Central earns independent agents’ award

VW independent/submitted information

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) presented Applied Systems, Central Insurance Companies, EMC, Preferred Mutual Insurance Companies, Travelers and Westfield Insurance with the prestigious Best Practices Award of Excellence at the recent Big “I” Legislative Conference.

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, which was launched in 1993, provides performance benchmarks and business strategies that serve as a guide to improving agency performance.

Central Insurance Companies continues to demonstrate its belief that Best Practices adds significant value to the company and its agents. Central is an active supporter and nominated more than 15 percent of its agencies for the Best Practices study with a personal letter encouraging them to participate. Central shared Best Practices information and benchmarks with marketing managers and presented the information to its National Agents Advisory Council (Inner Circle).

“Since 2005, through countless company-wide and online initiatives, Central Insurance Companies, a Trusted Choice^® company, promotes the philosophies of the Best Practices through materials in agent education, business consulting, and numerous innovative efforts,” said Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “We applaud Central’s ongoing dedication, leadership, and cutting edge efforts.”

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 approximately a quarter of a million 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, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.