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Planning key to successful home renovation

DO IT YOURSELF OR HIRE IT OUT?
One of the first questions you may consider is whether to do the work yourself or hire a contractor. The internet is full of videos showing step by step how to complete almost any task. If you have the skills, you might get just what you want by doing it yourself. But if you’re short on time, you might be willing to pay for the services of a professional craftsman. Some projects also bring significant safety risks. If you don’t know the territory, you’re probably safer hiring out the work. Our blogger goes into detail about what to look for in a contractor.

Spotlight

Universal American

Universal American is a New York Stock Exchange company with annual revenues of more than $2 billion. Through our family of healthcare companies, we provide health benefits to people covered by Medicare and/or Medicaid. We are dedicated to working collaboratively with healthcare professionals in order to improve the health and well-being of those we serve and reduce healthcare costs.

OTHER ARTICLES
Insurance Technology

5 Things Contractors Can Do About Insurance During Covid-19

Article | July 13, 2022

With the major impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, contractors appreciate the need for insurance coverage even more. You may be safely covered by Force Majeure and pandemic clauses in your policies. However, you may still be wondering how to deal with the associated costs related to the COVID-19 outbreak risks. In this article, let’s look at some of the steps you can take to handle your insurance position during the pandemic.

Read More
Insurance Technology

Innovation rises to meet disability and long-term care risk

Article | July 15, 2022

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we are learning to live with it and mitigate its risks. While older adults have suffered disproportionately from the health impacts of COVID, they have also suffered from the effects of efforts to control its spread. Infection rates rose in recent months, and many long-term care facilities again closed their doors to visitors. This left many families separated from elderly and disabled loved ones during the holiday period.

Read More
Insurance Technology

Covid-19 will make cyber and digital insurance policies more relevant than ever

Article | July 20, 2022

Kennedy's Elizabeth Bardsley discusses the risks brokers need to be aware of as more and more professionals work from home as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. As the insurance industry continues to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, many have begun to give thought to what lasting changes will stay with us once the crisis has passed. For example, attitudes towards flexible working are expected to permanently change as more and more professionals work from home. And in a similar vein, we are likely to see a significant impact on the popularity of cyber and digital liability policies.

