Nationwide Renters Insurance Review

If you rent your home, but don’t carry your own renter’s insurance, you’re taking a serious risk. Many renters don’t realize that while their landlord may carry a homeowner’s insurance policy, that policy protects 0% of the renter’s personal property and provides no protection for damages caused by your pets. That means that while the homeowner may receive reimbursement in the event of a disaster or damage, renters receive nothing.

Fortunately, renters’ insurance companies provide affordable policies in all 50 states. If you haven’t done so yet, now is the time to consider a policy from one of the best renters’ Insurance companies for pet owners.

About Nationwide Renters Insurance

Nationwide Insurance was founded in 1926 by the Ohio Farm Bureau. During that time, its primary focus was on innovation and safety in the agribusiness sector. Since then, it has maintained its commitment to the farming community while building upon its early structure.

More than just an agricultural insurance company, Nationwide has expanded to offer a comprehensive range of services, including auto insurance, life insurance, and investment management.

To generate insurance quotes for any of its outstanding services, you’ll simply visit the website and answer a few questions, including your zip code, address, and details of your property. Within minutes, you’ll have a full estimate of your monthly premium cost as well as policy details.

Features and Benefits

Nationwide’s comprehensive and customizable insurance plans provide coverage for all of life’s little mishaps. From natural disasters to a slip and fall, your policy has got you covered. It’ll even step in to reimburse you for unauthorized transactions made on your credit card.

• Customizable policies
• Dog bite coverage
• Deductible options ranging from $500-$10,000
• Loss of use coverage
• Optional identity theft protection
• Credit card coverage
• Discounts for loyal customers
• Protective device discounts
• Affordable monthly premiums

Pet Coverage Details

Similar to most of its competitors in our overview of the best renters’ insurance for pet owners, Nationwide does not offer a pet-specific renters policy. Instead, it extends coverage to pet owners and pays for injuries or damages caused by your pet to visitors to your home. However, breed and bite history could exclude your pet from liability coverage.

If you have a pet, be sure to inform your Nationwide Renters Insurance agent. They’ll want to know your pet’s breed and behavior history. If you’re unsure of your pet’s breed, be sure to check out our list of the best pet DNA testing companies.

Be prepared to pay increased premiums or to purchase additional liability insurance if your pet has a history of biting or is prone to do so.

It’s important to note that no renters’ insurance policy covers your pet’s health. To ensure you’re covered in the event that your pet sustains an injury or illness, you’ll need a separate pet insurance policy.

Nationwide Renters Insurance Reviews: Editorial Rating

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Nationwide Renters Insurance: 8.4

Nationwide renters insurance earned an impressive 8.4 out of 10 on our rating scale. The highlight of its offering is the ability for customers to easily customize their plans, choosing from a wide range of deductible and coverage options. Within those options are add-ons that cover you during sewer and water backups, assist if your identity is stolen, and help you bring your property up to code.

We also love Nationwide’s loss of use policy, which covers additional living expenses in case you need to vacate your rental due to a covered event. This payout can assist you in securing temporary housing, food, furniture rentals, transportation, and other necessities.

Nationwide renters insurance policies come with deductible options ranging from $500 to $10,000. The higher deductible plans will save you monthly, but require a larger investment in case of a disaster. With a lower deductible plan, you’ll only need to invest a small amount up front before coverage begins, but your monthly premiums will increase.

Why We Like It

Nationwide’s Renters Insurance is highly customizable, allowing you to design a policy that covers all your most valued possessions at an affordable price. When calculating your rate, you can easily adjust the personal property value coverage total, the amount of personal liability insurance, your deductible, and more. If you need to save a little money on premiums, you can add or remove options such as:

• Personal property replacement cost
• Sewer or water backup coverage
• Personal injury coverage
• Medical payment liability coverage
• Inflation protection
• Credit card coverage
• Ordinance or law update/upkeep
• Loss assessment
• Refrigerated property

If you have pets and need coverage for damages or injuries caused by their adorable, yet costly antics, you can easily increase your personal liability and property coverages.

We also love Nationwide’s discounts that can save policyholders hundreds per year on their premiums. For instance, ensuring that working smoke detectors are installed in your home can save you with the protective device discount. Want to save even more? Consider bundling with your auto or life insurance.

