Nationwide Insurance Offering Echo Auto Devices For Free?

Nationwide Insurance announced in 2019 that it would give away one million Amazon Echo Auto devices to qualifying new and existing auto insurance customers. The promotion was launched on September 25 and was to run through the year or until supplies last. The offer was not available in AK, DC, HI, KS, LA, MA, MI, MS, NE, NM, UT, WI, or WY.

Nationwide Insurance's Echo Auto giveaway

Nationwide Insurance announced in September 2019 that it would give away one million Amazon Echo Auto devices to qualifying new and existing auto insurance customers in select US states. The promotion was launched on September 25 and was set to run through the year or until supplies last.

Eligibility

The offer was available to new and existing auto insurance customers in states where Nationwide operates, with some exceptions due to local regulations. The following states were excluded from the promotion: AK, DC, HI, KS, LA, MA, MI, MS, NE, NM, UT, WI, and WY.

How to Get the Device

Eligible customers could receive the device by visiting `nationwide.com/echoauto' or `nationwide.com/GetEcho', calling 1-800-347-1792, or contacting their local Nationwide insurance agent. Those who opted in would receive an email with a redemption link to Amazon.com to receive an Echo Auto free of charge.

Nationwide's Partnership with Amazon

Nationwide's Echo Auto giveaway was part of a strategic partnership with Amazon. The insurance company introduced three new features to its Alexa Skill, including a New Drive Checklist, Nationwide's Roadside Assistance, and Road Conditions. Additionally, Nationwide added a "digital insurance experience" to its site on Amazon.com, allowing Amazon customers to receive an online quote for Nationwide's auto insurance using their Amazon login credentials.

The partnership between Nationwide and Amazon was mutually beneficial. For Nationwide, the giveaway was a way to reduce churn, lure new customers, and improve its overall bottom line by reducing the number of insurance claims. Amazon, on the other hand, gained a significant presence in the automobile space, allowing consumers to utilize Alexa outside of their homes.

The giveaway's purpose

Nationwide Insurance's giveaway of one million Amazon Echo Auto devices serves multiple strategic purposes. Firstly, it aims to reduce customer churn and attract new customers by offering a free, desirable device to existing and new auto insurance policyholders. This strategy seeks to increase customer retention and loyalty by providing an incentive to maintain their insurance policies with Nationwide for another year. Additionally, the giveaway targets potential new customers who may be enticed to switch to Nationwide for auto insurance due to the promotional offer.

Secondly, the giveaway is intended to promote Nationwide's enhanced Alexa Skill features. The company introduced three new features to their Alexa Skill alongside the Echo Auto giveaway: the New Drive Checklist, Nationwide's Roadside Assistance, and Road Conditions. These features aim to improve customer engagement and provide valuable information while driving, such as safety checklists, easy access to roadside assistance, and real-time road and weather conditions. By integrating with Alexa, Nationwide can offer its insurance customers a more innovative and technologically advanced experience, potentially increasing brand loyalty.

Another purpose of the giveaway is to foster a partnership between Nationwide and Amazon. By adding a "digital insurance experience" to Amazon.com, Nationwide enables Amazon customers to receive online quotes for Nationwide's auto insurance using their Amazon login credentials. This collaboration benefits both parties by expanding their respective customer bases and enhancing their technological capabilities. Amazon, in particular, gains a wider in-car user base for Alexa, strengthening its "on-the-go" Alexa strategy.

Furthermore, the giveaway could potentially improve Nationwide's bottom line by reducing the number of insurance claims. By providing a free voice-activated tool like Echo Auto, Nationwide may contribute to safer driving by reducing distractions associated with smartphone use. According to the National Safety Council, distracted driving due to cellphone use causes a significant number of accidents and insurance claims. By addressing this issue, Nationwide not only improves its bottom line but also generates positive public relations by demonstrating a commitment to customer safety.

Qualifying for the giveaway

In 2019, Nationwide Insurance announced it would give away one million Amazon Echo Auto devices to qualifying new and existing auto insurance customers. The promotion was launched on September 25 and was set to run through the year or until supplies last.

To qualify for the giveaway, you must be an existing or new auto insurance customer in a state where Nationwide operates. There are, however, some exceptions due to local regulations. Those who are eligible will receive an email with a redemption link to Amazon.com to receive their Echo Auto device free of charge.

The giveaway is not available in the following states: Alaska, Washington D.C., Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, Utah, Wisconsin, or Wyoming.

To express interest in receiving an Echo Auto device, you can visit nationwide.com/echoauto or nationwide.com/GetEcho, call 1-800-347-1792, or contact your local Nationwide insurance agent.

Nationwide's new Alexa Skill features

Nationwide Insurance has added three new features to its Alexa Skill, which initially launched in 2016. The new features are:

• New Driver Checklist: This provides a safety checklist to help drivers learn safe driving habits.
• Nationwide's Roadside Assistance: This feature allows Nationwide members to call for help without having to ask Alexa for the number or pick up their phone.
• Road Conditions: This feature allows drivers to quickly check weather and road conditions before heading out.

The new Alexa Skill features allow Nationwide to further engage with their customers and provide valuable information while driving and easy access to their insurance information.

Amazon's partnership with Nationwide

Amazon and Nationwide have entered into a partnership that will benefit both parties. As part of the collaboration, Nationwide Insurance announced it would give away one million Echo Auto devices to qualifying new and existing auto insurance customers in select US states. The giveaway launched on September 25 and was set to run through the year or until supplies last.

The Echo Auto giveaway also promotes the new Alexa Skill features. Amazon's voice assistant, Alexa, will continue to impact our lives, and Nationwide wants to leverage this technology to meet its members' needs in new and unique ways. In addition to the giveaway, Nationwide introduced three new features to their Alexa Skill: the New Drive Checklist, Nationwide’s Roadside Assistance, and Road Conditions.

Nationwide is also adding a “digital insurance experience” to its site on Amazon.com, allowing Amazon customers to receive an online quote for Nationwide’s auto insurance using their Amazon login credentials. This is part of a strategic effort by the company to become more innovative and technologically advanced and to arrest its market share decline.

The partnership with Amazon will help Nationwide Insurance reduce churn and lure new customers with Alexa. It is also a significant win for Amazon, as it does not have a built-in user base on smartphones, and the automobile is a place where Amazon can get consumers to use Alexa outside of the home.

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