Home
Degree Programs
Faculty
Our Students
Department News
Alumni
Student Resources
Links
Research
Support
FAQ
Contact Us
School of Business
Following are links to the World Wide Web pages of insurers, agents, brokers, and insurance related organizations. They are maintained as an educational resource to illustrate the rich and innovative applications by the insurance industry on the WWW.
The quality of applications is extremely variable. Some of the sites listed here are primitive in design, have minimal functionality, have non-functioning links, and outdated content. Other sites are full of useful content and well designed. Annotations for selected sites are provided to assist the browser to understand the nature of the Web sponsor's business and to identify novel or unusual features of the site design. No attempt is made to verify or warrant statements or claims made in these Web sites. Nothing on this page should be taken or used as an endorsement of a company or its products and services by the UW-Madison School of Business. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the Actuarial Science, Risk Management and Insurance Department. This material should not be reproduced without permission.
Insurance on the Internet
To request the addition of an insurer or broker to this list, please send URL to Page Webmaster, Gregory Krohm.
copyright Gregory Krohm 1997, all rights reserved
Last Changes to this Page: November 05, 1999
- Property and Casualty/Multiline Insurers
- Specialty P&C
- Worker's Compensation Insurance
- Surety Bonds
- Professional Reinsurers
- Life Insurance
- Agents
- Brokers & Consultants
- Health Insurance
- Trade Associations
- Professional Associations
Property and Casualty/Multiline Insurers
This listing is intended to be as complete as possible for U.S. property and casualty insurers. It contains a more select sample of alien insurers. If known, the national origin of non-U.S. sites are listed in parenthesis.
Admiral Insurance (UK)
Large direct writer of auto insurance that offers full line of service via its Web site, including claims reporting and adjusting. Contains interesting explanation of English rating plans for motor insurance, including the "bonus" credits universally applied throughout the EU. (8/97)
AIG Hawaii
They claim to be "Largest provider of mass marketed automobile insurance in the State of Hawaii." Uses travel clock give away to encourage visitors to sign "guest book," which is probably a very valuable research and marketing tool.
AIG Mexico
All in Spanish. Good description of products and marketing techniques AIG sells in much of Mexico.
American Financial Group
This is a simple home page that performs like an electronic version of an annual report, e.g., CEO message, shareholder information, etc. Consumers will not find much of interest here.
Allstate Insurance
This illustrates the "state of the art" in marketing and policyholder service. Demonstrates how a carrier can help shoppers locate nearby agents. One of several insurers with on an on-line magazine (e-zine); it would be interesting to know how well used these are by the public. Technical note: the builders of this site allowed the text to load quickly so that the viewer can read it while the high resolution color photos download much more slowly. More sites should do this. (8/97)
This site also has hyperlinks to Allstate Webs servicing Germany, Canada, and Japan. This demonstrates a very significant strategic move based on emerging Web technology.
American International Group
This is one of several AIG Groups sites. The corporate group seems to have a very decentralized approach to promoting member companies and products on the Web. This site received attention early in history of insurance-on-the-Web by using a most unusual marketing gimmick: "Spectra.Net has made special arrangements with AIG Life Insurance Company for you to receive $2,000 of Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance at no cost to you. To receive this coverage, simply complete our enrollment form at the end of this page."
American Family Mutual
Many insurers use their Web sites as recruitment tools for agents and other personnel. This site is a typical example.
Arkwright Mutual
Very colorful, user-friendly site; good use of animation techniques. As expected from a company with a tradition in highly protected property risk insurance, this site is loaded with interesting safety and loss control tips and tests.
Arbella Indemnity Insurance
Specialist in "value added" workers' compensation insurance.
Argonaut Insurance Group
Minimalist site for a specialist in worker's Compensation and other P&C coverages. Also includes link to Argonaut Great Central Insurance company.
Assurances Generales des caisses Desjardins (CA)
Atlantic Mutual
Very colorful, high tech site designed to appeal to a particular market segment: electronic components manufacturer, hardware/software consulting firms, internet services companies, software developers, etc.
Belair Insurance (CA)
Canadian insurer that is direct marketing in French and English.