What We Don’t Like

We’d be remiss if we failed to mention Nationwide’s downfalls in our company review. While it does provide some coverage for pet damage, it’s not something openly discussed on the website.

In fact, it took some digging to find that the policies provide dog bite and damage coverage. Additionally, we noted coverage restrictions for certain breeds and noted that pet damage to the renters’ property is not reimbursed.

We also found that the limited number of available customer reviews often voiced concerns regarding communication difficulties with the company.

Nationwide Renters Insurance Customer Reviews

Each Nationwide Insurance office is independently owned and operated. We found that many offices are registered with the Better Business Bureau, and while not accredited, all held an A+ rating. Furthermore, Nationwide has earned an A+ rating with A.M. Best, highlighting the company’s strong financial strength and outlook.

Looking at customer reviews, Nationwide has earned an overall rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars on TrustPilot. While the rating is low, you should note that the collection of reviews covers all of Nationwide’s services, including investment plans, employee benefits, business products, and a wide range of insurance options, all run by a large number of independent offices.

At the time of our review, no customer feedback specifically concerning renters’ insurance was available. However, customers highly praised the homeowner’s insurance for its great care and timely payout when disaster struck. Poor reviews mainly highlighted communication difficulties.

It is also important to note that Nationwide is part of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and maintains the high standards and regulations required by the organization.

Who Is Nationwide Renters Insurance Best For?

Nationwide renter’s insurance is a fantastic option for renters who wish to customize their policy. With a wide range of customization options available, you can specify which are most important to you and adjust coverage levels to create a policy that fits within your budget.

Nationwide Renters Insurance Vs Erie Renters Insurance

Nationwide and Erie Insurance are both solid options for your renters’ insurance. Each provides liability coverage for pet damages, but excludes damages to your personal property and home. However, there are notable differences between the two in terms of policy options and availability.

While the average cost is comparable, with Erie coming in at a slightly more affordable rate, you’ll find more options for deductible costs and add-ons with Nationwide. Furthermore, Erie is currently only available in 12 states and D.C., whereas Nationwide renters insurance is available in 47 states.

Filing a Claim with Nationwide Renters Insurance

If you should find yourself in the unfortunate position of needing to file a renters insurance claim with Nationwide, there are a few simple steps that’ll ensure the process goes smoothly.

1. If you’ve experienced a medical, criminal, or fire emergency, contact help immediately. Be sure to keep copies of reports filed with any of these agencies.
2. Notify your insurance agent of the incident by telephone. Be prepared to provide details of the time and date the incident occurred, the details of the incident, and your policy information.
3. Follow your agent’s instructions to complete and submit claim forms.
4. Remember to document damages carefully. Take photos or videos, and write down details of damages, property information (e.g., brands, serial numbers, etc.)
5. Discuss immediate safety needs with your agent.
6. Save all receipts and paperwork.
7. Be prepared to meet with an adjuster in person to review the damages.

As a renter, you should also keep your landlord up to date with what has occurred. In some instances, they may also need to file a claim with their insurance company.

Nationwide Insurance Alternatives

Nationwide shines for flexible deductibles and customizable coverage, but some renters may want added convenience or need broader state availability. If you’re comparing options, these other well-rated providers stand out in areas where Nationwide may fall short. Each of them appears in our overview of the best renters’ insurance companies for pet owners.

• Lemonade: Affordable coverage and fast digital claims through its app-based system.
• State Farm: Extensive agent network and low-cost policies with available add-on protections.
• American Family: Strong pet-friendly coverage and exceptional loss-of-use benefits, though limited to 19 states.
• Erie: Includes replacement-cost coverage standard and earns high marks for customer service and claims satisfaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Nationwide renters insurance offers flexibility and value for renters who want customizable coverage and dependable protection for both their property and liability needs. With options like identity theft protection, credit card coverage, and pet liability extensions, it’s a well-rounded choice for many households. While it’s not available in every state and some pet restrictions apply, its competitive pricing and trusted reputation make it worth considering. To see how Nationwide compares to other leading insurers, explore our overview of the best renters’ insurance companies for pet owners.

About Author

Tammy McKinney