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Nationwide Insurance Introduces New iPhone App for Car Shopping


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SEE ALSO: 4 Steps To Becoming A Smarter Car Buyer

COLUMBUS, Ohio--Nationwide Insurance is introducing CartopiaSM, a free iPhoneTM app for car shopping that also works on the iPod Touch®. The new app helps car shoppers access unbiased information on specific cars from multiple reliable sources to help choose the new or used car that’s right for them. The app is currently available for download from the iTunes App Store.

Shoppers can enter the make and model of a vehicle they are considering to see unbiased safety, pricing, payment and other valuable information. They can also enter the vehicle identification number (VIN) to get free AutoCheck® vehicle history scores from Experian Automotive for up to 6 specific used cars each month – all on their iPhone or iPod Touch, right there on the dealer’s lot.

Along with helpful car buying tips, Cartopia provides unbiased safety information, used vehicle history scores, trade-in value, retail and dealer invoice pricing, an estimated monthly payment calculator, and helps car buyers request a quote for loan rates or car insurance from Nationwide. Nationwide partnered with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Experian Automotive and IntelliChoice to provide respected third-party information for car buyers seeking to make the best purchase decision.

This new iPhone car buying app also allows car shoppers to add notes and store multiple pictures of vehicles being considered. Later they can sort by self-defined criteria when ranking and comparing cars.

“Buying a new or used car can be overwhelming,” said Sue McManus, associate vice president of interactive marketing for Nationwide. “Everyone who shops for a car has specific things that are important to them in making a purchase decision. Cartopia allows users to review unbiased information about multiple cars on the car lot – including things that may not be obvious to the naked eye, like if a used car has been in an accident or damaged in a flood. It helps them lift the veil to make an informed decision about the car that’s right for them.”

Cartopia follows the successful launch of the Nationwide Mobile for iPhone app earlier this year. Nationwide Mobile, the first app of its kind from an insurance company, provides a tool kit for use following a car accident and helps customers begin the claims process conveniently on their iPhone or iPod touch.

To date, Nationwide Mobile for iPhone has been downloaded more than 82,000 times and 248 auto insurance claims have been initiated through the app.

“We were very excited about the success of Nationwide Mobile,” McManus said. “It’s provided a great opportunity to engage smartphone users and provide a tool that demonstrates Nationwide’s On Your Side® promise. The popularity of the app led us to create Cartopia, which also provides users with an On Your Side experience, at a time when many people shop around for new auto insurance and an auto loan.”

The Cartopia App is available from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/. Both Cartopia and Nationwide Mobile are free apps, and there is no cost to use them. They will work for anyone, not just customers of Nationwide Insurance. You can also learn more about this new iPhone car buying app on Nationwide’s Web site and find more car buying tips.

Nationwide worked with Rosetta, the largest independent interactive marketing agency in the country, to develop the application.

Additional resources:

Screen Shots on Flickr

Demo video

About Nationwide

Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by A.M. Best. The company provides a full range of personalized insurance and financial services, including car insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and productivity services. For more information on Nationwide or on the iPhone car shopping app, visit www.nationwide.com.

Nationwide, the Nationwide Framemark, On Your Side and Cartopia are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.