Nationwide vs Amica
Compare Nationwide and Amica auto insurance side by side, including coverage options, discounts, safe-driving programs, mileage-based insurance, accident forgiveness, dividend policies, claims services, roadside assistance and additional vehicle protections.
“`Nationwide vs Amica at a Glance
Nationwide and Amica both provide customizable auto insurance with standard coverage and optional protections. Their approaches to usage-based insurance, discounts, deductible-related features and additional policy benefits differ in several important ways.
Coverage Comparison
Both insurers offer core auto insurance protections, while specific optional coverages depend on the state and policy selected.
| Coverage / Feature | Nationwide | Amica |
|---|---|---|
| Liability Coverage | Available | Available |
| Collision Coverage | Available | Available |
| Comprehensive Coverage | Available | Available |
| Uninsured / Underinsured Motorist | Available depending on state and policy | Available depending on state and policy |
| Medical / Personal Injury Protection | Availability varies by state | Medical coverage available; state rules apply |
| Roadside Assistance | Available | Available |
| Rental Car Reimbursement | Available options | Available |
| GAP Coverage | Available options | Available |
| Glass Coverage | Available through applicable coverage | Glass coverage and Full Glass Coverage options |
| Accident Forgiveness | Available in qualifying situations | Available with qualifying Signature auto policies |
| Usage-Based Insurance | SmartRide and SmartMiles | StreetSmart |
| Dividend Policy | Not an equivalent Nationwide feature | Available in qualifying states and policies |
Safe-Driving Programs: SmartRide vs StreetSmart
Both companies offer technology-based programs that use driving information to determine potential savings. Their structures and scoring methods are not identical.
SmartRide is Nationwide’s usage-based safe-driving program. Nationwide describes the program as using driving information to determine qualifying savings.
- Driving behavior is evaluated as part of the program.
- Factors can include miles driven, hard braking, acceleration, nighttime driving and other qualifying measurements.
- Nationwide states that SmartRide can provide savings of up to 40%, depending on driving behavior and applicable program terms.
- Participation and earned discounts can differ by state.
StreetSmart by Amica is a smartphone-based safe-driving program that provides feedback on driving behavior and can provide qualifying premium discounts.
- StreetSmart measures hard braking, speeding, road segment type and phone distraction.
- Phone use and phone screen tapping are included among the measured distraction factors.
- Amica advertises up to 20% off premiums through StreetSmart, subject to eligibility.
- Eligible new policyholders can receive a participation discount by registering, with future discounts influenced by the driving score.
- The program is currently offered only in listed eligible states.
SmartMiles vs StreetSmart
SmartMiles is different from SmartRide because it is designed around mileage-based insurance. Nationwide describes SmartMiles as a usage-based program that incorporates miles driven into the pricing structure for eligible customers.
This can make SmartMiles particularly relevant to drivers who use their vehicles less frequently, although eligibility and program availability vary.
StreetSmart is primarily a driving-behavior program rather than a pay-per-mile insurance product. The app evaluates driving behavior and creates a score used in determining eligible discounts.
Amica states that its StreetSmart driving score uses a rolling 91-day period for determining applicable renewal discounts.
Amica Dividend Policies
Dividend Policies
Amica offers both dividend and traditional non-dividend policies. With a qualifying dividend policy, a portion of the premium may be returned to the policyholder when the applicable conditions are met.
- Amica currently states that dividend payments may average between 5% and 20% of the premium.
- Amica also states that dividend policies can return up to 20% of annual premium under applicable conditions.
- Dividend policies are not available in every state.
- Dividend payments are not guaranteed.
- Eligibility requires the policyholder to remain insured when and if a dividend is declared.
Accident Forgiveness
Accident Forgiveness
Nationwide offers Accident Forgiveness as an optional feature in qualifying situations. It is designed to help protect an eligible policyholder from the rate impact of a qualifying accident.
Availability and eligibility depend on state and policy conditions.
Auto Accident Forgiveness
Amica offers Auto Accident Forgiveness with qualifying Signature auto policies. Its current information describes forgiveness for the first qualified claim, subject to applicable policy conditions.
Availability, limits and deductibles may vary by state and policy.
Optional Vehicle Protections
Vehicle Protection Options
- Liability, collision and comprehensive coverage
- Uninsured and underinsured motorist protection
- Medical and personal injury protection where applicable
- Rental-related coverage options
- Roadside assistance
- Gap-related protection options
- Accident Forgiveness in qualifying situations
- Vanishing Deductible in qualifying policies
Additional Auto Coverages
- Roadside assistance
- Rental car reimbursement
- Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP)
- Glass coverage
- Rideshare or delivery driving coverage
- Full Glass Coverage in qualifying situations
- Accident Forgiveness with qualifying Signature policies
- Platinum Choice Auto package
Amica Platinum Choice Auto
Amica’s Platinum Choice Auto package combines several premium protection features into one package. The exact package and availability can vary by state.
- Full Glass Coverage: qualifying glass losses can be covered without an out-of-pocket deductible under the applicable coverage.
- Prestige Rental Coverage: Amica describes rental coverage of up to $5,000 with no daily limit for qualifying covered accidents.
- Identity Fraud Monitoring: included as part of the package where available.
- Additional protection options may be available depending on the state and policy.
Roadside Assistance and Repair Support
Nationwide offers On Your Side Claims Service and an On Your Side Auto Repair Network.
- Digital claims services
- Roadside assistance options
- Network repair facilities
- Written repair guarantee when using a qualifying On Your Side Auto Repair Network facility
Amica’s Auto Repair Assistance Program provides access to certified repair shops and repair-related support.
