About Astro National

Back in 1967, when Edward B. Effrein established an insurance agency he chose close to 15 names, all of which were denied by the state of Illinois because they were too similar to names of existing insurance companies. Perhaps more out of frustration than genius, the name Astro was chosen as America sets its sights on putting the first man on the moon.

It was NASA’s space program and President Kennedy’s directive that America become the first nation to land on the moon that inspired Astro National’s first logo. It consisted of a lunar-like surface looking back at the earth. The message within the logo was quite clear and reflected our nation’s pride, determination and commitment to achieving this new goal. Astro National’s goal then, and now, remains essentially unchanged. Our pride, determination and commitment to meeting the insurance and financial needs of our clients remain as strong as ever.

In the early 1990s, we changed the face of our corporate logo to that of a globe representing the earth. That globe more accurately spoke to our efforts as we became involved with new clients and insurance companies in Europe, as well as the Pacific Rim. As the world of business became more global in nature, so too did the composition of Astro’s clientele. As a consequence, we began to view our clients’ needs from an international perspective. This expansion presented new challenges as the efforts to create solutions for international risk management issues was addressed. Ultimately, creating solutions for the needs of our international clients and combining them with highly skilled customer service has secured our reputation in the marketplace.

Presently, we partner with a varied and diverse range of businesses on a national and international level helping them to identify, organize, and strategize alternative methods for managing these exposures through a comprehensive insurance program.

We can work with you to develop and evaluate alternative risk financing programs based on appropriate measures of performance for risk and return. The development and evaluation of criteria is crucial to establishing efficient risk/return frontiers. These criteria will include a range of possible changes from your current program to which to make informed management decisions. These decisions include:

• Choosing among competing insurance program submissions
• Determining retention levels
• Developing negotiating strategies
• Designing and overall risk financing strategy
• Prioritizing risk management activities
• Determining appropriate risk control activities

The process for developing a proper risk financing program will include the determination of both appropriate return measures and appropriate risk measures. These measures need to be recognized and developed from the variety of needs of key decision makers through structured interviews. This process will provide an understanding of those factors that have the greatest impact on the performance of individual risks as well as the portfolio of all risks..

We also take a proactive approach to staying abreast of up-to-date knowledge of Insurance business trends. Through conducting frequent financial and business analysis, we can determine insurance business trends. We are able to anticipate where the insurance market is headed through the analysis of the leading companies and their insurance products and marketing initiatives.

Another important part of tracking of the insurance business trends has been in creating and maintaining relationships with key insurance company personnel. It is through their insight and knowledge we are able to anticipate changes to the insurance industry that will affect our clients.

Most recently, Washington lobbyists have pushed for a federal insurance charter and a new regulatory regime in Washington. However, insurance products are rooted in the separate contract, tort, and social policy laws of each state where they are sold. Insurance consumers may be left to navigate two sets of insurance regulations.

This new era of insurance regulation will, no doubt, put more emphasis on thoughtful market analysis. We listen to what industry representatives have to say and what state and federal regulators will advocate.

Another aspect of the insurance industry is the merger and acquisition of insurance carriers. Insurance carriers are acquiring or being acquired at a record pace. Analysis must encompass the economics of the two separate companies but of the combined entity.

As globalization becomes more prevalent in the insurance market, analysis must include the impact of cross border risks such as political, currency, credit and regulatory.

We understand and manage many traditional perils better than most. We also understand corporations today face a raft of other concerns that did not exist a decade ago. We will work together as business partners to help you to anticipate and respond with new approaches and solutions.

We will facilitate an evaluation of hazard and financial risks and allow you make well informed decisions. As business partners we provide you with thoughtful, personable, expert and on time solutions to businesses and individuals insurance needs. We are always willing to go the extra mile for our clients.

In retrospect, as forward-looking as Edward B. Effrein may have been, it is certainly remarkable how prophetic that first vision was, as our business is now truly global in scope.