Nationwide Insurance Lowering Auto Rates in Florida
15 June 1998
Nationwide Insurance Lowering Auto Rates in FloridaCOLUMBUS, Ohio, June 12 -- Nationwide Insurance is filing to lower its auto insurance rates in Florida by an average of 5.2%. This is in addition to the .9 percent decrease announced earlier this year. The overall annual savings for Nationwide's Florida policyholders are estimated at some $12.5 million. Individual rates will vary up or down according to drivers' ages, rating territory, accident and violation records, types and amounts of coverage, and other factors, such as discounts. Pending approval from the Florida Insurance Department, the decrease is effective mid-September. "Nationwide is able to reduce rates in Florida because the market has been very healthy and there has been a decrease in the number of claims. Due to this, we are passing our savings onto our policyholders," said Jerry D. Daughtry, vice president in charge of Nationwide's Florida operations. "There has been a decrease in the number of bodily injury claims, which may be a result of seat belts, more cars equipped with air bags, and a reduction in crashes caused by drunken drivers," he said. "Nationwide also has improved its claims operations to become even more efficient and to be even more responsive to our customers," Daughtry said. Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is Florida's and the country's fourth-largest auto insurer and is No. 5 in total personal lines auto business in Florida. The company insures some 331,000 vehicles in Florida. Daughtry also noted that Nationwide has already received approval to expand its auto insurance eligibility standards so that the company's 300 Florida agents can serve even more drivers. "Nationwide is stepping up its marketing campaign to offer insurance to those drivers who have been in at- fault traffic crashes or have been given traffic citations," he said. Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the country largest multi- line insurers and financial services organizations.