Read More
Insurance Technology

The Influence of AI on Insurance

Article | March 29, 2022

As AI becomes more deeply integrated into the industry, carriers must position themselves to respond to the changing business landscape. Insurance executives are expected to understand the factors driving this shift and how AI in insurance will impact claims, distribution, underwriting, and pricing. They can start to learn the skills and talent they need, embrace new technology in the insurance industry, and build the culture and perspective they need to be successful in the future insurance market with this grip. While there are four types of levers that might help with productivity efforts—functional excellence, structural simplification, business transformation, and enterprise agility—insurers typically focus on the first two. Those levers are the foundation of efficient and effective operations, it isn't easy to leapfrog them. Traditional industry barriers are dissolving while technology advances and customer expectations vary dramatically. Ecosystems, which are groups of services that work together in a single integrated experience, are becoming more common across industries. Platforms that connect offerings from different industries are also becoming more common. In an interview with Media 7, Darcy Shapiro, COO of Americas at Cover Genius, talked about the changing expectations of consumers in the insurance industry. “Consumers expect brands to provide the same high-quality day-to-day experiences directly within the digital platforms they use most. Insurance should be no different.” Darcy Shapiro, COO of Americas at Cover Genius The Increasing Acceptance of Parametric Insurance In contrast to traditional policies, which are paid based on actual loss incurrence, metric insurance has been around for a while, providing payouts when a specific event exceeds an agreed-upon threshold. Previously being used specifically for natural disaster coverage and supplied to countries and large corporations, parametric insurance is making a comeback today. Advancements in sensor technology, data analytics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI in insurance) create broader information indexes on various levels, which opens up parametric risk applications in novel ways. A reinsurance company recently introduced a parametric water-level insurance product to shield businesses from the financial consequences of high or low river water levels. The program considers measured water levels at specific river gauges and agrees to pay a fixed amount for each day that the index remains below a predetermined threshold value. Other new-generation parametric solutions include terrorism protection for cities and airports, protection for retailers when transit strikes cut down on pedestrian traffic, and help for hotels when there are outbreaks. The advantages of parametric insurance include faster delivery and avoiding lengthy claims investigations. Furthermore, since parametric products have less uncertainty than traditional insurance, premiums can be significantly lower. In terms of technology, parametric insurance is best suited to blockchain technology, with smart contracts that pay out automatically when certain parameters are met. A Flood of Data from Connected Devices Fitness bands, home assistants, smartwatches, and other smart devices are rapidly becoming a part of our daily lives. In addition, smart clothing and medical devices will soon join the fray. Sensor-equipped equipment has long been common in industrial settings, but the number of connected consumer products is expected to skyrocket in the coming years. Existing gadgets (such as automobiles, fitness trackers, home assistants, smartphones, and smartwatches) will continue to grow. In contrast, new and expanding categories (such as clothing, eyewear, home appliances, medical devices, and shoes) will join them. According to analysts, interconnected devices will reach one trillion by 2025. The data generated by these devices will result in a flood of new data that carriers can use to understand their customers better, resulting in new product categories, more customized pricing, and an increase in real-time service delivery. The insurance industry can mine the data generated by these smart devices to better understand their customers’ preferences. This information can also assist insurers in developing new and more personalized product categories. The Rise of the Insurance Ecosystem According to McKinsey, insurance ecosystems will generate 30% of global revenue by 2025. With an expanding array of data sources and a data-driven culture, many insurers will soon be able to plug into and exploit data from complementing firms. These agreements are evolving to involve traditional insurers as well as technology companies. For example, an insurance firm in Europe teamed up with a smart-home technology vendor to improve its home insurance. The latter's technology can detect smoke and carbon monoxide, preventing losses. In addition, a global initiative of a major reinsurance company is developing an ecosystem for InsurTech start-ups and digital distributors. Recent McKinsey research also shows that the insurance business has been having a hard time making efficiency gains for a long time. Moreover, the operating expense disparity between the best and worst performers in P & C and life has widened over the last decade. Functional excellence, structural simplicity, business transformation, and enterprise agility are four productivity levers that insurers often focus on. Those levers are essential to efficient and productive operations. Ecosystems, which are groups of services that work together, are formed across industries and platforms that connect offerings from different sectors. Insurers may use ecosystems to integrate their products into seamless client experiences. Ecosystems are essential in today's interconnected world, whether you want to build direct relationships with customers or work with companies that act as the customer interface. Advancements in Cognitive Technology Cognition is a critical component of AI in insurance. AI cognitive technologies mimic how the human brain functions. In addition, new technology may make it easier to process huge amounts of data, especially from active insurance products that are linked to specific people. Carriers can constantly learn and adapt to the world thanks to cognitive technologies. As a result, it can enable insurance companies to introduce new product categories and engagement techniques and respond in real-time to changing underlying risks. In addition, convolutional neural networks and other deep learning technologies, which are currently used primarily for image, audio, and unstructured text processing, will be used in various applications in the future of insurance industry.

Read More
Insurance Technology

How Are Insurance Firms Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

Article | July 13, 2022

With the major impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, contractors appreciate the need for insurance coverage even more. You may be safely covered by Force Majeure and pandemic clauses in your policies. However, you may still be wondering how to deal with the associated costs related to the COVID-19 outbreak risks. In this article, let’s look at some of the steps you can take to handle your insurance position during the pandemic.

Read More
Insurance Technology

Cybersecurity Material for Private Companies

Article | July 15, 2022

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we are learning to live with it and mitigate its risks. While older adults have suffered disproportionately from the health impacts of COVID, they have also suffered from the effects of efforts to control its spread. Infection rates rose in recent months, and many long-term care facilities again closed their doors to visitors. This left many families separated from elderly and disabled loved ones during the holiday period.

Read More
Insurance Technology

Emergency Prevention: 3 Ways Insurtech is Leading the Way

Article | July 20, 2022

Kennedy's Elizabeth Bardsley discusses the risks brokers need to be aware of as more and more professionals work from home as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. As the insurance industry continues to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, many have begun to give thought to what lasting changes will stay with us once the crisis has passed. For example, attitudes towards flexible working are expected to permanently change as more and more professionals work from home. And in a similar vein, we are likely to see a significant impact on the popularity of cyber and digital liability policies.

