Five hotels and one restaurant have recently been added to AAA's prestigious Four Diamonds list, signifying excellence in cleanliness, comfort, cuisine, and consistency. Among the new additions are the Paradox Hotel and the AZUR Legacy Collection Hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, as well as the Luminary Hotel & Co. in Fort Myers, Florida. Additionally, the Aguascalientes Marriott Hotel in Mexico and the Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico in Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico have also earned the Four Diamond designation.Mixtli, a restaurant in San Antonio, Texas, has also...

The use of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Utility Task Vehicles (UTVs) has been on the rise in U.S. farms, proving essential for various tasks such as inspecting crops and livestock and transporting supplies. This surge in popularity is mirrored by the powersports industry's growth, with expectations to almost double in market value to $69 billion over the next decade.However, along with the increased utilization of these vehicles comes a heightened level of risk. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 700 deaths and 100,000 injuries treated in...

Puget Sound Kidney Centers has selected Nationwide Retirement Solutions to provide recordkeeping and education services for its 403(b) deferred retirement contribution plans, which boast over $25 million in assets under management and around 440 plan participants.“Our highest priority when choosing a new retirement services provider was ensuring that our employees have an excellent experience,” said Tom DeBord, President & CEO for Puget Sound Kidney Centers.In addition to recordkeeping and administrative services, Nationwide will offer participants holistic financial...

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 21, 2024)—The national average for a gallon of gas rose 11 cents since last week to $3.52. While domestic gas demand has been lackluster, rising oil prices helped push pump prices higher. The Midwest may see a bit of a price reprieve, as the large BP Whiting refinery in Indiana is back up and running after being down since February 1st."Gas prices are a lot like seasonal temperatures. They start to rise with the arrival of spring," said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. "And the national average for gas is now higher than a year ago, which we have...

NORTHBROOK, Ill., March 21, 2024 – The Allstate Corporation disclosed that their "estimated catastrophe losses were below the $150 million reporting threshold for February 2024." The company also revealed that "Rate increases for Allstate brand auto insurance resulted in a premium impact of 0.1% for the month of February and 1.5% year-to-date," as well as stating that "Rate increases for Allstate brand homeowners insurance have resulted in a premium impact of 2.4% for the month of February and 2.7% year-to-date." Additionally, they mentioned that "Implemented rate increases...

The Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I) has announced that it will hold its 2024 Joint Industry Forum (JIF) in Miami, Florida, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, and Wednesday, Nov. 20. The event will focus on providing expert perspectives on the state of the insurance industry under the theme Solutions for a New Age of Risk.Triple-I's CEO, Sean Kevelighan, emphasized the importance of updating assumptions and priorities for risk and insurance professionals, stating, “Senior risk and insurance professionals need to continuously update their assumptions and priorities, and...

On March 19, 2024, Nationwide introduced a groundbreaking digital resource, the Pet HealthZone, powered by generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI), aimed at providing pet owners with valuable insights into their pets' health. Dr. Emily Tincher, Nationwide’s senior director of pet health, and Melanie Kolp, Nationwide’s senior vice president and chief technology officer of technology strategy, data and innovation, shed light on the functionality of this innovative platform.The Pet HealthZone leverages over 40 years of pet insurance data to offer pet owners personalized...

WASHINGTON, DC (March 18, 2024) – Even though many eclipse enthusiasts have had April 8, 2024 marked on their calendars for years, there are some people who are just now deciding they want to experience this natural phenomenon in person. If this is you, it’s not too late.According to AAA booking data, Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio are the most popular cities along the path of totality for the upcoming eclipse on April 8, 2024. Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Buffalo are also top eclipse-viewing destinations, with Dallas experiencing a significant increase in reservations...

In a celebration of excellence at the CIAA Basketball Tournament, the Lincoln University Lions and Fayetteville State Lady Broncos emerged victorious, claiming their championship titles in Baltimore. The tournament, steeped in tradition and history, goes beyond the court, fostering a sense of community and nostalgia among attendees.The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), established in 1912 as America’s oldest historically Black athletic conference, showcases 14 annual championships, including the prestigious basketball tournament. Drawing in 190,000 fans...

ORLANDO, Fla. (Mar. 14, 2024) – AAA's latest survey reveals that a significant portion of U.S. drivers harbor apprehension towards fully self-driving vehicles, with 66% expressing fear and 25% feeling uncertain. This sentiment has remained consistent, indicating a persistent unease within the public despite advancements in autonomous technologies.The survey also highlights a contrasting trend, as interest in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) remains robust among consumers. AAA found that a majority of U.S. drivers are keen on features like Reverse Automatic...

