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Nationwide Insurance has announced a never before tried offer of a discount program that it has based on home construction features. These include secondary water resistance, roof type, and window protection.

Called Nationwide's Wind Mitigation Program, it reduces premiums for homeowners and will encourage rebuilding activity, particularly along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where because of exorbitant insurance rates, some projects have stalled.

Biloxi Mississippi Mayor A.J. Holloway says that insurance is one of their major cost issues. He says that the expense is just killing people and their efforts to rebuild. He notes that some people have to pay as much as $10,000 to $20,000 to insure their homes.

According to Nationwide spokesperson Nancy Smeltzer, for some time the insurance company, Nationwide has strongly supported wind mitigation as well as strong building code enforcement so as to protect coastal property.

Smeltzer says that this unique program makes available a significant financial incentive to property owners that Nationwide believes will encourage stronger structures able to withstand hurricane force winds. She says that Nationwide developed this with the Mississippi Insurance Department to help coastal policyholders. In addition she adds that the company will continue to work with regulators to develop sound policies and programs.

Smeltzer says that at this point, it's too early for the company to predict the number of participants, but that it is pleased with the positive feedback that has been receiving from customers and agents. She notes that the program takes effect April 13, 2009.

In September, Nationwide officially filed hurricane mitigation construction discounts. These will affect personal lines property, including condominiums, homeowners, tenants, and mobile homes. The wind mitigation discounts are being made available in the six coastal counties of George, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Pearl River and Stone to existing homeowner policies.

The discounts are projected to range from 1% to 35%. This reflects the types and numbers of changes made. Multiple discounts may also be available.

Discounts, according to Smeltzer, apply to such things as roof shape, roofing materials, roof deck attachment, window and door protection, roof-to-wall construction, and secondary water resistance. She also notes that secondary water resistance refers to roofing felt as well as some other approved layer of protection placed between shingles and the underling roof sheathing. Through increasing some of the deductibles, Smeltzer says that some property owners may also be eligible for premium credits. Other discounts may also apply to such things as the age of the home and the insuring of multiple products.

Mike Chaney, the commissioner of insurance for the state has said that consumers expressed enthusiasm over the discounts as well as the fact that discounts can be stacked. At a recent meeting on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, he said that the state is excited that Nationwide is rolling out this program without the inclusion of the government.