American Home Life Insurance Company
“IT insurance” with Mize Houser
When I joined American Home Life in 2002, I was surprised at the lack of Information Technology staff and systems. My career had included other insurance companies across the country and with one exception – a company that was online to a related company in another state - all had in-house systems. I had used packaged software and custom software supported by internal IT staff. Here at AHL, when I asked about anything related to IT, I was referred to someone at Mize, Houser. My first reaction was – why are they doing all the things we should be doing?
Since that time, I have come to appreciate the benefits of our relationship with Mize Houser. Data Processing is a “different animal” – they need to work when the rest of us aren’t! I’m relieved to not have to manage staff beyond our normal business day and to know if something were to go wrong, the staff at Mize Houser will be working to get it resolved. I’m reminded how valuable their Hosted Service is when I participate in the tests of their disaster recovery plan - and reassured because it works! I just don’t worry about whether our systems will be “up”.
We also look to Mize Houser for network administration. We handle the day-to-day tasks and consult with Mize Houser for strategic advice and assistance.
But the primary basis of our relationship is the custom system we support together. My understanding is our companies started this project in the 70’s. The main goal (which at the time was significant) was to move from a batch to an interactive environment. Mize Houser developer, Rich Beck, was part of that team and is our primary contact yet today. We’re especially pleased that others have been brought in to support our system – which makes us feel less at risk. Besides being good analyst/programmers – there are so few errors when we test new applications – their real value to us is in their knowledge of our business. They join us when we meet with other members of our management team to learn their needs, then together we thrash out the details. I respect the fact that they occasionally play Devil’s Advocate – even asking if we have the in-house expertise to define the requested system!
And the system continues to evolve – we’ve implemented an Agent’s Zone on our web site and now we’re developing systems to enable agents using telemarketing techniques to write a policy while the prospect is on the phone.
When asked to provide this letter, I was also asked if we would recommend Mize Houser to others. I said, “Yes!” I believe not everyone knows their type of service exists and I’m happy to spread the word.
Mike Donnelly
Vice President – Administration
The American Home Life Insurance Company, whose executive offices are located in Topeka, Kansas, is a mutual life insurance company which markets, underwrites and services traditional, individual life insurance and annuity policies and sells pre-need and final expense life insurance products. Founded in 1909, the company markets its policies primarily through independent agents to families in 24 states. To learn more about AHL, please visit their web site at www.amhomelife.com.
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