Nationwide adds iPhone car shopping app

Source: Business First

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. has introduced its second iPhone application.

Cartopia is the Columbus insurance company’s latest application aimed at motorists. The free program for Apple Inc.’s (NYSE:AAPL) iPhone and iPod Touch is designed to fetch comparison information for car shoppers. After entering make and model information, the application gathers safety, pricing, payment and other information to help with comparison shopping.

The application scours the Web for used vehicle history scores, trade-in value, retail and dealer invoice pricing. It also includes a monthly payment calculator and ability to gather loan rate and insurance rate quotes from Nationwide.

“Cartopia allows users to review unbiased information about multiple cars on the car lot – including things that may not be obvious to the naked eye, like if a used car has been in an accident or damaged in a flood,” Sue McManus, Nationwide’s associate vice president of interactive marketing, said in a statement. “It helps them lift the veil to make an informed decision about the car that’s right for them.”

Cartopia is a follow-on to the company’s auto accident toolkit application called Nationwide Mobile, released this year. That application has been downloaded more than 82,000 times and has initiated 248 insurance claims, the company said.

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BTW did you know Cartopia is Nationwide's second iPhone app this year. Their first, Nationwide Mobile, was just named to Ad Age's top ten list of branded apps for 2009.

They said:
" NATIONWIDE MOBILE - If mobile is about convenience, then Nationwide has really nailed it. The home and auto insurer released an app this spring that was the first to let customers file claims from an accident scene, with the option to include pictures taken with their iPhone. Everything else, from a tow truck to a virtual flashlight, is a single click away. "


Kudos to Nationwide for being a national leader!!!