Erin Bender, CIC -- Transportation Underwriter

Erin began working at Midwest General Agency in 1996. She is a graduate of Chippewa Valley Technical College where she earned a Technical Diploma in Medical Office Specialist and Accounting Assistant programs.  She started in the Office Services department in 1996, was promoted to transportation underwriting assistant in 1997 and to transportation underwriter in 1998.  She has completed the INS series of insurance courses and earned her CIC in 2002.

Favorite Book:  Can’t think of any off hand.  I read a lot of children’s books lately (young children at home J)

Favorite Movie:  Dirty Dancing, Sixteen Candles (they are oldies, but goodies)

What do you like to do when you are not in the office?  Spend time with my family

What food is always in your refrigerator?  Cheese

If you were an animal, what would you be?  A cat, they sleep a lot.

If you could go back in time, whom would you visit and what would you talk about?  My grandma, I would ask her more about her life & attempt to learn all of her wonderful skills.   

Likes/Hobbies:  Listening to music, looking for bargains

Dislikes:  I am not the biggest fan of sports.

What’s one thing you’re willing to share about yourself that would surprise most people?  Sad, but true, I do like reality shows. 

Colleen Giles-Harris, CIW

Wisconsin P&C Underwriter & Office Services Team Leader

Colleen began her insurance career while in high school by working part-time in the mail room and started full time as an underwriter after receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Colleen has earned her Certified Insurance Wholesaler (CIW) designation from the AAMGA and is working towards her Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation. Colleen is very proud to currently be a Vice-Chairperson for the AAMGA Under Forty Organization.

 

Favorite Book: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Favorite Movie: Office Space

What do you like to do when you are not in the office? I love to be outdoors, especially musky fishing, with my husband and two dogs.

What food is always in your refrigerator? Soda… I am a soda addict!!

If you were an animal, what would you be? A dog because I treat my dogs so well that I would love for someone to spoil me like that!!

If you could go back in time, whom would you visit and what would you talk about? King Henry VIII as that is my favorite time in history and I would love to hear it from his point of view.

Likes/Hobbies: Being outdoors and zoning out in front of a good movie

Dislikes: Rude people and impatience

What’s one thing you’re willing to share about yourself that would surprise most people? While in college I studied abroad for a semester in northern England and had a chance to visit Ireland, Scotland, France, Greece, Italy and the Czech Republic.

Michelle Simenson, Office Assistant/Marketing Assistant

 

Michelle began working at Midwest General/R.W. Scobie shortly after graduation in October of 2005.  Prior to joining Midwest General Agency/RW Scobie, she worked as a waitress at a local diner in her home town.

Favorite Book:  Anything written by Nicholas Sparks and Tuesdays with Morrie 

Favorite Movie: My Girl, Grease, and Now and Then

What do you like to do when you are not in the office?  I love to Scrapbook and spend time with my fiancé!

What food is always in your refrigerator? Cheese - give me a break I live in Wisconsin!

If you were an animal, what would you be?  I would be a house cat.  Who wouldn’t want to eat and sleep all day!

If you could go back in time, whom would you visit and what would you talk about? Martin Luther King Jr., need I say more?!?

Likes/Hobbies: Scrapbooking, reading, shopping, and watching movies.

Dislikes: FEET!!!!

What’s one thing you’re willing to share about yourself that would surprise most people?  I was a homeowner by the age of 18!   

Mary Race-Gooderham, CIC, AAM, ACSR

Team Leader -- Transportation, Farm & Personal Lines

Mary began her career at Midwest General/R.W. Scobie in 1984 while still in high school. She earned at B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She holds the ACSR designation, a Certificate in General Insurance, the Associate in Automation Management designation and also earned the CIC designation.

Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird

Favorite Movie: The Quiet Man

What do you like to do when you are not in the office? Read and hang out with my family

What food is always in your refrigerator? Cheese

If you were an animal, what would you be? Cat

If you could go back in time, whom would you visit and what would you talk about? My grandparents and great-grandparents.

