Regional Focus

Former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill once famously said, “All politics is local.” The same could be said for the insurance industry—insurance coverage is definitely local. In addition, there continues to be a shift of business within the independent agency distribution system from national carriers to regional carriers in both commercial and personal lines, according to the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America’s recent report on market share.

With this in mind, Insurance Journal and Demotech Inc. believe regional insurance companies deserve a forum dedicated to the dissemination of pertinent information impacting regional companies, their employees and agents. To address this need, IJ has asked Demotech to develop and coordinate a new feature—Regional Focus—to highlight the products, services, financial strength and agency relationships of regional insurance companies. If it is important to you, your agents or your insureds, it is important to us.

Demotech will be contacting regional insurance companies nationwide to solicit information. However, if you would like to submit information, you may contact Demotech at (800) 354-7207, fax information to (614) 761-0906 or send an e-mail to regionalfocus@demotech.com. Please include complete contact information so that we can forward an acknowledgement.

First Nonprofit Mutual
First Nonprofit Mutual Insurance Co. writes package policies to address the needs of nonprofit corporations. Their programs are endorsed by the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations and the Child Care Association of Illinois.

The First Nonprofit Mutual earned a Financial Stability Rating of A, Exceptional from Demotech. This level of Financial Stability Rating facilitates the acceptance of policies by mortgage lenders and the secondary mortgage marketplace. The company was also assigned a rating of “A-” from A.M. Best Co.

Coverages offered include general liability and professional liability including foster care and counseling liability coverages, crime and computer coverages, automobile coverages and umbrellas. Social services agencies remain a primary focus.

First Nonprofit is licensed in the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. For information regarding products or services, contact (312) 930-9500 or visit www.firstnonprofit.com.

Auto-Owners
Auto-Owners Insurance Group is represented by more than 5,200 independent agencies, selling personal and commercial property/casualty and life, disability and annuity insurance. Total associates number more than 3,200.

The Auto-Owners Insurance Group ranks among the largest in the nation, with more than 3.3 million policies in force. The companies also enjoy the highest possible ratings assigned by nationally recognized independent rating authorities. Auto-Owners and its affiliates have been assigned an A.M. Best rating of “A++.” The company has also earned a Financial Stability Rating of A” (A double prime), Unsurpassed from Demotech.

Auto-Owners writes personal automobile liability and physical damage, commercial automobile liability and physical damage, homeowners insurance and related property insurance coverages, commercial multiple peril and workers’ compensation through its independent agent distribution system.

They are licensed in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

For information regarding products or services, contact (517) 323-1200 or visit www.auto-owners.com.

Great Lakes Casualty
Great Lakes Casualty Insurance Co. was formed in 1997. The company’s initial capitalization was provided by 90 Michigan agents, and was created to provide a competitive insurance product for independent agents serving the personal insurance needs of Michigan families. The parent of Great Lakes is Newco of Michigan Inc. Mike McBride, president of Mason McBride Inc., served on the board of Great Lakes Casualty and was instrumental in its development.

Great Lakes Casualty was assigned an A.M. Best rating of “B.” However, the company has earned a Financial Stability Rating of A, Exceptional from Demotech Inc. Personal lines automobile insurance coverages are available through shareholder independent agencies. The company is licensed in Michigan. For information on products and services, call (616) 792-1433.

Mennonite Mutual
Mennonite Mutual Insurance Co. underwrites and provides property/casualty insurance, primarily in smaller cities and rural communities in Ohio. The company focuses its resources on specific niche markets, including farmowners, homeowners and related coverages, commercial multiple peril and umbrella policies. Mennonite Mutual is represented throughout Ohio by independent agencies.

Mennonite Mutual has earned a Financial Stability Rating of A, Exceptional from Demotech. The company also was assigned an A. M. Best rating of “B+.” Mennonite Mutual is licensed in Ohio. For information on products or services, contact (330) 682-2986 or visit www.mennonitemutual.com.

Editor’s Note: All ratings information should be verified by visiting the Web sites of the respective services.

Joseph L. Petrelli is president and founder of Demotech Inc., a Columbus, Ohio-based financial analysis and actuarial services firm. Petrelli is a member of the Casualty Actuarial Society, American Academy of Actuaries and the Conference of Actuaries in Public Practice. Additional information can be found at www.demotech.com.

Topics Auto Agencies Ohio Illinois Pennsylvania Michigan AM Best Casualty