LAKELAND, Fla. (September 5, 2014)—BusinessFirst Insurance Company, is excited to announce that it is now offering workers’ compensation insurance coverage to employers in South Carolina.

Thomas S. Petcoff, president of BusinessFirst notes, “We are pleased to begin offering workers’ compensation coverage in South Carolina. Agents and business owners can count on tailored loss prevention services, comprehensive claims management, responsive customer service and competitive dividend plans.”

BusinessFirst Insurance Company and affiliate RetailFirst Insurance Company comprise the RetailFirst Insurance Group. During 2013, the companies reported more than $108 million in combined direct written premium, and as of June 30, 2014, the group had more than $300 million in total admitted assets and almost $149 million of policyholder surplus.

A Florida-based company, BusinessFirst expanded into Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee in 2010 and has experienced consistent, positive growth in each of those states. “Since our companies write only workers’ compensation insurance, our independent agents can count on us to offer competitive products backed by the financial stability of the RetailFirst Group, which has taken a disciplined approach to underwriting that focuses on long-term profitability and growth for more than 35 years,” says Petcoff.

The Group insures more than 14,000 businesses throughout Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee. The group is rated B⁺⁺ (Good) by A.M. Best Company and has excess of loss reinsurance coverage provided by A⁺ rated Safety National Casualty Corporation. Day-to-day operations of the group are managed by Summit Consulting LLC, a managing general agent with more than 35 years of experience in workers’ compensation and more than $650 million of workers’ compensation coverage under management in the Southeast.

For more information about BusinessFirst, visit businessfirstinsurance.com.