April 18, 2017

By the Minutes

Historic minutes for Forward Mutual Insurance Company (formerly Ixonia Mutual and Watertown Mutual)

Forward Mutual has a fascinating history that we’d love to share. Segment by segment, Claims Manager Howard Wiedenhoeft will pass along his research of original minutes, documents and photos. He knows this well. After all, Howard faithfully served as the company’s president and CEO for 32 years!

By HOWARD WIEDENHOEFT

This year, Forward Mutual Insurance Company moved its annual meeting back to the Ixonia Town Hall, a location it had used in decades past. As we prepared for the meeting I thought it would be of interest to know where the annual meetings have been held since they first began in 1875. In doing so, I had to look through our minute books. What an interesting re-discovery of the history they hold! We have all the minutes of Ixonia Mutual from its beginning in 1875 and Watertown Mutual from its beginning in 1872. Both these companies merged in 2010 to form Forward Mutual Insurance Company. Watertown Mutual’s minutes were written in German until 1919. I cannot read German, fortunately brief highlights on these minutes have already been transcribed to English. With these books and other historical data, I will try to highlight the history behind Forward Mutual Insurance Company.

Why Form a Mutual Insurance Company?

Wisconsin became a state in 1848. The Milwaukee & Watertown Railroad began purchasing land in 1853. Rural Wisconsin was beginning to develop and rural residents of the state were unable to find affordable fire insurance. On March 25, 1872, the Wisconsin Chapter 103 was passed to allow the formation of town insurance companies. According to requirements, 25 residents of a township and $25,000 of property to insure against loss by fire or lightning were needed to form an insurance company. It’s interesting to note the guidelines. Mutual members were allowed one vote for each $200 of insurance they purchased and they could vote for directors and by-laws (policy language). Members also agreed to pay their proportionate share of each member loss after it occurred. Mutual companies could write insurance in their township and adjoining townships, but they could not exceed four townships or cross county lines.

Many Changes, but the Same Care

The mutual insurance industry has changed a lot since those early days, but one thing is the same: Forward Mutual remains committed to customers and quality. It’s our promise to you.

We’re going to continue coverage of our company’s history, so be sure to check back!

Giving Back to the Community

Forward Mutuals full circle of Neighbor Helping Neighbor

At Forward Mutual’s recent annual policyholder’s meeting, Kim Ersland, Regional Marketing Manager for Grinnell Re, evoked an interesting thought. She said Forward Mutual gives back to the community every time it pays a claim.

Forward Mutual has a rich tradition of “neighbor helping neighbor” and it’s long been involved with the community. But how does paying claims fit into this scenario? Perhaps it’s an indirect way of giving back, but it’s important nonetheless. Let’s examine this further, because it happens wherever people live, work and play.

When a disaster causes damage to a policyholder’s property, Forward is quick to make an examination and pay the necessary claim to make repairs. This funding enables property owners to 1) make repairs themselves and spend locally for supplies, or 2) hire local contractors, which provides jobs and enables them to spend locally for supplies. When we spend local, we keep our money local. When we hire local contractors, we enable them to support their families, buy homes, and commit themselves to the community.

Here’s where “neighbor helping neighbor” shows through the greatest. Forward is a mutual organization, meaning it’s the policyholders themselves who are giving back to the community. Because of the support of other policyholders, people can afford the risk of starting a business or purchasing property.

“Without the support of Forward Mutual, the ability to buy a home or farm or start a small business becomes less likely as consumers are not able to afford the risk they would have,” explains Ersland. “A single loss would mean risking everything. People cannot and will not make that choice as it is too high a level of uncertainty, but mutual insurance makes sure that the risk is possible. I think it is one of the most unique and integral parts of supporting a community as it allows it to grow and thrive with less uncertainty.”

Giving back to our community is an investment that benefits everyone. Forward Mutual is proud to offer its support.

Forward Mutual's 2016 annual report

February 23, 2017

Getting to Know Our Staff

Sarah Mueller, Forward Mutual Insurance Company Determining how much coverage a homeowner should receive or whether to even accept the risk to insure them can be difficult, but with Sarah Mueller at the underwriting helm at Forward Mutual you can be confident it’s being done right.

“I help the agents determine if Forward Mutual is the best fit for the risk,” says Sarah, who serves as Forward Mutual’s customer service manager. “I assist them with writing new business and making changes on existing business. I’m in charge of all inspections. I verify that the risks are without hazards and meet our underwriting rules and guidelines.

“If agents are unsure what do with a risk or how to cover something, I’m always willing to listen and help. I want to help them find the best solution for a homeowner or farmowner.”

When insureds call Forward Mutual and are unclear about their policies, Sarah is there for them as well.

