PLEASANTON, CA , Oct. 5, 2022 - IIABCal welcomes its newest associate member, Stonemark, an independent and industry-leading premium financing company uniquely positioned to finance a broad spectrum of policies across Commercial and Personal Lines in the U.S. and Canada. Stonemark’s financing solutions span emerging risk categories, including Cannabis, which its bank-owned competitors are prohibited from financing.
"We are excited to have Stonemark onboard as an associate member," IIABCal President Bob Teshima said. "The company is widely recognized for its unmatched service standards, serving as a strategic partner and revenue-driver for agents. Stonemark professionals are known for investing the time and energy to get to know agents, to understand their needs and ultimately to provide financing solution options that enable the agent to sell more policies."
Stonemark is proudly part of H.W. Kaufman Group, a global organization with more than 60 offices across the U.S., Canada, U.K., Europe and South America. In addition to premium financing, Kaufman companies deliver unrivaled expertise within insurance brokerage and underwriting, along with claims, loss control and risk management services.
Privately held, family owned and operated for three generations, Kaufman provides Stonemark with the financial freedom, flexibility and security to seamlessly deliver for our agents across the U.S. and Canada.
Why did Stonemark join IIABCal:
Over the past few months, Stonemark has embarked on a nationwide effort to evolve its team, bringing on board the industry’s leading premium finance professionals. In California, Tram Mascia joined Stonemark as Vice President, along with National Account Executives Nick Buich, Christopher Antonson and Terra Ruben.
With such a strong team now on the ground in California, Stonemark saw a tremendous opportunity to work with IIABCal, supporting the work of independent insurance agents, while introducing them to the extensive premium financing solutions that Stonemark is able to offer.
What are the most important issues facing the industry?
"Market conditions remain hard across nearly every sector, with premiums continuing to increase. Naturally we are seeing a greater need for financing services," Tram Mascia said. "As interest rates continue rising, agents can turn to Stonemark for competitive financing terms. Importantly, because Stonemark is not bank-owned, we have the ability to finance policies that our competitors cannot – it’s a true differentiator in a challenging market."
What are the biggest opportunities available to the independent insurance agency system today?
"In an era of continued consolidation throughout the insurance industry, there is a significant advantage for independent agents who have the freedom to offer their clients a variety of solutions," she said. "Similarly, Stonemark’s independent ownership gives us the ability to finance sectors such as Personal Lines, as well as emerging risk categories like Cannabis."
"Independent agents enjoy working with like-minded independent organizations, like Stonemark. We share a commitment to service-standards that are second-to-none and in simply getting the job done for our clients."
To learn more about Stonemark and its premium financing capabilities, please visit www.Stonemarkinc.com or reach out to Stonemark Vice President Tram Mascia at 619.884.6055 or tmascia@stonemarkinc.com.