Texas Mutual Gives Binding Power to Select Agents
By John Davenport

Select agents can now solicit business, bind policies, and service accounts for Texas Mutual Insurance Company. The contracted agents will enjoy an agency-style relationship representing Texas Mutual Insurance Company.

Matt Berry Sr. of William Gammon Insurance became the first agent to officially sign a contract with Texas Mutual Insurance Company. Berry, a longtime member of the Texas Mutual^® Agent Advisory Council and liaison between Texas Mutual Insurance Company and the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas, said he was honored to be the first name on the list.

“William Gammon Insurance is pleased and honored to have the first agent’s contract offered by Texas Mutual Insurance Company,” said Berry. “This contractual partnership sets up a framework to jointly provide more effective and timely service to our employer clients and their injured employees. The fact that Texas Mutual has started offering contracts to selected agents is a testament to their commitment to the independent agency system.

“I’m very pleased to be the first to enter this new arrangement. This [agreement] gives me much greater freedom in how I approach my clients about their workers’ compensation coverage needs and how Texas Mutual Insurance Company can meet those needs.”

Several members of the Texas Mutual^® Agent Advisory Council have requested this sort of arrangement for some time now, according to Ken Lauber, Texas Mutual^® vice president of field operations. The agreement creates a more traditional relationship between Texas Mutual Insurance Company and the select agents.

“This is a huge step forward for Texas Mutual Insurance Company,” said Lauber. “In the past, Texas Mutual has always treated agents solely as employers’ representatives. With these new contracts for select agents, we can strengthen our business relationship with the agent and the policyholder.”

“You’ve done so much for us over the years,” Texas Mutual^® President Russ Oliver said to Berry at the signing ceremony. “I’m happy that we were able to launch this program. More than that, I’m glad that you (Berry) are the first agent to sign on with us.”

Texas Mutual Insurance Company expects to sign 21 agencies by the end of January. The company may consider expanding the program in the future, according to Oliver, but it would always be very particular about which agents it signs.

“This program is very selective,” said Lauber. “We are only offering it to agents that we have long-term, established relationships with good loss experience, strong online usage, and a history of advisory council participation.”