WASHINGTON, DC, May 5, 2009 - Insurance carriers Central Insurance Companies and Travelers recently received the prestigious “Best Practices Award of Excellence” at the 2009 Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention. The awards were presented at the Young Agents Breakfast and Leadership Panel on May 1.
The awards recognize those companies that have made imaginative, outstanding and unique contributions in advocating Best Practices philosophies that enhance the independent agency system. The Big “I” Best Practices Program provides performance benchmarks and business strategies that serve as a guide to improving agency performance.
Central Insurance Companies support of the Best Practices program came as agents requested help from their company partner to grow their personal lines books of business. Utilizing the Best Practices studies and through consultations with Reagan Consulting, a plan was developed and implemented. The feedback was positive and the results have been a success. Central communicates the value of the resources through agent education and business consulting, their Web site and monthly agency newsletters.
“Central Insurance Companies promotes the philosophies of the Best Practices through materials in agent education and business consulting,” says Madelyn Flannagan, Big “I” vice president of education and research. “It is evident that Central’s leadership strongly believes the program builds better and stronger independent agents.”
Since Best Practices was launched in 2001, Travelers has been recognized each year and has demonstrated that their company support of the program does not wane. Travelers is committed to making a difference by communicating the value of the resources and working with agents to help them grow their agencies. Working with thousands of agencies, presenting keynote sessions that incorporate Best Practices topics and resources, and dedicating a monthly article in their newsletter are just some of the many ways Travelers is working to help educate agents on the value of the Best Practices program. Travelers also provides materials for select agencies and dedicates staff time and resources through participation on the IIABA Council for Best Practices.
“As an eight-time winner of the Best Practices Award, Travelers is to be commended for its continued support,” says Flannagan. “Through numerous efforts, Travelers continues to demonstrate their commitment to Best Practices and to making a difference by communicating the value of the resources and working directly with agents to help them reach their goals.”
Founded in 1896, the Big “I” is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of more than 300,000 agents, brokers and their employees nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance—property, casualty, life, and health—as well as employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.
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