INDIANAPOLIS (June 25, 2025) – The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies today presented its annual Award in Innovation, sponsored by Guy Carpenter, to West Bend Insurance Company, headquartered in West Bend, Wisconsin. With the creation of the EZ•Upload, the mutual insurance company has taken successful steps to create an affordable and efficient way to write small-market business.
“At West Bend, we work each and every day to be the company of choice for our associates, agents, and policyholders,” said Rob Jacques, president and CEO of West Bend Insurance Company. “By addressing core underwriting inefficiencies and reimagining the new business submission process, EZ•Upload has yielded tangible benefits for the enterprise and its agency partners alike. We are honored to receive this award from NAMIC and will continue to push for innovation in the industry to support and serve the mutual interest of our agency partners.”
West Bend’s EZ•Upload initiative transformed its quoting platform by streamlining commercial business submissions through automation and data integration, significantly reducing processing times. The innovative technology enhanced efficiency and user experience, ultimately prioritizing policyholder protection through agent expertise.
In presenting the overall award to West Bend Insurance Company during NAMIC’s 2025 Management Conference, Neil Alldredge, NAMIC president and CEO, said, “West Bend’s focus on collaboration through technology proves that efficiency and strong relationships can go hand in hand to achieve success.
“EZ•Upload is the hallmark of innovation at West Bend and demonstrates the difference it can make when insurers embrace and implement innovative processes, technologies, and critical thinking. I’m grateful for West Bend’s continued ingenuity and commitment to agents and policyholders.”
Award in Innovation Judging Criteria:
- Impact in perpetuating mutuality
- Creativity of idea
- Numbers and/or dollar impact – relative to size of insurer, i.e., biggest and best are not an influence
- Potential for the idea to be adapted and used by other NAMIC members
- Alignment with the NAMIC Management Conference focus areas: strategy, innovation, leadership, industry trends, and the economy
Other NAMIC member companies recognized as category winners were:
- The Andover Companies – Best in Category/Creativity
- The Andover Companies – Best in Category/Conference Alignment
- Harford Mutual Insurance Group – Best in Category/Adaptability
- GuideOne – Best in Category/Impact
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About NAMIC: NAMIC membership reflects many of the country’s largest national insurers as well as regional and local mutual insurance companies on main streets across America. NAMIC members write $383 billion in annual premiums and account for 61 percent of homeowners, 48 percent of the automobile, and 25 percent of the business insurance markets.
About West Bend Insurance Company: For over 130 years, West Bend Insurance Company has delivered trusted insurance solutions for home, auto, and business. Renowned for its strong agency relationships and commitment to integrity, West Bend combines ethical underwriting with fast, fair claims service. With property, casualty, and workers’ compensation offered in 14 states, and surety coverage available nationwide, the company continues to earn the respect of its independent agency network by building policyholder trust—because The worst brings out our best®, and that’s The Silver Lining®.
