From the Big Desk

A lot has happened since my last quarterly (Spring) update that I am optimistic about. March 1st was our 50th anniversary. As of our last Board of Directors meeting in November 2020, our loss ratio has declined marginally. However, there are still way too many preventable claims occurring. What is making it difficult is the rates continue to decline every year in every state. There is stiff business competition, and we must continue our core values of supporting loss control and continued safety mentoring.

Even though it was a slow spring period, we managed to maintain our overall sales volume levels. I am very encouraged by this because I see it as more evidence of a pattern of consistency that has been emerging which demonstrates that we are capable of sustaining our performance levels over time, in spite of seasonal and cyclical market fluctuations.

In addition, we already have a number of initiatives planned or underway that I believe will allow us to be even more productive and better than ever at exceeding our customers' expectations. Forestry Mutual added a Communications Director, Jean-Paul Damé (JP). He has worked to improve our website, newsletter, business cards, and social media presence. His extensive background in broadcast television will be a huge asset to Forestry Mutual as he creates educational and training content to support our core values in safety with our Loss Control members.

I am excited and optimistic about our establishment of Forestry Mutual products and services in Mississippi. The hard work from our marketing agent in that region, Jack Williams, and our Loss Control representative, Justin Guyer, will be great assets to our continued growth and success. We have had great results with our appointed agents in the state and look to continue to mutually grow that book as well.

Between now and the end of this year we will continue to develop innovative technology platforms designed to further streamline our billing operations and enhance the products and services that we offer our customers. In fact, I believe that our ongoing efforts to continuously improve the products, services and pricing mix that we offer to both our customers and our agents will be a never-ending quest if we are to stay at the forefront of our industry.

Jack Williams, FMIC Agency Account Executive, visiting Dakota Pruitt with Pruitt and Son Logging in Mississippi

Photo Credit: FMIC Staff Photographer

The coronavirus put a wrinkle in our in-person training that we had scheduled last year, and hopefully, this year, we can move forward in our hands-on, in-person training. I am still not satisfied with the seriousness and the number of preventable claims that are still occurring. With truck drivers still having incidents, we must continue our efforts to train these drivers. We have shown some progress in this area, but we still have a long way to go.

TEAM Safe Trucking (TST) is still evolving. There are over 60 modules now. Some of our staff have gone through the Train The Trainer class. My hope this year is to get more drivers engaged in the training instead of creating more modules. Forestry Mutual loss control staff has also participated by providing driver training with the Carolina Loggers Association. In all of the classes that CLA has presented, Forestry Mutual has presented our training content in those classes. Forestry Mutual will continue to help when we can. We are excited to know that CLA will be taking over their training in the coming months.

“Loss Control is the key to our success.”

We continue to make steady and encouraging progress in the industry and in every state. I have no doubt that if we continue to work as a team committed to exceeding our customers' expectations our future 50 years will be a success.

If you have any questions or suggestions on how we can better serve you, please don’t hesitate to give me a call.

Keith Biggs, President, Forestry Mutual Insurance Company