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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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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Core Insurance, Insurance Technology
PR Newswire | August 21, 2023
The team from Houston's Iscential, a premier independent insurance agency, risk management and financial services firm, has joined forces with Fort Worth's Higginbotham, the largest independent insurance, financial and HR services firm headquartered in Texas and one of the top firms in the country. This strategic move allows access to enhanced services for Iscential clients and adds a second Houston team to the Higginbotham roster.
As Higginbotham celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, Chairman and CEO Rusty Reid continues looking toward the next milestone. Reid champions strategic growth for the company by bringing aboard agencies and teams that enjoy strong reputations in their local markets and share the same energy, culture, values, and commitment to service as Higginbotham.
"Iscential fits perfectly into our national network of firms," Reid declared. "I could not be more pleased to bring them into the fold. They are a firm with impressive growth and an incredible reputation for client service. Our partnership with Iscential will allow both of us to better provide enhanced services to our clients for years to come."
Warren Barhorst, CEO of Iscential, also looked to the future as he searched for a company that could bring long-term organizational continuity to the business he founded 30 years ago. But his search was complicated by what he found in the marketplace.
"There were a lot of agencies to choose from," said Barhorst. "But when we started taking a closer look, we realized that so many companies are driven by stock price rather than customer and employee care, and they're not run by insurance people.
"Then we looked at Higginbotham," Barhorst continued. "Not only do they have the long-term, proven performance we needed, but they also have the right culture. They're employee-owned. They're sales-driven and customer-focused. And best of all — they're run by insurance people. With Higginbotham, we found a partner that values what we've built, values our culture and associates, and wants more than a financial transaction."
Barhorst noted that he was particularly excited to now be able to offer Higginbotham's wide array of services to Iscential clients: "When we looked at the Higginbotham services, there was no question — they've done what we were trying to do on a smaller scale, and they've done it right."
Reid elaborated, "At Higginbotham, we've strategically and diligently built the in-house services for risk management, benefit plan administration, HR services, and more, and we're looking forward to offering these solutions to Iscential clients."
"Despite the obvious benefits, the decision to team up with Higginbotham was surprisingly emotional," Barhorst concluded. "Higginbotham kept telling us it'll be business as usual, and they were right. Except they're enabling me to refocus on the parts of the business I love most. If you're a baker and you like to bake, you want to make cookies. You don't want to sit at your desk alone doing paperwork. Today, I got to make the insurance version of cookies: I got to be back with clients all day long."
Dowling Hales acted as exclusive financial advisor to the sellers in this transaction.
About Iscential
Iscential is an independent insurance agency, risk management and financial services firm dedicated to helping individuals, families and businesses protect their most valuable assets. One of the largest writers of Nationwide property and casualty insurance in the country, Iscential was founded in 1993 by current CEO Warren Barhorst and his wife. With roots planted in Houston, Iscential has grown to encompass over 140 associates and is licensed in over 38 states. Visit iscential.com for more information.
About Higginbotham
Employee owned and customer inspired, Higginbotham is a single source solution for insurance, financial and HR services. The firm was established in 1948 and ranks by revenue as the nation's 21st largest independent insurance firm. Serving thousands of businesses and individuals through locations coast-to-coast, Higginbotham's approach to finding insurance, employee benefit and risk management solutions is more individual and less institutional. By understanding customer priorities, eliminating inefficiencies and committing to transparency, Higginbotham is a place that leads with values so value leads. Visit higginbotham.com for more information.
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