From the BIG Desk

I am excited to give you an update for the Fall of 2021 with Forestry Mutual. FMIC’s Board of Directors had a vision for the future of insurance for the wood products industry over 50 years ago. Since then, I am happy to report that their vision has become a reality with Forestry Mutual. The full-service model we have developed and implemented with our coverage loss controls and our boots-on-the-ground approach has allowed us to manage and reduce risks that we write—from underwriting, through risk management, and into claims. I could not be prouder of the team that we have.

At Forestry Mutual, we understand the risks we write and know that careful underwriting followed by attentive risk management helps limit exposure for our insureds and Forestry Mutual. In the event of a claim, we also realize that every claim needs close attention, no matter how small. Our insureds deserve to have their claims handled quickly and efficiently, ensuring that fair claims receive fair payment and that inflated claims don’t simply get paid to avoid the cost of dispute resolution. If necessary, our insureds deserve their “day in court.” Forestry Mutual may end up paying more for its attention to detail. Still, in the long run, our customers benefit by being represented by a fair and firm insurer that doesn’t make its customers or itself an easy target for abusers of the insurance system.

Trucking accident prevention is our number one priority, and eliminating those incidents has been my focus as President for many years. Our Truck Driver training is having a positive impact on accident prevention. In 2020/21, we have trained 1,429 drivers, and of those truck drivers, we had only seven driver error-related accidents, which is less than a 0.49% ratio. Our driver training speaks to the positive results that it is having in the industry. However, I want to see that down to zero. We need to continue our efforts in educating our drivers to reduce their speed, don’t get distracted by technology, get plenty of rest and take their time.

The development of the Training Video Committee (TVC) demonstrates our dedication to providing quality training and educational material that uses current technology and trends. The TVC group is currently working on educational content for our Morning Coffee series, Skidder Safety, Manufacturing safety, and our continued push on driver training. I am proud of the team we’ve assembled.

Forestry Mutual has spent the past 50 years setting the standard for quality and affordable workers’ compensation insurance in our industry. It is that standard that sets us apart from other carriers. We may not always be the cheapest alternative, but we are client-focused, family-friendly, stable, and support our insureds when other alternatives fail. Insureds have left us for a time, only to return when the alternative markets lose their ability to provide coverage and the same customer service. Time after time, we hear, “We should have never left you because Forestry Mutual has always been there for us.”

We at Forestry Mutual wish you all the best with your business and look forward to being of service.

Keith Biggs, President, Forestry Mutual Insurance Company (919) 880-1006