Erie vs. Nationwide: Which Is the Best? (2025)
Erie’s customers tend to enjoy lower rates and a better customer service experience than Nationwide.
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Excellent
)
Written bySarah Sharkey
)
7+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
Contributor to top media, including USA Today
A passionate personal finance advocate, Sarah’s writing has graced the pages of many of the personal finance and insurance industries’ top web publications.
Featured in
){kind=logo}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
Edited bySara Getman
)
Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.
)
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
)
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
Why you can trust Insurify: Comparing accurate insurance quotes should never put you at risk of spam. We earn an agent commission only if you buy a policy based on our quotes. Our editorial team follows a rigorous set of editorial standards and operates independently from our insurance partners. Learn more.
Advertiser Disclosure
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.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
Table of contents
Nationwide and Erie are both well-known options for car insurance. Erie tends to offer lower rates than Nationwide. In general, customers report a better experience with Erie than with Nationwide.[1] But since Erie is only available in a dozen states, many drivers aren’t able to work with the insurer.
The best car insurance company for you varies based on your unique situation and coverage needs. Explore what you should consider when comparing coverage from Erie and Nationwide.
Quick Facts
Erie is affordable for many drivers, including drivers with speeding tickets.
Nationwide offers a wider selection of discounts.
Both companies offer a safe driving rewards program, but their benefits vary.
Erie vs. Nationwide: The verdict
In terms of overall coverage, Erie wins out over Nationwide. Erie offers lower rates and higher customer satisfaction scores. The catch is that Erie is only available in a dozen states, which limits who can work with this insurer.
Erie is only available in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.
Nationwide offers coverage on a larger scale across the U.S., except in Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Massachusetts.
Both insurers offer competitive rates. Each company also offers many other insurance products, including life insurance, home insurance, and renters insurance.
Take a look at the table below to see how Erie and Nationwide compare.
Factor  | Erie | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| IQ Score | 8.4 | 9.0 |
| Customer satisfaction score | 3.8 | 3.5 |
| Average quote: liability only | $80 | $96 |
| Number of discounts | 8 | 11 |
| Number of states where it operates | 12 | 46 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Erie
Over almost 100 years, Erie has built a reputation as a reliable insurer with top-tier customer satisfaction in the 12 states it covers.
| User Reviews | 4.4 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 8.4 /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. | $80/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. | $121/mo |
4.4
Best choiceBased on 423 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Erie Insurance
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and quick claim handling but are dissatisfied with the unexpected and unexplained rate increases. Some also found the policy details hard to understand.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
High customer satisfaction
Competitive rates
Optional coverages
How drivers feel about Erie Insurance
Customers appreciate the insurer’s excellent customer service and quick claim handling but are dissatisfied with the unexpected and unexplained rate increases. Some also found the policy details hard to understand.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
High customer satisfaction
Competitive rates
Optional coverages
Reviews (207)
Betty
Verified Review
Good
Reviewed in North Carolina on November 2025
I hit a deer and my insurance went up by $50.00.
William
Verified Review
Shop Around
Reviewed in Ohio on November 2025
Car insurance is high, but homeowners insurance is affordable.
Bernard
Verified Review
Excellent
Reviewed in Pennsylvania on October 2025
They are pleasant to talk to, helpful, and explain everything clearly.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
700NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.68A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A+Why we picked this company
Erie Insurance has been selling auto coverage since 1925. The company operates in 12 states and Washington, D.C., and also offers more than two dozen types of insurance, including home, life, and business insurance. AM Best gives Erie superior ratings for financial stability and credit strength. The company has a lower-than-expected number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and ranks third in overall customer satisfaction, according to J.D. Power rankings. The company also has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Pros
Excellent BBB, J.D. Power, and AM Best ratings
Competitive rates for teenagers and drivers with speeding tickets
Offers numerous optional auto coverages
Cons
Available in only 12 states
Customers can’t buy a policy or file a claim online
Offers fewer discounts than competitors
Nationwide
Although Nationwide earned below-average marks in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, it boasts financial stability in spades, with an AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent).
| 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. | $180/mo |
4.3
Best choiceBased on 898 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Nationwide
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.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Usage-based savings
Accident forgiveness
Recreational vehicle coverage
How drivers feel about Nationwide
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.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Usage-based savings
Accident forgiveness
Recreational vehicle coverage
Reviews (499)
Joyce
Verified Review
Excellent
Reviewed in New York on November 2025
Find an insurance that helps out senior citizens.
