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Plutus Award winner
Over 12 years writing about insurance and personal finance
Emily is a Plutus Award-winning freelance writer and former educator who makes complex financial topics easy to understand. She specializes in the science behind money habits and has written for outlets like The Huffington Post, Business Insider, and The Washington Post.
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Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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Nationwide, the 11th-largest U.S. property and casualty insurer, offers comprehensive renters insurance. It can cover you for liability as well as protect your personal items from theft, water backup damage, some natural disasters, and more.[1]
States don’t legally require renters insurance, though some landlords may include it as a condition of your lease. You should consider it even if it’s not a requirement because going without coverage leaves you vulnerable as a tenant. More than 55% of U.S. renters have coverage.
Here’s what you should know about Nationwide renters insurance to make an informed decision about the best policy for your needs.
The monthly average cost of renters insurance from Nationwide is $21 per month for a policy with $30,000 in property insurance and $100,000 in liability coverage, Insurify data shows.
Nationwide sells coverage in every state except Alaska, Hawaii, and Oklahoma.
Nationwide’s standard renters insurance policy includes credit card coverage protection against unauthorized transactions.
Insurify’s take on Nationwide renters insurance
Nationwide is a quality insurer with solid renters insurance offerings, but online customer reviews indicate some dissatisfaction with customer service.
The average cost of Nationwide renters insurance is $21 per month, which is only $1 more than the national average. Its standard policy includes more robust coverage than the typical policy.
Unique coverages include in-unit additions and alterations coverage, which provides protection for tenants who make improvements to their rental units. It also offers credit card coverage, which can protect you from unauthorized credit and debit card use.
Nationwide offers only a few discounts for renters, including bundling and claims-free discounts. You can also earn a discount for having a qualifying protective device, like a smoke detector or fire alarm.
Based on online customer reviews on sites like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau, Nationwide’s customer satisfaction could use improvement. Reviews emphasize a lack of communication, difficulty with the claims process, and frustration with the size and impersonal nature of the company.
Available in most states
A (Excellent) financial stability rating from AM Best
Online quotes available
More expensive than other insurers
Few discounts available
Many negative customer reviews on Trustpilot
What Nationwide renters insurance covers
Nationwide’s renters insurance covers things like your belongings and temporary living expenses. Here’s what its basic renters policy covers:
Personal property
Personal property insurance covers furniture, clothing, and other items.
Loss of use
Loss of use insurance covers additional expenses — like hotels or meals — if your home becomes uninhabitable.
Personal liability
Liability insurance covers other people’s property damage and bodily injuries in your home that you’re liable for.
Medical payments
Medical payments insurance covers medical or funeral expenses if injuries occur to guests on your property, regardless of fault.
Renovations and alterations
Renovation insurance covers damages to any unit additions, alternations, fixtures, and installations.
Credit cards
Credit card insurance covers unauthorized transactions to your credit, debit, or ATM cards.
Nationwide also offers optional coverage for renters, including:
Valuables: High-value item insurance covers expensive items, like jewelry, watches, antiques, and fine art.
Water backup: Sewer backup insurance covers water damage caused by sewer or drain backups.
Extended theft: Extended theft insurance covers items stolen from motor vehicles, trailers, or watercraft.
Earthquakes: Earthquake insurance covers losses caused by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.
Cost of Nationwide renters insurance
The national average cost of renters insurance with limits of $30,000 in personal property coverage and $100,000 in liability coverage is $20 per month. Nationwide’s average premium for the same level of property protection and liability coverage is just $1 more, at $21 per month.
Nationwide renters insurance discounts
Discounts can help you lower your rates without sacrificing coverage. Nationwide doesn’t offer as many discounts as some of its competitors, but it has a few that can help you save money.
Here are some discounts that Nationwide offers renters:
Multi-policy: Customers save an average of $176 annually by bundling their renters and car insurance. You can also bundle your condo, RV, ATV, motorcycle, and boat insurance.
Security or safety features: You can save money if your unit has smoke detectors, fire alarms, burglar alarms, or other protective features.
Claims-free: You may get a discount if you haven’t filed a claim for several years.
Nationwide reviews: What real customers are saying
Nationwide has many negative customer reviews from renters and home insurance policyholders on online review sites.
The company has a rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot, based on 188 reviews. Nationwide does have some positive reviews, though those largely focus on the company’s banking and auto insurance offerings.
The review below is a good example of relevant negative reviews. In it, the customer complains about poor communication and difficulty reaching customer support and expresses frustration with the corporation’s apparent apathy.
Nationwide has a rating of 1.13 stars out of 5, based on 339 customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau website. The reviews on the BBB website are comparable to those on Trustpilot, with some positive reviews among mostly negative reviews. Here’s a recent positive review from the site.
