W.R. BERKLEY CORPORATION JOINS TRUSTED CHOICE®
The brand for independent agents & brokers continues to grow
ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 10, 2006—The W.R. Berkley Corporation, one of the nation’s premier commercial lines property-casualty insurance companies, based in Greenwich, Conn., has become the newest independent agency system insurance company to join the growing Trusted Choice® consumer brand movement. W.R. Berkley Corp.’s participating operating units are: Acadia Insurance Company, Berkley Mid-Atlantic Group, Continental Western Group, Preferred Employers Insurance Company and Union Standard Insurance Group.
“W.R. Berkley Corporation, and our regional companies, understand the value of independent agents and brokers,” says William R. Berkley, Chairman and CEO of W.R. Berkley Corporation. “We believe that branding our distribution system makes a tremendous amount of sense for insurance consumers, our agents and brokers, and our companies. We are proud to become a Trusted Choice® company partner and to strengthen our relationship with our distribution force. I am impressed with the progress the brand already has made in a short period of time.”
Mr. Berkley continues by noting, “We emphasize value for our commercial lines policyholders, and Trusted Choice® shares the value based philosophy we have at W.R. Berkley Corporation.”
“We are thrilled to welcome W.R. Berkley Corporation into Trusted Choice®,” says Robert A. Rusbuldt, CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”). “W.R. Berkley Corporation’s commitment to Trusted Choice® is a significant step in solidifying the brand’s position as THE smart choice for both commercial and personal lines consumers.”
“Bill Berkley is recognized as one of the true leaders in the insurance industry. He is respected for his intellect and his vision. Bill has a long history with independent agents and brokers. The distribution force of W.R. Berkley Corp. is very excited about having their company participate in Trusted Choice® and is looking forward to promoting the value offered by Trusted Choice® agencies to consumers insured through the W.R. Berkley Corp. companies.”
Founded in 1967, W. R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: BER) is an insurance holding company that is among the largest commercial lines writers in the United States and operates in five segments of the property-casualty insurance business: specialty insurance, regional property casualty insurance, alternative markets, reinsurance and international.Each of the operating units in W.R. Berkley focuses on a niche market requiring specialized knowledge about a territory or product.
Launched in 2001 by 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 for their insurance needs. The brand highlights the benefits to business and individual consumers when they use an independent agency—choice of companies, customized policies and advocacy support.
Today, nearly 6,200 independent agencies and brokerage firms throughout the country are participating in Trusted Choice®. They are joined by the W.R. Berkley Corporation and 33 other leading insurance companies.
The Trusted Choice® brand is promoted through a combination of national, state-level and local-agency advertising, promotional and marketing activities; insurance company branding; public relations campaigns; 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.
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