CAA Members Win National Recognition From IIABA

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Combined Agents of America, LLC (CAA) announced eight of its member agencies have been recognized as "best practices" agencies by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA).  Two of these members earned the high distinction of being included as one of the "Top Performing Agencies" in the nation. Bigham-Kliewer-Chapman-Watts, Killeen, Texas, was awarded as the Best Practices Top Performer for the revenue category of between $5 and $10 million. Bridges Group Insurance Inc., Norton, Kansas, was ranked as number one in its revenue category of between $1.25 million to $2.5 million. 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.

"I was first introduced to CAA members when I met other 'best practices' agencies through earning the status of a 2007 'top performing agency' from Reagon Consulting. Thanks in large part to the mentoring I received from CAA members, like Bill Kliewer, and the other benefits of CAA membership, our agency this time round won 'top performing agency' at the next level," said Trent Richmond, AFIS, president of Bridges Group Insurance and CAA member. "I'm extremely proud of the other 7 CAA member agencies that achieved 'best practices' status, and look forward to CAA continuing to gather high caliber members."  Trent also serves on the CAA new members' committee.

Additionally, CAA member agencies make up one-third of the "best practice agencies" selected in Texas.

The CAA Best Practice Agencies include:

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

Bigham-Kliewer-Chapman-Watts 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/

The Bridges Group Insurance, 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, Oberlin, Hill City and Winona. URL: http://www.bridgesinsurance.com

Duncan, Fraser & Bridges Insurance Agency, Inc., Pampa, Texas, has served north Texas since 1925.  While representing over 200 insurance companies, the agency offers a full range of insurance products. The agency has an office in Pampa and an Amarillo office under the name of Edmond, Deaton & Stephens. URL: http://www.dfbinsurance.com/

Ed Berrong Insurance Agency, Weatherford, Oklahoma, serves Oklahoma and the surrounding states with a full line of insurance products, while specializing in oil and gas since 1948.  The agency has achieved status as an IIABA "best practices" agency for 17 consecutive years. URL: http://www.berrongins.com

Edmond, Deaton & Stephens Insurance Agency Inc., Amarillo, Texas, serves the Panhandle of Texas with a full line of insurance products. The agency has built a reputation for fast, efficient and professional service since 1925. The agency has an office in Amarillo and an office in Pampa under the name of Duncan, Fraser & Bridges.   URL: http://www.edsinsurance.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/

The Weatherby-Eisenrich Insurance Agency, Andrews, Texas, is a full service insurance agency with two other locations in Granbury, Texas and Odessa, Texas, as Edgmon-Eisenrich Insurance. URL: https://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, Atlanta, Georgia, to select "Best Practices" firms throughout the nation for outstanding management and financial achievement in six revenue categories that starts at less than $1.25 million to more than $25 million. More than 1,200 independent agencies and brokers in the country were nominated, but only 224 agencies, the top scoring agencies in each of six revenue groups, qualified for selection.

About Combined Agents of America, LLC

Founded in 1997 Combined Agents of America, LLC (CAA) is based in Austin, Texas, and is comprised of 45 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 2009, CAA generated over $411 million in combined property and casualty annual premiums, and 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, BRIA Insurance & Risk Consultants, Bridges Group Insurance 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, Evans-Ewan & Brady Insurance Agency Inc., First Insurance Services, First Texas Insurance Services LC, Henry Norris Insurance Agency, Inc., Garrett Insurance Agency, Inc., GBS Insurance Agency Inc., Grona Boles Martin & Bloxsom Insurance, Hill County Insurance Agency, Insurance Associates of Texas, Insurance Net Inc., JHC Insurance Agency Inc., J. S. Edwards & Sherlock Insurance Agency, Lake Insurance Agency, Inc., McCorkle Commercial Insurance Agency, Mims & Smith, Mr. Insurance Agency, Inc., Pierson-Fendley Insurance, Pinnacle Insurance Group Inc., Porter Insurance Agency Inc., Purifoy & Company, The Shropshire Agency Inc., Siegeler Insurance Agency, Inc., Walthall-Sachse & Pipes, Inc., The Weatherby-Eisenrich Inc., Wellmann Insurance Agency, Inc., Western Insurance Agency, and Whorton Insurance Services.

SOURCE Combined Agents of America, LLC