Sentry Offers Great Service With A New FEMA Rep

With the recent retirement of long time sales representative Jim Sirvio to the FEMA-Sentry Products Liability Program, please welcome Bob Bonifas who steps in to fill Jim’s shoes.  FEMA members in the $11.5 million products liability and property/casualty programs will be comforted to know that Bob has had 13-years of experience with Sentry.  These include some time spent with the FEMA program.

You can contact Bob at Sentry’s headquarters office in Stevens Point, WI, (715) 346-6985 or e-mail him at Bob.Bonifas@Sentry.com.

Maybe even more comfort will be shown after it is learned that Bob has spent most of his time with Sentry as an underwriter.  He knows why specific companies are rated as they are.  Bob understands why some products are inherently more dangerous, and thus must have a greater premium than others.

And it is premium stability, excellent claims handling, 30-year dedication to the insurance welfare of FEMA’s farm equipment manufacturing members and Sentry’s total commitment to the safety of your products and workplace that makes Sentry the expert in the farm equipment field. 

When talking about premium, members should not forget the potential for end-of-year dividends.  For many years, products program participants have been receiving dividends of about 10% of their annual premiums.  While not guaranteed, the dividend is carefully calculated by underwriters each year based on the entire program’s performance, past participants have been able to take this amount right off the bottom line of their premium payment.

Unlike some insurers, Sentry does not try to “buy” your business one year and dump you the next.  And one other reminder, FEMA’s policies are “occurrence” policies, not “claims-made.”  You won’t find yourself covered one year and, failing to purchase “tail coverage,” be without insurance the next.

And we’re also excited about the changes taking place at Sentry.  Expedited claims handling from five specialists dedicated to the FEMA Products Program will leave Sentry on the leading edge of this valuable service.  And believe us, until you’ve experienced a lawsuit, you don’t know just how valuable Sentry’s claims service is.

That’s not to minimize the safety information and assistance you’ll receive from Sentry’s safety specialist, Greg Pellegrom.  He is another Sentry long- timer who knows both the farm equipment industry, ASABE standards and in-plant worker safety to minimize those worker’s comp claims.

There’s FEMA’s Risk Management Committee that twice annually oversees the programs.  Chaired by John Tye with Bigham Brothers, committee members include John McCoy, President of Orthman Mfg., Tim Perkins, President of Monroe-Tufline Mfg., and Ric Kirby, President of Kirby Mfg.  It is the charge of this committee to keep track of the Products and Property/Casualty programs, keep tabs on the dividend program, regularly review claims, and keep a watchful eye on the financial performance of Sentry.

And, while not actually sitting on the committee yet meeting with it, FEMA’s Risk Management Specialist, Tom Franzen, is an invaluable independent resource to the program.  Tom keeps close tabs on the insurance industry as a whole while, at the same time, being intimately involved with farm equipment manufacturers.

New National Accounts Sales Executive Bob Bonifas knows he is stepping into a unique and highly-regarded insurance program.  He knows the value of FEMA’s business, just as FEMA Services Corp. knows the value and expertise of Sentry in the farm equipment industry. 

It is truly a partnership that has benefitted FEMA members for over 30 years.