Cumberland Insurance Group Supports Professional Insurance Agents Branding Program
BRIDGETON, NJ: As a strong supporter of the Independent Agency System, the Cumberland Insurance Group looks for opportunities to participate in programs sponsored by insurance agency associations. One of the largest and most respected of these is the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA). The organization was established in 1931 to support the needs of independent insurance agents. They recently launched a nation-wide Branding Program which The Cumberland Insurance Group has joined.
“We are committed to the independent agency system as our sole distribution method. As a result, the profitable relationships we have formed over the years are reflected in the strength of our agency base in the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware,” said Leo T. Hogan, Cumberland Insurance Group Chairman and CEO. “We listen closely to what our agency partners have to say, and we are committed to providing them with the tools they need to be successful. This includes identifying and taking advantage of marketing opportunities.”
As a participating carrier in the PIA Branding Program, The Cumberland Insurance Group will be accepting PIA Branded advertisements with the slogan “Local Agents Serving Main Street America” as part of their Cooperative Advertising Program. By supporting their appointed agents who choose to run these ads, and by supporting the PIA Brand more generally in their press announcements, newsletters, etc., The Cumberland Insurance Group is doing their part to strengthen the independent agency distribution system and professional insurance agents.
The PIA Branding Program extends the reach of an already established identity, the neighborhood Professional Insurance Agent. The goal is to attract new customers, write more business, and increase market share for PIA member agencies and their carrier partners like The Cumberland Insurance Group.
In addition to the Branding Program, The Cumberland Insurance Group supports efforts by PIA national and state organizations to advocate on behalf of agents within industry and government, addressing emerging issues affecting the insurance industry nationwide. Cumberland Insurance Group employees also participate in PIA sponsored educational programming in order to achieve industry recognized designations such as Certified Insurance Counsel (CIC) and Certified Insurance Services Representative (CISR).
“PIA has always been very much a grassroots organization,” said Steve J. Catranis, CPCU, Cumberland Insurance Group Senior Vice President. “The PIA Branding Program is a great example of this, and one we are proud to take part in. PIA members realize the importance of an organization that advocates on their behalf and enables them to stay informed, educated, and connected to other insurance professionals.”
“PIA member agents provide the community with personal support and service, plus a choice of insurance products to meet their needs,” said Robert P. Brady, Cumberland Insurance Group President. It is our distribution system of choice because when it comes to protecting what they have worked so hard to achieve, our customers prefer to deal with someone local who they know and trust.”
The Cumberland Insurance Group is rated A+ Superior by the A.M. Best Company, and currently serves over 134,000 policyholders in the States of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware. In 2006, the Company had Total Admitted Assets of $313,885,235 and a Policyholders’ Surplus of $140,421,618.
For more information about this press release, please contact Lee Tofanelli at 856-691-3113.