Working at Nationwide Insurance Company — Reviews by Employees

Texas claims were handled through Harrisburg Blue Ribbon Unit in 2009 without anyone in the department having a Texas license. Leadership over Blue Ribbon knew about it and dismissed our concerns by saying, "We're just processing the claims, not handling them." I guess conducting negotiations with body shops and customers, controlling rentals and paying the claims wasn't considered handling. Wait a minute, I believe that is claim handling. Oh well, just another day in paradise. We'll see if anyone at this company takes their legal responsibilities seriously. Blue Ribbon leadership should be fired for such heinous disregard to established laws and requirements. Anyone at the desk level would certainly pay a price for breaking the law so why doesn't Blue Ribbon leadership? Time will tell.

Last week, announcements were made regarding our new Commercial structure. I currently work in a 'Supporting office" location which means I essentially get to keep my job until I leave the company or the 'office lease expiration', whichever comes first. As I'm not mobile, this really comes as a blow to me and my family. I've worked for Nationwide and dedicated my life and career to this company, only to find out, my job is moving and if I'm not mobile, I'm out in the street. I'm very disappointed in this decision as I know many of my counterparts (both personal lines and commercial) have spent many years together working as a family to make this state/region/company successful. Seems like we don't ever let any kind of change take hold to see its true results before we change things again. I love my job and find it very fulfilling. My manager and team are very dedicated to our jobs and working to serve our customers. Our Commercial director met with us today to talk about these changes and how it will affect us. My counterparts and I truly appreciate the fact that he changed his schedule to meet with us and appeared very sincere in his comments to assist us and keep us informed of updates as we move down the road, however the fact does not change that we are losing our jobs if we are not mobile. I don't understand why we can't work remotely and why the company would rather go to the extra expense of hiring, training and working w/new associates when they would substantially benefit from keeping existing associates in an AWE role. I'm glad that I have an enriched background as I have worked in Commercial and feel that I have an upper hand while I begin interviewing for other positions within the area. I was really hoping to retire with Nationwide as i love the people, the agents, the customers and the managers I work with and for. Its unfortunate however that Uncle Nate puts the almighty dollar sometimes before his dedicated employees which will eventually roll over into worser customer service results and retention for the company. Thanks for the memories Nationwide. I'm going to look fondly at you in my rear view mirror and hope that things change for the better for my fellow coworkers that are staying for the wild ride ahead.

I want to address a few issues that I have read today from Texas to California. I have rated this company as appropriately as I possibly could, and as you can see from my score as honest as possible.
Here is what disturbs me a bit:
How can you go to your families at night............The economy of the United States frankly put is pathetic! We can blame it on politicians, people with self interest, i.e. mortgage brokers and real estate agents. Bank presidents and the list can go on. Unfortuneately, leaders have to make unpleasant decisions, some may very well include deciding to cut staff, here and the 100s of companies across America! These are very difficult and emotional decision that I don't think anyone enjoys. Bottom line, some will get hurt and others will have more time; that is just the way it goes. How can a leader go home to a family, the same way that anyone does but with a big emotional burden that weighs them down knowing that they have affected many individuals, however, they were not alone in the decisions, they were necessary decisions, and difficult choices. Here is what could potentially happen if these decisions are not made across America in many companies. Leaders can choose to ingore failing profits to a point of complete company destruction where the entire employment staff can find themselves on the employment line over night with no severance or other benefits which they may recieve. In any business, the leader must make a decision to reduce cost and continue to operate; that is business 101. If you can't understand this simple business concept in a financial sector business, you were in the wrong job to begin with.
I don't agree with many of the HR decisions, lack of involvement, too much involvement, bias decisions and unethical dealings that may go on. I would hope that an HR associate or a manager is not making a lone decision without consulting. I can't even begin to imagine that this would occur.
Now, with the people the frequent this site and post hate mail, crap about being wronged, threatening remarks such as the one from California...I hope I don't see you in the street, etc. Why don't you take advantage of your time off and learn a new skill. Perhaps critiquing articles for a living, providing comfort to others, learning a new skill to become more marketable, I can go on. I have seen too many people in my years of employment with this company that have left time pass them on and they have taken absolutely no steps to further their marketability in this and other organizations. Shame on you! Now, perhaps you have no job because companies such as Travelers, Statefarm and Farmers don't hire disgruntled folks; bottom line, I don't know many companies that do.
I hope that everyone understand that while I don't agree that this is the perfect place to work and benefits and salary can be a bit better, it is a financially stable organization with leaders who are trying in many cases to fix the bad stuff that was left behind by other, perhaps, incompetent leaders.
I ask as you respond to my posting that you take a strong step back and ask yourself, what would you do if you owned this company? Would you not take tough actions out of compassion and watch the buildings crumble or would you make the tough choices, work on developing stronger leaders and float the boat in the path of future growth? This is not a McDonalds franchise that has stood the test of time, this is a financial organization with growing competition in the market place.
To the Texas poster about rate. Those companies that offer lower rate will not be able to maintain and when the market turns will loose the customers because rates will go up. However, with Nationwide, by pricing competitively, we want the cream of the crop and we will be able to with stand the test of time. Again, what would you do? Take on major risk for peanuts, hope and pray that a loss doesn't occur or price adequately to ensure recovery in the event of a payment. What would you do? I would love to read your responses!

What happened with this company? It used to be great and now its a horrible place and everyone is miserable. Senior management used to collaborate with employees and we used to find solutions and work as a team to improve the company. Now every meeting is to put down associates and tell us how lousy we are. Pay and benefits are terrible. Company leadership has no respect for employees and they expect you to work 80 hours a week - might as well get a sales job if you are going to put those kinds of hours in. I have been with the company 8 years and guess I will just hope it improves; soon.

