The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) recently presented its annual Award in Innovation to West Bend Insurance Company. The Award in Innovation recognizes mutual insurers that exemplify the vision and entrepreneurialism it takes to stay relevant in changing times. With the creation of the EZ•Upload tool, West Bend has taken successful steps to create an affordable and efficient way to write small-market business.
“At West Bend, we work each and every day to be the company of choice for our associates, agents, and policyholders,” said Rob Jacques, president and CEO of West Bend. “By addressing core underwriting inefficiencies and reimagining the new business submission process, EZ•Upload has yielded tangible benefits for the enterprise and its agency partners alike. We’re honored to receive this award from NAMIC and will continue to push for innovation in the industry to support and serve the mutual interest of our agency partners.”
West Bend's EZ•Upload initiative transformed its quoting platform by streamlining commercial business submissions through automation and data integration, significantly reducing processing times. The innovative technology enhanced efficiency and user experience, ultimately prioritizing policyholder protection through agent expertise.
Neil Alldredge, NAMIC president and CEO, said, “West Bend’s focus on collaboration through technology proves that efficiency and strong relationships can go hand in hand to achieve success. EZ•Upload is the hallmark of innovation at West Bend and demonstrates the difference it can make when insurers embrace and implement innovative processes, technologies, and critical thinking. I’m grateful for West Bend’s continued ingenuity and commitment to agents and policyholders.”
Judging criteria for the award included:
- Impact on perpetuating mutuality
- Creativity of idea
- Numbers and/or dollar impact – relative to size of insurer
- Potential for the idea to be adapted and used by other NAMIC members
- Alignment with the NAMIC Management Conference focus areas: strategy, innovation, leadership, industry trends, and the economy
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About NAMIC: NAMIC membership reflects many of the country’s largest national insurers as well as regional and local mutual insurance companies on main streets across America. NAMIC members write $383 billion in annual premiums and account for 61 percent of homeowners, 48 percent of the automobile, and 25 percent of the business insurance markets.
