September 22, 2008 (EAST LANSING, MICH.) – VG’s Food and Pharmacy has been named Accident Fund Insurance Company of America’s Policyholder of the Year for their commitment to keeping workers as safe as possible on the job.

President Lisa VanGilder accepted the award on behalf of VG’s in front of 650 applauding Accident Fund employees during a company meeting at the Breslin Center at Michigan State University.

“VG’s is honored to be recognized by Accident Fund as Policyholder of the Year,” said VanGilder. “We have an unwavering commitment to risk-management, which is a testament to our receiving this award. We want to thank Accident Fund and Smith Peabody Stiles for partnering with us and offering us guidance on our workers compensation coverage over the years.”

The award was presented by Accident Fund Vice President Al Gileczek and Corporate Underwriting Director Sheila Wright, who oversees the team that works with VG’s on safety programs and loss prevention. “In choosing a policyholder of the year, we look for companies that have made a strong commitment to the prevention of workplace injuries, and to get their injured employees cared for and back to work as quickly as possible after a workplace incident,” said Gileczek. “VG’s stands out as an employer that truly cares about providing their employees with a safe workplace.”

In 1998, Lisa VanGilder approached Smith Peabody Stiles about managing VG’s insurance program because she was concerned about their loss experience. “Now they have lowered the incidence of workplace injuries—even after adding more stores and 500 new employees,” said Wright.

VG’s insurance agent Jim Peabody of Smith Peabody Stiles was also present at the event. “We feel the success of the relationship between VG’s, Accident Fund and Smith Peabody Stiles is because of our shared commitment to provide professional, quality service with integrity,” said Peabody.

VG’s has reduced its losses by almost 100 percent since the relationship began about 10 years ago. With 17 stores in the mid-Michigan area and 2,300 employees, VG’s Food and Pharmacy is Accident Fund’s third policyholder to receive the award.

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VG’s started out as a fruit stand in Fenton, Mich. in 1949. As their business grew, they enlarged the Fenton store and added the first Clio store in 1961. Since then, VG’s has grown into a successful family-owned and –operated grocery store chain with 17 locations and 2,300 associates in the Mid-Michigan area. For more information, visit their website www.vgsfood.com.

Headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, Accident Fund Insurance Company of America is one of the nation’s leading workers compensation insurers with more than $3 billion in assets. Founded in 1912, Accident Fund is rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Accident Fund Insurance Company of America and its subsidiaries (Accident Fund National, Accident Fund General, United Wisconsin Insurance Company and CompWest) are licensed in 49 states plus the District of Columbia*. More information can be found at www.accidentfund.com.

*Licensing per state varies by subsidiary.

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