Insurance claims FAQs

How do I notify Nationwide after an accident or event?

• Log in to your account to file an auto, property or watercraft claim online
• Call the Nationwide Claims phone number at 1-800-421-3535
• Contact your agent

• Your name and address
• Names and addresses of any witnesses or injured people
• General loss information
• Your Nationwide policy number, if available

1. If necessary, protect your property from further damage by making reasonable temporary repairs. Keep a record of repair costs and be sure to keep your receipts.
2. Notify us.
3. If damage was caused by theft or vandalism, notify the police.
4. If your loss is related to a bank electronic fund transfer or credit card, notify your financial institution.

1. Notify the police.
2. Collect the descriptions and specific damages to all vehicles, as well as the names and addresses of all people and witnesses involved.
3. Notify us with details of the accident, so we can begin the claims investigation.
4. Promptly send us copies of any letters, notices or legal papers you receive about the accident. You may be asked to submit documentation of your loss. If you were treated for injuries, you may be asked to submit that information as well.
5. For more information specific to auto claims, visit our auto insurance claims page or our auto glass insurance claims page.

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

1. Log in to your Nationwide online account.
2. Click Claims under your Auto Policy.
3. Click Claim Payment Options.
4. Select or enter your checking or savings account information.
5. Save your changes.

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

• Your vehicle is financed or leased
• The repair facility is paid directly
• You would like to receive a paper check in the mail
• Multiple parties are entitled to receive payment

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:

1. Log in to your Nationwide online account.
2. Click Claims under your Homeowners, Condo or Renters Policy.
3. Click Claim Payment Options.
4. Select or enter your checking or savings account information.
5. Save your changes.

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:

1. Notify the police.
2. Collect the descriptions and specific damages to all vehicles, as well as the names and addresses of all people and witnesses involved.
3. Notify us with details of the accident, so we can begin the claims investigation.
4. Promptly send us copies of any letters, notices or legal papers you receive about the accident. You may be asked to submit documentation of your loss. If you were treated for injuries, you may be asked to submit that information as well.
5. For more information specific to auto claims, visit our auto insurance claims page or our auto glass insurance claims page.

1. Collect the other driver’s information if possible. This includes their name, contact information, an explanation of the accident, and their insurance company.
2. Talk to anyone who witnessed the accident and document their perspective.
3. Call the police to report the accident, even if no one was harmed.
4. Take photos to document any damage done to your vehicle or other property at the scene, as well as the other driver’s license plate and vehicle if they are still at the scene.
5. Lastly, file an auto claim online or contact us at 1-800-421-3535. While the other driver’s insurance company should cover any damage done to your vehicle, as your insurance company we can help walk you through the process.

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:

1. Remain calm and check that you and your passengers are okay. If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately.
2. If you are able to, move out of the way of traffic. If it is safe to move your car off the road to a safe location, then do so.
3. Exchange contact information with the other driver(s) involved; this includes phone numbers, email addresses, and policy information. Talk to any witnesses and collect their information, as well.
4. Call the police to assess the accident. Don’t forget to document the accident on your end, too.
5. File an auto claim online.

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?

1. If necessary, protect your property from further damage by making reasonable temporary repairs. Keep a record of repair costs and be sure to keep your receipts.
2. Notify us.
3. If damage was caused by theft or vandalism, notify the police.
4. If your loss is related to a bank electronic fund transfer or credit card, notify your financial institution.

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

• Wind damage property claims
• Water damage property claims
• Hail damage property claims
• Theft damage property claims