West Bend Offers Support to Policyholders, Associates and Community
Policy give back and charitable donations in COVID-19 relief efforts
WEST BEND, WI – In response to COVID-19, West Bend Mutual Insurance and the West Bend Mutual Insurance Charitable Trust announced new efforts to help the greater community while the company gives back to its associates, agents, and policyholders. Understanding the unique circumstances and challenges each group faces, West Bend has implemented a multi-phased relief approach to best serve its people and the community over time.
“One of West Bend’s operating principles is ‘We serve our community,’ and during this uncertain time, it was without question that we would extend support to all of the people who are critical to our organization,” said Kevin Steiner, president and CEO of West Bend Mutual Insurance. “We also remain committed to our policyholders and associates and will continually look for additional ways to support them and provide the Silver Lining during this pandemic.” Steiner added the company’s COVID-19 relief efforts for associates as well as charities are close to $750,000 in total.
Here are some of the ways West Bend is helping communities get through the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Policyholders: On Wednesday, April 8, West Bend announced it will send a one-time payment of $50 to Home and Highway® policyholders to provide some help in these uncertain times. These payments will be processed for those whose vehicles were insured with the company as of March 11, 2020, the date the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. In addition, the company is extending premium due dates for all policyholders impacted by the crisis and automatically provides coverage on personal vehicles used by employees of restaurants that now offer delivery services.
- Associates: West Bend’s associates number more than 1,300, all of whom are committed to providing exceptional service to policyholders and agents. As a small gesture of support, West Bend gifted each associate with a $150 bonus to use as a donation to a favorite nonprofit organization or toward restaurant carry-out or patronage of local businesses, both as a reward for their hard work in these trying times and as a way they can show support for businesses and organizations affected by the statewide Safer-At-Home orders.
- Community: The West Bend Mutual Insurance Charitable Trust is awarding grants to more than 20 nonprofit organizations, many of which provide direct support or relief for the COVID-19 crisis in the community. The two largest donations were awarded to Feeding America and the Red Cross of Southeast Wisconsin, which each received $50,000 to aid their noble pursuits to provide food, shelter, and blood to those in need during this very uncertain time.
- Agents: West Bend has partnered with their independent insurance agencies to support worthy organizations in their communities that help those impacted by this pandemic, such as food pantries, blood centers, and free clinics. If the agency commits to donating $500, West Bend will pledge an additional $2,000. West Bend’s donation comes from grants made through its Independent Agents’ Fund and are part of the company’s Spirit of the Silver Lining Awards. These awards and grants are presented annually to nonprofit organizations supported by the company’s independent insurance agents.
“We are so grateful to partner with organizations like West Bend Mutual Insurance, who never waver in their commitment to their community,” said Patti Habeck, president and CEO of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. “Gifts large and small make a huge impact on those who are in need of hunger relief, especially now as we operate in uncertain times.”
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Organizations such as the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, the Department of Insurance, and the Department of Commerce in each state have compiled resources that businesses and individuals in those states can refer to for information and/or help. Information is linked on our website COVID-19 Resources.
West Bend strives to be a helpful resource to both agents and its policyholders and has compiled any updates regarding relief options on this page, West Bend Response.
More about the Coronavirus Pandemic
- Statement from the Milwaukee Health Department - City of Milwaukee Health Department - Mar 2nd, 2021
- Marquette Plans In-Person Classes in Fall - Graham Kilmer - Mar 2nd, 2021
- WI Daily: 308 New COVID-19 Cases - Urban Milwaukee - Mar 1st, 2021
- Wisconsin Anticipates First Shipment of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Mar 1st, 2021
- Marquette University announces in-person plans for fall 2021 semester - Marquette University - Mar 1st, 2021
- Dane County Drops Most Fines Against Dance Studio - Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty - Mar 1st, 2021
- Back in the News: Uline Workers Suffer Higher COVID-19 Rates - Bruce Murphy - Mar 1st, 2021
- Groups Now Eligible for the COVID-19 Vaccine - Wisconsin Department of Health Services - Mar 1st, 2021
- WI Daily: 464 New COVID-19 Cases - Urban Milwaukee - Feb 28th, 2021
- WI Daily: 689 New COVID-19 Cases - Urban Milwaukee - Feb 27th, 2021
Read more about Coronavirus Pandemic here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by West Bend Mutual Insurance Company
West Bend Mutual Insurance Donates to 11 Milwaukee Area Organizations Through Giving Program with Independent Agents
May 5th, 2020 by West Bend Mutual Insurance Company24 organizations in Wisconsin will receive donations for COVID-19 relief efforts
West Bend Supports Wisconsin Long-Term Care Facilities with Safe Resident Handling Equipment Grants
Apr 21st, 2020 by West Bend Mutual Insurance CompanyWest Bend awarded 7 facilities across the state grants to purchase equipment to make patient moving and lifting safer for residents and caregivers
West Bend Offers Support to Policyholders, Associates and Community
Apr 13th, 2020 by West Bend Mutual Insurance CompanyPolicy give back and charitable donations in COVID-19 relief efforts