Nationwide vs. Travelers Car Insurance: Expert Recommended (2023)
Our Nationwide vs. Travelers car insurance guide will help you decide between two great companies when looking at rates based on factors such as age, driving record, and credit score. Nationwide car insurance is a better choice for drivers with bad credit or a teen driver on their policy. Travelers is a better choice for customer satisfaction.
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Leslie Kasperowicz
Farmers CSR for 4 Years
Leslie Kasperowicz holds a BA in Social Sciences from the University of Winnipeg. She spent several years as a Farmers Insurance CSR, gaining a solid understanding of insurance products including home, life, auto, and commercial and working directly with insurance customers to understand their needs. She has since used that knowledge in her more than ten years as a writer, largely in the insuranc...
Farmers CSR for 4 Years
UPDATED: Aug 6, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: Aug 6, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Both Nationwide and Travelers have high customer satisfaction and low complaint ratios
- Nationwide car insurance is a better choice if you have a young driver.
- Travelers has few customer complaints and a lower complaint ratio than Nationwide
- If you have a bad driving record, you can save nearly $1,000 per year by choosing Nationwide rather than Travelers
- Nationwide offers more and heftier discounts compared to Travelers
We all need to take every opportunity to save money, and car insurance is no exception. It’s a flooded market, and you’ve done some research, but now you’re down to the remaining two: Nationwide vs. Travelers car insurance.
Nationwide and Travelers are two of the top 10 best car insurance companies, but how do they compare when it comes to rates, discounts, consumer satisfaction and complaints, mobile apps, and financial strength?
Before jumping into this Nationwide vs. Travelers car insurance review, enter your ZIP code to start comparing multiple companies in your local area.
Is Nationwide or Travelers car insurance cheaper based on age?
It’s completely fair for car insurance companies to base rates on your age. After all, the more experience driving we have, the better drivers we become. Some states will also base your car insurance rates on gender and/or marital status, though several states have outlawed this practice.
| Age, Gender, and Marital Status | Nationwide Average Annual Rates | Travelers Average Annual Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Single 17-year-old female | $5,756 | $9,307 |
| Single 17-year-old male | $7,175 | $12,851 |
| Single 25-year-old female | $2,686 | $2,325 |
| Single 25-year-old male | $2,889 | $2,491 |
| Married 35-year-old female | $2,360 | $2,179 |
| Married 35-year-old male | $2,387 | $2,200 |
| Married 60-year-old female | $2,130 | $2,052 |
| Married 60-year-old male | $2,215 | $2,074 |
For 25 and older, Travelers car insurance rates are an average of 9 percent cheaper than Nationwide car insurance rates.
Nationwide car insurance is a better choice if you have a young driver. Travelers teen car insurance rates are 70 percent higher than Nationwide.
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Is Nationwide or Travelers car insurance cheaper based on driving record?
Speeding tickets, accidents, DUIs, and other traffic violations will increase your Nationwide and Travelers car insurance rates.
| Infraction | Nationwide Average Annual Rates | Travelers Average Annual Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Clean record | $2,746 | $3,448 |
| With one speeding violation | $3,114 | $4,261 |
| With one accident | $3,397 | $4,290 |
| With one DUI | $4,543 | $5,741 |
Nationwide is the better option if you have a poor driving record. Travelers’ car insurance rates are around $1000 more per year than Nationwide when it comes to having different infractions on your driving record.
As for current customers, Nationwide and Travelers increase rates about the same for getting a speeding ticket, causing an accident, or getting a DUI. Nationwide is a little more forgiving (13 percent increase) when it comes to speeding tickets.
Is Nationwide or Travelers car insurance cheaper based on credit score?
Just like gender and marital status, more states are outlawing car insurance rates based on credit score.
Your credit score is a strong reflection of your consistency with paying your bills, but the reason it is being outlawed is that rates quoted by insurance companies assume those with higher credit scores are better drivers.
| Credit Score | Nationwide Average Annual Rates | Travelers Average Annual Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Good Credit (670-739) | $2,926 | $4,059 |
| Fair Credit Score (580-669) | $3,255 | $4,344 |
| Poor Credit Score (300-579) | $4,083 | $5,160 |
Nationwide is a better choice if you currently have any type of credit.
However, once you are with Nationwide, your car insurance rates will increase by 40 percent if you experience financial hardship and your credit score drops.
Where you live is the biggest factor in determining your car insurance rates because of state laws. Be sure to check your state car insurance guide before judging Nationwide and Travelers car insurance rates by credit score.
Does Nationwide or Travelers have better car insurance discounts?
Each company has their selling point, and sometimes that comes down to who has the best discount that applies to your specific situation.
| Discounts | Nationwide Discounts Offered (Percentage) | Travelers Discounts Offered (Percentage) |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-lock Brakes | 5 | N/A |
| Anti-Theft | 25 | N/A |
| Claim Free | 10 | 23 |
| Continuous Coverage | N/A | 15 |
| Daytime Running Lights | 5 | N/A |
| Defensive Driver | 5 | 10 |
| Distant Student | 10 | 7 |
| Driver's Ed | N/A | 8 |
| Driving Device/App | 40 | 30 |
| Early Signing | 8 | 10 |
| Family Plan | 25 | N/A |
| Full Payment | N/A | 8 |
| Further Education | 15 | N/A |
| Good Student | 10 | 8 |
| Green Vehicle | N/A | 10 |
| Homeowner | 5 | 5 |
| Loyalty | 5 | N/A |
| Membership/Group | 7 | N/A |
| Multiple Policies | 10 | 13 |
| Multiple Vehicles | 20 | 8 |
| Newer Vehicle | N/A | 10 |
| Occupation | 15 | N/A |
| On Time Payments | N/A | 15 |
| Paperless Documents | 5 | N/A |
| Paperless/Auto Billing | 30 | 3 |
| Passive Restraint | 20 | N/A |
| Safe Driver | 35 | 23 |
| Students & Alumni | 7 | N/A |
| Vehicle Recovery | 25 | N/A |
When reviewing discounts offered by either company, Nationwide has 24 car insurance discounts, and Travelers has only 17 discounts.
