Nationwide Insurance Launches SmartRide Program for Teens and Parents

In time for National Youth Traffic Safety Month, Nationwide Insurance has launched SmartRide(SM), a comprehensive teen driver program. The program empowers teens and parents and provides the right tools and resources to help teens become smarter and safer drivers. This is particularly important since automobile crashes are the leading cause of death among American teens.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Business Wire EON) May 5, 2008 -- Developed in association with the National Safety Council, SmartRide(SM) is an online learning and coaching program designed to better prepare teen drivers for the road ahead. Participants completing the program could also save up to five percent on their teen's auto insurance in areas where applicable.

"Teen drivers are disproportionately involved in car accidents in the United States," said Bill Windsor, associate vice president of safety at Nationwide. "Nationwide SmartRide(SM) offers families extraordinary access to information and tools that will help young drivers become smart drivers."

Nationwide SmartRide(SM) has three main components:

-- Nationwidesmartride.com

This website is a free, one-stop resource featuring sections

for both parents and teens with separate content tailored to

each audience. It is available free to anyone regardless of

whether they are a Nationwide customer.

It offers parents extraordinary access to information and

tools that will help them as they guide their children to

become smart drivers. It provides teens with practical

techniques and driving tips to help them develop and practice

good driving habits, particularly as they relate to the top

causes of teen crashes.

-- SmartRide(SM) Learning Sessions & Tests

Nationwide customers can access additional content through

SmartRide(SM) Learning Sessions & Tests. The sessions are

interactive, narrated tutorials that address key driving tips

and behaviors, focusing specifically on the top causes of teen

crashes and violations.

With SmartRide(SM) Learning Sessions & Tests, teens learn

driving tips such as how to be more aware of their

surroundings while driving, driving at night and in bad

weather, and how to deal with distractions such as friends,

phones and music. The knowledge acquired in these sessions is

then evaluated through six online certification tests.

SmartRide(SM) also asks parents to participate in 75 hours of

in-car driving with their teen to help reinforce the valuable

lessons learned online. When the tests and in-car driving

hours have been completed, the teen will be "SmartRide(SM)

certified."

-- SmartRide(SM) Discount

To recognize the efforts of teens and parents, Nationwide will

offer a discount that will apply to the teen's premium once

they have been SmartRide(SM) certified.

The discount saves young drivers up to five percent and is

applicable up through age 24. The SmartRide(SM) discount is

already available in Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Washington

D.C., Delaware and Maryland.

The importance of smart driving knowledge is significant. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, automobile crashes are the leading cause of death among American teens.

"At Nationwide, we are committed to ensuring roadway safety for all drivers," said Windsor. "To save the lives of young people and protect others on the road, we must equip young drivers with the knowledge necessary to reduce the risks that lead to accidents."

For more information about teen driving and the SmartRide(SM) program, please visit www.nationwidesmartride.com.

Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the world, with more than $161 billion in assets. Nationwide ranks #108 on the Fortune 500 list. The company provides a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and productivity services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

Nationwide, the Nationwide Framemark and On Your Side are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. SmartRide is a service mark of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.