Allstate, Encompass Join Forces For Independent Agents
12/02/2004 - NORTHBROOK, Ill.
To better serve independent insurance agencies, The Allstate Corporation is integrating its three independentagency brands under its Encompass independentagency organization, forming one combined sales organization dedicated solely to independent agenies.
Encompass will now manage marketing and sales for all three of Allstate's current indepndent agency brands - Encompass, Deerbrook and Allstate. The move will allow Allstate to offer a broader array of products and services through independentagents and make it easier for independentagencies to do business with the company. The changes are effective January 1, 2005.
"We are going to become the brands of choice forindependent agents," said Doug Wendt, president of Encompass Insurance, who will lead the new organization. "We want to provide the best service and products for the unique needs of independentagencies and customers."
Encompass currently focuses on high-end consumer insurance products, including a package policy that provides coverage for home, auto and personal liability under one plan. Now, Wendt says the integration is making possible development of new products for Encompass agencies to serve middle-market consumers and for Allstate independent agents to have access to Encompass products and services.
Future product offerings, the company says, could also include financial services, workplace, specialty lines or commercial lines products for independent agencies.
The integration should be transparent to current Encompass, Deerbrook and Allstate policyholders. Wendt says the changes are primarily internal, part of a strategy to make the organization more focused on local marketing efforts, expanding product portfolios, price competitiveness and being easy to do business within the independent agency channel.
"This presents a great opportunity for all independent agents," said Cappy Stults, an independent insurance agent in Hightown, New Jersey and chairperson of Encompass' national agency advisory board. "Allstate's new independent agency organization shows their commitment to being a major force in the IA marketplace."
The new organization will now service more than 12,000 independent agencies across the country and Wendt says they are continuing to look for opportunities to grow their presence in the independent agency market. "Positioning our independent channel for future success is part of Allstate's overall strategy to grow both our exclusive and independent agency forces across the country."
Allstate, which distributes its products through exclusive agents, the Internet and direct access, added the independent agency channel in 1974. In 1999, it purchased CNA Personal Insurance, rebranding it under the Encompass Insurance name in 2000.
Encompass Insurance is a division of The Allstate Corporation. (NYSE: ALL) which provides insurance products through independent agents. Formerly CNA Personal Insurance, Encompass was launched in September 2000 as an insurance brand with more than 20 years of relationships established with independent agents and their customers. Encompass is a brand devoted exclusively to independent agents, selling automobile, homeowner and related insurance to one million customers through a network of more than 2,700 independent insurance agents. Allstate is the exclusive administrator of Encompass personal automobile and home insurance policies issued by the insurance affiliates of CNA Financial Corporation. More information on Encompass Insurance can be found at http://www.encompassinsurance.com.
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in more than 16 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through more than 12,900 exclusive agencies and financial specialists in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. EncompassSM and Deerbrook® Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, annuity, retirement, banking and investment products through distribution channels that include Allstate agencies, independent agencies, worksite, financial institutions and broker-dealers.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Bill Mellander, 1-847-402-5600
To better serve independent insurance agencies, The Allstate Corporation is integrating its three independentagency brands under its Encompass independentagency organization, forming one combined sales organization dedicated solely to independent agenies.
Encompass will now manage marketing and sales for all three of Allstate's current indepndent agency brands - Encompass, Deerbrook and Allstate. The move will allow Allstate to offer a broader array of products and services through independentagents and make it easier for independentagencies to do business with the company. The changes are effective January 1, 2005.
"We are going to become the brands of choice forindependent agents," said Doug Wendt, president of Encompass Insurance, who will lead the new organization. "We want to provide the best service and products for the unique needs of independentagencies and customers."
Encompass currently focuses on high-end consumer insurance products, including a package policy that provides coverage for home, auto and personal liability under one plan. Now, Wendt says the integration is making possible development of new products for Encompass agencies to serve middle-market consumers and for Allstate independent agents to have access to Encompass products and services.
Future product offerings, the company says, could also include financial services, workplace, specialty lines or commercial lines products for independent agencies.
The integration should be transparent to current Encompass, Deerbrook and Allstate policyholders. Wendt says the changes are primarily internal, part of a strategy to make the organization more focused on local marketing efforts, expanding product portfolios, price competitiveness and being easy to do business within the independent agency channel.
"This presents a great opportunity for all independent agents," said Cappy Stults, an independent insurance agent in Hightown, New Jersey and chairperson of Encompass' national agency advisory board. "Allstate's new independent agency organization shows their commitment to being a major force in the IA marketplace."
The new organization will now service more than 12,000 independent agencies across the country and Wendt says they are continuing to look for opportunities to grow their presence in the independent agency market. "Positioning our independent channel for future success is part of Allstate's overall strategy to grow both our exclusive and independent agency forces across the country."
Allstate, which distributes its products through exclusive agents, the Internet and direct access, added the independent agency channel in 1974. In 1999, it purchased CNA Personal Insurance, rebranding it under the Encompass Insurance name in 2000.
Encompass Insurance is a division of The Allstate Corporation. (NYSE: ALL) which provides insurance products through independent agents. Formerly CNA Personal Insurance, Encompass was launched in September 2000 as an insurance brand with more than 20 years of relationships established with independent agents and their customers. Encompass is a brand devoted exclusively to independent agents, selling automobile, homeowner and related insurance to one million customers through a network of more than 2,700 independent insurance agents. Allstate is the exclusive administrator of Encompass personal automobile and home insurance policies issued by the insurance affiliates of CNA Financial Corporation. More information on Encompass Insurance can be found at http://www.encompassinsurance.com.
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan, Allstate helps individuals in more than 16 million households protect what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow through more than 12,900 exclusive agencies and financial specialists in the U.S. and Canada. Customers can access Allstate products and services through Allstate agencies, or in select states at allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®. EncompassSM and Deerbrook® Insurance brand property and casualty products are sold exclusively through independent agents. Allstate Financial Group provides life insurance, annuity, retirement, banking and investment products through distribution channels that include Allstate agencies, independent agencies, worksite, financial institutions and broker-dealers.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Bill Mellander, 1-847-402-5600
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