US ICMIF member EMC Insurance Companies has earned 2023 DCC Elite™ certification from Deep Customer Connections. The honour was awarded to only five US-based property and casualty insurance companies and represents exceptional performance in, and commitment to, ease of business experienced by independent agents.

DCC Elite™ certification requires two levels of qualification. First, Deep Customer Connections verifies that each carrier demonstrates mastery in ease of business using standardised metrics and competitive benchmarks derived from the carrier’s agent network. Second, carriers must pledge to implement specific strategies to further improve their performance in ease of business factors.

“It’s rewarding to be recognised for the ease of business we offer agents,” said Scott Jean, EMC President and CEO. “Having quality relationships with independent agents is vital to us at EMC, and we’re committed to growing even more in that area by being willing to hear feedback from our agents and implement improvements that respond to their needs.”

Over the past year, agency consolidations intensified agents’ expectations for fast, reliable service. As agencies merge or join large networks, they receive access to more data proving that carrier inefficiencies in closing business suppresses their own efficiency and profitability, according to Jason Bogart, CEO of Deep Customer Connections. Agents give their best business to carriers who help them improve their efficiency and profitability by closing business quickly and accurately.

“The DCC Elite programme recognises carriers who step up in a profound way to support their distribution network,” Bogart said. “Many carriers claim to make it easy for their agents to write business, but few actively invite anonymous feedback from each of their agents to make sure that they deliver on their promise. DCC Elite carriers have proven their dedication to ongoing innovation and improving ease of business when it comes to serving their agents.”