Neb. Insurer Donating $80K in Ark. in Name of Agencies, Small Business

July 20, 2007

Omaha, Neb.-based workers’ compensation insurer, FirstComp, is celebrating 10 years of business in Arkansas with some big checks and big thanks to independent agencies and policyholders, the company reported.

FirstComp is donating $80,000 to community organizations to recognize three Arkansas agencies and one small-business owner that have partnered 10 years with FirstComp.

The gifts will be distributed at a 10-Year Recognition Ceremony at 11:30 a.m. July 26 at the Hampton Inn in Russellville.

As 10-year partners of FirstComp, Ragsdale Insurance (Russellville), Buffalo Insurance (Cabot) and Campbell & Company Insurance (Morrilton) will receive $10,000 each for their chosen charities.

Barnes Heat and Air Repair Inc. (Russellville) will receive $10,000 for the owner’s chosen charity and $10,000 for owner Emmitt Barnes of Russellville.

FirstComp also plans to contribute $10,000 each to the Children’s Hospital of Little Rock (the favorite charity of the late David Glover, FirstComp’s first sales representative in the state), the Independent Insurance Agents of Arkansas (Big I) and the Professional Insurance Agents of Arkansas (PIA).

FirstComp entered Arkansas in 1997 with a focus on serving smaller independent agencies that write small accounts in small towns, the company said.

FirstComp has written a total of $74.8 million of premium in Arkansas over the 10-year period, and currently provides coverage for 5,038 businesses – more than 10 percent of the state’s market, according to the company. FirstComp was named Carrier of the Year by both the Big I and PIA in Arkansas.

Source: FirsComp, www.firstcomp.com.