One-stop online source supports agents’ full training & development needs

Fairfield, Ohio - March 10, 2010 - Ohio Casualty, a Liberty Mutual Agency Markets regional company, has introduced its comprehensive online Agent Learning Center for its appointed agencies. Designed to alleviate the time and financial constraints that agencies face in developing new producers and staff, the Agent Learning Center is a best-in-class, one-stop training and development resource for agency partners to grow their businesses.

Agents can now register for classroom workshops and participate in virtual or self-paced online programs. They can access an expanding catalog of professional development courses, many of which qualify for continuing education credits. General insurance topics, sales, product, office productivity, consultative selling skills, and agency management courses are all among the menu of resources. An Agency Manager Toolkit is available to assist agency owners or principals in hiring and developing successful new producers.

“An important element in helping our partners grow profitably is providing easily accessible and affordable learning solutions that meet a wide-variety of agency needs,” said Michael Winner, president and chief executive officer, Ohio Casualty. “Our new Agent Learning Center supports agency principals in the selection and on-boarding of new talent, gives new producers the resources to succeed from the start, and offers CSRs development and productivity resources.”

Agency convenience and full online capabilities were key focuses in developing the Agent Learning Center. Producers and staff log-on to Ohio Casualty’s agent portal to access the Agent Learning Center to:

•Register for classroom training sessions;
•Participate in instructor-led and self-paced online classes;
•Access industry links and information; and
•Pay for classes by credit card.

An important element of Ohio Casualty’s commitment to agents’ profitability and new producers’ success is its Commercial Lines New Producer Program. The 30-week development curriculum, highlighted in the Agent Learning Center, is a blended learning approach that combines online instruction, webinars, and in-agency mentoring with classroom training. The program is supported by AICPCU materials and graduates receive the Insurance Institute of America’s Accredited Advisor in Insurance (AAI) designation.

For more information about the Ohio Casualty Agent Learning Center, contact Ms. Amy Damron at 513-603-4464 or send an e-mail to amy.damron@ohiocasualty-ins.com.

About Ohio Casualty

With underwriting companies dating back to 1851, Ohio Casualty offers property and casualty insurance products, including a comprehensive set of commercial coverages, distributed through appointed independent agents. Headquartered in Fairfield, OH, Ohio Casualty provides insurance in Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.

Ohio Casualty is part of Liberty Mutual Agency Markets, a business unit of Liberty Mutual Group, consisting of property and casualty specialty insurance carriers that distribute their products and services primarily through independent agents and brokers. Liberty Mutual Group ranks 86 on the Fortune 500 list of the largest U.S. corporations based on 2008 revenues. The company has financial strength ratings of A (Excellent) from the A.M. Best Company, A2 (Good) from Moody’s Investment Services, and A- (Strong) from Standard and Poor’s.

Contact: