THREE UNITRIN, INC. SUBSIDIARIES JOIN TRUSTED CHOICE®
Kemper Auto and Home, Unitrin Multi Lines & Unitrin Specialty Lines Newest Additions
ALEXANDRIA, VA, August 3—Kemper Auto and Home, Unitrin Multi Lines Insurance and Unitrin Specialty Lines Insurance have joined a growing number of leading insurance carriers that have become members of Trusted Choice®—the national brand created to educate consumers about the benefits of using independent insurance agents and brokers.
The new companies are part of Unitrin, Inc., a Chicago-based provider of property-casualty, life and health insurance as well as consumer financial services.
Trusted Choice® was created by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) and independent agency companies to highlight the benefits independent insurance agencies and brokerage firms offer consumers—choice of companies, customization of policies and advocacy support. Just two years after its inception, thousands of independent insurance agencies and brokerages throughout the country are participating in the branding program as are 27 leading insurance companies.
“Unitrin is steadfastly committed to independent agents as a critical means for nurturing strong and lasting relationships with our customers,” said Don Southwell, president and chief operating officer of Unitrin. “Trusted Choice® clearly articulates and differentiates the value-added benefits independent agents provide: personalized service, customized product choices and expert advice.”
“We are very pleased that these three Unitrin companies have joined the Trusted Choice® brand movement,” says Ronald A. Smith, CPCU, Trusted Choice® Board chairman and president of Smith, Sawyer & Smith, Inc., a Rochester, Indiana-based independent insurance agency. “Unitrin is one of a growing number of companies that is making a powerful statement about its commitment to promoting independent insurance agents and brokers through the Trusted Choice® brand.”
“Unitrin understands that the independent agency distribution force offers consumers the best choices and value-added professionalism. Unitrin, like the other Trusted Choice® companies, believes the brand confirms what we already know: independent agents and brokers ‘serve the consumer first,’” says Big “I” CEO Robert A. Rusbuldt.
Unitrin conducts business through six operating segments, three of which work with independent insurance agents and brokers—Unitrin Multi Lines Insurance, Unitrin Specialty Lines Insurance and Kemper Auto and Home. The Unitrin companies operating in these segments provide automobile, homeowners, commercial multi-peril, motorcycle, boat and watercraft, fire, casualty, workers compensation, and other types of property and casualty insurance to individuals and businesses.
Unitrin has more than $8.5 billion in assets and more than 6 million insurance policies in force. Unitrin and its subsidiaries have an “A” (Excellent) rating from A. M. Best.
Ten national insurers are Trusted Choice® company partners: Encompass Insurance, Markel Insurance Company, MetLife Auto & Home, Ohio Casualty Insurance, Progressive, Rain and Hail Insurance Service, Safeco Insurance and the three Unitrin, Inc. divisions: Kemper Auto and Home, Unitrin Multi Lines Insurance and Unitrin Specialty Lines Insurance
A total of 16 regional companies are Trusted Choice® company partners: America First Insurance, Capital Insurance Group, Central Insurance Companies, Colorado Casualty, Consumers Insurance, GoAmerica Auto Insurance, Golden Eagle Insurance, Hawkeye-Security Insurance, Indiana Insurance, Main Street America Group, Maine Mutual Group, Montgomery Insurance, National Security Fire & Casualty, Peerless Insurance, Selective Insurance Group and Summit Insurance (R.I.). InsurBanc, a federal thrift bank created by the Big “I,” is a Trusted Choice® strategic partner.
The Trusted Choice® brand is being promoted nationally through a combination of advertising, company ingredient branding, public relations, member agency marketing and Internet communications. Six advertising flights this year in March, April, June, August, October and December, as well as several public relations outreach programs, are educating consumers about the value of a Trusted Choice® agency. The August ad flight will run from Aug. 9 through 22 on several major national cable networks.
All media direct consumers to www.TrustedChoice.com, where they will find a helpful Agency Locator and the latest consumer information on relevant insurance topics.
Trusted Choice® is the consumer marketing identity for thousands of independent insurance agencies and brokerages and their branch locations. These firms offer a choice of insurance companies and policies, customization of policy coverage, and consumer advocacy support. Founded in 1896, IIABA is the nation’s oldest and largest association for independent insurance agents and brokers. Web address: www.independentagent.com.
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