California Auto Insurance
This site seems to be appealing to the budget conscious buyer. Offers an application that concludes with the following rather unusual offer from an on-line source: "Please take a moment to complete and submit this form. We will contact you to arrange for your free consultation. If you have not heard from us within one business day, please call (415) 986-6218 to verify that we have received your form."
California Farm Insurance
Well designed, colorful, cartoon-like graphics and home-spun style of communication are designed to appeal to the agricultural consumer. (9/97)
CB Direct (Belgum)
They offer on-line auto quotes to Belgian residents. This site supports English, Dutch and French browsers. (8/97)
Countrywide Bank Insurance (NZ)
Want a taste of what the future will be like with banks selling insurance? Look at this New Zealand site for a glimpse at the way it might be.
Chubb
Standard format for page and links. Relatively slow to download due to heavy use of graphics--all too common a problem.
CIGNA
This page offers similar links to the Chubb site but is faster to download and connect to linked pages. Compare the international marketing content in the two sites; this site seems to be more functional and offer e-mail assistance to finding agents abroad.
CNA
This is a very plain site that looks like a first draft. This interesting message is one of the first things you see: "If you are seeing this page, you are are (sic) not getting the full effect of our Web site. All the information is the same, but if you download one of the newer browsers such as Netscape or Internet Explorer, you'll get added functionality, easier navigati (sic) on, and cooler graphics!"
Colonial Penn
On-line quotes for auto insurance aimed at the value oriented shopper.
Commercial Union (UK)
Commercial Union Assurance (UK)
Commercial Union Direct (AU)
This an Australian carrier that is trying to market personal lines like an everyday commodity with on-line sales: "We have reconstructed the traditional insurance process to make it much easier to deal with. You do not need to be a rocket scientist to understand and fill out our very simple and short forms."
Connecticut Mortgage Clearinghouse
Their home page states: "All mortgage lenders have offices in Connecticut. All companies are licensed by the state of Connecticut. All services on this site are free !!" This insurer maintains clones of this site in several eastern states.
Crum & Forster
Plain and basic site: containing general information about the company and an agent & claims office locator.
CUNA Mutual
Fidelity bonds and other risk related products offered to credit union members. Very detailed product information about bonds, apparently aimed at a sophisticated financial officer of a credit union.
EA Generali (Italy)
Interesting multilingual site that advertises "the insurer without frontiers."
Erie Insurance Group
Multiline insurer using the site to differentiate its products for their special features and services. Excellent use of frames to assit viewer differentiate materials. Site features a niche product, "Mortgage Cancellation Life Insurance" and other consumer information. (9/97)
Factory Mutual
A good source of information on property loss control. Includes a catalog of resource materials and training aids, such as an interesting board game on risk management.
Farmers Insurance Group
An unusual feature of this site is an "e-zine" or on-line magazine that includes popular stories not related to insurance, e.g. "How Fly Fishers Learn the Angles."
Florida Farm Bureau Companies
Straightforward and useful site for property coverages aimed at rural Florida risks.
Florists' Mutual Insurance
Florists' Insurance Companies are exclusively dedicated to providing the highest quality of specialized insurance products and financial services to Floral and Horticultural Industry Businesses. The insurer sponsors a very complete horticultural resource page link to the insurance home page.
Fremont Comp
This site tries to use advanced Jave to add spice, but many users will be forced to use the text only version because their browsers will not interpret the Java applets. O, for better standardization! This company is a self-proclaimed leader in anti-fraud activities, which are featured heavily on this site. (9/97)
GEICO
This company is famous for its success in direct marketing of auto insurance. Their Web site advertises "direct sales 24 hours a day." However, they avoid taking applications or queries over the Internet. Instead they feature their 800 number. (8/97)
General Accident
Comprehensive site with many related links to other insurance sites and affiliated companies worldwide. General Accident affiliates have a coordinated "look and feel" to their web sites. They have a fun link to "Zany Claims" received from their policyholders. (8/97)
General Accident (UK)
On-line quotes for travel insurance from a direct writer.
General Accident (CA)
Strong direct sales pitch on a comprehensive web site: "Our online home premium quotation service is now available for Ontario and British Columbia! It's quick! It gives an immediate answer! If you like the quote, you can send it right away to an insurance broker. Online insurance applications qualify for a 10% discount."
