^{From Left: Michael Tripp, SVP Nationwide Personal Lines Sales & Distribution; Luke Turano, Founder/Principal, IPA; Casey Kempton, President, Personal Lines at Nationwide; Chris Manci, Founder/Principal, IPA; Curt Wohlers, VP Sales & Distribution Personal Lines East Zone; Dena Silveri, VP Sales & Distribution, Personal Lines Nationwide; Drew Dickinson, VP National Sales, Nationwide.}

Insurance Partners Alliance (IPA) is Nationwide’s Personal Lines Agency of the Year. The Columbus, Ohio-based insurance company presented IPA with the award during the company’s annual Partners Conference.

The award is one of the carrier’s highest honors and recognizes agency excellence, growth, innovation and commitment to helping clients protect what matters most.

What set IPA apart?

IPA was selected from more than 11,000 agencies appointed to write Nationwide policies across the United States.

IPA’s focus on helping partners grow their businesses, strengthening client relationships and creating value in the communities they serve caught Nationwide’s eye.

What they’re saying:

Chris Manci, IPA co-founder: “To say we were surprised would be an understatement. We never set out to win awards. We set out to build an organization that helps independent agencies grow, compete, and better serve their clients. To be recognized by Nationwide in this way is both humbling and deeply meaningful because it reflects the hard work, commitment, and dedication of our entire network.”

Luke Turano, IPA co-founder: "This recognition belongs to our partners as much as it does to IPA. Every agency, every team member, and every client relationship helped make this possible. The trust our partners place in us every day has fueled our growth and success. We're proud of what we've built together and even more excited about where we're headed."

Nationwide executives cited IPA's performance, leadership, and commitment to serving clients as key factors in earning the distinction.

Nationwide Personal Lines President Casey Kempton: “IPA distinguished itself not only through its agency excellence, growth, and partnership but also through its commitment to serving their customers. IPA’s dedication to protecting their clients by emphasizing products like Nationwide’s SmartHome suite embodies the qualities this award is intended to recognize. We’re proud to honor their achievements.”

Who else took home the hardware?

In addition to IPA, Nationwide honored several other agencies at the event, including:

• East Zone Agency of the Year – Spotts Insurance Group
• West Zone Agency of the Year – English Insurance
• Firm of the Year – Highstreet
• Emerging Agency of the Year – Legacy Risk Solutions
• Smartsuite Agency of the Year – Blue Ridge Risk Partners

Nationwide’s annual Partners Conference brings agencies from across the country together to celebrate accomplishments and strengthen partnerships.

Smart home tech adoption has accelerated steadily over the past several years, with the latest findings from Nationwide showing that Millennials are now averaging 4.6 smart devices per household (outpacing Gen X at 3 and Baby Boomers at 2). Safety-focused solutions, including fire prevention, leak detection, and professionally supported alarms, are among the fastest-growing categories—emphasizing that the sense of protection and peace of mind is what more than 50% of homeowners say they bring.¹

Prevention in Action: How Nationwide Members Are Reducing Fire Risk at Home

One way Nationwide is prioritizing prevention for its members is by offering Ting, a fire prevention sensor and service designed to identify hidden electrical hazards before they lead to a fire. Since launching its partnership with Whisker Labs, Nationwide has brought Ting to nearly 80,000 homes at no cost to members and helped prevent more than 1,100 potential fires. For many members, the impact has been immediate and tangible:

This commitment to prevention is why Nationwide is expanding its fire prevention program with Whisker Labs and plans to provide an additional 500,000 Ting sensors over the next two years, helping to protect even more homes from electrical fires.

Beyond the Alert. Built for Prevention.

Industry data shows that most residential electrical fires² involve arcing, a dangerous condition that often develops silently inside walls, outlets, or electrical systems. Identifying these hazards early is critical to stopping fires before they start.

While smart home technology can help surface many household risks, electrical fire prevention requires deeper insight and hands-on support. Electrical fires remain a persistent problem in the U.S. and unlike many other types of fire, they are becoming more common. Recent U.S. Fire Administration data shows a 2% rise in electrical fires from 2014 to 2023, even as other causes like cooking and heating declined.³

National fire data shows:

• An electrical fire impacts a family roughly every 10 minutes.⁴

• Electrical failures or malfunctions remain a leading cause of residential structure fires.⁵

Common sources of electrical hazards include aging appliances, improperly installed outlets, failing breakers, and utility-side issues. Many of these problems develop out of sight and without obvious warning signs. Newer homes and modern breaker panels do not eliminate electrical fire risk, and hazards do not always present visible clues before becoming serious.

That is why Ting, the fire prevention service from Whisker Labs, goes beyond identifying risks. Powered by AI and backed by a team of safety experts, Ting pairs real-time detection of electrical fire hazards with expert follow-through, giving homeowners more than alerts. When a hazard is identified, the Ting Fire Safety Team provides hands-on support and clear guidance, helping homeowners understand the problem, take next steps, and resolve the hazard. If professional repair is needed, Ting helps coordinate with a licensed electrician and covers up to $1,000 in labor costs for Ting-identified hazards.

Along with electrical fire prevention, Ting also alerts homeowners about potential frozen pipe risks and power outages, helping them stay informed about costly home hazards.

A New Era of Prevention

Eligible Nationwide members can receive Ting at no cost, including the smart sensor, mobile app, five years of monitoring service, and up to $1,000 in labor credit for Ting-identified fire hazards.

To check eligibility and enroll, click here.

^{1 https://news.nationwide.com/download/388cf87e-65b2-4935-ad1e-e872883aa63a/2025nationwidehomeownersreport.pdf
2 https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/research/nfpa-research/fire-statistical-reports/home-fires-caused-by-electrical-distribution-and-lighting-equipment
3 https://www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics/residential-fires/causes.html
4 https://www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics/
5 https://www.esfi.org/home-electrical-fires}

“Preventing devastating electrical fires changes everything for our members,” said Casey Kempton, President of Personal Lines at Nationwide. “By offering Ting as part of our Smart Protection Suite, we’re taking a proactive approach to fire prevention by helping members identify electrical hazards before they cause a fire and setting a new standard for home protection. For our agents Ting is a powerful, easy-to-use service offering that’s valued and trusted.” 

Ting is a smart sensor that plugs into any outlet and begins detecting electrical signals associated with fire hazards. Using advanced AI, it detects small arcs and faults, which are early warning signs of electrical fire hazards that often go unnoticed. When a hazard is found, Ting’s Fire Safety Team works directly with the homeowner to resolve the problem, including coordination with licensed electricians and paying up to $1,000 toward repairs. Beyond fire prevention, Ting also provides members with precise power outage information, as well as alerts for frozen pipe risk, to help prevent one of winter’s most disruptive and costly damages.  

Nationwide members have responded enthusiastically to the Ting fire prevention program:  

Agents can now add Ting directly to homeowner policies via the Nationwide policy center for eligible members,¹ helping more families avoid the disruption, loss, and emotional toll of home fires.  

“Nationwide continues to demonstrate incredible leadership in member safety.” said Bob Marshall, CEO of Whisker Labs. “This expansion reflects a people-first approach to prevention that protects members, empowers agents, and sets a standard for what’s possible in the industry. The ability to predict and prevent electrical fires at this scale is truly monumental, not just for insurance, but for home safety more broadly. We’re proud of this deep collaboration with Nationwide as they make prevention part of everyday protection.” 

Nationwide and Whisker Labs share a mission rooted in prevention, focused on helping members stay ahead of home risks through early detection. 

 Eligible members who enroll receive the following, at no cost: 

• A Ting sensor that plugs into any vertical outlet
• The Ting app with real-time hazard and outage alerts
• Five years of fire prevention service
• A $1,000 credit toward Ting-identified fire hazard repairs
• Frozen pipe prevention and power outage alerts  

Members can check their eligibility and enroll online.² 

About Whisker Labs 

Whisker Labs develops cutting-edge, AI-powered sensor technology that protects families, homes, and communities by predicting and preventing electrical fires while also monitoring the resiliency and safety of the U.S. electrical grid. Its flagship solution, Ting, draws on decades of electromagnetic and atmospheric sensor expertise to detect electrical faults and frozen pipe risk. While a single Ting sensor helps protect a home, the collective network of sensors monitors the grid to deliver Ting Insights, the most comprehensive source for grid reliability, safety, and resilience intelligence. Since launch, Ting has reached over one million homes and helped identify and mitigate more than 25,000 electrical fire hazards to prevent potential disasters before they occurred. As one of the fastest-growing IoT networks, Ting is proven to prevent 4 out of 5 electrical fires, reducing home fire losses and saving lives across the U.S. every day. For more information visit www.whiskerlabs.com and www.tingfire.com. 

About Nationwide

Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified financial services and insurance organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by Standard & Poor’s. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; and pet, motorcycle and boat insurance.  

For more information about Nationwide and Nationwide’s ratings, visit www.nationwide.com or Company Ratings -- Nationwide. 

Subscribe today to receive the latest news from Nationwide and follow Nationwide PR on X. 

Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2026 

^{1 Available in 44 states and Washington D.C., not available in: AK, HI, LA, NY, OK, WA. 
2 Terms and Conditions apply}

Hiring has remained resilient. More than half of mid-market businesses (52%) and nearly one-third of small businesses (31%) added employees in the past year, and more than one-quarter of owners expect to hire in 2026.

Wage growth has followed a similar pattern. Over one-third of business owners (37%) increased wages in the past 12 months, and four in ten expect to raise wages again in 2026, even as margins remain tight. Looking ahead, one in five business owners (20%) say improving employee benefits is among their biggest business opportunities over the next 12 months.

For business owners worried about inflation and an uncertain environment, sustaining these investments has often meant absorbing costs personally:

• 15% of small business owners and 13% of mid-market owners reduced their retirement savings in the past year.
• 14% of small business owners and 13% of mid-market owners tapped into personal retirement funds to support their businesses in the past 12 months.
• If needed, nearly one-third of small business owners and nearly one-fifth of mid-market owners say they would choose to cut their own salary before reducing employee benefits.
• Roughly one in ten business owners canceled or delayed purchasing insurance in the past year, potentially increasing their exposure to risk.

“Rising costs are forcing tough choices, but many owners are still putting their people first,” said Kathy Bostjancic, chief economist for Nationwide. “While job growth has slowed this past year, particularly among smaller enterprises, small and mid-market business owners we surveyed are committed to their employees. Their optimism about their business and the economy in the year ahead may have some merit – we forecast a solid economic expansion in 2026 on tailwinds from looser Fed policy and provisions from last year’s fiscal stimulus package.”

How Business Owners are Positioning for the Future
Despite ongoing economic pressure, many business owners report confidence in the near-term outlook for their own companies. More than half of business owners (57%) say they are very or extremely confident their business is prepared for future risks, and large majorities rate their current financial health as “good” or “excellent.”

That confidence extends cautiously to the broader economy. More than half of business owners expect economic conditions to improve in 2026.

One way business owners are responding to economic pressures is through technology investment. Among mid-market firms in particular, AI is playing a growing role in managing costs and improving efficiency.

More than one-third of mid-market businesses (35%) invested in AI technology in the past year, and among those that did, an overwhelming majority (93%) report seeing a positive return on investment. At the same time, concerns remain: nearly two-thirds of business owners say increased use of AI presents a cybersecurity risk.

Meanwhile, small businesses are taking a more defensive approach. Owners of smaller firms are focusing on preserving cash flow by prioritizing customer retention (30%) and reducing overhead (26%), while also strengthening supplier relationships (25%). Small and mid-sized firms face similar economic pressures, but differences in their responses largely reflect differences in financial capacity.

Rising Risk, Limited Guidance
As business owners navigate economic volatility, workforce strain, rising prices, supply chain disruptions, and rapid technological change, many are not taking advantage of professional guidance to reduce risk. Just 16% of small business owners and 27% of mid-market owners met with their current financial professionals for guidance in the past year; even fewer hired a financial advisor (13% and 19%, respectively).

While financial advisors have an opportunity to engage business owners, insurance agents remain a trusted resource. Nearly two-thirds of small business owners (63%) and more than four in five mid-market owners (81%) currently work with an agent. Amid rising business risks and cost pressures, many owners say they would welcome broader conversations beyond coverage – including rising liability costs, pricing pressures, and supply chain risks.

As owners continue to protect customers and employees, early, integrated financial and insurance guidance can play a critical role in helping them balance near-term challenges with long-term goals.

More findings from Nationwide's Economic Impact survey can be found here.

Methodology
Nationwide commissioned Edelman Data & Intelligence (DXI) to conduct a nationally representative online survey with 400 U.S. small business owners and 400 mid-market business owners from November 10–December 1, 2025.

Traditional relationship milestones are being reimagined by modern couples. While relationship decisions such as engagements and moving in together are most familiar, a new Nationwide survey has found that shared insurance policies are emerging as a key symbol of trust and commitment as 42% of respondents view sharing an insurance policy as the modern equivalent of tying the knot, offering both practical financial benefits and emotional significance. The survey, conducted among 1,000 U.S. renting couples highlights how joint insurance policies are redefining modern relationships.  

“Couples today are rethinking how they define commitment,” said Michael Moore, Nationwide’s VP of Business Optimization. “Shared insurance policies not only provide practical benefits but also symbolize a deep level of trust and collaboration. This survey highlights the need to help couples take full advantage of these opportunities.” 

Redefining Commitment Through Insurance 
Shared insurance policies are increasingly reshaping traditional markers of commitment. Nearly one-third (29%) of renting couples place sharing an insurance policy on the same level as major steps like moving in together (35%), emphasizing its growing importance in modern relationships. This sentiment is further underscored by the following:  

• 35% of respondents say signing up for joint insurance is a bigger step than saying "I love you" for the first time or moving in together. 
• 4 in 10 respondents say sharing a joint policy with their partner is most like sharing a streaming password or adopting a pet together. 
• 26% of renting couples say sharing a policy makes it harder to break up. 

 Merging Financial and Emotional Priorities 
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.   

Education Gaps and Misconceptions Persist: 
Although joint insurance policies are being used to deepen and redefine modern relationships, a lack of knowledge prevents some from fully leveraging the benefits of this milestone. Less than half of renting couples surveyed reported they were unaware that having a joint policy could provide lower premiums, increased coverage limits and a simpler claims process, emphasizing the importance of education and awareness about the benefits of having a shared policy. Despite the benefits, many couples remain unaware and misinformed of the full value of joining their insurance to a single policy that would cover both (or multiple) vehicles and named drivers.  

The survey underscores a critical need for better awareness about how insurance works. 

• Nearly 30% of respondents admit they don’t know enough about the benefits of sharing an insurance policy. 
• Almost 20% of renting couples erroneously believe you can only drive the car in your name under a joint auto policy. 
• Common myths persist, like believing joint insurance requires a joint bank account (17%) or that you need to be married (16%).  

