Nationwide vs. Travelers: Which Is the Best? (2025)
Nationwide is the better insurer, with cheaper average rates for all types of drivers.
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Written byElizabeth Rivelli
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Elizabeth Rivelli
5+ years writing insurance and personal finance topics
Auto, home, health, and life insurance expertise
Elizabeth has extensive insurance industry experience, having written for Insureon, Rate Retriever, and Insurify. She’s also finance and insurance editor for Car and Driver.
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Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
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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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Table of contents
Nationwide and Travelers are two of the biggest car insurance companies in the U.S. Both companies sell car insurance and other insurance products in most states and offer a great selection of endorsements and a variety of discounts. But Nationwide has more affordable auto insurance rates, especially for full coverage.
If you’re comparing Nationwide and Travelers, it’s important to look at factors like average rates, customer service, financial strength, discounts, coverages available, claim handling, and more. These two companies each have pros and cons, so it’s a good idea to review both insurers closely to determine which one best fits your needs.
Quick Facts
Nationwide is the cheaper insurer for teen drivers.
Both companies offer a telematics-based safe driver rewards program.
Travelers offers a few more discounts than Nationwide does.
Nationwide vs. Travelers: The verdict
Nationwide and Travelers each have similar Insurify Quality (IQ) Scores. Both companies offer a variety of endorsements, including accident forgiveness, gap insurance, rental car coverage, and others. Both insurers offer excellent discounts, but Travelers offers a slightly bigger selection, including a discount for hybrids/EVs, which is hard to find with other companies.
In terms of cost, Nationwide is the clear winner. Nationwide’s average liability-only premium is $84 per month, whereas Travelers’ average liability-only premium is $100 per month. But Travelers has more discounts than Nationwide, which could help you reduce your rate.
Below, you can see how Nationwide vs. Travelers compare on a few important factors.
Factor  | Nationwide | Travelers |
|---|---|---|
| Insurify Quality (IQ) Score | 9.0 | 8.5 |
| J.D. Power customer satisfaction score | 806 out of 1,000 | 806 out of 1,000 |
| Average quote: liability only | $84 | $100 |
| Number of available discounts | 10 | 16 |
| Number of states where it operates | 48 | 48 |
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.
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
- Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
- Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 55,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
- Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
- Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
- Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
Nationwide
Nationwide is the 10th-largest car insurance company in the U.S., with just under 2% of the total market share, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).[1]
| 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 |
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
Travelers
Travelers Insurance is a slightly bigger insurer than Nationwide. It’s the eighth-largest company, with just over 2% of the total market share for private passenger auto insurance.[1]
| User Reviews | 4.8 |
|---|---|
| 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. | 8.5 /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. | $100/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. | $187/mo |
4.8
Best choiceBased on 1,006 verified guest reviews and ratings
How drivers feel about Travelers
Customers appreciate the insurer’s communicative customer service and efficient claims process. But they’re dissatisfied with the consistent and sometimes significant price increases, even for those with clean driving records.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Numerous discounts
Gap insurance
Rideshare coverage
How drivers feel about Travelers
Customers appreciate the insurer’s communicative customer service and efficient claims process. But they’re dissatisfied with the consistent and sometimes significant price increases, even for those with clean driving records.
AI-generated from the text of verified reviews collected by Insurify
Best For
Numerous discounts
Gap insurance
Rideshare coverage
Reviews (507)
Larry
Verified Review
My Travelers
Reviewed in Georgia on December 2025
The on-road service has been disappointing if you always have to wait 2-3 hours. Last week, I had a jump battery in Hapeville, GA, and the person was there in ten minutes! However, I have had to call my own towing company twice after waiting for two hours for Travelers.
Jeff
Verified Review
Nothing bad to say
Reviewed in California on December 2025
I feel like they should have looked into ways to save us money.
Tom
Verified Review
Cost of Insurance
Reviewed in Pennsylvania on November 2025
I have been with Travelers since 1969. I'm 80 years old, a Vietnam veteran. Rates are too high.
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
616NAIC Index
Average amount of customer complaints relative to competitors on a 0-5 scale. A lower score represents fewer complaints.
0A.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
Travelers is the sixth-largest insurer in the U.S. by market share and has been in business for more than 150 years. The company sells auto, homeowners, renters, flood, pet, and other types of insurance. In addition to standard auto coverages, like liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, Travelers offers gap insurance, accident forgiveness, new car replacement, and more optional coverages. Drivers can save with numerous discounts, including for bundling policies or insuring a new car. Travelers’ IntelliDrive program rewards policyholders with up to a 30% discount for safe driving.
Pros
Accident forgiveness available
Offers discount for hybrid and electric cars
A++ (Superior) financial strength rating from AM Best
Cons
Rideshare coverage not available in all states
High number of negative customer reviews with the Better Business Bureau
Higher-than-average number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners
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Nationwide SmartRide vs. Travelers IntelliDrive
Nationwide and Travelers both offer a telematics-based safe driver rewards program. These programs are similar: A mobile app tracks your driving habits, like brake force, speed, and distractions, and rewards you with a lower rate if you drive safely.
If you sign up for Nationwide SmartRide, you’ll get an automatic 10% discount. This discount maxes out at 40% for people who continue to demonstrate safe driving habits. Most drivers earn their safe driving discount within 80 days of using the app, and premiums can’t increase.
With Travelers’ IntelliDrive program, you can save up to 30% when you drive safely. But unlike Nationwide SmartRide, your premium can increase if you demonstrate unsafe driving behaviors.
