Keystone Insurers Group Partner Comments

 

"KIG is about professionalism, integrity, partnering and friendship.  We hold each other in high esteem and to the highest standards.  We recognize that everyone (carriers, agents and customers) must win for us to continue our growth and success."

Mike Kilmer             Kilmer Agency                                                                                    Wyalusing                 570-746-1007


"As we looked to the future, our agency was concerned about the future viability of remaining autonomous in today's complex marketplace.  We were certainly large enough and successful enough to survive without Keystone.  KIG assured us the opportunity to remain independent and yet to still have the ability to tap the many benefits and resources of a huge entity."

Timothy A. Ruhl         Ruhl Insurance      
Manheim                    717-665-2283


"Partnering with KIG ensured that we would continue to receive the highest rates of commission; participate in the most favorable profit sharing plans; reduce operating expenses through group purchasing agreements; and gain access to more competitive markets all the while maintaining our independence in the everyday operation of the Agency.  The best part was being able to partner with some of the best people in the insurance business, or any other business for that matter!"

Sherm Mohnshine            Bowman's Agency
Palmyra                             717-838-5464


"We felt that over the short term we could do just as well on our own, but over the long haul we were better off aligning with a quality organization that would give us the tools to do what we couldn't on our own.  This was the right choice.  The honesty and integrity displayed throughout the process was very important.  We were and are treated with the same respect and consideration as we treat our customers."

Dean Cornbower            Kunkle Insurance
York                                717-846-8894


"The KIG contract is stronger and more secure than any contract we had on our own.  The sharing of information is overwhelming!  Within KIG you have 50+ partners willing to freely discuss proven marketing techniques, technology, employee compensation, carrier opportunities, etc without fear of giving up 'trade secrets'. We realized significant profit sharing that we would not have received on our own. We immediately saved $4000 in discounted dues and service fees because of KIG's buying power. KIG has met or exceeded every expectation we had and they did it in the first five months."

John Yurconic, Jr.           John Yurconic Agency
Allentown                        610-770-6600


"I was one of the original four pioneers in 1983.  Carriers didn't approve of aggregating agencies like they do now.  We determined that the only way to realize clout was to bring our volumes together and deal with companies from a position of equal strength.  It has worked because carriers recognize we've maintained rigid loss ratio and financial stability standards in bringing on new partners.  Integrity and consistency of partners have made us successful.  I’m often asked what the best and worst thing about Keystone is.  They’re one and the same: opportunities.  There are so many, which is the best thing, but if you try to capitalize on them all, at once, you’ll be overwhelmed, and that’s the worst thing for a partner."

Bob Naginey                  Pfeiffer-Naginey Agency  
Northumberland            570-473-3563


"We opted with KIG for several reasons.  Probably the principal reason is that Keystone is held in the highest regard by both the agents it serves and the companies it represents.  We very much liked the idea of the safety net.  This business is changing too fast to have any sense of security with our companies.  Much of our franchise fee and monthly fees will be offset by the enhanced commissions and contingency arrangements with our lead carriers.  An added bonus in some cases is the ability to participate in contingencies even without having the minimum volume required by our carriers."

Jim Renshaw                     Bert Group, Renshaw Ins  
Erie                                    814-835-4664


"Our overall experience with KIG has been nothing less than superior.  The KIG management team is second to none, truly professional in every manner.  I have been extremely impressed with "the deals" KIG Management has worked out with the Core Carriers and with the third party vendors such as Channel Point, Dell Computers, our long distance carrier, PIA, Big I, Ad One, Schuylkill Design & Print, etc.  Mostly, I've been impressed with how the agency partners within KIG are willing to give up their trade secrets and marketing ideas so that everyone within KIG prospers.  KIG is truly a Partnership in every aspect of the word.  The only thing I question is why it took me so long to make up my mind."

Rodney Walters            Brown and Walters Agency
Orbisonia                       814-447-5568


“I have found the association with Keystone to be a good fit for me, and the other agents are quickly becoming valuable resources and even friends!  Now that I have met so many wonderful people, I feel more confident in our operation.  We’ll always have competition, but it is nice to know that I have support behind me.”