“As modern relationships evolve, couples are seeking ways to merge emotional and financial commitments,” said Moore. “A joint insurance policy represent a practical yet deeply symbolic step forward. Nationwide remains dedicated to empowering couples with the knowledge and tools they need to protect their futures while strengthening their partnerships.”  

Nationwide’s Commitment to Couples Nationwide is committed to supporting couples as they navigate important financial milestones. Insurance companies and states might have different rules for when couples can share insurance policies, the best way to learn about what’s available to you is to talk to your agent. Independent insurance agents are the best resource for guidance and personalized solutions tailored to a couple’s unique needs, helping to protect what matters most while building a secure financial future together, learn more.  

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.”  

Ellen Mrukowski’s house is eerily quiet these days. It’s something she and her husband Jay aren’t used to – not since their triplets were born 20 years ago.  

For nearly two decades, the Mrukowski home was alive with the sounds of infants, toddlers, teenagers, and finally young adults. But now that the kids are off to college (son Troy is playing college football in Ohio; daughters Claire and Meredith are at a Florida college playing volleyball), the activity has died down.   

It’s the little things that Ellen and Jay notice with the kids out of the house.  

“We go days without running the dishwasher,” says Ellen. “We’re doing a lot less laundry. Shopping - like I barely need to go to the grocery store. I can order HelloFresh and have three dinners delivered.” 

The Mrukowskis are two of 22.5 million empty nesters across the country – parents whose children have grown up and moved out of the house.  

A recent Nationwide survey of homeowners revealed that empty nesters are just like Ellen and Jay – re-evaluating their current situation, starting with their homes.  

"We've done some renovations like the kitchen and bathrooms, but now we ask ourselves ‘Do we want to reformat the basement or do we want to redo the outside patio and have a better outdoor living space,’” says Ellen. “These are things that we could do, but we're also open to looking for something else somewhere else that already has what we're looking for."  

“Mortgage rates are elevated and housing prices remain at a record high. With little financial incentive to move, empty nesters are opting to stay in large homes and are upgrading their homes to fit their new lifestyles,” said Casey Kempton, Nationwide’s president of Personal Lines insurance. “With more disposable income than general homeowners and a mentality to age-in-place, empty nesters are getting their homes in tip-top shape.”   

According to Nationwide’s survey, 50% of empty nester respondents report having done a major home renovation over the past 2 years.   

The most common renovation projects? Repairs (45%) and interior remodels (38%). Specifically, empty nesters are looking to: 

• Repair wear and tear (Empty Nesters 51%; U.S. Homeowners 48%) 
• Make their home more enjoyable (Empty Nesters 50%; U.S. Homeowners 47%) 
• Change outdated features (Empty Nesters 48%; U.S. Homeowners 39%) 
• Update things to their taste (Empty Nesters 42%; U.S. Homeowners 43%) 

“This is a time of mixed emotions for empty nesters. They’re struggling with the new normal and at the same time, are excited for what’s ahead,” says Kempton. “As they make these upgrades and other financial decisions, they should keep in contact with their insurance agent to make sure those new investments are properly protected.”  

For the Mrukowskis, the decisions on what comes next are easier because Ellen and Jay have the same long-term goals. Their advice to other empty nesters? Communicate how you're feeling with your partner and don't make any impulse buys.  

“Think about the big picture,” suggests Ellen. “Think holistically. Don't think about just today."  

That includes thinking about what your plans are, but also taking your kids’ future plans into the equation.  

“I want the homestead that my kids and their kids can come back to and all have a place to stay under one roof. That's more my vision right now." 

The U.S. Congress and state legislatures need to be doing more to improve safety on American roads. Cathy Chase, President of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, conveyed that message during a recent roundtable discussion on roadway safety hosted by Nationwide.

Chase said the dangerous state of driving on roads makes the need for stronger laws and regulations critical.

“With approximately 40,000 people being killed on our roadways, it’s clear we need our nation’s and state leaders to improve safety,” said Chase. “Congress needs to enact laws directing the U.S. Department of Transportation to make vehicles safer and to motivate states to improve their laws.”

Once those directives come down from the federal government, Chase says the states need to do their part.

“State legislatures and governors need to improve their laws such as requiring all occupants to buckle up, and to reduce impaired and distracted driving.”

Steve English, Nationwide’s Senior Vice President of External Affairs, pointed to the work that Ohio has done with passing the 2023 Hands Free legislation and the impact that it’s having on making Ohio roads safer.

“We know from previous studies that states that pass primary, hands-free legislation experience a decrease in fatality rates within two years after their hands-free law passed, sometimes as much as 20%,” English pointed out. “In Ohio last year, the highway patrol reported a 25% decrease in fatal crashes during the 2023 holiday reporting period and a 20% reduction as of the first quarter this year.”

Technology can help, but only so much

Drivers say that advances in driver assistance features, like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and lane-keeping assistance, are helpful in making roads safer.

Casey Kempton, Nationwide’s President of Personal Lines Insurance, pointed to a recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) study that revealed driver assistance features are having an impact.

“The study compared rates of police reported crashes and insurance claims for vehicles with and without these technologies and discovered all reduced accidents,” said Kempton. “For example: front to rear crashes (rear-ends) were 27% lower when equipped with forward collision warning (FCW), and 50% lower with FCW and autobrake.”

But experts are concerned that Americans are becoming too dependent on features to keep them safe.

“If they think the car will take care of some of the driving responsibilities, they’ll pay less attention to driving and do other things,” Chase explained. “IIHS also found that people are learning how to ‘game’ the partial autonomous systems. So, tech that would hopefully make the driving experience safer is leading to new dangers.”

 All hands-on deck for safer roads

Ultimately, the group agreed that everyone – drivers, automakers, business owners, legislators and insurance carriers - needs to do their part in making roadways safer. Because, according to a recent Nationwide Agency Forward driving behaviors survey, most drivers agree that driving has become more dangerous, more aggressive, more reckless, with drivers more often looking at their phones compared to 12 months ago.

“Nationwide’s strategy when it comes to roadway safety has always been an ‘all of the above’ or ‘kitchen sink’ approach,” said Kempton. “We need heightened public awareness around the risks and dangers on our roadways and we need to encourage the development of technology to mitigate those risks which telematics and driver assistance features are part of that. We also need to continue targeted research into what’s working and what isn’t through our partnerships with Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the IIHS and others.”

For more information on how they can help make roads safer, drivers should visit saferoads.org. Information about how Nationwide’s efforts to curb distracted driving can be found on Nationwide’s Distracted Driving Resource Page.

Business owners along the path of totality may be looking to capitalize on the celestial event by hosting watch parties and providing eclipse-themed special events. Others may experience operational delays caused by the increase of people on the roads looking for that perfect viewing spot. 

“There are several steps a business owner should be taking to prepare employees, customers and properties for the disruption to help limit the risks and protect themselves from liability,” says Mark McGhiey, Nationwide’s leader of Commercial Lines Loss Control Services.  

“Past eclipses have led to significant disruptions that can turn dangerous for the unprepared, including fuel and food shortages, communication service interruptions, overloaded local emergency services, and traffic congestion,” said McGhiey. “Several business owners found this out the hard way during the 2017 eclipse.” 

Nationwide recommends business owners take the following precautions prior to April 8: 

• Ensure adequate supplies of raw materials, food, fuel needed for your operation, and workers. Notify suppliers of potential congestion and alter delivery dates if needed. 
• Inform employees of the potential impact on their work and families to ensure they can take necessary precautions. 
  • Remind them that looking directly at the sun can result in severe eye injury. Viewing should only be done while wearing solar eclipse viewing glasses which meet ISO 12312-2 standards. 
• Educate drivers about increased hazards – don’t watch while driving, be prepared for parked vehicles along roadways, be alert for pedestrians, unexpected stops and long delays, etc.  
• Notify customers and ask for flexibility in scheduling service or deliveries after the eclipse date. 
• Contact local city/county resources, such as law enforcement for guidance regarding safely preventing trespassers from organizing on your property to watch the event, which could bring unintended liabilities. 

“The April 8^th eclipse is something we may be talking about for the rest of our lives,” said McGhiey. “Businesses should make sure they do everything they can to not ruin that experience for themselves, their employees or their customers.” 

For more tips on how businesses can prepare for the big event, visit our Eclipse Business Safety resource.  

But homeowners should beware that prioritizing speed by hiring a contractor who knocks on the door before they’ve had a chance to check references or talk with their insurance company can be an invitation for fraud. 

While most contractors are honest, contractor fraud is a real problem and often follows major weather events like hailstorms, windstorms and hurricanes. 

It’s common for customers to inform Nationwide of contractors who knocked on their doors, promising a quick repair after a hailstorm or windstorm. Homeowners think this is the answer to their prayers, but then the contractor suddenly uses high-pressure tactics, asks for cash down payments or tells them they need to sign a Power of Attorney so they can negotiate with the insurance company. These are all red flags. 

If a homeowner finds themselves in this situation, here are some steps they can take to protect themselves:  

1. Contact your insurance company as soon as damage is suspected 
   Insurance companies can often assist in finding contractors or point homeowners in the direction of a reputable source of contractors  
2. Use only licensed and insured contractors 
   Make sure your contractors can provide state and local business licenses and proof of insurance before signing any agreements. It’s also good practice to ask for and check the contractor’s references.  
3. Compare multiple written quotes before choosing a contractor 
   To ensure you receive competitive pricing and can make informed decisions, homeowners should collect and compare at least three estimates before selecting a contractor to do the work. 
4. Pay close attention to contracts 
   Attention to detail when reviewing contracts is crucial to ensure clear expectations, aligned construction schedules, and billing agreements. Never sign a contract with blank spaces or one that’s otherwise incomplete.  

For more advice, follow tips from our infographic below, After the storm: Ways to avoid fraud. 

“As a protection company, we’re regularly exploring new ways to offer enhanced protection and peace of mind for our customers. Electrical failures can lead to detrimental impacts for a farm or commercial agribusiness, but more than two-thirds of failures can be prevented by having a routine preventive maintenance program in place¹,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “We’re proud to be the first U.S. insurer to team up with these innovative companies to get their solutions directly into the hands of our customers and partners to help better protect their businesses and livelihoods.”

Teledyne FLIR thermal imaging cameras allow customers to see what’s truly going on with mechanical equipment, electrical boards/panels, insulation, and more, and identify problems before they interrupt business flow. By visualizing heat as an image with measurable temperatures, FLIR’s thermal cameras can help save you money with ongoing preventative maintenance and loss prevention, serve as an integral part of assessing downed equipment, or provide insight on how to correct faulty machinery or wiring. Nationwide’s customers and partners can now access Teledyne FLIR’s range of FLIR thermal imaging devices at a discount. Learn more here.

The PrevTech solution provides real-time electrical monitoring, fault detection and diagnostic services to reduce the risk of fire and operational interruptions. PrevTech’s monitoring services are delivered by a team of technical experts that proactively connects with clients and guides them in the diagnostic and risk mitigation process. Thus, providing peace of mind to business operators. The solution can be adapted to any operation’s needs, no matter the size or type. Visit PrevTech’s site to learn how Nationwide’s agriculture customers can benefit from exclusive preferred pricing.

These new partnerships add to a robust suite of protection solutions Nationwide has made available at preferred pricing to its customers, including HAYTECH bale monitoring probes and Razor Tracking’s fleet management solutions.

“We envision a future where technology and insurance harmonize to shape unparalleled solutions for our customers,” said Maria Cambria, global vice president of marketing at Teledyne FLIR. “This collaboration between Nationwide and Teledyne FLIR represents a commitment to unlocking untapped potential and propelling growth.”

With a shared goal of making farmers more resilient, PrevTech Innovations president and founder, Pierre-Andre Meunier, said the partnership is unique. “Together, we will nurture the direct relationships with farmers by helping them better address electrical hazards, guide them towards risk management best practices, and build a safe, reliable and prosperous future,” he added.

Visit Teledyne FLIR or PrevTech to learn more about how you can incorporate these capabilities into your operation or service offerings for clients.

¹ Recommended practice for electrical preventative maintenance, HSB

The latest Nationwide Agency Forward survey on U.S. homeowners reveals many homeowners are not taking preventative steps with necessary maintenance in the home before it becomes a major issue. Additionally, a quarter of homeowners (26%) are unaware that delaying necessary home maintenance can have implications for their homeowner’s policy. 

Delaying inevitable home maintenance is not cost savings
Within the past year, 44% of homeowners said they have delayed performing routine maintenance tasks and 31% are delaying necessary renovations and repairs—with 78% of these individuals saying they have deferred necessary maintenance because of inflation and rising prices.  

Among these individuals, the most common types of home maintenance or renovations that are being delayed are roof repair/replacement [VIDEO] and kitchen/bathroom remodeling. Baby boomers (38%) are less likely than Gen X (50%) and Millennial (52%) homeowners to have delayed home maintenance needs.  

“As a homeowner, it’s important to protect your property from further damage when there is a known issue,” said Beth Riczko, World-Class Underwriting Project Executive at Nationwide. “When a claim is filed, there are many factors reviewed during the investigation that may impact whether the claim is covered, including if the insured followed policy conditions. For example, when shingles are damaged on a roof and aren’t repaired causing interior damage, there could be coverage impacts.” 

Ensure you have the right insurance coverage 
71% of agents reported that customers are reducing their homeowner’s coverage [VIDEO] to save money. The most common homeowners claim seen by agents stem from weather-related damage and fire damage—with most agents reporting an increase in these types of claims over the past year. No one plans to file a home insurance claim, yet the survey found that 43% of homeowners have filed a claim. More than half (56%) were related to weather, 37% for water damage, and 13% for fire damage.  

More than 8 in 10 homeowners believe their home is insured to the right value (87%), but many are still concerned that their policy might not cover certain types of damages or incidents (54%) or that they may not have enough coverage in case of a major loss or catastrophe (47%).  

“Homeowners should assess coverage needs and determine if they have enough coverage to reflect rising repair costs due to inflation,” said Riczko. “Taking proactive steps not only protects their investment but also provides peace of mind knowing they are better prepared for any challenges that may arise. It’s good practice to do an annual coverage review with your agent, to go over any updates or changes to your home or belongings and craft a policy that provides adequate protection.”  

When in doubt, ask an agent 
Insurance can provide policyholders peace of mind regardless of whether severe weather is in the forecast. Most homeowners are aware of some of the basic coverage available through homeowners policies including fire (89%), liability (83%) and personal property replacement protection (79%), but struggle to understand the full range of options available to them. 

In addition to covering the home, a standard home policy will offer various levels of liability and personal property protection. With all the choices available, it is important policyholders talk with their agent to ensure they have adequate coverage in the event of a loss.  

