Which is cheaper overall: Nationwide or USAA?

For full coverage with 100/300/100 in liability coverage and $500 deductibles for comprehensive and collision insurance, USAA costs an average of $1,572. Nationwide costs more at an average of $2,463.

USAA costs an average of $363, while Nationwide has average rates for state minimum coverage of $808.

It's always a good idea to shop around for quotes, however, because prices and coverage vary from state to state and depend on your individual situation.

CompanyAverage annual rate for full coverageAverage annual rate for state minimum coverageAverage annual premium for liability-only (50/100/50) car insurance
Nationwide$2,463$808$945
USAA$1,572$363$463

Nationwide vs. USAA: Which company is cheaper by age group?

USAA has cheaper average rates for teen drivers at $5,267 per year, compared to Nationwide with an average rate of $7,821.

Insurance companies weigh age-based risk data heavily when calculating rates. Rates reduce over time as drivers gain experience on the road..

For adults, $1,592 charges USAA on average, while at Nationwide the average rate for an adult is $2,431.

The takeaway: Teens often pay more than double what adults do, but there are companies with cheaper rates for teens, so take the time to compare quotes.

Age groupNationwideUSAA
Teens$7,821$5,267
Young adults$3,824$2,492
Adults$2,431$1,592
Seniors$2,299$1,585

Nationwide vs. USAA: Which company is cheaper for high-risk drivers?

USAA has the best rates for high-risk drivers. A high-risk driver is someone who has multiple speeding tickets, accidents or a serious offense like a DUI on their record. This can make it a challenge to find affordable auto insurance.

For the drivers with DUI, USAA is cheaper, with average rates of $3,171.

Take a look at the table below for Nationwide rates compared to USAA rates.

Type of violationNationwideUSAA
1 At-fault property damage accident over $2K$4,051$2,372
1 At-fault property damage accident under $2K$4,003$2,370
At-fault bodily injury accident$4,254$2,457
Careless driving$3,506$2,088
DUI$5,771$3,171
Reckless driving$5,126$2,396
Speeding$3,742$1,914

Nationwide vs. USAA: Rates in your state

Insurance rates vary from state to state. Companies use information from your ZIP code, like weather, crime and traffic patterns, to calculate the risk. The table below shows where you'll find the cheapest rates for Nationwide and USAA. Remember, always shop around for multiple quotes as prices will ultimately be determined by your personal situation and driving record in addition to your location.

StateUSAANationwide
Alabama$1,556$1,963
Alaska$1,575N/A
Arizona$1,880$2,636
Arkansas$1,527$2,673
California$2,080$4,227
Colorado$2,201N/A
Connecticut$1,631$2,675
Delaware$1,788$1,936
FloridaN/A$3,335
Georgia$1,728N/A
Hawaii$1,141N/A
Idaho$777$1,802
Illinois$1,638N/A
Indiana$921N/A
Iowa$1,319N/A
Kansas$1,375$2,119
Kentucky$1,619N/A
Louisiana$2,696N/A
Maine$997N/A
Maryland$1,311$1,834
Massachusetts$1,658N/A
Michigan$1,811N/A
Minnesota$1,713$2,515
Mississippi$1,405$2,559
Missouri$1,269$3,067
Montana$1,276$2,180
Nebraska$1,797N/A
Nevada$1,946N/A
New Hampshire$1,036$1,475
New Mexico$1,254$2,547
New York$1,911N/A
North CarolinaN/A$2,452
North Dakota$1,088$1,250
Ohio$1,062N/A
Oklahoma$1,542N/A
Oregon$1,523$1,836
Pennsylvania$1,958$1,809
Rhode Island$1,399$2,866
South Carolina$1,772$2,130
South Dakota$2,041$2,442
Tennessee$1,271$2,373
Texas$1,692N/A
Utah$1,354$1,188
Vermont$1,038$1,554
Virginia$1,181N/A
Washington$1,058$2,408
Washington, D.C.$1,418$2,847
West Virginia$1,451N/A
Wisconsin$1,176$1,825
Wyoming$1,441N/A

Nationwide vs. USAA: Which company offers better auto insurance discounts?

Discounts are a big draw for customers and can offer significant savings on your annual premiums. Below are some of the discounts Nationwide and USAA offer to their customers.

DiscountsUSAANationwide
Air bags1%2%
Anti-theft device3%1%
Comp and coll deductiblesless than 1%11%
Days advanced purchase6%6%
Electronic Funds Transfer3%4%
HomeownerN/A5%
Lower annual mileage5%13%
Loyalty7%19%
Marital status10%8%
Multi policy5%8%
Paperless/Electornic documentsN/A4%
Payment typeN/A9%
Primary use13%10%
Safety devices1%4%
Telematics4%9%
Years insured13%15%
Years LicensedN/A23%

Always be sure to ask about available discounts when you're shopping around for insurance to see what you may qualify for.

Bottom line: Should you choose Nationwide or USAA?

If rates are what matter most to you, USAA may be the choice for you. However, we always recommend considering more than just rates to find the best car insurance for your needs and comparing quotes from multiple companies.

Consider company reputation and available coverages to make your decision, and be sure to compare quotes from multiple companies.

Methodology

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

Unless otherwise indicated, averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:

  • Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
  • Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
  • Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
  • 40-year-old driver
  • Honda Accord LX
  • Good credit
  • A clean driving record
  • 12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

Additional rate data is drawn based on:

  • Ages ranging from 16 to 75
  • Excellent, fair and poor credit
  • All available traffic violations
  • One or more at-fault accidents
  • All available year, make and model data

Rates were fielded by Quadrant Information Services, with more than 220 companies and 34,588 ZIP codes surveyed.

FAQ: Company comparison

How often should I compare auto insurance quotes?

You should compare auto insurance quotes at least once a year, or every time your policy renews.

It's generally worth paying more for great customer service, but you should choose a carrierAn insurance carrier is the company that provides your car insurance policy and pays claims. that provides a balance between low rates and high customer satisfaction.

Follow insurance.com on Google