Core Insurance, Insurance Technology
GlobeNewswire | August 10, 2023
Celina Insurance Group, a community-focused provider of P&C insurance for over 100 years, recently announced their selection of insurtech company Betterview. Celina will utilize Betterview’s Property Intelligence and Risk Management solution to drive more accurate assessments of property conditions during policy renewal.
Celina sought out an insurtech partner to obtain reliable and consistent data on roof condition, an especially relevant factor for Midwestern insurers dealing with inclement weather. Previously, Celina’s underwriters relied on time-consuming physical inspections to assess roof condition and often had to make adjustments later in the policy lifecycle. Betterview provided Celina with more accurate property data upfront and an extensive selection of roof-related property insights for improved risk selection and efficient underwriting.
“Betterview gave us even more than we asked for,” says Trish Harlamert, vice president of underwriting at Celina. “There are so many great datasets and tools on their platform, including a full, transparent assessment of overall roof condition and the ability to flag changes in property condition over time. This is extremely useful for renewals because we can see if a policyholder has added a swimming pool, trampoline, or even an additional structure since the last time we had eyes on the property.”
Betterview is confident their platform will drive more efficient renewal workflows for Celina. “Our platform empowers insurers like Celina with an instant, AI-powered view of current and historical roof condition. Our mature machine models can detect over two dozen relevant risk drivers, including staining, ponding, and missing shingles,” says Dave Tobias, chief operating officer and co-founder at Betterview. “Equipped with the best property data, they can make more informed decisions and collect adequate premiums without relying on costly, time-consuming physical inspections.”
About Betterview
Betterview is the Property Intelligence & Risk Management Solution the insurance industry depends on to identify and mitigate property risk, improve underwriting and inspection efficiency, and build a more transparent customer experience. Applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computer vision to aerial imagery and geospatial data, Betterview generates the most accurate property information insurers trust to automate pricing, underwriting, and renewals while focusing strategic action on critical properties. Combined with flagging, continuous monitoring, and pre-filed peril risk scores, Betterview is helping transform property insurance from Repair and Replace to Predict and Prevent. For more information, please visit www.betterview.com
About Celina Insurance Group
Celina Insurance Group is comprised of four mutual property and casualty insurance companies. The companies provide protection for autos, homes, businesses and farms through more than 500 independent agencies in five states. Founded in 1914 with headquarters in Celina, Ohio, the organization is committed to supporting its policyholders and communities. https://www2.celinainsurance.com
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Life Insurance, Insurance Technology
PR Newswire | August 29, 2023
LIBRA Insurance Partners (LIBRA), the largest independently-owned life insurance marketing organization (IMO) in the United States, announces a partnership with Highland Capital Brokerage (HCB), a national life insurance and annuity distribution company and a subsidiary of Osaic.
"Highland Capital Brokerage is a formidable organization and we are excited they have selected LIBRA as their strategic partner to help facilitate its growth and expansion initiatives," said William (Bill) Shelow, CLU®, ChFC®, CPCU®, LLIF, president and CEO of LIBRA.
HCB provides risk management strategies and solutions to help financial professionals protect and grow their clients' assets. As a national life insurance, annuity, disability, and longevity planning firm, HCB distributes these solutions across the wealth spectrum to both institutional and independent partners.
"The partnership with LIBRA is an important step in Highland's evolution. Our diversified sales organization will rely on the vast array of carriers and their products to provide risk management solutions to our clients," said Teague Wright, president of Highland Capital Brokerage. "We look forward to taking advantage of the breadth of tools and resources this affiliation makes available."
HCB is comprised of more than 300 employees nationwide with an exceptionally talented and tenured team.
"I have enjoyed having an association in various capacities with Highland Capital Brokerage since its inception. They embody everything that LIBRA and our partners symbolize," said J. Craig Collins, executive vice president and chief relationship officer of LIBRA. "Teague and her senior leadership team have built a first-class organization and will greatly complement the markets we serve and the carriers we represent. Their interest in LIBRA further demonstrates the great value that we bring to our partner firms with our focus on delivering industry-leading tools and resources that support their efforts."
