Westbrook CT, Darien CT, Newport RI, North Kingstown, RI. October 2, 2012

Gowrie Group, Connecticut’s premier independent insurance agency, has recently been recognized for multiple prestigious achievements. These recognitions showcase how Gowrie Group continues to differentiate itself in the marketplace as a leader and an innovator: in the view of employees, among competitors, based on industry rankings, and as rated by their own clients. Gowrie’s recent 2012 recognitions include:

• Voted Top Workplace of Connecticut (by employees, among companies with 50-150 employees)

• Ranked #1 in CT and #4 in New England (by Insurance Journal, among privately-held insurance firms)

• Barbara Cooper, Commercial Lines Manager, recognized as 2012/2013 Professional Woman of the Year (by the National Association of Professional Women)

View from Employees: Voted as a Top Workplace of Connecticut

Gowrie Group was named a “Top Workplace of CT” by The Hartford Courant and FoxCT for the second year in a row. Selection was based on a comprehensive survey employees completed about working at Gowrie. The survey asks about all areas of the workplace including career path, working environment, managers, leadership, company vision, and benefits. From more than 600 entrants, 50 winning companies were selected based on overall score. Carter Gowrie, Gowrie’s CEO, noted, “We are really proud of this distinction because it reflects our own staff’s commitment and energy related to our business, our vision, and our team.”

Employees were asked to rate the company and give qualitative feedback. Featured employee quotes:

- “I'm constantly being challenged to better myself and my knowledge, the pay is excellent and as an employee, I am NOT just a number - I am part of a very large family.”

- “The team environment, superior management, and knowledge of fellow employees.”

Extensive research has shown that companies named as Top Workplaces foster environments where employees are motivated and recognized for achievements, and are inspired to deliver their best. Top Workplaces tend to out perform their competitors, have high employee morale, and have high customer satisfaction. Gowrie Group indexes high on all of these measures.

One exciting example is Gowrie’s launch of a company wide corporate wellness initiative called SonicBoom. Gowrie employees are enthusiastically embracing the program and have already seen improvements in their fitness and wellness. Because of remarkable results to date, Gowrie Group was profiled as a leading wellness innovator by the Corporate Health & Wellness Association. Gowrie is now bringing SonicBoom's groundbreaking wellness approach, and first hand knowledge of the program’s effectiveness to Gowrie’s commercial and benefits insurance clients.

View from the Marketplace: Top Ranked, High Client Satisfaction, and Employee Achievement

For the 5th year in a row, Gowrie Group is ranked as the largest privately-held insurance firm in CT and 4th in all of New England, by Insurance Journal. Gowrie Group maintained their #1 ranking in CT on this prestigious list and grew their total property & casualty premium over the previous year (ranking based on total 2011 P/C premiums).

As evidenced by results from Gowrie’s Annual Customer Satisfaction Survey, clients are also excited by the company’s commitment to excellence in products, advice, and service. Overall positive client satisfaction scores rose well into the 90th percentile, and continued a 3-year trend of increasing overall satisfaction. Nearly 97% of clients reported they are likely to recommend Gowrie Group to others.

Further rounding out the marketplace view of Gowrie Group, Barbara Cooper, Gowrie’s Commercial Lines Department Manager, was recently recognized as a 2012/2013 Woman of the Year by the National Association of Professional Women. The distinction was awarded in recognition of excellence within the insurance industry, outstanding leadership, professional achievements, and for displaying the highest level of commitment to her clients, team members, and community.

Ed Gumbrecht, President of Gowrie Group, stated, “Gowrie Group is truly emerging as a client-centered, employee-empowered, business innovator. Our professionals distinguish themselves and our organization daily with creative insurance solutions and effective customer advocacy. We’re proud of what our extraordinary group is accomplishing together.”