General Reinsurance
General Reinsurance is the largest professional property/casualty reinsurer domiciled in the United States. This site explains their services and affiliated companies.
Hanover Insurance
This site was very slow to download the two times I tried to visit it, perhaps because of the heavy graphics. Quick downloads keep visitors and create a good first impression.
Hartford Steam Boiler Ins.
This home page proclaims the insurer's specialty expertise: "The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection and Insurance Co. is the world's oldest and largest insurer of power, process and production equipment. Our Engineering Services department was founded with the benefit of that experience." Very deep content on engineering and risk control.
The Hartford
One of the first insurers on the WWW, they a sophisticated site with a full range of functions and information, but at the time of the last visit this site seems to be suffering neglect and loss of vision. (9/97)
Kemper National
Unusual home page layout. Some uncommon links apparently aimed at youthful insureds, e.g., home page links to "college connection" and "weird news."
Lawyers Title Insurance Co.
Everything from a consumer-friendly explanation of what title insurance is to more arcane information for investors, attorneys and agents.
Lititz Mutual Insurance Co.
One of the smaller insurers you will see on the WWW. A notable feature is the difficulty in finding the address or location of this insurer. This would frustrate a consumer trying to make a purchase decision. Functionality is basic, but it has a "down home" feel.
Maryland Group
This site has rudimentary links for claims and billing, but, like most insurance sites, still fails to exploit the potential for interactive forms.
Nationwide
The only insurance Web site reviewed here that is designed to serve a specific area of the US (you are expected to pick the site for your location from a US map). The first link you notice is an "agency locator" to help you find the closest Nationwide agent. The second most prominent link is for filing claims, but this just takes you to a toll free number and an invitation to contact an agent. Understated design and basic functionality.
The Ohio Casualty Group
This site offers to download useful agency management software to its independent agents.
Ophthamologic Mutual Insurance Co.
A risk retention group specializing in one professional coverage sponsored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Pekin Insurance
Regional insurer that lets you know up front where it markets by a four state map on its home page.
Pemco
Their home page is densely packed with text about buying auto insurance. This information intensive page may work for the knowledgeable shopper looking for good value and speedy access to data about the product or price.
Progressive Insurance
A pioneering insurance site on the WWW. This site created a stir by offering on-line rate comparisons with its largest competitors.
Reliance National Insurance
One of the most extensive/sophisticated uses of detailed, interactive forms to receive commercial risks from brokers. Disclaimer states: "Receipt of this Preliminary Submission by Reliance National shall NOT constitute binding of coverage, but will reserve the account in your name for 72 hours. To continue account reservation, Reliance National must receive a complete submission within 72 hours for review of acceptability."
Secura Mutual Insurance
Warm colors and friendly graphics mixed with lots of dry facts about the company and products.
State Farm Mutual
This site has several noteworthy features: 1) the claims links are loaded with very practical tips about preventing and filing claims (e.g., the windshield damage page is very sophisticated); 2) it has a couple of quizzes sprinkled throughout the site though one wonders who besides insurance students actually takes them (how many browsers are interested in "testing their knowledge about frozen pipes?"); the legibility of some pages is poor to bad due to small font sizes on backgrounds with poor contrast colors. Great site for insurance professionals, but may overpower the average household browser.
St. Paul Travelers
The new site that combines St. Paul and Travelers. Highly rated by several Web critics. The site design, scope, and excellent content make it one of the best example of an insurer exploiting the power of the WWW. (7/97)
Trustguard Insurance (UK)
This site is one of many that illustrates the British are highly aggressive and innovative in direct marketing of insurance over the WWW. This insurer offers on-line quotes for homeowners coverage: "Produces a quotation straight away (a global first!)"
United Heartland Insurance
A specialist in worker's compensation in the Midwest with a reputation for strong managed care and "drug free workplace" programs.
Wisconsin Lawyers Mutual Insurance
Another monoline mutual insurer selling E&O coverage to lawyers.
