GREEN BAY, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, is officially the new brand name of the property-casualty insurance company formerly known as Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance.
State insurance regulators recently approved the legal names of the De Pere, Wisconsin-based company and its subsidiaries, which will together be known as CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance.
“This is another milestone for CONNECT as we integrate into the American Family Insurance group,” said Jessie Stauffacher, CONNECT chief executive officer. “The collaboration and commitment have been remarkable and resulted in a transition that’s been seamless to our partners and customers, and exciting for our employees.”
CONNECT sells auto, homeowners, renters, umbrella and some specialty insurance lines in 44 states and District of Columbia, primarily through strategic partnerships, including those with wholesale retailer Costco and Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
Bringing the two companies together
American Family Insurance acquired CONNECT, then known as Ameriprise Auto & Home Insurance, from Ameriprise Financial last October. Since that time, the organizations have worked through a myriad of transition-related elements to separate CONNECT from publicly traded Ameriprise Financial and integrate with American Family, a mutual holding company.
“We believe in handling every customer with care, and that remains the focus of our meticulous transition work,” said Sharena Ali, CONNECT chief operating officer. “Our employees have met the challenges with thoughtfulness and enthusiasm, setting the stage for even greater success with our customers.”
CONNECT, powered by American Family Insurance, will serve as the brand name of products underwritten by two companies: American Family Connect Property and Casualty Insurance Company and American Family Connect Insurance Company. A third company, The American Family Connect Insurance Agency, Inc., places policies with affiliated and unaffiliated insurers.
CONNECT bolsters national, multi-channel strategy
The addition of CONNECT continues American Family’s ongoing transformation from a regional insurance company that initially sold its products through exclusive agency owners only to a national multi-line, multi-distribution channel insurance group.
While continuing to invest in its agency owners, American Family acquired direct non-standard auto insurer Permanent General Companies (The General) in 2012 and direct homeowners insurance provider Homesite Group in 2013. Following its conversion to a mutual holding company, American Family merged with mutual property-casualty insurer Main Street America in 2018. Main Street America distributes its products through independent agents.
Adding CONNECT to the group in 2019 brings new products, partners and greater geographic distribution.
