allstate is cheaper, on average, than Nationwide. Allstate’s liability coverage averages $75 per month compared to Nationwide’s $96.
Allstate Insurance also has cheaper full coverage, with an average monthly rate of $140 compared to Nationwide’s $181.
See the table below to compare rates for various coverage options and driver profiles.
Driver Type | Allstate | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Adult drivers | $136 | $159 |
| Liability-only coverage | $75 | $96 |
| Full coverage | $140 | $181 |
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | $185 | $239 |
| Drivers with a DUI | $207 | $268 |
| Drivers with an at-fault accident | $185 | $242 |
| Poor credit drivers | $171 | $221 |
| Good credit drivers | $121 | $161 |
| Teen drivers | $299 | $377 |
| Senior drivers | $108 | $122 |
Allstate vs. Nationwide car insurance discounts
Nationwide has 10 car insurance discounts compared to Allstate’s nine. Allstate offers a couple of discounts that Nationwide doesn’t offer, such as those for having anti-lock brakes and being a responsible payer.
But Nationwide offers a handful of savings opportunities that Allstate doesn’t, such as safe driver, paperless, and low-mileage discounts.
Both insurers offer bundling discounts for purchasing another policy along with your car insurance, such as home insurance, renters insurance, life insurance, or pet insurance.
While discounts aren’t the most important factor to consider when choosing a policy, they can play a key role in making your rates more affordable.
The following table shows the discounts each insurer offers.
Discount | Allstate | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Safe driver | ✖ | ✔ |
| Defensive driving course | ✖ | ✔ |
| Multi-policy | ✔ | ✔ |
| Multi-car | ✔ | ✔ |
| Low mileage | ✖ | ✔ |
| Telematics | ✔ | ✔ |
| Anti-theft device | ✔ | ✔ |
| Anti-lock brake | ✔ | ✖ |
| Good student | ✔ | ✔ |
| Paperless | ✖ | ✔ |
| Auto pay | ✔ | ✔ |
| Accident forgiveness | X | X |
| Responsible payer | ✔ | ✖ |
Compare customer satisfaction and financial strength
Nationwide has Allstate beat when it comes to customer satisfaction, but Allstate’s financial strength rating is slightly higher. AM Best gives Allstate an A+ (Superior) rating compared to Nationwide’s A (Excellent) rating, but Allstate’s ratings for customer satisfaction are generally lower.
For example, Nationwide earned a 729/1,000 in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study compared to Allstate’s 693/1,000. Nationwide customers also report fewer complaints than Allstate’s, according to the NAIC complaint index.
But both insurers receive poor customer reviews on the BBB website. Allstate customers report bad customer service and issues with resolving claims. Nationwide customers mention long hold times for customer service and low claim settlements.
The table below compares each company’s customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings.
Score | Allstate | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| IQ Score | 8.9 | 9.0 |
| Customer reviews | 3.9/5 (7,746 reviews) | 4.3/5 (898 reviews) |
| J.D. Power | 693/1,000 | 729/1,000 |
| AM Best rating | A+ (Superior) | A (Excellent) |
| NAIC complaint index | 1.0 (average number of complaints reported for a company of its size) | 0.39 (fewer complaints than expected reported for a company of its size) |
| BBB customer reviews | 1.12 stars out of 5 | 1.12 stars out of 5 |
Recent customer reviews of Allstate car insurance
No insurance company is perfect, and while Allstate has affordable rates and solid financial strength, it struggles with customer satisfaction.
We collected reviews from real customers to get their impressions about the fourth-largest insurance company in the country.
Recent customer reviews of Nationwide car insurance
While not as affordable as some of its competitors, Nationwide excels at customer satisfaction. It received favorable scores from J.D. Power and the NAIC complaint index.
We asked real customers about their experiences with Nationwide.
Allstate Drivewise vs. Nationwide SmartRide
Allstate and Nationwide both offer telematics car insurance programs, and each has pros and cons. But Nationwide’s SmartRide program tops Allstate’s Drivewise when it comes to savings.
Drivers can save up to 40% with Nationwide’s SmartRide, and SmartRide can’t increase your premiums — even for poor driving. In contrast, Drivewise savings vary by state, and high-risk driving behavior may result in Allstate raising your rate.
Nationwide’s SmartRide telematics program uses a plug-in device to track your driving for four to six months. After that, it determines a discount based on your driving.
At the end of the program, your rate will only decrease or stay the same, making it a good option if you don’t want to risk a potential rate increase. With SmartRide, you can earn a 10% discount just for signing up.
Allstate’s Drivewise telematics program uses a phone app to track your driving behavior, including your phone usage while driving. Safe driving can earn you discounts, although Allstate’s website says savings vary by state. But since poor driving can lead to increased auto insurance rates, it’s not always a win.
It’s crucial to understand the differences between pay-per-mile car insurance and telematics car insurance.[3] Telematics programs track your driving behavior, including mileage driven, to determine your rates or potential discount.
