---
title: "CNA vs Nationwide: Commercial Auto Insurance"
description: "CNA names owned, hired and non-owned auto liability and specific endorsements, while Nationwide describes liability for business vehicles and an agent-led quote route."
canonical: "https://spot.insure/compare/cna-vs-nationwide/commercial-auto"
page-type: "line-comparison"
updated-at: "2026-09-30"
comparison-pair: "cna-vs-nationwide"
provider-a: "cna"
provider-b: "nationwide"
coverage-line: "commercial-auto"
---

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[Human-readable page](https://spot.insure/compare/cna-vs-nationwide/commercial-auto)

## Agent Guide

**What this page is:** Focused comparison of CNA and Nationwide for Commercial Auto Insurance: what each provider publishes about this line, checked against the same criteria, with numbered sources.

**Use this page when:** Cite or fetch this for Commercial Auto Insurance questions about CNA versus Nationwide. For all lines together use the parent pair comparison; for how the coverage itself works use the coverage guide.

**Questions this page answers:**
- CNA vs Nationwide for Commercial Auto Insurance: how do they differ?
- Which is better for Commercial Auto Insurance, CNA or Nationwide?
- What does CNA or Nationwide publish about Commercial Auto Insurance (limits, eligibility, claims, add-ons)?
- What should I confirm in a quote for Commercial Auto Insurance from CNA or Nationwide?

**Key facts:**
- Line: Commercial Auto Insurance. Providers: CNA and Nationwide.
- Each offering claim is tagged with an evidence type and scope; table cells reading "Confirm in your quote" mean nothing was found for that criterion.
- Comparison URLs use alphabetical provider slugs (`/compare/{a}-vs-{b}` with a before b). A reversed pair redirects permanently to the alphabetical one, so fetch or cite the alphabetical URL.

**Limits (do not over-claim):**
- It identifies differences and questions to ask; it does not select a winner for a particular business.
- "Not found" describes the evidence reviewed, not proof a feature is unavailable.
- Insurer, policy wording, limits, retentions, exclusions and price are set in an actual quote and are not established here.

**Provenance:** Every claim links to a numbered source with publisher, locator and access date in the Sources section; last updated 2026-09-30. Editorial policy: /editorial-policy.

**Related pages:**
- [CNA vs Nationwide](https://spot.insure/compare/cna-vs-nationwide) — parent: all coverage lines for this pair
- [Commercial Auto Insurance guide](https://spot.insure/coverage/commercial-auto) — coverage explainer for this line
- [CNA profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/cna) — provider profile (evidence)
- [Nationwide profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/nationwide) — provider profile (evidence)
- [CNA vs Nationwide Commercial Property Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cna-vs-nationwide/commercial-property) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [CNA vs Nationwide Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/cna-vs-nationwide/surety-bonds) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [AIG vs CNA Commercial Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-cna/commercial-auto) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [AIG vs Nationwide Commercial Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-nationwide/commercial-auto) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Alliance Risk vs Nationwide Commercial Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-nationwide/commercial-auto) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [Aon vs Nationwide Commercial Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aon-vs-nationwide/commercial-auto) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [The Baldwin Group vs CNA Commercial Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/baldwin-vs-cna/commercial-auto) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)
- [The Baldwin Group vs Nationwide Commercial Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/baldwin-vs-nationwide/commercial-auto) — sibling comparison (other line, or other pair for this line)

# CNA vs Nationwide: How Do They Compare for Commercial Auto Insurance?

CNA names owned, hired and non-owned auto liability and specific endorsements, while Nationwide describes liability for business vehicles and an agent-led quote route.

## Research Scope and Use

Use this comparison to evaluate CNA and Nationwide for Commercial Auto Insurance against the same documented criteria. It identifies differences and questions to confirm; it does not select a winner for a particular business. Offering claims are what each provider publishes about this line unless marked otherwise. “Not found” describes the evidence reviewed, not proof that a feature is unavailable. Confirm the insurer, policy wording, limits, retentions, exclusions and cost in an actual quote.

