Nationwide Homeowners Insurance Review 2025: Pros, Cons, and Alternatives

For close to a century, Nationwide Insurance has focused on helping homeowners prepare for tomorrow by protecting what matters today. The company offers a wide array of home insurance coverages, but has lots of negative reviews and complaints.

Business Insider compared Nationwide to the best homeowners insurance companies and found it to be a strong choice for customization and affordability.

Nationwide Homeowners Insurance Pros and Cons

Nationwide Homeowners Insurance Pros

• Competitive rates are available across the country
• Comprehensive homeowners insurance options are available
• Rated above-average on JD Power’s property claims satisfaction survey

Nationwide Homeowners Insurance Cons

• Lots of negative reviews
• Online quotes aren’t very customizable
• Online quoting process is long and comprehensive

Nationwide Homeowners Insurance Overview

Nationwide Homeowners Insurance has deep, midwestern roots. In 1926, the former Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company acquired financing (to the tune of $10,000) and sold its first auto policy in Columbus, Ohio. Eight years later, the company wrote its inaugural property insurance policy before changing its name and mission in 1955 to sell its insurance products nationwide.

In the ensuing decades, Nationwide has evolved to meet the needs of customers from coast to coast. Today, the Fortune 100 company offers a full range of homeowners insurance and other complementary personal insurance products, ranking among the world's largest entities providing insurance and financial services. If you’re a homeowner with complex needs, such as owning an older home or a high-value home, this company may be a suitable choice.

However, your online experience with Nationwide may be slow and tedious. Plus, it can be difficult to remove some optional coverages from your online quote. The company also received lots of negative reviews for its claims handling.

Nationwide Homeowners Insurance Plans and Coverage

Nationwide offers several types of property insurance policies, including home, renters, and condo insurance. But mobile/manufactured homeowners won’t find insurance with this company and will have to look elsewhere.

The Standard Homeowners Insurance (HO-3)

The standard insurance company protects you and your property against covered perils. A notable feature is that Nationwide's base policy includes credit card coverage, which some competitors may not offer in their standard policies.

Here’s what you’ll find in a Nationwide HO-3 policy:

• Dwelling: In the event of a covered loss, this coverage protects the physical structure of your home, including built-in features such as cabinets, countertops, and tiles.
• Other structures: Your policy can cover structures on your property (like a barn, shed, garage, or gazebo) that aren’t attached to your dwelling.

• Personal property: This portion of your policy helps you replace your personal belongings, such as furniture, clothes, and electronics, up to their actual cash value.
• Personal liability: If you or a family member causes injuries or property damage to others, liability helps cover costs that result from it (e.g., legal fees, settlements, etc)
• Medical payments: If someone is injured on your property, this part of your insurance can help cover small-dollar costs associated with medical or end-of-life expenses
• Loss of use: If your home is inhabitable following a covered loss, your insurer can cover increased living expenses (e.g., due to hotel stays, rent, food, and other everyday costs) you incur.
• Credit card: Your insurer can cover unauthorized transactions (including those on a bank, ATM card, forged checks and counterfeit money) up to your policy limits.

Renters Insurance (HO-4)

Nationwide renters insurance provides coverage for your personal property, liability, loss of use, and medical payments to others. It also includes coverage for additions and alterations made to your unit, as well as unauthorized transactions on your financial accounts.

You can also include optional coverages such as:

• Increased limits for high-value items
• Protection against water backups
• Enhanced theft protection for items stored in or on any automobiles or watercraft
• Earthquake protection
• Flood protection
• Replacement cost coverage for your personal belongings

Condo Insurance (HO-6)

The standard Nationwide condo insurance covers your personal property, loss of use, additions and alterations made to your unit, liability, and medical payments to others. You also get coverage for shared fees charged by your condo association after a covered loss and unauthorized transactions on your financial accounts.

Policyholders can also add upgrades such as:

• Coverage for identity theft
• Increased coverage for high-value items
• Protection against water backup
• Earthquake coverage
• Flood coverage
• Replacement cost coverage for your personal belongings

Additional Coverage Options (Riders) Offered by Nationwide Homeowners Insurance

Nationwide insurance offers a wide menu of optional coverage to increase your home’s protection. Below are add-ons to include in your policy:

