Sentry Insurance, with headquarters in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, has been offering insurance products since 1904. What started out as a company designed to provide insurance to the Wisconsin Retail hardware Association has grown into a company with more than 1.1 million policy holders with approximately $10 billion in assets.

Sentry’s slogan is Strength, Protection, and Vigilance. The company symbol is a minuteman solider who led a group against the British troops in America’s War for Independence. In many ways, the slogan and symbol are fitting for the way Sentry does business. They do not run large marketing campaigns like some of their rivals. However, they do manage to grow and be very stable in what is an increasingly unstable economy. In fact, the Chairman’s message on the Sentry Insurance web site declares proudly that the company is financially sound and is not in any need of stimulus money.

Sentry Insurance offers automobile, motorcycle, boat and RV insurance. In addition, they offer homeowners and renters insurance as well as life insurance and annuities. They offer products in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia, however, the range of products differs by states. For example, in Florida Sentry only offers auto, motorcycle and life insurance.

Sentry primarily uses a workforce of agents in a traditional insurance model. While it is possible to get a quote and claim information through the website or with a 1-800 number, most transactions are conducted through the agent. Because the system is so dependent on the quality of the agents, customer service may vary dramatically. The web site, while functional and easy to use, is not designed to help the consumer complete tasks, but is more for information and as direction on how to find an agent.

Sentry does offer many of the traditional insurance discount opportunities. There are discounts available for having both auto and home insurance policies with Sentry, multiple vehicles, anti-lock brakes, anti-theft devices, safe driver, accident prevention, and good student drivers.

Overall, Sentry appears to be a financially sound insurance company. The company’s most recent rating with A.M. Best, a respected rating agency for the entire industry was A+.