13 CAA Agencies Recognized As IIABA's 2013 Best Practices Insurance Agencies

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Combined Agents of America, LLC (CAA) announced thirteen of its agencies have been recognized as 2013 "Best Practices" agencies by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big "I") and Reagan Consulting, an Atlanta-based management consulting firm. With expansion into Oklahoma and Kansas, Texas-based CAA is a managing general agency (MGA) committed to further expansion across the country to strengthen the independent insurance agency system through profitable growth and exceptional service for its member agencies.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110627/DA26292LOGO)

Two CAA members were also the top-performers nationally in their revenue category: Pierson & Fendley was the top-performer for the revenue category of between $2.5 million to $5 million, and Weatherby-Eisenrich was the top-performer for the revenue category of between $1.25 million to $2.5 million.

"In addition to 2 of our members named as national top-performers, CAA should be extremely proud that our group contributed 37% of the agencies selected in Texas as Best Practices agencies," says Brenda Smith, CIC, CRM, CAA member and President of Mims and Smith.  "At our agency, we have been working toward these growth, service, financial and retention benchmarks for the past ten years, and are so proud to have been awarded with the Best Practices designation for the first time.  As we observed the professionalism and success of many of our CAA partners who are Best Practices Agents, we knew we wanted to set similar agency benchmarks in our own shop and be a part of this elite group of agents."

A new high for CAA members, together the group contributed 10 out of the 27 Texas Best Practice agencies. Also, Texas led all the states with 27 Texas agencies qualifying as Best Practice Agencies, a new state high and well ahead of 16 from the second best state.

"The fact that 13 CAA members made IIABA's "Best Practices" list this year is further indication of the quality of agents that CAA pursues for membership," says Lloyd Eisenrich, CAA member and president of Weatherby-Eisenrich Insurance Agency.  "As CAA continues to grow our "Best Practices" agencies will be an integral part of assuring the long-term success of the organization and assist the entire group in facing the challenges our industry is continually facing."

In 2012, eight CAA agencies earned status as an IIABA "best practices" insurance agency.

CAA 2013 Best Practice Agencies include:
Barnard Insurance Agency LLP, Wichita Falls, Texas
Bigham Kliewer Chapman & Watts, Killeen, Texas

Bosworth & Associates, Tyler, Texas.
Bridges Group, Inc., Norton, Kansas

Bryan Insurance Agency Ltd., Graham, Texas
Duncan, Fraser & Bridges Insurance Agency, Inc., Pampa, Texas
Ed Berrong Insurance Agency, Weatherford, Oklahoma
Edmond, Deaton & Stephens Insurance Agency, Inc., Amarillo, Texas
Mims & Smith Insurance Associates, Midland, Texas
Pierson & Fendley Insurance Agency, LLC, Paris, Texas
SBS Insurance Agency, Seneca, Kansas
Sun West Insurance Agency, Arlington, Texas
Weatherby-Eisenrich Insurance Agency, Andrews, Texas

Barnard Insurance Agency LLP, Wichita Falls, has serviced the communities of Texoma with prompt attention to detail for both personal and commercial insurance needs since 1930. The agency has branch locations in Wichita Falls and Dallas, Texas. URL: http://www.bigwf.com/

BKCW Insurance Agency, Killeen, Texas, offers a full line of personal and business insurance products, alongside other financial services since 1952. The agency has producers located in Killeen, Austin, San Antonio and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. URL: http://bkcw.com/

Bosworth & Associates is one of the oldest insurance agency in East Texas and headquartered in Tyler, Texas. An independent insurance agency founded in 1939, this second-generation firm is led by Michael J. Bosworth, AAI, CIC. URL: http://www.bosworth-associates.com/

Bridges Group, Inc., Norton, Kansas, has been serving northwest Kansas for over a century as an insurance specialist since 1894. Although it is a full-lines insurance agency, it is an agri-business insurance leader in its marketing area. The agency has offices in Norton, Hill City and Winona. URL: http://www.bridgesinsurance.com

Bryan Insurance Agency Ltd., and its team of insurance specialists have provided insurance protection to the people in Graham and North Texas since 1921. Additionally as a full-lines insurance agency, today its grown to provide coverage to customers all across Texas and to many surrounding states. URL: http://www.bryanins.com

Duncan, Fraser & Bridges has built a reputation for fast, efficient and professional services since 1925. The agency offers a full line of insurance services for both commercial and personal insurance needs.  In addition, it has risk management, claims management and compliance counseling for our clients.  In addition to serving the Panhandle of Texas, it has offices in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and Austin. URL: http://www.dfbinsurance.com/