• Extended replacement cost: This rider helps you pay for the entire cost of rebuilding your property, especially when inflation causes construction costs to rise. You can select increased limits of up to twice your dwelling coverage.
• Water backup: This common rider provides coverage in the event of damages associated with water backing up from a sewer, drain, or sump pump overflow. Faulty appliances and pipes are common culprits, and flood insurance typically doesn’t cover these issues.
• Brand-new belongings: This coverage covers your personal belongings at today’s prices. This coverage is twofold. First, it reimburses you for the depreciated value of your covered items. Then, it pays the difference for you to have your items repaired or replaced, provided you save the receipts.
• Better roof replacement: This coverage provides an extra layer of protection for your roof. It pays for homeowners to replace roofs with more robust and safer materials in the event of a covered loss. The roof is the first line of defense against leaks and both immediate and long-term damage. The Better Roof Replacement® ensures your roof isn't left vulnerable.
• Service line: The standard insurance policy only covers your service line due to a covered, unexpected peril, like an accidental fire or sudden windstorm. This add-on bridges the gaps in your policy, covering the replacement or repair of your sewer lines due to events such as wear and tear, tree root growth, and mechanical failure.
• Valuables Plus: If you own valuables and collectibles, such as jewelry, artwork, and other rare items, this optional coverage increases your limits.
• Equipment breakdown: If your systems and appliances sustain damage due to a covered mechanical breakdown, electrical failure, or pressure system rupture, equipment breakdown coverage can provide coverage.
• Identity theft: This coverage helps you recover and secure your personal data, including credit cards, bank accounts, Social Security numbers, and passports, in the event of a cybercrime.
• Building ordinance or law: If your home’s features are out of date, this coverage helps pay the additional cost to rebuild or repair it to current building codes, like upgrading outdated wiring or installing a modern HVAC system, after a covered loss.
• Loss assessment: This add-on pays for shared fees charged by your homeowner’s association after damage to a shared space, such as the gym, pool, or lobby.
• Inflation protection: This coverage automatically increases your dwelling, other structures, and personal property coverages to keep up with rising costs.
• Personal injury: If you’re sued for personal injury, such as libel, slander, and invasion of privacy, this rider can help you cover your legal fees, settlements, and other associated cost.
• Umbrella: This optional coverage provides extra liability protection beyond the limits of your auto or home policy.
• Flood: This is a separate insurance policy backed by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a part of the federal government. Buyers can manage Nationwide quotes and policies on its portal. However, in a natural disaster, the NFIP would pay your claim. It’s a good idea to buy this coverage if you live in a high-risk flood zone.
• Earthquake: Earthquake policies are sold alongside homeowners policies to fill gaps left by earthquake coverage exclusions. It protects your home and its contents in the event of damage incurred by an earthquake; a separate deductible applies to this coverage.

Note: Not every rider is offered in all states. Request a quote or speak with a local Nationwide insurance agent to find out which coverages are available to you.

Nationwide Homeowners Insurance Cost

The average cost of homeowners insurance with Nationwide is $ 1,322 per year, or $110 per month, which is cheaper than most of its competitors. Your location, home type, claims history, and credit score are common factors used to determine your actual premiums.

Note: This quote includes extras such as water backup and personal injury, as the online quote we obtained for our sample profile didn’t allow for customization.

We requested a quote for a $321,000 home in New Mexico, built in 2018 and owned by a 38-year-old with good credit. We selected New Mexico for its average home insurance costs and chose age 38 to reflect the typical first-time homebuyer.

Nationwide Homeowners Insurance Discounts

Nationwide offers several unique discounts to help you save money on your policy. Here are a few discounts you may qualify for:

• Multiple-policy: Save by bundling your homeowners insurance policy with other nationwide policies, such as auto insurance.
• Protective device: If your home is equipped with protective devices, such as smoke detectors or burglar alarms, you may be eligible for a discount.
• Claims-free: Get a discount if you stay claims-free for a certain amount of time.
• Home renovation credit: Lower your premiums if you recently updated your HVAC, electrical, or plumbing systems.
• Roof rating: Newer roofs with more durable and safer roofing materials can result in better rates on your policy.
• Prior insurance: If you’re a new nationwide applicant who had home insurance with another company, you can qualify for a discount based on the number of years you were insured.
• Home purchase: Get this discount if you purchased your home within the last 12 months.
• Gated community: You can qualify for savings if your community is protected by security guards, residence cards, or key-lock devices.
• Smart home: If you have smart home technology, you can qualify for a discount.

How to Purchase and Manage a Nationwide Homeowners Insurance Policy

To purchase a homeowners insurance quote, go to Nationwide.com, navigate the dropdown menu, select “Homeowners,” and provide your ZIP code to begin the quote process.