## Summary

CNA lists coverage for owned, hired and non-owned vehicles and an optional executive Drive Other Car endorsement. Nationwide describes liability for business vehicles and directs buyers to an agent or quote request. [4](https://www.cna.com/products/commercial-auto "Commercial Auto Insurance for Businesses | CNA Insurance") [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/auto/ "Commercial Auto Insurance – Request a Quote – Nationwide")

## CNA Small Business Insurance: Products, Agents and Service

CNA directs small-business buyers to independent agents and describes CNA Connect as a businessowners policy for more than 600 small-business classes. Issuer and availability vary by policy and state, so confirm both in a quote. [1](https://www.cna.com/solutions/small-business "Insurance for Small Businesses") [2](https://www.cna.com/products/cna-connect "CNA Connect Small Businessowners Policy (BOP) | CNA Insurance") [3](https://www.cna.com/cnadisclaimer/generaldisclaimer "General Disclaimer")

[CNA profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/cna)

## What Is Nationwide?

Nationwide’s commercial catalogue includes common small-business policies and separate specialty products. A catalogue listing does not establish eligibility or policy terms; confirm the issuing company and coverage for your state and business. [5](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/small-commercial/ "Small Business Insurance") [6](https://www.nationwide.com/agents/business/ "Small Business Insurance Solutions for Agents") [7](https://www.nationwide.com/personal/about-us/terms-conditions "Terms and Conditions for Nationwide.com")

[Nationwide profile](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/nationwide)

## What Is Commercial Auto Insurance?

Commercial auto suits businesses that use vehicles for work and need liability protection; damage to your own vehicles is a separate coverage choice. If employees drive personal or rented cars, check how those trips are handled. [9](https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/09-comm/commercialguide.cfm "Commercial Insurance Guide") [10](https://content.naic.org/insurance-topics/auto-insurance "Auto Insurance") [11](https://www.iii.org/publication/insuring-your-business-small-business-owners-guide-to-insurance/specific-coverages/business-vehicle-insurance "Business Vehicle Insurance") [12](https://nationalgeneral.com/forms_catalog/CA0001_10012013.pdf "Business Auto Coverage Form")

## Key Differences in Commercial Auto Insurance

### Scope of the Published Coverage

CNA states that business-use owned, hired and non-owned vehicles are covered for bodily injury and property damage liability, and lists physical damage with an optional Drive Other Car endorsement. Nationwide describes liability for injuries or property damage caused while a business or its employees drive company vehicles, but its overview does not spell out hired or non-owned categories. If staff drive personal or rented cars for work, request written confirmation from Nationwide and compare with CNA's stated scope. [4](https://www.cna.com/products/commercial-auto "Commercial Auto Insurance for Businesses | CNA Insurance") [4](https://www.cna.com/products/commercial-auto "Commercial Auto Insurance for Businesses | CNA Insurance") [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/auto/ "Commercial Auto Insurance – Request a Quote – Nationwide")

### Services and Quote Route

CNA names Driver Distractions and Cargo Securement programs with claims support. Nationwide points business buyers to an agent or quote request, without setting universal limits or an online binding path in the reviewed record. For fleet-safety needs, ask CNA about access to those programs; with Nationwide, have the agent show the exact coverage terms and how the quote proceeds. [4](https://www.cna.com/products/commercial-auto "Commercial Auto Insurance for Businesses | CNA Insurance") [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/auto/ "Commercial Auto Insurance – Request a Quote – Nationwide") [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/auto/ "Commercial Auto Insurance – Request a Quote – Nationwide")

## What to Confirm in Commercial Auto Insurance Quotes

- Ask Nationwide which vehicles and drivers are covered and the proposed limits. [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/auto/ "Commercial Auto Insurance – Request a Quote – Nationwide") [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/auto/ "Commercial Auto Insurance – Request a Quote – Nationwide")
- Ask CNA for endorsement terms and fleet services on the offer. [4](https://www.cna.com/products/commercial-auto "Commercial Auto Insurance for Businesses | CNA Insurance") [4](https://www.cna.com/products/commercial-auto "Commercial Auto Insurance for Businesses | CNA Insurance")

