Top of their game: some of the most profitable writers of personal lines insurance are not household names. But whether they specialize in underwriting, claims management or keepingoverhead costs low, they all tend to keep a laser-like focus on the bottom line.(property/casualty)(Cover story)

Best's Review, December, 2006 by Green, Meg

Key Points

* A few of the most profitable underwriters of personal lines owe their success to carving out a niche market.

* Some of these profitable underwriters credit their success to keeping expenses low, carefully selecting risks or savvy claims handling.

* Some find great success harnessing technology, while others swear by their people power.

Don Adams, president of Bear River Mutual Insurance Co., is pleased that the company has outperformed most writers of homeowners multiple peril and private-passenger auto liability.

For the past 10 years, the Murray, Utah-based company has turned a tidy combined ratio of 72.4 in homeowners multiple peril, meaning for every $1 in premiums the company took in, it spent only 72.4...

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