Read More
Insurance Technology

The Influence of AI on Insurance

Article | March 29, 2022

As AI becomes more deeply integrated into the industry, carriers must position themselves to respond to the changing business landscape. Insurance executives are expected to understand the factors driving this shift and how AI in insurance will impact claims, distribution, underwriting, and pricing. They can start to learn the skills and talent they need, embrace new technology in the insurance industry, and build the culture and perspective they need to be successful in the future insurance market with this grip. While there are four types of levers that might help with productivity efforts—functional excellence, structural simplification, business transformation, and enterprise agility—insurers typically focus on the first two. Those levers are the foundation of efficient and effective operations, it isn't easy to leapfrog them. Traditional industry barriers are dissolving while technology advances and customer expectations vary dramatically. Ecosystems, which are groups of services that work together in a single integrated experience, are becoming more common across industries. Platforms that connect offerings from different industries are also becoming more common. In an interview with Media 7, Darcy Shapiro, COO of Americas at Cover Genius, talked about the changing expectations of consumers in the insurance industry. “Consumers expect brands to provide the same high-quality day-to-day experiences directly within the digital platforms they use most. Insurance should be no different.” Darcy Shapiro, COO of Americas at Cover Genius The Increasing Acceptance of Parametric Insurance In contrast to traditional policies, which are paid based on actual loss incurrence, metric insurance has been around for a while, providing payouts when a specific event exceeds an agreed-upon threshold. Previously being used specifically for natural disaster coverage and supplied to countries and large corporations, parametric insurance is making a comeback today. Advancements in sensor technology, data analytics, and Artificial Intelligence (AI in insurance) create broader information indexes on various levels, which opens up parametric risk applications in novel ways. A reinsurance company recently introduced a parametric water-level insurance product to shield businesses from the financial consequences of high or low river water levels. The program considers measured water levels at specific river gauges and agrees to pay a fixed amount for each day that the index remains below a predetermined threshold value. Other new-generation parametric solutions include terrorism protection for cities and airports, protection for retailers when transit strikes cut down on pedestrian traffic, and help for hotels when there are outbreaks. The advantages of parametric insurance include faster delivery and avoiding lengthy claims investigations. Furthermore, since parametric products have less uncertainty than traditional insurance, premiums can be significantly lower. In terms of technology, parametric insurance is best suited to blockchain technology, with smart contracts that pay out automatically when certain parameters are met. A Flood of Data from Connected Devices Fitness bands, home assistants, smartwatches, and other smart devices are rapidly becoming a part of our daily lives. In addition, smart clothing and medical devices will soon join the fray. Sensor-equipped equipment has long been common in industrial settings, but the number of connected consumer products is expected to skyrocket in the coming years. Existing gadgets (such as automobiles, fitness trackers, home assistants, smartphones, and smartwatches) will continue to grow. In contrast, new and expanding categories (such as clothing, eyewear, home appliances, medical devices, and shoes) will join them. According to analysts, interconnected devices will reach one trillion by 2025. The data generated by these devices will result in a flood of new data that carriers can use to understand their customers better, resulting in new product categories, more customized pricing, and an increase in real-time service delivery. The insurance industry can mine the data generated by these smart devices to better understand their customers’ preferences. This information can also assist insurers in developing new and more personalized product categories. The Rise of the Insurance Ecosystem According to McKinsey, insurance ecosystems will generate 30% of global revenue by 2025. With an expanding array of data sources and a data-driven culture, many insurers will soon be able to plug into and exploit data from complementing firms. These agreements are evolving to involve traditional insurers as well as technology companies. For example, an insurance firm in Europe teamed up with a smart-home technology vendor to improve its home insurance. The latter's technology can detect smoke and carbon monoxide, preventing losses. In addition, a global initiative of a major reinsurance company is developing an ecosystem for InsurTech start-ups and digital distributors. Recent McKinsey research also shows that the insurance business has been having a hard time making efficiency gains for a long time. Moreover, the operating expense disparity between the best and worst performers in P & C and life has widened over the last decade. Functional excellence, structural simplicity, business transformation, and enterprise agility are four productivity levers that insurers often focus on. Those levers are essential to efficient and productive operations. Ecosystems, which are groups of services that work together, are formed across industries and platforms that connect offerings from different sectors. Insurers may use ecosystems to integrate their products into seamless client experiences. Ecosystems are essential in today's interconnected world, whether you want to build direct relationships with customers or work with companies that act as the customer interface. Advancements in Cognitive Technology Cognition is a critical component of AI in insurance. AI cognitive technologies mimic how the human brain functions. In addition, new technology may make it easier to process huge amounts of data, especially from active insurance products that are linked to specific people. Carriers can constantly learn and adapt to the world thanks to cognitive technologies. As a result, it can enable insurance companies to introduce new product categories and engagement techniques and respond in real-time to changing underlying risks. In addition, convolutional neural networks and other deep learning technologies, which are currently used primarily for image, audio, and unstructured text processing, will be used in various applications in the future of insurance industry.

