The Insurance Alliance announced the winners of their annual Carrier of the Year awards at Connections 2009.

The 2009 Personal Lines Carrier of the Year went to Donegal Insurance. Donegal was ranked first in the categories of Best Overall Personal Lines Carrier, Underwriting Responsiveness, Competitiveness, Ease of Doing Business, Quality Products, Automation Capabilities and Billing and Customer Service. Three-year growth, favorable loss ratio and hard work in addressing the needs of personal lines customers all were cited as factors in the voting. The award was presented by Alliance Board Chairman Don Wert, and accepted by Rick Kelley, Senior VP, Sales and Business Development for Donegal.

The Cincinnati Insurance Companies earned the 2009 Commercial Lines Carrier of the Year award by placing first in the categories of Best Overall Commercial Lines Carrier, Underwriting Expertise, Responsiveness, Competitiveness, Ease of Doing Business, and Quality Products. Premium and new business growth over the past three years were also cited, along with risk management expertise and professionalism. The award was accepted by Bill Clevidence, Assistant Vice President for Sales and Marketing.

See all the photos of Connections 2009 on our Flickr page.

At The Alliance’s Connections event in early November, the winners of the 2009 Accellerations sales contest were announced and prizes awarded. Daryl Frantz, Pennsylvania Territory Manager for Selective Insurance (right) and Greg Harrington, Branch Manager for Ohio Casualty, the two Platinum sponsors of Accellerations, helped present the awards.

Brian Buskirk of Zinn Insurance took home the Next Generation Producer of the Year award.

Commercial Lines Producer of the Year honors were awarded to Ryan Amey of Sterner Insurance.

New to Accellerations this year was a drawing for the $4,000 grand prize. Each of the producers who earned the monthly top producer award were entered in the contest, and Ryan, as the top overall producer, earned three chances. When the drawing was complete and the smoke cleared, John Eltringham of Hampson Mowrer Kreitz was left holding the check.

The Alliance Personal Lines Agency of the Year award for 2009 was shared by co-winners Hutchison Insurance and Miers Insurance.

American Insurance Administrators took home The Alliance Commercial Lines Agency of the Year designation for 2009.

See all the photos of Connections 2009 on our Flickr page.

The Insurance Alliance held Connections 2009 at the Sheraton Harrisburg-Hershey recently, featuring several activities and opportunities for interaction throughout the event.

The day opened with an audience participation led by Alliance President and CEO Jane Koppenheffer. Each table, after a period of discussion, had the opportunity to vote on questions about the insurance industry, the economy and The Alliance, with results displayed for all to see.

An Exhibit Hall session followed, where carrier attendees staffed their company booths, and Alliance staff could interact in an informal atmosphere to discus business, products, programs and more.

Lunch featured Rick Russell, the President and CEO of Insurance Agents and Brokers, and the event wrapped up with the presentation of awards to the winners of Accellerations, The Alliance’s sales contest, including Personal and Commercial Lines Producer of the Year, as well as the annual Connections awards and Personal and Commercial Carrier of the Year Awards.

See all the photos of Connections 2009 on our Flickr page.