NU Seeks All-Star Agencies!

It's time once again for independent agencies that do an outstanding job selling insurance and providing risk management services to prepare their entries for the National Underwriter "Commercial Insurance Agency Of The Year" award.

For the sixth-straight year, agencies that are role models for their peers--running successful sales organizations while serving as risk managers for their commercial clients--will be given national exposure via NU's prestigious program.

Once again this fall, NU will fly principals from three agency finalists to New York City, where on Sept. 21 the winner will be announced and given a trophy, with the remaining contenders awarded plaques for an Honorable Mention.

"However, the actual awards are just the icing on the cake, as all three finalists receive priceless publicity by being profiled in our Sept. 24 cover story," said NU Editor In Chief Sam Friedman. "As a bonus, they will also participate in an NU Roundtable following the award presentation, moderated by yours truly, to discuss 'The State of the Independent Agent,'" with highlights published in the Oct. 29 edition.

"Receiving this kind of national recognition and exposure improves an agency's standing with carriers, wholesalers, clients and prospects," said Mr. Friedman, who chairs the NU award program. "People like to be associated with winners, and NU spotlights the very best the agency system has to offer."

Are you 2007's winner? Give it your best shot! Go to our Web site at www.propertyandcasualtyinsurancenews.com and click on the award icon--or on "Agency of the Year" under "This Week," just to the left of Breaking News, for more details and the entry form.

Fill out the application, put together the supporting material (all of which is kept strictly confidential) and include an essay of 2,500 words or less on "How My Agency Remains Competitive Selling Insurance and Risk Management Services in a Softening Market." Get the complete package to Mr. Friedman no later than June 4, 2006.

Past award winners say the honor helped validate their work and boost their competitive position.

Scott Addis, president of The Addis Group in King of Prussia, Pa., said winning NU's award in 2003 made his agency feel like the "Miss America of the independent agency system." Haake Companies of Overland Park, Kan., said being honored by NU in 2005 was like "winning the Heisman Trophy for insurance agencies."

"It's wonderful to be recognized for the significant investments we've made to provide unique resources and services to our clients," said Paul Hering, managing principal and CEO of last year's winner, San Diego-based Barney & Barney.

"NU's award confirms for our current clients that they're with a great agency, and it also gives us credibility with prospective clients who may not be familiar with our firm. It's like a hand reaching out and opening doors for us," he added.