Nationwide Water Damage Claims
"On Your Side" — standard homeowners coverage with variable claims experience.
1926
Founded
Columbus
HQ
Approximately 4% of U.S. homeowners market
Market
1-800-421-3535
Claims
Who is Nationwide?
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company was founded in 1926 as the Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company of Ohio. Now one of the largest insurance companies in the U.S., they operate as a mutual company — technically owned by their policyholders. Their slogan "Nationwide is on your side" has been a marketing cornerstone for decades, though their claims performance draws mixed reviews from policyholders and restoration contractors.
Nationwide operates in Texas through independent agents and is subject to state prompt payment laws. Their claims handling in Texas has been inconsistent — they performed adequately in normal conditions but faced challenges scaling during Harvey's volume of claims.
What Nationwide covers — and doesn't
✓ Typically covered
- •Sudden and accidental water damage from internal sources
- •Fire and smoke damage
- •Wind and hail damage
- •Additional Living Expenses
- •Personal property at ACV (RCV available as upgrade)
✗ Typically NOT covered
- •Gradual water damage
- •Flood from rising water
- •Sewer backup without endorsement
- •Earthquake
How to file a Nationwide water damage claim — step by step
File via phone or app
Call 1-800-421-3535 or use the Nationwide app. Document damage before cleanup. Nationwide's "On Your Side" review process requires a property inspection.
On Your Side Review
Nationwide's claims process includes what they call an "On Your Side Review" — an inspection to assess the damage. Having our documentation ready before this inspection sets the baseline for the claim scope.
Begin mitigation immediately
Do not wait for the On Your Side Review to begin drying — your policy requires immediate mitigation. Call us and we begin documentation and drying simultaneously with filing the claim.
Review estimate and supplement
As with most standard carriers, initial estimates commonly under-scope secondary damage. We file supplementals with complete Xactimate documentation.
What their adjusters look for
Nationwide's adjusters are generally competent for standard claims. Complex losses — particularly those with secondary mold, significant contents, or both wind and water components — benefit more from independent documentation. Their On Your Side Review can feel more like a marketing process than a thorough technical assessment.
Our experience with Nationwide
We handle Nationwide claims regularly. Claims process is generally straightforward for standard events. Where we add the most value: significant water events with secondary damage, and claims where the initial scope misses contents pack-out or matching costs.
⚠️ Watch out for with Nationwide claims
On Your Side Review timing — get documentation done before this inspection
Default ACV for personal property — upgrade to RCV if you haven't already
Flood exclusion applies — confirm whether you have separate flood coverage
Sewer backup endorsement — verify before assuming you have this coverage
Nationwide water damage — frequently asked questions
Does Nationwide cover water damage from a broken pipe?
Yes — sudden and accidental water damage from a broken pipe is a covered peril under Nationwide's standard homeowners policy. File promptly, document the damage thoroughly, and begin professional mitigation immediately. Your policy requires you to take steps to prevent further damage.
What is Nationwide's On Your Side Review?
Nationwide's "On Your Side Review" is their term for the adjuster inspection that occurs after you file a claim. A Nationwide adjuster or independent adjuster will inspect the property to assess the scope of damage. Having professional restoration documentation — moisture readings, thermal images, and a complete Xactimate estimate — ready for this inspection ensures the scope is captured completely from the start.
Does Nationwide Insurance pay replacement cost or actual cash value?
Nationwide's default homeowners policy typically provides Actual Cash Value (ACV) for personal property — meaning depreciated value, not replacement cost. A Replacement Cost Value (RCV) upgrade is available and strongly recommended. Review your declarations page to confirm which coverage you have before a loss occurs.
Why choose First Response for your Nationwide claim
We align our documentation with Nationwide's claims process, providing clean Xactimate scope that their adjusters accept without dispute.
Call 713-597-4466 — Free AssessmentAvailable right now
Have a Nationwide claim? We'll handle it.
One call connects you to a certified technician — 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Nationwide toll-free: 1-888-373-5996