- Amica currently describes more than 2,900 certified repair shops through its Repair Assistance Program.
- Participating shops provide a warranty on claims-related repair work for as long as the customer owns the vehicle.
- Customers can choose their own repair shop.
- Roadside assistance includes services such as towing, flat-tire changes, battery jump starts, fuel delivery and lockout services.
- Amica also provides a lifetime guarantee on qualifying claims-related glass replacement workmanship and parts through its glass program.
Auto Insurance Discounts
| Discount / Savings Area | Nationwide | Amica |
|---|---|---|
| Safe Driving | SmartRide | StreetSmart |
| Low Mileage / Usage-Based | SmartMiles | StreetSmart is behavior-based rather than a pay-per-mile program |
| Bundling | Multi-policy discount | Up to 30% when eligible policies are bundled |
| Multi-Car | Available | Up to 25% for qualifying two-or-more-car policies |
| Good Student | Available for qualifying drivers | Available for qualifying students |
| Claim-Free / Accident-Free | Discount opportunities vary | Claim-free discount after qualifying claim-free period |
| Defensive Driving | Availability varies | Available for qualifying drivers |
| Paperless | Discount opportunities vary | Available |
| Automatic Payments | Discount opportunities vary | Available |
| Dividend Policy | Not an equivalent feature | Available in qualifying states and policies |
Key Differences to Consider
Safe-Driving Programs
Nationwide uses SmartRide, while Amica uses StreetSmart. Both use driving behavior, but the measurements, scoring, discount structure and state availability differ.
Mileage-Based Insurance
Nationwide offers SmartMiles, which incorporates mileage into its pricing structure. Amica’s StreetSmart is primarily a driving-behavior program.
Dividend Policies
Amica offers dividend policies in qualifying states and policies. Dividend payments are not guaranteed and should not be treated as an ordinary upfront discount.
Glass Protection
Amica offers dedicated glass coverage and Full Glass Coverage options in qualifying situations, including features within its Platinum Choice package.
Repair Support
Both companies offer repair-network support. Amica also allows customers to choose their own repair shop and provides specific repair-assistance guarantees for participating facilities.
Rental Protection
Both companies offer rental-related protection. Amica’s Platinum Choice Auto package includes Prestige Rental Coverage with specific limits for qualifying covered accidents.
How to Compare Nationwide and Amica Quotes Fairly
Match Liability Limits
Request the same bodily injury and property damage liability limits from both companies.
Match Deductibles
Compare collision and comprehensive quotes using the same deductibles so the premiums are more meaningful.
Compare Optional Coverage
Check rental reimbursement, roadside assistance, GAP, glass coverage and accident forgiveness.
Check Telematics
If you are considering a usage-based program, compare SmartRide and StreetSmart based on their actual eligibility requirements.
Review Discounts
Ask each insurer which discounts apply to your actual household, vehicle and driving profile.
Check the Final Policy
Review the declarations, limits, deductibles, exclusions and endorsements before purchasing coverage.
Which Features May Matter to Different Drivers?
| Driver Situation | Nationwide Features to Review | Amica Features to Review |
|---|---|---|
| Low-mileage driver | SmartMiles | StreetSmart and available mileage-related rating factors |
| Safe-driving focused driver | SmartRide | StreetSmart |
| Driver interested in dividends | No equivalent dividend policy | Dividend Policy where available |
| Driver concerned about glass damage | Review applicable comprehensive coverage | Glass Coverage / Full Glass Coverage |
| Driver wanting rental protection | Rental-related options | Rental Reimbursement / Prestige Rental Coverage |
| Driver wanting accident forgiveness | Accident Forgiveness in qualifying situations | Auto Accident Forgiveness with qualifying Signature policies |
| Driver with multiple policies | Multi-policy discount | Multiline / bundling discounts |
| Driver with multiple vehicles | Multi-vehicle savings opportunities | Multi-car discount |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Nationwide and Amica the same insurance company?
No. Nationwide and Amica are separate insurance companies with their own coverage options, discounts, claims services and policy features.
Does Nationwide have a safe-driving program?
Yes. Nationwide offers SmartRide, a usage-based program that can provide savings based on qualifying driving behavior.
Does Nationwide offer mileage-based insurance?
Yes. Nationwide offers SmartMiles, a usage-based program that incorporates mileage into the pricing structure for eligible customers.
Does Amica have a safe-driving program?
Yes. Amica offers StreetSmart, a smartphone-based program that evaluates driving behavior and can provide qualifying discounts.
How much can Amica StreetSmart save?
Amica currently advertises up to 20% off policy premiums through StreetSmart, subject to eligibility and state availability. The actual discount can vary based on driving performance and other program conditions.
Does Amica offer dividend policies?
Yes. Amica offers dividend and non-dividend policies. Qualifying dividend policies may return a portion of the premium if the applicable conditions are met. Dividend policies are not available in every state and payments are not guaranteed.
Does Amica offer accident forgiveness?
Yes. Amica offers Auto Accident Forgiveness with qualifying Signature auto policies. Its current information describes forgiveness for the first qualified claim, subject to policy terms.
Does Amica offer GAP insurance?
Yes. Amica offers Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance, which can help cover the difference between the vehicle’s actual cash value and the amount owed on a qualifying loan or lease after a covered total loss.
Can I compare Nationwide and Amica based only on price?
It is better to compare equivalent coverage. Use the same liability limits, deductibles and comparable optional protections when reviewing quotes from the two companies.
Explore Nationwide and Amica
Visit the dedicated company pages on Newest Cars Insurance to learn more about each insurer before comparing policies and quotes.