Likes/Hobbies: Reading, Gardening, Watching “classic” movies, family time, Green Bay Packers

Dislikes: Winter, long lines, Soft insurance markets!!!

What’s one thing you’re willing to share about yourself that would surprise most people? I was born in Spain and I am fluent in Spanish

Elizabeth K. Dokkestul, Marketing Representative

Liz began her insurance career in 1987 when she couldn’t even spell the word insurance, let alone actually know anything about it!  She started out in the “standard lines” department processing commercial lines policies.  After a short stint there, Liz moved into the commercial lines department as an underwriting assistant, and then became an underwriter, responsible for her own territory of agents.  In the summer of 1999 (with a little encouragement from management) Liz applied for, and received a position as a marketing rep.  She truly enjoys working in the field with the agents and has developed some great friendships over the years.  Currently, Liz is the Chairperson of the IIAW Smaller Agencies Committee, is the Secretary for the IIAWW and continues to be active in the IIANW.  Somewhere along the line, she also earned her CIC designation.

What do you like to do when you are not in the office? Spend time at home

What food is always in your refrigerator?  Milk and Cheese

If you were an animal, what would you be?  A Golden Retriever – who doesn’t love a Golden??

If you could go back in time, whom would you visit and what would you talk about?  My grandparents….what life was like in the early 1900’s

Likes/Hobbies:  Quilting, knitting, scrapbooking, reading, cooking and baking

Dislikes:  Junebugs and people who are unkind to others

What’s one thing you’re willing to share about yourself that would surprise most people?   I would like to be a homemaker, and spend more time volunteering and helping people who are less fortunate

Angela Dewing, CIC, Wisconsin P&C Underwriter 

Angela worked for a retail agent for six years prior to joining Midwest General.  She is a 2000 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where she majored in Management.  She obtained her CIC designation in 2005. 

 

 

Favorite Book:  A Time To Kill,  ABC I Love You

Favorite Movie: Billy Madison, Notting Hill

 

What do you like to do when you are not in the office?

Cooking, baking, playing with my son

What food is always in your refrigerator? Yogurt, cheese, olives, Coors Light

If you were an animal, what would you be?  Dolphin

If you could go back in time, whom would you visit and what would you talk about?

My grandparents so I could learn all the things about their lives and childhood that I don’t know.

Likes/Hobbies:  Baking, cooking, reading

Dislikes: When people talk with their mouth full.

What’s one thing you’re willing to share about yourself that would surprise most people?  I was a high school football cheerleader.

 

 

Robert M. Race Jr., Sr. Vice President/Branch Manager



Bob began his insurance career following his service in the Air Force . Prior to joining Midwest General Agency/RW Scobie in 1973, he worked as a fire inspector and ratemaker for the Wisconsin Fire Insurance Rating Bureau. Bob has been honored as the Company Representative of the Year by the Independent Insurance Agents of Wisconsin in 1996 and continues to be active in the association. He has also earned his CIC designation.



Favorite Book: The Old Man and the Boy by Robert Ruark



Favorite Movie: The Shootist



What do you like to do when you are not in the office? Spending time with my family and Grandsons



What food is always in your refrigerator? Beer



If you were an animal, what would you be? A tiger.



If you could go back in time, whom would you visit and what would you talk about? My grandfather and great-grandfather. We’d talk about life in the late 19th and early 20th century.



Likes/Hobbies: Music, Reading, Fishing, Firearms.



Dislikes: Political Correctness

Midwest General Agency’s agents now have access to multiple rating systems through our website. Click on “Web Quoting Systems” on the top of the home page and you will be brought to a page that lists our on-line rating systems through USLI, RLI and Penn America (TOPS). Then follow the directions for each company to create your own account and quote on-line. Please note that our agents do not have binding authority with any of these companies so you still need to contact an underwriter in order to bind coverage. If you have any questions on how to get started with our Web Based Quoting, please contact your marketing rep. In Wisconsin, please contact either Liz Dokkestul or Don Schlieve and in Minnesota, please contact Lee Hartwell.

