Nationwide Makes Advancements in Digital Innovation Through Voice-Integration Technology

Columbus, OH - As Nationwide continues to make industry-leading advancements in digital technology, the company has enhanced its current Nationwide skill for Amazon Alexa by adding a SmartRide® capability. The goal is to provide a new way to communicate with Nationwide members about its safe-driving, usage-based insurance program.

To encourage safe-driving habits and help drivers save money on their auto insurance premiums, eligible Nationwide SmartRide members can now access critical personalized driving information through the Nationwide skill for Amazon Alexa.

“We recognize that digital voice technologies are becoming an increasingly popular method of communication, enabling consumers to quickly gain access to information, products and services through voice-recognition technology,” said Sam Rassekh, vice president of Enterprise Digital Optimization. “The Nationwide skill for Amazon Alexa gives our members an exciting way to connect with us. And, we are encouraged to know that the data they receive about their personal driving habits through the SmartRide capability within the Nationwide skill serves the greater purpose of promoting safe driving.”

Including SmartRide into the Nationwide skill for Amazon Alexa gives members who use the SmartRide plug-in device the ability to easily obtain SmartRide’s robust set of personalized data about their driving habits. Armed with important information, members can then adjust the way they drive to reduce their monthly premiums. Alexa rounds out the communications available to SmartRide program participants, which includes the program’s website and ongoing email communications.

Members may now ask Alexa about their status and obtain a summary with details regarding hard brakes, fast acceleration, idle time, nighttime driving, estimated discount and final discount upon program completion.

This is the latest example of Nationwide’s commitment to digital investment. Nationwide focuses on delivering next-generation experiences for its members by exploring leading-edge topics from analytics and automation technology to new insurance and financial services platforms.

“Nationwide has a long history of encouraging safe driving, and SmartRide is an industry-leading effort to help make us all better and safer drivers,” Rassekh said. “We put our members at the center of every decision, so our commitment to digital advancement creates a better experience with Nationwide and the valuable services and offerings we carry.”