MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Sheboygan, WI (3/9/22) - Acuity is named one of the best insurers in the country for claims service in the 2022 CRASH Network Insurer Report Card. In addition to being in the top 5 insurers nationwide, Acuity is ranked #1 in both Wisconsin and Minnesota.

CRASH Network surveyed over 1,100 collision repair shops across the country for its 2022 Insurer Report Card. Shops were asked to grade the claims service of insurance companies based on one question: How well does this company’s claims handling policies, attitude, and payment practices ensure quality repairs and customer service for motorists?

“Acuity consistently delivers great customer service and truly cares about its customers and the quality of repairs. They always use quality parts and always pay claims in full in a timely manner,” stated the manager of a Wisconsin repair shop in the report.

According to CRASH Network, shops say the best insurance companies don’t pressure them to cut corners or install lower-quality parts to save money and aren’t adding more administrative steps to slow down the repair and claims process. The report card also revealed that many insurers earning the highest grades from repair shops are regional insurance companies that “do not spend billions of dollars per year on advertising.” In fact, none of the 10 largest auto insurers in the country earned a better than average score.

“We are honored to again be recognized as one of the best insurers in the nation for claims service. People know they can count on Acuity,” said Ben Salzmann, Acuity President and CEO. or disaster strikes to deliver on our promise of protection. Being rated a top company in claims shows we are fulfilling our promises,” said Jamie Loiacono, Acuity’s Vice President – Claims.

Acuity Insurance, headquartered in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, insures over 125,000 businesses, including 300,000 commercial vehicles, and nearly a half million homes and private passenger autos across 30 states. Rated A+ by A.M. Best and S&P, Acuity employs over 1,500 people.

Cedar Rapids, IA (4/4/22) - UFG Specialty, the excess and surplus division of UFG Insurance, is pleased to announce expansion of its excess liability coverage to 49 states, leaving Hawaii as the only state where the company isn’t writing excess liability risks today.

“Our wholesale brokers are serving customers across the country who have difficult-to-place insurance needs,” explains UFG Specialty Vice President and Branch Manager Robert Rey. “Those businesses, like any other, deserve a choice when it comes to an insurance carrier. That’s why UFG Specialty is proud to have expanded our excess liability coverage as an option for qualifying risks in 49 of our 50 states.”

In addition to Alaska and the District of Columbia, other states new to this expansion include Delaware, Maine, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia.

“As much as our speedy responsiveness and trustworthy dependability set us apart,” says UFG Specialty Senior Marketing Representative Grainne Bohan, “another noteworthy perk of choosing UFG Specialty is the fact that wildfire coverage is an option with our excess liability policy. In states where that threat looms, having a wildfire option is crucial.”

Established in 2014, UFG Specialty concentrates on a broad range of classes written exclusively through wholesale brokers who are committed to providing coverage solutions for specialty, declined, nonrenewed or difficult-to-place accounts, or filling

Learn more about UFG Specialty by visiting ufgspecialty.com.

Founded in 1946 as United Fire & Casualty Company, United Fire Group, Inc. (UFG, Nasdaq: UFCS), through its insurance company subsidiaries, is engaged in the business of writing property and casualty insurance. Through our subsidiaries, we are licensed as a property and casualty insurer in 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, and we are represented by approximately 1,000 independent agencies. A.M. Best Company assigns a rating of “A” (Excellent) for members of the United Fire & Casualty Group. For more information about UFG visit www.ufginsurance. com.

Bloomington, MN (4/5/22) - SFM Mutual Insurance Co. announced that its Financial Strength Rating of “A- (Excellent)” and Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” have been reaffirmed by AM Best Rating Services, Inc.

AM Best issued this affirmation based on its assessment of SFM’s balance sheet strength, as well as its operating performance, business profile, innovation and enterprise risk management. Prior to publicly disclosing this affirmation, AM Best conducted a detailed analysis of SFM’s finances and operations.

“Our annual review with AM Best gives us the opportunity to share our company’s story with experts from the largest credit rating agency in the world,” said SFM President and CEO Terry Miller. “We view their rating as an important indicator of SFM’s longterm financial strength and stability.”

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest. com .

West Bend, WI (4/5/22) - Compass Insurance Services in Kronenwetter, Wisconsin, has earned West Bend Mutual Insurance Company’s prestigious President's Cup Award. The award is given to the top-producing agency from the Partners In Excellence program. Only one agency out of the approximately 1,500 agencies representing West Bend can earn this award each year.

"We're very proud that Compass Insurance has earned this esteemed honor. We examine the results of every agency in terms of both profitability, growth, and agency-company partnership, and Compass Insurance outperformed against all other West Bend agencies in 2021. That's impressive given we are represented by the industry's best independent agencies," said David Nycz, West Bend's director of sales.

Accepting the award for Compass Insurance is President John Guerndt. “John’s hard work and dedication to our industry, his community and his employees is second to none. We are fortunate to have such a great partner representing West Bend,” stated Kelly Tighe, West Bend’s senior vice president of sales.

Compass Insurance Services has been a leading risk management provider in Wisconsin for over 30 years. They've spent years developing trusted partnerships with carriers and have a long-standing commitment to provide affordable insurance solutions and unparalleled customer service to their clients. For more information, visit https://compassinsurance.net.

West Bend Mutual Insurance Company is headquartered in West Bend, WI, and for more than 125 years, has provided valuable insurance coverages and services to home and auto owners and business owners. Today, more than 1,500 independent insurance agencies across 15 states represent West Bend. For more information, visit https://www. thesilverlining.com.