We noticed that getting a quote from Nationwide took longer than with other companies. Unlike some competitors, Nationwide doesn’t use public records to pre-fill your application, so you’ll need to enter your home’s details manually. The website also had slow loading times and limited your ability to customize your policy online (i.e., we could remove certain “optional” coverages). For a faster and more seamless experience, consider contacting an agent directly.

Here are the types of data you need to provide when requesting an online quote:

Personal details

• Address

• Date of birth
• Marital status
• Gender
• Pets (Breeds, exotic animals, animals with bite histories)
• Claims, loss, and insurance fraud history
• Number of residents
• Current home insurance

General home details

• Type of home (single-family, duplex, triplex, quadplex, town home, historic property)
• Occupancy, construction, renovation, and foreclosure status
• Converted from non-residential property or recent distressed purchase?
• Mobile or manufactured home?
• Business or farm use?
• Square footage, number of stories, year built

Home construction

• Construction type
• Garage details (size, type)
• Other structures (Sun room, porch, deck, etc.)
• Features (Swimming pool, trampoline)
• Heating system (central thermostat, stove heating)
• Foundation type
• Kitchen and bathroom details
• Roof condition, material, shape, and age
• Any upgrades or renovations
• Safety features (Fire alarm, burglar alarm, sprinkler system)

After you buy your policy, you can manage your account online or through its mobile app. Here are some of the features you can access digitally:

• Pay your bills
• Access your insurance ID card
• Manage your payment preferences
• Customize your policies
• File and track your claims
• Access your documents

How to File a Claim with Nationwide Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners should file eligible claims as soon as possible. If you're unsure about a small claim, consider obtaining a quote from a vendor first. However, preventative treatment should start immediately. Water damage repairs are costly. But early mold prevention goes a long way to reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

More importantly, homeowners avoid potential denials associated with mold, as it's commonly considered a sign of neglect. Regardless of the damage or other events that may coincide, negligence is not covered by insurance.

If you're ready to file a claim, you can file it online, by phone at 1-800-421-3535, or by contacting your local Nationwide agent.

To start your claim, you’ll need your:

• Name
• Address
• Contact info
• Policy number
• The type of property damage (wind, water, fire, theft, etc)
• A description of the damage to your home

Your case will then be assigned to a claim adjuster who will ask for details on the incident, explain how your coverage works, and help schedule an inspection if necessary.

A few critical things to keep in mind in the hours after you discover damage to your home include:

• Document the damage to your property with photos/videos
• Make temporary repairs to secure your property from further damage
• Keep track of living expenses, like food and lodging, in the event your home is unlivable

Nationwide mentions that filing a claim can take as little as 10 to 15 minutes. But the actual process can take a few weeks to months, depending on he complexity of the claim and the volume they receive (such as if there’s a natural disaster).

Nationwide Homeowners Insurance Customer Reviews and Ratings

Nationwide has received numerous negative reviews for its home insurance service. Customers complained about claim refusals and low settlements resulting from roof damage.

One customer mentioned they had a positive experience with the company, praising the helpfulness of their agent during the claims process. After they experienced roof damage, the company worked to process their claim, even though their policy had expired.

Be aware that your experience will vary based on your situation and insurance agent. Knowing your coverage and having relevant information prepared can help you ensure the process goes smoothly.

Here’s how the company scored with different review sites:

• Better Business Bureau: 1.0 out of 5
• Trustpilot: 1.4 out of 5
• Consumer Affairs: 2.7 out of 5

On the other hand, Nationwide users are generally satisfied with its mobile app, which has received high ratings from both Google Play and the App Store.

• Google Play: 4.5 out of 5
• App Store: 4.7 out of 5

The table below shows Liberty Mutual’s ratings from various third-party agencies:

Nationwide Homeowners Insurance Alternatives

See how Nationwide compares to three other options for home insurance coverage: AAA, Allstate, and Progressive.

Nationwide vs. Automobile Club Group (AAA) Homeowners Insurance

AAA home insurance comes with the peace of mind associated with a trusted name. So naturally, bundling homeowners and auto insurance is a prime perk. The company boasts competitive rates and deep discounts, which may balance the drawback of membership fees. A vast network of branch locations nationwide makes AAA perfect for customers who prefer in-person agents instead of doing business online or over the phone. It also has a dedicated line for Spanish-speaking customers, which earns AAA important bonus points for inclusivity.

Depending on where you live, you may be covered under different AAA-brand companies. However, while Nationwide is available in all 50 states and Washington, DC, AAA home insurance is only available in select states. Buyers must also be AAA members to purchase homeowners insurance (purchases can be finalized after getting a free quote).