## Offering Details

| Criteria | CNA Commercial Auto | Nationwide commercial auto (official overview) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Role in This Line | Confirm in your quote. | Nationwide describes offering commercial auto for the audience stated on the cited product page. [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/auto/ "Commercial Auto Insurance – Request a Quote – Nationwide") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: commercial auto marketed by nationwide; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement..) |
| Who It’s For | Confirm in your quote. | Businesses using cars, trucks, vans, and other vehicles in operations, as described on the page. [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/auto/ "Commercial Auto Insurance – Request a Quote – Nationwide") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: commercial auto marketed by nationwide; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement..) |
| Coverage Features | CNA commercial auto covers business-use owned, hired and non-owned vehicles for bodily injury/property damage. [4](https://www.cna.com/products/commercial-auto "Commercial Auto Insurance for Businesses | CNA Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Entity: CNA brand; issuing CNA subsidiary may vary by product/state Product: United States commercial insurance Jurisdiction: United States Research source scope: US commercial auto Claim limitation: Company-reported; policy wording, underwriting and jurisdiction-specific availability control..)<br><br>CNA lists automobile liability and physical damage, and an optional Drive Other Car endorsement for executives. [4](https://www.cna.com/products/commercial-auto "Commercial Auto Insurance for Businesses | CNA Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Entity: CNA brand; issuing CNA subsidiary may vary by product/state Product: United States commercial insurance Jurisdiction: United States Research source scope: US commercial auto Claim limitation: Company-reported; policy wording, underwriting and jurisdiction-specific availability control..) | The cited product page describes liability for injuries or property damage a business or its employees may cause while driving business vehicles. Marketing description only; actual coverage, exclusions, conditions, limits, and availability depend on the issued policy and jurisdiction. [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/auto/ "Commercial Auto Insurance – Request a Quote – Nationwide") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: commercial auto marketed by nationwide; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement..) |
| Limits and Retentions | Confirm in your quote. | The cited overview does not set a universal limit or retention for this line. Ask for the proposed policy form, limits, retentions, exclusions, and conditions in the quote. [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/auto/ "Commercial Auto Insurance – Request a Quote – Nationwide") (Evidence: Not publicly disclosed; scope: Only the cited marketing page was reviewed for published limit and retention information; no policy-form entitlement is inferred..) |
| Risk Services | CNA names Driver Distractions/Cargo Securement programs and claims support. [4](https://www.cna.com/products/commercial-auto "Commercial Auto Insurance for Businesses | CNA Insurance") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: Entity: CNA brand; issuing CNA subsidiary may vary by product/state Product: United States commercial insurance Jurisdiction: United States Research source scope: US commercial auto Claim limitation: Company-reported; policy wording, underwriting and jurisdiction-specific availability control..) | Confirm in your quote. |
| How to Apply | Confirm in your quote. | The page directs prospective customers to contact an agent or request a quote. The page does not establish a quote, bind, or coverage-effective timeline. [8](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/auto/ "Commercial Auto Insurance – Request a Quote – Nationwide") (Evidence: Company-reported; scope: commercial auto marketed by nationwide; scope is limited to the cited official product overview and described audience. This is not a policy form or a universal eligibility statement..) |

## Full Comparison

- [CNA vs Nationwide](https://spot.insure/compare/cna-vs-nationwide): all coverage lines, business roles, service and claims.
- [What Is Commercial Auto Insurance?](https://spot.insure/coverage/commercial-auto): Commercial auto covers liability from vehicles used for work, with vehicle damage and employee personal or rented cars requiring separate quote checks.
- [CNA vs Nationwide Commercial Property Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/cna-vs-nationwide/commercial-property)
- [CNA vs Nationwide Surety Bonds](https://spot.insure/compare/cna-vs-nationwide/surety-bonds)
- [AIG vs CNA Commercial Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-cna/commercial-auto)
- [AIG vs Nationwide Commercial Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aig-vs-nationwide/commercial-auto)
- [Alliance Risk vs Nationwide Commercial Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/alliance-risk-vs-nationwide/commercial-auto)
- [Aon vs Nationwide Commercial Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/aon-vs-nationwide/commercial-auto)
- [The Baldwin Group vs CNA Commercial Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/baldwin-vs-cna/commercial-auto)
- [The Baldwin Group vs Nationwide Commercial Auto Insurance](https://spot.insure/compare/baldwin-vs-nationwide/commercial-auto)

## Sources

### CNA

1. [Insurance for Small Businesses](https://www.cna.com/solutions/small-business). CNA; Insurance for Small Businesses, lines 38-50 and 65-67 (CNA Central and agent route); lines 79-106 (product and stated appetite lists); page footer line 132 (CNA registered service mark).. Accessed 2026-09-28.
2. [CNA Connect Small Businessowners Policy (BOP) | CNA Insurance](https://www.cna.com/products/cna-connect). CNA; CNA Connect; coverages, product range, services. Accessed 2026-09-28.
3. [General Disclaimer](https://www.cna.com/cnadisclaimer/generaldisclaimer). CNA; General Disclaimer paragraphs 1 and 5 (HTML lines 24 and 28): CNA describes Continental Casualty Company and its relevant affiliates; references to CNA may include one or more CCC affiliates; each particular policy/product/service is the responsibility only of the specific CNA company that issues or supplies it. Footer line 57 identifies CNA Financial Corporation as trademark registrant. Re-read 2026-09-29.. Accessed 2026-09-29.
4. [Commercial Auto Insurance for Businesses | CNA Insurance](https://www.cna.com/products/commercial-auto). CNA; Coverages, endorsements, risk control, claims. Accessed 2026-09-28.

