Agency News
April 2026
This Month’s Featured Content
Building on Progress: Your 2026 Westfield Personal Lines Update
Terry McClaskey, Vice President of Personal Lines, shares how our actions in 2025 helped restore stability and reopen opportunities heading into 2026. Learn what revised underwriting guidelines, expanded appetite, new predict‑and‑prevent tools like LeakBot, and smoother quoting and service processes mean for you and your agency.
Inside Our Agribusiness Appetite: Grain Operations and Seed Merchants
Westfield continues to invest in agribusiness by targeting operations where our expertise and solutions can deliver value. In this series, we’ll highlight key segments where we see strong opportunity for growth. We’re kicking things off with grain operations and seed merchants.
Pay As You Go: How to Identify the Right Fit and Start the Conversation
After strong adoption in our Ag and Middle Market segments, Westfield Pay As You Go is now available for small business workers’ compensation policies — giving you another way to help customers manage cash flow and reduce billing surprises.
Proactive Risk Management: A Path to Agribusiness Resilience
Agribusinesses face a broad and complex risk landscape shaped by living systems, weather patterns and events, and long-tail supply chains that extend from basic farm inputs to consumer food products on the table. Learn about the Westfield approach to proactive risk management and how we're helping clients take advantage of innovative tools.
Get To Know Westfield: Marisol Perez | Employee Spotlight
Meet Westfield’s Small Business Territory Manager, Marisol Perez! This employee spotlight offers a behind the scenes look at Marisol and how she supports your agency—“After three decades in this industry, I’m still inspired by the people and the opportunity to take on new challenges every day.”
Westfield's Property Claims Service Center
As part of continued efforts to improve speed, consistency and service, you may begin to see our Property Claims Service Center (PCSC) listed as the adjuster on certain claims. Learn more about this specialized team and the best way to connect with them.
New Agribusiness Enhancement Now Available on WesCom Farm
Westfield Agribusiness is introducing an update to simplify the quoting process for agents with the launch of WesCom Farm – Protection Class Automation. This enhancement is currently available for new business, with renewals following in mid-July.
With this change, agents will no longer need to manually enter Protection Class when quoting. Additionally, Protection Class will only be required for locations that include property, reducing unnecessary data entry.
This update is designed to help streamline workflows, allowing for faster and more accurate submissions.
Please reach out to your underwriter with any questions.
Trends and Challenges
Industry Insights
2026 Agency Marketing Checklist
"It’s true—insurance agencies that follow the strategies outlined on this checklist have seen those results, and your agency can, too. Now that it’s 2026, there is no better time than now to mark these items off your checklist so you can take your agency’s marketing to the next level. From increasing the inbound leads you get to maximizing your client communications, here are the 10 things your agency needs this year to be as successful as possible."
Staying Safe On The Farm This Winter
"As temperatures drop and the icy mornings settle across Ohio, the farm becomes a different workplace. Tasks take longer, conditions are ever-changing, and a simple chore can become much riskier when cold, wind, or moisture are factored in. For farmers, knowing what to expect and how to prevent common winter hazards can make all the difference."
How to Help Clients Understand the Value of an Independent Agent
"As an independent agent, your role extends far beyond selling policies. You simplify complexity, offer tailored solutions and stand by clients when they need it most. This article highlights five ways to communicate that value, helping you position yourself as a trusted advisor."
Email Marketing Best Practices for Insurance Agencies
"Email marketing has evolved over the years to the point where a lot of what was manual can now be covered with smart automation. Let’s go over the basics of email marketing best practices, along with actionable tips and tricks you can start using to kickstart or improve your current strategy."
Tell Your Agency’s Story: How to Stand Out in the Insurance Market
"Imagine your insurance agency being featured on the front page of a magazine cover 10 years from now—what would the headline say?" In this article, learn how to use storytelling to help your agency stand out in the insurance market.
How to Overcome the Most Common Challenges Facing Insurance Agencies
"If there’s one thing that unifies independent insurance agencies, it’s the common challenges they face day in and day out. We’ll give you the insights into how you can make your agency look amazing and get found, so you can sell more and service better."
The Future of AI in Insurance: 2025 Predictions
According to a 2024 Deloitte survey, 76% of U.S. insurance firms have already implemented generative AI capabilities in at least one business function. Yet AI implementation challenges persist. Learn more about what 2025 holds for AI in the insurance industry.
Why the Future for Brokers is Data-Driven
The latest Insurance Age Pulse survey explores how brokers are using data insight to guide business strategy, and reveals why more now see data as an essential factor for growth. Rachel Gordon reports
Top 4 Marketing Strategies Ranked by Insurance Agencies
Of the four marketing strategy categories, Content, Search Engine, Traditional, and Word-of-Mouth marketing, here is how insurance agencies ranked each of these in terms of success.
5 Ways to Prepare for the End of the Hard Market
For a long time, the hard market has made it difficult for agents to offer their clients the coverage they want at affordable prices — assuming coverage was available at all. Now, there are signs that this is changing. Before the hard market ends, agencies can position themselves for a successful soft market by taking these five steps.
Observations and Opportunities
Claims Corner
5 Ways to Reduce Workers Compensation Claims on Your Farm
" In an average year, the U.S. agriculture production industry experiences more than 21,000 injuries that require a day off from work, according to the CDC... Growers who invest in better safety measures can not only help protect their workforce but also better shield their businesses from the rising costs of workers’ compensation claims."
Grain Bin Auger Accidents Peak in Winter
"Purdue research reveals grain bin auger incidents surge from January through June. Unguarded floor openings cause nearly 40% of documented cases." Learn more about this trend and how to instill better habits to help prevent future accidents from occurring.
How to Prepare for a Hurricane
Being prepared for a hurricane can help minimize the storm’s impact and speed up the recovery process. While meteorologists typically warn when a hurricane is developing, these storms are unpredictable, and there may not be enough time to get ready. That’s why it’s essential to proactively share clear steps to help customers prepare their homes and families before a storm becomes imminent.
Hurricane Preparedness Social Media Posts
By sharing these posts with your network, you play a vital role in increasing awareness and encouraging hurricane preparedness across your community. A single post can remind someone to make a plan, restock emergency supplies, or stay informed—actions that could ultimately save lives.Property Insurance Claims Checklist
Our property insurance claims checklist helps homeowners and business owners be ready for when a loss strikes. Whether your home or business was impacted by water, lightning, fire, or storm damage, having a property insurance claims checklist can help you take the right steps to get back to normalcy as quickly as possible.
The Commercial Auto Claims Process: What You Need to Know
Whether it’s a minor fender bender or a serious collision, accidents involving your company’s vehicles can be stressful. Having a clear plan in place can help ensure a smooth claims experience and get your team back on the road with minimal business interruption.
How to Prevent Ice Dams: A Homeowner's Guide
Winter weather brings snow, ice, and fluctuating temperatures that can wreak havoc on your home — especially your roof. One major hazard to watch for is ice dams. Left unchecked, ice dams can lead to costly roof repairs, water damage, and even structural issues.
Common Causes of House Fires & How to Prevent Them
House fires are statistically more likely to occur during the winter months. Discover the top causes of house fires and essential prevention tips to help keep you and your clients safe. This informative guide covers key areas, from cooking and heating to electrical faults, smoking, and candles.
Customers Can Report Claims Through MyWestfield
Customers who log into their MyWesfield account can report certain home and auto claims digitally. This user-friendly platform helps ensure that customers receive rapid assistance from our dedicated Customer Care Team, enabling a personalized and efficient claims process.
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