Going the Extra Mile

The motto “Covenant Cares” is not just on the letterhead at Covenant Insurance Group Inc., but it’s a way of operating that is truly caring, according to one employee at the York, Pa.-headquartered independent insurance agency.

The agency, which specializes in auto insurance, home insurance, business owners insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, ministry insurance and employee benefits, was nominated by its employees and won Insurance Journal’s Best Agency to Work For Silver award for the East region. The agency was chosen as the East region silver winner based on employee responses to an anonymous survey.

“‘Covenant Cares’ applies to every client,” wrote one employee in the survey. “Our agents regularly go the extra mile to serve our clients.”

Established in 1984 by agency founder, Norma Blair, Covenant Insurance Group states on its website that the agency’s goal is to go above and beyond to help its clients manage the risks involved in their lives and businesses. The agency serves more than 12,000 policyholders and represents more than 30 carriers.

“Not all insurance agents are created equal,” Covenant’s website states. “At Covenant Insurance Group, Inc., we go out of our way to treat our clients like people, and we use our industry experience and diversified knowledge base to protect what you value most in business and in life.”

As a family oriented employer, Covenant strives to put customers first, one employee wrote in the survey.

“We believe that if you service the customer and put their interests first, company success will follow,” the employee stated.

“Everyone understands that customer service is the beginning, the middle and the end,” another employee added.

Covenant Insurance Group President Robert Stone states on the company website that he believes there is nothing better than working with an individual or business who allows the agency to take the time to understand its risks and assist it in creating a customized insurance and risk management program specific to its needs. Stone is a third-generation insurance agent who was licensed in 1988 and has more than 30 years of experience working in the insurance industry.

“We are successful because we do what is right for the clients we are privileged to serve 100% of the time!” he states in his biography on Covenant’s website.

Indeed, John Henning, also a founder of Covenant Insurance Group with a more than 30-year career in the insurance industry, was drawn to working in insurance specifically because of his interest in people.

Beyond working with clients, however, Covenant Insurance Group works to serve the people within the agency, according to employee survey responses. One employee wrote that Covenant not only provides excellent insurance products, but cares personally for each employee and promotes team spirit and cooperation.

“It’s like working with family,” stated another employee.

One survey response pointed to examples where employees were struggling with health issues or financial issues, and the owners were compassionate and stepped up to help not just through kind words, but by doing something tangible.

“I myself have a child with special needs,” the employee wrote. “The owner never questions when I have to run to take care of medical issues. This means the world to me.”

Another employee stated in the survey that overall, working at Covenant Insurance is a joy because everyone is always there to help when needed.

“I love the people I work with,” one employee said.

“It really is a great place to work.”