Privacy policy

Information collection

We collect information from you automatically through your use of our website, with cookies and similar technology, and when you provide information directly to us through our website.

Information we collect automatically

We gather certain information automatically using cookies along with online technologies, such as beacons, tags and JavaScript whenever you use our website or mobile app, send us an email, or interact with our emails and advertisements. This information may include internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser information, internet service provider (ISP), referring and exit pages, operating system, session ID, date and time stamp, geolocation, and clickstream data. We use this information to:

• Conduct website and mobile app analysis
• Recognize your browser or device
• Remember your preferences and interactions
• Collect information about our website usage and email responses
• Log activity on our website
• Market products or services to you

Information we collect through cookies and similar technology

Nationwide uses third-party cookies, beacons, tags and JavaScript to collect anonymous information and technical data, like your internet protocol (IP) address, operating system and session ID. We share this information with our business partners to manage our online advertising and to recognize visitors’ computers and devices. This allows us to render relevant Nationwide ads to you. This is referred to as behaviorally-targeted, or interest-based, ads. Our third-party partners also use such technologies for website analysis and to manage the effectiveness of our ads placed on other websites. We do not store your name, address, telephone number, email address or any sensitive personal information in these cookies and similar technologies. The companies that distribute our ads are only permitted to use or share your information for marketing Nationwide products and services. 

Nationwide will share personal information with third parties only in ways that are described in this privacy policy. Each of the third parties that we use for our online marketing and tracking efforts should post a privacy policy that fully describes the advertising and data collection activities on their websites. However, we cannot guarantee that all of these websites disclose this information.

We use Local Storage, such as HTML5, to store content information and preferences. Our business partners who provide certain features on our website or display advertising based upon your web browsing activity may also use HTML5 to collect and store information. Various browsers may offer their own management tools for removing HTML5.

Opting out of behaviorally targeted advertising

If you wish, you can opt out of interest-based advertising. Please note that you may continue to see generic or non-targeted ads from these companies after you opt-out.

How to control cookies

All major internet browsers allow you to block or delete cookies through the privacy features in your browser. Please note that if you block cookies then you may not be able to use the full functionality of this website.

Do not track

Please note that our system may not recognize “do not track” headers or requests from some browsers.

Web links and widgets

Other companies or organizations may have links to their websites on our webpages. Our website may also include social media widgets, such as the “share this” buttons and links to third-party websites, like Facebook and Twitter. These features may collect your IP address and the page you visited on our site. These feature also may place a cookie to enable these features to function properly. We are not responsible for how these third parties collect, use, disclose or secure the information that you provide to them. Please read their privacy policies so you can learn how their websites use your information.

Information we collect directly through our website

We collect your personal information on our website when you:

• Ask a question
• Use tools and calculators
• Apply for products or services
• Complete a form
• Conduct transactions
• Apply for a job
• Email us
• Subscribe to receive email from us
• Complete website surveys

Personal information is any information that identifies you and describes your relationship with us. Some examples of the personal information that Nationwide may collect include:

• Name, address, date of birth and Social Security number
• Assets and income
• Property address and value
• Account and policy information
• Driver's license number
• Financial information
• Credit reports and other consumer report information
• Information from applications and transactions
• Any information you provide us
• Public information

We may collect personal information about you, another insured on your policy, or a beneficiary when applying for a policy or service. We will only use this information for the specific reason for which it is provided.

If you apply for a product or service, we may collect information from your consumer reports, such as your credit report or motor vehicle report. We also may use an "insurance score." An insurance score uses information from your credit report to help predict your future claims. Typical items that could affect an insurance score include payment history, number of revolving, new and collection accounts, bankruptcies, and foreclosures.

You may request the credit report source. Each Nationwide company has different contact information and instructions for requesting this information, so you will want to review the specific privacy policy for the Nationwide product you own. We have included links to these products and companies in the box labeled "Insurance and Financial Product Privacy Notices."

In rare instances, we may also need to collect your medical information from a medical provider. However, we will not use or share your medical information for marketing, unless you give us your permission. We retain your personal information while your account is active or as needed to provide you services, such as quoting, re-quoting and account management.

We also retain and use your information as required or permitted by law to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes and enforce our agreements.

Use of third-party data

We may receive information about you from other sources, including publicly-available databases or third parties from whom we have purchased data. We may combine this data with information we already have about you, which allows us to update our records. An examples of the type of personal information we may obtain from public sources or third parties may be change of address information from third parties for address standardization and correction.

Information we collect directly through our SmartRide^® Program

SmartRide is a usage-based insurance program that provides you with personalized feedback to help you make safe driving decisions while allowing you to earn discounts on your insurance premium. If you participate in the SmartRide program, we will gather information using a telematic device that you plug in to your car, our smart phone app that you download, or other technology capable of recording the necessary data. We then analyze this information to provide you with personalized feedback and calculate a discount on your insurance premium in accordance with our terms and conditions. As part of the SmartRide program, we may collect information about your vehicle, such as driving speed, trip information and geolocation. If you download and use the mobile app, we may collect information about your mobile device as well. For additional information, please review the SmartRide Terms and Conditions of Use contained in the box your telematics device arrived in, or contained in the End User License Agreement located under the SmartRide app settings.

