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Small Property/Casualty Insurers

Posted On: Oct. 3, 2010 12:00 AM CST

Small Property/Casualty Insurers

A focus on family—at home and in the workplace—is key to the approach that led to Kentucky Employers' Mutual Insurance being ranked as the top small property/casualty insurer in the 2010 Business Insurance Best Places to Work in Insurance program.

“Even though we are...a large insurance company, our No. 1 priority is family,” said Ryan Worthen, the Lexington-based insurer's communications manager. “We treat each other as family members and we place a strong focus on family.”

“Our employees tell us all the time that they look forward to coming to work each day because they are not being asked to put the company above their family,” Mr. Worthen said.

The company's top executives meet regularly with employees to discuss issues such as the company's performance, but also to recognize employees for their personal achievements ranging from completing an advanced degree to attaining U.S. citizenship.

“One of the things that KEMI has been proud of for years is not having a sick leave policy,” Mr. Worthen said. The company wants employees to feel they're trusted. “If one of your kids is sick, stay home,” he said.

“When you have balance, you can be a more productive employee and that has truly paid dividends at KEMI,” Mr. Worthen said.


2

FALVEY CARGO UNDERWRITING LTD.
NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I.
EMPLOYEES: 37

Founded in 1995, North Kingstown, R.I.-based Falvey Cargo Underwriting specializes in underwriting technology and life tech products for clients of all sizes—startups to Fortune 100 companies—providing global coverage with local service from offices in Rhode Island, San Francisco and London. Falvey issues policies, settles claims and provides loss-prevention services.

What makes the company a great place to work? “Our company's values statement is, "At Falvey, employees are highly valued, appreciated and supported within a climate that fosters family-oriented values and flexibility. Teamwork and cooperation are demonstrated through mutual problem-solving and sharing of competencies. Continuing education and internal career development are actively encouraged and supported for all employees....We all care about each other, work together as well-coordinated teams, and respect each other's capabilities and strengths. Our new state-of-the-art office is located directly on beautiful Narragansett Bay.”


3

ARAG INSURANCE CO.
DES MOINES, IOWA
EMPLOYEES: 135

ARAG is a privately held, global leader of legal insurance. Based on a traditional health care preferred provider organization model, legal insurance provides people with quality, affordable and accessible resources to resolve everyday legal matters often referred to in the industry as “legal life events.” As the 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? “ARAG's employees are genuine. We foster a family-like atmosphere with an open culture that doesn't involve politics or false pretenses. Employees embrace their responsibilities at ARAG because they are proud of the products and services we provide to our customers. To our employees, working at ARAG is not just a "job,' rather it's where individuals feel empowered to create and grow a career and provide value to the organization.”


4

ISLAND INSURANCE CO. LTD.
HONOLULU
EMPLOYEES: 185

Founded in 1939 by Masayuki Tokioka, Island Insurance Co. Ltd. is Hawaii's largest locally owned and managed property/casualty insurance company. Recognized as a top 50 property/casualty insurance company in the nation by Ward Group for two consecutive years, 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.”


5

AMERICAN SAFETY INSURANCE SERVICES INC.
ATLANTA
EMPLOYEES: 189

ASI is focused on providing customized insurance products and solutions for small- to medium-size businesses that are underserved by the standard insurance market. ASI's products include specialty programs, primary casualty, excess liability, environmental liability, commercial property, surety bonds, funded alternative programs, general and professional liability, health care and alternative risk transfer solutions.

What makes the company a great place to work? “Recent employee engagement survey results: Management has done a great job of creating and communicating our vision, engaging employees by connecting what they do to our mission; communicating job expectations and empowering them to achieve results....Employees feel their skills are being fully utilized and managers ask for their input in decisionmaking. They love the support and encouragement they receive to develop their skills....They love the work perks, benefits and feeling like they make a difference and part of a "family.'”


6

COMPWEST INSURANCE CO.
SAN FRANCISCO
EMPLOYEES: 142

CompWest Insurance is a dynamic provider of workers compensation insurance in western U.S. states, providing what the company calls Workers Compensation with Care. CompWest believes “doing the right thing” is good business and built the company on that foundation.

What makes the company a great place to work? “Our employees love our product, Workers Compensation with Care. Every day they make a positive difference in the lives of injured workers and their employer; collaborating to achieve success through the diverse talent and ethnicity our staff represents; the passion our CEO shows for the business every day; our practice of promoting talent from within; public recognition for their hard work; giving back to their community through company-supported volunteer efforts and donations; availability of our financial information at our companywide monthly town hall meetings; access to management at all levels to share ideas and opinions.”


7

TIP NATIONAL INC.
OKLAHOMA CITY
EMPLOYEES: 32

TIP National is a managing general agent program manager that provides commercial lines coverage to long-haul motor carriers. TIP National offers a variety of products that are tailored to fit the insured company for which it is underwriting. Transportation insurance products are TIP National's “niche market.”

What makes the company a great place to work? “TIP National operates on a vertical structure. We all are expected to perform our job and perform to the best of our ability. We are not micromanaged, but allowed to operate in our own capacity and at our speed, so long as it meets the expectations of our clients. From our president down, people are treated with integrity and respect.”