NU Online News Service, Aug. 11, 2:19 p.m. EDT

Warwick, R.I.-based insurer The Beacon Mutual Insurance Companyhas joined the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers ofAmerica's independent agent branding campaign, Trusted Choice,becoming the 54^th company member.

Beacon Mutual is chartered by the State of Rhode Island and isthe largest writer of workers' compensation insurance andcommercial insurance in the state, according to the company'swebsite.

According to Highline Data, which is owned by Summit BusinessMedia, which also owns National Underwriter, Beacon Mutualinsures 59 percent of the workers' comp market in Rhode Island andis the seventh-largest insurer overall in the state.

"We are pleased to have been asked to join Trusted Choice as itis consistent with our desire to work with independent insuranceagents to meet the evolving needs of our clients," said JamesRosati, Beacon Mutual president and chief executive officer, in astatement.

"By joining the Trusted Choice brand, they are making aninvestment in their future and the independent insurance agencysystem while building on their reputation for providing responsivecustomer service," said Dave Evans, Trusted Choice executivedirector.

"I am very pleased to see Beacon Mutual join Trusted Choice.Their philosophy of serving customers is exactly what TrustedChoice agents in Rhode Island believe in," said Mark Male,executive vice president of the Independent Insurance Agents ofRhode Island.

Trusted Choice is the consumer marketing brand forapproximately 10,000 independent insurance agencies and brokeragefirms and 55 leading insurance companies.