Seven CAA Members Recognized as IIABA's 2011 Best Practices Insurance Agencies

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Combined Agents of America, LLC (CAA) announced seven of its member agencies have been recognized as 2011 "best practices" agencies by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big "I") and Reagan Consulting, an Atlanta-based management consulting firm.  With expansion into Oklahoma and Kansas, Texas-based CAA is a managing general agency (MGA) committed to further expansion across the country to strengthen the independent insurance agency system through profitable growth and exceptional service for its member agencies.

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"CAA should be extremely proud of the fact that our membership contributed a third of the agencies selected in Texas as best practices agencies. We at BKCW Insurance Agency are humbled and honored to be selected as the top-performing agency in our size class," says Bill Kliewer, CAA member and Managing Partner of BKCW Insurance Agency.

Two CAA members earned the high distinction by being included as one of the six "Top Performing Agencies" in the nation. Bigham Kliewer Chapman Watts, Killeen, Texas, was awarded as the Best Practices Top Performer for the revenue category of between $5 and $10 million. Bridges Group Inc., Norton, Kansas, was ranked as number one in its revenue category of between $1.25 million to $2.5 million.

"Best Practices is a goal we set for ourselves as an agency each year, and earning the status of a top performer is definitely an honor. We use the BP data to benchmark ourselves against other agencies and to try to improve in areas where we are weak. CAA is a big reason we are a top-performing agency," says Trent Richmond, CAA member and President of Bridges Group, Inc.

CAA 2011 Best Practice Agencies include:

Barnard Insurance Agency LLP, Wichita Falls, Texas
Bigham Kliewer Chapman & Watts, Killeen, Texas
Bridges Group, Inc., Norton, Kansas
Duncan, Fraser & Bridges Insurance Agency, Inc., Pampa, Texas
Ed Berrong Insurance Agency, Weatherford, Oklahoma
Edmond, Deaton & Stephens Insurance Agency, Inc., Amarillo, Texas
Pierson & Fendley Insurance Agency, LLC, Paris, Texas
Weatherby-Eisenrich Insurance Agency, Andrews, Texas

Barnard Insurance Agency LLP, Wichita Falls, has serviced the communities of Texoma with prompt attention to detail for both personal and commercial insurance needs since 1930. URL: http://www.bigwf.com/

BKCW Insurance Agency, Killeen, Texas, offers a full line of personal and business insurance products, alongside other financial services since 1952. The agency has producers located in Killeen, Austin, San Antonio and the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  URL: http://bkcw.com/

The Bridges Group, Inc., Norton, Kansas, has been serving northwest Kansas for over a century as an insurance specialist since 1894. Although it is a full-lines insurance agency, it is an Agri-Business insurance leader in its marketing area. The agency has offices in Norton, Oberlin, Hill City and Winona. URL: http://www.bridgesinsurance.com

Duncan, Fraser & Bridges Insurance Agency, Inc., Pampa, Texas, has served north Texas since 1925.  While representing over 200 insurance companies, the agency offers a full range of insurance products. The agency has offices in Amarillo, Pampa and Borger. URL: http://www.dfbinsurance.com/

Ed Berrong Insurance Agency, Weatherford, Oklahoma, serves Oklahoma and the surrounding states with a full line of insurance products, while specializing in oil and gas since 1948.  URL: http://www.berrongins.com

Edmond, Deaton & Stephens Insurance Agency Inc., Amarillo, Texas, was purchased by CAA member agency Duncan, Fraser and Bridges in 2006. The agency serves the Panhandle of Texas with a full line of insurance products. The agency has offices in Amarillo, Pampa and Borger. URL: http://www.edsinsurance.com/

Pierson & Fendley Insurance Agency has been providing residents of Paris, Texas and its surrounding areas with both personal and business insurance since 1935. URL: http://www.pierson-fendley.com/

The Weatherby-Eisenrich Insurance, Andrews, Texas, is a full service insurance agency with two other locations in Granbury, Texas and in Odessa, Texas, under the agency name Edgmon-Eisenrich Insurance. URL: https://www.weinsure4you.com/

The Best Practices Study was initiated by IIABA in 1993 as the foundation for efforts to improve agency performance.  Every three years, IIABA collaborates with Reagan Consulting to select "Best Practices" firms throughout the nation for outstanding management and financial achievement in six revenue categories (under $1,250,000; $1,250,000 to $2,500,000; $2,500,000 to $5,000,000; $5,000,000 to $10,000,000; $10,000,000 to $25,000,000; and over $25,000,000). More than 1,200 independent agencies and brokers in the country were nominated, but only 224 agencies, the top scoring agencies in each of six revenue groups, qualified for selection.

About Combined Agents of America, LLC

Founded in 1997 Combined Agents of America, LLC (CAA) is based in Austin, Texas, and is comprised of 48 independent insurance agencies located throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. By funneling the agencies' combined premiums, CAA brings larger volume commitments to insurance companies, while empowering its members to realize greater benefits from insurance companies, vendor discounts and other incentives. In 2010, CAA generated more than $414 million in combined property and casualty annual premiums, and currently works with 18 of the largest insurance companies in the nation. All CAA member agencies remain independent and are recognized by insurance companies as a key component to their future growth and goal commitments. Additional information is available at www.combinedagents.com.

CAA member agencies include: Aars & Nelson Insurance Agency, Barnard Insurance Agency, Bartlett, Baggett & Shands, Benchmark Insurance Group, Benton-Luttrell-Brown Company, Bigham-Kliewer-Chapman-Watts Insurance Agency, Bibby-Brilling & Associates, BRIA Insurance & Risk Consultants, Bridges Group Inc., Bosworth & Associates, Bryan Insurance Agency Ltd., Brownrigg Insurance Agency Inc., Cravens-Warren & Co., Crockett Insurance Service, Duncan-Fraser & Bridges Insurance Agency Inc., Ed Berrong Insurance Agency, Ed Weeren Insurance Agency Inc., EFGI Insurance & Bonds LLC, Elliott Insurance Group, Evans-Ewan & Brady Insurance Agency Inc., First Insurance Services, First Texas Insurance Services LC, Henry Norris Insurance Agency, Inc., HC&H Insurance Group, Garrett Insurance Agency, Inc., GBS Insurance Agency Inc., Grona Boles Martin & Bloxsom Insurance, Hill County Insurance Agency, Insurance Associates of Texas, Insurance Net Inc., JHC Insurance Agency Inc., J. S. Edwards & Sherlock Insurance Agency, Lake Insurance Agency, Inc., McCorkle Commercial Insurance Agency, Mims & Smith, Mr. Insurance Agency, Inc., NTX Insurance Group, Inc., Pierson-Fendley Insurance, Pinnacle Insurance Group Inc., Porter Insurance Agency Inc., Purifoy & Company, The Shropshire Agency Inc., Siegeler Insurance Agency, Inc., Walthall-Sachse & Pipes, Inc., The Weatherby-Eisenrich Inc., Wellmann Insurance Agency, Inc., Western Insurance Agency, and Whorton Insurance Services.

Press Contact:
Courtney R. Holder
Tel: (512) 627-0779
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SOURCE Combined Agents of America, LLC