It's time once again for independent agencies that do an outstanding job selling insurance and providing risk management services for their clients to prepare their entries for the National Underwriter “Commercial Insurance Agency Of The Year” award program for 2009.

For the eighth-straight year, agencies that are role models for their peers–running successful sales organizations while serving as risk management consultants–will be given national exposure via NU's prestigious award program.

Agency principals are welcome to enter their own firms for consideration, but nominations are accepted from insurance companies and wholesalers as well to call NU's attention to worthy candidates.

“The principals representing the winning agencies are always generous in sharing the secrets of their success and grateful for the opportunity to talk about what makes them unique in a very competitive market,” said NU Editor In Chief Sam Friedman.

Each year, NU names three winners–with one cited as 2009's “Champion,” and the other two receiving Honorable Mention.

“However, the actual awards are just the icing on the cake, as all three winners receive priceless publicity by having their agencies individually profiled in NU's Oct. 5 cover story,” noted Mr. Friedman.

As a bonus, the winners will also participate in an “NU Roundtable” discussion, moderated by Mr. Friedman, on “The State of the Independent Agent,” with highlights published in the Nov. 2 edition.

Gary Ivey, president and chief operating officer of last year's champion–J. Smith Lanier & Company in West Point, Ga.–said that after winning the award, “the feedback from across the country was tremendous. We believe the NU award elevates the organization to a different level.”

He added that “the recognition has reinforced in our sales and support group that the client is looking for value, and that the proper evaluation and management of risk is a multipart process that–done correctly–will be recognized by the buyer and others in a very competitive industry.”

David Becker, president of 2007's champion–Cottingham & Butler of Dubuque, Iowa–said winning the NU award “validated our approach to going beyond selling just policies to delivering a broad array of risk management services that can help our clients succeed.”

He added that “as we continue to grow our business across the country, the NU award provides the stamp of credibility with prospects, opening up new opportunities that might otherwise have been unavailable. The award has served to reinforce our commitment and dedication to building a truly distinctive agency.”

Scott Addis, president of The Addis Group in King of Prussia, Pa., said winning NU's award in 2003 made his agency feel like the “Miss America of the independent agency system.” Haake Companies of Overland Park, Kan., said being honored by NU in 2005 was like “winning the Heisman Trophy for insurance agencies.”

The 2006 champion–San Diego-based Barney & Barney–said “NU's award confirms for our current clients that they're with a great agency, and it also gives us credibility with prospective clients who may not be familiar with our firm. It's like a hand reaching out and opening doors for us.”

Is your agency destined to be one of NU's 2009 trio of winners? Contact Mr. Friedman at [email protected] for more details and an entry form.

Fill out the application, put together the supporting material (all of which is kept strictly confidential) and include an essay of 3,000 words or less on “What Makes My Agency An Outstanding Sales and Service Organization?” Submit the complete package no later than June 15.

Nominations are welcome from insurers, wholesalers or other interested parties (although a nomination is not necessary for an agency to enter).

To nominate a candidate, e-mail [email protected] (subject line: Agency Award Nomination) and describe in 500 words or less why the agency is worthy of consideration. Include details as to who to contact at the agency. NU will contact the agency principal, inform them as to who nominated them and why, and ask if they are interested and willing to fill out an award program application. Nominations must be received by May 15.

“I guarantee that just by going through the entry process, agency leaders will learn a lot about what makes their agency tick and how to better position themselves against the competition,” said Mr. Friedman.