“You Are Forgiven” Touts Earnhardt Jr. and Local North Carolina Residents

New North Carolina Nationwide Insurance ad campaign features actual customers

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nationwide Insurance is forgiving its customers for automobile accidents all over North Carolina and the state’s own Dale Earnhardt Jr. and local residents are helping to tell the story.

“As the number one auto insurer in the state, we are so pleased to have our customers share their own experiences about using Accident Forgiveness.”

As part of Nationwide’s new advertising campaign in the state, North Carolinians and Nationwide Insurance customers Lori and Stephen Young of Cary; Skyla Phillips of Raleigh; Marvin and Corine Nelson of Raleigh; Walter and Emily Nelson of Raleigh and Brian Zurellen of Charlotte share how they feel about the Accident Forgiveness product option.

The TV commercials run from July 11, 2011 to the end of the year, throughout the state. Radio and print ads are also part of the campaign. All the spots feature actual residents from the area and Earnhardt. Earnhardt, a Nationwide customer who holds Accident Forgiveness on his truck, explains the benefits of the product while other customers talk about how their accidents were forgiven by Nationwide.

“Accident Forgiveness means Nationwide won't raise rates due to an accident, no matter where the customer is driving,” said Lee Morton, Nationwide Insurance regional vice president, North Carolina. “It’s like getting a second chance and we see it as giving customers peace of mind after having an accident.”

Nationwide’s Accident Forgiveness feature allows customers one chargeable accident per policy to be forgiven every 36 months.

“Everybody is looking for ways to budget – and we want to give North Carolina consumers more ways to save on their insurance,” added Morton. “Who can better tell the story about Nationwide than our North Carolina customers?” he continued. “As the number one auto insurer in the state, we are so pleased to have our customers share their own experiences about using Accident Forgiveness.”

Coverage is effective immediately after a consumer purchases the product and is available to all Nationwide standard auto members in North Carolina.

In addition, Nationwide agents are able to offer expert advice, suggest customized ways for consumers to save, and to make them aware of the Accident Forgiveness feature and the advantages associated with the product. For more information on the product, visit www.nationwide.com.

About Nationwide
Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by A.M. Best. The company provides a full range of personalized insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions and long-term savings plans. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

Nationwide, the Nationwide frame mark, and On Your Side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.