Cornerstone Insurance Group - News

ADVANTAGE AGENT OF THE YEAR

4/16/2025

The Farmers Alliance Companies in McPherson, Kansas, have announced that Cornerstone Insurance Group has been named a Farmers Alliance Advantage Agent for 2025.

To qualify as an Advantage Agent, an agency must exhibit superior professionalism and profitability over five consecutive years. Advantage Agents are recognized by Farmers Alliance as the “best of the best”. Reaching this level of distinction reflects this agency’s commitment to their customers and their community. Congratulations to Cornerstone Insurance Group for this achievement.

The Farmers Alliance Companies are represented by independent agents, and serve eight states. Farmers alliance was established in 1888 and writes a full range of property and liability insurance for homes, farms, and commercial businesses. For more information visit www.fami.com.

Cornerstone Insurance Group is affiliated with Cornerstone Bank and has 18 insurance offices in 17 communities in Nebraska including: Albion, Aurora, Bartlett, Beaver Lake, Central City, Clay Center, Columbus, Harvard, Malmo, Murray, North Loup, Polk, St. Edward, Stromsburg, Sutton, Wilcox and York. Cornerstone Insurance offers Home, Auto, Farm, Commercial, Crop, Health and Life insurance as well as specialty coverages needed in our area. The goal at Cornerstone Insurance is to provide unmatched customer service to their clients.

Get the Coverage You Deserve for Your Pivots

1/23/2025

Building on... Pivot Insurance

Pivots are damaged in Nebraska nearly every year, causing high dollar losses, a great deal of extra work, and, most of the time, crop loss due to delayed irrigation. They’re likely the most durable piece of equipment on your farm, but there are times when your center pivots are up against the forces of Mother Nature. That’s why insurance is one of the most important things you can add to your irrigation system.

With the increasing cost to replace and insure pivots, Cornerstone Insurance Group is here to help you find the best coverage options. By working with one of our independent agents, you’ll have access to multiple carriers, ensuring competitive rates and coverage tailored to your specific needs—including replacement cost for older pivots.

Here are some common questions growers have when evaluating pivot insurance policies:

Why do growers need to insure their center pivots? Center pivots are a big investment. Just like tractors or combines, they’re vital to your operation, and losing one can be costly in terms of repair, replacement, and lost irrigation time.
What does a pivot insurance policy typically cover? Policies cover losses from Mother Nature—tornadoes, wind, hail, fire, lightning, and floods. Many policies, ours included, also cover theft, vandalism, collision with farm implements, rodent damage, and mechanical or electrical failure during the pivot’s first 20 years.
What should growers consider when evaluating coverage options? It’s essential to ask whether the policy covers replacement costs or depreciates the value. Also, take a look at deductibles—some companies require a deductible for each lost item in a storm event, while others, like ours, only require one deductible per policy per occurrence.
What should growers look for when choosing an insurance provider? Ask your dealer about the provider’s reputation in the industry and who they work with to ensure you’re back up and irrigating quickly.
How often should policies be reviewed? We review policies annually, and it’s important for you to sit down with your dealer to evaluate pricing and any changes to your irrigation system.

Contact a Cornerstone Insurance Group agent today to discuss your coverage options and see if we can help you secure the protection you deserve.

Inspiring Women to Lead the Way: EmpowerHER Women’s Conference

1/23/2025

On January 16, a group of Cornerstone Insurance Group agents attended the EmpowerHER Women’s Conference, where over 75 women in insurance came together to connect, recharge, and lead with confidence. From networking bingo to a thought-provoking keynote, our team left feeling inspired and ready to take on 2025!

We are proud to have had our agents participate in such an empowering event. Thank you to the sponsors who made this possible.

Pictured (L-R): Janelle Medinger, Diana Heiden, Julie Wetjen, Shania Eckhardt, Amy Fletcher and Amber Tonniges

Your Guide to an Annual Insurance Review

1/3/2025

A lot can change in your life over the course of a year, including your insurance needs. That is why it is best to review your insurance agreement and policy declarations annually, to ensure your coverage is protecting what you need it to. Here are a few of the questions you should ask yourself when looking over your policy. https://www.cigconnect.com/annual-insurance-review-guide.html

Janice Hamilton's Retirement Open House

12/16/2024

Please join us for a Retirement Open House in honor of Janice Hamilton, Customer Service Agent, as we celebrate her 27 years of dedicated service to Cornerstone Bank.