Raymond
Verified Review
Above Average
Reviewed in New York on November 2025
Good experience, especially with the claims department.
Edward
Verified Review
Happy for the most part
Reviewed in Pennsylvania on November 2025
I haven’t had any claims, but roadside assistance could be better.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
641NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0.7A.M. Best
A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor).
A+Why we picked this company
Nationwide operates in 46 states and Washington, D.C., selling car, homeowners, life, umbrella, and more types of insurance coverage. In addition to liability, collision, and comprehensive, Nationwide provides optional coverages such as towing and labor, rental car, and gap insurance. The company also offers a vanishing deductible that lowers your deductible for each year you drive safely. Nationwide has an A rating from AM Best for financial stability and fewer-than-expected customer complaints in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Consumer Complaint Index.
Pros
Offers 24/7 roadside assistance coverage add-on
SmartRide (for safe drivers) and SmartMiles (for low-mileage drivers)
Accident forgiveness available
Cons
Below-average customer satisfaction scores from J.D. Power
Some discounts and programs not available in all states
Not available in every state
Erie YourTurn vs. Nationwide SmartRide
Erie and Nationwide each offer telematics programs. Both require drivers to download a mobile app that tracks their driving behaviors. Based on metrics like speeding, braking smoothness, and phone usage, the company will send feedback on how enrolled drivers can improve their driving safety.
In exchange for signing up, Erie offers monetary bonuses, including redemptions for gift cards or charitable donations. In contrast, Nationwide offers a discount of up to 40% for safe driving habits, plus an instant 10% discount just for signing up for SmartRide.
Shop for Car Insurance
Check quotes from 120+ top insurance companies
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 7,669+ reviews
4.8/5
Erie vs. Nationwide: Which is the cheapest?
Erie tends to offer cheaper rates than Nationwide. But your rates will vary based on your age, location, ZIP code, gender, driving record, credit history, and more.[2]
Explore how average rates vary across different driver profiles in the following sections.
Erie: Cheapest for drivers with a clean driving record
Generally, drivers with clean records lock in the best rates because insurers don’t consider them as high risk. Compared to Nationwide, Erie offers the cheapest car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record.
Driver Type | Erie | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $80 | $96 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Erie: Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket
Your insurer will likely increase your rates after a speeding ticket because companies consider speeding a high-risk driving behavior. Even if you have a speeding ticket, you can still find affordable rates. Compared to Nationwide, Erie offers cheaper rates for drivers with a speeding ticket.
Driver Type | Erie | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | $109 | $125 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Erie: Cheapest for teen drivers
Age plays a big role in determining your rates. Teen drivers pay more for car insurance than more experienced drivers because they lack experience and engage in risky behaviors. Young drivers looking for the cheapest rates often find a better option through Erie than Nationwide.
Driver Type | Erie | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| 18-year-old | $152 | $200 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Erie: Cheapest for senior drivers
Erie offers senior drivers cheaper rates than Nationwide, on average. Seniors pay some of the cheapest rates because they’re more experienced. As a mature driver, don’t hesitate to shop around to find the best rates for your situation.
Driver Type | Erie | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Senior drivers | $54 | $65 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Erie: Cheapest for drivers with bad credit
Drivers with a poor credit history often receive higher rates. Insurers view poor credit as an indicator that you’re more likely to submit a claim in the future. Besides improving your credit, drivers can secure affordable rates from Erie.
Driver Type | Erie | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with bad credit | $136 | $117 |
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 500+ partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.
Compare coverages: Erie vs. Nationwide
Both Nationwide and Erie offer liability and full-coverage policies including standard car insurance coverage such as bodily injury liability, property damage liability coverage, personal injury protection coverage, collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Additionally, both insurers offer a wide range of coverages beyond the standard options. For example, Erie allows pet owners to opt into pet coverage to help pay for injuries to their dog after an accident.
