Auto Insurance · Head-to-head
Allstate vs Nationwide: Which auto insurance wins?
Side-by-side comparison of Allstate and Nationwide auto insurance — average premiums, coverage strength, claims & support, and editorial verdict.
Allstate
Premiums run 30-50% above the GEICO baseline for clean-record drivers — Allstate competes on coverage extras, not price. The Drivewise telematics program offers 10-25% off, and the Accident Forgiveness rider is genuinely first-accident-free (unlike Progressive's which expires after 3 years). Best for drivers who've had a claim in the last 36 months.
Nationwide
SmartMiles pay-per-mile policy is the most aggressive pay-as-you-drive program among the top-10 carriers — under 8,000 miles/year drivers can save 30-50% vs. flat-rate competitors. Vanishing Deductible rider knocks $100/year off your deductible for each clean-driving year (up to $500).
Editor's verdict
Nationwide is cheaper; Allstate wins on accident forgiveness + claims rank.
Nationwide's $1,640/year national average is $468 cheaper than Allstate's $2,108 — a 22% gap. Allstate's premium pays for free accident forgiveness after 5 years, a higher J.D. Power claims rank (#7 vs. Nationwide's #14), and a stronger umbrella-policy product. Nationwide's edge beyond price is its member-pricing arrangements (federal employees, certain unions, college alumni). Verdict: standard-risk drivers focused on price → Nationwide. Allstate-bundle households or claims-quality-prioritized drivers → Allstate.
- Nationwide is $468/year cheaper on average (Quadrant 2024).
- Allstate ranks #7 on J.D. Power claims; Nationwide ranks #14.
- Allstate is AM Best A+; Nationwide is A+ — financial strength is identical.
- Allstate's accident forgiveness is free at 5 years tenure.
- Nationwide's SmartRide telematics caps at 40% — highest single discount among top-10 carriers.
Side-by-side breakdown
| Feature | Allstate | Nationwide |
|---|---|---|
| Avg full-coverage premium | $2,108/yr | $1,640/yr |
| Avg liability-only premium | $735/yr | $590/yr |
| A.M. Best financial strength | — | — |
| Best for | accident forgiveness · agent service | low mileage · bundling |
| Overall rating | 4.1/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Price & savings score (40%) | 3.8 | 4.2 |
| Coverage strength score (25%) | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| Quote & buy experience (20%) | 4.2 | 4.3 |
| Claims & support score (15%) | 4.3 | 4.4 |
Avg full-coverage premium
Allstate
$2,108/yr
Nationwide
$1,640/yr
Avg liability-only premium
Allstate
$735/yr
Nationwide
$590/yr
A.M. Best financial strength
Allstate
—
Nationwide
—
Best for
Allstate
accident forgiveness · agent service
Nationwide
low mileage · bundling
Overall rating
Allstate
4.1/5
Nationwide
4.3/5
Price & savings score (40%)
Allstate
3.8
Nationwide
4.2
Coverage strength score (25%)
Allstate
4.4
Nationwide
4.4
Quote & buy experience (20%)
Allstate
4.2
Nationwide
4.3
Claims & support score (15%)
Allstate
4.3
Nationwide
4.4
Editor verdicts
Why we rate Allstate 4.1/5
Premiums run 30-50% above the GEICO baseline for clean-record drivers — Allstate competes on coverage extras, not price. The Drivewise telematics program offers 10-25% off, and the Accident Forgiveness rider is genuinely first-accident-free (unlike Progressive's which expires after 3 years). Best for drivers who've had a claim in the last 36 months.
Read the full Allstate reviewWhy we rate Nationwide 4.3/5
SmartMiles pay-per-mile policy is the most aggressive pay-as-you-drive program among the top-10 carriers — under 8,000 miles/year drivers can save 30-50% vs. flat-rate competitors. Vanishing Deductible rider knocks $100/year off your deductible for each clean-driving year (up to $500).
Read the full Nationwide reviewWho should pick which?
Pick Allstate if…
- Your driver profile leans accident forgiveness — Allstate's underwriting is best-in-class there.
Pick Nationwide if…
- You want the lowest annual premium — Nationwide averages $1,640/yr for full coverage, $468 less than Allstate.
- You value claims responsiveness — Nationwide scores higher on claims & support.
- You want a smooth quote-and-buy flow with minimal phone follow-up.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most-searched questions about Allstate vs Nationwide.