Couple Goals: Love, Laughter & Policies
Love at first sight? It might be a Hollywood cliché, but that’s the way it was for Natalie Pireu and her new husband Ryan Kennedy. When the two met in 2022, they knew right away they were meant to be together.
“We hit it off instantly,” recalls Natalie. “He’s my best friend. We have the same sense of humor, we’re very close to our families. We’re perfect for each other.”
The young couple wasted no time starting their lives together. Natalie, a 25-year-old marketing consultant and Ryan, a 26-year-old plumber, rented an apartment in Grandview, Ohio. Once they got their dog Hanz, they decided to start renting a house in Gahanna, Ohio, just 10 miles east of Grandview. They’ve been there for two and a half years.
The thriving couple have big aspirations for their future. Having been recently married, they plan on purchasing their first house soon and one day, having children. To meet those goals, Natalie and Ryan have frequent conversations about their spending habits, their household budget and insurance coverage to make sure they are fully protected if something goes wrong.
Merging Financial and Emotional Priorities
Natalie and Ryan are doing the right thing by having frequent conversations about their finances and forming a plan. They’re not alone with that strategy.
A recent Nationwide survey revealed almost all couples (89%) agreed that discussing insurance is an important part of financial planning with a partner. When examining their motivations, couples prioritize joint insurance policies for several reasons:
- Asset protection (73%), and financial savings (69%) were the top drivers among all couples sharing policies.
- 62% believe shared policies are a meaningful way to deepen their relationship and display trust or commitment. 42% say adding their partner to a joint insurance policy is as significant as tying the knot
Education Gaps and Misconceptions Persist
Despite these benefits, many couples remain unaware and misinformed of the full value of joint policies. The survey underscores a critical need for better awareness about shared policies.
- Nearly 30% of respondents admit they don’t know enough about the benefits of joint insurance.
- Almost 20% of renting couples erroneously believe you can only drive the car in your name under a joint policy
- Common myths persist, like believing joint insurance requires a joint bank account (17%) or marriage (16%)
“As modern relationships evolve, couples are seeking ways to merge emotional and financial commitments,” said Mike Moore, Nationwide’s vice president of Personal Lines Business Optimizations. “Joint insurance policies represent a practical yet deeply symbolic step forward. An insurance agent can help people navigate what options are available to them and help them decide what makes the most sense for their situation. Nationwide remains dedicated to empowering couples with the knowledge and the tools they need to protect their futures while strengthening their partnerships.”
The future is bright!
Ultimately, Natalie and Ryan joined their insurance policies once they got married, with the couple deciding to add Natalie to Ryan’s insurance renters and auto policies.
With that behind them, Natalie and Ryan are heading into their future with eyes wide open. They know the road ahead will be filled with challenges.
“We’re lucky; we don’t have much debt. I didn’t have much college debt because of a soccer scholarship and Ryan didn’t have any debt since he went the trade school route to be a plumber,” says Natalie. “But if we want to get a house and start a family, we have to pay attention to what we’re spending our money on. We started sharing our finances early in our relationship, so we have a good grasp on what’s coming in and what’s going out.”
Natalie feels that if she and Ryan are honest with each other, they can achieve the goals they have set for themselves. That’s her advice to other couples in the same situation.
“I know a lot of people grew up in homes where you didn’t discuss things like finances. That was certainly the case in my house,” says Natalie. “Don’t shy away from those uncomfortable conversations and don’t be afraid to ask questions to people who know more about it than you do.”