Read More
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Spotlight

Universal American

Universal American is a New York Stock Exchange company with annual revenues of more than $2 billion. Through our family of healthcare companies, we provide health benefits to people covered by Medicare and/or Medicaid. We are dedicated to working collaboratively with healthcare professionals in order to improve the health and well-being of those we serve and reduce healthcare costs.

Related News

Core Insurance, Risk Management

Confie Expands Portfolio with Two Acquisitions

PRnewswire | June 13, 2023

Confie, the largest personal lines insurance distribution company in the U.S., announced the acquisition of Sanborn's Insurance within its general agency brand Bluefire Insurance, and Atlantic Insurance Agency within its national brand Freeway Insurance to further expand their growing portfolios. Sanborn's Insurance is a multi-location retail insurance agency and wholesale general agency. Since its establishment in 1948, Sanborn's has provided non-standard tourist auto insurance, personal property, and casualty insurance to thousands of drivers across the southwestern US. Atlantic Insurance is a rapidly growing, family-owned agency serving Chicago residents. "Sanborn's Insurance has a strong 75-year legacy in the industry, and Atlantic Insurance further grows our footprint in the Chicago area," said Cesar Soriano, Confie CEO. "We are excited to welcome both organizations to our Confie family." Sanborn's Insurance offers auto insurance directly to consumers and through appointed independent agencies. With the acquisition, Sanborn's will continue operations under its current brand and Confie will retain all current employees. "Joining with Confie creates a path for accelerated growth," said Pablo Steinman, Sanborn's President. "With this partnership, we share a commitment to provide the best insurance solutions for our customers." Founded in 2014, Atlantic Insurance Agency is an independent agency in Chicago, Illinois. They provide non-standard auto insurance, home insurance, boat insurance and much more. "We continue to grow into new markets and are always looking for agencies to join our family of brands. We want to be in the communities our customers live in," said Chad Maxwell, SVP, Mergers & Acquisitions, Confie. About Confie Established in 2008, Confie is the nation's leading personal lines insurance distribution company. Today, Confie meets customers wherever they are – with more than 900+ retail locations in 23 states, the Bluefire general agency, and a telephone and online shared service center servicing all 50 states. With flexible insurance options, outstanding value, and convenient service, Confie's aspiration is to be the most trusted source of insurance solutions so our customers can have peace of mind. Confie is a portfolio company of Alliant. For more information about Confie, visit www.confie.com. About Freeway Insurance Established in 1987, Freeway offers insurance policies via a "click, call, or come-in" approach that provides customers coverage throughout the United States. The company is constantly researching, growing and diversifying product offerings to stay responsive to the ever-evolving insurance market. Freeway offers a wide range of plans, from the most basic to premium plans, in auto, truck, commercial vehicle, fire, flood, homeowners, renters, small commercial, motorcycle, and recreational vehicle insurance products. In 2008, Freeway Insurance joined Confie, the leading national personal lines insurance distribution company. Today, Freeway Insurance services customers in more than 530 offices. Freeway consumers access Freeway Insurance through neighborhood Freeway offices, as well as by visiting www.freewayinsurance.com or by calling (800) 777-5620. About Bluefire Insurance Bluefire Insurance offers a wide variety of innovative solutions in multiple states, with a focus on providing consumers with an excellent insurance product with great coverage at affordable rates. Bluefire's number one priority is, and will always be, to ensure an unsurpassed customer experience to our agents and insureds at every interaction. For more information about Bluefire Insurance, please visit www.bluefireinsurance.com.

