The Ohio Farm Bureau decided to set up its own insurance company to offer rates that accurately reflected the driving habits of farmers.

The first agents managed to recruit ten times that number, and on April 14, 1926, Farm Bureau Mutual started a business with over 1,000 policyholders.

In 1928, Farm Bureau Mutual expanded to West Virginia, followed by Maryland, Delaware, Vermont, and North Carolina.

After plans to move the Hartford Whalers to Columbus failed when voters rejected a tax levy, the Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company announced that it would build an arena adjacent to One Nationwide Plaza in an effort to bring an NHL franchise to Columbus.

This second effort was successful, and the Columbus Blue Jackets began play to at Nationwide Arena in late 2000.

Nationwide Realty Investors is the company's real estate development arm and was involved with providing the land for a new soccer stadium in Columbus.

[22] Nationwide sponsors the Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew, the other major-league sports franchise in town, and has appeared on the front of team shirts since 2020.

[24] On September 3, 2010, Nationwide announced a six-year deal to become the presenting sponsor of the PGA Tour Memorial Tournament beginning with the 2010 event.

In March 2010, Nationwide announced it would be co-sponsoring Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Director Emeritus Jack Hanna's Into the Wild TV show and national speaking tour.

He attended the University of Cincinnati Medical Center's trial run of the nation's first training program to educate the blind about careers involving computers.

It also helps Nationwide customers start the claims process, finds Nationwide-certified local repair shops, and facilitates the exchange of accident and insurance information.

"[36] During the second quarter of Super Bowl XLIX, Nationwide aired a controversial commercial to promote its Make Safe Happen child safety website and initiative, in which a deceased boy reflects on what life milestones he could not partake in due to his premature death in an accident.

The advertisement was scorned and ridiculed by many as morbid, disturbing, and in poor taste against the backdrop of a major, upbeat professional sports event.

Following its negative reception, Nationwide released a statement defending its decision to air the ad, explaining that child safety is a serious issue that must be addressed.