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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HIGGINS INSURANCE INCLUDED IN IIABA’S 2023 BEST PRACTICES STUDY

HOPKINSVILLE, KY, August 22, 2023 – Higgins Insurance retains its Best Practices status, once again becoming a part of an elite group of independent insurance agencies around the United States. This status comes by participating in the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) Best Practices Study group. The annual survey and Study of leading independent insurance agencies documents the business practices of the “best” agencies and urges others to adopt similar practices.

The agencies comprising the study group are selected every third year through a comprehensive nomination and qualifying process and awarded a “Best Practices Agency” designation. The selected Best Practices agencies retain their status during the three-year study cycle (2022-2024) by submitting extensive financial and operational data for review each year.

During the 2023 Study year, only 264 independent agencies throughout the U.S. qualified and retained their status as a Best Practices agency.

The Best Practices Study was initiated by IIABA in 1993 as the foundation for efforts to improve agency performance. The annual Study of leading independent insurance agencies, which is conducted by the Big “I” and Reagan Consulting of Atlanta, GA, documents the business practices of these “best” agencies and urges others to adopt similar practices.

For over 30 years, the Big “I” has developed a family of products and webinars designed to help cultivate a Best Practices agency culture. The offerings include materials such as the Agency Comparison Workbook, Guide to Producer Contracts, the Customer Service Experience Handbook, Sales Potential Quick Check, Interactive Agency Self-Diagnostic Tool, and Best Practices Joint Planning Tool Quick Step. Many of the publications include guidelines, worksheets, and case studies to help agents apply the information contained in each report and move beyond theory into practice.

In addition to these materials, hundreds of workshops and seminars have been conducted at various producer association functions, company sponsored agency meetings and national automation users group conventions.

The Big “I” and Reagan Consulting jointly maintain the Best Practices Gateway website (www.reaganconsulting.com/reasearch/best-practices) that provides executive summaries of the annual Best Practices Studies and various Best Practices tools. The Gateway, as well as the annual study, is made possible in part through the financial sponsorship of various insurance companies and industry organizations.

The 2023 Best Practices Study sponsors include: Amerisure, Applied Systems, Central Insurance, Chubb, EMC Insurance, First Insurance Funding, The Hartford, Imperial PFS, InsurBanc, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Safeco Insurance, State Auto Insurance Companies, National General, Nationwide, Progressive, SunLife, Travelers, Vertafore, Westfield Insurance and Westfield Bank.

Higgins Insurance was founded in 1897 and offers a wide range of insurance products including personal, commercial, agribusiness, employee benefits and more.

For more information on the Best Practices Study, contact Jennifer Becker at IIABA, 1-800-221-7917.

Founded in 1896, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing more than 25,000 agency locations united under the Trusted Choice brand. Trusted Choice independent agents offer consumers all types of insurance—property, casualty, life, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products—from a variety of insurance companies.

Reagan Consulting is a financial and management consulting firm specializing in services to the insurance distribution system. Clients include the leading brokers, agents and bank-insurance programs in the United States. They provide thought leadership to the banking and insurance industries through perennial research, seminars and other industry forums.

With so many varied businesses and areas to cover, insuring an Agribusiness can present unique challenges.

Agribusinesses are what keep our great nation running and they need to be protected properly.  The hazards and risks of running a commercial agricultural enterprise are unique.  This diverse industry in Kentucky and Tennessee requires a special type of care that the professionals at Higgins Insurance are qualified to supply.

Agribusinesses are generally large in size & personnel. Acknowledging that a multitude of things can go wrong is important.  It is helpful to know some of the risks in order to ensure proper coverage of your business. Some of the most common agribusiness insurance claims include:

  1. Workers Compensation/Medical
  2. Property Damage
  3. Hail Damage
  4. Collision
  5. Lightning Damage

 

There are some basic areas that can be insured that will cover a majority of the risks you may encounter. Just a few of the areas of coverage that should be included in each business’ policy are:

  • Commercial General Liability Insurance
    This will help protect a business from the cost of defending themselves.  If a third party claims your business caused them bodily harm and/or damaged their property this insurance can cover any claims they make and any legal bills that may be incurred.
  • Commercial Property Insurance
    Every piece of property owned by the business will need coverage.  This does not cover land alone, but can be customized to include any buildings, fields, farm equipment, processing equipment, and other properties of a business.
  • Business Auto Insurance
    A Business Auto Policy that covers your Agricultural operations is also customizable for each customer.  Heavy duty trucks, business vehicles, and farm vehicles can be covered.  Many times this can even be extended to cover private passenger vehicles owned by the farm or business.
  • Umbrella Insurance for Agribusiness
    Umbrella insurance protects against losses of a catastrophic nature.  It is an extra layer of coverage for situations such as natural disaster, among other things.

