Nationwide vs. Allstate – What’s Better for Car Insurance?

Last Updated on October 16, 2026

By James Shaffer Reviewed by Thomas Rockford, insurance industry executive and financial analyst, on October 16, 2026 How we fact-check

Nationwide and Allstate are both well-known auto insurers, and either can be a strong choice. For most drivers, the better pick comes down to (1) availability in your state, (2) the discounts and usage-based programs you’ll actually qualify for, and (3) how you prefer to buy and manage your policy (online vs. agent).

Below is a side-by-side comparison of Nationwide vs. Allstate—including background, availability, discounts, and customer service considerations—so you can decide which one fits your needs.

Start With Availability: Allstate is widely available across the U.S. Nationwide publishes no list of states where it doesn’t sell auto insurance, so check availability with your ZIP code.
Discount Stacking Matters More Than a Single “Big” Discount: Bundling, multi-car, paperless, autopay, and student discounts can add up—if they’re applied correctly.
Telematics and Pay-Per-Mile Can Be a Game Changer: SmartRide/DriveWise and SmartMiles/Milewise can lower costs for safe or low-mileage drivers, but rules vary by state.
Compare Quotes Apples-to-Apples: Match liability limits, comp/collision deductibles, and add-ons before choosing the “cheaper” policy.

Table Of Contents

Nationwide vs. Allstate at a Glance
Company Backgrounds
Availability, Geography, and Cross-Border Driving
Discounts Offered: Nationwide vs. Allstate
Unique Discounts to Know About
Buying Experience and Support
Customer Service and Claims Considerations
Verdict: Should You Choose Nationwide or Allstate?
FAQs on Nationwide vs. Allstate Auto Insurance
Sources

Nationwide vs. Allstate at a Glance

Category	Nationwide	Allstate
Availability	Availability varies by state; Nationwide names no excluded states for auto, though SmartMiles isn’t sold in AK, HI, LA, MI, NC, NY or OK	Sold across the U.S.; Allstate says coverage, features and discounts vary by state
Best For	Drivers who want strong discount stacking and usage-based options	Drivers who prefer broad availability and robust agent support
Usage-Based Options	SmartRide + pay-per-mile SmartMiles	Drivewise + pay-per-mile Milewise
Common Discount Themes	Bundling, safe driving, good student, paperless, automatic payments	Bundling, safe driving, good student, paperless, automatic payments

Quick tip: When comparing Nationwide vs. Allstate quotes, match the same liability limits, the same comp/collision deductibles, and the same add-ons (rental, roadside, etc.). A cheaper quote often just means less coverage.

Company Backgrounds

About Nationwide

Nationwide sold its first policy in 1926 as Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, and its headquarters is One Nationwide Plaza in Columbus, Ohio. It now sells auto and many other kinds of insurance. For a deeper look at coverage options and policy features, see this Nationwide auto insurance review.

About Allstate

Allstate launched on April 17, 1931, as part of Sears. NAIC figures published by the Insurance Information Institute rank it fourth among U.S. private passenger auto insurers in 2025, with 10.2% of the market by direct premiums written. It sells through its own agents as well as online and by phone. For a breakdown of coverage options and common add-ons, see this Allstate auto insurance review.

Availability, Geography, and Cross-Border Driving

Allstate sells auto insurance broadly across the United States. Nationwide says availability and discount details vary by state but publishes no list of states where it doesn’t sell auto coverage, so run a quote with your ZIP code before you compare price or perks.

If you travel internationally, confirm whether your policy extends to Canada and what paperwork you may need. This guide explains the basics: if you drive to Canada, will your insurance cover you?

Discounts Offered: Nationwide vs. Allstate

Both insurers offer a wide menu of discounts, but the exact savings and eligibility rules vary by state, vehicle, and driver profile. The most reliable way to compare is to ask the agent (or online quote system) to list every discount applied to your quote and what proof is required.

Similar Discounts at Both Insurers

Discount Type	How It Usually Works	Helpful Reference
Anti-Theft	Discount for qualifying alarms, immobilizers, or anti-theft devices	Anti-theft device discounts
Bundling	Lower premiums when you combine auto with home/renters (or other lines), depending on eligibility	How to bundle auto and homeowners insurance
Multi-Car	Discount when multiple vehicles are insured on the same policy	Multi-car discounts
Good Student	Discount for students who meet GPA/grade requirements (rules vary by insurer and state)	Good student discount rules
Automatic Payments	Potential discount and/or reduced fees for enrolling in autopay	Automatic payment options
Paperless Billing	Small discount when you choose electronic documents/billing	Paperless billing discounts
Defensive Driving	Discount for completing an approved course (often age/state dependent)	Defensive driving course discounts

Allstate also gives a discount for completing teenSMART, a teen driver training program, in 41 states and Washington, D.C., according to ADEPT Driver, the company that runs it.

Usage-Based Driving Programs

Both companies offer programs that can lower your premium if you drive safely or drive fewer miles—usually by using an app or device. These can be a strong fit for low-mileage drivers, remote workers, and households with a second vehicle.

