Common Questions About Working With Nationwide

You probably have questions about the best ways to protect your business. Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions related to business insurance for dry cleaners. Contact a Nationwide^® agent to help answer additional questions.

Q: What specific coverages do dry cleaners need?

A: Here are some of the coverages you should consider:

• Coverage for all your buildings and equipment
• Equipment Breakdown Coverage
• Business Interruption/Loss of Income Coverage
• Utility Services Coverage (for water and power outages)
• Bailee Coverage for the customers’ goods in your care
• Business Auto Coverage, including hired and non-owned coverage.
• Workers Compensation

Q: Does Nationwide offer these coverages for my dry cleaners business?

A: Yes

Q. What can I expect from Nationwide?

A. Our agents will deal with you directly making insurance a stress-free experience:

• We understand you work long hours, including weekends. This leaves little time to shop or even think about insurance. Which is why we will come to you when it is convenient for you with solutions in hand.
• We understand you need the best coverage for the best price. After all, the bottom line is important. By thoroughly understanding your business, we make sure you receive all qualifying discounts.
• We have specialized insurance unique to small dry cleaners businesses as well as large dry cleaner franchises, such as coverage for customers’ goods in your care and coverage for your equipment.
• You work hard to make your business a success. Insurance shouldn’t be something you have to worry about. We can shoulder some of your burden so you can put more energy into your business.

Q: Do I have to have a separate policy for each of my dry cleaner franchise locations?

A: No, we can put all of your locations on one policy saving you money and paperwork. 

Q: What advantages does Nationwide provide for dry cleaning business operations?

A: Nationwide offers a lot of benefits for your business, including:

• Free onsite loss control services
• Plus, loss control resources can use on your own
• Free boiler inspections
• Our business Care Review^® program makes sure your insurance is keeping pace with your business.
• Over 80 years of insurance experience
• Face-to-face contact with Nationwide agents and claims representatives
• In-house claims handling
• We are easy to do business with

Q: Can Nationwide meet all of my insurance and financial needs?

A: Yes, we offer a full range of personal and business insurance products. We also offer financial services, mortgage and banking services. This means we can cover your home, personal autos, business vehicles, workers compensation, life insurance, business property and liability, personal and commercial umbrella, mortgages and investments.

Q: What type of coverage is often overlooked in the dry cleaning industry?

A: Debris Removal – Hauling away steel and concrete after a disaster can add up quickly. Most property insurance policies include a limited amount of debris removal coverage. Higher limits are available through Debris Removal Coverage.

Flood Insurance – Nationwide does not offer flood insurance, but your agent can connect you to the National Flood Insurance Program, government-sponsored insurance that offers up to $500,000 in coverage.

Ordinance or Law – This insurance can protect you if your building is ordered to be torn down and rebuilt to code after a loss. Many times, extra expenses are involved that cannot be accounted for when your building is valued. This coverage will not only pay for the damage to your existing building, but also for the undamaged portion that is to be torn down, the demolition costs and the removal of the debris.

Q: What is umbrella insurance?

A: It’s a way to add higher limits to your existing insurance. For example, if your current liability policy covers a $1 million lawsuit and you are successfully sued for $2 million, umbrella insurance can cover the difference. Best of all, we can provide this excess liability coverage over your business vehicles as well as your business liability.

Q: How do I pay my premiums?

A: Various options are available, including monthly and quarterly. Contact an agent to work out the best plan for your business.

Q: What do I do if I have a claim?

A: You can:

• Call us 24/7 at 1-800-421-3535
• Visit our claims center
• Or call your agent

Q: How is Nationwide rated, and what does the rating mean?

A: Nationwide is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best, an independent insurance benchmarking group. Only companies that have a superior ability to meet their ongoing obligations to policyholders earn this high rating.

Q: What can you do to help me as my business changes?

A: We offer free, periodic insurance reviews, called Nationwide Care Reviews^SM, to make sure your insurance is keeping up with your business. Plus, we always stay in tune with new trends affecting your industry, so we can adapt our coverages to provide the best protection for your business.

Q: Does Nationwide offer pollution coverage?

A: Not at this time, but your agent can help you determine the coverage that is right for your business and help steer you in the right direction to purchase it.

Q: Is there coverage for when I lose or damage customers’ goods?

A: Yes, and this is built into the policy. There is no need to tell us the worth of goods in your possession at any one time, as other insurance companies require you to do. We just need to know the types of goods you clean to ensure that any highly valued items are accounted for properly.

Q: Can business insurance cover my signs?

A: Since your signs are such an important part of your visibility, we can cover them – from damaged caused by vandalism, theft, lightning and car accidents – so you have one less thing to worry about.

Q: How can I find a Nationwide agent?

A: By using whatever method works best for you:

• Use our Professional Locator
• Look in the yellow pages
• Ask a friend or business associate for a recommendation