Insurance 101, what does homeowners insurance cover 

• Liability limits can range from $100,000 to $1,000,000, adding an umbrella policy may help give additional liability coverage of $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 
• A person who injures themselves on a homeowner’s property might claim that the homeowner is legally liable. In the event the injured person makes a claim or files a lawsuit, liability coverage under the homeowner’s policy may provide protection.   
• Personal Property, replacement cost vs actual cash value 
• Most policies will cover the current value of personal possessions. As home items keep getting more expensive, current value will not be enough to cover the cost to replace items with new ones.  Additional personal property insurance [VIDEO] may help provide funds to repair or replace home belongings after a loss. 

“Homeowners should speak with an agent to ensure they have an informed understanding of their home protection and additional ways they can supplement coverage,” added Riczko. “Also inform your agent about any home renovations [VIDEO] you do; this will help make sure these new additions have the proper coverage. There are cases where certain updates may even help reduce your premium.”  

Learn more about what homeowners insurance covers, and ensure you have the right property insurance coverage for your home. 

“Employees are moving from one job site to another, and the companies are bringing on an influx of new projects. These changes are not always conveyed to insurers right away, so the carrier bases their coverages on older data that is available,” said Dale Hoppe, Nationwide’s Vice President who leads the company’s E&S/Specialty WC program division.  

Nationwide’s new partnership with Hourly will help remove these barriers, saving businesses time and money while maintaining their coverage.  

Underwriting policies using real-time tech  

Most insurers underwrite a workers’ comp policy based on data from the business—in some cases it can be more than a year old.  

Hourly’s integrated mobile platform connects workers’ comp, time tracking, and payroll in real-time. Collecting data points like when a worker is clocking in or out, at any location, how much they are getting paid, whether a workforce is growing or shrinking, and if any accidents have happened.  

The Hourly platform then uses the business’ data to adjust the company’s insurance premium based on the company’s evolving needs. Nationwide will insure those workers’ comp policies and review any claims. Businesses that will benefit most include construction, contracted services, transportation and trucking, foodservice, skilled trades, and retail stores.  

“By making underwriting decisions based on real-time data, we are stepping into the future of workers' comp insurance,” said Tom Sagi, Co-founder & CEO of Hourly. “Nationwide is the ideal strategic partner for this program as they share our vision for using technology to empower businesses, especially those with hourly workers, to manage their workers' comp premiums in a more transparent, fair and efficient way.”  

Proactively helping businesses with workers’ comp  

Through Nationwide, Hourly’s platform and advanced underwriting model will help Hourly’s network of more than 3,000 appointed independent insurance producers expand their client base, keep more of those clients, generate more revenue, and stand out from competitors.  

For more information, visit www.hourly.io/agencies  

• California: Jason Ferreira, Hanford High School
• Illinois: Trent Tabor, Cambridge High School
• Indiana: Duane Huge, Danville High School
• Iowa: Emily Kruse, North Scott High School
• Nebraska: Randy Vlasin, Hayes Center Public Schools
• New York: Deb Fletcher, Cobleskill Richmondville Central School
• Ohio: Jeffrey Stimmel, Big Walnut-DACC FFA
• Pennsylvania: Michael Clark, Greenwood FFA
• South Dakota: Noelle Swanson, Northwestern Area School District

As grand prize winners, these teachers earn the title of their state’s Ag Educator of the Year, the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy, and $3,000 in funding to help bring new opportunities to their programs. Each finalist was also recognized in front of their school and awarded with $500 for their program.¹

“These outstanding agricultural teachers play a vital role in shaping the future of their communities,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “We’re committed to work with our state partners to honor these dedicated educators who continue to inspire future generations of agriculture leaders.”

As the no. 1 insurer of farms and ranches in the U.S.², Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award to honor the contributions of teachers and support them with additional resources to assist their continued educational efforts.

In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is also donating $5,000 to each participating state’s FFA organization to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers and advisors alike.

 The Golden Owl Award is the result of partnerships between Nationwide, the California FFA, California Farm Bureau, Illinois FFA, Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers, Farm Credit Illinois, AgCredit, Indiana FFA, Farm Credit Mid-America, Iowa FFA Foundation, Nebraska Agricultural Educators Association, Nebraska FFA Foundation, New York FFA, New York Farm Bureau, Ohio FFA, Ohio Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania FFA, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Compeer Financial and South Dakota FFA Foundation.

¹ In Ohio, all Golden Owl Award funding is contributed directly to the school to benefit the agriculture programs.
² Source: A.M. Best Market Share Report 2022

“It was about 11:30 in the morning and we got a call that he was trapped to his waist,” said Mason. “Before we got to the scene, they said he was trapped to his armpits. So we’re thinking, he’s sinking.”

Grain entrapments can happen in seconds and quickly turn fatal. At least 42 entrapments occurred in the U.S. in 2022, leading to 15 fatalities.  

“As soon as we got there, we were able to make sure he was talking to us, making sure he wasn’t going any deeper,” said Mason. “Then we could transition and start actually trying to figure out how to rescue him out of there.”

Local fire departments are often the first and only line of defense when grain entrapments occur. To safely rescue entrapped victims, fire departments must use specialized grain rescue equipment.

“We used the rescue tubes to build a circle around him and then we built a wall around the tubes for the workers to work inside of,” said Lieutenant Rolfe, who led the rescue efforts inside the bin and was first on scene.

Without the specialized rescue tube and training, there’s no way the first responders could have performed the rescue they did, Mason added.

The Wilmington Fire Department was awarded a grain rescue tube and training from Nationwide in 2016. Over the past ten years, Nationwide has supplied grain rescue tubes and training to hundreds of fire departments across the U.S. This was the seventh successful rescue utilizing these resources, including another 2023 rescue of a worker trapped in a sand bin in Sussex County, Delaware

“It gives us all a good feeling to have a successful rescue,” said Rolfe. “It’s really good to know the patient made it out alive and is back home with his family.”

For more information about Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety program and purpose, visit www.ThinkGrainBinSafety.com. 

“Historically, insurance companies handled the needs of its multinational clients among various departments specializing on certain coverages, industry verticals or geographies,” says Chris Leisz, Nationwide’s vice president of E&S/Specialty Alternative Ventures. “This often led to disparate underwriting philosophies within the same company. Sometimes, even different business units within the company ended up competing on the same client/risk. This confusion led to a lack of a comprehensive client overview, which is fundamental when tailoring insurance solutions to specific needs.”  

Leisz further explained that if a multinational client wanted to secure coverage, their brokers had to expertly navigate these multiple departments within a single insurance company or, multiple insurance companies, to get the necessary coverage for their U.S. and international operations. The process was time-consuming and not customer friendly. “In 2020, Generali and Nationwide formed N2G to solve that problem,” said Leisz. 

In the early months of the company, N2G executives began to understand the technology problems that had plagued the international industry for years. They began work on building a first-of-its-kind underwriting platform – a system that could offer a single multi-option quote across all business lines through modern, tightly integrated systems.  

“With the launch of N2G, both Nationwide and Generali aimed to build a client-centric entity, which provides U.S. and multinational insurance to corporate and commercial clients. Essentially, clients have a single source for their global insurance needs with access to a network of more than 165 countries,” says Christian Zwingel, N2G’s Chief Operations Officer. “Bringing together the value proposition of two large and renowned carriers into a single platform posed a significant challenge in terms of operationalization. To scale the business, it was important to design and build a system that allows distribution, underwriting and operations to work together on multinational quotes across various lines of business.” 

N2G innovators got right to work and within 20 months had set up a system unlike anything the international insurance market had ever seen. 

“Building a multinational platform that spans from submission management to document management, rating, quoting, and policy issuance is not an easy undertaking,” recalls Zwingel. “With a very strict deadline for delivery, setting achievable but relevant goals for interim releases was important.”  

Adopting a mix of waterfall and agile project management allowed N2G to meet those goals. Zwingel feels the success of this project would not have been possible without the support from carrier partners and a strong effort from the team. 

“When choosing our system vendors, we did not only look at the technical capabilities of the tools themselves, but especially into the culture and experience of the team dedicated to the project. In that sense, we have been fortunate to work with excellent teams at PS Advisory, Salesforce and Insurity,” said Zwingel. 

Three years later, the N2G Underwriting platform is the industry quoting gold standard as it continues to provide a more efficient and compliant quote-to-issuance process (70% of users say the platform is easy to use), while also capturing key data along the process that allow N2G teams better insights into distribution management and the insurance portfolio.  

“The seamlessly integrated process from submission intake to rating, quoting and policy issuance across multiple Lines of Business has been a game-changer for us,” said Ken Ratajczyk, N2G’s senior vice president of West Zone Underwriting. “Combined with a smart document management solution, we have been able to focus on analyzing our insureds needs and work with their brokers to identify creative ways to tailor our insurance solutions to their business. With the project going into a second phase, I am excited to see what is next.”   

“From a carrier perspective, we are developing portfolio insights that give us a great deal of comfort that N2G is underwriting a sustainably growing portfolio of Property and Casualty insurance,” said Leisz. “Portfolio management is a fundamental activity which many carriers struggle with, given their legacy systems and processes. N2G’s underwriting practices really symbolizes both Nationwide’s and Generali’s philosophies of client-centric, long-term partnerships with insureds, rather than being just another capacity provider.” 

The platform and the innovators that brought it to life caught the attention of Celent, who bestowed the platform its coveted 2023 Emerging and Digital Technologies Award. 

The team recognizes their work isn’t done. As the needs of multinational insurers and their customers change, so must the platform. 

“We have three main goals to take our platform to the next level,” said Zwingel. “One, adding a global property rate to issuance capability, complementing our domestic and foreign casualty solutions. Two, enhancing the system with smart automation and additional workflow management to capture ancillary, but important, business workflows. One great example is the management of risk engineering workflows. Lastly, we aim to build-out a solid underwriting desktop across all Lines of Business, which will allow our underwriters to pull all relevant information about an insured into one place and hence, give live insights into their program with N2G.” 

To learn more about N2G, visit www.N2G.com.

“As farmers begin to prepare their fields for planting, many feel the added demands of the Spring season,” said Laramie Sandquist, associate vice president of Risk Management for Nationwide Agribusiness, the nation’s No. 1 farm and ranch insurer¹. “During these strenuous days, remember that the health and well-being of yourself and others working on the farm are just as important as the success of this season’s harvest.”

Nationwide’s Risk Management experts encourage agriculture professionals to keep these safety measures top-of-mind to help steer clear of planting-related complications.

1. Ensure visibility of equipment – During planting, you may be on roadways before dawn and after dusk, so it’s critical that all equipment is visible during these times. Clean reflective tape, slow-moving vehicle signs, and functioning warning lights can help minimize risks. Unfortunately, roadway accidents continue to be a major driver of agriculture-related insurance claims each season, highlighting the importance of taking precautions when operating equipment on or near public roadways.
2. Stay alert for hazards in the field – Weather conditions, such as the severe drought in 2022 or recent heavy rainfall and flooding in some areas, could increase risks of sinkholes, seeps or washouts. These field hazards can lead to secondary accidents like injury or equipment damage, so workers should keep a close eye on conditions throughout the planting operation and ensure they’re prepared for what the weather might bring.
3. Wear seatbelts in equipment where available –Seatbelt use is crucial for ensuring the safety of ag equipment operators but is still often overlooked today. Tractor rollovers, or shifting centers of gravity when transitioning into planting mode, can increase risks of being thrown from equipment and result in serious injuries or even death. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health estimates that approximately 250 rollover fatalities take place each year. 
4. Check chemical products twice – Farmers should double-check the labels on all chemicals they’re handling to prevent misapplication and ensure they have the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), like respirators, gloves and eye protection, ready for their use. With many in the industry changing the pesticides and fertilizers they’re using due to supply and cost issues, it’s important to be aware of any differences in application rates or PPE that may be needed.
5. Keep an eye on stored grain – As the weather warms and farmers attention is focused on planting, the conditions of grain in storage bins can quickly deteriorate. Remember to monitor your grain bins to ensure your grain does not go out of condition and always use proper safety procedures when working in or around them.
6. Communicate, communicate, communicate – Ag professionals work long hours alone during planting season, and if an injury or accident were to occur it could be many hours before they’re found. Communicating daily plans and progress clearly to those involved, as well as ensuring all individuals have a working cell phone, can help prevent emergency situations.
7. Take care of yourself – Spending long days in the sun can lead to fatigue so it’s important for farmers to ensure they are getting proper rest, hydration, and sustenance throughout the planting process.

Staying aware of potential safety hazards during planting season can help minimize risks to everyone working on the farm. For more expert tips and resources to help you run a successful business and maintain the safety of your operations, visit Nationwide’s Ag Insight Center.

¹ Source: A.M. Best Market Share Report 2021

• Most middle-market business owners expect a recession soon and many are convinced their businesses can endure the turmoil according to the latest Nationwide Agency Forward survey. 
• Despite this confidence owners still want to cut costs, with 40% of business owners having explored areas to cut expenses within the last 6 months.  
• Some are eyeing workforce changes, such as decreased hours and paused hiring, to ease the financial strain. 
• For an astounding percentage of business owners (82%), expense cuts could come at the cost of their current insurance coverage. 

The economy is not rebounding the way business owners had hoped as we come out of the COVID pandemic. While inflation and rising costs continue to put a financial strain on operations, they anticipate more financial woes on the horizon – but not necessarily for their business. A recent Agency Forward survey from Nationwide reveals that 66% of middle market business owners expect a recession in the next six months. 

Although they are concerned, business owners are content with current performance. 
While a majority expect the U.S. to be in a recession within the next six months, nearly the same amount believe their business is prepared to manage it (65%). Over half of middle-market business owners say current business conditions are strong in the U.S. (58%) and in their own region or city (64%) compared to only 27% and 36% of small business owners, respectively. And about 3 in 4 (74%) would rate the conditions of their business specifically as being good or excellent.  

The survey also revealed middle-market business revenue performance and projections:  

• Less than 1 in 5 (19%) say their business revenue has decreased over the past 6 months. 
• 60% report their business revenue increased over the past six months, and 62% expect it to increase within the next 6 months. 

Despite their optimism, middle-market business owners want to save in the event their predictions might not be right. 
Recently, 40% of middle-market business owners have looked for ways to cut expenses, which include a pause in hiring (33%), using personal savings to support the business (28%), or cancelling/postponing a major business investment (28%). Of those who have not yet taken any action, plans vary on what they might do to support their business over the next 6 months. While 40% plan to hire new workers, many are considering asking more out of current workers to manage expenses (29%), furloughing workers or reducing hours (25%) or even laying off workers (25%). 

“As business owners review their balance sheet, they should think about what line items could have a long-term impact before making a change or cut,” said Linda Stueber, Senior Vice President, Middle Market Commercial at Nationwide. “The wrong move could jeopardize much more than their bottom line.”  

Majority are open to cutting insurance coverage, but at what cost?  
Of those who currently work with an insurance agent to manage their business’s insurance needs (70%), only 30% have contacted their agent in the past 6 months to discuss their coverage, and a similar proportion have increased coverage/limits on their existing insurance policies (32%). However, while many have added to their policies, this behavior may change in the near future. Over 3 in 4 (82%) mid-market business owners say they would be at least somewhat likely to decrease their business's current insurance coverage or limits as a way of reducing operating expenses if the country entered a recession in the coming months.  

