MSI policyholders now hear a Country tune The insurance companies' merger affects about 1,900 locally By Ray Barrington News-Chronicle Banks aren't the only financial institutions with merger fever. Insurance companies also are looking for economies of scale, growth and other benefits, and one of the better known companies in Wisconsin has joined the trend. MSI Insurance, based in Arden Hills, Minn., has merged with Bloomington, Ill.-based Country Insurance. MSI is by far the better-known brand in Wisconsin, with about 1,900 customers in the Green Bay area, according to vice president-agency Stephen R. Ricklefs. The two serve different areas, a key point in the merger. MSI has focused on Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota and California. Country has focused on Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. The joined firms will operate under the Country name, and that will mean changes for clients, said Cathy Oloffson, media relations coordinator for the company. "We really want to assure them that nothing much is changing but the name," she said. Ricklefs emphasized that the merger would provide more services for MSI customers. Country offers financial services, such as annuities, that MSI did not, and Country has a higher rating on financial strength. The geographic diversity will help, he added. "When you're hit by bad storms, if you're located in one particular area, it hurts," he said. He emphasized that MSI agents would remain and customer service would be expanded, with Country already having a 24-hour call center, something that MSI did not. The name change is rolling out gradually through 2004. Letters have been sent to policyholders, and new signs are being ordered. Customers will be notified shortly before their policies are renewed and their new policies will carry the Country name. Ricklefs said auto policy holders would not be affected by the change. "Whatever category they were in with MSI will not be affected," he said. MSI recently opened an office in De Pere with four agents, and it already has the Country sign up, he said.