Agent News
The Pulse: June 2021
Headline News
A Message from UH Vice President Justin Bealhen
Hello UH Agency Partners,
I’d like to start by extending a sincere ‘thank you’ from the entire team at United Heartland. 2020 challenged us in ways we never expected. It’s times like these that not only test us but define us, and you showed up for us and our mutual customers when we needed you most. We appreciate you and feel blessed to have you as partners.
It feels good to put 2020 in the books – as does marching into our new norm with outstanding business performance news! Jumping right in, I’m excited to announce our top line is outpacing plan by $10.6 million. Even better, we’re seeing bottom line underwriting fundamentals and leading indicators of profitability despite competitive market conditions.
We remain committed to health care with 65% of our new business from this segment. We continue to be opportunistic and resolute in partnering with the health care and long-term care segments that have demonstrated true heroics during these challenging times.
Large accounts seem to dominate our success – our average premium size on new business is up 10% and over $300,000 for the first time in our history.
- YTD (through April): Over plan by $10.6 million
- YTD New business: Right at plan at $19 million
- YTD Retention: Above plan at 83%
- Net rate is in line with the industry at +3%
I look forward to continuing to share good news with you in the year ahead.
Keep up the momentum!
Sincerely,
Justin Bealhen
Vice President, Business Development
United Heartland | Third Coast Underwriters
New Product Opportunity: PNOA
Steve Cooper, Workers’ Compensation Division President for AF Group, and Abel Travis, Vice President of Fundamental Underwriters, are excited to introduce a new product – Primary Non-Owned Auto (PNOA) – offered through AF Group brand, Fundamental Underwriters. PNOA is designed to address the needs of businesses in the health and human services industry.
PNOA insurance purchased by a business or non-profit organization provides primary auto liability and optional physical damage coverage for employees while driving their personal vehicles on company time. Benefits of PNOA include better protection for staff, improved risk profile for the employer, streamlined and consistent management of employee vehicle operation, and a beneficial recruitment and retention tool for policyholders.
Fundamental Underwriters will officially begin offering PNOA on July 1, 2021, in the following 13 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
Visit the PNOA page or contact the Fundamental Underwriters’ team for additional information about this new product offering.
UH Names Ben Richeson Regional Director
We recently announced the promotion of Ben Richeson to regional director in Kansas City, further strengthening our commitment to supporting our customers throughout the Midwest.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ben to this important new role,” said Justin Bealhen, vice president of Business Development at United Heartland. “During his tenure at United Heartland, Ben has demonstrated elite levels of leadership, team building, and insurance acumen that will serve him well in this expanded capacity. Kansas City has been an important region to United Heartland, and Ben’s leadership will help us continue to build on our commitment to our customers.” Read the full press release.
Congratulations to Lockton Companies, UH Agency of the Year
“It’s an honor to receive this recognition,” said Mark Moitoso, Risk Practices Leader and Executive Vice President, for Lockton Companies. “Client service is at the core of who Lockton is. We are thrilled to partner with United Heartland to support our mutual clients in managing their total cost of risk and continuous improvement.” Read the full press release.
LEAD with Comp – New Class Begins July 2021
This 12-month training and professional development program will kick off virtually in July of 2021 and conclude in June 2022, with monthly learning opportunities to help agency staff become leaders in workers’ comp and increase new business and sales strength within their agencies. Register today.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Names UH Top Workplace
For the 11th consecutive year, United Heartland has been named to the list of Top Midsize Workplaces in southeastern Wisconsin by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel – a tremendous honor for the UH team. Read the full press release.
AF Group Subrogation
Earlier this year, AF Group Subrogation entered into a partnership with Optum – an external subrogation vendor. Working for our Subrogation Unit, Optum will handle low value and low probability of recovery subrogation claims for our workers’ compensation brands (Accident Fund, CompWest, Third Coast Underwriters and United Heartland).
Optum has also started performing ‘second look’ examinations on closed files to identify missed subrogation opportunities for our insureds. In the event you receive questions from your AF Group customers regarding inquiries on closed claim files, please assure them that calls from Optum are not fraudulent and are related to potential subrogation recoveries. In the meantime, we would encourage you to share this with your AF Group policyholders and direct any questions to AF Group Subrogation Manager, Kim Drew at 517-708-5647.
Secure Customer Portal
Last summer, we deployed new secure customer portals that offer improved tools and navigation. The enhancements were made to enrich and simplify the user experience, which helps us provide a premier customer experience to our agents, policyholders and injured workers. For more information, including access to our eLearning, click here.
Claim Quick Step Guide
We do our best to help you ensure accidents don’t happen. However, when they do, we’ll be there to guide you. To gain a better understanding of the claim process and how we support you throughout it, access our claim quick step guide in both English and Spanish.
