CAL-SURANCE AMONG AGENCIES NOTED FOR PERFORMANCE

An elite group of independent insurance agencies from around the United States met in Atlanta recently to be honored by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) and Reagan Consulting, an Atlanta-based consulting firm. The agencies enjoy the distinction of being included in the recently released Best Practices Study. Six of the firms were singled out for recognition as the “Top Performing Agency” in its revenue size category. Among them was Orange, Calif.-based Cal-Surance Associates Inc.

The “Top Performers” included Carroll Insurance Agency, Maumee, Ohio; Thomas E. Corkhill Insurance Agency, Orlando, Fla.; Bigham-Kliewer-Chapman-Watts, Killeen, Texas; Little & Smith, Marietta, Ga; and Sternberg Kozera & Gleicher, Hartsdale, N.Y. Performance was ranked on a number of criteria including client retention and services, employee productivity, financial results, and overall management achievement. Eight insurance companies that provided financial support for the research and development of the study—Central Insurance Cos., Chubb, CNA, Fireman’s Fund, OneBeacon, Royal/Sunalliance, Travelers, and Zurich North America—were also recognized for their sponsorship. Every three years, the IIABA and Reagan Consulting join forces to select 180 “Best Practices” agencies throughout the nation for outstanding management and financial achievement in six revenue categories. Over 800 independent agencies throughout the U.S. were nominated to take part in the study. Only 180 agencies, the top 30 in each of six revenue groups, qualified for inclusion. The agency was nominated by either an IIAA affiliated state association or an insurance company and qualified based on its outstanding customer services, growth, stability and financial management.

The Best Practices Study was initiated by IIAA’s Commission to Enhance Agency Value in 1993 as the foundation for efforts to improve agency performance.