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Core Insurance, Life Insurance

Estrella Insurance Acquired by Personal Insurance Leader Confie

PRnewswire | May 18, 2023

Estrella Insurance, a leading property and casualty insurance agency and national franchisor, has been acquired by Confie, the largest personal lines insurance distribution company in the U.S. Confie leadership says the move will "greatly expand" the company's presence in Florida, and will fall under Confie's Freeway Insurance division. Estrella's more than 190 offices and employees across the U.S. will continue to operate under its current brand, and Confie will retain all current employees with the acquisition. According to Confie CEO Cesar Soriano, "Estrella has built a strong franchising model well-known among Hispanic consumers and business owners alike. Franchising allows us to broaden our customer reach, and accelerate our growth into new markets. Americans are entrepreneurial by nature and we proudly will offer them the choice between three trustworthy brands." "Our franchise partners are family, and their success is our success. It was important to find the right partner that would support both our brand, customers, and growth plan," said Nicolas Estrella Jr., Estrella's CEO. "Confie is a highly respected organization with years of industry knowledge and forward momentum. It was a perfect fit for Estrella." Estrella Insurance operates in Florida, California, Arizona, Texas, and Colorado. For over 40 years, the agency has provided affordable insurance solutions and exceptional service to their customers. Their product portfolio includes auto, home, commercial, business, life, and health. Confie, which has more than 750+ retail locations in 23 states, introduced franchising opportunities to entrepreneurs in 2022. Their leadership adds the Estrella acquisition is part of Confie's larger growth and development expansion plans. "Estrella has aggressive growth plans that will only be strengthened through our affiliation with Confie," says Nicolas Estrella, Jr., CEO of Estrella. "We are thrilled to be part of the Confie organization and see great potential ahead." About Estrella Insurance Miami-based Estrella Insurance is a property and casualty insurance franchisor and a trusted leader among consumers and insurance companies by providing simple, cost-effective insurance solutions across its auto, home, commercial, business, life, and health insurance portfolios. With more than 190 offices across the U.S., it is consistently ranked as a top franchise opportunity with a proven business model that allows owners to focus directly on customer support and community engagement. For more information on franchise ownership, visit www.estrellafranchise.com. About Confie Established in 2008, Confie is the nation's leading personal lines insurance distribution company. Today, Confie meets customers wherever they are – with more than 750+ retail locations in 23 states, the Bluefire general agency, and a telephone and online shared service center servicing all 50 states. With flexible insurance options, outstanding value, and convenient service, Confie's aspiration is to be the most trusted source of insurance solutions so our customers can have peace of mind. Confie is a portfolio company of Alliant. For more information about Confie, visit www.confie.com.

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Core Insurance, Insurance Technology

