Strong partnerships are often the backbone of business success. In the world of workers’ compensation insurance, these relationships can directly impact not only costs but also workplace safety and employee well-being. That was exactly the case when Beacon Mutual, in collaboration with Bill Wence of HILB Group Southborough, helped bring Martel HVAC back under Beacon’s coverage after a period with another national insurance carrier.
Martel HVAC, based in Ashland, MA, had been a Beacon Mutual client for one policy term before moving to another carrier. During that time, they faced workplace injuries and a rising Experience Modification (MOD) rate, which increased insurance costs significantly.
According to Bill Wence, Managing Director at HILB Group Southborough, “Martel’s MOD was costing them a lot, and the national carrier they switched to just couldn’t provide the level of hands-on risk management and safety collaboration they needed. So, he set out to interview multiple carriers.”
Beacon Mutual's Solution
Recognizing the opportunity to help Martel HVAC overcome their challenges, Beacon’s Senior Underwriter Karen Mills partnered closely with Senior Safety Consultant Jack Judge and Business Development Partner Wendy Boloz. Together, they coordinated a meeting with Sean Stevens, HR Manager of Martel HVAC, and agent Bill Wence to better understand the company’s needs and chart a path forward.
When Jack Judge from Beacon met with the Martel team a few days later, he came fully prepared, engaged deeply with their questions, and demonstrated a genuine interest in understanding their business.
The client felt that Beacon genuinely cared about their story, not just about writing a policy.
Jack walked through potential hazards, identified the factors contributing to their elevated MOD, and offered practical strategies to reduce risk and strengthen their safety program.
Wence added, “Beacon’s team took the time to understand our client’s business, build trust, and create real safety improvements. Their partnership helped Martel strengthen its program and reduce risk, which is exactly the kind of outcome we strive for.”
Mills emphasized Beacon’s philosophy: “We look at accounts holistically. It’s not just the MOD on paper—it’s about understanding the client’s operations, collaborating with agents, and creating actionable safety plans that prevent claims before they happen.”
The Results
Martel HVAC’s HR/Office Manager, Stevens, said, "Through a team approach focused on aligning goals, maintaining open communication about market realities, and working collaboratively through adversity, we created something greater than a policy: we built a resilient foundation for mutual success."
The collaborative approach paid off. Martel HVAC returned to Beacon with a tailored solution that addressed both coverage and risk management. The proactive safety strategies and ongoing support promised not only cost savings but also a stronger workplace safety culture.
Wendy Boloz noted, “When everyone works together—the agent, the insured, and Beacon—you create a win-win. Martel saw immediate value in having a partner who listens and acts, not just writes a policy.”
The Beacon Mutual, HILB and Martel HVAC partnership highlights the power of relationships in workers’ compensation insurance. By combining in-depth safety expertise, attentive underwriting, and a collaborative agent approach, businesses can reduce costs, manage risk, and create safer workplaces.
For further information on securing workers' compensation insurance from Beacon Mutual, reach out to your independent agent today—Beacon will help you put together the best recipe for safety and prevention in your workplace!