Nationwide Renters Insurance Review of 2025

Although many landlords don’t require it, renters insurance can be as valuable for renters as home insurance is for homeowners. In this article, we’ll focus on renters insurance from one of the most recognized companies in the property and casualty insurance business – Nationwide. You’ll learn what Nationwide renters insurance does and doesn’t cover, what discounts the company offers, how it stacks up against several major competitors’ renters insurance, and more.

PropertyNest believes that if you rent an apartment, condo, or home, you need to protect yourself and your belongings. Some managed communities require a certain amount of renters insurance as part of your lease agreement because your landlord’s policy won’t cover you if your belongings are damaged or stolen. Required or not, renters insurance provides the financial protection you need.

About Nationwide and the Company’s History

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, known as Nationwide, was founded in 1925 in Columbus, Ohio, where it still maintains its headquarters. The company was originally named the Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, and it sold auto insurance exclusively to farmers.

In 1955, the company changed its name to Nationwide Insurance. It now offers a complete line of personal and commercial insurance products, including auto, homeowners, renters, life, motorcycle, boat, pet, business, and farm insurance. Nationwide also sells mutual funds and other financial products.

Nationwide sells its renters insurance and other insurance products through its sales force of Nationwide agents who maintain neighborhood offices in 44 states and the District of Columbia. The company also sells variable life insurance and annuity products through a network of independent agents.

Policies and Coverage

Nationwide’s basic renters insurance protects you when the unexpected happens, such as a fire, severe weather, a plumbing accident, or a burglary. Your landlord’s policy won’t cover the cost of repairing or replacing your property.

Basic renters insurance from Nationwide covers the following:

A Nationwide renters insurance policy does not typically cover the following:

Home-based business: If you operate a small business out of your home, in most cases, additional coverage for business assets is necessary. You should consult a Nationwide agent for specific recommendations.

Motor vehicle: Your renters insurance policy doesn’t cover damage to your car, even if it’s parked on your property; you need auto insurance. However, your renters insurance usually covers your personal belongings inside the car.

Roommate: Your Nationwide renters insurance doesn’t cover your roommates, and they can’t be added to your policy. They need to purchase their policies.

Coverage Limits

Like all other types of insurance, renters insurance has limits on the amount the insurance company will pay for a covered loss. Typical coverage amounts for Nationwide and other insurers are:

• Personal property coverage: $30,000
• Personal liability coverage: $100,000
• Loss of use coverage: 40% of your personal property coverage amount

Most agents recommend a $500 deductible. The higher your deductible is, the lower your premiums will be. You’ll want to ensure you have enough savings to pay your deductible if necessary.

Discounts

Nationwide offers an extensive number of discounts for its renters insurance policyholders:

• Bundle discount: You receive a discount for having other policies with Nationwide in addition to your renters insurance, including auto or life insurance.
• Protective devices discount: Discount for homes with smoke detectors, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and more.
• Claims-free discount: Receive a discount for not filing any recent claims
• Gated community discount: If your home restricts access to non-residents of your community.
• Paperless billing discount: For receiving your policy documents electronically.

Average rates

Nationwide has neither the cheapest nor the most expensive renters insurance. According to recent comparisons, monthly premiums typically range between $15 to $30 per month, placing their rates at or slightly above average.

The cost of your renters insurance coverage will depend on the following:

• The city, state, or neighborhood where you rent
• The age, condition, and size of your building
• The value of your possessions
• Your coverage limits
• Your deducible

Claims

You can file a claim with Nationwide online, through their mobile app, by calling their toll-free claims number at (800) 421-3535, or by contacting your Nationwide local agent. At the time, you’ll need to provide your policy number and a brief description of the loss.

After completing this process, you’ll be assigned a dedicated Nationwide claims representative who will ask for more details concerning your claim. This may include requesting evidence regarding the claim or scheduling a property inspection, if necessary.

Customer Service Options and Availability

Nationwide has an excellent reputation and ratings for its customer service, available through several channels.

Local agent: The local agent you purchased your policy from can assist you with your claim.

Telephone: You can reach Nationwide customer service 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. on weekdays at 877-669-6877.

Website: You’ll find a chatbot on the Nationwide website that can help answer simple questions about renters insurance but nothing specific about your coverage or rates.

How Does Nationwide Compare to Other Renters Insurance Companies?

For consumers who like to compare companies before making a purchase, PropertyNest provides this comparison between Nationwide and Allstate, Farmers, State Farm, and Lemonade.

Nationwide vs. Allstate

Both Nationwide and Allstate are large, financially sound insurers. While Nationwide sells renters insurance in 44 states and the District of Columbia, Allstate offers policies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Both insurers provide standard coverage for the four primary areas of renters insurance: personal property, liability, loss of use, and medical payments. Nationwide also covers fraudulent credit card transactions and damage to a renter's additions or installations to their home, apartment, or condo.

Allstate and Nationwide have large neighborhood agent networks, which many prefer over buying insurance online. Both companies also offer bundle discounts for combining renters insurance with their auto insurance. Nationwide offers more discounts than Allstate, such as a discount for being claims-free, but Allstate gives discounts for people aged 55 and above.

Read a full Allstate renters insurance review.

Nationwide vs. Farmers

Like Nationwide, Farmers allows renters to get quotes online and buy a renters insurance policy through an agent. Farmers sells renters insurance in 42 states, while Nationwide sells their renters policies in 44 states. Unlike Nationwide, which offers seven different add-ons to its standard coverage, Farmers offers only two – personal identity theft and replacement cost coverage. Nationwide’s basic coverage is also more robust than Farmers, with protection for damages to additions a renter has made to their home.

Farmers and Nationwide both give discounts for bundling their renters and auto insurance and for being claims-free. Farmers also offer discounts for households that have been smoke-free for two years or more and discounts for select professionals, such as doctors, nurses, dentists, teachers, engineers, firefighters, and police personnel.

Read a full Farmers renters insurance review.

Nationwide vs. State Farm

One of Nationwide’s primary competitors is State Farm, which has 19,000 neighborhood agents in the U.S., more than any other insurance company. State Farm sells its renters insurance in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Despite its high overhead from its local sales offices and 30 regional claims centers spread across the country, State Farm’s renters insurance premiums are among the cheapest in the country. While it doesn’t offer as many discounts as Nationwide, State Farm’s generally lower premiums make it very competitively priced.

Unlike Nationwide, roommates can be covered under a State Farm renters insurance policy if they’re listed on the policy. This can be beneficial for roommates who need to share the cost of renters insurance, though it can create some confusion with deductibles when there are claims.

Read a full State Farm renters insurance review.

Nationwide vs. Lemonade

Although Nationwide and Lemonade sell renters insurance, they are very different in how they do business. While Nationwide uses a network of neighborhood agents to sell and service policy owners, Lemonade is strictly a 100% online buying experience. Renters can get quotes, apply for coverage, and be protected in minutes with Lemonade, while Nationwide customers need to work through an agent to get coverage in force.

Compared to other insurers, Lemonade is also unique in its charitable giving. The company donates a portion of its profits to charities chosen by its policyholders.

Lemonade’s renters insurance is only available in 29 states and Washington, D.C., and coverage amounts vary by state, so you should look at the fine print to ensure you know your policy’s coverage and limits. However, Nationwide’s policies are uniform in their coverage and limitations.

Read a full Lemonade renters insurance review.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for quality renters insurance from a financially stable company, you’ll be pleased with Nationwide. Its coverage is comprehensive, and there are plenty of add-ons to customize your policy; Nationwide’s rates for renters insurance are average to slightly above average, depending on where you live and your coverage limits. With discounts, its rates are very competitive.