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MARQUETTE, MI – May 24, 2012 – ProAssurance Casualty Company (ProAssurance) has formed an agreement  with VAST, a solutions based insurance and risk management firm, as “gatekeeper” for its Community-Based Hospital (CBH) program for non-ProAssurance licensed agents within a defined territory. This agreement includes Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and the northern half of the Lower Peninsula.

In its new role, VAST will expand access to ProAssurance’s CBH program to independent insurance agencies that currently lack access to admitted markets in this insurance segment. This action will also broaden ProAssurance’s service to a greater share of Michigan’s hospital professional and general liability insurance market. VAST’s active involvement and strong relationships with Michigan hospitals makes it ideal for its role as the CBH portal for non-ProAssurance-licensed agents.

ProAssurance and VAST serve Michigan’s medical community by providing business solutions that help reduce the uncertainty of today’s practice of medicine and provide greater control. Insurance solutions include valuable risk management resources.

Located in Marquette, Michigan, VAST (www.vastsolution.com) is an independent agency specializing in assessing and managing risk for healthcare professionals. As the delivery of healthcare continues to evolve into the future (healthcare reform, reducing reimbursements, electronic health records, social media, etc.), healthcare providers face many new risks today. The Professional Solutions team at VAST utilizes a unique process to identify, prioritize, and quantify risks that are affecting healthcare facilities today and develop a plan for the facilities future. In addition to Medical Professional Liability, VAST’s team specializes in cyber liability, management liability, workers compensation, property, fleet, and alternative risk solutions.

ProAssurance (www.proassurance.com) specializes in medical professional liability and is recognized as one of the top performing insurance companies in America by virtue of its inclusion in the Ward’s Top 50^®for the past five consecutive years. ProAssurance is rated A (Strong) by Fitch Ratings; ProAssurance Group is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Auto-Owners Insurance is pleased to announce that VAST, of Marquette, Michigan, has been named one of the Top 10 growth agencies for the Company in the Traverse City Region for 2011.  The agency was recognized at a luncheon meeting in Traverse City, MI, and at a reception with all regional associates, where they and other recipients were presented with a plaque commemorating their accomplishment. VAST has represented Auto-Owners since 1942.

Rod Rupp, Executive Vice President of Auto-Owners, thanked the agency for its support and its business, stating, “Their growth and support only help to make the entire community stronger and more secure.  We are grateful they choose to do business with us.”

Auto-Owners Insurance is a Michigan based company founded in 1916 in Mt. Pleasant.  Auto-Owners is a Fortune 500 company and one of only 9 carrier groups to receive A.M. Best’s highest rating, A++ (Superior).  Recognized as “The ‘No Problem’ People”^® for its superior claims service, Auto-Owners is ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with the Auto Insurance Claims Experience,” four years in a row for 2008 – 2011 according to J.D. Power and Associates.  Auto-Owners is headquartered in Lansing, Michigan and serves policyholders in 26 states.

VAST announces two new members have recently joined their agency.  Scott Reddinger, a native of Kingsford, has joined the Personal Insurance Team as an Account Manager and recently obtained his State of Michigan Property and Casualty License.  He received his Bachelor of Science from Central Michigan University majoring in Elementary Education and resides in Marquette.  Megan McLain also became part of the VAST Team within our Benefits Division.   She was raised in Marquette and is a graduate of Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology.  Megan has obtained her State of Michigan Life, Accident and Health License. 

Lindsie Williams, Benefits Account Manager at VAST, has successfully received the designation of Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) after the successful completion of five courses covering all areas of insurance risks and exposures, followed by extensive examinations.  The CISR program is distinguished from other programs of its kind by an annual continuing education requirement, which ensures that designees stay current on the important policy changes and trends within the industry.  She is commended for her dedication to professionalism as evidenced by the completion of the CISR designation and her commitment to continuing education. 

Kelly Reed, Jay Hillier. Pam Stewart and Tom Cousineau have all obtained their Licensed Insurance Counselor (LIC) designation.  This designation will help VAST enhance its business relationships with the ability to create specialized programs.

VAST is currently a team of 31 dedicated professionals.  The agency is a leader in benefits and financial services, business insurance for organizations ranging in size from small main street business to the largest employers in the area.  The agency also specializes in personal insurance with an advanced model for Total Asset Protection going well beyond home and auto policies.  For more information please contact Beth Swanson, Human Resources Director at beths@vastsolution.com or call VAST at 906.228.7500.

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VAST - press release 3.12.12 [download]