Ed Berrong Insurance Agency, Weatherford, Oklahoma, serves Oklahoma and 17 additional states with a full line of insurance products, while specializing in oil and gas since 1948. This is the 19^th consecutive year this agency has earned the status "Best Practices." URL: http://www.berrongins.com

Edmond, Deaton & Stephens Insurance Agency Inc., Amarillo, Texas, was purchased by CAA member agency Duncan, Fraser and Bridges in 2006. The agency serves the Panhandle of Texas with a full line of insurance products. The agency has offices in Amarillo, Pampa and Borger. URL: http://www.edsinsurance.com/

Mims & Smith Insurance Associates has been serving the Midland community and surrounding areas in Texas with quality insurance policies since 1922. The agency specializes in oil & gas, contractors, churches, commercial property, and large non-profits. URL: http://www.mimsandsmith.com

Pierson & Fendley Insurance Agency has been providing residents of Paris, Texas and its surrounding areas with both personal and business insurance since 1935. URL: http://www.pierson-fendley.com/

SBS Insurance Agency has six locations in northeast Kansas providing insurance solutions and superior customer service to clients in Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri. URL: http://www.sbsins.com

Sun West Insurance Agency, Arlington, Texas, was purchased by CAA member agency Duncan, Fraser and Bridges in 2010. The agency serves the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex of Texas with a full line of insurance products. URL: http://sun-westins.com

The Weatherby-Eisenrich Insurance, Andrews, Texas, is a full service insurance agency with two other locations in Granbury, Texas and in Odessa, Texas, under the agency name Edgmon- Eisenrich Insurance. URL: http://www.weinsure4you.com/

The Best Practices Study was initiated by IIABA in 1993 as the foundation for efforts to improve agency performance. Every three years, IIABA collaborates with Reagan Consulting to select "Best Practices" firms throughout the nation for outstanding management and financial achievement in six revenue categories (under $1.25 million; $1.25 million to $2.5 million; $2.5 million to $5 million; $5 million to $10 million; $10 million to $25 million; and over $25 million).

About Combined Agents of America, LLC
Founded in 1997 Combined Agents of America, LLC (CAA) is based in Austin, Texas, and is comprised of 52 independent insurance agencies located throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. By funneling the agencies' combined premiums, CAA brings larger volume commitments to insurance companies, while empowering its members to realize greater benefits from insurance companies, vendor discounts and other incentives. In 2012, CAA generated more than $566.7 million in combined property and casualty annual premiums, and currently works with 18 of the largest insurance companies in the nation. All CAA member agencies remain independent and are recognized by insurance companies as a key component to their future growth and goal commitments. Additional information is available at www.combinedagents.com.

CAA member agencies include: Aars & Nelson Insurance Agency, Barnard Insurance Agency, Bartlett, Baggett & Shands, Benchmark Insurance Group, Benton-Luttrell-Brown Company, Bigham-Kliewer-Chapman-Watts Insurance Agency, Bibby Brilling & Associates LLP, BRIA Insurance & Risk Consultants, Bridges Group Inc., Bosworth & Associates, Bryan Insurance Agency Ltd., Brownrigg Insurance Agency Inc., Cravens Warren & Co., Crockett Insurance Service, Duncan-Fraser & Bridges Insurance Agency Inc., Ed Berrong Insurance Agency, Ed Weeren Insurance Agency Inc., EFGI Insurance & Bonds LLC, Elliott Insurance Group, Evans-Ewan & Brady Insurance Agency Inc., Fuqua Ruth Typer Insurance, First Insurance Services, First Texas Insurance Services LC, Henry Norris Insurance Agency, Inc., HC&H Insurance Group, Garrett Insurance Agency, Inc., GBS Insurance Agency Inc., Grona Boles Martin & Bloxsom Insurance, Hill County Insurance Agency, HC&H Insurance Group, ICI Insurance, Insurance Net Inc., JHC Insurance Agency Inc., J. S. Edwards & Sherlock Insurance Agency, Keller-Leopold Insurance, Inc., McCorkle Commercial Insurance Agency, Mims & Smith, Mr. Insurance Agency, Inc., NTX Insurance Group, Inc., Pierson-Fendley Insurance Agency, LLC, Pinnacle Insurance Group Inc., Porter Insurance Agency Inc., Purifoy Insurance Agency, LTD, SBS Insurance, The Shropshire Agency Inc., Siegeler Insurance Agency, Inc., Southern Star Insurance, Walthall-Sachse & Pipes, Inc., The Weatherby-Eisenrich Inc., Wellmann Insurance Agency, Inc., Western Insurance Agency, Whorton Insurance Services, and Wood-Dulohery Insurance, Inc.

Press Contact:
Courtney R. Holder
Tel: (512) 627-0779
[email protected]

SOURCE Combined Agents of America, LLC