United Fire Group, Inc. (UFG) (Nasdaq: UFCS), a nationally-recognized Property and Casualty (P&C) insurer, and Guidewire Software, Inc. (NYSE: GWRE), a provider of software products to P&C insurers, today announced that UFG has selected Guidewire Core and Data products to modernize its systems and transform the way it does business. Guidewire PartnerConnect™ Consulting Premier member, PwC US, is the system integrator selected by UFG.

UFG has selected Guidewire PolicyCenter®, BillingCenter, Rating Management, and Reinsurance Management as its policy administration, underwriting, rating, reinsurance, and billing management platform. The company also selected Guidewire DataHub™ and InfoCenter as its data management and analytics solution, and Smart Communications™ for customer communications management. Guidewire is a reseller of Smart Communications, a Guidewire PartnerConnect™ Solution and Ready for Guidewire program member.

UFG sought a vendor with a strong track record of successful insurance platform implementation projects. Guidewire products will allow UFG to issue policies more efficiently, improve underwriter decision making, provide greater data accessibility and, most importantly, enhance the ease of doing business for agents.

“We are taking a proactive approach to modernize our systems and create the opportunity for transformational change,” said Mike Wilkins, executive vice president and chief operating officer, UFG. “The goal is to build a platform that enhances our processing capabilities and creates a central data structure to guide strategic decision making.”

The Guidewire Core and Data products will enable UFG to:

  • Enhance operational efficiencies, enterprise agility and employee productivity to transform its business processes;
  • Optimize the agent experience through ease of use and productivity enhancements;
  • Empower underwriters to increase focus on agent relationships through more automated system processing; and
  • Advance enterprise analytics capabilities and provide superior business intelligence to enhance underwriting decision making.

“We are honored that UFG has entrusted us with their Guidewire Core and Data implementations,” said Imran Ilyas, Principal, PwC. “We are proud to be supporting UFG’s program to better meet the needs of their agents and policyholders in a rapidly changing insurance marketplace.”

“We are pleased to welcome UFG to the Guidewire community,” said Steve Sherry, chief sales officer, Guidewire Software. “We applaud UFG’s dedication to protecting people and earning their trust and are looking forward to helping the company meet its business objectives.”

About UFG

Founded in 1946 as United Fire & Casualty Company, UFG, through its insurance company subsidiaries, is engaged in the business of writing property and casualty insurance and life insurance and selling annuities.

Through our subsidiaries, we are licensed as a property and casualty insurer in 46 states, plus the District of Columbia, and we are represented by approximately 1,200 independent agencies. A.M. Best Company assigns a rating of “A” (Excellent) for members of the United Fire & Casualty Group. Our subsidiary, United Life Insurance Company, is licensed in 37 states, represented by approximately 1,550 independent life agencies and rated "A-" (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. For more information about UFG visit www.ufginsurance.com.

About PwC US

At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. PwC is a network of firms in 158 countries with more than 236,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services. Find out more and tell us what matters to you by visiting us at www.pwc.com/US.

PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details.

About Guidewire Software

Guidewire delivers the software that Property and Casualty (P&C) insurers need to adapt and succeed in a time of rapid industry change. We combine three elements – core operations, data and analytics, and digital engagement – into a technology platform that enhances insurers’ ability to engage and empower their customers and employees. More than 300 P&C insurers around the world have selected Guidewire. For more information, please visit www.guidewire.com. Follow us on twitter: @Guidewire_PandC.

NOTE: Guidewire, Guidewire Software, Guidewire ClaimCenter, Guidewire PolicyCenter, Guidewire BillingCenter, are registered trademarks of Guidewire Software, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.