Nationwide
Nationwide originated under the name “Farm Bureau Mutual,” in 1925, as an auto insurer, with about one thousand policy holders. Since then, Nationwide Insurance has grown into a major financial services and insurance company with over $135 billion in statutory assets. They offer property, life and automobile insurance in over 30 states.
Some of the many types of insurance discounts that Nationwide offers include older driver, good student, safe driver, infrequent driver, security, safety, multiple vehicle, multiples lines, and loyal customer, although there are other discounts available also. One of the more recent advertisements, to promote automobile insurance sales, is Accident Forgiveness. This promises that policy holders who have been insured for at least five years with Nationwide, the last three years being accident free, will not be required to pay a higher premium following an at-fault accident, although some restrictions apply.
Some of the financial services Nationwide offers include annuities, IRAs, 401k and 403b and mutual funds. They also offer banking services, which include checking accounts, money market accounts, home equity loans, credit cards, CDs and mortgage loans.
The Nationwide logo is a blue picture frame with an all-white center, which has “Nationwide” written across the bottom. Their catchy slogan, “Nationwide is on your side”, is also a familiar jingle that’s played on their radio and television ads.
Nationwide employs over 35,000 people across the nation and is ranked number 108 on the Forbes 500 list. In 2006, they donated $50 million to the Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, which resulted in the renaming of the hospital to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The logo on the outside of the hospital is the famous blue picture frame, except the center holds a red heart.
In 2000, Nationwide built the current Nationwide Arena across from its national headquarters located in downtown Columbus, which is now home to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Until that time, Columbus didn’t have a major professional sports team. This venture has brought revenue to local businesses. It has also been a major positive contribution to the city.
In 2009, Nationwide announced that it had purchased all of its stock that it didn’t previously own, making it a “wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide and a private company.”
