Nationwide SmartMiles Review for 2026

Jul 28, 2023

Jul 28, 2023Car Insurance Writer

Opinions and ratings are our own. This review is not provided, commissioned or endorsed by any issuer. WalletHub independently collected information for some of the cards on this page.

Nationwide SmartMiles is a decent usage-based insurance program, since it offers customers a 10% discount for safe driving and can save infrequent drivers money on their premiums. Overall, Nationwide SmartMiles is rated 2.9 out of 5 stars by WalletHub editors, based on factors like possible savings and reviews.

Key Things to Know About Nationwide SmartMiles

Your premium consists of a base rate plus a per-mile rate, so the overall cost depends on how much you drive.
You could get a discount of up to 10% for safe driving when you renew your policy.
SmartMiles will not increase your premium due to bad driving.
Customer reviews of the Nationwide app average around 4.6 out of 5.
SmartMiles is available in every state except Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, North Carolina, and New York.

Table of Contents

What Is Nationwide SmartMiles?

Nationwide SmartMiles is a pay-per-mile insurance program that charges you a flat monthly rate plus a variable rate based on the number of miles you drive, up to 250 miles per day. With Nationwide SmartMiles, you can also earn a 10% discount for safe driving behavior when you renew your policy for the first time.

Nationwide introduced SmartMiles as a way to give back to customers who do not drive often, since they are less likely to get into an accident or file a claim. It is not the only usage-based car insurance option that Nationwide offers, however.

Nationwide SmartMiles vs. SmartRide

While Nationwide SmartMiles uses your mileage to calculate your rates, Nationwide SmartRide monitors how safely you drive in order to adjust your premium. SmartRide monitors behaviors such as your speed, your braking, and the time of day you drive. Additionally, SmartRide is a feature you can add to your existing Nationwide policy, while SmartMiles is its own type of car insurance policy.

Program	SmartMiles	SmartRide
What is tracked?	Miles driven (also driving behavior during first policy term)	Miles driven, hard braking, fast acceleration, nighttime driving
Where is it available?	Every state except AK, HI, LA, NC, and NY	Every state except AK, CA, HI, LA, and NY
How is driving tracked?	Plug-in device or a connected car	Plug-in device, SmartRide app, or connected car
Offers discount?	10% for safe driving after the first renewal	15% for participation Up to 40% for safe driving
How are rates calculated?	Monthly base rate + a few cents for every mile driven	Same as a regular policy + SmartRide discount

You may want to consider Nationwide SmartRide instead of SmartMiles if you drive a lot but you are a safe, careful driver who does not mind being monitored for insurance purposes. On the other hand, if you do not drive a lot, then SmartMiles is probably the right choice.

How to Use Nationwide SmartMiles

Sign up for a Nationwide SmartMiles policy.
Receive the Nationwide SmartMiles device in the mail.
Plug your device into your car or enable your eligible vehicle to share driving data with Nationwide.
Monitor your mileage and the cost of your premiums in the online portal.

Most vehicles manufactured after 1996 are eligible for SmartMiles, but some newer hybrid and diesel-powered cars may be incompatible with the plug-in device. Vehicles manufactured by Ford or Lincoln after 2018 can track your mileage using just the vehicle and no device. If you are using a connected car, you will receive an email with activation instructions.

Pros and Cons of Nationwide SmartMiles

Pros	Cons
You can save on car insurance if you don’t drive too much.	It requires the collection of data, which may raise privacy concerns.
You can earn a discount for safe driving after the first policy renewal.	You can only get the discount once.
You can participate with a connected car or a plug-in device.	Not all cars work with the program.

Is Nationwide SmartMiles Worth It?

Nationwide SmartMiles is worth it for low-mileage drivers, such as stay-at-home parents, retirees, or people who work from home. On the other hand, drivers who have a high annual mileage are less likely to benefit. Still, there will never be a surcharge for using SmartMiles, so it’s worth trying the program if you’re comfortable with the company’s data and privacy policies.

