Crisis is unpredictable and often strikes out of the blue. There is no industry that can help people more when they need it the most. Only insurance can help protect you in case of panic and better overcome the crisis. Insurance is basically the promise to pick up people and put them back on their feet when they’ve had losses to their most valued possessions.
Among the leaders in the insurance industry is Allied Trust Insurance Company, a multiline personal lines insurance carrier which provides homeowners, dwelling fire for rental and seasonal homes, condominium, flood, boat and umbrella policies in Texas, Louisiana, North and South Carolina. Under the visionary guidance of Brian Keefer, President, Allied Trust is committed to offer comprehensive coverage for all of its policyholders‘ assets.
Brian Keefer is a proven executive with an extensive experience in executive and operations management, start–ups, turnarounds, product management, marketing, strategic planning, and business development. He boosts an impressive track record of leading companies to unprecedented levels of growth and profitability.
“I wanted to create a company that helped people and provided superior ease of use and customer service for both of our customers, our policyholders and independent agents that represent us,” shares Brian. And out of his vision, Allied Trust was born.
Significant Accomplishments
In February 2015, Brian stepped into the investor’s office with nothing but some money in the bank and the first policy was sold exactly one year later. After years of continuous growth, the written premium has now grown to $225 million in 2023. Allied Trust was named the fastest growing company in the insurance industry in 2020.
“This has been accomplished with a bottom–line mentality which has served us well as many companies have failed over that time.” Brian adds, “Looking back, we had 16 competitors who were regional carriers serving the Texas and/or Louisiana markets. Today, only three of us are still in existence with the same ownership group. This has left Allied Trust in a commanding competitive position in hard markets with high premiums.”
Navigating Setbacks
About 45 to 50% of the total natural catastrophe losses over the last 30 years have occurred in just the past 5 to 6 years. This has led to not only higher losses, but also much higher reinsurance (the insurance carriers buy) costs which have led to companies failing and/or leaving the personal lines space. Allied Trust has maintained its disciplined approach with proper pricing, risk selection, and agency management to remain a stable provider of property insurance.
It’s a place where we utilize everyone’s knowledge and experience to the betterment of the company and our customers.
Setting New Standards with Insurance Products
Allied Trust strives to provide superior ease of use to its independent agents and policyholders. Allied’s quoting platform is one of the quickest in the industry. It not only provides a homeowners quote within one to two minutes, but also federal and private flood, and an umbrella quote at the same time. Thus, agents can quote four products from Allied Trust in less time than homeowners alone which normally takes at least five minutes from other carriers.
Allied Trust has developed a proprietary rating system that creates infinitely fine pricing segmentation for catastrophic hurricane and other wind/hail rates that are adequate and consistent with how its reinsurers view the risk.
The Company has also designed its dwelling fire product to meet the needs of rental property owners. With Allied Trust, up to ten properties can be scheduled on a single policy making administration of the portfolio much easier. Additionally, many times properties are purchased that need to be renovated which typically requires both a dwelling fire and a builder’s risk policy to be inforce during the renovation. Allied has combined these policies making it simpler for landlords to purchase and renovate properties for their portfolio.
A highly–motivated team that drives success
Allied Trust’s competitive advantage lies in its people and the team. “We hire smart, driven individuals that want to make a difference, and they can at Allied Trust,” Brian emphasizes. “It’s a place where we utilize everyone’s knowledge and experience to the betterment of the company and our customers.”
Allied Trust was also awarded the Top Insurance Employer in both 2020 and 2023. The Company fosters a work hard, play hard environment where the team enjoys one another’s company and celebrates successes. Teamwork is at an optimum, where everyone is there to support one another towards the best overall outcome.
Future: Trends and Opportunities
Climate change has increased the severity, and to a certain extent frequency, of natural catastrophes. This has led to failures of many companies. Allied Trust Insurance now enjoys limited competition in markets with higher premiums and newer roofs with reinsurance costs plateauing and beginning to soften after a few years of 30 to 40% increases. This provides great opportunities for Allied Trust to thrive in the future.
