WalkerHughes Insurance Named 2019 Agency of the Year

WalkerHughes Insurance, based in Carmel, Ind., has been recognized as the 2019 Big I Indiana Agency of the Year. This award is given to a member independent insurance agency that exemplifies leadership and innovation within the independent agency system.

After its recent merger, WalkerHughes has grown rapidly. The agency has doubled its premium volume in just two years. It now has 17 branches and more than 100 staff members. Though its size has changed, its principles have not. The leadership at WalkerHughes believes that the GAP (Guide, Advocate, Pioneer) policy they have in place is the best way to serve their clients. They work hard to center the agency around those core principles. As they’ve grown, they’ve maintained each branch location because they want their clients to be able to connect with them wherever they are. “We believe in the value of being part of the community in which our clients and employees reside,” said President Doug Walker. The agency leaders strive to give back to the industry, serving on carrier advisory councils and association boards.

Employees are a top priority at the agency and technology is used to “empower and not replace”. The agency built its management system, Violet, that handles CRM functionality, advertising requests, PTO management, secure password retention, and all direct/agency bill processing. “Our focus on our people is at the forefront of our automation efforts as well,” Walker explained. “By automating transactional processes, we enable our people to focus on our customers and other value-added services.”