Midwest General Agency has a market for Property Managers Professional Liability through United States Liability Insurance Group (USLI). USLI’s product is designed for entities who derive their income from the management or leasing of residential and/or commercial properties. Their program provides errors and omissions coverage specifically designed for Property Managers and offers optional coverages for Tenant Discrimination and Employment Practices Liability coverages. These coverages all have separate limits so that claims against one coverage part do not erode the limits of the other coverage parts. The USLI application for Property Managers Professional Liability is available in the applications section of this website. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact an underwriter.

New Markel Program called Professional Angler Program. The program is designed to provide coverage for the Professional Angler. Professional Angler activities include participating in fishing tournaments or charity fishing events, conducting fishing seminars and work shops, working sport shows, distributors’ shows and dealers’ open house, fishing guides and activities where you are demonstrating your fishing skills to generate income.

The program consists of two packages that include Watercraft and Equipment coverage for the boat, engines and equipment, Professional Anglers Liability, Fishing Gear and Personal Effects, Towing and Tournament Fee Reimbursement. Check out the guidelines and the application with the rates on our website at www.mgarws.com.

With summer coming, people will be out and about more often. We have a competitive market in WI for public auto risks. We’ll get these people where they want to go!

Airport Shuttles
Charter Buses
Day Care Vans
Limos
Non-emergency Medical Vehicles
Sightseeing Vehicles
Trolley Buses

This same market is also very competitive in driver training schools as well. With many schools discontinuing their drivers ed programs, more and more individually run
drivers ed operations will be starting up.

We're making a change in our policy delivery system. In May, we will begin sending most policies to you on CDs instead of paper. You will receive two CDs; one will be your copy and the other will be for the insured. Both CDs will have complete copies of the policy. Anytime we endorse the policy, two new CDs will be sent. The new CDs will have the entire policy on them, including the change so neither you or the insured will have to save the old disk. The current disk will always contain the complete, up to date policy.

We're shooting for a start date of May 1 and will be sending out a couple of additional reminders before we implement the program.

Before we know it the snow will melt and contractors will be back in business. We have a market for several classes of business for contractors. We can help you with new ventures as well as established business with premiums starting as low as $500. Some examples of the contractors we can consider are roofers, insulation installers, remodeling contractors and many more. Contact an underwriter with any questions and to determine the correct application to use.

In Wisconsin contact:
Angela Dewing ext 253
Colleen Giles ext 254
Dave Olsen ext 252

In Minnesota contact:
Joan Fisher ext 232
Kim Amelse ext 233
Pat Halverson ext 231

If you are looking for a market for professional liability, give us a call. We have several markets for various classes of business including (but not limited to):

• accountants
• real estate agents
• insurance agents
• home inspectors
• tax preparers
• mortgage brokers
• human resource consultants

Contact an underwriter for additional classes we can consider and to determine the appropriate application.

It's still winter, but spring is just around the corner. We offer competitive markets for your local and intermediate sand and gravel haulers and excavators. Small and large dump trucks as well as tractors pulling dump trailers. New ventures as well as risks that might have some loss or driver problems. Give one of our transportation underwriters a call today:

Kim Sweeney @ Ext. 262
Erin Bender @ Ext. 239
Mary Race-Gooderham @ Ext. 257
Camille Skoug @ Ext. 260

Check us out for your Garage Dealers and Non-Dealers risks in WI**. We can offer quotes on the following classes:

∙ Used Car & Truck Dealers (non-franchised)
∙ Auto Parts Stores
∙ Motorcycle Dealers
∙ Detail Shops
∙ Mobile Home, RV & Trailer Dealers
∙ Glass Installation
∙ Repair Shops – Autos, Motorcycles, Trucks
∙ Car Washes
∙ Oil Change Operations
∙ Tire Sales with Installation
∙ Frame Straighteners
∙ Paint and Body Shops
∙ Mobile Repair Operations
∙ Plus many more classes

We can look at new ventures as well as existing risks. The applications needed to quote can be found on our website under National Indemnity. Premiums start at $2,000 annually.