Confie Acquires Estrella Insurance, Expanding its Franchising Division

PRnewswire | May 10, 2023

Confie, the largest personal lines insurance distribution company in the U.S., announces the acquisition of Estrella Insurance to its non-standard national brand Freeway Insurance. Confie's latest acquisition significantly expands its footprint in Florida and their franchise division. Estrella Insurance operates more than 190 locations across Florida, California, Arizona, Texas, and Colorado. For over 40 years, they have provided affordable insurance solutions and exceptional service to their customers. Their product portfolio includes auto, home, commercial, business, life, and health. Estrella will continue to operate under its current brand, and Confie will retain all current employees with their acquisition. "Estrella has built a strong franchising model well-known among Hispanic consumers, and business owners alike. We are excited to welcome them into our ever-growing family," said Cesar Soriano, Confie CEO. "Franchising allows us to broaden our customer reach, and accelerate our growth into new markets. Americans are entrepreneurial by nature and we proudly will offer them the choice between three trustworthy brands." In 2022, Freeway Insurance introduced franchising opportunities to entrepreneurs. With more than 530 retail stores nationwide, business owners get access to the company's established business model, respected brand, a wide range of national and regional insurance carriers, and back-office resources. Shortly after, Confie acquired Velox Insurance in December 2021. Velox primarily offers franchising to business owners in the Georgia market. "Our franchise partners are family, and their success is our success. It was important to find the right partner that would support both our brand, customers, and our growth plan," said Nick Estrella Jr., Estrella's CEO. "Confie is a highly respected organization with years of industry knowledge and forward momentum. It was a perfect fit for Estrella." In addition to its acquisitions, Confie recently announced the expansion of its business process outsourcing division (BPO) with the launch of a new service center in Tijuana, being ranked #1 Personal Lines Leader by Insurance Journal for a seventh straight year and the expansion of their InsureOne brand by way of an agency network for independent insurance agents. "Confie's expansion plans rely on strategic acquisitions and we welcome that challenge," said Chad Maxwell, SVP, mergers & acquisitions, Confie. "Identifying places where we can strengthen our presence helps us accomplish growth and development, and we are actively seeking great partners to join the Confie family." About Confie Established in 2008, Confie is the nation's leading personal lines insurance distribution company. Today, Confie meets customers wherever they are – with more than 750+ retail locations in 23 states, the Bluefire general agency, and a telephone and online shared service center servicing all 50 states. With flexible insurance options, outstanding value, and convenient service, Confie's aspiration is to be the most trusted source of insurance solutions so our customers can have peace of mind. Confie is a portfolio company of Alliant. For more information about Confie, visit www.confie.com. About Freeway Insurance Established in 1987, Freeway offers insurance policies via a "click, call, or come-in" approach that provides customers coverage throughout the United States. The company is constantly researching, growing and diversifying product offerings to stay responsive to the ever-evolving insurance market. Freeway offers a wide range of plans, from the most basic to premium plans, in auto, truck, commercial vehicle, fire, flood, homeowners, renters, small commercial, motorcycle, and recreational vehicle insurance products. In 2008, Freeway Insurance joined Confie, the leading national personal lines insurance distribution company. Today, Freeway Insurance services customers in more than 500 offices. Freeway consumers access Freeway Insurance through neighborhood Freeway offices, as well as by visiting www.freewayinsurance.com or by calling (800) 777-5620. About Estrella Insurance Miami-based Estrella Insurance is a property and casualty insurance franchisor and a trusted leader among consumers and insurance companies by providing simple, cost-effective insurance solutions across its auto, home, commercial, business, life, and health insurance portfolios. With more than 190 offices across the U.S., it is consistently ranked as a top franchise opportunity with a proven business model that allows owners to focus directly on customer support and community engagement. For more information about Estrella Insurance, visit www.estrellainsurance.com.