Date: Thursday, January 2nd
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Cornerstone Insurance Group - Columbus
1668 33rd Avenue, Columbus, NE 68601

This event is open to the public and all Cornerstone employees. Stop by to thank Janice and wish her the very best in her retirement. Refreshments will be served. No RSVP is required.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Cornerstone Insurance Group: Serving You Since 1925

10/21/2024

Cornerstone Insurance Group has been proudly serving the people of Nebraska for decades, offering personalized and comprehensive insurance solutions across 17 communities. As an affiliate of Cornerstone Bank, we provide trusted services through our 18 insurance offices located in Albion, Aurora, Bartlett, Beaver Lake, Central City, Clay Center, Columbus, Harvard, Malmo, Murray, North Loup, Polk, St. Edward, Stromsburg, Sutton, Wilcox, and York.

Our history dates back to 1925, with the formation of First Trust Insurance Company, a cornerstone in the local insurance industry. The 1982 merger with Hylton-Finn Insurance Agency marked the creation of what would eventually become Cornerstone Insurance Group. Since then, we’ve built a solid foundation of service, with the guidance of local business leaders like Scott Nelson and Kelly Holthus, who helped grow the agency through dedication to their clients and community.

In 2006, Cornerstone Bank recognized the strength of that foundation and acquired the agency, rebranding it as York Insurance Group. Today, under the leadership of Ben Royal, our VP & Manager, Cornerstone Insurance Group has grown to cover a wide range of insurance products, including Home, Auto, Farm, Commercial, Crop, Health, and Life insurance, as well as specialty coverages tailored to meet the needs of Nebraska residents.

Our mission is simple: to provide unmatched customer service and support to our clients, ensuring that their families, businesses, and assets are protected. From farms and businesses to homes and vehicles, we are committed to offering the best insurance options with a personal touch.

At Cornerstone Insurance Group, we’re not just in the insurance business—we’re part of your community, protecting what matters most.

Timeline of Cornerstone Insurance Group

1925:
First Trust Insurance Company is established, marking the beginning of what would later become Cornerstone Insurance Group.
1940s:
Dean Sack starts the York State Bank Insurance Agency, laying another key piece of the foundation for the future Cornerstone Insurance Group.
1950s:
Don Hylton takes over the York State Bank Insurance Agency from Dean Sack.
1970s:
Joe Finn joins Don Hylton in managing the Hylton-Finn Insurance Agency.
1980:
Scott Nelson joins First Trust Insurance Company as manager.
1982:
First Trust Insurance Company merges with Hylton-Finn Insurance Agency to form York Insurance Agency, under the leadership of Scott Nelson, Bob Jones, Kelly Holthus, Dean Sack, Don Hylton, and Joe Finn.
1993:
After a gradual transition, Scott Nelson and Kelly Holthus become the sole proprietors of York Insurance Agency, Inc.
2006 (January):
Cornerstone Bank purchases York Insurance Agency, Inc. from Nelson and Holthus, rebranding it as York Insurance Group. Nelson remains at the helm until his retirement at the end of the year.
2006 (December 31):
Scott Nelson retires, and Art Moore is named general manager of insurance operations, overseeing the expansion and operations of nine insurance locations.
2024 (Present):
Ben Royal serves as the VP & Manager of Cornerstone Insurance Group, overseeing operations across 19 insurance offices in 18 Nebraska communities, including Albion, Aurora, Bartlett, Beaver Lake, Central City, Clay Center, Columbus, Harvard, Malmo, Murray, North Loup, Polk, St. Edward, Shelton, Stromsburg, Sutton, Wilcox, and York.

Sutton Grand Opening

3/22/2024

Cornerstone Insurance Group Sutton Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the grand opening of our new Sutton location on Friday, March 22, 2024 ! We had a wonderful time meeting new faces and reconnecting with old friends. It was fantastic celebrating this milestone with our community.

Pictured, in front, from the left are chamber board of director members Brook Marshall, and Julie Haag, along with agent Mike Johnson, Ben Royal, who is the vice-president and manager of retail insurance for Cornerstone Insurance, and chamber board members Jeremey Korth, and Amy Baumert. In the back is Connie Buescher with the Sutton insurance office, and Charlie Trauger, the vice-president of financial services for the agency.

CIG Insurance 101: Workers' Compensation

3/18/2024

Did you know that in Nebraska, workers' compensation insurance is required for most businesses? Cornerstone Insurance Group can help you find the right coverage to protect your employees and your business. Get a free quote today!