Have you ever wondered why people in upper management seldom get fired. They decide to "retire,"
Nationwide sends out a memo explaining how great their service was and how much they were appreciated. The higher up the ladder you go for the most part the skeletons in the closet become more numerous. So instead of firing them they let them "retire". You could be doing a terrible job but if you know where the skeletons are that 's as good as a 401K for job security.

Truly Nationwide has it's pros and cons overall I feel the product we sell is decent but what hell is going on with management if it's not one thing it's another. While I have my principal agent breathing down my back for more sales we get roadblock after roadblock from central office. Screw being quite about how I feel I have let my primary agent the district manager and our underwriter know exactly how I feel. It's just naive to me to tell me to reach a certain quota when they themselves aren't out in the field and see what we are up against. I don't know about anywhere else but here in Houston Texas our rates suck so even though our presentation is great the ending factor is price that kills the deal. But what is funny to me is when they come up with this bullshit survey reports and they try and make us believe that the consumer wants options not a good price obviously they haven't been on the phone with customers screaming and complaining why there homeowner rates and auto rates keep going up and up and up can somebody out there in our Nationwide realm relate to this

The centralized units are overworked and running out of steam. Complaints keep rolling in because they can't get to the claims while rental bills and overall claim settlements are higher. The Blue Ribbon Dept. has a new AD. I hear this guy has no real experience in the field or with shops. His dad worksfor NW and doesn't even know how to dress to meet customers (no socks).

NW is pushing an agenda w/o much thought given to end result. The goal of leadership seems to be getting rid of tenured associates while padding their pockets. Remember the Nationwide Financial Sales Stock buyout. Wonder how much the VP's, AVP's, Presidents, and BOD's made off of that while cutting more and more staff and shifting costs to associates. Then there is the Freezing raises - Midpoint crap.

It is a propoganda game. They have you take an employee survey. Then inform you of the benifit cost increase and job cuts afterwards. They talk customer service but don't treat the employee with any respect
It is a shame because this company was not like this before. Hard times do not give the people in higher places the right for extreme amounts of money. Wonder how much the AVP and higher positions make. Wonder how much they made last year compared to previous years? Wonder if they have a midpoint that freezes them by some freekin guide base on some freekin other company that they won't share any information to support the numbers. Thanks HR. By the way HR have you ever handled a claim or dealt with a customer? Director, AVP, VP and up. When was the last time to sat with an associate or rode in a car all day and handled claims to see what it is really like to live up to the expectations with such limited staff and resources?

I have been with this company for many years and really do feel things can change. The key is to get some people in place that know something about claims and get into the weeds once in a while to understand what is going on. Get off your blackberry! Get out from behind the desk! Get out of those meetings! Get out with your associates and handle some claims! Then you can see what it is all about. What helping the customer really means. How many depts. do we need outside of claims (really handling claims)?
Do we need customer relations? Do we need all the fat with numerous VP
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I saw other comments regarding ratings and how management changes them at will. It happened to a good friend of mine in my department. He was rated an Exceeds and told he was an Exceeds. His manager changed jobs and the new manager rated him as a meets. No surprise since the same person allowed Texas claims to be handled in Harrisburg without anyone in our department having a license. Hey Texas DOI, please look over here. I know people must read these entries and think we're crazy but every word is true. Time for real change in this place and I believe the Texas issue becomes the beginning of many issues to come. Stay tuned.

Right now you might be combing sites like jobvent asking yourself if you want to apply for a job at Nationwide and I have to say simply "DON'T". Your life is very important and you do not want to get tangled up with a mess of a company such as this one.

The last few years I have seen some horrible things out of this company and still experience the consequences to this very day. I have seen people who loyally served Nationwide for many years get terminated by 60 day letter or coaching document/performance improvement plans. I have seen mass departments eliminated and employee after employee drink themselves to death. I have seen discrimination against older workers take place right in front of me...

If you are looking for a company that you can call home over the long term...if you are looking for a company where you can utilize your skills to gain promotions to higher positions...if you like the challenge and learning new things...then I suggest you do not apply to Nationwide. For many people, Nationwide is only a place where they get their "check" every two weeks to suppor their family. It is nothing more then that. Nationwide is not a place where you can leverage your skills or creativity. It is not a place where job security is guaranteed. Nationwide doesnt care, they are not on your side. They will leave you flat on your face in the middle of a recession without a pot to piss in. This is a cold organization...an evil organization.

I guess I might sound extreme in this review...maybe I might sound a little emotional, but when I think about all those guys out there over 40 that were let go and still have not found work...when I think about all those guys out there who had their homes and cars taken away...I get very emotional. Its Nationwide that did that to them...it was not their fault.

To Directors, VPS and HR representatives that read these reviews. Let me tell you that you have negatively effected many people's lives with what you have done. I honestly think most of you should resign and I have no idea how you can go home to your families and face them each day with the knowledge that you let this many people go. How in the hell do you live with yourselves? If I might suggest, the honorable route for you is to submit your resignation right now or else you live with a cloud over your head knowing that you were part of this wholesale robbery. Oh, you guys dont care. You simply do not care. If you have to let go of thousands of people, you dont care. You guys are a bunch of cold ruthless bastards. You dont care about my family, my house, or my car. All you care about is retaining your power at Nationwide and letting people go. God help me if I see one of you on the street...just let one of you cross my path...

Question of the day: Has anyone switched departments and had their mid-years and end of the year ratings played with by either the previous or their new manager?