Nationwide vs. Direct Auto: Compare rates and discounts

One of the top 10 providers in the country, Nationwide has been insuring drivers since 1926. Unlike Nationwide, Direct Auto is fairly new to the auto insurance industry. They also only provide insurance in 13 states.

If you look closer, you’ll find even more differences between Direct Auto and Nationwide. Nationwide gets an A in user satisfaction from the Better Business Bureau, while Direct Auto gets consistently poor reviews from consumers and an F from the BBB.

In light of all of these negatives, you might be wondering why you should even consider Direct Auto. The company’s saving grace might be that it provides coverage for high-risk drivers. If you find yourself in this situation, Direct Auto might be an option.

Take a look at our detailed comparison below to find out which provider is right for you.

	Read review	Read review
OVERVIEW			OVERVIEW
About the provider
About the brand	Nationwide is among the nation’s top ten car insurance providers, offering the full range of service and a promise to be “on your side” with stellar service.	Qualify for car insurance stacked with multiple discounts, whether or not you have a spotty driving record.
States served
States served	All states except AK, HI, LA, MA	AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, MO, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA
COVERAGE			COVERAGE
Roadside assistance
Roadside assistance	Optional	Optional
New car protection
New car protection	Yes	No
Accident forgiveness
Accident forgiveness	Yes	No
Rideshare coverage
Rideshare coverage	No	No
SR-22 insurance
SR-22 insurance	Yes	Yes
Claims methods
Claims methods	Online Phone	phone
Payment schedule
Payment schedule	12 months 6 months Monthly	monthly custom
DISCOUNTS			DISCOUNTS
Anti-theft device discount
Anti theft device discount	Yes	Yes, up to 10%
Bundling discount
Bundling discount	Yes	Yes, up to 10%
Home owner discount
Home owner discount	No	Yes, up to 15%
Military discount
Military discount	No	Yes, up to 25%
Multi car discount
Multi car discount	No	Yes
Paid in full discount
Paid in full discount	Yes	Yes
Safety device discount
Safety device discount	Yes	Yes
Safe driver discount
Safe driver discount	Yes	Yes, up to 10%
Special employment discount
Special employment discount	No	No
Student discount
Student discount	Yes	Yes, up to 10%
Usage based discount
Usage based discount	Yes, 5-40%	No
Learn more
Learn more	Read review	Read review

Bottom line

Nationwide’s solid reputation makes it the better choice, but if you don’t qualify for coverage through Nationwide, you might want to consider Direct Auto. Compare your car insurance options to find the best insurance company for you.

Compare alternatives to Nationwide and Direct Auto