### Nationwide

5. [Small Business Insurance](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/small-commercial/). Nationwide; Small business products and solutions, lines 185–214: BOP, workers’ compensation, commercial auto, umbrella, EPLI, cyber and surety; purchase guidance lines 235–247.. Accessed 2026-09-29.
6. [Small Business Insurance Solutions for Agents](https://www.nationwide.com/agents/business/). Nationwide; Specialized small commercial solutions: BOP, auto, workers’ compensation, cyber, EPLI, umbrella, inland marine and professional liability; page states appetite varies by state, lines 129–163, 191–193.. Accessed 2026-09-29.
7. [Terms and Conditions for Nationwide.com](https://www.nationwide.com/personal/about-us/terms-conditions). Nationwide; P&C products not offered by all companies/states; policy/declarations control; NMI and affiliates may underwrite; each underwriter responsible for own products, lines 358–368 and 391–394.. Accessed 2026-09-29.
8. [Commercial Auto Insurance – Request a Quote – Nationwide](https://www.nationwide.com/business/insurance/auto/). Nationwide; Commercial auto coverage overview; vehicles used in business operations.. Accessed 2026-09-30.

### Commercial Auto Insurance Guide

9. [Commercial Insurance Guide](https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/09-comm/commercialguide.cfm). California Department of Insurance; Commercial Automobile: Coverage, Classification and Limits. Accessed 2026-09-16.
10. [Auto Insurance](https://content.naic.org/insurance-topics/auto-insurance). NAIC; Coverages. Accessed 2026-09-16.
11. [Business Vehicle Insurance](https://www.iii.org/publication/insuring-your-business-small-business-owners-guide-to-insurance/specific-coverages/business-vehicle-insurance). Insurance Information Institute; Will My Personal Auto Policy Cover Business Use?; What Vehicles Are Covered?; What Coverage Do I Need if Employees Drive Their Personal Vehicles for Business?; Does a Business Umbrella Cover Autos?; Do I Need a Business Auto Policy?; Be Sure the Right Insured Is on the Policy. Accessed 2026-09-16.
12. [Business Auto Coverage Form](https://nationalgeneral.com/forms_catalog/CA0001_10012013.pdf). Insurance Services Office, Inc.; hosted by National General; I.A, printed/PDF page 1; II.A.1, printed/PDF page 2; III.C–D, printed/PDF page 6; II.B.6, printed/PDF page 3; III.B.3, printed/PDF page 6. Accessed 2026-09-16.

Updated 2026-09-30. Spot, a product of Tools for Enlightenment, publishes this research and works in the commercial insurance market. The comparison applies the same criteria to both providers. [Editorial policy](https://spot.insure/editorial-policy). To suggest a correction, [contact Spot](https://spot.insure/contact) with the page URL and supporting source.

## CNA Reviews

Review Score: 9.0 / 10 from 1 rated source, equally weighted.

Customer feedback on CNA is mixed and hard to compare. NerdWallet gave it 4.5 out of 5 for manufacturers, while Trustpilot shows about 1.4 out of 5 from 49 mostly self-selected reviews.

- NerdWallet: NerdWallet editorial rating for manufacturers 4.5/5 (Editorial rating). NerdWallet editorial assessment of CNA for U.S. manufacturers, not consumer average. Period: Published 2026-03-26. Checked 2026-09-29. [Best Insurance for Manufacturers in 2026](https://www.nerdwallet.com/business/insurance/learn/manufacturers)
- Trustpilot: Displayed Trustpilot TrustScore 1.4/5 page text; 1.5/5 badge (TrustScore out of 5); 49 reviews. CNA.com profile, mixed business and consumer/LTC reports; self-selected, not representative commercial P&C sample. Period: 14 reviews in prior 12 months; 2026-09-29. Checked 2026-09-29. [CNA customer reviews](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.cna.com)
- BBB: BBB customer-review average 1/5 (BBB star rating); 6 reviews. Long Term Care Insurance profile covering headquarters/corporate locations; not commercial P&C; six self-selected reviews. Period: Displayed 2026-09-29. Checked 2026-09-29. [CNA Financial Corporation customer reviews](https://www.bbb.org/us/il/chicago/profile/long-term-care-insurance/cna-financial-corporation-0683-90032439/customer-reviews)

Reviewed 2026-09-29. [Read the sourced review](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/cna/reviews).