Western Surety
One notable feature is its direct marketing of agents E&O; coverage to insurance agents through the WWW. On their home page they declare: "We write good, small fidelity and surety bonds and errors and omissions insurance with a conservative underwriting philosophy, and provide superior one-day service to our customers, the nation's independent insurance agencies."
Zenith Insurance
Gateway site to a collection of programs and insurers, including Calfarm Insurance noted above.
Zurich-American Insurance
A neat and tidy site that offers--among other things-- sophisticated shoppers a reasonably detailed description of their many commercial products. (8/97)
Specialty P&C
AIG Auto-By-Tel
This siteBy-Tel sales site for new and used automobiles is offered the opportunity to submit a request for quote online to AIG,at its auto insurance quote site. Unlike other financial services sites such as E*Trade, Quicken Financial and others, or Auto-By-Tel itself, as of this writing, AIG does not offer a secure transmission, and does not warn users that their information is vulnerable to interception in transit.
Worker's Compensation Insurance
Accident Fund
An example of a monoline specialist that is using the Web to deliver product information and services, like safety information. Unfortunately, links to information were not functioning at the time of this review. (8/97)
Arbella Indemnity Insurance
This site offers the "garden variety" stuff about itself and its products. What stands out on the home page are the links to "Safety Quiz" and "Safety Surfing in Cyberspace." Both features are mildly interesting for those with professional backgrounds in WC. (9/97)
Illinois Public Risk Fund
Specialized carrier for public entities. Ordinary if not dull site, except for their attempt to publish an on-line newsletter with company and safety information. (9/97)
State Compensation Insurance Fund
This is California's largest workers' compensation insurer. Visit this web site and you start to see why they are so successful. It's packed with interesting features and information. It has on-line magazines for safety professionals (in Spanish and English) and medical providers. They also advertise seminars and educational services. (8/97)
SAIF Corp
Nifty site with a lot of practical, in-depth content, e.g., anti-fraud, safety, etc.. Logical and well featured links on the home page. (9/97)
Workers Compensation Audit Specialists
"Was your premium calculated properly? Is the
audit correct? Are you being overcharged?" This site is an example of the many specialty services that have grown up on the WWW to service insurers or policyholders. (10/97)
Surety Bonds
Asset Guaranty
Self-declared niche: "bond insurance for underserved markets." Most interesting feature is the "guest analyst" colume, containing remarks from an industry expert on insurance related topics. (9/97)
St. Paul Travelers
Large, diverse surety writer with a site that offers a flat recital of corporate facts. (9/97)
Van-American Insurance Co.
Specialists in surety for environmental risks, e.g., reclamation bonds. (9/97)
GIE is a local government reciprocal risk sharing program
that is:
Owned by and operated for participating Local Governments
Professional Reinsurers
Lloyds of London
Well designed site. Good background and history on "Lloyds Heritage" and "famous risks" they have insured. (10/97)
Grinnell Mutual Group
Small reinsurer trying to maintain a wide range of insurance and softward support for very small mutual P&C insurers.
AXA Equitable
This major insurer offers a full line of life and investment products.
Insular Life Assurance Co (Philippines)
London Life Insurance Co. (CA)
Individual and group life and investment products.
Prudential Life Insurance
Very well designed page, with terrific photos and graphics. This powerful site has many advanced financial planning tools for the consumer, e.g., estate planning retirement planning and health care checklists. There once was a price for the beauty: very slow downloading. It's now much faster.
Mutual of New York Life Insurance
Nice page. The graphics are lively to view and quick to download. Clear marketing purposes behind this page--not the scattergun approach followed by other insurers. (8/97)
Metropolitan Life of New York
World class site that features cartoon images of Snoopy. Loads of financial planning information with a real human touch, e.g., a nice article on "Becoming a parent." Lots of humorous and light information, like statistics on the Metlife Blimp. (10/97)
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Demonstrates policyholder service on investment-type products.
Kansas City Life Insurance
This life insurer is one of the first to offer video clips to download via the web site: "100 YEARS WITH KCL" This video requires 4750K of memory and would try the patience of many home users.
Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance
Actuarial game to predict your life expectancy is a good illustration of a game/puzzle/test to draw visitors. Highly rated and early use of the WWW by an insurer.
