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Nationwide Insurance Lowers Auto Rates in Arizona

8 January 1999

Nationwide Insurance Lowers Auto Rates in Arizona

    COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 7 -- Nationwide Insurance has lowered
its auto insurance rates in Arizona by an average of 3.2%, effective Jan. 1.
    The rate reduction will average approximately $33 annually for customers
with full coverage.  Individual rates will vary up or down according to
drivers' ages, residences, accident and violation records, types and amounts
of coverages, and other factors, such as discounts.
    The decrease has been filed with the Arizona Insurance Department.
    Nationwide is able to reduce rates because the size and number of bodily
injury, collision and comprehensive claims have decreased.  The resulting
savings are being passed onto Nationwide customers.  The company serves
Arizona customers through a direct marketing program, and offers the toll-free
customer service number of 800-421-1444.
    Improvement in bodily injury claims experience can be attributed to the
increased use of seat belts, more cars equipped with air bags, and a reduction
in crashes caused by drunken drivers.  Nationwide also has improved its claims
operations to become even more efficient and to be even more responsive to its
customers.
    Nationwide, based in Columbus, is the country's fourth-largest auto
insurer and is Arizona's 13th-largest auto insurer, insuring some 32,000
vehicles.
    Bodily injury liability pays for the related costs of auto accident
victims injured by at-fault drivers.  Collision pays policyholders for crash
damages caused to their cars while property damage liability pays for damage
caused to the property of others by an at-fault driver.  Comprehensive pays
for stolen cars, vandalism, and damage caused in a vehicle upset or damaged by
falling objects.