Valley-based Agency Resource Group Inc. (ARG) President Bud Bowlin announced two strategic alliances with major national insurance providers – PacifiCare and United Concordia Insurance Company (United Concordia).
ARG is a new, national employee benefits general agency that works with a very select group of insurance companies. According to Bowlin, both PacifiCare and United Concordia will find great benefit from an alliance with ARG.
Bowlin explained that the mission of ARG is to distribute high quality employee benefit products through select insurance agents and brokers, third party administrators and benefit specialists.
“PacifiCare and United Concordia are perfect partners for us as we expand throughout the country,” said Bowlin.
According to Tom Marshall, Director of Small Group Sales, with PacifiCare, securing a partnership with ARG is ideal as it allows them (ARG) to focus on the needs of the agents.
“ARG is made up of experts who understand the blocking and tackling of the business and focus on the fundamentals. That’s how they have become an extension of our sales team,” said Marshall. Marshall explained that with insurance, competition is very high and that ARG brings a competitive edge to PacifiCare’s team.
“The ARG model is very strong and effective, it revives traditional tactics that the customers appreciate and respect,” said Marshall.
According to Barbara Crawford, Regional Sales Director-Southwest for United Concordia, the alliance with ARG is very promising as it brings a great deal of resources to the smaller insurance brokers. She explained that the ARG model is very valuable to the independent agents because it provides resources that small shops will benefit from. Most importantly, ARG brings experience.
“We are grateful that ARG approached United Concordia because they bring a depth in staff and experience which results in valuable professionalism,” said Crawford. Crawford explained that United Concordia entered into the alliance because distributing products through the ARG model will help in expanding markets with strong dental networks.
ARG is nationwide in scope and is being rolled out using a ten region concept over the next three years. The initial Southwest region consists of Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. Headquarters for both ARG Corporate and the Southwest region are located at 1717 W. Northern Ave. Suite 200 in Phoenix. ARG is a sales, service and marketing organization which distribute health and related group insurance products for several major insurance companies through a selected group of highly reputable local agents.
All insurance companies contracted have top ratings in the industry and provide a broad array of benefit plan designs incorporating the most current employer options available.
ARG is currently representing AETNA, Delta Dental, Companion Life, Assurant/Fortis, Trustmark and Transamerica Worksite. More companies and products will be added as ARG opens additional sales offices within the Southwest region and establishes new sales regions nationally.
ARG is a member of the Diversified HealthCare Services families of companies which include Partners RX Management – a pharmacy benefit management company, Tactical – NYU – an excess loss MGU and Wholesale Benefits Club – a healthcare products and services discount card. ARG’s address on the web is www.argbenefits.com.
Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies
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