While cutting back on insurance coverages may seem like an easy way to reduce expenses, it could have lasting financial impacts. For example, reducing property coverage limits at a time where property values are increasing due to inflation could leave a business with insufficient funds to rebuild after a covered loss. 

“What’s worrisome is the number of business owners who have not reached out to their agent to discuss their coverage, yet they are somewhat likely to decrease their limits” said Stueber.  “This is a really important step in changing any commercial policy. An agent can review all potential impacts around a change so a business owner can make an informed decision about updating their policy.” 

Survey Methodology:  Nationwide partnered with Edelman Data & Intelligence to conduct a 15-minute national online survey of 401 small business owners, defined as sole or part owners of companies with 1-50 employees and less than $10 million in annual revenue, and 302 middle-market business owners, defined as sole or part owners of companies with 51-500 employees or $10 million - $500 million in annual revenue. The small business owner survey was fielded from September 6 – 19, 2022 and the middle-market business owner survey was fielded from September 29- October 11, 2022. As a member in good standing with The Insights Association as well as ESOMAR Edelman Data & Intelligence conducts all research in accordance with local, national and international laws as well as in line with all Market Research Standards and Guidelines. 

Beginning today, Nationwide’s agribusiness customers have discounted access to HAYTECH, the wireless hay monitoring system. The new partnership marks the first time the HAYTECH technology, an IoT-based solution from Finnish AgTech company Quanturi, is available to customers in the U.S.

“As a company built to serve the agriculture community’s unique needs, we’re constantly exploring new ways to solve challenges facing our customers – whether they run a small hobby farm or a large commercial agribusiness,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “HAYTECH’s unique solution to the issue of hay fires in agriculture is a perfect example of the intersection of industry expertise and technology to provide even deeper protection and peace of mind for our customers. We’re thrilled for Nationwide customers to be among the first in the country to benefit from this new capability.”

To use HAYTECH, customers will install a series of easy-to-spot and long-lasting probes into their operation’s hay bales and stacks, which will regularly transmit temperature measurements to the Cloud and alert operators when concerns arise. Nationwide’s customers who utilize the monitoring system will benefit from:

• Secured hay production – HAYTECH warns producers of unusual temperature rises, enabling them to anticipate fire hazards and minimize the risk of losing haystacks and more. Operators can also use the intuitive interface to monitor their entire storage site regardless of the size of their production.
• Increased income by choosing hay quality –Temperature data allows customers to choose the right hay for the best use, helping to optimize the profitability of their haystacks.
• Reduced safety risks and labor costs – With remote access to all the data needed, the solution also helps to limit dangerous handling and work accidents.
• Simplified hay production certification – Better anticipate selling prices by proactively ensuring hay will meet the requirements of the labels and by bringing a guarantee of traceability to customers.

“We are excited to partner with Nationwide and provide farmers with innovative and best-in-class solutions to prevent hay fires and optimize the quality of hay during storage. Nationwide is a frontrunner in bringing new digital technologies to its customers and we believe that HAYTECH, our real-time hay monitoring will help leaders in Agtech make more data-driven decisions,” said Nadine Pesonen, CEO Quanturi.

To learn more about incorporating HAYTECH, the hay monitoring technology into your operation, contact your Nationwide agent or visit https://haytechsystem.com/nationwide/.

¹ Hay Fires: Prevention and Control, National Ag Safety Database

1. Ensure fire extinguishers and water caddies are readily available - Areas experiencing drought will typically be left with very dry vegetation in and around the fields. It’s important to make sure fire extinguishers and water caddies are charged and full at the start of the day. If possible, bring extra extinguishers and always keep an eye out for any embers or small fires.

2. Scout lodging crops - Drought stricken crops may have standability issues leading to lodging or bending over at the stems near ground level, making them very difficult to harvest and reducing yield.  Scout your fields carefully to identify harvest priorities and proceed through downed crops carefully.

3. Keep equipment clean - Dry crop residue can lead to extra dust and chaff. Dirty equipment can be dangerous as it leads to visibility and mechanical issues. It may be necessary to stop multiple times a day to ensure windows, reflectors, safety lights, and engine components are clean, clear, and functioning properly.

4. Turn off equipment on breaks - When you leave the combine to inspect field obstacles, plugs, or take breaks, make sure the combine is shifted into park, the head should be lowered to the ground, and the engine is shut off. Avoid leaving any equipment unattended while running – always shut off the engine.

5. Monitor crop quality - Monitor grain quality closely as harvest progresses. Keep an eye out for crops that did not reach physiological maturity, show indications of poor quality, and damage by insects or disease.   

“As grain condition, temperature and moisture content greatly affect grain storability, it’s also critical to keep a close eye on grain condition as it goes into storage bins,” said Liggett. “The industry must remain vigilant about proper grain handling and storage to continue to fend off grain accidents like entrapments and engulfments.”

Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety efforts
Nationwide began its year-round Grain Bin Safety advocacy and education program in 2014 to combat accidents and equip fire departments with the proper safety resources needed to respond to entrapments.

Through the Nominate Your Fire Department Contest and partnerships with sponsors across the country, Nationwide has awarded life-saving grain rescue tubes and training to 272 fire departments across 31 states, including 65 rescue tubes in 2022. The 2023 Nominate Your Fire Department Contest will open for nominations on January 1, 2022.

At least five workers have been rescued using the equipment and training provided through the program.

For more educational materials or to learn more about Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety advocacy initiative, visit thinkgrainbinsafety.com.

Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety advocacy campaign is made possible by the following sponsors:

 CHS, Delaware Farm Bureau, Delaware Soybean Board, Horizon Farm Credit, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, KC Supply, Lutz Agency Inc, Maryland Grain Producers, Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotional Council, Nationwide, NECAS, ProValue Insurance, Scoular, Specialty Risk Insurance, Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, Mark Bruns Agency, AGI SureTrack, Gerber Insurance Agency, Gregerson Salvage Inc, GROWMARK, Jefferson County Farm Bureau, Kelly Jones Insurance Agency LLC, Maryland Soybean Board, Panichelle Insurance, Rugby Insurance Agency, Turtle Plastics, Valley Insurance Agency Alliance LLC, West Side Salvage, ABIS/Assured Partners, Armstrong County Farm Bureau, David Larson Financial and Insurance Services Inc, New York Farm Bureau, Gallagher, Heritage Insurance and Real Estate, Maryland Farm Bureau, Ohio Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Pillar Insurance, TGIF Solutions, Colonial Farm Credit, IRMI, NOHR Wortmann Engineering, Sump Saver, Wiley Insurance Agency, St. Mary’s County Farm Bureau, Charles County Farm Bureau, Traer Fire Department

¹ Source: A.M. Best Market Share Report 2021
 

A new pilot partnership between Nationwide and HomeZada will make HomeZada’s digital home inventory technology available to Nationwide Private Client customers, at no additional charge. Homeowners can upload photos, estimated values, and important property and asset documents. They can securely access those records either online or through the HomeZada app – anywhere and anytime. For an upgrade fee, users will also be able to upload videos, create reports and access the platform’s other features.  

“Many of our Private Client customers have rare artwork, collectibles and other items that mean a lot to them,” said Crissy Seals, Nationwide Private Client’s Director of Risk Solutions. “This HomeZada technology provides our clients peace of mind knowing their valuables are digitally accounted for in a secured, cloud-based environment. That way, if a catastrophic event occurs, our claims team can quickly and easily take care of them.”  

“Empowering homeowners to manage, maintain, improve and protect their home and personal property is our primary mission,” said Elizabeth Dodson, co-founder of HomeZada. “We are excited to work with Nationwide because HomeZada also provides value to insurance companies in providing digital relationships that engage clients in a value-added way that cultivates long term relationships.   

“This pilot is just the latest example of Nationwide working with insurtechs to provide value to its customers to protect what matters most to them,” said Seals.  

Customers can sign up for the free trial at www.homezada.com/nationwide 

A recent survey from Nationwide of risk managers—those charged with identifying, evaluating, and selecting the best techniques to mitigate risk—revealed that cybersecurity takes up a substantial portion of their budgets. 68% expect these budgets will continue to grow in the coming years.

“Nationwide’s previous studies have revealed that consumers as well as small to mid-sized businesses have begun to take cyber threats very seriously,” said Tim Nunziata, Vice President of Cyber Risk for Nationwide Excess and Surplus/Specialty. “Large businesses have always been a target and that’s why many already have teams in place to protect them. As the threats become more frequent and sophisticated, risk managers know they must remain vigilant.”

Large enterprises remain concerned about cyberattacks…
Respondents believe there is a greater risk of their company experiencing a cyberattack since the beginning of the war in Ukraine (57%). 90% say they are concerned about their company falling victim to a cyberattack. But they are preparing, 91% have an incident response plan in the event of a cyberattack.

…because they know they are still on cybercriminals’ radar
68% of those who took part in Nationwide’s survey report their company has been the victim of an attack in the last three years, including almost 1 in 4 (24%) in the past year. 88% say that they’ve experienced an attack at some point in their company’s history.

Those attacks are costly…
Of those who experienced an attack nearly 7 in 10 (68%) report their business operations were impacted and three-quarters (75%) reported a significant or moderate financial impact.

…and recovery can take a while!
71% said recovery from the attack took longer than one month, and more than a third (35%) reported the process taking longer than four months.

Risk managers are on the lookout for common attacks…
They view data breaches (24%), ransomware (13%) and business interruption (11%) as the top cybersecurity threats.

…but there’s a new threat to keep an eye on
The cyberattack of the future? Deepfakes. Despite an increase in companies falling prey to deepfake attacks and even warnings from the FBI, it’s not high on the list of concerns for risk managers. Only 6% of those surveyed say social engineering, impersonation, or other tactics to manipulate employees is their biggest concern.

Companies are turning to insurance experts for help
83% report they are renewing their current cyber policy. 94% of those who did renew that policy said their broker or agent played an important role during the renewal process. Half (53%) of risk managers report their coverage has changed in the past two years, with most reporting that they’ve increased their coverage.

“Agents and brokers can really help clarify the threat landscape, including what is out there and what cyber trends they are seeing,” said Nunziata. “Where they really provide value is making sure a business has the coverage they to protect and mitigate issues.”

For more information on how to protect your company, click here.

For more information on the finding of this survey, view the complete survey results.

Methodology
Nationwide partnered with Edelman Data & Intelligence to conduct a 20-minute national online survey of 500 corporate risk managers employed by mid-sized firms, defined as reporting annual revenue of $250 million to $1.5 billion. The survey was fielded from August 8 - 25, 2022. As a member in good standing with The Insights Association as well as ESOMAR Edelman Data & Intelligence conducts all research in accordance with local, national and international laws as well as in line with all Market Research Standards and Guidelines.

Nationwide is here for its members over the weekend and in the days ahead as they deal with the aftermath of the storm, whether they need help filing a claim or need financial flexibility afterwards. 

Catastrophe Response Units
Our Catastrophe Response Units (CRU) provide humanitarian assistance and serve as a central location for Nationwide customers to speak with our Claims team and ask questions about the claim process. For the latest information and locations, please visit our Catastrophe Response site.

Supporting the Red Cross 
In the wake of Ian, the Nationwide Foundation is making an additional $100,000 donation to its annual support of the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to assist those affected by the storm. It is also matching Nationwide employee contributions to support recovery efforts following Fiona and Ian. 

People interested in donating to the Red Cross may donate online at www.redcross.org or call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

After the Storm and Starting a Claim 
After a hurricane or tropical storm has passed, it’s important to remain vigilant and safe. Consider these important tips: 

• After the storm has passed, use a flashlight if you are without power. Matches, candles or a lighter could ignite leaking gas. 
• If it is safe to do so, take pictures or video of any damage that may have occurred to make an insurance claim. 

The Nationwide claims team is ready to assist in the aftermath of Ian. Start your claims online at nationwide.com, through the Nationwide mobile app or by calling 800-421-3535 to ensure the quickest, most comprehensive service. 

Offering Financial Flexibility 
Nationwide is offering expedited disbursements and extensions on payments to life and annuity policyholders and retirement plan participants affected by Ian. Contact Nationwide's service centers for more details. 

To help the agricultural industry meet the ever-changing concerns of its stakeholders, Nationwide and The Ohio State University have collaborated to form the AgTech Innovation Hub. This innovation hub will be facilitated by the offices of innovation for both organizations as well as the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). The two central Ohio-based institutions will work together to encourage the development of new solutions that will help the agricultural ecosystem while better understanding, managing and mitigating climate risk.  

Nationwide is pledging up to $2 million in initial funding to identify and execute initiatives for the Innovation Hub and plans to provide additional funding and resources in the future. The partnership was announced at the 2022 Farm Science Review.  

“Transitioning to a green economy, climate change – these are long-view issues that won’t be fixed overnight," said Kirt Walker, Nationwide’s Chief Executive Officer. “Agriculture is a part of Nationwide’s DNA, and we believe it’s important to invest in resources that pave the way for a vibrant and robust food supply chain. This innovation hub will be an incubator for those groundbreaking ideas. We are proud to partner with our colleagues and experts at Ohio State and to provide the funding to support this exciting and important work.” 

The AgTech Innovation Hub will provide a variety of tools, resources, skillsets and funding platforms to address the dynamic and changing needs of agriculture innovation to minimize climate risk and accurately insure those risks.  

“This partnership will build on the collaborative that Nationwide and the Nationwide Foundation already have with the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and The Ohio State University,” said Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State’s vice president for agricultural administration and dean of CFAES. “It will challenge our students and faculty to bring innovative solutions to the table to tackle the grand challenges we face regarding the nexus of ecosystem sustainability, food security, and viable production agriculture.”  

“The agricultural industry is on the front lines of the climate change battle. Not only are farmers significantly impacted by the negative impacts of greenhouse gas emissions, they also can – and must – play a key role in reducing them,” said Ohio State President Kristina M. Johnson, PhD. “From carbon sequestration to adopting new technologies to further green farming practices, this partnership will help establish best practices to safeguard both our food supply and our environment for future generations. Our thanks to Nationwide for helping make this possible.” 

The Hub will promote applied research, technology transfer, the exchange of knowledge & experience, and transdisciplinary innovation in support of agricultural technology. Programs in scope may include early-stage entrepreneurs, established companies or producers developing new or value-added products or manufacturing processes, collaborations across institutions or industries, or those seeking new solutions to supply chain or other challenges in the food and agricultural ecosystems. 

“Innovation has always played a key role in Nationwide’s mission of protecting people, businesses and futures,” said Mike Mahaffey, Nationwide chief strategy and corporate development officer. “Nationwide stands ready to share our expertise and resources with those taking part in the Innovation Hub to develop solutions that will enrich the agricultural community for generations to come.” 

