Economic factors creating higher demand for telematics

Consumers consider several factors when choosing their auto insurance, but value has become even more important in recent years. According to Tom Super, head of property and casualty insurance at J.D. Power, over the past decade auto insurance costs have risen at two times the rate of inflation.¹ That means that your customers are likely devoting a larger portion of their incomes to auto insurance.

Additionally, the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has left consumers holding onto their wallets even more tightly. Approximately 42% of Americans say they have been spending less money than usual since the pandemic began.² Spending on auto insurance has received scrutiny, as many consumers who began driving less during the pandemic continue to pay the same premiums, resulting in an unprecedented desire for cost-effective auto insurance.

Enter telematics. Findings from Nationwide’s Agency Forward 2020 research found that more auto insurance customers are ready to give telematics a try than agents might realize. Not only has the interest remained nearly a year later, but adoption of telematics programs has increased two-fold.³ With unprecedented consumer demand, agents must now consider which carriers offer the greatest availability of telematics options, which provide the most value for their customers’ needs, and which carriers products are easiest to sell and service.

Nationwide makes it easier for agents to meet their customers’ evolving needs

Telematics is the future, and Nationwide is constantly evolving to deliver unique options that provide clear advantages for you and your customers. That’s why we began introducing our cutting-edge telematics programs in 2011 by first focusing on rewarding safe driving behavior with SmartRide followed by being able to provide fair rates to low-mileage drivers with SmartMiles using simple, innovative digital technology.

Today, our appointed independent agents are winning by having access to two easy to sell products designed around an experience that is easy to service. A benefit that has allowed agents the ability to meet customer needs by offering greater personalization, protect against rising inflation through steeper savings (up to 40% discount for SmartRide and an average 25% savings with SmartMiles), as well as improved retention which over 1 in 3 agents reported in our recent agent authority survey.⁶

Our commitment to driver well-being doesn’t stop at savings, however. Nationwide has long been involved nationally and at the state level to help ensure safer roadways. Last year, we advocated for state lawmakers across the country to enact hands-free legislation with the intent to curb distracted driving. And we have seen in our own data how SmartRide technology is helping change this driving behavior with a 10% average reduction in hand-held distractions.⁵

Start offering telematics today

SmartRide is currently available in 46 states and Washington D.C. SmartMiles is available in 32 states — more than any pay-per-mile program offered in the industry. With more OEM partnerships than any other competitor, we continue to build and deploy innovative telematics capabilities and programs across the country.

Nationwide leads the industry when it comes to offering customers more value for their unique driving needs and goals, no matter what, how or why they’re driving.⁴ We look forward to working with you to help you strengthen and expand relationships with your clients by utilizing the full suite of Nationwide telematics.