B.A.S.I.C. Training at Camp FAMI April 2015
Farmers Alliance offers B.A.S.I.C. Training at Camp FAMI twice each year at the company’s home office in McPherson, Kansas. New agency staff, producers and owners, or agents new to Farmers Alliance, review each of the company’s products, discuss marketing sales strategies, and network with company staff. Our most recent group of “graduates” are pictured here — we’re expecting great things from this group!
MCPHERSON, KANSAS –Congratulations to Amy Timson and Jason Hageman for being chosen to receive the President’s Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) Scholarship by The Institutes. The CPCU designation is respected as the premier property casualty insurance credential.
Jason Hageman
Amy Timson
Timson is a Regional Underwriting Manager and Hageman is a Senior Field Claims Adjuster at Farmers Alliance. Both are pursuing the CPCU designation. According to Joe Brossard, President and CEO at Farmers Alliance, “I couldn’t be happier to have Amy and Jason recognized in this way. They are great examples of the commitment to ongoing education at Farmers Alliance, and it is rewarding to see them receive this well-deserved recognition.” The President’s CPCU Scholarship recognizes high performing individuals within the property-casualty industry. The Scholarship covers the cost of CPCU textbooks, course guides, SMART Study Aids and exam registration fees.
The property-casualty insurance industry is constantly changing, and so are the education and skill requirements needed to succeed in today’s challenging economy. That’s why Farmers Alliance continues to place a high value on continuing professional development. Lifelong professional development provides employees with the insurance knowledge and competencies needed to reach career goals.
The Institutes are independent, not-for-profit organizations offering knowledge solutions and professional development services to the risk management and property-casualty insurance community. The Institutes offer the CPCU designation program; associate designation programs in claims, risk management, underwriting and reinsurance; introductory and foundation programs; and online courses, all of which help drive better decision making to propel business success. To learn more about these programs, visit The Institutes’ web site.
Keith Birkhead
MCPHERSON, KANSAS — In early March, 2015, Farmers Alliance CEO Keith Birkhead retired from Farmers Alliance after a 38-year career. He will continue as Chairman of the Board for the Farmers Alliance Companies.
Moving to Kansas from Texas, L. Keith Birkhead joined Farmers Alliance in 1976 in the Accounting Department. He was promoted to Assistant Vice President, and then Vice President of Accounting in 1979. Continuing to accept additional responsibilities, he served as Treasurer from June 1985 to June 1997, and as Secretary from March 1989 to June 1997. In June 1997 he was named President and CEO of the Farmers Alliance Companies.
During his tenure as President & CEO, Birkhead also provided leadership to several industry organizations, including the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, the Alliance of American Insurers, and American Institute for Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters.
Birkhead has made significant contributions to the McPherson community. In addition to supporting church and school activities as his children grew up, he also served on the boards of Peoples Bank and Trust, McPherson Health Care Foundation, McPherson Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), Multi-Community Diversified Services (MCDS), Disability Supports of the Great Plains and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). With his family, he also developed a large area in downtown McPherson, including multiple retail spaces.
In 2007 Birkhead received the “President’s Award” from the McPherson Chamber of Commerce, in recognition of his contributions to the business community of McPherson. Birkhead was heralded as “someone who has unselfishly given their time for the betterment of McPherson.”
Birkhead was recognized by a special resolution at the Farmers Alliance Companies’ 127th Policyholders’ Meeting in February, 2015. The resolution formally thanked him for his exemplary, loyal, and dedicated service to the Companies.
According to Joe Brossard, President and CEO at Farmers Alliance, “Keith leaves a legacy of service and professionalism, carried out each day through the staff at Farmers Alliance. We will work hard to maintain the standards that he has set, and to build on the strong foundation he helped to create.”
Birkhead was honored at a reception at the Farmers Alliance Home Office in early March, where hundreds of coworkers, agents, policyholders, community members, family and friends gathered to celebrate his career.
With an Agri-Range farmowners policy from Farmers Alliance, you can have the best all-in-one insurance package!
