Erie vs. Nationwide: Which Is the Best? (2024)

Erie’s customers tend to enjoy lower rates and a better customer service experience than Nationwide.

Sarah Sharkey
Written bySarah Sharkey
Sarah Sharkey
Sarah SharkeyInsurance Writer
  • 7+ years writing insurance and personal finance content

  • Contributor to top media, including USA Today

A passionate personal finance advocate, Sarah’s writing has graced the pages of many of the personal finance and insurance industries’ top web publications.

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Sara Getman
Edited bySara Getman
Sara Getman
Sara GetmanAssociate Editor

Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.

Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga and crocheting.

Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Updated October 29, 2024

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Nationwide and Erie are both well-known options for car insurance. Erie tends to offer lower rates than Nationwide. In general, customers report a better experience with Erie than with Nationwide.[1] But since Erie is only available in a dozen states, many drivers aren’t able to work with the insurer.

The best car insurance company for you varies based on your unique situation and coverage needs. Explore what you should consider when comparing coverage from Erie and Nationwide.

Quick Facts
  • Erie is affordable for many drivers, including drivers with speeding tickets.

  • Nationwide offers a wider selection of discounts.

  • Both companies offer a safe driving rewards program, but their benefits vary.

Erie vs. Nationwide: The verdict

In terms of overall coverage, Erie wins out over Nationwide. Erie offers lower rates and higher customer satisfaction scores. The catch is that Erie is only available in a dozen states, which limits who can work with this insurer. 

Erie is only available in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

Nationwide offers coverage on a larger scale across the U.S., except in Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Massachusetts.

Both insurers offer competitive rates. Each company also offers many other insurance products, including life insurance, home insurance, and renters insurance.

Take a look at the table below to see how Erie and Nationwide compare.

Factor
Erie
Nationwide
IQ Score9.08.7
Customer satisfaction score3.83.5
Average quote: liability only$50$84
Number of discounts811
Number of states where it operates1246
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Erie

Over almost 100 years, Erie has built a reputation as a reliable insurer with top-tier customer satisfaction in the 12 states it covers.

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
User Reviews
3.9
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.0/10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$50/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$93/mo

For nearly 100 years, Erie Insurance has been selling auto coverage. The company operates in 12 states and Washington, D.C., and also offers more than two dozen types of insurance, including home, life, and business insurance. A.M. Best gives Erie an A+ rating for financial stability and credit strength. The company has a lower-than-expected number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Customer Complaint Index, and ranks third in overall customer satisfaction according to J.D. Power rankings. The company also has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Pros
  • Excellent BBB, J.D. Power, and A.M. Best ratings

  • Competitive rates for teenagers and drivers with speeding tickets

Cons
  • Available in only 12 states

  • Customers can’t buy a policy or file a claim online

Read more driver reviews of Erie Insurance
Satina - October 28, 2024
Verified

Erie Insurance Unreliable

The service is not good, and they are unclear about some policy benefits like 24-hour towing, which is non-existent but included in the policy.

Lana - October 25, 2024
Verified

Expensive but Efficient Company

Erie provides excellent claims service if you ever need it, but their rates are fairly expensive. I've been with them for 55 years.

Shannon - October 19, 2024
Verified

Could be Better

I had an unfortunate accident and they were very helpful at the time managing the claim, so the company was great. My rate did go up which I expected and it was reasonable at the time. When my policy was supposed to renew the following year, they wanted to again increase my rate by almost $100 per month. The insurance broker I dealt with was very rude when I called about canceling my policy because unfortunately, I can't afford that kind of increase as a single parent with one income.

Nationwide

Although Nationwide earned below-average marks in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study, it boasts financial stability in spades, with an AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent).

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User Reviews
3.3
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
8.7/10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$84/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$185/mo

In business since 1925, Nationwide is one of the largest insurers, and sells car, homeowners, life insurance, umbrella insurance, and more. In addition to liability, collision and comprehensive, Nationwide provides optional coverages such as towing and labor, rental car, and gap. The company also offers accident forgiveness, and a vanishing deductible that lowers your deductible for each year you drive safely. Nationwide has an A+ rating from A.M. Best for financial stability, and an only slightly higher-than-expected number of customer complaints in the National Association of Insurance Commissioner’s Consumer Complaints Index.

Pros
  • Numerous discount and savings opportunities

  • SmartRide (for safe drivers) and SmartMiles (for low-mileage drivers)

Cons
  • Not available in every state

  • Some discounts and programs not available in all states

Read more driver reviews of Nationwide
Ashley - October 29, 2024
Verified

Great company

Nationwide is a great company. I regret messing up with them!

Keirh - October 28, 2024
Verified

Unsatisfactory Service

I cancelled my insurance. Their rates are too high, they don't treat you properly, and they haven't refunded my money yet.

Earl - October 28, 2024
Verified

I was upset that I received a non-renewal letter over two issues that were resolved a year prior. My local representative resolved the issue quickly.

I was upset that I received a non-renewal letter over two issues that were resolved a year prior. My local representative resolved the issue quickly.

Erie YourTurn vs. Nationwide SmartRide

Erie and Nationwide each offer telematics programs. Both require drivers to download a mobile app that tracks their driving behaviors. Based on metrics like speeding, braking smoothness, and phone usage, the company will send feedback on how enrolled drivers can improve their driving safety.

In exchange for signing up, Erie offers monetary bonuses, including redemptions for gift cards or charitable donations. In contrast, Nationwide offers a discount of up to 40% for safe driving habits, plus an instant 10% discount just for signing up for SmartRide.

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Erie vs. Nationwide: Which is the cheapest?