Sarah and her husband Lance live in rural Watertown with their sassy cat Gus. When not working their day jobs, they both work at Donny’s Girl Supper Club. So when asked about free time, Sarah responds with a laugh.

“I enjoy the Brewers in summer and the Packer in winter,” says Sarah. “I also enjoy traveling and am planning a trip to Disney World to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary.”

As an insurance underwriter, Sarah knows the value of a well-kept home. She and Lance recently remodeled their laundry/mudroom and are now planning to tackle the outside landscaping.

We at Forward Mutual have enjoyed the 13 years Sarah has been with the company and we appreciate the expertise she offers our customers and agents!

February 8, 2017

Millennials Needed in Insurance!

Millennials need for the mutual insurance industry

It’s no secret that companies—insurance companies included—are finding it increasingly difficult to fill crucial job positions. The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) President and CEO Chuck Chamness wrote of this recently and emphasized the need to attract a new generation of workers.

“It’s scary to think that by 2020—just three years from now—the insurance industry will need to replace nearly 400,000 positions,” wrote Chamness. “That number is staggering. And what’s more disturbing is many studies have found that the talent gap is the most critical issue we as an industry face.”

While insurance seldom carries a reputation of being exciting, those in the industry find it compelling, challenging and meaningful work. Interestingly, these are the very things important to millennials, a generation of tech-savvy, compassionate and talented professionals who make up the growing percentage of our U.S. workforce.

“Insurance is a great fit for aspiring young professionals who want to make a difference,” said Chamness. “Our industry has plenty to share. We provide highly competitive salaries; we provide job stability; we provide career advancement opportunities; and we are stellar corporate citizens.”

February is Insurance Careers Month and a great time to learn more about working in the mutual insurance industry. Give it some thought!

April 26, 2016

Forward Mutual in Washington DC

Representing Forward Mutual were (seventh from left) Sarah Mueller, Lois Wiedenhoeft and Howard Wiedenhoeft

Forward Mutual is proud to have recently participated in a 15-member Wisconsin Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (WAMIC) delegation in Washington, D.C. They met with members of the Wisconsin congressional delegation to educate lawmakers on the issues facing insurers and their policyholders in the state.

Representing Forward Mutual were President and CEO Lois Wiedenhoeft, Claims Manager Howard Wiedenhoeft and Customer Service Manager Sarah Mueller.

The visits were organized by the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) as part of their grassroots advocacy program the Congressional Contact Program (CCP). This unique grassroots lobbying effort, now in its 31st year, allows representatives from NAMIC member companies to meet one-on-one with their elected officials and their staff.

Throughout the day Forward’s representatives met with Wisconsin lawmakers to discuss protecting the state-based system of insurance regulation, natural disaster mitigation and addressing the regulatory uncertainty regarding insurance company use and coverage for unmanned aircraft systems.

April 12, 2016

What Exactly is a Mutual?

A question recently came up as to the difference between a mutual insurance company and a stock-owned insurance company. The primary difference is that a mutual is owned entirely by its policyholders—those that pay premiums to receive insurance—and a stock-owned company is owned by a limited amount of shareholders. While a mutual earns profits for all its policyholders, a stock-owned company earns profits only for those few that own its stock.

The concept of mutual insurance companies originated in England in 1696. Less than 50 years later Ben Franklin helped introduce mutual insurance to the United States. By the 1870s, when Wisconsin was still in its early statehood, immigrants began settling the area and building homes and farms. They heated their homes with a wood fire, cooked with a wood fire, and used oil lanterns for light. Fire was a great risk for these homesteads. As a result, the state of Wisconsin allowed the formation of town mutual insurance companies.

Forward Mutual is a town mutual insurance company. It originated in the 1870s as two companies; the Town of Watertown Mutual Fire Insurance Company and Ixonia Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Today Forward is one of 64 mutual companies associated with the Wisconsin Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (WAMIC) and one of more than 1,400 companies with the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC).

All of this is very impressive, but what does it mean to you, the individual property owner?

As a mutual insurance company, Forward follows a “neighbor helping neighbor” policy. It’s a sharing between the company and its policyholders the responsibility of protecting property owners. As NAMIC explains, “Policyholders who work with a mutual have a shared purpose: getting the best coverage and protection available. And mutuals deliver…because we serve policyholders, not shareholders. Our decisions are always based on what’s best for you.”

If you have any questions about being part of this mutual sharing, give Forward a call at 920-261-6616. Or contact any one of our independent agencies that are proud to sell our product.

Mutual

Why Form a Mutual Insurance Company?

Many Changes, but the Same Care

Read more!

Representing Forward Mutual were (seventh from left) Sarah Mueller, Lois Wiedenhoeft and Howard Wiedenhoeft