**Limited availability for risks located in MN**

Here are some targeted classes of business we can help you write with The Hartford. Their coverage is some of the best in the marketplace. You may see some classes (*) that don't fit your other preferred markets, so give us a call.

Accountants
*Medical Goods Mfg
Beauty Parlors
Nail Salons
Consultants
Offices
Dry Cleaners
Printing Shops
Funeral Homes
Retail Stores
*Lawyers (Includes Prof Liab)
*Schools
Lessors Risk--office, retail, wholesale
*Stockbrokers
Manufactures Rep (no engineering)
*Taxidermists
Medical Offices
*Technology Risks

The Hartford also writes many types of professional liability coverages. Some of them are written on a monoline basis, so if that's the only coverage you're having a hard time placing, we can help. Contact Pat (ext 231) Joan (ext 232) or Kim (ext 233) for more information about the Hartford's products.

Has your contract with Capitol Indemnity recently been cancelled? We can help you retain that business with Capitol, through Midwest General Agency. Contact your marketing rep today for more information. You'll be glad you did!!

Why write general liability for truckers? Click on this link http://www.iiaba.net/VU/NonMember/article2.htm to find some great examples of where a CGL policy is necessary. Remember, you can quote g.l. for truckers through TOPS! and earn an additional $10 for each policy issued through 2/28/06.

TOPS! is an easy way for you to quote artisan contractors, general liability for truckers, special events, and 1-4 family dwellings. Contact your marketing rep to get signed up and to start earning an additional $10 for every policy issued in TOPS.

AMERICAN RELIABLE: A- rated, admitted carrier. American Reliable can write a large variety of farms from dairy, to crop, to hobby farms (no limit on number of horses). They can write up to $5 million total insurance to value and offer a $5 million excess liability policy and/or farm auto coverage. Special perils is now available for out buildings.

AMERICAN BANKERS: A rated, admitted carrier. American Bankers specializes in horse (equine) accounts. Boarding, breeding, training, instruction, day camps, and sales are eligible classes of business. No limit of the number of horses they will accept. They can write the property and equine liability as a package or we can write just equine liability. Trainers and instructors liability policies are also available. They can write up to $5 million total insurance to value and offer a $5 million umbrella policy and/or farm auto coverage.

WE WOULD LOVE TO QUOTE SOME OF YOUR NEW &/OR RENEWAL ACCOUNTS FOR YOU.

We have a package policy for non-profit organizations with less than 50 employees. Directors and Officers liability is available for up to $5,000,000 limits. Defense is outside the limits and the policy offers full prior acts coverage. The General Liability is written on an Occurrence form. Employment Practices Liability is an optional coverage that can be purchased in addition to the D and O. We can provide up to $500,000 of property coverage, depending upon the Fire Protection class. The package is underwritten by United States Liability Insurance Group. Bests rating A++.

Some eligible classes are Chambers of Commerce, Trade Associations, and Charitable Organizations.

For details, please talk to your favorite Midwest property and casualty underwriter.

New Programs! We have two new programs available for professional liability. More than 30 types of technology services are eligible for our Technology Professional Package. We also have a Specified Professions Package for over 60 types of office-based professionals.