Chris Lord                 Sheeley Insurance Agency
Stroudsburg               570-421-1191


“We were very concerned about how joining KIG would impact our relations with our larger carriers. It's actually enhanced the relationships!  Within six months we wondered why we ever worried about resigning contracts. "

John Duncan                     Duncan Agency  
North Huntingdon            724-863-3420


“I was very impressed with the principal and carrier meetings.  The sense of power at the carrier meetings was intoxicating.  I also learned how similar the majority of partners are and how everyone is treated equally.”

Chris Caterson            Little-Nelson Agency
Montrose                     570-278-1151


“I learned that all the people you’ve picked to join KIG are damn nice people.  And had I been able to experience the meetings and meet the KIG members beforehand, it would have been a lot easier to decide to partner.  I like everyone’s positive attitude.  I like hearing the things that KIG is considering in the future since long term planning is one of the keys to success.  And the control we now have over our markets allows us to think long term.  Before joining I felt somewhat like a tennis ball and the companies were the rackets – every time I thought I knew where I was going they would change my direction!  It’s been a long time since we’ve ‘looked forward’ to anything in the insurance business, but we’re looking forward to 2002!”

Christopher Unger           Advanced Financial Sty
Waynesboro                     717-762-5780


"KIG has never tried to tell us how to run our agency.  We've remained independent, but we've really benefited from the financial opportunities negotiated on our behalf by corporate headquarters."

Frank Scutella             Nicklas Agency
St Mary's                     814-781-7234


"We thought we were doing well before joining KIG, and we were, but the increased profit sharing, commissions and bonus opportunities we realized after partnering with KIG have been tremendous.  It's hard to comprehend until you've been there!"

Rich Hart                    Richard I Hart Agency
Reading                      610-779-3116


“Keystone is, pure and simple, about partnering.  Everyone is independent, but they learn quickly that they can tap into an incredible resource network. Our management group consists of seasoned carrier and agency veterans. There aren’t many things they haven’t seen and there isn’t anything they don’t feel they can do. The most satisfying thing for me though has been the perpetuation of agencies by the next generation. In an industry often termed ‘stagnant,’ our principals average 37-40 years old."

David Boedker            Keystone Insurers Group
Danville                       570-473-4302


"The greatest single event in our Agency's development was our partnering with KIG."

Bob Seltzer              Seltzer Agency
Orwigsburg              570-366-0551


“In the true sense of Keystone Insurers Group ‘partnership’, we have played a key role in attracting quality Franchise candidates, right in our own area.  Direct writers are the real competition and joining together with other top- notch independent agents is our greatest strength in a difficult marketplace.”

Deb West               Helmbold & Stewart
Clearfield               814-765-5573


"KIG has kept us independent.  There are entities in our industry that want to buy agencies or help struggling agencies.  Others will give a new producer a contract and access to some carriers in return for a percentage of commission.  They all serve a purpose.  KIG is different.  We want to partner with agencies that don’t need us!  Those that recognize opportunity and are not satisfied with the status quo. We've consistently been provided great opportunities by KIG's corporate management, chances to realize increased compensation, but we've always decided which to take advantage of.  Decisions making stays in our agency."

Tom Troutman            Deibler-Straub-Troutman
Elizabethville              717-362-8600


“Before I joined Keystone, I spent a lot of time in meetings with various carriers trying to juggle the proverbial 'volume issue.'  I dealt with constant pressure to produce more business - or else!  Now, I concentrate on producing business.  Another benefit is that I now have the clout and contract terms of a large agency. KIG has demonstrated very strong negotiating skills with insurers.  In fact, the improvement in my contract terms has almost paid for the monthly franchise fee.  I'm extremely pleased with my relationship with Keystone, and I appreciate the support extended to me."

Jon Lilienfeld              Agents Consolidated Inc
Reading                      610-376-5737


“My main reason for partnering was security.  Other reasons included the quality of the key Keystone people and the uniqueness of Keystone in that individual member agencies retain so much independence.”

Ted Meixell                Meixell-Diehl Agency
Lewisburg                   570-523-3295


“On Friday December 7, 2001 H. B. Beels & Son, Inc. became a partner franchise of the Keystone Insurers Group.  What is Keystone? What does this mean?