For more information about the AgTech Innovation Hub, visit https://news.nationwide.com/osuhub

As the number one insurer of farms and ranches in the United States¹, Nationwide inaugurated the Golden Owl Award in 2018 by recognizing the contributions of Iowa and Ohio agricultural teachers and supplying additional resources to bolster their educational efforts. As a result of the positive response, the Golden Owl Award has since expanded to nine states and recently recognized the 2021-2022 grand prize winners and “Ag Educators of the Year” for each state. 

Following the current nomination period for 2022-2023, a selection committee will determine each state’s finalists, who will receive an individualized plaque and $500 to support their agriculture programs. One grand prize winner in each state will then be selected to win the Ag Educator of the Year title for their state, the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy, and an additional $3,000 Nationwide-funded check.²    

“We are proud to thank agricultural teachers for the extraordinary care they bring to their work as they go above and beyond in educating America’s youth and future leaders,” said Brad Liggett, Nationwide’s president of Agribusiness. “We’re thankful for the support of our state partners in these efforts to bring much-needed recognition to our teachers across the country.” 

Nationwide supports the future of the agriculture community through meaningful sponsorships of national and local organizations. In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is donating $5,000 to each participating state’s FFA to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers and advisors alike.  

The Golden Owl Award is the result of partnerships between Nationwide, the California FFA, California Farm Bureau, Illinois FFA, Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers, Farm Credit Illinois, Indiana FFA, Farm Credit Mid-America, the Iowa FFA Foundation, New York FFA, New York Farm Bureau, Ohio FFA, Ohio Farm Bureau, AgCredit, Pennsylvania FFA, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, Compeer Financial, Nebraska FFA Foundation, Nebraska Agricultural Educators Association and South Dakota FFA Foundation.    

To learn more or nominate an ag teacher for the 2022-2023 Golden Owl Award, visit www.GoldenOwlAward.com.  

* California Golden Owl nomination period is Sept. 1 – Jan. 23, 2023. Illinois Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2022. Indiana Golden Owl Award nomination period is Nov. 1 – Dec. 31, 2022. Iowa Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 1 – Dec. 1, 2022. Nebraska Golden Owl Award nomination period is Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2022. New York Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 1 – Nov. 1, 2022. Ohio Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2022. Pennsylvania Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2022. South Dakota nomination period is Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2022.  

¹ Source: A.M. Best Market Share Report 2021 

² In accordance with Ohio law, cash prizes in Ohio are awarded to the winner’s school ag program 

With the new partnership, Nationwide commercial fleet customers will have discounted access to the Idelic Program, the leading driver performance management and risk prevention program, to help them identify risky driver behaviors and coach their drivers to improve safety, resulting in a reduction in preventable crashes and losses.

Idelic’s Safety Suite aggregates fleet data to identify risky driver behaviors. According to Idelic, this data combined with an industry best-practice Driver Safety Playbook, has helped reduce accident rates by more than 52%. Idelic customers are seeing an average reduction of more than 20% within the first year of using the program.

“The power of Idelic’s Safety Suite is clear: motor carriers can harness and leverage large amounts of data already being collected and create actionable insights that reduce risk for their fleet,” said Gary Flaherty, senior vice president of E&S Commercial Auto at Nationwide. “Our partnership extends our already deep reach into the data-driven world that will translate into even safer fleets. Our dedication to protecting businesses with extraordinary care is boldly stated with this new partnership.”

The transportation industry has a multitude of data sources to help improve and evaluate safety, but it has proven to be a significant challenge to use that data effectively to benefit insurance underwriting.

By leveraging the comprehensive data set enabled by Safety Suite®, fleet owners can flag drivers who may be at-risk for a preventable accident. From there, fleets can proactively assign targeted training, track professional development, and improve driver engagement – all of which help reduce accidents and incidents and ultimately achieve lower premiums.

“Idelic’s proprietary AI powered view of driver risk in Safety Suite, coupled with a prescriptive approach to driver coaching through the Idelic Driver Safety Playbook is changing the game for fleets wanting to improve their insurance outcomes.” said Hayden Cardiff, Founder, Idelic. “This partnership with Nationwide demonstrates the value of the Idelic Program as a promising solution for their fleet customers to help lower losses and improve their risk profile at the time of renewal.”

Nationwide’s E&S commercial auto customers will have the opportunity for reimbursement on the cost of Safety Suite at policy renewal. They’ll also benefit from personalized underwriting for their new policy based on a 360-degree view of their fleet’s performance.

To learn how using Safety Suite can help improve fleets’ insurance outcomes, visit the Nationwide partnership page.

2022 Nationwide claims data shows a significant increase in the number of home electrical fires as well as the average cost to repair homes that are damaged by them.  

“People have been spending a lot more time in their homes lately, either because they work from home or they’re learning remotely. This can put additional stress on your home’s plumbing, electrical systems and appliances,” said Sarah Jacobs, VP of personal lines product development. “Homeowners should consider using technology to monitor their electrical system and identify potential problems before they turn into a bigger issue.”  

Nationwide is partnering with Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB) to distribute an electrical home monitoring system from Ting. The devices monitor your home’s electrical network for issues that could lead to an electrical fire. The Ting sensors and service are part of a limited program for current policyholders in South Carolina, Indiana, and Missouri at no additional charge.  The program is set to expand to additional states in the coming months.

“Hidden electrical faults are a common cause of house fires,” said Jeff O’Shaughnessy Senior Vice President of HSB. “These hazards often happen without any warning in homes of any age. Without proper monitoring and detection, your family and home could be at risk. The Ting device by Whisker Labs will monitor your home’s entire electrical system and couldn’t be easier to use while providing some major safety features.” 

Homeowners plug the Ting device into any outlet, where it monitors the home’s electrical network for potential fire hazards, such as microarcs, and sparks that develop in faulty wires, loose connections, and faulty appliances or devices. Since it takes weeks and months for these issues to develop, Ting provides homeowners advanced warning to address these concerns before they could start a fire. The Ting program covers up to $1,000 in labor if a licensed electrician is needed to mitigate a Ting-identified hazard. 

Other tips for preventing home electrical fires: 

• Inspect: Half of homes built before 1973 don’t have an updated electrical system. If you live in a home that’s more than 40 years old, consider having a licensed electrician inspect the home and suggest improvements that will prevent an electrical fire from happening.  
• Upgrade: Appliance cords and internal wiring can deteriorate from years of wear and tear, which could lead to a fire. Consider upgrading older appliances to prevent this from happening. 

For more information about other ways homeowners can protect their homes, contact your local independent insurance agent or visit  www.nationwide.com.

A new partnership between Glovebox and Nationwide will solve that problem by digitizing some of the servicing aspects of the insurance process.

“Agents tell us all the time they would love to automate certain functions of the insurance experience so they can focus their efforts on identifying their clients’ needs and providing products and solutions to protect what matters most to them,” said Blair Crossan, Nationwide’s Vice President of Sales Experience for Personal Lines. “Nationwide is teaming up with Glovebox because we know their technology can help our agency partners accomplish that goal.”

Customers of Nationwide-appointed agencies using Glovebox’s platform for Personal Lines business will be able to get basic policy questions answered, request policy changes, and access their insurance documents online without having to call their agent.

The news is being praised by agency owners and is seen as a win for both customers and agencies.

"It’s my belief that independent agents have to meet our clients where they want to be met. This announcement by GloveBox and Nationwide tells me that the two companies understand the value in giving our clients options to allow for ease of doing business” says Scott Howell, Agency Owner of iProtect Insurance & Financial Services. “Now that Nationwide is working with GloveBox, it will reduce our time spent on basic customer service tasks. This partnership will help us grow our agency while still providing excellent service for our clients."

"Meeting policyholders where they want to be is the foundation of customer experience in today’s insurance world. We at GloveBox believe that this is achieved by connecting all stakeholders (policyholders, agents, and carriers) into a single platform where policy data and service workflows can be easily accessed and operated on,” says Ryan Mathisen, CEO of GloveBox. “Partnering with Nationwide is an amazing step in proving that better insurance relationships can be fostered out of building and providing inter-connectivity between systems. The result empowers policyholders, agents and carriers to operate amongst each other more effectively based on how they choose, providing a truly omni-channel service experience for all."

Agents and agencies interested in adding Nationwide to their book of business can visit   https://www.nationwide.com. 

• California: Elizabeth Ammon – Lassen High School, Susanville, CA
• Illinois: Kent Weber – Seneca High School, Seneca, IL
• Indiana: Blair Orme – Rushville High School, Rushville, IN
• Iowa: Micah Weber – Rock Valley Community School, Rock Valley, IA
• New York: Johanna Bossard – Hamilton Central School, Hamilton, NY
• Ohio: Barrett Zimmerman – Clyde High School, Clyde, OH
• Pennsylvania: Doug Brown – Central Columbia High School, Bloomsburg, PA 
   

As grand prize winners, the teachers earn the title of their state’s Ag Educator of the Year, the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy, and $3,000 in funding to help bring new opportunities to their programs. Each finalist was also recognized in front of their school and awarded with $500 for their program.¹

“These outstanding agricultural teachers play an essential role in their communities,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “We’re proud to work with our state partners to honor these dedicated educators who are preparing the next generation of industry leaders.” 

As the no. 1 insurer of farms and ranches in the U.S.², Nationwide established the Golden Owl Award to honor the contributions of teachers and support them with additional resources to assist their continued educational efforts.

In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is also donating $5,000 to each participating state’s FFA organization to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers and advisors alike. 
 

¹ In Ohio, all Golden Owl Award funding is contributed directly to the school to benefit the agriculture programs.

² Source: A.M. Best Market Share Report 2021

Nationwide’s myriad of innovations over the past year helped the company stand out among the hundreds of submitted entries, resulting in the company taking bronze award in the Global Innovator category.  

Among the key innovations that caught the judges’ attention were: 

• Nationwide’s Partner Portal, a connected ecosystem of capabilities and digital products powered by APIs that has already enabled the launch of 50+ strategic partnerships 
• Improvements across partner and vendor payment processes 
• A new partnership with a digital lending bank that allows the company to meet their customers in new ways   

“We are truly honored to receive this recognition. Nationwide has always been committed to innovation,” said Mike Mahaffey, Nationwide’s Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer, who accepted the bronze award virtually. “From our humble roots 96 years ago when we launched innovative solutions for farmers to protect their agricultural businesses, we have evolved into a large national company with a diverse portfolio that protects people, businesses, and futures with extraordinary care. 

Nationwide’s innovation strategy, process, goals, results, and unique funding approach for innovation helped the company stand out from the competition. 

“At Nationwide, we see innovation as everyone’s role, and we define innovation not just as moon shots but as anything that makes life easier or better for our customers,” said Mahaffey. “My biggest thanks goes out to our associates. It’s our talented teams who are driving our future-focused culture. We wouldn’t be successful at this without our great people and this award is a testament to them.” 

The 2022 Efma-Accenture Innovation in Insurance Awards received entries from 251 institutions in 44 countries and winners were selected by a panel of 37 judges of senior executives from insurers worldwide.  

To learn more about more about Efma-Accenture awards, visit https://innovationininsurance.qorusglobal.com/.  

More information about Nationwide’s Partner Portal can be found at https://developer.nationwide.com.  

In partnership with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), Nationwide is awarding 58 fire departments across the country with grain rescue tubes and hands-on training to prepare them to respond when local grain entrapments occur.

After receiving more than 1,800 nominations across 45 states in the annual Nominate Your Fire Department Contest, a key piece of Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety advocacy campaign, the insurer and its partners are proud to award grain rescue tubes and training to the following 58 fire departments:

1.  Allegany County Special Operations, Cumberland, MD
2.  Argusville Fire Department, Argusville, ND 
3.  Ashley Fire Department, Ashley, IN
4.  Ashley Fire Protection District, Ashley, IL
5.  Atalissa Volunteer Fire Department, Atalissa, IA
6.  Baring Volunteer Fire Department, Baring, MO
7.  Bel Alton Volunteer Fire Department and EMS Co 10, Bel Alton, MD
8.  Bennet Rural Fire District, Bennet, NE
9.  Brandon Fire Department, Brandon, IA
10.  Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association, Westminster, MD
11.  Central Ohio Joint Fire District, Centerburg, OH
12.  Clayton Fire Company, Clayton, DE
13.  Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Company, Clear Spring, MD
14.  Cordova Fire Protection District, Cordova, IL 
15.  Covington Fire & Rescue, Inc., Covington, OH
16.  Jefferson County Department of Emergency Services, Brookville, PA
17.  Dwight Rural Fire Department 6, Dwight, KS 
18.  Elderton District Volunteer Fire Company, Elderton, PA
19.  Fleetwood Volunteer Fire Company, Fleetwood, PA
20.  Genoa Fire Department, Genoa, NY
21.  Georgetown Fire Company, Inc.  Station 77, Georgetown, DE
22.  Hamlet Fire Department, Hamlet, IN
23.  Hebron Volunteer Fire Department, Hebron, MD
24.  Highland Pierron Fire Department, Pocahontas, IL 
25.  Hillsboro Fire and Rescue, Hillsboro, IA
26.  Huntingburg Fire Department, Huntingburg, IN
27.  Illiopolis Fire Protection District, Illiopolis, IL
28.  Jefferson Township Fire and Rescue, Richmond Dale, OH
29.  Kenockee Township Fire Department, Avoca, MI 
30.  Kinmundy-Alma Fire Department, Kinmundy, IL 
31.  Lake Andes Volunteer Fire Department, Lake Andes, SD
32.  Lawrence Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Service, Lawrence, NE
33.  Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, Leonardtown, MD
34.  Mabel Fire and Rescue, Mabel, MN 
35.  Maeystown Fire Department, Maeystown, IL 
36.  Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire District, Mechanicsville, MD 
37.  Milo Rural Fire Department, Milo, MO
38.  Oakley Fire Department, Oakley, KS
39.  Ohiowa Rural Fire Department, Ohiowa, NE
40.  Ottawa County Rural Fire District #4, Bennington, KS
41.  Pleasant Unity Volunteer Fire Department, Pleasant Unity, PA
42.  Preston Volunteer Fire Company, Preston, MD
43.  Ripley Township Volunteer Fire Department, Alamo, IN
44.  Rome Fire Department, Rome, OH
45.  Saint Paul Mission Township Fire Department, Saint Paul, KS
46.  Scott Township Fire and EMS, Evansville, IN 
47.  Seaford Volunteer Fire Department, Seaford, DE 
48.  Silvercreek Township Fire Department, Jamestown, OH 
49.  Spring Valley Fire Department, Spring Valley, WI 
50.  Upham Fire Protection District, Upham, ND
51.  Watertown Township Fire Department, Mayville, MI
52.  Waubay Volunteer Fire Department, Waubay, SD 
53.  West Kittanning Fire Department, Kittanning, PA
54.  West Plains Fire Department, West Plains, MO
55.  Westport Community Volunteer Fire Department, Westport, IN
56.  Williamsburg Volunteer Fire Company, Williamsburg, PA
57.  Windsor Fire Department, Windsor, OH
58.  Wood Lake Fire Department, Wood Lake, MN 
59.  Audubon Fire Department (re-training only), Audubon, IA
60.  Guthrie Center Fire Department (re-training only), Guthrie Center, IA
61.  Hutchinson Fire Department (re-training only), Hutchinson, MN 
62.  Johnston Grimes Metropolitan Fire Department (re-training only), Johnston, IA
63.  Superior Ambulance Service & Training Institute (re-training only), Grove City, PA
64.  Traer Fire Department (re-training only), Traer, IA

“We are proud to provide first responders the education and resources to lead the fight against local grain bin entrapments,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “It’s been our mission to bring an end to this industry issue by raising awareness of the dangers and suppling needed equipment to the front line rescuers tasked with responding when accidents occur.”