Commercial Auto:

Limo Service - $2842.00
Drivers Ed. Car - $4298.00
Long Haul Trucker - $14,416.00
Garbage Truck - $2126.00
Livestock Hauler - $5016.00
Milk Hauler - $41,744.00
Sewer & Septic - $19,188.00
Logger - $2855.00
Day Care Van - $5956.00
Non Trucking - $911.00
Intermediate Trucker - $12,766.00
Long Haul Fleet - $181,887.00
Bus - $2685.00
Dump Truck - $9754.00
Lawn Care Service - $1408.00
Towing w/In-Tow Coverage - $7962.00
Sand and Gravel - $3082.00
Car Hauler (Local/Intermediate Radius) - $8344.00
Monoline Cargo - $7200.00
Mobile Home Toter - $6782.00
House mover - $1050.00
Yard Jockey - $3025.00
Boat Hauler (Local/Intermediate Radius) - $16,230.00
Restaurant Delivery - $5330.00
Grain Hauler - $3784.00
Senior Citizens Bus - $1971.00
Casino Bus - $2694.00


Commercial Property/Casualty:

Tavern - $10,725.00
Recycling Center - $2260.00
Alarm Installer - $934.00
Roofer- Residential - $3500.00
Restaurant - $2778.00
Fence Installer - $1121.00
Campground - $3524.00
Siding Contractor - $1174.00
Painting/Sandblasting - $2018.00
Janitorial Service - $1552.00
Contractor- HVAC - $1525.00
Welder - $1600.00
Contractor- Carpentry - $903.00
Resort - $4175.00
Martial Arts Studio - $600.00
Auto Repair Shop – 1323.00
Waterpark - $125,000.00
Grocery Store - $3304.00
Handyman - $1158.00
Carriage rides - $1750.00
Sauna Installer - $2500.00
Tool Mfr - $3500.00
Rental Center - $1000.00
Rubber Roller Mfr. - $6290.00


This is just a partial list of accounts that we have written recently.

As demonstrated by numerous recent news headlines, the protection of confidential consumer data is more important than ever. It is the policy of our MVR service to sell customer data--specifically MVRs only to the end user (meaning Midwest General Agency) We are prohibited from disseminating the MVRs themselves (or any information contained therein) to another party other than directly to the insurance COMPANY. As such, we are unable to disclose information in the MVR to the insured, the retail agent, the individual driver or any third party. We will be complying with these rules per the Fair Credit Reporting Act & the Federal Drivers Privacy Protection Act.

Midwest General Agency has recently been appointed by RLI to be a Program Administrator for their stand-alone umbrella product. RLI offers liability limits up to $5,000,000 with competitive rates. The self-underwriting application and broad underwriting guides make it easy to write personal umbrellas.
Give us a call today to learn more about our umbrella markets.

New Market - Non Standard Auto
We are pleased to announce a Non-Standard Private Passenger auto market for Wisconsin written through Founders Insurance Company. Founders has an A.M. Best rating of A-(Excellent). Special features include a two-year rating experience period, variety of policyholder discounts, no insurance scoring, and multiple installment payment plans. Please contact your marketing representative (Liz Dokkestul or Don Schlieve) or Personal Lines Manager (Loraine Sloat) for more information.

$10 BONUS FOR TOPS!!

For those of you that have signed up for the TOPS program, we are offering a $10 bonus for every account quoted and bound through the program. Using TOPS is a fast, easy way to generate a quote and complete an application for special events, artisan contractors, 1-4 family dwellings, and truckers general liablity.

The bonus program runs from April 1 thru June 30. It's Fast! It's Easy! and it will put additional cash in your pocket or purse. Your marketing rep will be in touch with you with additional information

Well we are. It's motorcycle/ATV season once again. Don't forget to check out our motorcycle markets with American Modern and American Reliable. Both companies can now be rated online. American Modern can be accessed through their online rating and quoting system modernLINK. American Reliable can be accessed through the internet. If your office does not have user ID's and passwords be sure give us a call to get signed up.

Visit us on the web at www.mgarws.com or contact us at 800-472-6919 with any questions.

Midwest General Agency and United States Liability Insurance are happy to offer you 3 CE credits while learning more about professional liability and how to market this product to your clients. This educational seminar will be presented by Sue Nelson, CPCU, RPLU. Sue is an Assistant Vice President and Manager of the Non Profit Directors and Officers product in the Professional Lines Department of the A++ rated United States Liability Insurance Group, a Berkshire Hathaway Company.

