ARAG Demonstrates Link Between Employee and Client/Member Satisfaction

Global Legal Solutions Provider Named Best Place to Work in Insurance for Fourth Year;

Earned Center of Excellence Certification for Sixth Year;

and Received Excellent Client Satisfaction Scores in Recent Survey

DES MOINES, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ARAG^® announced today that engaged employees lead to happy clients and members as demonstrated by recent results. The global provider of legal solutions placed first in the most recent Business Insurance Best Places to Work in Insurance list; earned the prestigious Center of Excellence honor by BenchmarkPortal for the sixth consecutive year; and received high marks in the annual ARAG Client Satisfaction Survey.

“We believe when employees are happy it translates into providing excellent service to our clients and members. I think the list of honors we’ve received this year proves our theory.”

“Our people are our greatest asset, therefore we offer them rich benefits, a first-class working environment and a family-friendly culture,” said David Murray, ARAG President and Chief Executive Officer. “We believe when employees are happy it translates into providing excellent service to our clients and members. I think the list of honors we’ve received this year proves our theory.”

Member Satisfaction

The Center of Excellence recognition illustrates high member satisfaction and is one of the most prestigious awards in the service and support industry. Only a handful of companies nationwide have celebrated the esteemed honor six years in a row. Companies applying for the award undergo a rigorous assessment of efficiency and effectiveness. Those centers that demonstrate superior performance on both cost-related metrics and quality-related metrics compared with their industry peers in BenchmarkPortal's database of more than 40,000 companies earn the Center of Excellence designation.

"This award acknowledges ARAG's commitment to providing superior products and service to our members," said Murray. "Our mission is to protect their families, finances and futures. The most basic step in achieving that goal is to provide excellent service, and I am extremely proud of the ARAG Customer Care team for executing against that mission daily."

Client Satisfaction

Client Satisfaction Surveys are sent to ARAG clients across all sizes and segments. The 2012 survey achieved an all-time high response rate for the annual survey. Clients were asked to rate their satisfaction with ARAG and its client management team on a 10-point scale with a rating of 10 being “very satisfied.” ARAG results were very positive with scores over nine for ease of enrollment, knowledge, ability to address issues, professionalism and responsiveness.

“ARAG’s plan is easy to administer because our client managers are so responsive and knowledgeable,” said Susan Swensen, Benefits Manager at Johnson & Johnson.^® “The plan itself offers a lot of benefits at a very good price.”

“The client satisfaction survey scores are valuable, but our real results show in retention. Our client retention rate is around 95 percent and we’ve had some of the same clients for more than 30 years,” said Ann Dieleman, ARAG’s Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer. “We are passionate about creating client partnerships and fostering mutual respect. It shows in ARAG’s retention results.”

Employee Satisfaction

ARAG has also been selected as one of the Best Places to Work in the insurance industry for the fourth consecutive year and placed first in the rankings for the second consecutive year. The prestigious honor is based on employee feedback and given annually by Business Insurance magazine in partnership with the Best Companies Group.

Selection for the Best Places to Work in Insurance list is based on an in-depth assessment of workplace benefits, policies and practices and an evaluation of employee engagement and satisfaction. The program is open to all publicly or privately held property and casualty insurers, group life and health insurers, agents and brokers, reinsurers and third-party administrators with at least 25 employees working in the United States and serving the commercial market.

About ARAG
ARAG (www.ARAGgroup.com), whose North American operations are based in Des Moines, IA, is a global provider of legal solutions. The company has an international premium base of almost $2 billion and it protects 15.5 million individuals and their families – worldwide. ARAG offers comprehensive legal plans that provide a smart and trusted path for resolving legal issues. This enables people to protect their families, finances and futures.