Densely packed home page. It seemed hard to sort out the links to the many products and services.
Nationwide Provident
Award winning site offers a range of financial services, including life insurance and annuities.
Savings Bank Life Ins. Co
An old line life insurer skillfully using Web technology. They prominantly feature their limited license to market insurance to residents of Mass., New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.
TIAA-CREF Insurance
Heavy use of graphics makes the home page painfully slow to down unless the viewer knows enough to go "text only." Very strong in the use of personal interactive forms to allow customers to maintain their own investment accounts, e.g., check values, transfer funds between accounts, etc.
Agents
A representative of The National Association of Independent Agents estimates that there are over 2,000 independent agency sites of one sort or another on the WWW. Following is only a small sample of the sites hosted by insurance agents. The sites shown here are random selection of sites that illustrate different styles of Web marketing and communication. Location of state specific sites are in parenthesis.
Abel & Swank Ins. Managers (OR)
Representative of a good P&C; agent page
Amerititle (OH )
This is a page that is probably "book marked" by lots of real estate agents in Ohio. Their niche is clear and geographically focused: "Your title insurance and real estate closing agents in central Ohio!"
Berglund Agency
A broker that specializes in motorcycle insurance throughout the US. Here's a different twist: "We also can insure you if you are going to visit the US and travel by motorcycle." Another interesting feature of this site is the way it is located on the "Arizona Bizness Network" (The Bergland Agency graphic is alongside "Easy on Easy Off Boots" and "Erotic Liquid Culture.")
GE Capital Insurance Services
A variety of individual and commercial products marketed on-line, for example, "Let us do the shopping for you. We will source competitive quote estimates to your e-mail box the next business day." Also illustrates the integration of insurance into a multi-product/complex Web site.
InsureMarket
Quicken created quite a stir when they expanded into insurance sales. Here's what they offer: "At InsureMarket, you can receive real-time quotes, obtain information, connect with agents, and compare quotes and purchase policies from the nation's leading insurance companies." Their life insurance buyer's guide is interactive, user-friendly and loaded with features.
Insurance Mart of Ohio
A well thought out site that seeks to promote on-line transactions: "This program is designed to allow you to obtain a rate quotation by compleating (sic) a fact-finder questionnaire for various types of insurance policies, and to do so in the privacy of your home or office, on your schedule and at your pace."
Poulton Associates
Insurance Purchasing Center For Freight Forwarders, Shippers' Agents, and Customs Brokers
Quotesmith Term Life Agent
A pioneer in multi-carrier quotes on life products
Tennant Risk Services (UK)
A wholesale insurance broker and underwriting manager for specialty and non-standard risks, such as E&O;, D&O;, Employment Practices Liability, and Products Liability. Relatively plain presentation of basic product information without interactivity or depth.
Tower Hill Agency
Multiline managing general agent serving the Southeastern U.S.
Worldwide Weather Insurance Agency
This agency offers coverage for just about any event interrupted by weather, from films to matrimony. Good example of niche marketing and effective use of on-line quotes.
Brokers & Consultants
Following are a sampling of links to brokers, consultants, and other special facilities for placing business.
AON, Inc.
The world's largest broker weights into the WWW with some interesting on-line functions.
Bolton & Co.
A pioneer on the Web. Offers a well designed home page that features their areas of specialization.
Intertect, Ltd.
Example of marketing for insurance related services-- insurance surveillance and investigations.
G&T; Insurance Brokers
"Whether you are a graduating student, between jobs, laid off or waiting for an employers health coverage to begin, Short Term Medical Insurance can provide temporary coverage. We are pleased to now offer an easy, on-line application to cover these needs."
InsureMarket
Quicken created quite a stir when they expanded into insurance sales. Here's what they offer: "At InsureMarket, you can receive real-time quotes, obtain information, connect with agents, and compare quotes and purchase policies from the nation's leading insurance companies." Their life insurance buyer's guide is interactive, user-friendly and loaded with features.
Illinois Insurance Exchange
Brings investors and underwriters to bear on placing hard to insurer risks. Contains information about markets, coverages, and ratings.