United States Liability writes twelve lines of various Directors & Officers, Employment Practices and Errors and Omissions Liability products. The Non Profit Directors and Officers Product is the largest product at the company. Sue is a graduate of Seton Hall University. Her previous insurance experience includes underwriting with Selective Insurance where she worked on Professional Liability accounts as well as Property Casualty risks. She has earned her Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter designation as well as her Registered Professional Liability Underwriter designation. We have seminars scheduled April 5th in Winona,MN, April 6th in Bloomington, MN and April 7th in Duluth, MN. Please register early for one of these seminars.

You may register by simply calling Jo at (800)472-6919 ext 0 or registering online through this link Road Show

And that’s why we’re introducing three new email addresses to help things move quickly and efficiently!!

Please start using the following email addresses…

Commercial and Farm Applications can be sent to: apps@mgarws.com

Commercial Certificate Requests can be sent to: certs@mgarws.com

Commercial Loss Run Requests can be sent to: loss_runs@mgarws.com

As always we will still be accepting faxed applications and requests, but we hope that these new email addresses give you another option for submitting your accounts and requests to us. If you have any questions, please contact your marketing representative or one of our underwriters.

*** Please note that these email addresses do not apply to personal lines applications and requests at this time. Thank you! ***

We are excited to introduce our new Non Profit Package Product! Our product is specifically designed for Foundations, Chambers of Commerce, Trade Associations and Counseling/Referral Services. For renewal accounts, this will be the perfect companion to our existing Non Profit Directors and Officers Policy.

This All-In-One Product offers:
•Property & General Liability coverage via a Businessowners Form
•Non Profit Directors & Officers and Employment Practices Liability Coverage
•Special Events and Liquor Liability Coverage
•Professional Liability and Abuse & Molestation Coverage for Counseling & Referral Services
•Available on an admitted basis in most states
•Automatic Coverage provided for volunteers

Are you looking for a STANDARD farm market - have you tried American Reliable? American Reliable Farmers and Ranchers Insurance Program is a standard farm program with the most comprehensive coverage available in the market today. It insures the dwelling and contents, as well as outbuildings, liability, livestock and farm equipment. This program is intended to compete with your other standard farm markets. This is NOT a non-standard farm program. For more information contact Kim Mayer at ext. 256 or Loraine Sloat at ext. 240.

R.W. Scobie, Inc. of Eau Claire, WI is pleased to announce our expanded presence in Wisconsin and Minnesota with the addition of Tower Special Facilities. Their offices in Waukesha, WI and New Hope, MN combined with Midwest General Agency and Midwest General Brokerage bring the finest specialty companies to the Independent Agents of the upper Midwest.

Gary Kubesch, Bill Hauenstine, Russ Ely and their staff will continue to provide the exemplary service their loyal friends in Wisconsin and Minnesota have come to enjoy.

The joined forces of Scobie / Tower in Wisconsin and Minnesota and First Western Insurance, Inc., Iowa and Nebraska will now serve our agents with more than 100 trusted insurance professionals.

Peter Scobie and Rob Giles are proud of the new alliance and the opportunities it brings to our friends in the upper Midwest, today and in the future.

We are also pleased to announce the promotion of Jonathan Niebergall to manager of Premium Finance Corporation. Please join us in congratulating him and our new associates at Tower Special Facilities.

Peter B. Scobie Robert S. Giles
Chairman & CEO President & COO

We now have National Indemnity Company for Garage business in Wisconsin. They will write both dealer and non-dealer policies. National Indemnity applications can be found in the Application section of the website. Please call us to see if they would be a market for the particular account you are trying to place. The following underwriters are waiting to hear from you:

Erin @ ext 239
Kim @ ext 262
Mary @ ext 257
Camille @ ext 260

Welcome to our Hot News section!