Percent of business in Illinois by line:
Commercial: 61% Personal: 39%
Are you currently appointing new agents? Yes
What type of agency is your company looking for? Independent agents where we can rank 1, 2 or 3 - similar split of personal/commercial business, good control of business.
What are your premium volume requirements? $200,000 for profit sharing - would like to see new appointments reach at least $500,000 in three years, particularly in Chicago Suburbs.
Are you currently doing any niche-marketing program? No
What is your company's most aggressive line of business? Businessowners, light manufacturing risks.
Do you use credit scoring? Yes, new and renewal as a small part of rating formula.
Do you currently download/upload with your agencies? Yes
What methods do you use to distribute your insurance products? Independent agents only
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? Local presence with two full-service branch offices; consistent and stable business management, fiercely supportive or independent agency system, very experienced and accessible staff.
If we had agents agree to sell homeowners policies with actual cash value endorsements, would you write more business in southern Illinois? Probably
What are the major ways in which you are interfacing electronically with
your agents today?
Just introducing web-based product for Businessowners and expecting very strong
response and increased production.
Additional Comments: Business mix should be changing: 70 commercial-30
personal. Began HO increases in fall 2000: lost approximately 2000 units in
2 years=8%. BO, 30% loss ratio, not as aggressive on construction. Credit scoring:
too soon to tell where it is headed, but Now, driver will move up and down scale
while rest of family will be able to stay the same. Will lose .53% by doing
this. In the largest % of their agencies, GC is ranked 1, 2, or 3. Regions:
Peoria-border south are served by the Springfield Branch office.