If you obtain other usage-based insurance products or services from us, we may collect information about your vehicle, precise location, trip, speed, braking, destination, and other telematic information to provide you with a usage-based insurance program. Depending on the particular program, we may gather this information using your vehicle, mobile app, other telematics device, or data aggregator. We may use this information to provide you with personalized feedback, evaluate risk, calculate your insurance premium, develop or improve products or services, in accordance with our terms, or as otherwise permitted by law. We may also use and share this information in accordance with our privacy policy. We will continue to collect this information until you change the permissions relating to its collection on your mobile app or device. In order to stop the collection of this information, you may delete or change the privacy permissions for your mobile app, delete the app, or remove the telematics device from operation. Please note that turning off or disabling telematics features will affect the services and functionality available to you. Depending on your particular program, we may also cancel your product, service, or insurance coverage as a result of these actions.

Information Sharing

Information we share for servicing

Nationwide may share your personal information only as described in this privacy policy. We will not sell your information.

When you buy a product, we may share your information with other Nationwide companies or our business partners to service your product, to conduct research and analytics, to develop our website, and to conduct surveys. They may track and keep aggregated visitor information. We may also share your information with your agent, investment advisor, investment company, broker-dealer or transfer agent affiliates. They use your information to manage your policy or account.

We also share and disclose your information for everyday business and servicing purposes, and as permitted by law. You cannot opt out of these. Some examples include:

• Mailing your statements or processing transactions that you request 
• As required by law, such as responding to a subpoena or governmental requests
• When we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, protect your safety or the safety of others, investigate fraud or respond to a government request
• Disclosing your information in connection with the sale or purchase of a business. If Nationwide is involved in a merger, acquisition or sale of all or a portion of its assets, you will be notified by email or a prominent notice on our website of any change in ownership or uses of your personal information, as well as any choices you may have regarding your personal information.

Information we share for marketing

We want our customers to have choices about how and when they do business with us. So Nationwide sells insurance, investment and banking products through many different sales channels, such as agents, the internet or over the phone. All of these different sales channels make it easy for you to buy our products and interact with us. Some examples of our sales channels include:

• Nationwide agents who sell Nationwide auto, home and life insurance
• Independent insurance agents who sell products from many different insurance carriers
• An independent broker-dealer who sells Nationwide annuities
• Your bank, or another affinity group that you belong to, might offer Nationwide products
• Your employer may offer a Nationwide retirement plan Each sales channel has a specific privacy statement, which explains how we use your information, including how we share it for marketing purposes. To learn more, select your privacy statement from the list included in the box labeled "Insurance and Financial Product Privacy Notices."

Choices to limit sharing

You can ask us not to share your information with other Nationwide companies or our business partners to market new products to you. Please remember, we offer many different types of products and services. You may not want to opt out if you would like to learn about these products directly from one of our companies. Please call us toll free at 1-866-280-1809 to opt out of this sharing. You may opt out at any time and we will respond within a reasonable timeframe. If you would like to discontinue receiving marketing emails from Nationwide, you may do so by using the "Unsubscribe" link found in emails we send to you.

If you have already opted out, you don't need to opt out again.

If you don't want your registered representative to take your information to a new broker-dealer, please call us toll free at 1-877-233-3370.

Confidentiality for victims of domestic violence

New York State Insurance Law 2612 prohibits insurers from discriminating against victims of domestic violence. This law requires insurance companies to comply with valid orders of protection against an insured or anyone covered under an insured’s policy. While the order is in place, the insurance company is prohibited from sharing the address and telephone number of the protected persons, or of any person or entity providing covered services to the protected person. If a child is the protected person, the child’s parent or guardian must assert these rights.

Nationwide's obligation

Except in instances where express consent of the requestor is given, Nationwide will not disclose to the policyholder or another insured covered under the policy the address, telephone number or any other personally identifying information of the covered individual or children residing with the covered individual. Nationwide is also prohibited from disclosing any information relating to abuse, including the nature of the health care services provided to the covered individual. This information could include the name, address and telephone number of the provider of the health care services, or any other information that could lead to the discovery of the above information.

Where applicable, you have the ability to further protect yourself by creating a new online account with new credentials and by placing your policy in your own name.

Requests for coverage

Please feel free to submit a valid order of protection to the below listed address:

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
Attn: Nationwide Service of Process
1 Nationwide Blvd., 1-30-403
Columbus, OH 43215
Toll Free Line: 1-877-764-0418

If the covered individual is a child, the parent or guardian may make the above request. To revoke a request or request to receive information at an alternative address, please contact our customer service.

For more information, contact:
NYS Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline: 1-800-942-6906
In NYC: 1-800-621-HOPE (4673); TTY: 1-866-604-5350