features 30 hours of interactive training approved by the state of Wisconsin.
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HARMS INSURANCE GROUP PROMOTES EMPLOYEES TO JUNIOR PARTNERS
SUN PRAIRIE, WI (February 16, 2021) - Harms Insurance Group of Sun Prairie and Lake Mills recently added six new owners at the start of 2021, marking the beginning of a new partnership between agency owner Matt Harms and longtime agency employees. In a surprise announcement,Harms told six of his employees, “I value the work you’ve all put into the agency over the past many years and want to make all of you agency owners.” Staff turnover is low, and the six new agency owners have a combined tenure of 126 years — the least-tenured owner having been with the agency for 11 — with Harms Insurance Group. Newer employees may become eligible for the same once they reach 10 years of employment. New junior partners with Matt Harms include Lu Anne Wood, Senior Commercial Lines Account Manager (34 years), Kathy Forest, Benefits Account Executive (23 years), Laurie Stocker, Administration/Accounting (21 years), Brenda Heilman, Senior Personal Lines Account Manager (20 years), Nicole Waerzeggers, Commercial Lines Account Manager (17 years), and Jeff Lederman, Commercial Account Executive (11 years). Harms Insurance Group has been an independent insurance agency since 1984, with offices in both Sun Prairie and Lake Mills. For more, visit online at www.harmsinsurancegroup.com.
AAA LAUNCHES ONLINE DRIVER EDUCATION COURSES IN WISCONSIN
MADISON, WI (February 18, 2021) - Teens in Wisconsin will now be able to take driver education classes online using the “How to Drive” curriculum from AAA. Built on nearly a century of respected driver education expertise, but utilizing the latest teaching techniques and up to date information on vehicle technology and roadway dangers, this course 36 | APRIL 2021 |
wisconsin INDEPENDENT AGENT
“Getting a teen ready for the road can be a stressful experience for parents,” said Nick Jarmusz, director of public affairs for AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We are pleased to provide this quality program in a convenient format for Wisconsin families.” The online offering allows busy families to build their own schedule and set their own pace. Students can access the course wherever internet access is available and save their progress to continue later. The curriculum features the most up-to-date information from scientifically validated sources, contemporary videos, presentations, simulations, and interactive exercises to enhance content retention. According to research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than 60 percent of teens get their driver’s license before age 18. That figure has been on the rise in recent years, reversing a previous trend of teens waiting until after turning 18, when driver education courses are not required and Graduated Drivers Licensing provisions are not applicable. The need for quality pre-licensing education remains high: • The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reports that teens account for less than 5 percent of all licensed drivers in the state – yet are involved in nearly 10 percent of all traffic crashes. • Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of teen deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. To learn more about AAA’s driver education offerings in Wisconsin, click here. Current AAA members save $25 and receive a one year complimentary Associate Membership for their teen when they get their learner’s permit. SOCIETY INSURANCE PARTNERS WITH LOCAL RESTAURANTS TO FEED HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND FAMILIES IN NEED
AUSTIN, TX (February 22, 2021) - Acuity is named one of the 10 best insurers in the nation for claims service in a recent study by CRASH Network. In addition to being ranked in the top 10 auto insurers nationwide, Acuity is the highest-ranked Wisconsin-domiciled insurer. “We are honored to be recognized for the quality claims service we deliver,” said Ben Salzmann, Acuity President and CEO. “People know they can count on Acuity.” CRASH Network surveyed over 1,100 collision repair shops across the country for its 2021 Insurer Report Card. Shops were asked to grade the claims service of insurance companies they interact with on a regular basis based on how well each company’s claims handling policies, attitude,