If you decide that Nationwide SmartMiles is worth it for your particular circumstances or you want to check whether it’s available in your state, you can call your Nationwide agent or the SmartMiles phone number (1-855-241-9720).

Nationwide SmartMiles vs. Popular Competitors

Insurance Program	Factors for Calculating Pricing	Availability
Nationwide SmartMiles	Driver pays a base rate plus a per-mile charge (up to 250 miles per day) Maximum 10% discount for safe driving after the first renewal	All states except AK, HI, LA, NC, and NY
Metromile	Driver pays a monthly base rate (from $29) plus a per-mile charge Per mile costs are charged only for the first 250 miles/day (150 miles/day in NJ)	AZ, CA, IL, NJ, OR, PA, VA and WA
Allstate Milewise	Policyholders pay a daily rate plus a per-mile rate Trip costs are deducted from the account after each trip Per mile costs are charged only for the first 250 miles/day (150 in OR, IL, IN, OH, and NJ)	AZ, DE, FL, ID, IL, IN, MD, MA, MN, MO, NJ, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TX, VA, WA, WI, and WV
Mile Auto	Driver pays a base rate plus a per-mile charge Instead of a tracking device, Mile Auto just uses a picture customers take of their odometer to track mileage	AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, OH, OR, PA, TN, TX, WI

Methodology for Reviewing Nationwide SmartMiles

WalletHub editors evaluated Nationwide SmartMiles in the following categories:

Initial savings
Maximum possible savings
Average of Google and Apple app ratings
Whether the program can increase a driver’s premium
Overall WalletHub editor rating for the entire company
Ease of accessing privacy and data disclosures

Information was gathered from Nationwide’s website, Google and Apple app ratings, and customer service representatives. Each factor was weighted equally in order to calculate the program’s final score.

Nationwide SmartMiles FAQ(2 questions)

Editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. Please keep in mind that it is not a financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.

Upvotes

Does Nationwide offer pay per mile insurance?

Lilah Butler, Car Insurance Writer

Yes, Nationwide offers pay-per-mile insurance. The Nationwide pay-per-mile insurance program is called SmartMiles, and it charges customers a low monthly base rate plus a small fee per mile driven, making it a good choice for low-mileage drivers. For instance, Nationwide provides an example rate of $35 per month plus $0.07 per mile.

Key Things to Know About Nationwide's Pay-Per-Mile Insurance

Program Name: SmartMiles
Mileage Cap: SmartMiles has a mileage cap of 250 miles per day, which means that drivers won't be charged for any miles beyond this limit.
Availability: Available in all states except Arkansas, Hawaii, Louisiana, North Carolina, New York and Oklahoma.
Tracking: SmartMiles tracks mileage using a device that plugs into your car, which is compatible with most cars from 1996 or later. Ford and Lincoln connected cars from 2018 or later can be tracked using the vehicle.
Discount: SmartMiles customers can earn a discount of up to 10% for safe driving habits after their first policy renewal.

Keep in mind that SmartMiles is different from SmartRide. SmartRide is a usage-based insurance program from Nationwide that discounts premiums on a traditional policy based on driving habits such as miles driven, braking, acceleration, idle time, and the time of day that you drive.

For more information, check out WalletHub's guides on usage-based and pay-per-mile insurance.

Upvotes

Does Nationwide use telematics?

Candace Baker, Car Insurance Writer

Yes, Nationwide uses telematics through SmartRide, its usage-based program, and SmartMiles, its mileage-based program. SmartMiles only measures a driver's mileage in order to calculate a daily rate for their policy, while SmartRide tracks several habits and rewards good drivers with a discount of up to 40%.

How Nationwide SmartRide Works

Tracks miles driven, braking, acceleration, idle time, and the time of day that you drive
Uses a mobile app or plug-in...

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