An insurance broker, three P&C insurers and a majorinsurance/reinsurance company were among 145 companies designatedas the World's Most Ethical Companies by theinternational think-tank Ethisphere Institute.

The designation goes to companies “that truly go beyond makingstatements about doing business ethically and translate those wordsinto action. The honorees not only promote ethical businessstandards and practices internally, they exceed legal complianceminimums and shape future industry standards by introducing bestpractices today.”

This year's list of honorees includes more than three dozenindustries, from aerospace to wind power, with 43 of the WMEwinners headquartered outside the U.S.

Since the list's inception, 23 companies have achieved the honorall six years including: Aflac, American Express, Fluor, GeneralElectric, Milliken & Company, Patagonia, Rabobank andStarbucks, among others.

Ethisphere Institute is an international think-tank dedicated tothe creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in businessethics, corporate social responsibility, anti-corruption andsustainability.

Click “next” to see the 5 most ethical P&C insurancecompanies in the world.

• Arthur J. Gallagher &Co., Itasca, Ill.-based insurance broker and riskmanagement services firm with operations in 19 countries andoffering client-services in more than 140 countries. The firm haswon the award for a second year in a row.

“We've always focused on running our business with integrity andstrong ethical values,” said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman,President and CEO. “This award is a testament to our nearly14,000 employees worldwide, who understand the central roleintegrity plays at Gallagher. It is a tremendous honor toonce again be recognized as one of the World's Most EthicalCompanies.”

• CUNA Mutual Group, P&Cinsurance, headquartered in Madison, Wis., has been committed tohelping customers achieve financial success since its founding in1935 by credit union pioneers. It offers an extensive list ofinsurance products ranging from business liability to auto and hometo life and warranty. The company employs 4,000 people worldwideand 1,600 in Madison alone.

“We are proud to be a part of this exclusive list of companies,”says Steve Koslow, chief ethics and compliance officer. “It's anhonor to be recognized for walking the talk on our commitment tocorporate responsibility and ethics in business.”

“Ethical behavior is critical to the success of our company; asimportant as good customer service, efficient operations and strongfinancial performance,” the company says. “CUNA Mutual Group'sCode of Conduct provides guidance regarding the legal and ethicalstandards that apply to each of our employees.”

• Sompo Japan Insurance Inc.(SJI), the parent company of SJA, was established in 2002 by themerger of Yasuda Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd and NissanFire and Marine Insurance Co., Ltd. SJI is among the largestP&C insurers in the world and is the 3rd largest in Japan.

Says Sompo Japan Insurance of America President & CEOHiroyuki Yamaguchi, “Our top priority is to focus on the needs ofour customers. We are positioned to assist our customers inmanaging their complex risks. We provide our customers with thehighest quality insurance products, strong commitment to losscontrol service and excellent claim service.”

The company says that Sompo Group Philosophy includes thestatement that it will “extend the highest quality of serviceacross a wide range of business activities to provide security andpeace of mind to our customers, always carefully considering thecustomer's perspective and acting with integrity and high ethicalstandards.”

• The Swiss Re Group, is aglobal powerhouse provider of insurance and reinsurance that countsamong its clients insurance companies, mid-to-large-sizedcorporations and public sector clients. The company is in threebusinesses—reinsurance, insurance and life insurance. The bulk ofits business—88 percent—is reinsurance.

On its Website, Swiss Re says, “Client centricity, agility, teamspirit, passion to perform and integrity – these are aspects, notjust of the organization, but of how its people should do businessevery day…A clear statement of corporate values now complementsSwiss Re's operating model and business goals. Across the Group,employees and managers will find improved scope to serve theirclients, to make decisions and take responsibility, to exerciseleadership and accept accountability.”

• The Progressive Group of InsuranceCompanies, P&C auto insurer based in Mayfield Village,Ohio, founded in 1937, has 25,000 employees in more than 450offices throughout the United States.

The company says of itself on its Website, “Communicating aclear picture of Progressive by stating what we try to achieve, howwe interact with customers, and what guides our behavior permitsall people associated with Progressive to understand what we expectof ourselves and each other and how we conduct our business.”