VFBMIC: Channel Independent

Facing the challenges of changing membership needs and demands, Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. (VFBMIC, Richmond, $160 million in gross written premium) has signed a contract with AscendantOne (Nashua, NH) to provide a browser-based property-and-casualty front-office suite. The deal also includes Fiserv/SIS (Brookfield, WI) back-office functionalities through a resell agreement.

The implementation will help VFBMIC to reach a growing proportion of associate members, versus traditional agricultural producer members, across its captive distribution network, while also opening an online distribution channel, according to Jeffrey Fehn, director of information services, VFBMIC. "We recognize that not everyone wants to do business with an agent, especially in the more urban areas," Fehn says.

AscendantOne components include QuoteFocus, RateFocus, PolicyFocus and ClientFocus for customer relationship management.

With components, VFBMIC is able to leverage its investment in existing technology, rather than abandoning it, says Paul Philp, CEO Ascendant-One. "It also enables us to bring in Fiserv, to make the offer more attractive."

Anthony O'Donnell has covered technology in the insurance industry since 2000, when he joined the editorial staff of Insurance & Technology. As an editor and reporter for I&T and the InformationWeek Financial Services of TechWeb he has written on all areas of information ... View Full Bio