NECAS, based out of Peosta, IA, will deliver the rescue tubes and training to the winning fire departments throughout 2022, traveling to each location with state-of-the-art grain entrapment simulators and rescue tubes. The comprehensive training sessions include classroom education and rescue simulations using the entrapment tools, which are loaded onto 20-foot trailers and able to hold about 100 bushels of grain each. 

With 2022 donations included, Nationwide and partners have supplied these resources to 265 departments across 31 states. At least five fire departments have utilized their rescue tubes and training to successfully rescue entrapped workers.

“It’s as important as ever to be following proper safety precautions when entering a bin,” said Liggett. “Our goal is to continue these efforts until we can ensure every rural fire department has access to these critical rescue resources.”

Nationwide is continuing to work with partners throughout 2022 to provide additional grain rescue tubes and training sessions to fire departments in need. To learn how to get involved and sponsor a rescue tube for your local fire department, visit the Partner With Us webpage.

“Thank you to our generous partners who have supported this cause to put an end to avoidable deaths in rural agricultural communities nationwide,” said Liggett.

The program is supported by Nationwide and the following generous partners:

1. KC Supply, NECAS, Indiana Corn Marketing Council, Maryland Grain Producers, Lutz Agency, Inc., Specialty Risk Insurance, CHS, Delaware Soybean Board, ProValue Insurance LLC, Mid Atlantic Farm Credit, Scoular Grain, Turtle Plastics, Mark Bruns Agency, Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, TGIF Solutions, Inc., Armstrong County Farm Bureau, Maryland Soybean Board, West Side Salvage, GROWMARK, AGI SureTrack, Gregerson Salvage, Inc., Maryland Farm Bureau, Ohio Farm Bureau, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, New York Farm Bureau, Delaware Farm Bureau, Kelly Jones Insurance Agency, LLC, Rugby Insurance Agency, Gerber Insurance Agency, Wiley Insurance Agency, Valley Insurance Agency Alliance, Jefferson County Farm Bureau, Panichelle Insurance, Colonial Farm Credit, Charles County Farm Bureau, St. Mary’s County Farm Bureau, Gallagher, Heritage Insurance & Real Estate, ABIS/Assured Partners, Ag Choice Farm Credit, D. Larson Financial & Insurance Services, Pillar Insurance, Sump Saver, NOHR Wortmann Engineering, IRMI, and Traer Fire Department.

¹ Source: A.M. Best Market Share Report 2021

“As a protection company, we all play an important role in preparing our customers for the unexpected,”  said Martha Frye, senior vice president, Personal Lines Claims. “That’s why every year, we proactively provide tips and resources to help our agents and customers protect what matters most.”

Five DIY preparations to do now
As spring storms make their way across the country, preparation is key to reducing the potential for property losses. Here are five easy activities you can do now:

• Walk around your property and remove branches hanging over your home.
• Repair loose gutters and hire a qualified professional to make any necessary roof repairs.
• Use your smartphone to photograph and document your belongings.
• Prepare or update your storm kit to include a head protection like helmets or pillows that can protect you from flying debris.
• Review and update your insurance policy to include coverage for storms in your area.

Stay alive, stay inside
Who hasn’t stood in their garage or on their deck to watch a storm roll in? While it may sound like fun, it’s best to avoid it all together and remain inside your home.

Here’s what to do when severe weather strikes:

• Close windows and doors to protect your home against strong winds.
• Keep the garage closed during thunderstorms and tornadoes to minimize the pressures that can cause roofs and exterior walls to be damaged.
• Keep your phone’s emergency alerts on, even at night.

Awareness and preparation go hand in hand when it comes to protecting your home. Tips like these and others found in this storm preparedness infographic can be implemented at any time and leave you better prepared for inclement weather.

After leveraging Betterview property and risk insights for more than 100,000 Nationwide-insured properties, the companies signed a new, three-year partnership extension with plans to further evolve the innovative collaboration with future automation.

“Our budding relationship with Betterview is a testament to the opportunity we saw when making our initial venture commitment in 2018,” said Tony Fenton, Nationwide’s vice president of Commercial Lines Underwriting and Product. “We feel the sky is the limit with this partnership and look forward to the next step in our integration journey as we continue our focus on expertise, technology and world-class underwriting.”

The Betterview platform, which is quickly becoming essential for every transaction around buildings and properties, uses aerial imagery, computer vision detections, and third-party property intelligence to provide P&C insurers with a comprehensive, actionable view of real property risk. The insights on the Betterview platform help insurers to predict and prevent losses, increase underwriting and inspections efficiency, and build a more transparent customer experience.

“This technology is critical to helping us better understand, select and price commercial property risks in an increasingly challenging market,” said Fenton. “It’s easy to see the ways we can incorporate Betterview’s unique data elements to influence our risk selection, location intelligence and catastrophe modeling processes – to name a few.”

The insurer also sees potential to save on future claims through reduced losses and expenses. And for members, in addition to higher quality coverage and more accurate pricing, Betterview’s property insights can enable easier detection of roof concerns and proactive risk mitigation.

“Nationwide has been a tremendous partner and trusted advisor in helping empower Betterview’s growth since we began our relationship in 2018,” said David Tobias, co-founder and chief operations officer at Betterview. “We’ve applied many learnings from the partnership to help grow our capabilities and become the leading platform for understanding property intelligence and risk. We look forward to continuing to evolve our work with Nationwide through automation to further improve underwriting selection.” 

Commercial property insurance can protect your business against everything from a minor hiccup to a major loss. Learn more or start a quote for your business.

Since 2019, Nationwide has sponsored the Golden Owl Award, recognizing outstanding ag teachers across Pennsylvania. Each year, the program honors four finalists with an individualized plaque and a $500 donation toward the development of their FFA program. From there, one finalist is selected as the Pennsylvania Ag Educator of the Year and awarded the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy and an additional $3,000 to help boost their program.

“The Golden Owl Award program continues to grow and it’s extremely rewarding for us to be able to recognize teachers who are inspiring young people to pursue careers in agriculture,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “We are grateful to be recognized for these efforts by the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators, but the true winners are the dedicated teachers in classrooms across the country who are committed to teaching students about agriculture.”

Pennsylvania FFA teachers nominated Nationwide for this award and more recognition is possible as the program is being considered for regional awards. Regional winners will be invited to attend the National Ag Educators Convention in Las Vegas later this year.

To learn more about the Golden Owl Award and see past winners, visit the Golden Owl Award page.

To help bring data-driven insights to customers, Nationwide and Razor Tracking announced a new partnership to offer advanced telematics and fleet management solutions at a discount for Nationwide’s agribusiness customers across the country. Nationwide’s agribusiness members will receive preferred pricing on Razor Tracking’s real-time vehicle telematics devices, dash cameras and subscription costs to help optimize fleet safety and performance over the roads and on the farms.

“Vehicle accidents are a leading cause of disruption for farm and agribusiness operations,” said Brad Liggett, Nationwide’s President of Agribusiness.  “Nationwide is always looking for answers to the problems facing our agriculture customers and our partnership with Razor Tracking helps us do that, using high-tech yet cost-effective technology to keep our members and their vehicles safe while also improving productivity for their business.”

With the Razor Tracking technology, operators can use an online portal or mobile app to monitor employee driving and help reduce hazardous behaviors – like high-speed driving, harsh braking and sharp cornering – and generate driver safety scores to coach improved performance and reduce the likelihood of accidents. The devices also send out alerts in the event of an engine failure or overturned vehicle, helping to improve vehicle maintenance and response to accidents.

As fuel prices spike across the country, customers can even leverage the devices to increase fuel efficiency by tracking vehicle locations, route efficiency, idle time and fuel levels – all in real time. Razor Tracking’s clients have shown a 30% increase in productivity in the first 60 days.

“Partnering with Nationwide solidifies the depth of Razor Tracking’s technology and ability to provide an ideal mixed-fleet solution for your agribusiness operation,” said Eric Mauch, Managing Partner of Razor Tracking. “Delivering a comprehensive platform with the latest telematics devices has been the cornerstone of our business, and we look forward to developing the same relationship with Nationwide’s customers.”

Learn how you can incorporate Razor Tracking’s telematics and fleet management solutions into your operation by contacting your Nationwide agent or visiting razortracking.com/nationwide.

Nationwide, the No. 1 insurer of farms and ranches in the U.S.¹, partnered with state FFA organizations to create the Golden Owl Award in 2018 to highlight the growing importance of educators and recognize the services of many of the country’s leading agricultural teachers. The program also supplies additional resources to help boost the teachers’ programs and provide students with optimal learning experiences.

Between August and December 2021*, Nationwide worked with partners in California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, to collect nominations from students, parents and community members to identify educators who go above-and-beyond in making a difference for their students.

The 2021-2022 Golden Owl Award finalists are:

California

• Anthony Drumonde, Livingston High School, Livingston
• Kelly Miller, Arcata High School, Arcata
• Natalie Schuessler, North High School, Bakersfield
• Miguel Guerra, Ernest Righetti High School, Santa Maria
• Mary Martineau, Ramona High School, Ramona
• Elizabeth Ammon, Lassen high School, Susanville

Illinois

• Caseelynn Johnston, Bureau Valley High School, Manlius
• Kent Weber, Seneca High School, Seneca
• Wyatt McGrew, Macomb High School, Macomb
• Mike White, Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School, Paxton
• Mark Steber, Richland County High School, Olney

Indiana

• McCord Snider, East Central Middle School, Leon
• Blair Orme, Rushville High School, Rushville
• Brenlyn Freeman, Rensselaer Central High School, Rensselaer
• Andrew Helming, Jasper High School, Jasper
• Michael Jones, Adams Central High School, Monroe
• Adam Miller, Fountain Central High School, Veedersburg
• Hank Carson, Orleans High School, Orleans
• Hannah Doke, McCutcheon High School, Lafayette

Iowa

• Kevin Cooper, Nevada High School, Nevada
• Jon Davis, Iowa State University, Ames
• Ashley Wiebe, Susan Clark Jr High School, Muscatine
• Jamie Christiansen, Midland High School, Wyoming
• Micah Weber, Rock Valley High School, Rock Valley
• Tes Mittag, Boyer Valley High School, Dunlap
• Mike Cooley, East Union, Afton

New York

• Chloe Fuentes, John Bowne High School, Queens
• Taylor Bogardus, Schoharie Central School, Schoharie
• John St. Mary, Brushton-Moira Central School, Brushton
• Tina James, Windsor Central School, Windsor
• Johanna Bossard, Hamilton Central School, Hamilton
• Melvin Phelps, Lowville Academy, Lowville
• Crystal Aukema, Marathon Central School, Marathon
• Matthew Bryant, SCT Future Conservationist, Elmira
• Todd Eick, Medina High School, Medina
• Patricia Walker, Randolph Junior/Senior High School, Randolph
• Charles “Chip” Ax, SUNY Morrisville, Morrisville

Ohio

• Tricia Schoen, Genoa High School, Genoa
• Laura Ringler, Plymouth High School, Plymouth
• Lowell Moodt, Grand Valley High School, Orwell
• Barrett Zimmerman, Clyde High School, Clyde
• Sarah Heilers, Anna High School, Anna
• Aaron Thompson, Upper Scioto Valley High School and Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, McGuffey
• Jeff Tilley, Amanda-Clearcreek High School, Amanda
• Tim Kilpatrick, Coshocton County Career Center, Coshocton
• Eric Heeg, Blanchester High School, Blanchester
• Abby Campbell, Fort Frye High School, Beverly

Pennsylvania:

• Kathryn Janae McMichael, Lampeter-Strasburg High School, Lancaster
• Doug Brown, Central Columbia High School, Bloomsburg
• Tiffany Hoy, Tyrone Hight School, Tyrone
• Jodie Hoover, Fort Cherry High School, McDonald

Each finalist was presented with an individualized plaque in front of fellow teachers and students and received a $500 donation to help fund future educational efforts. Now, they’ll be entered into a final selection stage for the chance to be crowned as their state’s Ag Educator of the Year, earning an additional $3,000 Nationwide-funded check to help boost their program and the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy.²

“The Golden Owl Award seeks to thank agricultural teachers for the extraordinary care they bring to their work as they go above and beyond in educating America’s youth and future leaders,” said Nationwide’s agribusiness president, Brad Liggett. “We are proud to honor their contributions, highlight the growing need for their services, and supply additional resources to help benefit their programs and students.”

In conjunction with the Golden Owl Award, Nationwide is also donating $5,000 to each participating state’s FFA organization to further support the personal and professional growth of students, teachers and advisors alike. 

The Golden Owl Award is the result of partnerships between Nationwide, the California FFA, California Farm Bureau, Illinois FFA, Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers, Farm Credit Illinois, Indiana FFA, Farm Credit Mid-America, the Iowa FFA Foundation, New York FFA, New York Farm Bureau, Ohio FFA, Ohio Farm Bureau, AgCredit, Pennsylvania FFA, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and Compeer Financial.  

¹ Source: A.M. Best Market Share Report 2020

² In Ohio, all Golden Owl Award funding is contributed directly to the school to benefit the agriculture programs.

*Iowa Golden Owl Award nomination period was Aug. 1 – Dec. 1, 2021. Indiana Golden Owl Award nomination period was Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2021. New York Golden Owl Award nomination period was Aug. 1 – Nov. 1, 2021.

 Learn more about Nationwide’s history in agribusiness or find a Farm Certified Agent here.

Compared to personal motorists, commercial truck drivers are 23 times more likely to cause an accident when texting at the wheel, seven times more likely when reaching for their electronic devices, and six times more likely when dialing a phone.² While the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has imposed strict mobile phone restrictions for commercial motor vehicle drivers, cell phone use continues to be a common risky behavior in the industry.

To help improve the safety of America’s roadways, Nationwide is teaming up with NoCell to curb distracted driving among trucking fleets.

Nationwide commercial fleet customers will now have access to NoCell’s cutting-edge distracted driving management platform. The technology helps remove distraction risks by disabling disruptive apps and cell phone capabilities while drivers are rolling, enabling employers to more effectively carry out their custom mobile device policies with their fleets. NoCell’s user data shows a more than 70% reduction in phone handling events after 10 days of use with customers.

