“Research shows that nearly 20 million people are working from home and that number is expected to grow to more than 36 million by 2025¹,” said Chetan Kandhari, Nationwide’s Chief Innovation and Digital Officer. “The time is right for people who work from home to revisit their current insurance protections to make sure they have coverage that fits their unique needs – and aren’t overpaying for it.”

Bundling coverages can help those working from home save on their insurance. However, a new Nationwide survey^* finds that almost a third of consumers (29%) are leaving savings on the table by not bundling and they’re doing so because they think they already have the right coverage at the right price. But for many Americans, their situations - including work locations - have changed since the last time they re-assessed their insurance needs.

“As we navigate this ‘new normal,’ Nationwide is creating convenient bundles that will save people money while servicing their distinctive needs, including those now working remotely,” said Beth Riczko, Nationwide’s president of Personal Lines Property & Casualty.

Nationwide’s new “Work From Home Insurance” is a package of auto, home/renters, and identity theft coverage options for consumers working and living in today’s new world. The insurance industry’s first-ever protection bundle designed for those working from home will be available in more than 30 states across the country this summer with plans to include additional states and coverages in the future. The offering is available online only and allows consumers to get a quote for the bundled insurance package in just a few easy steps.

“The places and ways we work are evolving, and Nationwide understands that how consumers work has an impact on their personal protection needs,” said Riczko. “This first-of-its-kind Work From Home Insurance bundle is part of Nationwide’s commitment to developing protections for unique moments and situations in a customer’s life and providing them through an end-to-end digital experience.”  

Work From Home Insurance bundle includes: 

• Homeowners/Renters insurance: Now that a person’s home is more than just a place to live, we’ve included coverages and options to help protect the things they care about, including those in their home office.
• Usage-based auto insurance: Working from home, even a few days a week, can change someone’s insurance needs. Nationwide offers personalized savings based on driving habits.
• Identity Theft: As people use their home networks more than ever before, their data is more vulnerable. Nationwide offers protection in the event of a data breach.

For more information about the new protection package, visit https://yourinsurancebundle.nationwide.com.

*Survey Methodology:
Nationwide commissioned Edelman Intelligence to conduct a 20-minute quantitative online survey among a sample of 400 independent insurance agents and 1,000 general consumers between February 5 – February 19 to help position agents and associates as credible and knowledgeable about complex consumer and industry-specific trends. As a member of CASRO in good standing, Edelman Intelligence conducts all research in accordance with Market Research Standards and Guidelines.

¹ https://www.upwork.com/press/releases/economist-report-future-workforce.

“What kind of damage could be caused in those six seconds? It may seem dramatic, but this ‘driving blind’ is happening every day on our roadways in the form of distracted driving,” said Nationwide’s Beth Riczko, president of P&C personal lines. “According to data obtained from our SmartRide^®  telematics program, the average participant is taking their eyes off the road too many times, for too long—creating a danger for themselves, their passengers, pedestrians, and others on the road.”

While a close call behind the wheel can be an eye-opening experience, it doesn’t always change driving behavior. 45% of every trip taken has a driving distraction, and over 70% of people are distracted at least once while driving each day. Our friends at Lexus put together a great video shattering the misconceptions people have about momentary distractions.

In September 2020, Nationwide’s SmartRide mobile app started showing drivers when and how they were distracted by their phones.

The distraction trends uncovered are alarming:

• The most distracted time window is 4-7 p.m.
• The majority of distractions happen between 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• The most distracted day of the week is Friday
• The least distracted day of the week is Tuesday
• The average speed when distractions occur is 45 mph
• The average screen tapping event lasts six seconds
• Handheld phone calls average more than two minutes (160 seconds)

“We’ve introduced an experience that provides customized feedback on phone distractions and it’s helping to reduce distracted driving on our roadways. The reality is that too many drivers are multitasking behind the wheel, putting themselves and others at risk. The good news is drivers are willing to change their behaviors,” said Riczko.

Nationwide has taken a strong position on distracted driving. Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker announced last year the company’s advocacy for all 50 states to adopt hands-free, primary enforcement laws to curb distracted driving. States that have adopted these laws have seen a 15 percent decrease in fatalities. Nationwide is also seeking the adoption of model legislation by NCOIL, the National Council of Insurance Legislators, as part of its efforts.

The company is also providing distracted driving feedback to drivers through its SmartRide² Mobile program, which is changing driving behavior. In less than a year, there has been a 10 percent reduction in everyday hand-held distractions among these drivers. The goal of providing feedback on phone use while behind the wheel is to increase drivers’ awareness on the frequency of this behavior and reduce crashes associated with distracted driving.

To learn more about phone distraction feedback provided with SmartRide click here, or talk to your independent insurance agent.

¹ Methodology: Data is from Nationwide SmartRide mobile app users. Distracted driving program launched in June 2020, with trip feedback provided to drivers starting in September 2020. Research examined phone distractions that include active screen time while the vehicle is moving more than 15km. External distraction factors not considered include eating, adjusting the radio, or Bluetooth/hands-free cell phone usage. 

² Availability varies; program criteria differs in California and North Carolina. Stated discounts are approximations. Discounts do not apply to all coverage elements; actual savings vary by state, coverage selections, rating factors and policy changes. Enrollment discount applies during data collection; final discount is calculated on driving behavior and could be zero. Final discount applies at the next policy renewal and is subject to change based upon actuarial support at subsequent renewals or with changes in drivers or vehicles on the policy.

Beth is responsible for all aspects of the Personal Lines profit and loss (P&L) segment including product, underwriting, sales and distribution, claims and services. Her organization focuses on delivering effortless, personal and reassuring experiences to position Nationwide as the carrier of choice among independent agents, national brokers and wholesalers.

Beth previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Property & Casualty, where she led the financial, actuarial, data and analytics teams across Nationwide’s personal, commercial, and excess and specialty businesses. Prior to this role, Beth served as Nationwide’s Vice President, Corporate Chief Risk Officer.  

Previously, she served as co-Chief Operating Officer for Westfield Insurance. In this role, she was responsible for the design and execution of Westfield’s strategy to ensure profitable growth across the company’s $1.9 billion portfolio of property-casualty insurance premium. Beth was also accountable for the transformation of Westfield’s commercial insurance operation, integrating change management, technology, data, analytics and digital capabilities to build market-leading capabilities for this highly competitive segment. Beth previously served as the Chief Analytics leader at Westfield.

Prior to joining Westfield in 2007, Beth operated her own insurance agency for two years, selling the business before joining Westfield. Before that, Beth spent several years at Ohio Casualty Group, a publicly traded, top 50 property-casualty insurer. She served in several senior leadership roles including President of Insurance Operations, Chief Operating Officer – Personal Lines Division, Chief Actuary, and Senior Vice President of Financial and Treasurer. During her tenure at Ohio Casualty, she led the development of the company’s turnaround strategy and played a pivotal role in the successful execution of the strategy.

Beth holds an MBA from Walden University and is a graduate of Muhlenberg College with a BS degree in Mathematics and Physics. She also completed the University of Michigan Executive Program. Beth is a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society, a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries, a Certified Management Accountant, and a Certified Financial Manager. In addition, she holds 17 designations from the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (The Institutes) including the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation.