21st Century General Agency About Us Page

COMPANY SYNOPSIS

When 21^st Century opened its doors almost 10 years ago, the conventional wisdom in the industry was that the new little company, which was very small, poorly capitalized and poorly equipped would never be able to successfully compete. For the company was birthed during a turbulent time when many major as well as minor carriers were locked in a fierce battle for a share of a very profitable market created in large part by tort reform in the state. To everyone’s amazement, however, after the battle was over and more than 60% of the carriers in the state had either gone bankrupt or pulled out of the state due to massive losses, the little company, called 21^st Century General Agency, was still standing. It was a survivor.

This little company is unique. For it is tough, agile and smart enough to quickly adapt to a constantly changing markets so that it remains profitable when most cannot yet it is solid, dependable and competitive enough to gain the confidence and allegiance of reinsurers, agents and customers alike. The same A + rated reinsurer continues to enthusiastically support us, scores of the most distinguished and successful independent agents in the state count 21^st Century as one of their top three preferred auto markets and customer retention is second to none in the industry.

MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISORY STAFF

The management and supervisory staff of the company have in excess of 80 years of hands-on personal lines insurance experience. There has been no turnover in our management and supervisory positions in the last 5 years.

COMPANY FINANCIAL CONDITION

From a financial perspective 21^st Century is managed and operated in a very conservative manner. Despite the fact that the company has made a significant investment in information management technology and equipment, software development, office equipment and infrastructure build-out, and good will, the company has no debt, has in excess of $100,000 in cash in the bank and has returned dividends to its shareholders far in excess of their initial investment.

COMPANY UNDERWRITING

Whether it is 21^st Century customer service, marketing or underwriting a common philosophy within the company is we always go the second mile to insure that we perform our responsibilities well. And no where in the company can this philosophy be better demonstrated than in our underwriting.

Our auto program produced a loss ratio of 49% last year and is producing thus far this year a loss ratio in the low 50’s. These loss ratios, which are 10% less than the industry average, have been earned in large part due to thorough and innovative underwriting policies, practices and procedures.

For example 21^st Century was the very first company to implement a no more cars than drivers underwriting policy in the Texas auto market even though it was not required or suggested by our reinsurers and despite the fact that the policy reduced our production by 15% and was not at all popular with our agents. This policy reduced our undisclosed driver claims by 30% and thus reduced our bottom line ratio by 5% to 7%.

MARKETING

It is more difficult to obtain a 21^st Century agency appointment than it is to obtain an appointment with many multi-billion dollar insurance companies. Some of our requirements include the following:

· In business for at least 5 years
· Demonstrate financial stability
· Proven proactive and consistent underwriting
· Good credit and a excellent record with TDI
· A minimum of a $750,000 book

We require that an agent perform their duties in a thorough manner and within the time frames designated.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

When defining 21^st Century, customer service will necessarily be a central theme. From the very inception of the company customer service has been defined as a primary objective of the company. Our goal has always been to provide customer service that was second to none in our industry.

Through hard work, a consistent focus on the goal, and new and innovative customer oriented programs, policies and procedures our customer service indeed ranks with the very best in our industry. We know this because our agents and their CSR’s tell us this and it is confirmed by our customer care surveys which consistently rank us as their carrier of choice because of our customer service. But more than this, we know our company appointment is highly valued because our agents will typically write business for us even if we are not the cheapest carrier available to them and at the same time be very selective with the business that they place with us.

CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS BEEN THE KEY TO OUR SUCCESS.

Our unique customer service policies and programs include our famous "a live customer service representative by the third ring" program and our trademark "Customer Care
Program" Our "Customer Care Program" is an initiative that is designed to detect and resolve problems in a proactive manner, encourage additional production in an informal manner, and create goodwill by recognizing and celebrating significant events in our agents and CSR’s lives by doing such things as sending birthday and get well cards.

COMPANY STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

For many years we offered only one product, personal lines non-standard auto. We believe that the goodwill generated, our reputation, our business relationships, and our expertise give us an advantage in the marketplace. Therefore three years ago we opened a homeowners department and it has grown steadily ever since. We will continue to seek out and accept the best Agents to grow our market share in the next ten years.