The Votes Are In… America’s Best Independent Agencies to Work For

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Salaries and Benefits Lead but Quality of People and Relationships Win Votes, Too

The results are in from the 2011 Best Independent Insurance Agency to Work For survey by Insurance Journal.

THE WINNERS

OVERALL	Chapman	Pasadena, Calif.
EAST	Bell & Hudson	Belchertown, Mass.
SOUTH CENTRAL	HARCO Insurance Services	Houston, Texas
SOUTHEAST	Holder Insurance Agency	Ocala, Fla.
MIDWEST	Berends Hendricks Stuit	Grandville, Mich.
WEST	Insurance Center Associates	San Pedro, Calif.

Other Finalists:

Ammerman Insurance Agency, Leesburg, Fla.
The Graham Co., Philadelphia, Pa.
Mesirow Financial, Chicago, Ill.
Herbie Wiles Insurance, St. Augustine, Fla.
Pathfinder LL&D Insurance Group, Houston, Texas
Confie Seguros / Freeway Insurance, Cypress, Calif.
McGriff-Williams Insurance, Gainesville, Fla.
TWG Insurance, Irving, Texas

The owners of the Best Agencies to Work For in 2011 highlight different programs or benefits depending upon their employee needs, their community, agency history, resources, even their own personalities and styles. However, it is clear that it’s not all about benefits and programs; it’s also about people and relationships. Employees of the winning agencies cite high personal job satisfaction; rate their relationships with their immediate boss or supervisor as positive; and express a high opinion of their agency’s owner or principals.

Many employees are grateful the best agency owners support local communities through charitable efforts and community outreach. Even as business slowed, they continued to give back and to provide avenues for employees to participate in community service. Employees take pride in working for agencies that are respected in their communities.

Employees also appreciate the generosity of their agency owners in sharing revenues in the form of bonuses and trips.

The best agencies also provide ways to help their employees grow — by giving them the tools and technology they need, and supporting them with education, training, annual and bi-annual performance reviews and, in some cases, mentors. The survey results clearly show employees value this support.

As expected, the winning agencies score high for overall employee benefits including wellness programs and for working conditions including flex-time and alternative schedules that allow employees to work from home.

Insurance Journal wishes to thank the many customer service representatives, account executives, producers, managers and other agency staff who took the time to nominate their independent insurance agency in this year’s survey.

Topics Texas Agencies

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