Amica vs Nationwide Auto Insurance

Nationwide and Amica are both widely known auto insurance companies and while Nationwide may have far better name recognition, Amica is consistently rated highest in customer service.

If you are considering an auto insurance company to protect your vehicles, which of these companies would be a better choice for you?

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About Amica Mutual

Amica Mutual Insurance is a company owned by the policyholders rather than a group of shareholders. The company was founded in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1907 by the vice president of Associated Mutual Fire Insurance Companies.

The premise of the company was “preferred risk.” At the fire insurance firm, those factories which voluntarily implemented safety standards would receive lower premium rates than those which ran higher risks of fire.

Feeling that the same premise would work with auto insurance by rewarding safe drivers for their habits, the Amica Mutual company created a preferred-risk rating scale for driving habits.

Amica operates 39 offices throughout the United States. The company is headquartered in Lincoln, Rhode Island and employs over 3,000 people.

Read an Amica Mutual Auto Insurance Review

About Nationwide Auto Insurance

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company began as the Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company in Columbus, Ohio, in 1925. The company began with 1,000 policyholders, all of them Ohio farmers.

The company quickly expanded into neighboring states, eventually offering automobile policies to those in urban areas as well as rural.

The company changed its name to Nationwide Insurance in 1955. By that time, the company was operating in states from coast-to-coast, and had expanded to a large complex of offices in Columbus. Nationwide currently employs 36,000 people and has revenue of over $21 billion.

Read a Nationwide Auto Insurance Review

Amica vs. Nationwide – Customer Service Review

Amica has consistently been rated #1 in customer satisfaction for the past decade by J.D. Power and Associates, and independent marketing research firm which publishes yearly reviews of many companies. Amica’s customers consistently give high marks for pricing, policy offerings, and overall service.

On J.D. Power’s 1000-point Customer Satisfaction Scale, Amica scored an impressive 843, the highest rating given to any auto insurance company.

Nationwide did not fare as well in the J.D. Power’s ratings. Customers gave Nationwide only two of five stars overall, which causes them to be listed as “below average,” although in some individual categories the company was rated as “average.” No score over three out of five stars was given to the company in any category.

Nationwide scored only 767 on the 1000-point customer satisfaction scale as well, placing them 22nd overall. Clearly, customers were not as satisfied with Nationwide’s service.

Who has better auto insurance rates – Amica or Nationwide?

Trying to compare auto insurance rates is very difficult to do overall, as rates vary so greatly from individual to individual. It is very important to remember that what auto insurance companies charge on average may have no reflection whatsoever on your own rates; they might be lower or higher, depending on your driving record, your age, your location, and other factors.

However, in comparing the average premiums charged in several markets, it is possible to identify areas where one company charges less on average than the other. In California, Nationwide drivers pay an average of $1,697 for coverage, with young males paying $1,647 and young females paying $1,372.

In the same market, Amica drivers pay an average of $839, with young males paying $825 and young females paying $750.

In New York, Nationwide drivers paid an average of $3,126, with young males paying $4,406 and young females paying $4,002. Amica drivers paid an average of $1,382, with young males paying $2,288 and young females paying $806.

It is clear from these examples that Amica seems to charge much less than Nationwide. However, it is dangerous to make that assumption too quickly, as there can be other factors involved in pricing. For example, Amica may routinely turn down applicants which Nationwide, as a larger firm, will accept.

Because Nationwide may insure higher-risk drivers, its average prices may be higher. The only way to know for sure how much you will pay each company is to get a quote from each.

Which auto insurance company is better – Amica or Nationwide?

While both auto insurance companies offer the sound financial backing of major insurance companies, Nationwide has far greater holdings than Amica, which may give it better ability to pay claims.

On the other hand, customers seem to be much happier with Amica’s service, possibly because it is a smaller company with a more personal feel.

Both Amica and Nationwide are very respectable auto insurance companies and rates and services may even vary depending on where you live.

Before buying auto insurance make sure to research each company you consider thoroughly to ensure that it meets your particular needs, and compare auto insurance quotes based on equal coverage.

Use our FREE quote tool to compare auto insurance rates today!

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