Hortica and Sentry Insurance sign affiliation agreement

Edwardsville, Ill. – Hortica Insurance (Florists’ Mutual Insurance Company) announced on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 that it has entered into an affiliation agreement with Sentry Insurance a Mutual Company (Sentry Insurance). Upon completion of the affiliation and approval by the applicable insurance departments, Hortica will become a member of the Sentry Insurance Group.

Sentry Insurance, based in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, is one of the of the largest and strongest mutual insurance companies in the United States with an A+ (superior) rating from A.M. Best. As a member of the Sentry Insurance Group, Hortica will maintain its name and brand and will continue doing business from its current headquarters in Edwardsville, Illinois.

“Our board, management, and employees are very excited about the opportunities this affiliation with Sentry will provide to us and our policyholders,” said Mona Haberer, president and CEO of Hortica. “Sentry's immense resources and technology, coupled with its strong commitment to growing in our niche, will enhance our mission of being the floral and horticultural industry’s leading insurance expert.”

“We are very pleased to be affiliating with the premier insurance company serving the floral and horticultural industry,” said Pete McPartland, president, CEO, and chairman of the board of Sentry. “Both Sentry and Florists’ Mutual are mutual companies with more than one hundred years of serving customers well. We are excited by the prospect of what a combination of Sentry’s resources and Florists’ Mutual’s expertise can bring to the market. Our affiliation will provide Hortica with the services, financial support, and purchasing power needed to thrive in their market.”