MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Members in the N ws e

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 features 30 hours of interactive training approved by the state of Wisconsin.

“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,

and payment practices ensure quality repairs and customer service.

“Acuity is committed to providing world-class service in claims, and being rated a top company in the CRASH Network survey shows we are doing just that,” said Jamie Loiacono, Acuity’s Vice President – Claims. “Being recognized by CRASH Network is particularly rewarding because the rating comes from collision repair professionals at body shops who know first-hand how well we handle claims compared to other insurers.”

According to the CRASH Network, highly rated insurance companies don’t pressure repair shops to cut corners or install lower quality parts and don’t add administrative steps that slow down the repair and claims process. Survey results show that many insurers getting the highest grades are regional insurance companies. Large carriers fared poorly, with none of the top 10 largest auto insurers in the country earning above a C+ grade.

ACUITY NAMED A TOP COMPANY FOR CLAIMS SERVICE

SHEBOYGAN, WI (February 24, 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 highestranked 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, and payment practices ensure quality repairs and customer service.

“Acuity is committed to providing world-class service in claims, and being rated a top company in the CRASH Network survey shows we are doing just that,” said Jamie Loiacono, Acuity’s Vice President – Claims. “Being recognized by CRASH Network is particularly rewarding because the rating comes from collision repair professionals at body shops who know first-hand how well we handle claims compared to other insurers.”

According to the CRASH Network, highly rated insurance companies don’t pressure repair shops to cut corners or install lower quality parts and don’t add administrative steps that slow down the repair and claims process. Survey results show that many insurers getting the highest grades are regional insurance companies. Large carriers fared poorly, with none of the top 10 largest auto insurers in the country earning above a C+ grade. Acuity Insurance, headquartered in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, insures over 125,000 businesses, including 300,000 commercial vehicles, and nearly a half million homes and private passenger autos across 29 states. Rated A+ by A.M. Best and S&P, Acuity employs over 1,400 people.

SFM PROMOTES CODY ALLEN TO NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT POSITION

BLOOMINGTON, MN (March 5, 2021) – SFM Mutual Insurance Co. has promoted Cody Allen to a newly established Business Development Specialist role. This position will focus on growth in existing business areas and new market opportunities.

Allen has been in the insurance field for 12 years. He joined SFM in 2013 as a Marketing Underwriter in its Iowa and Nebraska business unit, and had previously been promoted twice, most recently holding the title of Marketing Underwriting Specialist.

Allen graduated from Iowa State University in 2005 with a degree in political science. He holds a Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation and has his insurance producer license for property and casualty.

“Cody is the perfect fit for this position,” SFM Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Mike Happe said. “He has a strong background in insurance sales, a great track record of helping build our business in Iowa, and has played a key role in our Kansas expansion.”

Allen also serves as the diversity chair for the Iowa CPCU Society, and is involved in the American Association of State Compensation Insurance Funds (AASCIF), having recently served as the chairperson for the Policyholder Services Committee.

About SFM

SFM, headquartered in Bloomington, Minnesota, is a customer-owned mutual insurance company providing Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Kansas employers with workers’ compensation coverage. SFM offers workers’ compensation insurance solutions for employers of all sizes, including claims and disability management, cost containment, legal assistance and thirdparty administration. For more information, visit sfmic.com.

Are you an IIAW Supporting Company Member? Send your press releases to kaylyn@iiaw.com to be featured in our Members in the News section.