Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn and Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co., based in Columbus, Ohio, are joining forces to offer insurance that could save drivers as much as 40 percent on the cost of coverage based on their driving monitored in real time.
By filling out a form in their FordPass or Lincoln Way app, which is preloaded with key vehicle information, Ford and Lincoln owners will have access to Ford Insure and Lincoln Motor Co. Insure, powered by Nationwide. The program offers usage-based insurance coverage through Ford Motor Credit Co.’s licensed insurance agency.
Customers in Michigan and 38 other states with qualifying 2020 Ford or Lincoln vehicles can purchase a policy in minutes.
“This is the latest way we’re improving the customer experience,” says Elena Ford, chief customer experience officer at Ford. “Insure makes getting insurance easier for connected-vehicle customers to cover one of their biggest investments – their vehicle – while saving money.”
Ford Insure and Lincoln Motor Co. Insure policyholders consent to be enrolled in Nationwide’s SmartRide usage-based insurance program and will share their vehicle connectivity information with Nationwide for the initial six-month policy.
Once customers purchase a policy, the connected vehicle will track and share distance driven, hard braking and accelerating, idle time, and night driving to establish a policy rate for renewal. The data are shared with Nationwide through the vehicle’s embedded modem, eliminating the need for a special app or vehicle plug-in device. Customers are eligible for up to a 40 percent discount, which will be applied when the policy is renewed.
Customers will have access to Nationwide’s standard accident forgiveness option, as well as crash repairs using genuine Ford parts.
“Customers want to be able to purchase auto insurance as quickly and easily as possible,” says Brad Lemons, senior vice president of personal lines product and underwriting at Nationwide. “Ford and Nationwide are bringing together the best of our businesses to help make this happen in a way that is sure to delight our customers.”
Ford Insure is the latest step in Ford’s long-term customer experience initiative, in which it aims to make each part of the ownership experience easier and worry-free, building customer ranks and revenues over time. Already Ford says it has doubled its investment in customer experiences to increase trust and loyalty through programs that show appreciation to its long-term customer base.
“Development of Ford Insure and Lincoln Insure began with a focus on the customer – making it as easy as possible to insure their new vehicle and offer the advantages of usage-based insurance,” says Marion Harris, president and chief executive officer of Ford Credit. “Constantly improving connected vehicle technology is allowing us to find new ways to contribute to a great customer experience.”
The insurance offer starts with these models: 2020 Ford Explorer, Fusion, Mustang, Transit Connect, Escape, Edge, EcoSport, Expedition, F-Series Super Duty, Transit, Ranger, and the upcoming all-new 2021 F-150; and 2020 Lincoln Aviator, MKZ, Corsair, Nautilus, and Navigator.
“Nationwide and Ford are two of the most well-known companies in America, and our customers are looking to us to provide the best insurance purchasing experience possible,” says Kirt Walker, CEO of Nationwide chief. “We’re confident this new partnership will lead to future innovative products and services between our two organizations.”
Update: As of October, customers can get quotes and sign up for Ford Insure and Lincoln Motor Co. Insure through the Ford and Lincoln websites in addition to through the Ford Pass and Lincoln Way apps.