Basic coverages for your residence, other structures and your personal property. Includes coverage for your home, including additions and built-in components, other structures related to your home (fences, driveways, sidewalks and other permanently installed outdoor fixtures), and your household property. There are special limits for some items (money, securities, watercraft, jewelry, etc.), which can be personalized for your specific needs. Some coverage is also available for outdoor antennas, well pumps, and private power and light poles.
Extra coverage options. You can choose a great package of additional coverages — the AR PLUS, or use the a la carte approach and choose only what you want. The AR PLUS includes thousands of dollars of coverage for one low price.
Remember you need liability coverage, too. The type of coverage you need is partially determined by the ownership structure of your farm or ranch. Your Farmers Alliance agent can advise you on the proper approach. And rest assured that options are available for personal or commercial liability coverage, plus a great Umbrella Liability policy option for even more protection. costa rica You’ve worked hard for what you have — make sure it’s protected!
With your Agri-Range policy, you can include personal vehicles or farm trucks or even your home in town if you don’t live on the farm. There are discounts available specifically for your auto coverage (for example, anti-lock brakes, defensive driving course completion, driver training, good student, and passive restraint discounts), as well as savings for combining your auto and property coverages. And, your billing is conveniently combined as well.
You might never need it, but it’s great to know you’re protected by Farmers Alliance’s excellent claims service. With more than a century of experience protecting farmers and ranchers, our experts understand your needs. You’ll choose your claims settlement option at the time you buy your policy (replacement cost or actual cash value), plus you’ll have the instant savings of our Common Cause of Loss Deductible in the event your property and vehicles or equipment are all damaged at the same time.
Agri-Range from Farmers Alliance is truly the ultimate “package deal”. Talk to a Farmers Alliance agent today to learn more!
We could provide a lengthy list of reasons to choose Farmers Alliance as your insurance company, but one of our policyholders provides the best reason of all.
Faye Hargadine
Here is Faye’s story…
May 4th of 2007 will be marked forever on calendars in western and central Kansas. That evening a category F5 tornado ripped through much of the area, particularly devastating the community of Greensburg, while affecting many, many others on the storm’s path through Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota. Such a devastating event right through Farmers Alliance territory created many challenges for our company, but also presented the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to our policyholders. Faye needed us!
Faye survived the Greensburg tornado, in her home, by covering her body with a recliner for protection. Faye strongly feels that the Lord’s hand was on her shoulder, as large sheets of metal roofing were found slashed through the bathroom area where she had originally planned to take cover. Faye’s home was totally destroyed, yet she feels blessed in that several special pieces of jewelry, including her wedding rings, and pieces of her Angel figurines were found in the debris.
Farmers Alliance’s claims staff and the area agents did their jobs well during the catastrophe, and have received many compliments from customers. Faye, though, wanted to do just a little more. As her new home was nearing completion and she prepared for an Open House celebration, Faye contacted her Farmers Alliance agent, asking for permission to display a “This Property is Protected by Farmers Alliance” sign in her yard at her new home. What a testimony to the impact our superb claims handling has had on our customers during their most challenging of situations. We were happy to provide Faye with her sign!
There is much rebuilding yet to be done in Greensburg, but Faye is rebuilding her life, just as she was able to rebuild her home. Best wishes to Faye on her new home, which Farmers Alliance is happy to protect!
Farmers Alliance is known for providing excellent claims service. This customer’s story is just one example of that service. If you’re not a Farmers Alliance customer yet, contact a Farmers Alliance agent today! To find out more about our great products, click here.
Feeling lost about identity protection? We’ll help you find your way. Get the direction you need with the ID RiskCompass™.
This easy-to-use tool evaluates whether you are effectively protecting your personally identifiable information. Identity theft is a fast-growing crime that targeted nearly 13 million Americans this year. Don’t become another victim. Answer a few questions to get your Risk Level, which determines if you are at low, medium or high risk of identity theft. You will have an opportunity to review your answers and print a summary report. The report also will provide helpful tips on how to better safeguard your identity and shield yourself from potential risk.