Add-ons to a standard car insurance policy can help you build the right policy for your situation. But keep in mind that a full-coverage policy with optional add-ons will likely be more expensive than a minimum-coverage policy.
The table below highlights some additional coverage options available through each insurer.
Coverage | Erie | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Gap insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Roadside assistance | Yes | Yes |
| Rental reimbursement | Yes | Yes |
| Accident forgiveness | Yes | Yes |
| Vanishing deductible | Yes | Yes |
| Rideshare insurance | Yes | No |
| New-car replacement | Yes | Yes |
Compare Car Insurance Quotes Instantly
Insurify partners with 120+ top insurers for real-time quotes
Secure. Free. Easy-to-use.
Based on 7,669+ reviews
4.8/5
Compare discounts: Erie vs. Nationwide
Both Nationwide and Erie offer various discounts to meet the needs of different drivers. Overall, Nationwide offers more discount opportunities, including an auto-pay discount that provides a straightforward way to lock in the lowest rates, and good student discounts. Neither offers a discount to military members.
If you’re unsure which company is better for you, it’s a good idea to get car insurance quotes from both.
Use the table below to determine which discounts each insurance company offers.
Discount | Erie | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | No | Yes |
| Defensive driving course | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-policy | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-car | Yes | No |
| Low mileage | No | Yes |
| Telematics (safe driving app) | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-theft device | Yes | Yes |
| New car | No | No |
| Military/affiliation | No | No |
| Good student | No | Yes |
| Loyalty | No | No |
| Auto-pay | No | Yes |
| Student away at school | Yes | Yes |
| Homeowner | No | No |
| Alternative fuel | No | No |
Erie vs. Nationwide FAQs
Choosing the right insurer can be a difficult decision. Check out the additional information about Erie and Nationwide below to help make your decision.
Why is Erie Insurance so cheap?
Erie Insurance Group offers affordable rates and many great discounts. But Erie’s key money-saving feature is its Rate Lock option, which allows drivers to lock in affordable rates over the long term and avoid rising insurance bills. Drivers who are interested can talk to an Erie agent to learn more about Rate Lock.
Is Erie Insurance a reliable company?
Yes. Erie offers drivers a good experience, which shows up in the company’s top-tier customer satisfaction ratings. The company’s overall financial status is rock solid based on its AM Best financial strength rating of A+ (Superior).[3] If you need help after an accident, you can rely on Erie’s customer service and ability to pay out claims.
How does Nationwide rank as an insurance company?
In terms of customer satisfaction, Nationwide ranks below the industry average, scoring an 875 from J.D. Power. But Nationwide has an AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent).[4] In terms of cost, the insurance company’s average rates are below the national average.
What are the main differences between Erie Insurance and Nationwide?
On average, Erie offers drivers lower premiums than Nationwide and has better customer service. But Erie’s limited coverage area of 12 states is a dealbreaker for many.
Related articles
)
List of National and Regional Car Insurance Companies
December 3, 2025
)
Travelers Auto Insurance: User Reviews and Quotes
December 3, 2025
)
USAA Auto Insurance: User Reviews and Quotes
December 3, 2025
)
State Farm Auto Insurance: User Reviews and Quotes
December 3, 2025
)
Liberty Mutual Car Insurance Reviews: Ratings and Quotes
December 3, 2025
)
GEICO Auto Insurance: User Reviews and Quotes
December 3, 2025
)
Farmers Auto Insurance: User Reviews and Quotes
December 3, 2025
)
Allstate Insurance Review: 7,574+ User Ratings
December 3, 2025
Sources
- Jdpower.com. "2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study."
- III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
- Ambest.com. "AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Erie Insurance Group’s Members and Erie Family Life Insurance Company."
- Ambest.com. "AM Best Downgrades Credit Ratings of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co & Its P/C Subs; Affirms Credit Ratings of Life Affiliates."
)
Sarah SharkeyInsurance Writer
Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make savvy financial decisions. She covered insurance and personal finance topics. You can find her work on Business Insider, Money Under 30, Rocket Mortgage, Bankrate, and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
Sarah has been a contributor at Insurify since September 2022.
Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.
Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga, and crocheting.
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.