Nationwide vs. USAA Car Insurance: Expert Recommended (2023)

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. USAA car insurance.

Nationwide and USAA 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?

USSA’s auto insurance rates are cheaper than Nationwide’s auto insurance rates through all of our comparison points.

However, USAA offers auto insurance only to active, inactive, and retired military members and their immediate family members, so you may not qualify for their car insurance programs.

Each year, the company contributes to national and local nonprofits in support of military families and communities where they live and work.

Before you jump into this Nationwide vs. USAA car insurance review, or enter your ZIP code to start comparing multiple companies in your local area.

Is Nationwide or USAA 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.

See below for USAA and Nationwide car insurance quotes based on age.

USAA’s auto insurance rates are 31 percent cheaper than Nationwide’s auto insurance rates for drivers 25 and older.

Coming in at 21 percent cheaper than Nationwide, USAA is the better choice if you have a teen driver on your policy.

Is Nationwide or USAA car insurance cheaper based on driving record?

Speeding tickets, accidents, DUIs, and other traffic violations will increase your Nationwide and USAA car insurance rates.

No matter what type of driving record you have, USAA will have cheaper car insurance rates than Nationwide.

However, USSA is more forgiving with their customers if they cause an accident while under their policy. If you cause an accident while with USSA, expect your rates to increase by 30 percent.

Getting a speeding ticket will increase your USAA auto insurance rates by 13 percent, and if you get a DUI, your rates will increase by more than 80 percent.

Nationwide and USAA increase their rates by the same amount if you get a speeding ticket: 13 percent. But, if cause an accident while with Nationwide, your rates will increase by 24 percent, which is less than USAA will increase your rates (30 percent).

Both USAA and Nationwide take DUIs very seriously, but Nationwide will increase your rates by 65 percent compared to USAA’s 81 percent.

Is Nationwide or USAA 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.

USAA car insurance quotes are cheaper than Nationwide car insurance rates if you have bad credit.

Expect to pay more than twice as much as drivers with good credit with USSA, but only 40 percent more with Nationwide.

A drop in credit score could increase your car insurance rates, so be sure to keep an eye on your rate when it’s time to renew your six-month policy.

Use your Nationwide insurance login or USAA login to make temporary adjustments to your coverage levels and deductibles while you work to improve your credit score. Otherwise, it may be a good opportunity to see what other car insurance companies have to offer.

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 USAA car insurance rates by credit score.

Does Nationwide or USAA have better car insurance discounts?

Each company has its selling point, and sometimes that comes down to who has the best discount that applies to your specific situation. Is it easier to find affordable Nationwide car insurance or affordable USAA car insurance? Read on.

When comparing all discounts that either company offers, Nationwide has a total of 17 auto insurance discounts while USAA has only 13 discounts.

USSA doesn’t have as many or as high discounts, but their absolute best car insurance discounts are 75 percent for young drivers and 90 percent for garaging your vehicle while deployed.

Nationwide can’t compete with 75 and 90 percent, but you can still save between 25 and 40 percent for being a safe driver, having an anti-theft or vehicle recovery system in your car, getting paperless bills, using autopay, or using their driving app or driving device.

What types of auto insurance coverages are offered by Nationwide and USAA?

Since both Nationwide and USAA 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 list 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. Also, be sure to check out Nationwide pet insurance and Nationwide retirement.

Does Nationwide or USAA 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).

Read about Nationwide’s SmartRide and compare it to USAA’s SafePilot usage-based car insurance app highlighted in our USAA company review.

How does Nationwide and USAA car insurance compare in financial strength and customer satisfaction?

Reviewing financial strength 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.

Nationwide and USSA both have excellent marks from external financial rating agencies. In fact, USAA holds the highest score from A.M. Best.

Still not sure if you should buy Nationwide car insurance or buy USAA car insurance?

USAA has one of the best scores for customer satisfaction through the claims process, but Nationwide customer service is still good because their score floats around the same scores for other large car insurance companies.

Both USAA and Nationwide have reasonable complaint ratios.

Nationwide vs. USAA Car Insurance : What’s the bottom line?

Consider many factors when choosing between Nationwide and USAA for auto insurance. Nationwide often has less expensive rates, but the company doesn’t earn high marks for customer satisfaction. USAA receives widespread praise from customers, but eligibility requirements might prevent you from signing a policy with them. 

USAA and Nationwide are excellent options for a quality car insurance policy. Your situation and requirements are unique. You must conduct research when deciding on a new insurance provider. Speak with company representatives, who can help you select the coverage levels that best meet your needs. 

If you have a loss from an accident, theft, or weather-related damage , your insurer must pay any covered claim you make. An insurance company’s ability to meet its financial obligations is critical. 

USAA and Nationwide both have “superior” financial strength ratings from A.M. Best. The rating indicates that these insurers can pay their claims obligations. 

Now that you’ve finished this Nationwide vs. USAA car insurance review, you can always use our FREE comparison tool to compare car insurance of companies in your area.