Click the Image to determine your Risk Level
All Farmers Alliance policyholders automatically receive professional Identity Resolution Services from IDT911 at no charge. Contact your Farmers Alliance agent, who will get you in touch with the IDT911 experts. You can also find more helpful information from IDT911 here.
Not a Farmers Alliance customer yet? Contact an agent today!
Today, equipment keeps all kinds of farms going… and income flowing. When equipment breaks down, it can bring farm operations and income to a halt. Most equipment now contains highly sensitive technology that can be badly damaged by something as common, simple and sudden as a power surge. Most property insurance coverage (like an Agri-Range policy) excludes equipment breakdown losses, leaving farm owners with a big exposure. Unbudgeted losses from a breakdown can be extremely costly, and in many cases, greatly impact the bottom line.
All farms have equipment breakdown exposures. When surveying your farm, look around: grain augers, grain dryers, emergency generators, power panels, pumps, motors and ventilating fans and systems — all of these have potential for equipment breakdown exposures.
Equipment Breakdown coverage provides protection from damage by:
• Short circuits/electrical arcing • Utility power surges
• Mechanical breakdown • Motor burnout • Centrifugal force
Types of covered equipment:
Electrical Distribution Systems
Heating and Cooling Systems
Refrigeration and Controlled Environments
Boilers and Pressure Vessels
Computers & Electronic Equipment
Mechanical Equipment
Irrigation Equipment – including center pivots, wheels, drive mechanisms, motors & gears
Vehicle-mounted GPS Equipment
Please Note: Coverage does NOT apply to certain vehicles, such as: cars, trucks, trailers, tractors, harvesters or other self propelled vehicles.
To add this coverage to your Agri-Range policy, contact your agent today!
If you’re not a Farmers Alliance customer yet, click here to find a Farmers Alliance agent near you.
Having the right Homeowners insurance is very important. It’s a “safety net” in case something were to ever happen to your home. Having the RIGHT coverage, and having ENOUGH coverage are both critical.
• Your home, including additions and built-in components (built-in cabinets, decks, attached garage).
• Unattached structures related to your home. Coverage also applies to fences, driveways, sidewalks and other permanently installed outdoor fixtures.
• Your household property owned by you, or in your care. There are special limits for some personal property items (money, securities, watercraft, jewelry, etc.) which can be personalized for your specific needs.
• Additional living expenses you might incur if a covered loss makes your insured premises unlivable.
• Other specialized coverages are available, such as Lock Replacement, Riding Lawn Mowers & Snowblowers, Refrigerated Food Products and many more. These can be customized to your personal situation, and may even be included at no additional charge.
Click here to find out more information on Homeowners insurance from Farmers Alliance.
To find a Farmers Alliance agent near you, click here.
Farmers Alliance President Joe Brossard talks to Tabor College students
Special guests from Tabor College (Hillsboro, Kansas) recently visited the Farmers Alliance Home Office. 48 students and 4 instructors attended as a part of their business interterm courses.
Farmers Alliance President and Chief Operating Officer, Joe Brossard, talked about risks. Paul Taliaferro, CFO and Treasurer, talked about the finance side of the business. Greg McCullough, Vice President of Human Resources, wrapped things up by talking about careers and the majors that Farmers Alliance looks for when recruiting.
Kara Lang
MCPHERSON, KANSAS — Kara Lang, CPCU, has been promoted to Vice President, Underwriting & Product Management, effective immediately. Kara joined Farmers Alliance in 2002, and has worked in various areas in the Underwriting department, most recently as Regional Underwriting Manager for the Midwest territory (Kansas, Oklahoma & Nebraska), since 2009.
Lang achieved the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation in 2006, and the Associate in Commercial Underwriting (AU) designation in 2007. She also holds the designations of Associate in Insurance Services (INS), Associate in Personal Insurance (API), and Supervisory Management (SM). Kara is a graduate of Fort Hays State University with a degree in Business Management. She is active in the Wichita Chapter for CPCU, as well as several local community organizations.
She and her husband, Chet, have three children and reside in McPherson.
