Selective Tops In N.Y. Agent Satisfaction Survey

Selective Insurance edged out 55 other insurers for the top spot in a New York State independent agent survey judging overall satisfaction with the company's performance.

The Professional Insurance Agents of New York released its fourth annual online company survey that asked agents to rate carriers on seven areas of performance: products and pricing, treatment of agents, marketing support, technology, claims handling, service and underwriting.

A total of 448 individuals took part in the survey that asked agents to evaluate companies based on a five-point scale, with one being the lowest mark a company could receive.

With an overall possible high score of 80, Selective, based in Branchville, N.J., came in with a total satisfaction score of 64.7, scoring very high in the areas of technology and service. This is the second year the company has scored within the top 10.

PIANY noted that Warren, N.J.-based Chubb's personal and commercial lines have made it into the top 10 for multiple years, with its commercial lines making the top 10 pick four years in a row, and personal lines taking the top spot in three of those years.

Other companies that have made the top 10 list three times are New York Central Mutual, based in Edmeston, N.Y.; National Grange Mutual Insurance Company's personal and commercial lines, a division of Main Street American Group headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla.; Mayfield Village, Ohio-based Progressive/Drive; St. Paul Travelers' personal lines, based in St. Paul, Minn.; and Sterling Insurance Company, headquartered in Cobleskill, N.Y.

Companies to make the top 10 twice are New York-based Atlantic Mutual; Hartford, Conn.-based The Hartford commercial lines; and New York-based MetLife's Auto & Home.

All had an overall score totalling more than 60.

The lowest overall score was for Novato, Calif.-based Fireman's Fund personal lines, with a total survey score of 38.3, scoring very poorly on underwriting. However, the business was only rated by four agents. Fireman's commercial lines business did much better with a total score of 52.7.

Also scoring poorly was Magna Carta/Public Service Mutual Insurance Co., New York, with 42.9. While scoring fairly well in most sections, the company received poor grades for its technology.

All other company businesses scored above 45 in the survey. The Glenmont, N.Y.-based association said the average overall score was 56.