There are many other types of coverage that can be customized to each specific business and the experts at Higgins Insurance have the knowledge and experience to make sure your business is fully prepared.  It is important to keep in mind that insurance should be a proactive part of how you manage and operate your Agribusiness.  Any time changes are made to your property like buildings, structures, or agribusiness operations, you should re-evaluate and update your policies.

There is no margin for error when insuring your income-producing assets and operations. Your risk management program is crucial to your long-term success and profitability. With so much at stake, you need a partner with specialized agribusiness insurance knowledge.

Contact us today and we will get you set up with one of our highly trained professionals. Call us at our Clarksville or Hopkinsville office and we can start customizing a policy for you.  Remember, farming isn’t just what you do, it’s a way of life!

What is the advantage of choosing a local agent over online insurance services?

The advantages to having access to a local insurance agent are wonderful; however, buying insurance online can have its own unique conveniences as well. We want to share with you some of the advantages of both and let you know why you might want to choose Higgins Insurance for your insurance needs.

Online Insurance:
Who doesn’t like shopping from the convenience of your own home? When you shop online for insurance, you are able to access a wide variety of insurance providers. You are able to browse while you eat dinner or do your laundry.
Shopping online can often help you identify the best rates for the specific types of insurance you are looking for. If you need more than one form of insurance, creating a bundle to cover you and your family may be a hassle. You may end up dealing with a customer service person over the phone. They will generally have less experience than a local agent and have no vested interest in you or knowledge of your community.
Online insurance shopping is best for helping you get an idea of the products and services that are available to you. It is also a great way to quickly get quotes in your area and to help you find the best pricing options.

Insurance Agent:
Using an insurance agent local to your community has many advantages. Our agents at Higgins Insurance are able to tailor an insurance plan specifically to your family or your business. We are able to create a custom bundle that will incorporate all of your insurance needs.
Having a local agent can also be an advantage when you are deciding what specialty insurance and add-ons you might need. For example, we are able to advise on whether your home lies in a flood prone area and when you might need extra protection. We can also advise you about specific laws you will need know in order to keep yourself fully covered. Additionally, we are able to tell you what you don’t need. Using a local agent can save you from buying protection that is unnecessary for your needs.
Having a local agent is also important when you have to file a claim. Being able to meet face to face and talk about your claim, the options you may have, and how to proceed is invaluable. At Higgins, we will go above and beyond to provide you the services you need and help get you on track.

When it comes to big investments like your car, your home, and even your family’s well-being you want an expert on your side, someone to help you make sense of what you’re actually buying and who can be there with you through any claims. We want to provide you and your family with the service you deserve. If you are in the Hopkinsville or Clarksville areas, we would love to meet and discuss your needs. Contact us today for an appointment, give us a call at (888) 457-2307 or visit our Hopkinsville, Ky or Clarksville, TN offices.

Sometimes damage to your car is unavoidable.

Unfortunately, filing an auto insurance claim can quickly raise the price of your insurance premium. No one wants to pay more money, so how can you avoid damaging your car? Here are some of the most common car insurance claims in Kentucky and a few ways to avoid them:

  • Accidents – From fender benders to major wrecks, car accidents are one of the leading reasons people make an auto insurance claim. Your auto insurance coverage can help you repair or replace your car, and can also help cover medical costs for you and your passengers. Being a safe driver and remaining aware of your surroundings is the best way to avoid an accident.
  • Weather – Hail, falling branches, and other weather related damage can happen in Kentucky. These falling objects can break glass and damage car bodies. Comprehensive insurance typically covers this repair expense.
  • Animal Collisions – An accidental collision with a deer or other animal can cause a lot of damage to your vehicle. Vehicle damage is a common claim, especially in the more suburban and rural areas of Kentucky. Reducing your speed in areas with a lot of wildlife while always being aware of your surroundings can help you avoid an accident of this nature.
  • Windshield Damage – A small object like a piece of gravel can cause a knick, crack, or break to your windshield while driving down a highway. The price of replacing or repairing a windshield can be high, so many people will use comprehensive coverage to pay for these damages.
  • Theft – Unfortunately, cars are often stolen. Comprehensive insurance coverage can help you if this happens. This insurance varies in price depending upon many factors such as where you live, garage accessibility, anti-theft devices, alarm systems, GPS tracking systems, and more.

Remember to keep an eye out and keep yourself protected!

No one wants to have to deal with issues like these, but when they do arise it is best to be prepared. Higgins Insurance in Hopkinsville, KY and Clarksville, TN can help you get the best car insurance for your needs. If you need advice or more insurance information, contact one of our helpful agents today!

Higgins Insurance attended the local Eye Opener Breakfast in Salute to Agriculture on March 18th.

Higgins Insurance - Voted Best Place to Work in Kentucky - 2024 Winner Big I Best Practices Agency 2023 - Higgins Insurance

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