Percent of business in Illinois by line:
Personal : 100%

Are you currently appointing new agents? Yes

What type of agency is your company looking for? Professional agencies with a need for our specialty products

What are your premium volume requirements? Min. profit sharing is $35 K earned premium. It also has a growth component for added compensation.

Are you currently doing any niche-marketing program? Non-standard automobile and preferred motorcycle programs

What is your company's most aggressive line of business? See previous question.

Do you use credit scoring? No credit scoring

Do you currently download/upload with your agencies? Yes, full upload and download capabilities, as well as full Internet access.

What methods do you use to distribute your insurance products? Independent agents

What do you think makes your company stand out from all the rest in Illinois? Why would an agent want to contract with your company? One of the innovators of specialty insurance since 1953. Outstanding reputation for service to both agents and consumers.

If we had agents agree to sell homeowners policies with actual cash value endorsements, would you write more business in southern Illinois? N/A

What are the major ways in which you are interfacing electronically with your agents today? Majority of interface is with our full service website. We also provide Dairyland Direct connect for those with slow Internet providers.

Additional Comments: Dairyland, a 50-year-old company that is currently rated A+ by AM Best. Dairyland is owned by Sentry Insurance. Dairyland has 1000 agencies in Illinois, and over 7000 agencies in the Midwest. They are looking for agencies that will place the better non-standard business. They don't want to compete with the companies that are poorly rated and have the lowest rates. Only want to do business with a professional agent. Only Market through the Independent agent. Only sell non-standard auto and preferred motorcycle. They provide service through automation, accessible web-site, own adjusters in certain areas. Where the agent has no local adjuster they can work with a local repair shop. They also have field personnel in all areas. The company now requires all management staff to attend CIC classes. They have an excellent contingency program, requiring $35,000, but offering an additional 15% commission based on loss ratios, volume, and growth. Looking to appoint agents where they are competitive. They are doing 81% of submissions electronically, but they will take paper apps. They do not use credit scoring. They do use MVRs and CLUE reports. Also write 1-month policies while most companies have eliminated that service. They want to retain business and do that by giving loss-free discounts. All accounts are direct bill. If they pay at the agent's office they can electronic transfer. Their motorcycle product is one of the top in the nation. They have approximately 100 million in motorcycle business. They have approximately 21% of the cycle insurance market in Illinois. They only write an annual motorcycle policy, with NO lay-up period, in order to protect the agent from an E&O claim. E&O is required for a contract.