Read More

Core Insurance, Risk Management

Confie Expands Portfolio with Two Acquisitions

PRnewswire | June 13, 2023

Confie, the largest personal lines insurance distribution company in the U.S., announced the acquisition of Sanborn's Insurance within its general agency brand Bluefire Insurance, and Atlantic Insurance Agency within its national brand Freeway Insurance to further expand their growing portfolios. Sanborn's Insurance is a multi-location retail insurance agency and wholesale general agency. Since its establishment in 1948, Sanborn's has provided non-standard tourist auto insurance, personal property, and casualty insurance to thousands of drivers across the southwestern US. Atlantic Insurance is a rapidly growing, family-owned agency serving Chicago residents. "Sanborn's Insurance has a strong 75-year legacy in the industry, and Atlantic Insurance further grows our footprint in the Chicago area," said Cesar Soriano, Confie CEO. "We are excited to welcome both organizations to our Confie family." Sanborn's Insurance offers auto insurance directly to consumers and through appointed independent agencies. With the acquisition, Sanborn's will continue operations under its current brand and Confie will retain all current employees. "Joining with Confie creates a path for accelerated growth," said Pablo Steinman, Sanborn's President. "With this partnership, we share a commitment to provide the best insurance solutions for our customers." Founded in 2014, Atlantic Insurance Agency is an independent agency in Chicago, Illinois. They provide non-standard auto insurance, home insurance, boat insurance and much more. "We continue to grow into new markets and are always looking for agencies to join our family of brands. We want to be in the communities our customers live in," said Chad Maxwell, SVP, Mergers & Acquisitions, Confie. About Confie Established in 2008, Confie is the nation's leading personal lines insurance distribution company. Today, Confie meets customers wherever they are – with more than 900+ retail locations in 23 states, the Bluefire general agency, and a telephone and online shared service center servicing all 50 states. With flexible insurance options, outstanding value, and convenient service, Confie's aspiration is to be the most trusted source of insurance solutions so our customers can have peace of mind. Confie is a portfolio company of Alliant. For more information about Confie, visit www.confie.com. About Freeway Insurance Established in 1987, Freeway offers insurance policies via a "click, call, or come-in" approach that provides customers coverage throughout the United States. The company is constantly researching, growing and diversifying product offerings to stay responsive to the ever-evolving insurance market. Freeway offers a wide range of plans, from the most basic to premium plans, in auto, truck, commercial vehicle, fire, flood, homeowners, renters, small commercial, motorcycle, and recreational vehicle insurance products. In 2008, Freeway Insurance joined Confie, the leading national personal lines insurance distribution company. Today, Freeway Insurance services customers in more than 530 offices. Freeway consumers access Freeway Insurance through neighborhood Freeway offices, as well as by visiting www.freewayinsurance.com or by calling (800) 777-5620. About Bluefire Insurance Bluefire Insurance offers a wide variety of innovative solutions in multiple states, with a focus on providing consumers with an excellent insurance product with great coverage at affordable rates. Bluefire's number one priority is, and will always be, to ensure an unsurpassed customer experience to our agents and insureds at every interaction. For more information about Bluefire Insurance, please visit www.bluefireinsurance.com.

Read More

Core Insurance, Life Insurance

Estrella Insurance Acquired by Personal Insurance Leader Confie

PRnewswire | May 18, 2023

Estrella Insurance, a leading property and casualty insurance agency and national franchisor, has been acquired by Confie, the largest personal lines insurance distribution company in the U.S. Confie leadership says the move will "greatly expand" the company's presence in Florida, and will fall under Confie's Freeway Insurance division. Estrella's more than 190 offices and employees across the U.S. will continue to operate under its current brand, and Confie will retain all current employees with the acquisition. According to Confie CEO Cesar Soriano, "Estrella has built a strong franchising model well-known among Hispanic consumers and business owners alike. Franchising allows us to broaden our customer reach, and accelerate our growth into new markets. Americans are entrepreneurial by nature and we proudly will offer them the choice between three trustworthy brands." "Our franchise partners are family, and their success is our success. It was important to find the right partner that would support both our brand, customers, and growth plan," said Nicolas Estrella Jr., Estrella's CEO. "Confie is a highly respected organization with years of industry knowledge and forward momentum. It was a perfect fit for Estrella." Estrella Insurance operates in Florida, California, Arizona, Texas, and Colorado. For over 40 years, the agency has provided affordable insurance solutions and exceptional service to their customers. Their product portfolio includes auto, home, commercial, business, life, and health. Confie, which has more than 750+ retail locations in 23 states, introduced franchising opportunities to entrepreneurs in 2022. Their leadership adds the Estrella acquisition is part of Confie's larger growth and development expansion plans. "Estrella has aggressive growth plans that will only be strengthened through our affiliation with Confie," says Nicolas Estrella, Jr., CEO of Estrella. "We are thrilled to be part of the Confie organization and see great potential ahead." About Estrella Insurance Miami-based Estrella Insurance is a property and casualty insurance franchisor and a trusted leader among consumers and insurance companies by providing simple, cost-effective insurance solutions across its auto, home, commercial, business, life, and health insurance portfolios. With more than 190 offices across the U.S., it is consistently ranked as a top franchise opportunity with a proven business model that allows owners to focus directly on customer support and community engagement. For more information on franchise ownership, visit www.estrellafranchise.com. About Confie Established in 2008, Confie is the nation's leading personal lines insurance distribution company. Today, Confie meets customers wherever they are – with more than 750+ retail locations in 23 states, the Bluefire general agency, and a telephone and online shared service center servicing all 50 states. With flexible insurance options, outstanding value, and convenient service, Confie's aspiration is to be the most trusted source of insurance solutions so our customers can have peace of mind. Confie is a portfolio company of Alliant. For more information about Confie, visit www.confie.com.