Even so, many disgruntled customers have left negative reviews on the BBB website. The customer below feels mistreated by Nationwide and has no recourse.
How to buy a Nationwide renters insurance policy
You can get insurance quotes and buy a renters insurance policy through Nationwide in a few different ways. You can start the quote and application process online, call Nationwide directly at 1 (855) 550-9213, or visit an independent Nationwide insurance agent near you. You can find an agent on Nationwide’s website.
No matter how you plan to purchase your renters insurance policy, you’ll want to follow these steps to select and buy coverage:
Determine how much renters insurance you need. You may have some theft protection, earthquake coverage, flood insurance, or other coverage through your landlord’s policy, depending on what your state requires. Depending on what you own or the replacement cost of your personal property, you may need more coverage than a standard policy offers.
Calculate what coverage limits and deductibles you can afford. Higher coverage limits offer more protection but will cost more. Higher deductibles will lower your premiums but mean you’ll pay more out of pocket before the insurance coverage kicks in.
Get insurance quotes from multiple companies. Even if you’re pretty sure you want Nationwide to be your insurer, it’s always best to compare insurance quotes from several companies.
Choose and purchase your policy. Remember, affordability is about more than just the monthly cost of your premiums.
How to file a renters insurance claim with Nationwide
Filing your insurance claim as soon as possible ensures a smooth claims process. You can file your Nationwide insurance claim online, through the mobile app, or by speaking to a claims agent at 1 (800) 421-3535.
Here’s how to start your Nationwide renters insurance claim:
1. Call emergency services
Contact the police or fire department, depending on the nature of the issue. Keep copies of any incident reports you receive to submit to your insurance company.
2. Notify your insurer
Call your insurance company immediately and file a claim. Be prepared to provide your policy number and details about the incident. For major claims, your insurer may send a claims adjuster to your place.
3. Document the damage
Take photos and videos of affected areas and items. Any photos you have from before the incident can also be helpful when filing your claim.
4. Perform temporary repairs
If necessary, make temporary repairs to ensure your safety and comfort. Avoid permanent repairs — they could cause issues with your claim. Save receipts for related expenses, like a hotel stay, because your insurer may reimburse you.
Nationwide renters insurance FAQs
You should be sure you’re making the right choice when choosing renters insurance. Below, we’ve answered some common questions to help you decide if Nationwide is the best company for you.
Is Nationwide reputable?
Yes. Nationwide is a reputable insurance company that’s been in business since 1926. It has received recognition from various third-party agencies, like AM Best, J.D. Power, and the Better Business Bureau.
Which company has the cheapest renters insurance?
Erie Insurance and American Family Insurance both have the lowest average premiums, at $15 per month, according to Insurify data.
What’s the average cost of Nationwide rental insurance?
Nationwide renters insurance costs $21 per month for $30,000 of personal property coverage and $100,000 of liability insurance. Your insurance rates will vary based on factors like your location, coverage needs, and claims history.
What are the disadvantages of renters insurance?
Some renters may find the cost of premiums difficult to budget for, although renters insurance is typically fairly affordable. In general, renters insurance is well worth the low cost, and it can offer you much-needed protection.
How much does renters insurance cost in the U.S.?
The average renters insurance policy costs $20 per month in the U.S. for $30,000 of personal property coverage and $100,000 of liability coverage. Your rates may differ, so comparing insurance quotes from multiple companies can help you save money.
What is the most common coverage amount for renters insurance?
Experts recommend purchasing at least $300,000 of liability coverage.[2] The liability insurance you need depends on the value of your assets. The amount of personal property coverage you need depends on the value of your belongings — including furniture, appliances, and clothing.
How do you contact Nationwide insurance customer service?
To reach Nationwide’s insurance customer service line, call 1 (877) 669-6877. Nationwide has people answering the phone number 24/7.
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Sources
- Nationwide. "Renters insurance coverage."
- Insurance Information Institute. "Renters Insurance."
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Emily Guy Birken is a former educator, lifelong money nerd, and a Plutus Award-winning freelance writer who specializes in the scientific research behind irrational money behaviors. Her background in education allows her to make complex financial topics relatable and easily understood by the layperson.
Her work has appeared on The Huffington Post, Business Insider, Kiplinger's, MSN Money, and The Washington Post online.
She is the author of several books, including The 5 Years Before You Retire, End Financial Stress Now, and the brand new book Stacked: Your Super Serious Guide to Modern Money Management, written with Joe Saul-Sehy.
Emily lives in Milwaukee with her family.
Emily has been a contributor at Insurify since October 2022.
)
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
3+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in