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Nationwide and Progressive are well-known insurance companies, and both insurers are common sights on television due to their commercials (there's no escaping Flo or Peyton Manning anymore). They're also both reputable providers with many coverage options.
However, these insurance giants suit different needs. If you prefer in-person help and prioritize customer service, Nationwide is the clear winner, especially for cheaper liability coverage. But if you're looking for more affordable full coverage policies that you buy entirely online, Progressive is likely the better fit.
How we evaluate products
FinanceBuzz researches a number of factors in each auto insurance provider to create our reviews. These factors include cost and discounts, complaints and customer satisfaction, coverage, and ease of use. We also gather information from sources such as Insurify, J.D. Power, AM Best, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), and the Better Business Bureau to ensure we provide the most useful information to our readers.
Nationwide pros and cons
- Cheaper rates than Progressive for liability-only policies
- Below-average rates for high-risk drivers
- Strong customer satisfaction rating from J.D. Power
- Not available in all 50 states
- More expensive full coverage rates than Progressive
Learn more in our Nationwide review.
Progressive pros and cons
- Cheaper rates than Nationwide for full coverage policies
- Available in all 50 states
- Extra coverage options
- Poor customer satisfaction rating from J.D. Power
- Progressive Snapshot is unavailable in some states
- Different rates based on the purchase method
Learn more in our Progressive review.
Which company is better?
Nationwide and Progressive are two of the largest private passenger auto insurance companies based on countrywide premiums written. However, there are some distinct differences between them.
Despite its name, Nationwide is actually more limited in the number of states it serves. It doesn't issue auto policies to residents of Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, or Massachusetts. If you're a resident of one of those states, Progressive is the clear winner since it serves residents in all 50 states.
If you're in a state where both companies issue car insurance policies, consider how these insurers compare in terms of financial stability, customer satisfaction, and accessibility.
| Nationwide | Progressive | |
| AM Best | A (Excellent) | A+ (Superior) |
| J.D. Power claims satisfaction | Ranked 4th out of 21 | Ranked 20th out of 21 |
| BBB | A+ (Not accredited) | A+ (Accredited) |
| NAIC complaints (private passenger) | 0.70 | 0.50 |
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Financial stability
Financial stability refers to a company's ability to pay out current and future claims; in general, you want a company that has an A or better rating from AM Best, a credit rating agency. While Progressive's A+ rating is slightly higher than Nationwide's A rating, you can rest assured that both insurance companies have the resources to pay out claims.
Customer satisfaction
For me, customer service and customer satisfaction are more important than cost. If an accident occurs, I want to know that my insurance company will have my back and be responsive.
According to the NAIC, both insurers receive fewer-than-usual complaints than expected for their size. While Nationwide's NAIC complaint index registers at 0.70, Progressive's is 0.50.
Progressive didn't perform as strongly for its claims-handling experience as Nationwide in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Progressive ranked second to last while Nationwide ranked fourth.
Average rate:
Accessibility
With Nationwide, you can get a car insurance quote online or through an agent. The company has over 11,000 agents throughout the country.
Progressive focuses more on a digital experience with a robust mobile app and online quote tools. While you can get a quote through an agent, be aware that you might pay a higher rate to cover the agent's commission.
Which company is cheaper?
Which company has cheaper car insurance premiums will depend on the type of coverage you want, your age, and your driving record. Nationwide is generally cheaper for liability-only coverage, and Progressive is cheaper for full coverage policies.
Here's a look at Nationwide's average rates.
| Driver type | Nationwide liability-only monthly premium | Nationwide full coverage monthly premium |
| Clean driving record | $84 | $176 |
| Speeding ticket on driving record | $103 | $217 |
| At-fault accident on driving record | $107 | $227 |
| DUI on driving record | $135 | $285 |
| Teen driver | $160 | $338 |
| Senior driver (60s) | $55 | $116 |
| Senior driver (70s) | $53 | $111 |
| Data sourced from Insurify | ||
And here are Progressive's averages for comparison.
| Driver type | Progressive liability-only monthly premium | Progressive full coverage monthly premium |
| Clean driving record | $96 | $149 |
| Speeding ticket on driving record | $117 | $182 |
| At-fault accident on driving record | $115 | $198 |
| DUI on driving record | $155 | $240 |
| Teen driver | $176 | $273 |
| Senior driver (60s) | $58 | $89 |
| Senior driver (70s) | $58 | $89 |
| Data sourced from Insurify | ||
Clean driving record
If you have a clean driving record, you'll pay about $84 per month for liability coverage through Nationwide and $176 per month for full coverage policies.
With Progressive, you'll pay a higher average rate of $96 per month for liability policies. However, its full coverage policies are cheaper than Nationwide's; drivers pay $149 per month on average.
Speeding ticket on driving record
After a speeding ticket, your monthly rate will increase by about $20-$35. Nationwide will usually be cheaper for liability-only policies, but Progressive is less expensive for full coverage policies. On average, Progressive drivers pay $182 per month for full coverage after a speeding ticket, which is about 12% less than Nationwide's rate.
