MARKEL INSURANCE COMPANY JOINS TRUSTED CHOICESM
Specialty-Markets Insurer Becomes Newest Company Partner
in Branding Initiative
ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 22, 2004—Markel Insurance Company, a leading provider of specialty insurance products and programs, is the newest company partner of Trusted ChoiceSM—the national branding initiative created for independent agents and brokers that highlights the benefits they offer to consumers.
Trusted ChoiceSM was created by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) and its company partners to educate consumers about independent agencies and brokerages and their pledge to the qualities valued most from an insurance counselor—choice, customization and advocacy. Just two years after its inception, more than 3,500 independent insurance agencies and brokerages in cities and towns throughout the country are participating in the Trusted ChoiceSM consumer branding program.
“The reputation of Markel Insurance Company is unsurpassed as a provider of specialized insurance products,” says IIABA CEO Robert A. Rusbuldt. “By joining Trusted ChoiceSM, this division of Markel Corporation is demonstrating its already strong commitment to independent agents and brokers, as well as the future of the independent agency system. Markel Insurance Company keenly understands that independent agents and brokers are the key to their continued success in many respects, and by joining Trusted ChoiceSM , Markel is making a statement that it is standing beside them. This is a quality company that is dedicated to service, customization and their consumers—all hallmarks of Trusted ChoiceSM.”
Markel Insurance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Markel Corporation, develops and underwrites specialty insurance products and programs in a variety of niche markets, from child care centers and college students, to horse farms and soccer camps.
“Our specialized products needed an equally unique branding strategy, which we found in Trusted ChoiceSM,” says Markel Insurance President and COO Britt Glisson. “The Trusted ChoiceSM branding initiative offered the perfect opportunity to amplify our dedication to providing choice and customization for each policyholder through our dedicated independent agents and brokers.”
Markel is the largest insurer of child- and youth-related facilities in the United States and writes special risk and health programs for a variety of markets including student accident, student health and sports accident coverage for more than 1,000 schools, colleges and universities across the country. Additionally, for more than 40 years, Markel has set the standard for equine-related insurance products and offers the most comprehensive coverages in the market.
Markel (www.markelinsurance.com) and six other national insurers are Trusted ChoiceSM company partners: Encompass Insurance, MetLife Auto & Home, Ohio Casualty Insurance, Progressive Insurance, Rain and Hail and Safeco Insurance.
A total of 18 regional companies are Trusted ChoiceSM partners: America First Insurance, Capital Insurance Group, Cascade National Insurance, Central Insurance Companies, Colorado Casualty, Consumers Insurance, GoAmerica Auto Insurance, Golden Eagle Insurance, Hawkeye-Security Insurance, Indiana Insurance, Kentucky National Insurance, Main Street America Group, Montgomery Insurance, National Security Fire & Casualty, Peerless Insurance, Rutgers Casualty Insurance, Selective Insurance Group and Summit Insurance (R.I.). InsurBanc, a federal thrift bank created by IIABA, is a Trusted ChoiceSM strategic partner.
The Trusted ChoiceSM brand is being promoted nationally through a combination of advertising, company ingredient branding, public relations, agency marketing and Internet communications. All media direct consumers to www.TrustedChoice.com, where they will find a cutting-edge Agency Locator and the latest consumer information on numerous insurance topics. Six advertising flights this year in March (just completed), April, June, August, October and December, as well as a public relations outreach program, will educate consumers to the value of a Trusted ChoiceSM agency.
Trusted ChoiceSM is the consumer marketing identity for more than 3,500 participating independent insurance agencies and brokerages and their branch locations. These firms offer a choice of insurance companies and policies, customization of policy coverage, and consumer advocacy. Founded in 1896, IIABA is the nation’s oldest and largest association for independent insurance agents and brokers. Web site: www.independentagent.com.
###