SIAA Welcomes Louisiana Member Agency
SIAA announced that Cottonland Financial Services Inc. of Newellton, La. has become SIAA’s 1,300th Independent Strategic Member. Cottonland Financial Services joins the Southern Insurance Group of Louisiana Master Agency network of Winnsboro, La.
W.E. ‘Skip’ Hawkins, Jr. serves as the president of Cottonland Financial Services. Hawkins has been in the insurance business since 1976.
“Like all rural agencies, we have found it hard to generate the volume to sustain several company relationships, and given the current hard market the challenge has intensified,” Hawkins stated. “We also felt if we had the right relationships we could not only preserve our current book of business but achieve growth … after we looked at everything we made Southern Insurance Group of Louisiana and SIAA our final choice … they offered the best package for short-term preservation and long-term growth.”
SIAA Chairman Jim Masiello commented, “We enthusiastically welcome Cottonland Financial Services as our 1,300th Member Agency. This is a significant milestone to have reached in just over six years!! This accomplishment is strong testimony to the need for SIAA. The many SIAA advantages and opportunities provided to smaller agencies, direct writers and life and financial service agents that seek to grow and increase their income—while retaining their independence—makes SIAA unique in the insurance distribution system. Our Members benefit from access to additional markets and commission/profit sharing overrides and growth bonuses, which is and will continue to be a strong focus of SIAA.”