## Nationwide Reviews

Review Score: 7.8 / 10 from 4 rated sources, equally weighted.

Experts like Nationwide more than customers do. NerdWallet gives it 4.5 out of 5 for business insurance, while small-business customers on ConsumerAffairs give it 2.5 out of 5 from 19 reviews.

- NerdWallet: NerdWallet rating 4.5 (out of 5). NerdWallet's editorial small-business review of Nationwide, updated 2026-06-03. It is an expert score, not a customer average. The page header shows 4.5 and a partner card on the same page shows 4.0; the 4.5 is the review's own headline rating. Period: review updated 2026-06-03. Checked 2026-09-29. [Nationwide Business Insurance Review 2026](https://www.nerdwallet.com/business/insurance/learn/nationwide-business-insurance)
- J.D. Power: 2025 Small Commercial satisfaction index 707 (out of 1,000); 2848 reviews. 2025 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study: 2,848 U.S. businesses with 50 or fewer employees, fielded Mar-May 2025. Nationwide scored 707 against a study average of 698. A 2026 study was published 2026-08-20 (average 713); Nationwide's 2026 score was not found. Period: 2025 study. Checked 2026-09-29. [2025 U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study](https://www.jdpower.com/sites/default/files/file/2025-08/2025092%20U.S.%20Small%20Commercial%20Insurance%20Study.pdf); [U.S. Small Commercial Insurance Study](https://www.jdpower.com/business/u-s-small-commercial-insurance-study/); [Rates, Digital Support Boost Small Business Insurance Customer Satisfaction: JD Power](https://www.carriermanagement.com/news/2026/08/20/291242.htm)
- Trustpilot: TrustScore 1.3 (out of 5); 261 reviews. Nationwide's main Trustpilot page. It mixes personal and commercial customers; it cannot be separated. The page text says 1.3 out of 5 while an embedded badge image text said 1.5; we use the visible text score. Period: 69 reviews in the prior 12 months (checked 2026-09-29). Checked 2026-09-29. [Nationwide Reviews](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/nationwide.com)
- ConsumerAffairs: ConsumerAffairs auto average 1.5 (out of 5); 1091 reviews. ConsumerAffairs Nationwide personal auto page (1,091 reviews displayed). Personal auto, not commercial. Period: checked 2026-09-29. Checked 2026-09-29. [Nationwide Auto Insurance Reviews](https://www.consumeraffairs.com/insurance/nationwide_auto.html)
- ConsumerAffairs: ConsumerAffairs rating 2.5 (out of 5); 19 reviews. ConsumerAffairs Nationwide Small Business Insurance page; unclaimed profile; small-business customers. Screenshot captured 2026-09-29. Period: page updated Aug. 14, 2026; captured 2026-09-29. Checked 2026-09-29. [Nationwide Small Business Insurance Reviews](https://www.consumeraffairs.com/insurance/nationwide-small-business-insurance.html)
- BBB: BBB business grade A+. BBB Nationwide profile at the Columbus, Ohio headquarters (BBB Accredited). Covers all Nationwide products, not just commercial. Checked 2026-09-29. [Nationwide BBB Complaints Profile](https://www.bbb.org/us/oh/columbus/profile/insurance-companies/nationwide-0302-2388/complaints)
- BBB: Complaints 111. Same BBB headquarters profile; all Nationwide products, no premium denominator. BBB warns complaint details may be incomplete. The page also shows 269 customer reviews but no star average. Period: closed in the last three years (checked 2026-09-29). Checked 2026-09-29. [Nationwide BBB customer reviews](https://www.bbb.org/us/oh/columbus/profile/insurance-companies/nationwide-0302-2388/customer-reviews)

Reviewed 2026-09-29. [Read the sourced review](https://spot.insure/insurance-providers/nationwide/reviews).

## Agent and Developer Resources

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