Pay-per-mile insurance, on the other hand, strictly tracks your mileage. The fewer miles you drive, the more you’ll save.
The following table highlights features of each company’s telematics program.
Feature | Allstate Drivewise | Nationwide SmartRide |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Drivers who want gamified rewards | Drivers who don’t want to risk premium increases |
| Savings potential | Not advertised; varies by state | Up to 40% |
| How it works | Uses your phone to track your driving behavior and adjust your rate | Uses a plug-in device for four to six months to track your driving behavior to calculate your discount |
| Availability | 48 states and D.C. (not available in Alaska and California) | 46 states and Washington, D.C. (limited in California, and not available in Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, and New York) |
| Data tracked | Speed, hard braking, location, time of day, phone usage | Miles driven, hard braking, acceleration, idle time, nighttime driving |
| App rating (App Store/Google Play) | 4.8/4.0 | 4.7/4.5 |
| Average discount for good drivers | Not advertised | 10% for signing up |
| Driver feedback tools | Personalized feedback, trip summaries, phone activity | Personalized feedback about driving trends |
| Gamified rewards | ✔ (drivers can complete safe-driving challenges) | ✖ |
| Compatibility | Mobile app only | Plug-in device only |
Compare coverages: Allstate vs. Nationwide
Both Allstate and Nationwide offer standard car insurance, including liability and property damage coverage, comprehensive and collision, and roadside assistance.
While Allstate offers rideshare insurance and Mexico car insurance, Nationwide has a total loss deductible waiver.
Take a look at the table below to see how each insurer’s coverages stack up.
Coverage | Allstate | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability (BI) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Property damage liability (PD) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Personal injury protection (PIP insurance) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage (UIM/UM) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Medical payments (MedPay) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Collision | ✔ | ✔ |
| Comprehensive | ✔ | ✔ |
| Roadside assistance | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rental reimbursement | ✔ | ✔ |
| Gap insurance | ✔ | ✔ |
| Classic car insurance | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rideshare insurance | ✔ | ✖ |
| Mexico car insurance | ✔ | ✖ |
| Electric car insurance | ✔ | ✔ |
| Vanishing deductible | ✔ | ✔ |
| Total loss deductible waiver | ✖ | ✔ |
Allstate vs. Nationwide FAQs
For more information on Allstate vs. Nationwide, take a look at these answers to frequently asked questions.
Which is cheaper: Allstate or Nationwide?
Allstate has cheaper rates, on average, than Nationwide. Allstate’s average rate for liability-only insurance is $75 per month, and full coverage averages $140. Nationwide’s liability insurance averages $96 per month, and full coverage costs an average of $181 per month.
Who is Allstate’s biggest competitor?
State Farm, Progressive, and GEICO are among Allstate’s biggest competitors.
Which insurance company has the best reputation?
Between Nationwide and Allstate, Nationwide has the better reputation. It earned a higher customer satisfaction score in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.
The NAIC complaint index also reports that Nationwide receives fewer complaints than Allstate. But Allstate has a higher AM Best financial strength rating than Nationwide.
Is Nationwide good at paying claims?
Yes. Nationwide is good at paying claims. It earned an A (Excellent) financial strength rating from AM Best, indicating that it’s reliable at paying out claims.
How can you lower your car insurance premium?
You can lower your car insurance premiums by bundling auto and homeowners insurance, maintaining a clean driving record, and increasing your deductibles. Ask your insurer which discounts you qualify for, and consider dropping coverage you no longer need.[4]
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 500+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).
Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:
- Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
- Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
- No additional coverage
- Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
- Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible
Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.
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Liberty Mutual Insurance Review: 3,213+ User Ratings
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Allstate Insurance Review: 7,746+ User Ratings
Sources
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "Property and Casualty Insurance Industry 2024 Top 25 Groups and Companies by Countrywide Premium."
- J.D. Power. "2025 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study."
- Consumer Federation of America. "Insurance Companies Claim Telematics Will Save You Money on Auto Insurance. The Truth Is More Complicated."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Nine ways to lower your auto insurance costs."
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Danny is a Brooklyn-based writer with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance. A former editor at Insurify, he specializes in auto, home, and pet insurance. He works to translate his insurance expertise into digestible, easy-to-understand content for drivers, homeowners, and pet owners alike.
Danny has been a contributor at Insurify since March 2022.
)
Becky Helzer is an editor at Insurify. She loves helping writers express their ideas clearly and authentically. With a diverse background in editing everything from curriculum and books to magazine articles and blog posts, she’s worked on topics ranging from home finance, insurance, and cloud computing to the best tools for home improvement.
A proud graduate of Colorado State University with a degree in technical journalism, Becky lives in Fort Collins, CO, with her husband and their two spoiled rescue dogs.
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7+ years experience in data analysis
Ph.D. in Computational Biology
Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.
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