Cig vs. Nationwide: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for car insurance, Cig offers significantly more affordable premiums than Nationwide
• Cig offers less expensive average rates for policyholders who live in suburban areas
• Cig tends to be a much cheaper option for drivers who have an at-fault accident on their record

Cig vs. Nationwide: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you considering a new insurance policy? After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering large discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You might have narrowed your search down to Cig or Nationwide for your next policy, but between the two, which carrier will offer you less expensive premiums?

Looking at nationwide averages, Nationwide has average rates that are about 30% per month more expensive than those from Cig.

That being said, Cig may not be the cheapest or best option for each driver out there. Insurance companies use all sorts of complex algorithms to calculate prices, so depending on how good your credit score is or how clean your driving record is (among quite a few other factors), you could see wildly different rates from the ones above.

Luckily, we've broken down average premiums from both Cig and Nationwide by several different rate factors, so read on to find out which company is the best for you.

Cig or Nationwide: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Cig and Nationwide only compete against each other in three states, with Cig offering more affordable rates to the average driver in all of them. Oregon has the most noticable difference, where Cig prices are over 70% cheaper than auto insurance premiums at Nationwide.

But there's more to calculating car insurance prices than just the state you live in. Keep reading to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive insurance rates of any other group of drivers out there on the road. It's usually because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into an accident that results in a car insurance claim, making them much riskier to insure.

Even so, that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high auto insurance prices. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of nearly $150 less a month by choosing Cig over Nationwide.

However, with both carriers, you'll see your premiums drop significantly by the time you turn 25. For example, average rates for Cig policyholders decrease more than 50% and Nationwide's premiums reduce over 60% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

When it comes to car insurance, patience and experience pay off, with drivers around retirement age paying some of the most affordable rates you can find.

But who has the best prices for retired drivers between Cig and Nationwide? Cig gets the edge, with rates for drivers 65 and older more than 30% more affordable than the national average for Nationwide.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that auto insurance premiums are typically cheaper for married couples than they are for those who are single? That's normally because married policyholders tend to own and insure several cars, which can often earn you a discount.

When it comes to relationship status, Cig is the clear winner for single drivers, with prices around $62 per month less expensive than Nationwide, on average. The advantage for married drivers with Cig is also obvious, where drivers save over $35 a month.

Cig vs. Nationwide: Average Rates by Gender

Women generally to pay less for insurance than men. This is because women are less likely to get into collisions and get speeding tickets, which decreases the chances of an insurance claim.

Usually, men see premiums about $4 per month higher with Cig, and around $10 with Nationwide.

Looking at overall affordability, Cig comes out on top for both men and women. On average, women save about $47 a month and men save about $55 with Cig compared to the average Nationwide policyholder.

Cig or Nationwide: Compare State Minimum vs. Full Coverage Rates

*State minimum value indicates liability-only policies at each state's minimum bodily injury and property damage (BI/PD) limits

**Full coverage indicates state minimum BI/PD limits with collision and comprehensive coverages added to policy.

Car insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. There are so many different terms and coverages that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

The two most common policies end up falling into two different types of coverage -- liability only (which covers the other party's property damage and injuries if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which typically refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages alongside liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum liability insurance, Cig normally offers significantly cheaper prices of $71 compared to Nationwide's $112. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Cig again has the edge, with policies around $65 per month more affordable than Nationwide, on average.

Is Cig or Nationwide Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

You've probably seen plenty of commercials from auto insurance companies offering great rates for good drivers, but that doesn't mean people with less-than-perfect driving records can't save money, too.

Tickets and accidents will most likely raise your prices, but is Cig or Nationwide less expensive for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Cig policyholders can expect their premiums to go up an average of $24 a month if they get a ticket, while Nationwide generally raises rates about $24 per month, on average.

But Cig has more affordable prices for drivers in both categories -- their rates are around 30% less expensive for drivers with clean records and 25% cheaper for those with a ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Cig drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their premiums rise by $30, while those who have insurance through Nationwide will see around a $55 increase.

Overall, drivers who use Cig end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly rates averaging $118 compared to Nationwide's $178.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

On average, a DUI offense is going to cost you much more than a single collision or speeding ticket when it comes to your car insurance bill. On average, Nationwide will increase your premiums about 46% after a DUI, while Cig's average prices climb by just under 45%.