Insurance Mart of Ohio
A well thought out site that seeks to promote on-line transactions: "This program is designed to allow you to obtain a rate quotation by compleating (sic) a fact-finder questionnaire for various types of insurance policies, and to do so in the privacy of your home or office, on your schedule and at your pace."
MBA Inc. Risk Management Links
Excellent sublink to MBA Inc.'s (actuarial consultant) homepage that contains information for risk managers and safety experts, including weather and storm information, disaster recover information, etc.
MMI Companies, Inc.
This is a healthcare risk management company, with products including healthcare professional liability coverages, risk management consulting services and related services for the healthcare industry.
Michigan Agent Referral Site
Interesting shopper service that obtains multiple quotes on auto coverage and agent referrals
Poulton Associates
Insurance Purchasing Center For Freight Forwarders, Shippers' Agents, and Customs Brokers
Tennant Risk Services (UK)
A wholesale insurance broker and underwriting manager for specialty and non-standard risks, such as E&O;, D&O;, Employment Practices Liability, and Products Liability. Relatively plain presentation of basic product information without interactivity or depth.
United Risk Management Consultants (Sweden)
William R. Storie & Co (Bermuda)
An independent financial consulting and management company based in Hamilton, Bermuda. Maintains information on insurance and reinsurance in Bermuda.
World Insurance Network
The cutting edge of international insurance brokerage can be found at this site. "The World Insurance Network (WIN) was launched as an independent company in November 1995. It is owned by five of the world's largest insurance brokers, and was founded as part of their commitment to advance the industry-wide integration of modern technology. Aon Group, Johnson & Higgins, Marsh & McLennan, Sedgwick and Willis Corroon all believe that electronic commerce will become their preferred method of transacting business in order to increase productivity and continue to enhance client service.
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Demonstrates policyholder service on investment-type products.
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Mass.
Mutual of New York Life Insurance
Nice page. The graphics are lively to view and quick to download. Clear marketing purposes behind this page--not the scattergun approach followed by other insurers.
Metropolitan Life of New York
Heavily visited site, maybe by kids who want to pick up some Snoopy cartoon gifs. from this highly colorful site. (8/97)
Principle Life Insurance
Densely packed home page. It seemed hard to sort out the links to the many products and services.
Accord
Background information on industry association working to standardize applications, binders, claims forms, and other documents used in the P&C industry.
Australian Insurance Institute
The AII provides professional development, education and training for those employed in the insurance industry.
Insurance Information Inst.
On-line access to research and reports.
Property Casualty Insurers Association of America
This site offers a wide range of services for members: meeting notices, position papers, publications, directory, etc. One example is a state level directory of insurance industry related legislative activity, which is only available to members with a password.
The American College
A longstanding, major source of advanced professional training in life insurance and related financial products, primarily through "distance learning."
Balducci's Actuarial , Risk , and Insurance Links
A standard bookmark on the browsers of actuaries who use the WWW.
Casualty Actuarial Society
For Society members and students interested in courses, events, and research papers.
CPCU Society
Supports a wide variety of professional development and services for CPCU members. It has several unique features, such as the chat rooms and bulletin boards for members and non-members.
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
Specific ratings for vehicle crash losses, laws, and other safety information. This is a useful link, found on many insurance company Web sites.
Int. Environmental Liability Management Assoc.
International Environmental Liability Management Association is a group of engineers, attorneys and claims experts dealing with environmental liability issues.
InsWeb
An early insurance site on the WWW that pioneered in offering insurance information. Allows consumers to research companies and products. Offers consumers guides about the use of the Web for insurance and other financial transactions.
Internet Motor Insurance Centre
"The Internet Motor Insurance Centre is a resource for the sharing of information about motor insurance - to help Internet users find out what they need to know about insuring their cars, to provide a forum for discussion and feedback, and to help the industry to learn what issues are important to customers." Offered by Admiral Insurance, a direct writer of auto insurance in the UK.
LOMA
LOMA is an international association of life and health insurance and financial services companies. Supports a variety of education and training.
RMIS Web
Proclaims itself: "The Internet Resource for Risk Management Information Systems." Contains a nice collection of insurance papers and reference material that can be viewed and downloaded.
Complete information as to the activities associated with SOA as well as various links to other related sites.