At-fault accident on driving record
Nationwide and Progressive are similar in terms of rates for liability-only policies after an accident. But for full coverage policies, Progressive averages $198 per month, which is $29 less than Nationwide's average cost.
DUI on driving record
A DUI can steeply increase your auto insurance costs. Nationwide is cheaper for liability-only policies, but its full coverage policies tend to be pricier. By contrast, Progressive has cheaper full coverage policies that average $240 per month.
Teen driver
For full coverage policies, Nationwide is substantially more expensive for teens than Progressive. On average, these young drivers pay $338 per month with Nationwide — $65 more than they'd pay with Progressive.
Senior driver
Seniors looking for liability-only policies will pay about the same for coverage through both insurers. However, full coverage policies tend to cost significantly more with Nationwide.
Discounts
If you're looking for ways to save money on car insurance, talk to your insurance agent or insurer about available discounts that can significantly reduce your premiums. Thanks to loyalty discounts, multi-policy discounts, and safe driver discounts, I'm able to save hundreds on my coverage.
Progressive and Nationwide offer several similar discounts. However, only Progressive offers a loyalty discount and an away-from-home student discount while Nationwide is unique for its anti-theft and defensive driving course discounts.
| Discount | Does Nationwide have it? | Does Progressive have it? |
| Loyalty | No | Yes |
| Multi-policy/bundling | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple vehicle | Yes | Yes |
| Airbag | No | No |
| Anti-lock brakes | No | No |
| Anti-theft | Yes | No |
| Safe driver | Yes | Yes |
| Good student | Yes | Yes |
| Away-from-home student | No | Yes |
| New car | No | No |
| Pay in full | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic payments | Yes | Yes |
| GAP insurance | No | No |
| Senior | No | No |
| Military | No | No |
| Defensive driving course | Yes | No |
Nationwide SmartRide and Smart Miles vs. Progressive Snapshot
As a freelance writer who works from a home office, I tend to drive fewer miles than other drivers. Telematics, or usage-based insurance policies, are usually more cost-effective than traditional car insurance policies, and switching coverage helped me slash my premiums.
Nationwide's SmartRide gives customers a 10% discount for enrolling, and drivers can reduce their premiums by up to 40% by driving safely. Those who participate will never see rate increases due to the program. Nationwide also has the mileage-based SmartMiles program. It uses a plug-in device and charges a base rate plus a variable charge based on miles driven.
Progressive's Snapshot program is available via plug-in or mobile app. You can qualify for a discount for signing up and reduce your premiums even more over time. However, not all drivers save. According to the company, about 20% of drivers will see an increase in insurance rates due to their driving habits.
Coverage
Nationwide and Progressive offer broad coverage options with multiple add-ons. However, there are some key coverage differences.
- Guaranteed asset protection (GAP): If you finance a car, GAP coverage can be a smart purchase. If your car is totaled in an accident or stolen, this coverage helps pay the difference between the car's value at the time of the claim and what's left on your car loan. While Nationwide offers GAP insurance, Progressive offers loan/lease payoff insurance. It's similar to GAP, but the requirements and payout restrictions can differ.
- Mexico insurance: Nationwide doesn't offer auto insurance that covers you if you drive into Mexico. Whether you're planning a day trip or an extended road trip, you can get this coverage through Progressive.
- Rideshare: Unlike Nationwide, Progressive has rideshare coverage options for those who drive for services like Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, or Grubhub.
| Nationwide | Progressive | |
| Collision | Yes | Yes |
| Comprehensive | Yes | Yes |
| Liability | Yes | Yes |
| Medical payments | Yes | Yes |
| Uninsured/Underinsured | Yes | Yes |
| Rideshare | No | Yes |
| RV insurance | Yes | Yes |
| ATV & off-road vehicle insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Motorcycle insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Antique/collector cars | Yes, through Hagerty | Yes, through Hagerty |
| GAP | Yes | Loan/lease payoff |
| Mexico coverage | No | Yes |
FAQs
How do I contact Nationwide?
You can contact Nationwide at 1-877-669-6877. Its customer support department is available weekdays from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. ET. You can also use its agent search tool to find an insurance agent near you.
How do I contact Progressive?
You can reach Progressive by online chat, email, or phone at 1-888-671-4405. Its customer service department is available 24/7.
Is Nationwide insurance good at paying claims?
Nationwide has a strong reputation for claims and customer satisfaction. In the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, which evaluated companies based on typical claim settlement times, communication, and ease of the claims process, Nationwide ranked fourth out of 21 companies. It scored well above the segment average, indicating that it typically handles claims quickly and efficiently.
Where does Progressive rank in car insurance?
As of 2024, Progressive was the second-largest private passenger auto insurance carrier based on direct premiums written. Only State Farm was larger.
Bottom line
Whether you need an affordable policy that meets state minimum liability limits or you're shopping for a full coverage policy with multiple add-ons, both Progressive and Nationwide have robust coverage options, competitive monthly rates, and multiple discount programs.
Nationwide tends to be better for those looking for more personalized assistance while Progressive stands out for its online portals and digital experience. Also, Progressive usually has lower premiums for those with full coverage needs.
When shopping for insurance, check out the best car insurance companies to find the right company and coverage for your budget.
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