2008 NET INCOME: $3 billion

EMPLOYEES: 60,000

Product breadth, service and flexibility make Zurich Financial Services Group a standout provider of workers compensation coverage, says Mike Kerner, chief executive officer for Zurich Global Corporate in North America.

“One of the keys here is our flexibility and the fact that we are prepared to offer a wide range of services, depending on what our customers' needs are,” Mr. Kerner said. “We are not a one-size-fits-all shop. We are very much focused on the customer and tailoring the offering. I think it's that flexibility that readers are recognizing.”

The global company, voted best overall workers compensation insurer in the Business Insurance 2009 Readers Choice Awards, provides workers comp risk engineering and claims management services, including a full spectrum of return-to-work services along with its risk-transfer products. In addition, Zurich can provide claims management services for a large-retention program or a captive facility, Mr. Kerner said. Zurich also can work with an insurance purchaser's own third-party administrator if the customer prefers.

The insurer recently surveyed its customers, who gave it a 92% satisfaction rating, he said.

“We do think our customers are satisfied with the claims service we are providing and we continue to invest to make it the claim capability we want it to be,” he said.

For preloss services, Zurich employs risk engineers who help customers with safety programs that eliminate worker injuries and reduce the client's risk costs.

Add Zurich's financial strength to its promise to deliver solid service, and you can understand why readers appreciate the insurer, he said.

“I think the quality of the financial-strength backing that promise is extremely important,” he said.