UPLAND MUTUAL INSURANCE JOINS TRUSTED CHOICE®
Insurer to help build awareness of brand with consumers
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Nov. 17, 2005—Upland Mutual Insurance, Inc., a mutual insurer based in Junction City, Kan., is the 32nd company partner to join the growing Trusted Choice® consumer brand movement.
Launched in 2001 by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) and several agency companies, Trusted Choice® is the national consumer brand created to educate consumers about the benefits of using independent insurance agents and brokers: choice of companies, customized policies and advocacy support.
Today, more than 5,300 independent agencies and brokerage firms throughout the country are participating in the brand program. They are joined by Upland Mutual and 31 other leading insurance companies.
“We are excited about our new relationship with the Trusted Choice® brand movement,” says Upland Mutual President Chris Brown. “Upland Mutual has worked exclusively with independent agencies for more than 100 years. We believe that Trusted Choice® is the future of the agency system, including our appointed agencies as well as our company. We look forward to helping our policyholders understand the value of independent agencies through our participation in Trusted Choice®.”
“Upland Mutual Insurance is a great addition to the Trusted Choice® brand movement. The company has a long and well-established history in the agency system and is a valuable partner to its agencies,” says Ronald A. Smith, CPCU, brand program board chairman and president of Smith, Sawyer & Smith, Inc., a Rochester, Ind.-based Trusted Choice® agency. “Upland Mutual is dedicated to growing the awareness of the Trusted Choice® brand among consumers, the agency community, and the entire insurance industry. They value their independent agents and their policyholders, and believe completely in the benefits Trusted Choice® agencies offer consumers.”
Upland Mutual Insurance, Inc. was formed in 1896 as a cooperative company to provide fire and lightning coverage to local customers. Over the years, Upland Mutual’s offerings have increased to include seven lines of business including homeowners, farmowners, farm property, dwelling fire, mobile homeowners, personal and farm auto, as well as inland marine coverages. Further information can be found on the company's Web site at www.uplandmutual.com.
Ten national insurers are Trusted Choice® company partners: Encompass Insurance, Markel Insurance Company, MetLife Auto & Home, Ohio Casualty Insurance, Drive Insurance from Progressive, Rain and Hail Insurance Service, Safeco Insurance and three Unitrin, Inc. divisions: Kemper Auto and Home, Unitrin Business Insurance and Unitrin Specialty.
A total of 21 regional or single-state domiciled insurers are Trusted Choice® company partners: Allied Insurance, America First Insurance, Capital Insurance Group, Central Insurance Companies, Colorado Casualty, Consumers Insurance, GoAmerica Auto Insurance, Golden Eagle Insurance, Hawkeye-Security Insurance, Harleysville Insurance, Indiana Insurance, Liberty Northwest Insurance Corp., The Main Street America Group, Maine Mutual Group, Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance, Montgomery Insurance, National Security Fire & Casualty, Peerless Insurance, Selective Insurance Group, Summit Insurance (R.I.) and Upland Mutual Insurance. InsurBanc, a federal thrift bank created by the Big “I,” is a Trusted Choice® strategic partner.
The Trusted Choice® brand is promoted nationally through a combination of national, state and local-agency advertising; company partner ingredient branding; public relations activities; member agency marketing; and Internet communications.
All media direct consumers to www.TrustedChoice.com where they find the Trusted Choice® Agency Locator and helpful information on relevant insurance topics.
Trusted Choice® is the consumer marketing identity for more than 5,300 independent insurance agencies and brokerage firms and their branch locations. These businesses offer individual and business consumers a choice of insurance companies and policies, customization of policy coverage and advocacy support. Web address: www.TrustedChoice.com.
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