“Trucking businesses have more advanced technology and safety cultures than ever before to reduce risks for drivers and the motorists around them, but it continues to be a challenge for risk managers to enforce mobile phone policies,” said Gary Flaherty, senior vice president of E&S commercial auto at Nationwide. “We’re thrilled about this new partnership with NoCell to help hone in on those dangerous distraction risks as we deliver extraordinary risk mitigation for our customers complemented by deep industry expertise to protect them mile after mile.” 

Fleet managers will have the ability to choose which apps their drivers have access to while the vehicle is in motion. The NOCELL solution – compatible with both Android and IOS – uses an app on the driver’s device, a non-intrusive NOCELLtag connected to the vehicle, and a back-end system to detect when vehicles are in motion, disable unauthorized mobile phone capabilities, and alert fleet managers when phone handling events take place.

“The commercial driver has never been more important to our economy and country than they are today,” said Sam Inman, CEO at NoCell Technologies.  “We are excited for this partnership with Nationwide and the opportunity to extend the reach and deliver our best-in-class distracted driving mitigation platform to their customers.” 

Visit the Nationwide NoCell partnership webpage to learn more about eliminating distracted driving among your fleet using the NOCELL system. To learn more about Nationwide’s E&S Commercial Auto offerings and expertise, visit the E&S Commercial Auto page. 

¹ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Traffic Safety Facts, April 2021

² Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study

Nationwide and NeuralMetrics have teamed up to help agents serving small commercial customers save valuable time in the quoting process, improving agents’ profitability as they focus on growing their businesses. Utilizing NeuralMetrics technology, Nationwide has boosted its small commercial quoting tools to enable agents to enter client information just once and leverage pre-fill data to evaluate underwriting exposures and quickly generate a precise quote.

“Small commercial accounts are an important growth segment for many independent agents, but historically many have shied away due to high time commitments and other factors,” said Dawn Thompson, associate vice president of expedited underwriting for commercial lines at Nationwide. “With the NeuralMetrics tool, we’re able to streamline the quoting experience for agents serving small commercial clients, creating more lucrative opportunities to grow their books of business in the small business sector.” 

According to Thompson, the key to the technology’s success is ensuring accurate inputs on the front-end. “When the initial information, like business name and location, is entered accurately and the business is visible online, we’re able to achieve a 70% success rate or higher with bypassing the data entry and classification processes to provide a fast and accurate experience for agents and their customers,” said Thompson.

NeuralMetrics’ Smart Ratio platform uses machine learning to extract actionable information from hard-to-access, unstructured public data.

“Through our partnership, NeuralMetrics had the opportunity to work closely with the Nationwide team and imagine a customer centric experience in small commercial,” said Prakash Vasant, CEO of NeuralMetrics. “Together we were able to build a way for underwriters to automate much of the classification work and improve the transparency to the underlying data source that validates underwriting decisions.”

To learn more about Nationwide’s small commercial insurance solutions, visit Nationwide.com/business.

“In addition to remarkable sales performances, these associates are living out Nationwide’s mission in their communities,” said Mark Berven, President of Property & Casualty, “They help make Nationwide a trusted, caring and customer-focused protection company.”

Property Casualty:

Amanda Bianconi – Excess & Surplus/Specialty

• Amanda served as a member of the Advisory Board of the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation since 2018 and, after completing the Forum for Emerging Leaders program herself, she decided to give back to the program by serving as a coach to current participants.

Brent Dorman – Nationwide Agribusiness

• Brent volunteered with the Nationwide Ag Consulting Team, the Premier Customer Program and the Club 26 Committee and is active in many ag industry events across his territory to support the continued growth of members and the industry.

Gina Franklin – Small Commercial Sales and Distribution

• Gina volunteered over 100 hours of time in 2021 with several organizations and was the co-lead for the United Way campaign for California associates.

Valerie Lunasol – Nationwide Private Client

• Valerie was a mentor for associates, completed the Scottsdale Leadership Development Academy (LDA) program and served as a coach.

"We are proud of these associates’ outstanding contributions that have impacted our partners, members and communities,” said John Carter, President of Nationwide Financial. “These associates have gone above and beyond to provide extraordinary care in all that they do.” 

Nationwide Financial:

Doug Allen– Nationwide Retirement Solutions

• Doug organized a Christmas toy drive for firefighters' children in LaFourche Parish who lost their homes in Hurricane Ida.

Paula Cole – Nationwide Corporate Solutions, Pension Risk Transfer

• Paula has served as the AWARE associate resource group (ARG) vice president and was on the Board of Trustees for Thurber House. She also serves as the District Activist Leader for the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society for Columbus, Ohio.

Brian Harriff – Nationwide Annuity

• Brian volunteered and donated to Samaritan's Purse, a charity that aids the world's poor, sick and suffering with food, medicine and other assistance. Brian also volunteered at the food bank in Allen, Texas.

Karl Kuenning – Nationwide Life Insurance

• Karl is an active member of Be an Angel, a charitable organization benefiting children with multiple disabilities or profound deafness.

Barbie Walsh – Nationwide Retirement Solutions

• Barbie supports Forge Evolution, a Colorado Springs organization that offers a restorative justice teen court program.

Alisha Zaayer – Nationwide Life Insurance

• Alisha has volunteered for several organizations, but focuses on autism-related charities such as NEXT, TACA, and Autism Speaks.

Learn more about Nationwide’s volunteerism and corporate giving efforts. The company also has a number of open roles across the enterprise.

For more information about the wide variety of career opportunities at Nationwide, visit the careers page today.

Kirt Walker, Chief Executive Officer
After a devastating tornado on June 28, 1979 ripped through my hometown in Iowa, I learned why insurance was so critical to help families get back on their feet. When the Allied claims people were the first at the scene, it stuck in my mind that I wanted to help people. If you love helping people, I can’t think of a better way to do that every single day of your life than to work in insurance.

Mark Berven, President and COO, Nationwide Property & Casualty 
I’ve worked in the insurance industry for almost my entire career, so I may be a little biased about this. But working in insurance has appeals beyond the typical job-related perks, like a competitive salary and good benefits. In the insurance industry, we’re given the opportunity to help people every day. Whether it’s responding with humanitarian relief in the aftermath of a hurricane, providing the resources to restore people’s lives to the way they were before something happened, or simply making sure someone has reliable transportation while their vehicle is being repaired after an accident, it’s our job to be there. And that feels pretty good.

Gary Douglas, President, Nationwide National Partners 
My younger self wasn’t considering a career in insurance, but I’m glad I had educators and mentors who recognized how my skills could fit into an industry with such a great diversity of opportunities and career paths. I’m thankful to those who helped me build my future and I’m committed to paying my debt forward by helping to build the future of others. No matter your career goals, you can find success and enrichment here. 

Tony Fenton, Vice President, Nationwide Commercial Lines Underwriting & Product Development & Delivery 
I feel incredibly honored to work in an industry and for a company that is here to protect others when it matters most. Commercial Lines insurance is a dynamic industry filled with innovation and technology that’s rooted in relationships – all the best aspects of a fulfilling career. 

Brad Liggett, President, Nationwide Agribusiness 
Growing up on our family farm, insurance was a foreign word to me, and I certainly never thought I would find myself in the insurance industry for 35 years. But I’ve truly been blessed with two of the most noble professions out there as agriculture helps clothe, feed, and fuel the world and insurance helps protect all those things. To current ag students I would say don’t be surprised when you hear the passion of ag professionals whose path led them unexpectedly — and sometimes on purpose — to the insurance industry. 

Beth Riczko, President, Nationwide Personal Lines 
Math nerd finds a way to make a difference! I stumbled into my insurance career after graduation, a degree in physics and math was a natural fit for actuarial science. What I didn’t know was how fantastic it is to be part of an industry that truly cares about people. I get to be part of something bigger than me, something to be proud of — an industry that helps people recover and rebuild after a loss. The stories we hear from our customers, the stories that make you cry when you realize how we make a difference, that’s what makes this industry special and a career in it so rewarding.

Jeff Rommel, Senior Vice President, Personal Lines Sales & Distribution 
I am so fortunate to have found my insurance career right after graduating from Iowa State University (Go Cyclones!). Over the decades, I’ve had an opportunity to work in multiple areas including Sales, Service, Claims and more. Each has taught me something new while reinforcing a very important lesson… people are at the heart of everything we do! Whether those people are our members, our distribution partners, our communities, or our employees, we exist to serve and protect their futures. 

To bring attention to the dangers and prevent these tragic accidents, the leading insurer of farms and ranches in the U.S.¹, Nationwide, has opened its ninth annual Nominate Your Fire Department Contest in recognition of Grain Bin Safety Week. The annual advocacy campaign aims to deliver critical education and resources to agricultural professionals while also supplying life-saving rescue equipment and training to rural fire departments, who are often the first and only line of defense when an entrapment occurs. Nominations for this year’s Nominate Your Fire Department Contest are open until April 30. 

"Nationwide has been deeply rooted in agriculture since the company’s founding by the Ohio Farm Bureau and our commitment to protecting America’s producers continues to fuel our work today,” said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. “Grain Bin Safety Week is one of many efforts in place to help address the dangers they face. These accidents send shockwaves through rural communities each year, and the reality is, they are often preventable. We are proud to continue to grow Grain Bin Safety Week and bring on new partners in our mission to end this industry issue.”

This year, Grain Bin Safety Week runs from Feb. 20 – 26 and has been officially recognized by the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Since initiating its Grain Bin Safety advocacy campaign in 2014, Nationwide has supplied grain rescue tubes and training to 207 fire departments in 31 states. At least five successful rescues have taken place using the resources provided through the program, including a recent July 2021 rescue in northwest Kansas.

Injuries & Fatalities: The Startling Facts 

• Suffocation from engulfment or oxygen-deficient atmospheres is the leading cause of death in grain accidents. 
• In four seconds, an adult can sink knee-deep in flowing grain and be rendered unable to free themselves without help.
• More than 150 grain entrapments have been recorded in the past five years. It’s estimated an additional 30% of cases go unreported.
• In 2020, there were 35 grain entrapment cases resulting in 20 fatalities.

_{Sources: 2020 Summary of U.S. Agricultural Confined Space-Related Injuries and Fatalities and United Press International}

To help prevent further deaths and injuries, Nationwide collaborates each year with the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS) to provide safety training. NECAS instructors travel to training locations with state-of-the-art grain entrapment simulators and rescue tubes. The comprehensive training sessions include classroom education and rescue simulations using the entrapment tools, which are loaded onto 20-foot trailers and able to hold about 100 bushels of grain each. 

“NECAS is proud to partner with Nationwide on its Grain Bin Safety advocacy initiative to share resources and education with farmers about the hazards of entering grain bins and employing a zero-entry mentality whenever possible,” said Dan Neenan, director at NECAS. “It’s also critically important to continue the hard work in getting rural fire departments the equipment and training they need to respond quickly in an entrapment scenario.”

Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety Week and Nominate Your Fire Department Contest are supported by the following partners: 

KC Supply
NECAS
Maryland Grain Producers
Delaware Soybean Board
Mid Atlantic Farm Credit
CHS
Specialty Risk Insurance
Lutz Agency, Inc.
ProValue Insurance LLC
Maryland Soybean Board
West Side Salvage
GROWMARK
AGI SureTrack
Scoular Grain
Gregerson Salvage
Rugby Insurance Agency
Gerber Insurance and Financial Services
Maryland Farm Bureau
Ohio Farm Bureau
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
New York Farm Bureau
Delaware Farm Bureau
Kelly Jones Insurance Agency, LLC
Wiley Insurance Agency
Valley Insurance Agency Alliance, LLC
Gallagher
ABIS/Assured Partners
D. Larson Financial & Insurance Services
Ag Choice Farm Credit
Colonial Farm Credit
Charles County Farm Bureau
St. Mary’s County Farm Bureau
Sump Saver
NOHR Wortmann Engineering
IRMI
Heritage Insurance & Real Estate

For more information about the program, purpose or nomination process, visit www.grainbinsafetyweek.com or watch this video. 

“The good news is that most of these types of fires are preventable and taking a few steps in advance can help to significantly reduce the fire risk,” explained Nationwide Personal Lines Claims leader Martha Frye. “Things like making sure your smoke alarms are working and remembering to turn off portable heaters can make the difference between life and death.”

Some tips to help prevent home fires include:

• Keep anything flammable at least three feet away from fireplaces or heating equipment
• Maintain a 3-foot minimum “kid-free” zone around open fires and space heaters
• Never use an oven to heat your home
• Have qualified professionals install heating units and water heaters
• Chimneys and heating equipment should be professionally cleaned and inspected annually
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed
• Always use the type of fuel specified by the manufacturer for fuel-burning space heaters
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop flying sparks
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month

While Nationwide data found that fireplaces were a significant source of large fire claims in December, many could also be traced back to actions connected with people spending more time at home during the pandemic – cooking, candle use, smoking and even the misuse of extension cords and adapters, which accounted for almost 22 percent of large loss claims in December.

“Our mission at Nationwide is to protect people with extraordinary care,” commented Frye. “Our homes have been a place of comfort this year, more than ever, so during these cold winter months, we want them to remain a place of safety. Being aware of common fire hazards and taking simple precautions to avoid them can make all the difference.”

A recent Nationwide Agency Forward survey indicated that, while customers appreciate a digital insurance claims experience, having an agent or customer representative be part of the claims process is just as important—especially in helping customers during difficult moments.

“When we are putting the customer and service representative together in a digital world, it is still crucial that the customer feels supported by being able to reach a person if they need it,” said Martha Frye Nationwide’s senior vice president of personal lines claims. “Claims are usually filed after something bad has happened, so we’re trying to strike the balance of helping with personal expertise, along with digital solutions to keep them informed and speed it along—both are really important.” 

The Agency Forward survey revealed three key findings:

• Handling a claim quickly and having access to an agent/customer representative are most important
• Consumers are interested in a digital experience when filing/managing a claim
• Most policyholders are satisfied with the claims process

Getting comfortable going digital
Customers are getting comfortable with digital tools and realizing the benefits. Most customers are aware of the complexity of their situation and have higher expectations for low complexity claims to be handled more quickly and easily. One way they can do this is by embracing digital tools to be involved and stay updated on the status of their claim. Consumers are most interested in websites, apps, texts and emails. In fact,

• 75% are interested in a website or app where they can track the progress of claims from start to finish
• 68% are interested in recurring texts or email alerts on the status of a claim
• 67% are interested in a website or mobile app to upload pictures or videos to begin a claim

 “Nationwide was the first to add two-way texting, that dramatically increased utilization and interactions, which was more effective than just pushing information at people. Nationwide saw an increase in two-way texting in 2021. Customers reached out to us via text 229,000 times, this was a 183% increase from the previous year,” explained Frye. “Agents told us that mobile texting is facilitating faster scheduling because it cuts down on voicemail exchanges.”