Nationwide offers heftier discounts compared to Travelers.
Travelers’ best car insurance discounts range from 15 to 30 percent for having continuous coverage, making payments on time, being claim-free, or being a safe driver.
Read more: What discounts are available for Travelers car insurance customers?
You can also save 30 percent by participating in Travelers’ usage-based car insurance program.
Nationwide’s best car insurance discounts range from 25 to 40 percent for having anti-theft and vehicle recovery systems in your car, having a family plan, being a safe driver, and using paperless billing and auto-pay.
You can also save 40 percent by participating in Nationwide’s usage-based car insurance program.
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What types of auto insurance coverages are offered by Nationwide and Travelers?
Since both Nationwide and Travelers are two of the companies that hold the majority of the market share, they will offer many different types of coverages, and that includes the basic six listed below:
- Liability auto insurance coverage – bodily injury and property damage
- Comprehensive auto insurance coverage
- Collision auto insurance coverage
- Uninsured/Underinsured auto insurance coverage
- Medical Payments (MedPay) auto insurance coverage – particularly important in states that require no-fault auto insurance
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP) auto insurance coverage
Other optional coverages may include rental reimbursement, roadside assistance, guaranteed auto protection (GAP), mechanical breakdown, and recreational vehicles such as ATVs or boats. Be sure to check out Nationwide pet insurance and Nationwide retirement when reviewing coverage options.
Does Nationwide or Travelers have better car insurance mobile apps?
Most of the top 10 car insurance companies have mobile apps to access policy information and/or make payments and a separate mobile app that tracks your driving habits (usage-based car insurance).
If you notice your rate has gone up when it’s time to renew your six-month policy, it could be because your credit score dropped. Use your Nationwide insurance login or Travelers insurance login to temporarily change your coverage levels and deductibles to lower your rate while you start improving your credit score.
If you don’t notice a change in your credit score, and your rates still go up, it may be a good time to get quotes from other insurance providers.
Read our reviews of Nationwide’s SmartRide and Travelers’ IntelliDrive usage-based car insurance apps to learn more.
How does Nationwide and Travelers car insurance compare in financial strength and customer satisfaction?
Reviewing ratings from three different agencies will provide you with a good picture of how a car insurance company works with its consumers, handles complaints, and their overall financial strength.
A.M. Best scores companies based on their ability to meet their ongoing insurance obligations such as balancing premiums collected and claims paid. The highest score A.M. Best awards is Superior A++.
Consumer Reports collects annual data from its subscribers regarding customer satisfaction of the claims process, step by step. In their 2017 survey, 27 insurance companies were rated, and scores ranged between 86 to 96.
And the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) calculates a complaint ratio based on total number of customers against total number of complaints. In 2017, the national average complaint ratio was 1. The lower the ratio, the better.
| Consumer Reports | Nationwide | Travelers |
|---|---|---|
| AM Best Rating | A+ | N/A |
| Consumer Reports | 88 | 90 |
| NAIC Company Complaint Ratio | 0.28 | 0.09 |
| NAIC Total Complaints | 25 | 2 |
Both Nationwide and Travelers are highly competitive based on ratings from consumer and government agencies. Nationwide earns an A+ for financial stability.
Now that you’ve finished this Nationwide vs. Travelers car insurance review, use our FREE comparison tool to compare car insurance companies in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors should I consider when choosing between Nationwide and Travelers car insurance?
When comparing Nationwide and Travelers car insurance, factors to consider include rates based on age, driving record, and credit score, available discounts, types of coverages offered, mobile app functionality, and overall financial strength and customer satisfaction.
Are Nationwide and Travelers the only car insurance companies I should consider?
No, Nationwide and Travelers are two of the top car insurance companies, but there are other reputable insurers available. It’s always a good idea to compare quotes from multiple companies to find the best coverage and rates for your specific needs.
Can I bundle my car insurance with other insurance policies?
Yes, both Nationwide and Travelers offer multi-policy discounts, allowing you to bundle your car insurance with other types of insurance policies such as homeowners or renters insurance. Bundling can often result in savings on your premiums.
How can I obtain a car insurance quote from Nationwide and Travelers?
To get a car insurance quote from Nationwide, you can visit their website or contact their customer service. Travelers also provides online quotes on their website or through their agents.
Can I switch my car insurance provider if I’m not satisfied with Nationwide or Travelers?
Yes, you can switch car insurance providers at any time. It’s important to review the terms and conditions of your current policy and consider any potential cancellation fees or timing constraints before making a switch.
Do Nationwide and Travelers offer 24/7 customer support?
Both Nationwide and Travelers provide customer support services, including 24/7 claims reporting. This ensures that you can reach out for assistance at any time, especially in case of emergencies or accidents.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Leslie Kasperowicz
Farmers CSR for 4 Years
Leslie Kasperowicz holds a BA in Social Sciences from the University of Winnipeg. She spent several years as a Farmers Insurance CSR, gaining a solid understanding of insurance products including home, life, auto, and commercial and working directly with insurance customers to understand their needs. She has since used that knowledge in her more than ten years as a writer, largely in the insuranc...
Farmers CSR for 4 Years
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.