Cincinnati Financial Corporation recently announced that its insurance subsidiaries are appointing agents and writing business in the state. Pursuing PIACT's company outreach program to inform members about insurers' market moves, PIACT leaders sat down with Vincent M. Sinopoli, AAI, the carrier's field representative for Connecticut and parts of New York state.

Currently writing in 39 states, the group has only about 1300 agents, in order to preserve its “franchise value,” Sinopoli said. Prior to meeting with PIACT, he had signed up three Connecticut agencies. He welcomed the opportunity to introduce the company to PIACT members—“they'll start running into us [competing for new business],” he predicted.

Sinopoli described Cincinnati as a traditional multi-line company. “We'll look at most everything,” he said (in a joking manner). Besides a wide variety of personal and commercial property-casualty business, the company will offer bonds and life insurance in Connecticut . It also maintains its own surplus lines company, accessible only by Cincinnati agents. Cincinnati specialties include churches, dentists, educational and financial institutions, printers, home health care, manufacturers, contractors, not-for-profits and executive D&O.

Cincinnati was founded in 1950 “by agents, for agents,” Sinopoli said. Asked if this affects the company's culture, he said Cincinnati still emphasizes personal relationships—it's “old-fashioned in a good way.” Agencies have assigned underwriters; field reps accompany agents on sales calls; and new agents meet with top executives in Ohio. “They even had the Connecticut flag flying” when a newly appointed Nutmeg State agent arrived at the home office, he reported.

Sinopoli told PIACT he'll be pursuing only a handful of additional appointments in 2011, as the company awaits the green light for all its filings. He praised PIACT as “a good information source” for agents and carriers and looks forward to working with PIACT as Cincinnati establishes itself in the Connecticut market.