nal lines
lers
arcades
stand-alone property
London markets
ty lines Nonprofits
apartments
bakeries
Financial Institutions builder’s risk
tailors
professional lines
umbrella agent’s E&O
ops
ty banks
ers
habitational property
pment sales
tractors
ars
veterinarians
accounting services
state unemployment insurance
typesetters
zoos
agencies had a difficult time getting direct contracts, and
the insurance companies were not really looking to write
property business out west anyway.
Recognizing the developing need for market access, the
state association board formed a committee to research
markets for municipalities in the summer of 1980. “That’s
where AScK was born – to help agents,” Ryan affirmed. By
October of 1982, AScK was operational and the association
had approved a municipal insurance program through the
Employers Mutual Casualty Company (EMC). According
to Ryan, the idea to start AScK was not so much about
revenue as “it was trying to take care of agencies. That
was one of the biggest things we could do for them.”
Establishing a market through AScK with EMC allowed
smaller agents to bid on municipal insurance allowing
them to replace some of the income they lost when they
stopped sharing commissions through the local boards.
Since that time, many agents have used AScK to build their
books of business. Moore, who became the accountant for
the association in 1985 reflected, “AScK did a real service
to our members.” She explained, “So many of the smaller
agents couldn’t get their own contracts with a company,
and that’s where we played a really good part in helping
the agent.” In addition to providing market access, AScK
serves as an incubator for independent insurance agencies
in Kansas to build their business. “We’ve had several that
had big business with EMC that went on to get their own
contracts. At some point they have a big enough volume
that they’re able to go on their own,” Moore remarked.
As AScK has expanded programs, more agencies have
benefited from its services. In 2011 Parker-Haskins
Insurance Agency – Dodge City, graduated from AScK
with their MetLife book of business. They had built up
enough business through the association that they were
then able to obtain their own contract directly with the
company. This was their second direct contract that they
had gained by way of writing business through AScK. Three
other agencies have successfully graduated from assistance
through AScK since 2011, obtaining direct contracts with
MetLife, EMC, and The Hartford.
Despite the success stories, AScK has been a topic of
controvers