Program Type	Nationwide	Allstate
“How You Drive” Telematics	SmartRide (Nationwide gives an instant 10% for enrolling; the final discount depends on how you drive and could be zero)	DriveWise
Pay-Per-Mile	SmartMiles: a base premium plus a cost per mile, tracked by a small device or an eligible connected car; not sold in AK, HI, LA, MI, NC, NY or OK	Milewise: a daily rate plus a per-mile rate, with miles captured by a plug-in device

Unique Discounts to Know About

Nationwide Discounts

Affinity discount: Nationwide’s current discounts page doesn’t list a group or affinity discount, so we could not confirm one. If you belong to an alumni association or professional group, ask a Nationwide agent whether it has a partnership. This guide explains what organizations offer the best discounts.

Discounts Nationwide does list include a safe driver discount for customers without at-fault accidents or major violations (it says at least five years of safe driving may make you eligible), a good student discount for drivers 16 to 24 with a B average or better, a one-time discount for setting up automatic payments from a bank account, and a recurring paperless discount.

If you want a complete list of commonly advertised options, see Nationwide car insurance discounts.

Allstate Discounts

New car discount: We could not confirm a new car discount on Allstate’s current discounts page, so ask an Allstate agent whether one applies in your state. This overview explains the general pricing relationship between new cars vs. used cars.

Vehicle safety features: Certain factory-installed safety features (like anti-lock brakes) may qualify for savings depending on the state and vehicle.

Responsible payer / prior insurance history: Some discounts are tied to maintaining continuous coverage and avoiding lapses. A lapse can also create problems beyond price—here’s what to know about a non-payment cancellation.

Pay in full: Many insurers charge installment fees for monthly billing. Paying the policy term up front can reduce total cost—see whether it’s better to pay in full or monthly.

For more options, see Allstate’s auto insurance discounts.

Buying Experience and Support

Both Nationwide and Allstate offer online quoting and agent support. For many drivers, the deciding factor is whether a local agent can help tailor coverage and apply discounts correctly—especially for multi-vehicle households, teen drivers, or drivers with prior claims.

If you prefer working with an agent, this can be a useful baseline: is auto insurance cheaper through an agent? The answer depends on the insurer, your state, and how the quote is structured—but agent support can help prevent coverage gaps and missed discounts.

Customer Service and Claims Considerations

Customer service quality can feel different depending on the state, the local claims network, and even the type of claim. Instead of relying on broad anecdotes, compare carriers using consistent sources—like state complaint data, independent customer satisfaction studies, and your own experience getting answers during the quote process.

Also note that pricing and claims trends can be heavily state-specific. For example, if you’re shopping in a higher-cost market, understanding the “why” can help you set expectations—here’s a deeper explanation of why car insurance is so expensive in Louisiana.

Verdict: Should You Choose Nationwide or Allstate?

Choose Nationwide if it’s available in your state and you want strong discount stacking—especially if you’re interested in usage-based options and you can qualify for multiple savings categories.

Choose Allstate if you want broad nationwide availability, a large agent footprint, and the option to pair standard discounts with programs like Drivewise or Milewise when they fit your driving profile.

For the most accurate comparison, get quotes from both insurers with matching coverages and deductibles, then ask for a written list of applied discounts before you decide.

My advice is to get both quotes on the same day with the same limits and deductibles, then ask each agent to email you the list of discounts applied. If you drive very little, ask each one for its pay-per-mile price too, since that can change which company comes out ahead.

FAQs on Nationwide vs. Allstate Auto Insurance

Is Nationwide cheaper than Allstate?

It depends on your state, driving record, vehicle, and which discounts apply. The best comparison is getting quotes with identical coverage limits and deductibles, then verifying which discounts were actually applied.

Which company has better discounts: Nationwide or Allstate?

Both offer many of the same discount categories (bundling, multi-car, safe driver, student, paperless, and autopay). The bigger difference is eligibility rules and what your state allows—so ask for a written list of discounts on each quote.

What’s the difference between SmartRide/DriveWise and SmartMiles/Milewise?

SmartRide and DriveWise are typically “how you drive” telematics programs that can reward safer driving behavior. SmartMiles and Milewise are pay-per-mile options that base part of your price on the miles you drive. Availability and program rules vary by state.

Can I get both a bundling discount and a telematics discount?

Often, yes. Many drivers qualify for multiple discounts at the same time (for example, bundling + multi-car + paperless + telematics). The carrier will confirm which combinations are allowed in your state and on your policy.

Do Nationwide and Allstate offer accident forgiveness?

Both do, on different terms. Nationwide says you have to buy accident forgiveness as an addition to your auto policy, that it is available in select states, and that it can be used once per policy. Allstate describes it as a benefit you sign up for so your rate won’t go up after an accident. Availability and eligibility vary by state.

Should I buy auto insurance online or through an agent?

Either can work. An agent can be helpful for complex situations (teen drivers, multiple vehicles, prior claims, or coverage gaps) and for confirming discounts and endorsements. Online quotes can be faster for straightforward policies, but always review coverage details before binding.

What should I compare besides price when choosing between Nationwide and Allstate?

Compare liability limits, deductibles, rental/roadside coverage, claims handling expectations, policy exclusions, and how easy it is to get support. Also confirm whether your preferred discounts and usage-based programs are available in your state.

Sources

Checked October 16, 2026

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