Members in the News

Sheboygan, WI (3/6/23) - Acuity is the top-ranked Wisconsin-domiciled carrier in the 2023 CRASH Network Insurer Report Card, which puts Acuity among the top 5 insurers nationwide in the report’s Honor Roll. Acuity is also ranked #1 in the 6-state Great Lakes Region, consisting of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.

CRASH Network surveyed over 1,000 collision repair shops across the country for its 2023 Insurer Report Card. Shops were asked to grade the claims service of insurance companies based on one question: How well does this company’s claims handling policies, attitude, and payment practices ensure quality repairs and customer service for motorists?

Speaking about Acuity’s claims service, a repair shop owner said in the report, “Their claims handling is very fast and efficient. They do not waste time and are the best insurer we have ever dealt with.”

According to the CRASH Network, shops say the best insurance companies don’t pressure them to cut corners or install lower-quality parts to save money and aren’t adding more administrative steps to slow down the repair and claims process. The report card also revealed that many insurers earning the highest grades from repair shops are regional insurance companies that “do not spend billions of dollars per year on advertising.” In fact, none of the 10 largest auto insurers in the country were ranked in the top 40 insurers.

“We are honored to again be recognized for the quality claims service we deliver. Acuity’s Common Purpose is centered on the fact that we ‘dare to care,’ and our customers know we care about them and will be there for them after accidents happen,” said Melissa Winter, Acuity President.

“Acuity is committed to providing world-class service in claims and being rated a top company in the CRASH Network survey shows we are doing just that,” said Ben Salzmann, Acuity CEO.

“Being recognized by CRASH Network is particularly rewarding because the rating comes from collision repair professionals at body shops who know first-hand how well we handle claims compared to other insurers,” said Jamie Loiacono, Acuity’s Vice President – Claims.

Acuity Insurance, headquartered in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, insures over 130,000 businesses, including 300,000 commercial vehicles, and nearly a half million homes and private passenger autos across 31 states. Rated A+ by AM Best and S&P, Acuity employs nearly 1,600 people.

Cedar Rapids, IA (4/3/23) - Pilot program launched April 2023

UFG Insurance prides itself on creating simple solutions for its agents to do business. And a new pilot program, claims advocacy partners, strives to do just that.

“We took action when our agents let us know that having a main contact for specialized claims questions would be helpful,” explains AVP, Workers Compensation Claims Manager Christine Zetocka. “Our new claims advocacy partners aim to offer agents one point of contact to enhance their claims experience.”

A claims advocacy partner joins an agency’s existing UFG team — working side-by-side with the adjuster, marketing representative, underwriter and risk control consultant — as a go-to person for assistance throughout the claims process.

The advocacy partners concept is starting as a small pilot with five to seven agencies in each of UFG’s five branches so the team can better ensure service that exceeds expectations.

“We’re really excited to get out there and talk with the pilot agencies,” says Brann Carson, one of three seasoned claims professionals who stepped into the claims advocacy partner role. “If a claim has been filed, that usually means something stressful or sad has happened. As claims advocacy partners, we hope to help agents remember we’re there for the person behind that claim. We want them to think UFG when they think of a carrier who handles claims with compassion.”

Fellow claims advocacy partners Jenni Zollman and Joe Sullivan agree.

“An advocate is there to lean on,” adds Jenni. “We all stand ready to offer pilot agents the answers, service and support they need to easily navigate the claims experience.”

“We hope all our agent partners are excited to hear about this new pilot program and the potential it can carry for ease of doing business,” adds Joe.

The claims advocacy partner program hopes to expand as the pilot gains momentum.