Vehicle products

Related tasks

Property products

Related tasks

Personal Products

Related links

Business products

Specialty

Employee Benefits

By business type

Related Tasks

Investment products

Related links

Insurance Resources

Related links

Insurance claims FAQ

Have a question about Nationwide claims? Start here.

Have a question about Nationwide claims?

Nationwide is here to help you every step of the way throughout the claims process. Find the answers you need below.

How do I notify Nationwide after an accident or event?

If you have an active claim and want direct deposit, please inform your claims associate, then:

Note: You may not be eligible to receive electronic payment directly in all situations, for example, if:

Once your property damages have been estimated and reviewed with you, we’ll issue payment to you and/or the contractor. The payment will be the amount of the damage estimate minus your deductible (the amount you owe out of pocket). If you have a mortgage on your property, the mortgage company may be included on the payment.

To update your claims payment options:

What should I do after a car accident?

Follow this checklist to learn what steps to take after you’ve been in a car accident:

Regardless of whether there is any damage to your vehicle or who is at fault, it’s still important to report any car accident to your insurance company. Your policy may require you to do so, and in some cases, it may be easier and faster to fix damage to your vehicle using your own insurance.

In most states, you likely won’t see your insurance premium go up if someone else is to blame for an accident. However, if you live in a state with no-fault insurance, it’s possible that you may see an increase to your insurance rate, although your driving history, the severity of the accident, and who is at fault will be taken into account before this happens.

If you find yourself in a fender bender, there are a number of important steps to take to ensure everyone involved is safe and that you can get your claims process started:

While it is the law for all drivers to carry some sort of minimum liability coverage, there are still people who don’t. If your car happens to be hit by an uninsured motorist, make sure you exchange information with the driver at fault, call the police, and contact Nationwide right away. Don’t accept any money from the driver who is at fault.

Legally if someone without insurance hits your car, they are obligated to pay for any damages or medical bills, but this is not always what happens. You may need to take the other driver to court, with no guarantee of a settlement. That’s where uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage comes in handy. These two optional policies cover damage costs in accidents where the driver at fault either does not carry any kind of car insurance, or where their insurance is not enough to cover the damage.

If you are involved in an accident and the at-fault driver leaves the scene, it’s important to gather all information that you possibly can while staying safe. If possible, make sure you gather the other driver’s license plate number, details of their vehicle (make/model, color, and year), time and location of the accident, and the direction the driver was headed. Like any other accident, make sure you document damage done to your vehicle and gather contact information for any witnesses on the scene.

You will also need to call the police to file a report, and then Nationwide to file a claim. If you were able to get information on the other driver, we can possibly obtain their insurance information and file a claim with that company. After a hit and run accident, minimum coverage may not be able to cover all of the property damage or bodily injuries. In these situations, it helps to also have uninsured motorist coverage.

What should I do if suffer a property loss?

Specific instructions are available for property losses caused by wind, water, hail, or theft. Review the information on:

Each claim is handled on the basis of its individual facts and circumstances, in accordance with policy language, including applicable exclusions, conditions and limitations, as well as applicable controlling law.

1-877 On Your Side (1-877-669-6877)

Sites for business partners:

Products underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies. Not all Nationwide affiliated companies are mutual companies, and not all Nationwide members are insured by a mutual company. Subject to underwriting guidelines, review and approval. Products and discounts not available to all persons in all states. Nationwide Funds and NVIT Funds distributed by Nationwide Fund Distributors LLC (NFD), member FINRA, Columbus, Ohio. Nationwide Investment Services Corporation, member FINRA, Columbus, OH. Home Office: One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, OH. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle and other marks displayed on this page are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, unless otherwise disclosed. © Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

Privacy Cyber security California Consumer Privacy Act Accessibility Terms and conditions Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

equal housing opportunity insurer logo