How does Credit Score Impact Cig and Nationwide Rates?

Did you know that many insurance carriers take into account your credit score when calculating rates? This isn't always the case (for example, Massachusetts and Hawaii are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it will come into play for quite a few policyholders.

Auto insurance companies argue that those with poor credit scores are less likely to pay their bills on time each month, which increases the risk involved on their end, while the opposite is true for those with good credit.

So, which carrier offers the best premiums for drivers with good, average, or poor credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Is Cig or Nationwide Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

The amount of time you spend behind the wheel of your car plays a big role in your monthly rates. Usually, those who drive less will end up with less expensive prices since there's less of a chance of getting into an accident and causing an insurance claim.

For both drivers who put 6,000 miles on their vehicles yearly, as well as those who average twice that figure, Cig tends to be the more affordable option. Nationwide's average premiums for drivers with 6,000 annual miles come in over $55 more expensive than Cig. Those who drive 12,000 miles every year can expect to pay more than $45 more with Nationwide over Cig.

Cig vs. Nationwide: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

We've already mentioned how your home state can play a role in how much you pay for insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a big impact as well. Generally, if you live in a rural area with fewer cars on the road, you'll pay a little less for car insurance, while the opposite is true for people in urban areas.

Cig boasts the cheapest average prices for drivers in all types of areas, no matter if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

Policyholders in rural ZIP codes see the lowest rates from both carriers, but Cig comes out on top with average prices around $106 monthly. Cig also has cheaper average premiums for drivers in urban and suburban ZIP codes -- a 36% and 23% a month respective difference when compared to Nationwide policyholders in similar areas.

Cig vs. Nationwide Discounts

Regardless of why you might be in the market for a new insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as possible, and the best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many auto insurance discounts as you can.

But where do you even start? With what seems like a million different discounts out there, it may be difficult to find all the ones you qualify for.

In the table below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both Cig and Nationwide so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

Overall, Cig comes out ahead with 25 discounts to Nationwide's 22.

Both companies offer many of the same discounts -- like anti-theft discounts, distant student discounts, employee discounts, and group discounts -- but Cig also offers ABS discounts, company car discounts, good payer discounts, and more that Nationwide does not.

On the flip side, Nationwide has a couple unique discounts of its own -- agency transfer discounts, discounts for getting driver training, EFT discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Cig or Nationwide Best for You?

So, we've broken down the average rates for many of the factors car insurance carriers look at, and we've shown you all the discounts each company offers. That's all well and good, but at the end of the day, is Cig or Nationwide the right one for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

Cig might be best for you if....

• You have a clean driving record, free of collisions, tickets, or DUIs.
• Your neighborhood is in a city.
• You are over 65 years old and want to save some money on your auto insurance.

Nationwide might be best for you if...

• You already have plans to move to another state -- undefined is only available to residents.

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between Cig and Nationwide and that it aids in making a more informed decision about your car insurance.

At the end of the day, the sure-fire way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your insurance policy is to compare quotes from multiple companies, not just Cig and Nationwide. Luckily, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Simply enter your ZIP codes below and get multiple free quotes from some of the best car insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Cig vs. Nationwide FAQs

Is Cig or Nationwide cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, Cig is the less expensive of the two companies, offering average rates of $119 per month compared to $170 for Nationwide. However, Cig won't necessarily be the most affordable carrier for each driver, since there are a variety of different variables (things like age, gender, driving record, etc.) that play a role in how much you pay.

Who is better, Cig or Nationwide?

Sadly, the answer truly is "it depends.". One company is not necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all boils down to your unique auto insurance profile.

Why do Cig and Nationwide offer me different rates?

Insurance carriers take a look at lots of different factors when determining the rates they charge drivers. Things like your driving record, where you call home, age, gender, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both Cig and Nationwide use different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which carrier is the lowest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a bunch of different companies.

How do I know if Cig or Nationwide is right for me?

The only way to find the auto insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from several carriers and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best insurance companies in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best premium. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be Cig or Nationwide at all!

Methodology

All of the data referenced in this article has been gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. We analyzed more than 2.5 million rows of carrier-reported data to calculate the average rates referenced above. All rates are based on an insurance profile of a single-vehicle policy for a driver that owns a 2016 Honda Accord. For more information on how we calculate rates, please reference our data methodology.