Insurance providers: Travelers vs. Nationwide

Quick Verdict

Nationwide appears to offer a slight edge in customer service and coverage options, including business insurance, while Travelers stands out for its exceptional financial strength. Availability might be a deciding factor for customers in AK, FL, HI, and LA, where Travelers is not available. Both offer competitive pricing and bundling discounts, making them viable options depending on individual needs and priorities.

Travelers boasts superior financial strength ratings, while Nationwide's ratings are still strong but slightly lower.
Nationwide offers a broader range of coverage options, including business insurance, which Travelers does not.
Nationwide generally receives higher customer service ratings compared to Travelers, which has mixed reviews.
Travelers is not available in AK, FL, HI, and LA, while Nationwide has near-nationwide availability with some regional limitations.
Both companies offer various discounts and bundling options for potential savings.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Travelers	Nationwide
Financial Strength Rating	A.M. Best: A++ (Superior), Fitch: AA (Very Strong), Moody's: Aa2 (High Quality), Standard & Poor's: AA (Very Strong)	A+ by Standard & Poor's, A by AM Best, A2 by Moody's (downgraded from A1 in 2023)
Range of Coverage Options	Home, Auto, Condo, Renters, Boat & Yacht, Landlord, Umbrella, Jewelry & Valuable Items, Wedding & Events, Travel, Pet, Motorcycle, Flood	Personal (Auto, Classic car, Boat, Snowmobile, ATV, Motorcycle, RV, Personal Watercraft, Scooter, Golf cart, Homeowners, Renters, Condo, Flood, Life, Umbrella, Travel, Pet, Wedding, Specialty liability, Identity theft, Accident medical, Dental), Business (Commercial insurance)
Customer Service Rating	Mixed; Below-average customer satisfaction (J.D. Power studies), Above average in J.D. Power's Insurance Shopping Study	High rankings in J.D. Power studies, Ranked highest in overall customer satisfaction for small commercial insurance (883 in 2023), No. 2 in the J.D. Power U.S. Individual Life Insurance Study in 2021, J.D. Power score of 858 out of 1,000 in 2022
Claims Processing Speed and Efficiency	Aims to process claims quickly, but processing time varies depending on complexity and documentation	Aims to streamline claims, processing time varies, average cycle time to complete repairs was 23.9 days in 2024 (increase compared to 2022), conversational texting available
Policy Discounts Available	Multi-Policy, Safe Driver, Good Student, Homebuyer, Protective Device, Green Home, Multi-Car, Hybrid/Electric Car, Claims-Free, Paperless Billing, Advance Quote, Low Mileage	Multi-policy, Safe driver, Accident-free, Good student, Defensive driving course, Anti-theft device, Easy Pay signup, Affinity group, Multi-vehicle, Homeowner promise, Student away from home, New vehicle, Advance quote, Paperless, SmartRide, SmartMiles, Home renovation credit, Roof rating, Home purchase, Prior insurance, Gated community
Digital Accessibility	Mobile app and online portal for policy management; committed to website accessibility	User-friendly mobile app, online account management, access policies, view and pay bills, file claims, and track progress via the mobile app
Pricing and Premiums Competitiveness	Competitive pricing; bundling policies can lead to savings	Competitive rates, budget-friendly rates for young drivers, cost-effective solutions for high-risk drivers, premiums have increased since 2018
Coverage Area	Not available in AK, FL, HI, and LA	Full range of insurance and financial services across the country, availability may be limited in certain regions
Underwriting Flexibility	Broad range of coverage options and discounts to customize policies	Customizable car insurance policies, options like gap insurance and accident forgiveness
Agent Availability and Support	Customers can contact their agent directly through the mobile app	Excellent customer service from top Nationwide agents, contact a local agent, call their toll-free number, or visit their website to get a quote
Bundling Options and Savings	Bundling car and home policies can save up to 13%; average 11% discount for home and auto bundling	Save by bundling home and auto policies, multi-policy discounts can apply to combinations of auto, home, renters, motorcycle, boat, and life insurance
Specialty Insurance Offerings	Flood Insurance, Travel Insurance, Pet Insurance, Motorcycle Insurance	Flood insurance, Pet insurance, Travel Insurance, Wedding Insurance, Specialty liability insurance, RV Insurance, Boat Insurance, Motorcycle Insurance, Farm insurance, Commercial insurance

Overall Comparison

Travelers: A++ (A.M. Best), Nationwide: A+ (Standard & Poor's), Travelers bundling discount: Up to 13%, Nationwide J.D. Power score: 858/1,000

Pros and Cons

Travelers

Pros:

Strong financial strength ratings
Wide range of coverage options
Competitive pricing
Offers various policy discounts
Digital accessibility through mobile app and online portal
Bundling options for savings
Fewer complaints than expected for auto insurance

Cons:

Below-average customer satisfaction ratings
Claims process can be time-consuming
Not available in AK, FL, HI, and LA
Agent helpfulness can vary

Nationwide

Pros:

Wide range of coverage options
Competitive rates
User-friendly mobile app
Robust online account management
Excellent customer service from top Nationwide agents
Bundling options and savings
Customizable policies
Dedicated to making the claims process easy and convenient

Cons:

Premiums have increased since 2018
Processing time for claims can vary
Availability may be limited in certain regions
Some customers have reported challenges with the claims process
Moody's downgraded Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and its property & casualty affiliates to A2 from A1 in 2023
Average cycle time to complete repairs increased in 2024 compared to 2022

User Experiences and Feedback

Travelers

What Users Love

Competitive pricing
Variety of coverage options to fit different needs
Digital tools available for managing policies

Common Complaints

Claims process can be time-consuming
Below-average customer satisfaction
Importance of reviewing policy details to understand exclusions or limitations

Value Perception

Bundling car and home policies can save up to 13%
Average 11% discount offered for home and auto bundling

User Recommendations

Travelers aims to process claims as quickly as possible, but processing time varies.
Customer service experiences appear to be average.
Travelers is considered a stable and reputable insurer. However, customer satisfaction scores are below average, so consider individual needs and compare with other top-rated carriers.

Nationwide

What Users Love

Generally receives positive feedback regarding customer service
Many customers praise the helpful and responsive representatives
Offers a wide range of coverage options, allowing customers to choose policies that suit their lifestyle
Known for competitive rates
Offers a user-friendly mobile app and robust online account management capabilities
Nationwide agents can answer questions and provide information about available discounts

Common Complaints

Some customers have reported challenges with the claims process
Premiums have increased
Processing time varies
It is important to thoroughly review the policy terms and conditions to understand any exclusions or limitations

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

Nationwide aims to provide quick resolutions, but processing time varies.
Customers can communicate with their adjuster through text.
Nationwide agents can answer questions and provide information about available discounts.
Thoroughly reviewing your insurance policy can give you a better understanding of the coverage you're entitled to.