Home insurance policies from Nationwide include coverage that would cost more from other companies. Nationwide, one of the ten largest home insurers in the United States stands out for including coverage in its homeowner's policies that would cost you extra elsewhere. Nationwide home insurance is available in most states and provides numerous discounts.
How we rate home insurance providers
Our star ratings are based on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' consumer complaint data, AM Best financial strength grades, available coverage and discounts, and overall consumer experience. See our home insurance company evaluation criteria.The benefits and drawbacks of nationwide home insurance
Benefits
- It provides some standard coverage that other companies charge extra for.
- There are numerous discounts available.
- Customer complaints were lower than expected for a company of its size.
Drawbacks
- Alaska, Hawaii, and Louisiana are not served.
- It does not cover mobile or manufactured homes.
How do Nationwide home insurance rates work?
Nationwide homeowners insurance received a 5-star rating for overall performance. The homeowner's insurance scoring formula considers policy coverage options and discounts, the ease of filing a claim, website transparency, the company's financial strength, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and other factors. Our editorial team determines NerdWallet's ratings.Availability in the state
Nationwide sells homeowners insurance in all states except Alaska, Hawaii, and Louisiana.Home insurance on a national scale
You can customize your homeowner's policy with a variety of add-ons, but the following are the types of coverage that are typically included:Coverage types and what they do:
Dwelling:
It pays to repair or rebuild your home's structure.Other Buildings:
Damage to unattached structures such as a shed or fence is covered.Personal belongings:
Repairs or replaces personal items such as furniture or clothing.Uselessness:
Pays for hotel stays, restaurant meals, and other expenses if you have to live somewhere else while your home is being repaired.Individual Liability:
It covers legal fees and damages if you cause injuries to others or damage to their property.Medical expenses:
Injuries to guests in your home are covered regardless of fault. A Nationwide homeowners policy includes not only the standard coverage you'd expect but also ordinance or law coverage, which other companies frequently charge extra for. With a limit of up to 10% of your dwelling coverage, this pays to bring your house up to current building codes during rebuilding or repairs following a claim. (Higher limits are available at an extra cost.) A Nationwide home insurance policy also covers unauthorized credit or debit transactions, forged checks, or counterfeit money up to $500. You can increase your coverage to $10,000. You may be able to add the following features to your policy depending on where you live:Extended replacement cost:
Which pays double your dwelling coverage limit if rebuilding your home after a covered disaster costs more than expected.Brand-new possessions:
Brand new possessions pay enough to restore damaged or replace them with new items. (A standard homeowners policy only covers older items for their depreciated value.) Better roof replacement reimburses you for rebuilding your roof with more substantial materials if it is damaged for a covered reason. Coverage for identity theft to monitor your data and assist with the resolution if your identity is stolen. Extra valuables coverage for jewelry, art, and other high-value possessions. Water backup protection against damage caused by an overflowing sump pump or a clogged drain.Home insurance rates across the country
According to our rate analysis, the average cost of Nationwide home insurance is $2,207 per year. This is higher than the national average of $1,784 per year. It's also higher than some of Nationwide's major national competitors' average rates.Discounts
Nationwide provides several ways to save money on homeowners insurance, including:- When you purchase homeowners and auto insurance from Nationwide, you will receive a multipolicy discount.
- You would receive a discount if you purchased your home within the last 12 months.
- Discount for no claims.
- Discount based on your roof's age and material.
- Credit for home renovations for updating plumbing, heating, cooling, or electrical systems.
- Discounts are available for smoke detectors, burglar alarms, and other safety devices.
- Discount for new policyholders who have previously been insured with another carrier.
- Discount for gated communities.
- Discount for choosing smart-home technology.
Complaints from customers
According to three years of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, nationwide received close to the expected number of home insurance complaints to state regulators concerning its size. (NAIC home insurance complaints include mobile homes, renters, and condo insurance policies.)Customer feedback
- Website: The Nationwide website makes it simple to manage your homeowner's policy, allowing you to pay bills, file and track claims, set up automatic payments, and enroll in paperless billing. The learning center on the website contains articles on various home insurance topics.
- App: You can view policy documents, file a claim, pay bills and enroll in autopay on Nationwide's mobile app, which is available for iOS and Android.
Guide to Purchasing Homeowners Insurance
Home insurance quotes can be obtained online, over the phone, or through an agent. But first, go through the following steps: Determine how much protection you require. Check if each company you're thinking about has the required options. Is a standard policy adequate, or do you need additional coverage for identity theft or sewer backups? Take a look around. Take inventory of your belongings to ensure you have adequate personal property coverage. Include all furniture, electronics, clothing, jewelry, and other household items. What would it cost to replace them? This is the bare minimum of personal property insurance you should have. Make a reasonable comparison. When comparing rates, ensure each insurer provides the same limits and deductibles. Examine consumer complaints. Although it may be tempting to choose the cheapest option, consider how many consumer complaints each insurer has before selecting a policy. If you ever need to file a claim, poor customer service could significantly impact your experience.How to File a Homeowners Insurance Claim File
The sooner you report a theft or damage to your home, the sooner your insurer can assign an adjuster to your claim and begin processing it. Some companies let you file claims online or via their app, while others require you to contact your agent or insurer. Maintain a record of your policy number. Take photographs of the damage. To support your claim, take photos or videos of all damage. Contact the police before contacting your insurance company if you suspect something has been stolen. Your insurer may ask for a copy of their report. Stop further harm. Take precautions to avoid further damage after photographing everything broken or destroyed. For instance, you can use a tarp to cover a leaking roof or a blown-out window. Keep receipts for any supplies you buy because your insurance company may reimburse you later. Other home insurance companies to considerNot ready to make a decision?
You may be interested in the following additional homeowner's insurance providers:- Allstate.
- Farmers.
- State Farm Insurance Company.
- Travelers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is coverage for mobile phones included in Nationwide home insurance?
Yes, cell phones are covered for theft and certain types of damage up to the property limit of your policy. Because this coverage has a deductible, filing a claim is unlikely if your phone is stolen but is worth less than your deductible.What other insurance services does Nationwide offer?
Nationwide Insurance provides auto, boat, umbrella, life, and other insurance policies and financial products such as annuities and mutual funds. Learn more about Nationwide auto insurance.Does Nationwide home insurance cover a water leak?
Homeowners' insurance covers unexpected, unintentional losses instead of wear and tear or maintenance. So, if a pipe burst unexpectedly, flooding your basement, your homeowner's policy will most likely cover the damage. However, if a drain has been slowly leaking for weeks and you were unaware of it until mold began to grow, the damage would be considered maintenance and would not be covered.