Human interaction is still important
There are moments of truth for your ability to talk to an agent or representative who is an expert to meet needs. There are also transactional moments where customers value digital tools. The future is at the intersection, being a digital brokerage and knowing the local customers.

The top three areas of interest when filing a claim are similar, but agents place less of an emphasis on digital tools.

Most important areas of filing a claim:

• 74% of consumers, 65% of agents report having a claim handled quickly is important to customers
• 58% of consumers, 51% of agents report being able to speak to an agent or claims representative over a phone call is important to customers
• 36% of consumers, 31% of agents report having a digital claim tracker to track claims from start to finish online or through an app is important to customers

“Customers continue to tell the industry that they want to speak to someone upfront to understand their coverage and figure out next steps. Once they get everything set, then they’re more willing to do digital interactions,” explained Frye.

Overall, satisfaction is high
Most people who purchase an insurance policy hope to have little interaction with their insurer beyond the point of purchase, which stands true as only 3 in 10 said they filed a claim in the last 12 months. Auto-related claims were two times more likely to occur (19%) than a property claim (9%), and overall satisfaction was high:

• 82% of consumers say they are satisfied with the insurance claims process. Those who are not satisfied complained that: filing a claim was a slow process (26%), was a difficult process (22%), required a lot of paperwork (22%).

“More than ever, consumers want to decide how they will interact with their carrier based on their need. While digital tools can make certain parts of the insurance experience easier, customers will remain reliant on their agent in moments of need,” concluded Frye.

The survey highlighted three key themes for agents to prioritize as they engage with clients for 2022 planning:

1. Business owners prioritize speed, ease and industry knowledge from their agents and carriers.
2. Advanced digital tools are simplifying claims.
3. Proactive planning can prevent disruptions.

“While supply chain and workforce challenges will continue for the foreseeable future, agents can help clients now by protecting any new or evolving operations they may have in place, assisting with business planning for future disruptions, and leveraging carrier-supplied risk management resources to help prevent further costly interruptions,” said Peter McMurtrie, president of P&C Commercial Lines at Nationwide. 

Business owners prioritize speed, ease and industry knowledge from their agents and carriers
Though 85% of the anonymous business owners surveyed who filed a claim in the past 12 months report being satisfied with their experience, some owners still struggle with navigating the claims process with their carriers. A quarter were dissatisfied with their claims experience saying it was difficult (25%) or slow (24%), while another 1-in-5 say it was challenging to track the progress of their claim (22%) or that their insurance agent wasn’t helpful (21%).

When it comes to filing a claim, both small and large businesses prioritize speed, ease, and industry expertise. Their top priorities include:

1. Having the claim handled quickly (68% small owners, 37% middle market owners)
2. Industry knowledgeable agent or claims representatives (46% small owners, 37% middle market owners)
3. Access to agent or claims representative by phone (small owners 48%, middle market owners 32%)

Insurers like Nationwide have reduced average claim cycle times for business owners with easy filing online or by phone and dedicated claims experts with deep knowledge in clients’ industries and the challenges they face. Still, carriers have opportunities to provide further educational materials for agents and customers as 42% of agents would like more resources to help their clients better understand the claims process.

Advanced digital tools are simplifying claims
While many business owners still want an agent on hand to help them through the claims process – about half cite their agent’s help as a top reason for their claim’s satisfaction – increasing speed and effectiveness is key to providing them a positive experience. Agents (~85%) reported being twice as likely as their business owner customers (37%) to believe the claims process is fast and easy.

Carriers are using new tools to simplify the claims process for business owners and their agents. Nationwide customers have access to report claims 24/7 online, receive payments digitally or by mail, and utilize solutions like the Nurse Triage Hotline to get qualified medical professional advice after an accident and help determine an effective course of action.

“The survey showed agents feel confident talking clients through filing and tracking claims and have opportunities to build deeper client relationships when they’re prepared to deliver that counsel to business owners in the moment,” said McMurtrie. “Agents who take the time to fully understand clients’ needs and preferences, as well as the carrier-offered claims solutions to address them, will benefit from heightened confidence and smoother experiences for their customers.”

Proactive planning can prevent disruptions
Across the board, business owners are most concerned about the impact employee injuries, cyberattacks, pandemics and natural disasters could have on their companies. Depending on the business size, however, owners’ risk management opinions and actions greatly differ – creating an opportunity for agents to engage with their clients to ensure proper planning.

While nearly 80% of small business owners say risk management is a high priority for their company, more than a quarter (27%) say they have no risk management practices in place at all. Conversely, almost all middle-market business owners (96%) say they prioritize risk management at their business and have practices in place to mitigate risks.

Risk management services business owners are most commonly utilizing include:

1. In-person/on-site services – 33% small business owners, 51% middle market business owners
2. Safety programs/development and training guidelines – 25% small business owners, 54% middle market business owners
3. Online resources, including safety videos and documents – 29% small business owners, 51% middle market business owners
4. Digital risk management tools – 26% small business owners, 42% middle market business owners
5. Virtual/teleconference services – 20% small business owners, 40% middle market business owners

Agents can help business owners mitigate risk
With a lot at stake, it’s important for agents to talk to commercial customers, particularly small business owners, about the claims process and how risk management strategies can serve as crucial safeguards for their business, employees’ safety, and bottom line.

Three points to emphasize with commercial clients leading into 2022 include:

1. Timely claims reporting is critical to getting your company back to work quickly. On average, commercial lines claims are reported 20 days after the event of loss, adding as much as 15% to the life cycle of their claim.

2. Many business disruptions are preventable. Taking time to ensure proper housekeeping, maintenance and business continuity planning is in place can reduce costly disturbances and decrease recovery time if one happens.

3. With the average cost of a fleet accident at approximately $70,000 and auto accidents being the leading cause of work-related fatalities in the U.S.¹, for many organizations, their fleet operations pose their greatest liability and workers’ compensation risk. It is important that organizations establish a formal fleet safety program to protect employees and reduce accident risk.

 “As 2021 comes to a close and business owners report a high level of satisfaction with their agents, independent agents have opportunities during their annual check-ins to open dialogue with clients around risk management and in-person or virtual support available to them, serving as a valuable partner to prepare them for the future,” added McMurtrie.  

Methodology:
Nationwide’s ongoing Agency Forward research series works to track industry trends by surveying independent insurance agents, various business owners, and consumers. Nationwide commissioned Edelman Data & Intelligence to conduct a 20-minute quantitative online survey among a sample of 2,400 U.S. independent insurance agents, small business owners, middle-market business owners, African American business owners and Hispanic business owners between June 22 – July 7, 2021, to gauge business owners’ experiences when filing a claim, understand their priorities when it comes to the insurance claims process, explore their perceptions of risk management for their organization and the steps they’re taking, and understand the challenges facing agents and business owners in today’s environment. As a member in good standing with The Insights Association as well as ESOMAR Edelman Data and Intelligence conducts all research in accordance with local, national and international laws as well as in line with all Market Research Standards and Guidelines.

¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics [2018]. Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, 2017

To protect businesses and their employees through the holidays and beyond, Nationwide has partnered with Kinetic, the company providing wearable technology that fosters safe environments for the industrial workforce, and its new subsidiary Kinetic Insurance.

Nationwide’s E&S/Specialty division and Kinetic Insurance will offer workers’ compensation insurance combined with a technology-driven approach to worker safety to provide one of the first technology-led, proactive policy offerings in the industry. Kinetic Insurance will sell the product and provide servicing to customers and Nationwide E&S/Specialty will underwrite it.

Nationwide made a venture capital investment in Kinetic in 2020.

“Nationwide’s investments in innovative insurance technology companies like Kinetic have given us the opportunity to partner with Kinetic Insurance to bring a truly unique product to the workers’ compensation programs market,” said Heather Schenker, vice president of Nationwide E&S/Specialty. “Backed by Nationwide’s strength and stability, this partnership continues our use of technology to help businesses protect their workforce and make smarter safety decisions.”

Kinetic creates wearable technology and a software analytics platform for the connected workforce. The smart wearable Kinetic Reflex device reduces the incidence of workplace injuries by automatically detecting unsafe postures and providing workers with real-time feedback whenever a high-risk motion occurs. Over time, workers can use Reflex to improve their biomechanics, resulting in fewer injuries and improved well-being. Safety managers can view risk data in the Kinetic dashboard, which can be used to make targeted changes to workplace processes that can help to reduce injury risk further.

“Kinetic Insurance and wearable tech helps businesses keep their workforce safe and save money on their premiums, spending it where it counts,” said Haytham Elhawary, founder and CEO, Kinetic, Inc. “The tech can reduce overall claims costs up to 50% in environments where high strain and sprain injury rates are present.”

Businesses interested in purchasing the new workers’ compensation insurance product can visit https://kinetic-insurance.com/

Utilizing the department’s grain rescue tube and training for such scenarios, volunteer first responders jumped into action as they arrived on scene.

Goodland Fire Department Lieutenant Matthew Breininger spoke with Nationwide to recount the event.

To learn more or get involved in Nationwide’s Grain Bin Safety efforts, visit ThinkGrainBinSafety.com.

“The past year-and-a-half has been anything but normal, with many areas experiencing a shift in traffic patterns and roadways becoming less congested. Rush-hour became essentially non-existent in the spring of 2020 after stay-at-home orders took effect and many people transitioned to working from home—and still are,” said Kelly Hernandez, Nationwide’s associate vice president of telematics. “With the then wide-open roads, it seems many drivers picked up a bad habit of having a need for speed, which doesn’t seem to be slowing down.”

As Halloween decorations go up, distracted driving is another monster lurking in the shadows. This summer, nearly 12% of trips included distractions on a mobile phone, and 70% of drivers were distracted daily, based on Nationwide’s telematics data. The effects of distracted driving are frightening but the outcomes can be even scarier. Nine fatalities each day are attributed to distractions and this number can be underreported¹.

“Although all age groups are distracted, our data shows the problem is much worse for younger drivers,” said Hernandez.

Nationwide is aiming to change behaviors with its SmartRide² program by providing feedback on phone distraction while behind the wheel to increase drivers’ awareness of the frequency of this dangerous behavior and help them reduce it. After launching this new experience in SmartRide last fall, Nationwide has seen a 10% reduction in everyday hand-held distractions among enrolled drivers.

To learn more about Nationwide’s SmartRide program and the ways it can help you become a safer driver click here, or talk to your independent insurance agent.

What enticed Michelle Hancock, agency founder at PNW Insurance Group, to initially purchase her smart home devices was to keep her dogs safe while they were left home alone. She placed the small devices around her house to monitor for smoke but also placed one on the floor near the hot water tank.

A couple of months later, hours after heading out of town for a five-day vacation, she got a notification on her phone that her Notion device had detected water. Michelle called her daughter and asked her to go check on the house. When she arrived, she discovered the hot water tank had sprung a leak and water was beginning to fill the basement. Michelle’s daughter was able to shut off the water supply and gas to the hot water tank, preventing serious additional damage to the home.

“It would have kept running and no one would have been in our house for days, it is beyond fathomable to me how bad things could have been,” explained Michelle. “It wasn’t until we came back home and began the process of cleaning up the remainder of the problem that I realized a box of photos from my parents’ home was just a few feet away from the edge of the water—the pictures in there went back several generations worth.”

Michelle’s desire to protect her dogs supports a new Nationwide survey that found 21% of homeowners buy smart home devices to protect their pets. The devices Michelle installed were able to protect so much more than her beloved pets, they saved her home from thousands of dollars worth of water damage and the hassle of having to repair her basement.

What many consumers don’t realize is that the #1 cause of avoidable claims for homeowners is nonweather-related water loss, with most of those claims coming from pipe, fixture, or water heater leaks. The survey found only 27% of consumers stated knowing about sensors that monitor water flow and leaks, and less than a quarter (24%) are aware of sensors that can shut off the water in case of leaks.

“While I bought it to alert me of smoke for animals and humans that might be in my home, I have now seen the tremendous benefit of its other features as well. I’m now a huge advocate for my friends and family to look into buying one of these things for their home,” Michelle added.

Learn more about homeowners insurance discounts offered through Nationwide.

Homeowners are turning to insurance-based smart home technology to monitor their homes and alert them if something goes wrong. A new Nationwide survey¹ found that 66% of homeowners currently own at least one smart home device but many of them don’t realize the devices they have could be saving them money on insurance premiums.

IoT devices popular with homeowners
Nationwide’s Agency Forward survey found that 2 in 3 homeowners have already embraced smart home technology to reduce anxiety (42%) or make their homes more energy-efficient (33%). Devices most popular with homeowners are:

• video doorbells (59%),
• home security cameras (59%),
• smart thermostat (55%)

The use of this type of smart home technology is poised to grow exponentially with an estimated 25% increase in usage over the next five years².

Leaving money on the table
Insurance-based smart home technology devices monitor hazards in the home and alert a homeowner when something goes wrong. Devices like doorbells, smoke detectors, thermostats, and water leak detectors keep a homeowner informed of what’s going on in their house, even when they aren’t in the home.

However, the survey found that only 7% of homeowners use smart sensors that monitor for water leaks, leaving their homes vulnerable to severe nonweather-related water damage. Only 27% stated knowing about sensors that monitor water flow and leaks, and less than a quarter (24%) are aware of sensors that can shut off the water in case of leaks. Not using these devices can leave their home vulnerable to costly water damage.

“The #1 cause of avoidable claims for Nationwide homeowners insurance policyholders is nonweather related water loss, with most of those claims coming from pipe, fixture, or water heater leaks,” said Beth Riczko, president of personal lines at Nationwide. “With the Insurance Information Institute reporting the average water damage and freezing event causes more than $11,000 in damage, homeowners should consider these types of sensors to provide an extra layer of protection³.”

Technology benefits can ease concerns
While costly price tags (47%), lack of knowledge on smart home technology (32%), and security concerns (29%) are keeping homeowners from owning smart home technology, 64% of them said they would be interested in using them if it helped reduce their premiums.

“Participating in Nationwide’s smart home program saves policyholders about 4% on their homeowners insurance premiums, but the savings are even greater when you consider the additional benefits of having a smart home device,” said Riczko. “Alleviating the stress of having to get major damage fixed, reducing repair times, easing the anxiety you feel every time you leave the house—that kind of peace of mind is priceless.”

Nationwide partnered with Notion in 2020 to offer smart home monitoring technology to provide this added layer of protection. The home monitoring system packs multiple capabilities into each sensor, which monitors the home for open doors and windows, smoke/CO2 alarms, and water leaks - all from a personal device. The program is offered in 13 states and will expand to more states in 2022. Talk to your insurance agent to see if you can benefit from having smart home devices in your home.

Learn more about Nationwide’s current smart home program and talk to your agent to see if you can benefit from having smart home devices in your home.