Western National

Western National Insurance, headquartered in Edina, is a group of five active property-and-casualty insurance companies (and one affiliate – Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company of Lansing, Mich.) providing personal and commercial coverage in 19 states, plus surety bonds in 38 states, across the Midwestern, Northwestern, and Southwestern U.S. Building quality relationships has been at the core of the company’s operations since it was founded in 1901. From its roots as a direct-writing fire insurer for Minnesota’s creameries and cheese factories, to its current role as an Independent-Agent-driven super-regional insurer for individuals, families, and businesses, Western National has focused on providing exceptional service to its agency partners, policyholders, and local communities. The company is a proud supporter of the MIIAB.

“For nearly 125 years, Western National has partnered with Independent Insurance Agents to quote and sell our products,” said Rick Long, President and Chief Executive Officer. “The particular knowledge and experience held by our agency partners ensures that, together, we are able to provide our mutual policyholders with the best possible options to meet their unique coverage needs. We are proud to call Independent Agents our sole distribution system and we are honored to partner with Independent Agent associations, especially the Big I in our home state, now and in the years to come.”

While Western National is focusing on the future, the Group is also taking time to celebrate its recent successes. In the past year, Western National reached $835 million in policyholder surplus, was named a 2022 Top 200 Workplace in Minnesota, and received recognition once again among the Ward’s Top 50 Benchmark Group of top-performing U.S. property-and-casualty companies (its 17th time in the past 18 years). In addition to these accolades, a strong business plan and the continued hard work of employees and agency partners resulted in growth of the Group’s assets to $1.9 billion.

For 2023, Western National is focused on a number of initiatives built around People, Product, and Performance. Key items of note for Independent Agents include the upcoming launch of new Home products and other personal lines products; recruiting top customer-experience-oriented talent; optimizing technology systems for enhanced performance and security; and achieving continued growth and financial stability as recognized by both A.M. Best (A+ Superior rating) and the Ward’s 50. Combined with the company’s ongoing commitment to individual-risk underwriting and to prompt-and-fair claims service, these efforts have Western National on track to a successful 2023 and beyond.