Nationwide business insurance

Overview

Nationwide is a Columbus, Ohio, mutual that is as much a commercial insurer as a personal-lines brand. Its group was ranked No. 14 among U.S. business insurers by 2025 commercial lines direct premiums written, with $8.08 billion, based on NAIC market share data, out of $16.69 billion across all property-casualty lines. Its strongest national position is in farm coverage: Nationwide is the No. 2 writer of farmowners insurance in the country. Its largest commercial lines by premium are other liability, package policies (commercial multiple peril), commercial auto and allied property lines.

The NAIC group includes Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates such as AMCO, Allied, Depositors, Nationwide Agribusiness, the Harleysville companies, the Scottsdale companies (the paper behind Nationwide E&S/Specialty), Freedom Specialty, Titan and Victoria. Nationwide Mutual is owned by its policyholders, and Kirt Walker is CEO. Commercial business is sold mainly through independent agents, with an online quoting channel for small businesses and wholesale and program distribution for E&S and specialty lines.

History

Nationwide started when Ohio farmers formed Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company with $10,000 of capital; it wrote its first policy on April 14, 1926, and celebrates its centennial in 2026. Over the following decades it grew into a national insurer and financial services company, adding commercial carriers along the way. The Harleysville companies, a Pennsylvania commercial insurer the group acquired, have been folded into the single Nationwide brand.

Recent moves have broadened its specialty and benefits businesses:

• July 2025: completed its $1.25 billion purchase of Allstate's employer stop-loss business (agreed January 30, 2025), forming a new Nationwide Group Benefits segment.
• August 2025: completed the purchase of Markel's reinsurance renewal rights, about $1.2 billion of premium, with underwriting handled by Ryan Re, part of Ryan Specialty. The deal was announced July 30, 2025.
• March 2026: completed the purchase of the surety and fidelity bond renewal rights of Main Street America Insurance, a unit of American Family.

Nationwide reported record 2025 sales and premiums of $73.2 billion, net operating income of $4.29 billion (up from $3.13 billion in 2024) and total adjusted capital of $32.8 billion, the highest in its history.

Business insurance products

Small business. The core is the businessowners policy, which packages liability, property, business income and equipment breakdown, plus workers' comp, commercial auto, umbrella, employment practices liability, cyber liability and surety bonds. Nationwide publishes industry pages for auto service and repair, contractors, food service, professional offices, retail and wholesalers and distributors.

Middle market. For larger accounts Nationwide offers commercial property, a commercial output policy (property, inland marine and crime combined), general liability, commercial auto, umbrella and workers' comp, with targeted expertise in construction, manufacturing and nonprofit and human services. It describes itself as one of the largest commercial multi-peril insurers in the country.

Agribusiness. Farm and ranch packages (AgriChoice, AgriChoice Plus for farms with related commercial exposure, and CountryChoice for smaller operations) and commercial agribusiness coverage for grain elevators, fuel distributors and food and beverage businesses, with free agriculture-focused risk management consulting. See Farm and ranch insurance.

E&S, specialty and programs. Nationwide E&S/Specialty writes excess and surplus lines business, an E-Risk unit and a programs operation that works with program administrators (MGAs) across casualty, professional liability, property, ocean marine, specialty and workers' comp; Nationwide says it has more than 40 years in program business: niche insurance through program administrators and over $1 billion of program premium. Management Liability & Specialty adds commercial liability, credit and political risk, cyber and professional liability, EPL, excess casualty, financial institutions coverage, private company management liability and surety.

Benefits. Group benefits, medical stop-loss for self-funded employers, retirement plans and key person life insurance.

Who it insures

Nationwide's small business appetite covers trades and services such as salons and barbershops, construction, consulting, human services, photography, veterinary practices, finance, retail and technical services, along with farms and ranches. In the middle market it looks for risk management-minded businesses that want a long-term carrier relationship. E&S and programs take the classes standard markets decline. Eligibility and coverage vary by state, so the agent is the place to confirm whether your class and location qualify.

How to buy

Most business is placed by independent agents, including farm agents for agribusiness. Small businesses can also start a quote online or by phone through Nationwide Business Express (844-240-1194), or call the small business line at 888-490-1549, which also handles middle-market inquiries. E&S and program business comes through Nationwide's E&S/Specialty partners, including program administrators, rather than directly from retail agents.

Because Nationwide writes the BOP, auto, comp and umbrella together, an agent can often place a small account's whole program with one carrier, which simplifies renewals and claims. For a hard-to-place class, ask whether the risk fits the standard book or needs to go through the E&S/Specialty side.

Claims

Business claims can be filed online through your account, through your agent, or by calling 800-421-3535, which Nationwide staffs 24/7. Nationwide's contact page also lists 800-228-6700 for commercial claims, with completed forms faxed to 800-842-1482. Nationwide aims for same-day contact from the assigned claims professional, who may schedule an on-site inspection. For workers' comp, the claims professional first determines whether the injury is covered under state law; report injuries immediately. Former Harleysville policyholders can reach customer service at 800-338-8301.

Financial strength and ratings

Nationwide's company ratings page lists, for Nationwide Mutual and its property-casualty affiliates, A (Excellent) from AM Best, affirmed November 7, 2025; A+ from S&P, affirmed April 27, 2026; and A2 from Moody's, affirmed October 5, 2026. In October 2026 Moody's raised its outlook on the P&C business to positive, citing improved profitability from better technical capabilities, governance and pricing and underwriting actions. The life companies carry higher ratings (A+ from AM Best, A1 from Moody's).

Strengths and weaknesses

Nationwide combines a large, well-capitalized mutual with a full commercial shelf, from BOPs to E&S programs, and is particularly strong in agriculture. Its AM Best rating is a notch below several national competitors.

• Strengths: No. 2 nationally in farmowners with dedicated agribusiness products and risk consultants. Small business, middle market, E&S, programs, surety and stop-loss under one group. Record 2025 earnings and capital, and a positive Moody's outlook since October 2026. Online quoting alongside independent agents.
• Weaknesses: AM Best rates the P&C companies A (Excellent), below the A+ or A++ of some national rivals. Several brands and units (Harleysville, Scottsdale paper, E&S/Specialty) can make service contacts confusing. Its national top-10 ranking is limited to farmowners. Recent growth has come partly from buying renewal rights, so some teams and products are new to the group.

How to contact Nationwide