Nationwide vs. Travelers: Which is the cheapest?
Nationwide and Travelers have affordable rates for a variety of driver profiles. The average cost of car insurance from Nationwide is $84 per month for minimum coverage and $181 per month for full coverage. Travelers’ average rates are slightly higher, at $100 per month for minimum coverage and $187 per month for full coverage.
Keep in mind that the cheapest car insurance company for you depends on numerous personal and policy-related factors, including your ZIP code, age, credit score, vehicle type, coverage limits, and more.
Nationwide: Cheapest for drivers with a clean driving record
For drivers with a clean record and no traffic violations, Nationwide has the cheapest car insurance rates.
Driver Type | Nationwide | Travelers |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | $84 | $100 |
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.
Nationwide: Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket
Nationwide has the cheapest car insurance premiums for drivers with a speeding ticket.
Driver Type | Nationwide | Travelers |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with a speeding ticket | $100 | $132 |
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.
Travelers: Cheapest for teen drivers
Young drivers usually pay the highest rates for car insurance, but Travelers offers much lower rates for teens and high school students than Nationwide.
Driver Type | Nationwide | Travelers |
|---|---|---|
| 18-year-old | $297 | $230 |
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.
Travelers: Cheapest for drivers with bad credit
Insurers consider drivers with bad credit as high-risk and subsequently charge them higher rates. However, Travelers offers cheaper car insurance policies for people with poor credit.
Driver Type | Nationwide | Travelers |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers with bad credit | $194 | $122 |
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.
Travelers: Cheapest for senior drivers
Travelers has cheaper average car insurance rates for senior drivers than Nationwide.
Driver Type | Nationwide | Travelers |
|---|---|---|
| Senior drivers | $126 | $74 |
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.
Compare coverages: Nationwide vs. Travelers
Nationwide and Travelers both offer basic insurance coverages, including liability insurance, personal injury protection, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, medical expenses coverage, collision coverage, and comprehensive coverage.
Additionally, each company offers a good selection of endorsements for more protection. Below, you can see some of the add-on coverages each insurer offers.
Coverage | Nationwide | Travelers |
|---|---|---|
| Gap insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Accident forgiveness | Yes | Yes |
| Rental car reimbursement | Yes | Yes |
| Roadside assistance | Yes | Yes |
| Total loss deductible waiver | Yes | No |
| New car replacement | No | Yes |
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Compare discounts: Nationwide vs. Travelers
Nationwide and Travelers both offer a good selection of discounts, but Travelers offers more discounts than Nationwide. Travelers also offers savings for insuring a hybrid or electric vehicle, a discount many insurers don’t offer. Because Travelers has higher average premiums than Nationwide, taking advantage of these discounts can make Travelers’ rates more competitive.
Discount | Nationwide | Travelers |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving record | Yes | Yes |
| Defensive driving course | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-policy | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-car | Yes | Yes |
| Low mileage | No | No |
| Telematics (safe driving app) | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-theft device | Yes | No |
| New car | No | Yes |
| Military/affiliation | No | Yes |
| Good student | Yes | Yes |
| Loyalty | No | No |
| Auto pay | Yes | Yes |
| Student away at school | No | Yes |
| Homeowner | No | Yes |
| Alternative fuel | No | Yes |
Nationwide vs. Travelers FAQs
Nationwide and Travelers are both good car insurance companies, but the best one for you depends on your situation. If you’re still undecided, the following information might help you figure out which one is a better choice for you.
Which insurer is better than Nationwide?
There isn’t a specific car insurance company that’s better than Nationwide in all categories. For example, Travelers has better discounts than Nationwide, but Nationwide is better for low rates. To find the best insurer for you, it’s important to compare multiple insurance companies to find your ideal option.
Is Travelers a good insurance company?
Yes. Travelers is a good insurance company overall. It offers a great selection of endorsements and discounts, and its average rates are cheaper than the U.S. national average. But if you’re looking for the cheapest possible car insurance rates, Travelers might not be the best choice for your specific needs.
What is the difference between coverage options from Nationwide and Travelers?
Nationwide and Travelers both offer a wide range of coverage options. Nationwide offers six endorsements, and Travelers offers seven.
One of the big differences is that Travelers offers new-car replacement coverage, while Nationwide doesn’t. Similarly, Nationwide has a total loss deductible waiver and a disappearing deductible, two options that Travelers doesn’t offer.
Which company offers cheaper insurance, on average?
On average, Nationwide has cheaper rates than Travelers, especially for full coverage. Nationwide’s average premium is $84 per month for minimum coverage and $181 per month for full coverage. Travelers’ average costs are $100 per month for minimum coverage and $187 per month for full coverage.
You’ll need to get quotes from both companies to see which one is the cheapest for your situation.
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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Sources
- NAIC. "PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE INDUSTRY 2022 TOP 25 GROUPS AND COMPANIES BY COUNTRYWIDE PREMIUM."
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Elizabeth Rivelli
Elizabeth Rivelli is a freelance writer covering insurance and personal finance. She has extensive knowledge of various insurance lines, including property and casualty, health, and life insurance. Her byline has been featured in dozens of publications, including Investopedia, Forbes, Bankrate, NextAdvisor, and Insurance.com.
Elizabeth has been a contributor at Insurify since October 2022.
15+ years in content creation
7+ years in business and financial services content
Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.
Featured in
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.