Bottom line? If you're already a AAA member, it might be worth bundling your home and auto insurance policies for savings likely exceeding your annual membership fee. However, non-members will probably find more comprehensive coverage options from Nationwide at a lower price point, especially when bundling with Nationwide auto insurance.

AAA Home Insurance Review

Nationwide vs. Allstate Homeowners Insurance

Pet owners, listen up: Allstate offers coverage for most dog-friendly homes without banned breed exclusions, which is a huge bonus. Underwriters look at any bite history of dogs in the home, and the company encourages homeowners to ensure they have an appropriate amount of liability insurance and act responsibly with their dogs.

Allstate also offers specialty coverage for musical instruments, sports equipment, and extensive landscaping, among other things. Like Nationwide, Allstate is available in all 50 states, and both companies allow customers to bundle policies with auto, life, and other insurance products.

That said, guaranteed or extended replacement cost coverage in case of a covered loss is not an option with Allstate. Allstate customers are encouraged to consider an umbrella policy as a supplement to their homeowners and auto policies. Regardless, Allstate is often more expensive than Nationwide coverage with or without an umbrella policy.

Allstate Homeowners Insurance Review

Nationwide vs. Progressive Homeowners Insurance

Progressive homeowners insurance offers affordable homeowners insurance on its easy-to-navigate platform. Many customers quote online. Both companies now sell homeowners insurance policies through broker insurance agents as well. Brokers can quote for any insurance company they partner with, which means you can more easily compare quotes for your house side-by-side.

Progressive offers various recreational insurance policies (e.g., boats, motorcycles) and is working on expanding them. The two companies are similar in terms of pricing and coverage for homeowners. Depending on the specific buyer, one option may be slightly cheaper. However, if you're looking to bundle your home, auto, boat, motorcycle, and other recreational vehicle policies, Progressive offers more robust options.

Progressive Homeowners Insurance Review

Why You Should Trust Us: What Went into Our NationwideHomeowners Insurance Review

Business Insider evaluated Nationwide homeowners insurance based on several key factors. This ranking system allows us to assign objective ratings and get to the heart of what buyers want.

• Pricing: We gathered quotes using a standardized buyer profile to assess affordability. In addition to base costs, we considered overall value by examining available discounts and policy features that add extra appeal.
• Coverage options: Customization plays a major role. We reviewed the flexibility of Nationwide’s policies, comparing its optional coverages to those offered by other leading insurers.
• Customer experience: To understand how customers feel about Nationwide, we analyzed reviews from Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau, and ConsumerAffairs, and compared this feedback to that of competing providers.
• Claims satisfaction: A reliable claims process is crucial. Using J.D. Power ratings, we assessed how well Nationwide handles claims from filing to resolution.
• Financial Stability: The financial stability of each company, coupled with customer experiences following the claims process, receives careful attention as this information reveals how well each company can manage financial obligations.

Read more about how Business Insider rates homeowners insurance.

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Elias Shaya

Compliance and Operations Associate

Elias Shaya is a Compliance and Operations Associate on Business Insider's personal finance team in New York. He collaborates with the editorial team to provide timely, accurate, and impartial financial advice to readers ExperienceElias is a point person on multiple personal finance topics, from credit cards to investment products. He ensures editorial content is transparent and accessible through clear and precise language while also complying with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines. Since joining as a compliance fellow in 2022, Elias has played a crucial role in the team’s compliance efforts, ensuring no stone is left unturned. His close attention to detail and broad knowledge of various complex financial subjects help minimize risk for partners while protecting editorial independence so readers get the best possible advice. Expertise: Elias’ expertise includes:

• Credit cards
• Investing
• Loans
• Mortgages

Education: Elias graduated from the College of Staten Island with a degree in International Business.When he’s not reviewing or updating personal finance topics, Elias enjoys traveling, comedy shows, and binge-worthy TV shows.

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Alani Asis

Alani Asis is a personal finance expert with experience covering insurance, retirement, and credit. Her work has been published in AARP, CNN Underscored, Forbes, Fortune, PolicyGenius, and U.S. News & World Report.ExperienceAlani has reviewed life insurance and pet insurance companies and has written numerous explainers on travel insurance, credit, debt, and home insurance.She is passionate about demystifying the complexities of insurance and other personal finance topics so that readers have the information they need to make the best money decisions.ExpertiseAlani’s areas of personal finance expertise include:

• Car insurance
• Life insurance
• Home insurance
• Travel insurance
• Pet insurance
• Credit
• Credit cards
• Retirement planning

Education Alani is a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she earned a degree in political science and history.

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