Read More

Core Insurance, Insurance Technology

Confie Acquires Estrella Insurance, Expanding its Franchising Division

PRnewswire | May 10, 2023

Confie, the largest personal lines insurance distribution company in the U.S., announces the acquisition of Estrella Insurance to its non-standard national brand Freeway Insurance. Confie's latest acquisition significantly expands its footprint in Florida and their franchise division. Estrella Insurance operates more than 190 locations across Florida, California, Arizona, Texas, and Colorado. For over 40 years, they have provided affordable insurance solutions and exceptional service to their customers. Their product portfolio includes auto, home, commercial, business, life, and health. Estrella will continue to operate under its current brand, and Confie will retain all current employees with their acquisition. "Estrella has built a strong franchising model well-known among Hispanic consumers, and business owners alike. We are excited to welcome them into our ever-growing family," said Cesar Soriano, Confie CEO. "Franchising allows us to broaden our customer reach, and accelerate our growth into new markets. Americans are entrepreneurial by nature and we proudly will offer them the choice between three trustworthy brands." In 2022, Freeway Insurance introduced franchising opportunities to entrepreneurs. With more than 530 retail stores nationwide, business owners get access to the company's established business model, respected brand, a wide range of national and regional insurance carriers, and back-office resources. Shortly after, Confie acquired Velox Insurance in December 2021. Velox primarily offers franchising to business owners in the Georgia market. "Our franchise partners are family, and their success is our success. It was important to find the right partner that would support both our brand, customers, and our growth plan," said Nick Estrella Jr., Estrella's CEO. "Confie is a highly respected organization with years of industry knowledge and forward momentum. It was a perfect fit for Estrella." In addition to its acquisitions, Confie recently announced the expansion of its business process outsourcing division (BPO) with the launch of a new service center in Tijuana, being ranked #1 Personal Lines Leader by Insurance Journal for a seventh straight year and the expansion of their InsureOne brand by way of an agency network for independent insurance agents. "Confie's expansion plans rely on strategic acquisitions and we welcome that challenge," said Chad Maxwell, SVP, mergers & acquisitions, Confie. "Identifying places where we can strengthen our presence helps us accomplish growth and development, and we are actively seeking great partners to join the Confie family." About Confie Established in 2008, Confie is the nation's leading personal lines insurance distribution company. Today, Confie meets customers wherever they are – with more than 750+ retail locations in 23 states, the Bluefire general agency, and a telephone and online shared service center servicing all 50 states. With flexible insurance options, outstanding value, and convenient service, Confie's aspiration is to be the most trusted source of insurance solutions so our customers can have peace of mind. Confie is a portfolio company of Alliant. For more information about Confie, visit www.confie.com. About Freeway Insurance Established in 1987, Freeway offers insurance policies via a "click, call, or come-in" approach that provides customers coverage throughout the United States. The company is constantly researching, growing and diversifying product offerings to stay responsive to the ever-evolving insurance market. Freeway offers a wide range of plans, from the most basic to premium plans, in auto, truck, commercial vehicle, fire, flood, homeowners, renters, small commercial, motorcycle, and recreational vehicle insurance products. In 2008, Freeway Insurance joined Confie, the leading national personal lines insurance distribution company. Today, Freeway Insurance services customers in more than 500 offices. Freeway consumers access Freeway Insurance through neighborhood Freeway offices, as well as by visiting www.freewayinsurance.com or by calling (800) 777-5620. About Estrella Insurance Miami-based Estrella Insurance is a property and casualty insurance franchisor and a trusted leader among consumers and insurance companies by providing simple, cost-effective insurance solutions across its auto, home, commercial, business, life, and health insurance portfolios. With more than 190 offices across the U.S., it is consistently ranked as a top franchise opportunity with a proven business model that allows owners to focus directly on customer support and community engagement. For more information about Estrella Insurance, visit www.estrellainsurance.com.

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