For AMERIND Risk Management Corp., “family-friendly” is a natural extension of the company's basic business mission.

Santa Ana, N.M.-based AMERIND was established by more than 450 Native American tribes in 1986. This year's top-ranked company among small insurers in the Business Insurance Best Places to Work in Insurance ranking is a multitribal federal corporation formed to protect those tribes, their treasuries and their enrolled members from unforeseen or catastrophic financial loss using self-insurance and other risk-financing strategies.

“As a company that represents tribes across the United States, and tribes being an extended family, we conduct our business in a context that represents extended family,” said Kent Paul, AMERIND's chief executive officer.

“Following a Native American culture, we pride ourselves on the fact that families come first here,” said Rod Crawley, AMERIND's chief operating officer.

Among other things, Mr. Paul cited his “85-15 rule.” Employees spend 85% of their work time at their desk, but are expected to spend the other 15% socializing with their co-workers.

“We really promote small gatherings, potlucks, committee work together, getting away from your desk 15% of the time to socialize, really get to know your neighbor,” said Mr. Crawley.

Utilizing risk management principles, AMERIND protects life and property of participating tribes from fire, natural disasters and other unforeseen events. The company operates on Native American reservations in 32 states.

Mr. Paul noted that with each tribe having its own traditions and mores, “cultural sensitivity” is more of a challenge for AMERIND than for many companies, but one it takes seriously. “We don't have to keep up with just four or five minorities; we potentially have to keep up with more than 500,” he said.

As a multigenerational company, with an age span of probably 50 years between the oldest and youngest employees, AMERIND also recognizes the value of what its employees of various generations can learn from one another, Mr. Crawley said.

Overall, AMERIND recognizes that a high-quality workplace means better client service.

“When Kent came aboard, one of the things he wanted to promote is that happy employees are more productive,” Mr. Crawley said.

“As a chief executive officer, my role isn't any more important than somebody opening the mail,” Mr. Paul said. “We both have very important business responsibilities; and if one of us fails, the whole organization falls down.”

2

ISLAND INSURANCE CO. LTD.

HONOLULU

EMPLOYEES: 188

Founded by Masayuki Tokioka in 1939, Island Insurance Co. Ltd. is Hawaii's largest locally owned and managed property/casualty insurance company. Island Insurance provides personal automobile, homeowners, renters, condominium, dwelling fire, flood and umbrella insurance, as well as insurance for business and surety bonds.

What makes the company a great place to work? “Island works very hard to sustain an open culture, emphasizing communication, recognition and growth for its employees. Each employee's talent and superior quality service are the heart of the company's success.”

3

REDWOODS GROUP

MORRISVILLE, N.C.

EMPLOYEES: 92

Redwoods is the largest provider of insurance services to YMCAs and Jewish community organizations. It partners with those organizations to improve their safety culture and reduce injuries and accidents. Redwoods believes business should be a powerful force for positive social change, and the company and its employees are committed to community service and charitable giving. The firm's motto is “Serve Others” and its mission is to improve the quality of life in the communities it serves.

What makes the company a great place to work? “Redwoods is a unique specialty insurance provider that is a powerful force for positive social change. In order to fulfill that mission, the company provides a challenging, nurturing and sustainable work environment that recognizes the joy of work, the dignity of the individual, the power of collaboration and the obligation of the employer to the wider community.”

4

ARAG INSURANCE CO.

DES MOINES, IOWA

EMPLOYEES: 132

ARAG is a privately held, global leader of legal insurance, based on a traditional health care preferred provider organization model. It provides people with quality, affordable and accessible resources to resolve everyday legal matters often referred to in the industry as “legal life events.” As a pioneer of the legal insurance category, ARAG has more than 70 years of experience and protects 15.5 million people and their families worldwide.

What makes the company a great place to work? “Our employees make ARAG a great place to work. They are loyal, hard-working, and have enormous passion for and pride in the products and services we provide. Our corporate sense of family permeates and provides a uniquely warm and sincere culture where there's a strong sentiment of genuine caring and concern for one another.”

5

EASTERN INSURANCE HOLDINGS INC.

LANCASTER, PA.

EMPLOYEES: 210

Since its inception, Eastern Insurance Holdings Inc. has been committed to creatively serving the specialty insurance needs of a diverse population of businesses and organizations in rural territories. Today, as Eastern Insurance Holdings Inc., the company, through its operating subsidiaries, is a specialty underwriter of niche products for commercial markets, with workers compensation as its principal focus. Each of its companies—Eastern Alliance Insurance Group and Eastern Life and Health Insurance Co.—is focused on delivering innovative solutions to the markets it serves.

What makes the company a great place to work? “The three ‘Ps': people (our employees are the best), position (our growth potential over the next five years) and products (innovative solutions that continually produce better outcomes for our clients).”

6

SCRIPNET INC.

LAS VEGAS

EMPLOYEES: 50

ScripNet controls pharmacy costs for workers compensation payers. All ScripNet programs, processes and pharmacy contracts are designed with workers compensation as the primary focus, making the company 100% devoted to the needs of injured workers and their employers.

What makes the company a great place to work? “Great staff, management, environment and benefits.”

7

COMPWEST INSURANCE CO.

SAN FRANCISCO

EMPLOYEES: 136

CompWest Insurance Co. provides workers compensation insurance in Western U.S. states. Calling its approach “Workers Compensation with Care,” the company is built on the foundation that “doing the right thing” also is good business. A company of skilled workers compensation professionals leading the industry in the prevention and treatment of workplace injuries, CompWest believes it wins when its customers win by reducing their injuries and lowering their claims costs.

What makes the company a great place to work? “We offer ‘Workers Compensation with Care.' We collaborate to achieve success, value the diverse wisdom of our employees and are passionate about the people we serve.”

8

CAPITOL INSURANCE COS.

MIDDLETON, WIS.

EMPLOYEES: 229

Capitol Insurance Cos. writes property/casualty insurance on an admitted and nonadmitted basis through a nationwide network of general agencies, as well as its own independent agency force. Capitol also writes commercial surety in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia.

What makes the company a great place to work? “Our company recognizes and acknowledges that all employees participate in and contribute to the company's financial success. The company's goal is to provide employees with the needed balance between work and home. This is achieved through the organization's culture that emphasizes camaraderie through respect and the ability to be challenged, and by providing a competitive benefits program, recognition and flexibility.”