Recently in Renaissance Alliance Category

Program will link multiple insurers and be payroll vendor neutral for maximum choice

Bruce Cochrane President and CEO of Renaissance Alliance Renaissance Alliance, New England's premier network of independent agents, has announced a partnership with InsureLinx of Sarasota, FL, the nation's leading workers' compensation pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) technology vendor, to launch EZPayIns™, the first agent centric workers' compensation PAYGO product serving independent agents, insurers, and the commercial business community.. The program is currently in beta testing and will be launched in January 2012.

EZPayIns™ will be fundamentally different from any existing workers' compensation PAYGO program in that it will provide independent agents and their commercial customers access to multiple insurer PAYGO options combined with freedom to continue processing their payrolls as normal without requiring any change in their current agent or payroll service provider relationships. Cochrane says, "Our member agents are at the core of the EZPayIns™ platform in providing their clients trusted localized service and business solutions choices. Alternative PAYGO products offer one or limited market options from individual insurers and/or payroll service providers. This old paradigm significantly limits the customers' ability to obtain the best possible solution for their workers compensation needs."

Jeff Harris, President and founder of InsureLinx, says: "I am an independent agent myself. I strongly believe in the risk management expertise and value the independent agency system delivers to employers when it comes to workers' compensation. We are very enthusiastic about our Renaissance Alliance partnership to deploy our combined technologies in providing EZPayIns™ to the Alliance network of 95 independent insurance agencies."

For agents, just a few of the many advantages of EZPayIns™ include ease of administration through integrated automation, a value-added service that bolsters client retention, and the elimination of agent/client friction often arising from surprise year-end audits resulting in large additional lump sum premiums. For employers, EZPayIns™ matches cash flow with revenue, eliminates or significantly minimizes workers' compensation down payments and large audit premiums, and affords administrative efficiencies with continued service from an existing trusted agent and payroll service provider.

EZPayIns™ is an exclusive offering only to Renaissance Alliance members and partners.

Renaissance Alliance Insurance Services (RAIS), New England's premier network of specialty services for independent insurance agencies, is pleased to announce the addition of four new member agencies in the state of Connecticut: Deming Insurance Agency, Inc. of Farmington; Greenberg, Rhein & Margolis, Inc. of Woodbridge; Penny-Hanley & Howley Co., Inc., of Stafford Springs; and Southington Insurance Center, Inc., of Southington.

With the new members, Renaissance Alliance aggregate premium tops $400 million.
President of Renaissance Alliance Bruce Cochrane says, "In adding these four premier agencies as members, we have significantly strengthened the Alliance presence and reach in Connecticut. This is good news for local businesses and consumers because agency members gain the power and clout to ensure access to a broad array of insurers and to offer enhanced service." He adds that Renaissance Alliance recruits and extends membership to only the most forward-looking and progressive agencies that are poised for growth and committed to impeccable standards of personalized client service and industry excellence.

Renaissance Alliance members maintain full autonomy as independent agencies. Membership means access to additional insurers, innovative insurance products, specialized marketing expertise, proprietary specialty programs, processing efficiencies, superior technologies and shared administrative services. Cochrane states, "Member agencies secure the clout, economies, services, expertise, and market access of a very large regional organization while still delivering the trusted, local personalized service that has been the hallmark of the independent agency system for generations."

As part of its ongoing initiative to provide cutting edge services to its 90+ agency members, Renaissance Alliance has partnered with InsurBanc for a secure Web-based commission payment system, cash management solution, and online banking service. InsurBanc developed a customized banking program for Renaissance that combines technology tools, deposit products and services, and customer service standards and processes. Learn more: Renaissance Group Turns to InsurBanc To Help Member Agencies Do Many Things Well.

InsurBanc is the only bank designed for insurance professionals. Founded by agents in cooperation with the IIABA, InsureBanc's mission is to help agents, brokers and other insurance professionals grow and prosper with tailored banking products and superior, personalized service. President of Renaissance Insurance Group Bruce Cochrane notes that the two organizations share both a service philosophy and a commitment to empowering independent agents.

Insurance industry veteran's appointment will contribute to continued innovation at the fast-growth insurance agency network

Renaissance Alliance Insurance Services (RAIS), New England's premier network of specialty services for independent insurance agencies, has named Robert R. Schackner to the position of Director, Competitive Edge Services. In this role, Schackner will be harnessing his nearly two decades of insurance industry expertise to further develop and deliver competitive edge exclusive benefits to RAIS members, staff, and partners.

In making the announcement, Bruce Cochrane, President and founder of RAIS, states "We're very excited to have Bob join our Renaissance Management Team. His extensive experience in the insurance industry, combined with his high-level customer service experience, makes him a perfect fit for the dynamic, entrepreneurial environment of our organization."

Prior to this appointment, Schackner was Senior National Account Director, Enterprise Client Organization at Vertafore, Inc. of Bothell, Wash., an award-winning provider of software and services spanning the insurance industry. Over 18 years, he held progressive management roles, including the delivery of concierge and consulting services to agencies. Earlier in his career, he served as a senior systems analyst for EDP of America, a niche technology business based in New Jersey.

Of his new position, Schackner says, "My decision to leave Vertafore was difficult - it is a superlative company and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. Now that I'm embarking on a new endeavor, I am blessed again with the opportunity to work with creative, forward thinking people in a position where I can contribute to growth and become part of a new family."

New England Coalition of Independent Agencies & Insurers Reaches $360 Million in Aggregate Premium

Renaissance Alliance Insurance Services, New England's premier network of specialty services for independent insurance agencies, celebrates the 10-year milestone of its founding. From its inception a decade ago, the coalition of independent insurance agencies now encompasses 85 agency members with a combined total more than 100 locations, three dozen insurers, and a broad array of insurance service providers and vendors. Renaissance Alliance represents a combined total of more than $360 million in commercial and personal lines insurance premium.

Bruce Cochrane. President and founder of Renaissance Alliance, notes that a decade ago and continuing today, the competitive pressure that banks and financial services posed to the independent agency was enormous, and fears of disintermediation abounded as online access to insurance products increased. "Ten years ago, we set out to redefine the future for the independent insurance agency. Rather than passively acquiescing to market forces, we set out to shape our own destiny." The stated mission of the Alliance was and continues to be providing member agents with significant market advantages, leading edge technology, and market differentiation; to provide carrier partners with profit, volume, and ease of doing business; and to deliver superlative insurance services to businesses, individuals, and families throughout New England.
Renaissance Alliance members maintain full autonomy as independent agencies. Cochrane states, "Member agencies secure the clout, economies, services, expertise, technology, and market access of a very large regional organization while still delivering the trusted, local personalized service that has been the hallmark of the independent agency system for generations."

On October 14-15, more than 400 Renaissance Alliance members, insurers and vendors are gathering for a two-day Annual Meeting in Newport Rhode Island to celebrate the decade of achievements and to map a path for the future. The theme for this year's meeting is "The Power of 10." Bruce Cochrane will deliver a "State of the Alliance" report, along with unveiling new growth and technology initiatives for members.