“The producers in the agency have said that they need new companies that match our market area.  The companies we get must be geared to our territory and have products that match businesses in our area.  Keystone Insurers Group offers us these sales opportunities.

“I did not sell the agency.  I have purchased a franchise.  Keystone is just another insurance agency.  They represent approximately 30 insurance companies and have more than 10 special insurance programs.  The contracts that Keystone has with the different insurance carriers have higher commissions and better profit sharing than the contracts we currently have.  Keystone will not manage or direct operations. 

“I have not made this decision quickly.  My hopes and vision for this agency have been worked on for a long time.  I have looked into other avenues such as merging with another agency, buying more agencies or just coasting along.  I know that the match with Keystone is the best choice.  It gives us more opportunities. We are still independent yet have the support and clout of a large organization.  There is no perfect solution out there and Keystone is not perfect. 

“The opportunities offered by Keystone will only be as great as we make them.  We control our destiny by our actions.  More things will change.  Change will come quicker than we want.  You will look back on 2002 as the good old days.  But we will overcome problems, make mistakes, get better, learn more, sell more and have a hard working happy work place.”

John Mason                H.B. Beels & Son Agency
Knox                           814-797-1121


"KIG is about good people partnering, helping each other.  I always know that if I need assistance or just need to bounce an idea off another professional, I can call one of my partners.  KIG is the best source of networking"

David Hughes            Paul Sprowls Agency
Uniontown                  724-437-9812


"We've benefited from our relationship with KIG, but we've done it on our terms.  Any initial concerns that KIG would alter the way we did business were quickly allayed.  We've had great times with really good people.  The business relationship is anticipated.  The personal relationships and that ability to share information freely have been exceptional."

Tom Dinnin, Sr          Dinnin & Parkins Agency
Oakmont                   412-828-5122


“I like the ‘what can we do for you’ attitude and style of Keystone.  The only change I’ve experienced is positive.  New markets to place business.  I know we will have increased commissions on the statements.  Today I got a list of leads from Joe Joyce (free).  The networking is fantastic.  Each day I get an email from another partner who is inquiring about markets for an account. The service office in Danville is great.  It’s an entirely different perspective for selling insurance.  It’s like the glass is half full again!”

Robin Fetterhoff        Steely & Smith Agency
Doylestown                215-345-9410


“Markets, products, contracts and education are accessible at a level not available to the average independent agent.  While many agents ponder their future, the Keystone agent's future has never been brighter.  Working together and pulling together, we will be the dominant force across Pennsylvania."

James Kishbaugh            Associated Insurance Mgt
Danville                           570-275-0100


"We had great relationships coming into KIG and we didn't let them deteriorate just because we could now access a multitude of other companies.  We've taken full advantage of special KIG incentives that have been offered by brokers and speciality carriers.  When we come across a piece of business for which a favorite company has no appetite, we simply go through our KIG partners and find another carrier who wants that class."

Bruce Krammes         Seltzer Agency
Orwigsburg                 570-366-0551


"Keystone has never become stale.  Anyone who calls KIG a 'cluster' simply doesn't understand the difference between a dynamic network of aggressive marketers partnering for success and a group of agencies simply hanging on." 

Lew Kachulis              Gilberts Agency
Sharon                        724-342-6833


“The incentives KIG realizes from carriers far exceed anything we would have been offered as a standalone agency.  We don’t have to worry about satisfying individual production goals since carriers view KIG as one agency.”

Buddy DeYulis            Ebensburg Insurance
Ebensburg                   814-472-9557


"Becoming a Keystone Insurers Group franchise is one of the best business decisions we've made.  Without KIG, I would have received $15,977 in profit sharing; with KIG I received $41,220! Affiliation with the Keystone Insurers Group has allowed us to do what we do best.., sell insurance in our marketplace. Instead of making deals based on unrealistic growth promises in order to secure markets, we can spend our time retaining quality business and soliciting new accounts."


Donald Laputka            Hazleton Insurance Center
Hazleton                        570-455-5836

This does not constitute an offer to sell a franchise in any state in which the Keystone Insurers Group franchise is not registered.

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Phone: (570) 473-4302 • Fax: (570) 473-4303