Nationwide’s corporate history

Farm Bureau Mutual changed its name to Nationwide with the aspiration of eventually selling products from coast to coast.

Nationwide was the first major insurer to endorse Medicare before being required by law.

Nationwide pioneered a seat belt incentive, which provided 50% additional medical benefits to policyholders wearing a seat belt at the time of an automobile accident.

Nationwide established the first 24-hour claims reporting service.

Nationwide first used the Nationwide jingle in a national marketing campaign.

Nationwide completed construction of its One Nationwide Plaza headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, the largest single office building in the city.

Nationwide founded the first civic action program in the insurance industry.

Nationwide acquired Farmland and created Scottsdale Insurance Company.

Nationwide opened the first full-time, corporate blood donation center in the American Red Cross system.

Nationwide Financial (NFS) openly traded as a public company.

Nationwide combined comprehensive long-term care benefits with a retirement savings vehicle, an industry first.

Nationwide Arena opened in Columbus, Ohio.

Nationwide introduced the industry's first sales system to include a simplified sales and underwriting process for variable universal life insurance.

Nationwide's Fund Alerts tool allowed investors to get email updates if their variable annuity products exceeded a customized percentage gain or loss.

The Nationwide Foundation approved a $50 million grant to Columbus Children's Hospital, the second-largest philanthropic gift made to an American hospital.

Nationwide Bank opens to the public.

Nationwide created associate resource groups (ARGs) to celebrate diversity and unite associates who share affiliations or interests.

Veterinary Pet Insurance, the first pet insurance company in the United States, became a subsidiary of Scottsdale Insurance Company.

Nationwide, the first major insurer to launch an app for iPhone users, created a platform for members to start the claims process with a photo, find agents and receive quotes.

Nationwide acquires Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), which introduced pet insurance to the United States in 1982.

Nationwide Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (Nationwide), purchased all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Nationwide Financial Services (NFS) it did not already own; NFS becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nationwide and a private company.

Nationwide acquired Harleysville Mutual Insurance Company.

Nationwide received the Gallup Great Workplace Award for the first time.

The Nationwide Foundation donated $10 million to Nationwide Children's Hospital to establish the Nationwide Children's Pediatric Innovation Fund.

Nationwide implemented automated mobile hail estimating, an industry first.

Nationwide introduced the first flat-fee indexed annuity to Trust Company of America platform.

Nationwide pledged $100 million venture capital to startups.

Nationwide made the strategic decision to focus its bank-related services on its trust operations in support of its retirement plan business and transition away from operating as a full-service, federally chartered retail bank.

Nationwide hosted the first Silicon Valley Hackathon.

Nationwide began offering health savings accounts.

Nationwide announced the construction of an innovation center in Columbus, Ohio.

Nationwide Express, a new technology platform that enables agents to quote policies for auto, homeowners, or renters insurance in as little as two minutes, was rolled out.

Nationwide launched the Nationwide Indexed Universal Life suite, adding two new IUL products to its portfolio of financial solutions to help advisors meet the specific needs of their clients in a transparent way.

Nationwide launched SmartMiles, an auto insurance solution for low mileage drivers. SmartMiles allows Nationwide members to pay for the miles they drive, providing more control over the cost of their auto insurance.

Nationwide CEO Steve Rasmussen retires and Kirt Walker elected as successor.

Nationwide deepened its strategic partnership with Ryan Specialty Group by forming a new joint venture reinsurance company called Geneva Re Ltd.

Nationwide launched Nationwide CareMatters - a new linked benefit long-term care product that offers more accessibility, expanded features and more opportunities for advisors to help their clients receive care where they feel more comfortable and at home.

Nationwide introduces Nationwide Peak 5 fixed indexed annuity. This fixed indexed annuity can provide risk adverse clients an alternative to low-yielding fixed products.

Nationwide Financial’s Annuity business hit an important strategic milestone, protecting $100 billion in member assets under management, further bringing to life Nationwide's mission.

Claims Tracker was introduced allowing customers to follow their claims process in real time.

Nationwide re-entered the pension risk transfer (PRT) market.

Nationwide Financial launches Financial Alliance for Racial Equity (FARE) in partnership with leading financial services firms and Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs).

Nationwide launches Partnership Platform, a first of its kind in the insurance industry, enabling partners and developers to digitally deliver Nationwide's insurance products on the same digital platform.

Nationwide launches the Nationwide Peak 10 fixed indexed annuity. This is the first partnership with AmeriLife, a national leader in developing and distributing annuities and retirement planning solutions.

Nationwide expanded its venture capital investment fund to $350 million. The funding was directed into high-growth potential insurance and financial services startups that directly advance Nationwide's strategy and enable even greater customer value.

Nationwide's digital pet product, VetHelpline, became available to all consumers as a stand-alone subscription service offering on-demand veterinary advice 24/7.

Nationwide and The Ohio State University collaborated to form the AgTech Innovation Hub with the goal of developing new solutions that help the agricultural ecosystem while better understanding, managing and mitigating climate risk.

Life Essentials, a new term life product that uses fully digitalized automated underwriting to provide an applicant with an instant quote and detailed decision in minutes, is introduced.

Continuing to act on a commitment to help pets live healthier, longer lives by releasing the Pet HealthZone^®, a free digital experience that draws from 40+ years of pet health data to drive the highest quality pet health conversations between pet families and veterinary healthcare teams.

Petco and Nationwide launch co-branded pet insurance product on petco.com.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital launches “Empower the Possible” campaign with historic 10-year $100 million commitment from the Nationwide Foundation.