4 insurance businesses among world's most ethical companies

Thanks to the internet, today's consumers wield more influence than ever. Online shopping has given shoppers access to virtually every item imaginable. For this reason alone, companies are working to stay ahead of the curve and keep customer retention high. But the internet has also enabled customers to boycott businesses. News about being hacked or an exposé on a culture of sexual misconduct at a company is all too common these days. The Digital Age has enabled consumers to know more about the culture and ethics of a company, which can push them to support other businesses. Culture and ethics have longed been valued by companies, but there is additional pressure to bolster these areas in today's tempestuous social climate. Related: 10 warning signs of a dysfunctional culture in the workplace

Got ethics?

While some organizations are just beginning to understand the value of company culture and ethics, others have long embraced these notions. The Ethisphere Institute, a leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, has named 128 businesses on its list of 2019's world's most ethical companies. The list spans 21 countries and 50 industries. Being ethical also can come with financial rewards. Ethisphere's annual practice of tracking how the stock prices of publicly traded honorees compare the Large Cap Index found that companies listed on the assessment outperformed the large cap sector over five years by 14.4% and over three years by 10.5%. Three property & casualty insurers and one insurance broker were included among the 128 honorees. To find out which P&C companies made the list, check out the slideshow above. Related: Want to make better hires? Define your insurance agency culture