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Special Section Sponsored by Target Markets Program Administrators Association Networked Insurance Agents Networked Insurance Agents™, founded 15 years ago, provides small- to mid-sized insurance agencies access to preferred ‘A’ rated carriers in standard and specialty lines, based on a broad-market aggregation business model with integrated internet technology. As Networked grew in terms of business volume and recognition, it added Western Networked Insurance Services™ in 2003 to serve as its excess and surplus lines experts. Networked supplies its more than 1,200 member agencies with professional account placement solutions that pinpoint the industry’s broadest program lines availabilities. Networked, after establishing a solid business foothold, was purchased by Strongwood Insurance Holdings Corporation in 2002. Strongwood receives significant investment support from J.P. Morgan Partners, LLC, a leading private equity firm. Mystic Capital, a prominent advisor to insurance agencies, serves as a major counselor. Included among the major product lines which Networked supplies its affiliate agencies are workers compensation; professional liability; and small, middle market and large commercial lines. Small commercial lines and personal lines are supported by multiple-carrier technology that’s compatible with NLinkPL and NLinkCL, popular standard quoting and policy issuance systems. As a Target Markets Program Administrators Association member since 2002, Networked has built strong, direct working relationships with several fellow Association members. Among them are ACE, AIG Programs, Everest National, GE Commercial, Great American Executive Liability, Meadowbrook Insurance Group, The Hartford, and Travelers. Networked Insurance Agents has recently been extremely active in helping association groups to gain broader access to markets by providing them with consultative program management expertise and backroom policy services support. “We are currently serving as a program administrator for the Land Surveyors Association and the California Apartment Association,” said John Erickson, vice president of programs at Networked Insurance Agents. “On the Land Surveyors Program, we are working hand-in-hand with the nationally-endorsed producer. Networked Insurance Agents is helping the producer and association expand their regional and state organizations into a nationally-focused one. This creates real value and buying power for the membership.” In addition to John Erickson, major decision makers at Networked are Rick Quagliaroli, chairman and CEO of Strongwood Insurance Holdings Corporation; Marc Beaulieu, senior vice president of Strongwood Insurance Holdings Corporation; Lee Johnson, founder and president of Networked Insurance Agents; Brent Humes, chief operating officer at Networked; and Jim Simmons, Networked’s vice president of sales. John Erickson, vice president of programs, is Networked’s liaison with Target Markets Programs. He cites the benefits available through TMPAA membership. “The Association itself is a major benefactor of networking for its members. It has given Networked a fresh view of program opportunities within the insurance industry. It clearly helps us build relationships with other program administrators. Through TMPAA, we have both received and shared helpful information regarding insurance products and have become acquainted with unique marketing ideas and program underwriting skills at summits and conferences. The Association is a great forum for helping its members specialize, concentrate and develop their individual insurance expertise to its fullest extent.” From its 1992 founding in Grass Valley, California, where the company still maintains its headquarters, Networked Insurance Agents and its productive excess and surplus lines division, Western Networked Insurance Services, works closely with its affiliate base of agencies via territorial branches managed by sales vice presidents. “When it comes to effectively producing—connecting insurance professionals with compatible markets—then,” says John Erickson, “it’s Networked Insurance Agents that delivers products over a dynamic distribution system that features disciplined agency selection processes, carefully detailed annual business planning, and sophisticated state-of-the-art sales, marketing, and communications platforms.” → |
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