Erie tends to offer cheaper rates than Nationwide. But your rates will vary based on your age, location, ZIP code, gender, driving record, credit history, and more.[2]

Explore how average rates vary across different driver profiles in the following sections.

Erie: Cheapest for drivers with a clean driving record

Generally, drivers with clean records lock in the best rates because insurers don’t consider them as high risk. Compared to Nationwide, Erie offers the cheapest car insurance rates for drivers with a clean record.

Driver Type
Erie
Nationwide
Clean driving record$50$84
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Erie: Cheapest for drivers with a speeding ticket

Your insurer will likely increase your rates after a speeding ticket because companies consider speeding a high-risk driving behavior. Even if you have a speeding ticket, you can still find affordable rates. Compared to Nationwide, Erie offers cheaper rates for drivers with a speeding ticket.

Driver Type
Erie
Nationwide
Drivers with a speeding ticket$62$101
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Erie: Cheapest for teen drivers

Age plays a big role in determining your rates. Teen drivers pay more for car insurance than more experienced drivers because they lack experience and engage in risky behaviors. Young drivers looking for the cheapest rates often find a better option through Erie than Nationwide.

Driver Type
Erie
Nationwide
18-year-old$81$144
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Erie: Cheapest for senior drivers

Erie offers senior drivers cheaper rates than Nationwide, on average. Seniors pay some of the cheapest rates because they’re more experienced. As a mature driver, don’t hesitate to shop around to find the best rates for your situation.

Driver Type
Erie
Nationwide
Senior drivers$34$56
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Erie: Cheapest for drivers with bad credit

Drivers with a poor credit history often receive higher rates. Insurers view poor credit as an indicator that you’re more likely to submit a claim in the future. Besides improving your credit, drivers can secure affordable rates from Erie.

Driver Type
Erie
Nationwide
Drivers with bad credit$79$101
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Compare coverages: Erie vs. Nationwide

Both Nationwide and Erie offer liability and full-coverage policies including standard car insurance coverage such as bodily injury liability, property damage liability coverage, personal injury protection coverage, collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Additionally, both insurers offer a wide range of coverages beyond the standard options. For example, Erie allows pet owners to opt into pet coverage to help pay for injuries to their dog after an accident.

Add-ons to a standard car insurance policy can help you build the right policy for your situation. But keep in mind that a full-coverage policy with optional add-ons will likely be more expensive than a minimum-coverage policy.

The table below highlights some additional coverage options available through each insurer.

Coverage
Erie
Nationwide
Gap insuranceYesYes
Roadside assistanceYesYes
Rental reimbursementYesYes
Accident forgivenessYesYes
Vanishing deductibleYesYes
Rideshare insuranceYesNo
New-car replacementYesYes

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Compare discounts: Erie vs. Nationwide

Both Nationwide and Erie offer various discounts to meet the needs of different drivers. Overall, Nationwide offers more discount opportunities, including an auto-pay discount that provides a straightforward way to lock in the lowest rates, and good student discounts. Neither offers a discount to military members.

If you’re unsure which company is better for you, it’s a good idea to get car insurance quotes from both.

Use the table below to determine which discounts each insurance company offers.

Discount
Erie
Nationwide
Clean driving recordNoYes
Defensive driving courseYesYes
Multi-policyYesYes
Multi-carYesNo
Low mileageNoYes
Telematics (safe driving app)YesYes
Anti-theft deviceYesYes
New carNoNo
Military/affiliationNoNo
Good studentNoYes
LoyaltyNoNo
Auto-payNoYes
Student away at schoolYesYes
HomeownerNoNo
Alternative fuelNoNo

Erie vs. Nationwide FAQs

Choosing the right insurer can be a difficult decision. Check out the additional information about Erie and Nationwide below to help make your decision.

  • Why is Erie Insurance so cheap?

    Erie Insurance Group offers affordable rates and many great discounts. But Erie’s key money-saving feature is its Rate Lock option, which allows drivers to lock in affordable rates over the long term and avoid rising insurance bills. Drivers who are interested can talk to an Erie agent to learn more about Rate Lock.

  • Is Erie Insurance a reliable company?

    Yes. Erie offers drivers a good experience, which shows up in the company’s top-tier customer satisfaction ratings. The company’s overall financial status is rock solid based on its AM Best financial strength rating of A+ (Superior).[3] If you need help after an accident, you can rely on Erie’s customer service and ability to pay out claims.

  • How does Nationwide rank as an insurance company?

    In terms of customer satisfaction, Nationwide ranks below the industry average, scoring an 875 from J.D. Power. But Nationwide has an AM Best financial strength rating of A (Excellent).[4] In terms of cost, the insurance company’s average rates are below the national average.

  • What are the main differences between Erie Insurance and Nationwide?

    On average, Erie offers drivers lower premiums than Nationwide and has better customer service. But Erie’s limited coverage area of 12 states is a dealbreaker for many.

Sources

  1. Jdpower.com. "2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study."
  2. III. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
  3. Ambest.com. "AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Erie Insurance Group’s Members and Erie Family Life Insurance Company."
  4. Ambest.com. "AM Best Downgrades Credit Ratings of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co & Its P/C Subs; Affirms Credit Ratings of Life Affiliates."
Sarah Sharkey
Sarah SharkeyInsurance Writer

Sarah Sharkey is a personal finance writer who enjoys helping people make savvy financial decisions. She covered insurance and personal finance topics. You can find her work on Business Insider, Money Under 30, Rocket Mortgage, Bankrate, and more. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Sara Getman
Edited bySara GetmanAssociate Editor
Sara Getman
Sara GetmanAssociate Editor

Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.

Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga and crocheting.

Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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