Safety and Loss Control

Common questions about working with Nationwide^®

You probably have questions about the best ways to protect your funeral home. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions related to business insurance for the funeral industry. Contact a Nationwide agent for answers to your additional questions.

Q. What specific protection do funeral operations need?

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

Funeral Directors’ Professional Liability Coverage
General Liability Coverage
Property Coverage
Property in Transit Coverage
Coverage for the Property of Others
Coverage for limos, hearses and other autos you use every day, as well as hired and non-owned autos that your employees may use in your business
Coverage for such items as tents, chairs, casket-lowering devices and any other property you use at a burial site or other off-site locations
Equipment Breakdown and Spoilage Coverage
Off-Premises Power Failure Coverage for utilities, communications equipment and water supply
Fine Arts Coverage for statuary, musical instruments and stained glass
Valet Parking Coverage

Nationwide offers all these coverages and more.

Q: What can I expect from Nationwide?

A: We understand you’re different from other business owners.

You have plenty of things to think about without adding insurance to the list. We can help handle your business insurance so you can put more energy into your business.
You work long, nonstandard hours, leaving little time to shop for insurance. We’ll come to you when it’s convenient for you.
Our agents and customer service professionals will make your business insurance an easy, stress-free experience.

Nationwide offers coverages and other services just for your funeral operation.

Policies tailored to your unique needs, from a company with 80 years of insurance experience
Free onsite loss control services
Plus loss control resrouces you can use on your own.
Our business Care Review^® program makes sure your insurance is keeping pace with your business.
Friendly, accessible Nationwide agents and claims professionals
Flexible, convenient ways to pay your bill

Q. Can Nationwide meet both my insurance and financial services needs?

A. Yes, not only can we protect your funeral home business, but we also offer a full range of personal insurance products, as well as financial services and mortgage and banking expertise. So we can cover your home, cars, mortgage, investments, business property, business vehicles, as well as special issues like workers compensation, life insurance and umbrella coverage.

Q. If I have several locations, do I need to have several policies?

A. No, Nationwide covers all of your locations in one policy, saving you money and paperwork.

Q: Does Nationwide cover crematories and cemeteries?

A: Yes, we cover most types of funeral and burial operations. Talk to a Nationwide agent for more details on how we can protect your business.

Q. What can Nationwide do to help me as my business changes?

A: We offer periodic insurance reviews, called Nationwide Care Reviews^SM, to make sure your insurance is keeping up with your business.

Plus, our coverages can also adapt as your operation changes. For example, if you move, we extend you automatic coverage for the new building for 90 days from the purchase date to make your move less stressful.

Q: What type of coverage is often overlooked in my 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?

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

Q: Can I get insurance to cover my signs?

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

Q: How does Nationwide address changing trends facing the funeral home industry such as molestation claims, tissue sales, body or tissue theft and pollution?

A: We’re always analyzing industry trends to make sure your insurance plan meets your business needs. Nationwide provides professional liability coverage for funeral homes, except, of course, for intentional acts. And we can offer access to qualified sources to meet your pollution coverage needs.

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 of a rating.