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 14, 2024)—The national average for a gallon of gas has been rising leisurely since last week, moving a mere two cents higher to $3.41. However, with the cost of oil crossing the $80 per barrel mark and gas demand popping with warmer temps and better weather, change may be coming to the pump. Another critical factor is the arrival of more expensive summer blend gas, which tends to increase pump prices by 10 to 15 cents."This is the time of year we normally see pump prices start to rise," said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. "And while prices have...

State Farm President Jon Farney has been selected as the company’s next Chief Executive Officer by the State Farm Mutual Board of Directors. Farney will formally begin his role on June 1. The announcement was shared by Chairman and retiring CEO Michael Tipsord, who expressed his confidence in Farney's abilities. Tipsord stated, “Jon and I have worked together for many years. I’ve seen how much he cares about State Farm, how much he cares about the people at State Farm, how he solves problems, and how focused he is on taking care of our customers.”Farney, who joined State...

Nationwide has appointed George Williams to lead its Small Market Commercial Lines business. Williams, who previously served as the company's chief operating officer for commercial lines, excess & surplus, and specialty, brings over two decades of industry experience to the role.Russ Johnston, Nationwide's president of Commercial Lines, Excess & Surplus, Specialty, expressed confidence in Williams, stating, "Leading a small commercial platform requires a combination of underwriting, technology, operational excellence and customer focus. George has a proven background in...

NEW YORK, March 14, 2024—California’s regulatory restrictions on insurance pricing and underwriting, along with the need for more mitigation efforts, are significantly impacting the insurance industry in the state, as highlighted in the Insurance Information Institute’s (Triple-I) latest Issues Brief.The report, titled Trends and Insights: California’s Risk Crisis, discusses how Proposition 103 and its regulatory implementations are hindering insurers from adapting to the evolving risk landscape in California. Sean Kevelighan, CEO of the Triple-I, emphasized the need for...

In light of Pet Prevention Poison Month, Nationwide is urging pet owners to be vigilant about their furry companions' safety. The initiative comes after a family experienced a worrisome incident involving a plant that led to a costly visit to the veterinarian.Nationwide advises pet parents to take preventive measures to avoid such situations. They recommend visiting Nationwide's PetHealthZone for tips on pet safety and what to do if a pet ingests something harmful. Additionally, Nationwide offers its members access to veterinary professionals around the clock through the...

Businesses are increasingly intrigued by the possibilities offered by Generative AI technology. The potential applications of this innovative technology across various aspects of the value chain have sparked significant interest. However, the decision to integrate Generative AI into business operations requires careful consideration and evaluation.Nationwide’s Chief Innovation and Digital Officer, Chetan Kandhari, sheds light on the crucial factors that companies contemplating the adoption of Generative AI must take into account. Kandhari emphasizes the importance of...

Nationwide pet insurance members now have access to a new video consultation feature on Nationwide’s VetHelpline®, providing them with face-to-face conversations with veterinary professionals around the clock. This new addition aims to offer a more comprehensive solution to pet owners, as stated by Mariel Devesa, Nationwide Pet’s Head of Growth, Expansion, and Development, who highlighted, "Our new VetHelpline® merges technology with peace of mind for our consumers in one of the most comprehensive solutions in the market today."The VetHelpline® service is exclusive to...

Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company and a prominent player in the financial services and insurance sector, has been actively engaged in critical discussions centered around finance services and economics. In recent engagements, Nationwide's thought leaders have shared valuable insights on various platforms.Jim Fowler, Nationwide’s Chief Technology Officer, recently participated in a panel discussion on Nasdaq TV where he discussed the impact of generative AI on customer service. Fowler highlighted how Nationwide has strategically invested in AI over the past decade to...

Nationwide and Annexus marked a significant milestone in their collaboration by ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on March 7. The event celebrated a decade-long partnership that has brought innovative solutions to the financial services marketplace, benefiting American retirement savers.Mike Morrone, vice president of Nationwide Annuity business development, highlighted the impact of the partnership, stating, "Our partnership with Annexus has enabled us to take our product innovation to the next level." This collaboration allowed Nationwide to enter...

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 7, 2024)—Pump prices have maintained a steady march higher, rising eight cents since last week to $3.39. More expensive oil is a likely culprit, as crude accounts for nearly 60% of pump prices. The cost for a barrel of oil is edging closer to $80, about $10 more per barrel than a few months ago."Spring is nearly here, with longer days, better weather, and more opportunities to hit the road," said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. "And we are seeing this reflected in rising gasoline demand. But remember, we see this trend every year."For the...