Shelow added, "I believe this affiliation elevates the stature of both organizations."
LIBRA Insurance Partners takes a true partnership approach with each of its valued relationships with the core belief in "the strength of many and power of one." With unique reinsurance ownership opportunities, agent retention programs, business development consulting, live training events and robust sales and marketing resources, the firm provides an unparalleled community of comradery and commitment to the success of each of its shareholders.
By way of partnership, HCB further expands upon its expansive resources and capabilities with direct access to several additional proprietary advanced planning tools and benefits, including:
exclusive facultative underwriting program with RGA Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (RGA)
established relationships with an expanded lineup of affiliated carriers and reinsurers
a dedicated medical director
product white papers and benchmarking tools
a proprietary quick quoting and informal processing platform
About Highland Capital Brokerage (HCB)
Highland Capital Brokerage is a national life insurance, annuity, disability, and long-term care distribution company providing point-of-sale support, advanced marketing, and creative estate- and business-planning techniques to financial advisors and insurance professionals. We deliver these services in an efficient, client-focused environment that extends to carrier and product expertise, underwriting negotiation, and complete back-office processing. Highland offers objective access to major insurance carriers, advanced planning support, expertise in risk underwriting, and back-office processing to insurance brokers, financial planners, and various institutions such as banks, wirehouses, and certified public accountant firms. To learn more about Highland Capital Brokerage, visit www.highlandbrokerage.com.
About LIBRA Insurance Partners (LIBRA)
LIBRA Insurance Partners is an insurance marketing organization dedicated to serving independent insurance producers, brokers, and financial institutions. Formerly known as LifeMark Partners and BRAMCO Financial Resources, and through the merger with Insurance Designers of America (IDA) in 2022, the firm exists to leverage strategic relationships, expertise, and innovation to expand life insurance distribution for the benefit of all stakeholders. LIBRA Insurance Partners is dedicated to the ongoing development and enhancement of resources to differentiate partner agencies from the competition. Its firms benefit from robust proprietary service offerings, unparalleled partnership, product expertise, and access to industry-leading technologies and tools, including expansive underwriting support resources. To learn more about becoming a LIBRA partner firm, visit www.LIBRAInsurancePartners.com��or call (410) 837-3022.
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Core Insurance, Risk Management
GlobeNewswire | August 22, 2023
World Insurance Associates LLC (“World"), a Top 50 Insurance Brokerage, announced today that R&S Insurance Agency, Inc. (“R&S”) of Stoughton, WI has joined World as of August 1, 2023. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
R&S has been providing insurance products and services to individuals, families and businesses since 1964.
“At R&S, our basic belief in providing quality coverage and personal service is just one of the many reasons why today, more than ever, people look to us for quality insurance protection,” says Mark Rostowfske, President, R&S Insurance Agency. “It’s great to join World and provide our customers with even more products and services.”
“I’d like to welcome R&S to the World family,” says Rich Eknoian, CEO and Co-Founder of World. “With the addition of R&S, World now has a presence in Wisconsin. R&S is known for their exceptional customer service, and I know they will be successful as part of World. The current R&S insurance team will remain in place to assist customers with their needs.”
Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla provided legal counsel, and Sica Fletcher advised World on the transaction. Axley Brynelson provided legal counsel to R&S on the transaction. No other advisors, diligence firms or legal counsel were disclosed.
About World Insurance Associates LLC
World Insurance Associates LLC (World) is headquartered in Iselin, N.J., and is a nationally ranked, full-service insurance organization providing individuals and businesses with top products and services across personal and commercial insurance, employee and executive benefits, retirement and financial services and human capital management solutions. Since its founding in 2011, World has completed over 195 acquisitions and serves its customers from more than 250 offices across the United States. World is ranked #28 on the 100 Largest Brokers of U.S. Business list by Business Insurance, ranked #3 on the Fastest Growing Brokers list by Business Insurance, ranked #3 on the Fastest Growing Benefits Brokers list by Business Insurance, ranked #24 on the Top 100 P&C Agencies by Insurance Journal, and ranked #20 on the Top 50 Personal Lines Agencies by Insurance Journal.
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