Vermont Mutual Recognized by Ward Group as a Top 50 Insurer for the 14th Consecutive Year

For the 14th consecutive year, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group® has been recognized as one of the top 50 Property and Casualty insurers in the United States by Ward Group, an Aon Hewitt company, and one of the industry’s most respected benchmarking organizations.

Annually, Ward Group identifies the industry’s top insurance companies through a comprehensive financial analysis of nearly 3,000 U.S. property and casualty insurers. The “Ward’s 50” recognizes insurers for their consistency, safety and superior financial performance.

President & CEO of Vermont Mutual, Daniel C. Bridge, stated “We are honored to again be acknowledged as a top performing insurance company by Ward Group. It is especially gratifying to have achieved this recognition while we have navigated the numerous and unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID pandemic.” Bridge continued “We are very pleased to share this recognition with our employees, independent agency partners and business partners, whose combined efforts have allowed us to earn this recognition now for 14 consecutive years.”

Mark McDonnell, Vermont Mutual’s Executive Vice President and COO, noted“Despite uncertain economic times, increasing inflation rates and the challenges brought on by a global pandemic, Vermont Mutual continues to achieve the superior financial results that allow us to meet, and exceed, the expectations of our customers. The recognition is confirmation of our commitment to being a financially secure insurance company for our policyholders, independent agency partners and employees.”

Every company recognized by Ward Group has passed all safety and consistency screens and achieved superior performance over a 5 year period. As a recipient of the Ward’s 50 designation for 14 years in a row, Vermont Mutual has once again affirmed its position as a leading provider of homeowner, automobile and business insurance in the Northeast.

Vermont Mutual Named as a ‘Best Place to Work’ for Seven Consecutive Years

For the seventh year in a row, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group® was recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in Vermont by Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.

Each year Vermont Business Magazine surveys and reviews the policies, systems, practices and demographics of Vermont companies to identify the best places to work in the state. Included in the assessment are anonymous survey responses from employees, which account for 75% of the total evaluation.

Susan Chicoine, Vermont Mutual’s Vice President of Human Resources, stated “We could not be more pleased to be named a Best Place to Work in Vermont, especially for the seventh year in a row! The distinction directly reflects the positive work environment that everyone at Vermont Mutual endeavors to create.”

Vermont Mutual’s President and CEO, Dan Bridge, remarked “The Best Places to Work in Vermont recognition rounds out the distinctions earned by Vermont Mutual. As an A+ rated insurer by global rating agency, AM Best, as well as being named a Ward Top 50 company, that places us in the top 2% of insurers in the U.S., the Best Places to Work distinction complements our success in the industry with acknowledgment of our commitment to providing a rewarding and engaging work environment for our employees."

The awards program takes place on April 6, 2022 and is presented in partnership with the Vermont State Council, Society for Human Resource Management, the Vermont Department of Labor, the Vermont Department of Economic Development, and Best Companies Group.

Vermont Mutual Insurance Group Holds Its 195th Annual Meeting

MONTPELIER, Vermont (April 21, 2022)— On April 20, 2022, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group® held its 195th Annual Meeting of policyholders and Directors, reporting on Company results for 2021.

Over the course of 2021, Vermont Mutual Insurance Group reached several historic milestones, increasing its written premium by 5.9% to $577 million and growing policyholders’ surplus by more than 13% to a record $743 million.

President, CEO and Board Chairman of Vermont Mutual, Dan Bridge, stated “As the disruptions of the COVID pandemic continued into 2021, we were fortunate to leverage many important lessons gained from successfully managing the numerous challenges of 2020 to achieve very favorable financial and business results in 2021.” Bridge continued “2021 proved to be another profitable year for Vermont Mutual. We achieved a combined ratio of 91.4% and solid policyholder retention of 88.7%. In addition, the strong relationships we enjoy with our independent agency partners allowed us to produce a record $74 million in new business premium."

Mark McDonnell, Vermont Mutual’s Executive Vice President and COO, noted “Exceptional financial results notwithstanding, in 2021 we also modernized systems and processes via our Summit project and other initiatives. We also focused attention on core company values, highlighting equity, inclusion and increased diversity throughout the Company."

The following officers have been elected by the Vermont Mutual Board of Directors:

Daniel C. Bridge, President & Chief Executive Officer
Mark J. McDonnell, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Jonathan R. Becker, Vice President - Underwriting
William J. Cahill, Vice President - General Counsel and Secretary
Susan L. Chicoine, Vice President- Human Resources
Sarah B. Young, Assistant Vice President – Human Resources
David N. DeLuca, Vice President – Claims
Shaun P.T. Farley, Vice President – Marketing
Brody N. Gilbert, Vice President – Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Additionally, Brody Gilbert was promoted to the position of Chief Financial Officer. Dan Bridge remarked “Having successfully transitioned through the retirement of former CFO Brian Eagan, and leading a number of key initiatives for our company, it is my great pleasure to congratulate Brody on his well-deserved promotion.”

Vermont Mutual Sponsors National Girls and Women in Sports Day

Vermont Mutual Insurance Group®,, one of the oldest and most successful property and casualty insurers in the Northeast, has partnered with University of Vermont Athletics in a multi-year sponsorship of National Girls and Women in Sports Day.

Recognizing the importance that athletics can have in both the personal and professional development of students and youth, the initiative is designed to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of female athletes, enhance the influence of women and girls in the sports world, and promote the continued growth of women in all aspects of sports. In addition, the UVM and Vermont Mutual initiative will provide promotional opportunities to further expose young females to sports at UVM and encourage fans to show-up to support the female student-athletes

To acknowledge the accomplishments of female student-athletes, UVM and Vermont Mutual will host a celebration at the women’s basketball game on Feb. 5, 2022 when the Catamounts play host to UMass Lowell at 2 p.m.

Dan Bridge, Vermont Mutual’s President and CEO, remarked “Vermont Mutual is very proud to continue our partnership with the University and to support National Girls and Women in Sports Day. We'd also like to congratulate the female student-athletes at UVM in their commitment to the University and their responsibility as role models for today's young female athletes."

“Vermont Mutual has been a tremendous partner of UVM Athletics and we’re very excited for their enhanced involvement around National Girls and Women in Sports Day,” said UVM Director of Athletics Jeff Schulman. “We very much appreciate the ongoing commitment to our student-athletes, coaches and our overall program, and the unwavering support of the ‘Cats Win, Community Wins’ initiative which helps support so many amazing organizations in our community.”

“It’s so wonderful to have Vermont Mutual invest in females and their bright futures.” Said Women’s Basketball Coach Alisa Kresge. “NGWSD is about celebrating females in athletics everywhere and to honor those remarkable women who paved the way for girls and women today. More importantly it’s about continuing to empower young females and helping them push to achieve their goals in life. A big thank you to Vermont Mutual for being a part of paying it forward to keep doors open for our girls.”