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Stonetrust Workers’ Compensation Announces Expansion into North and South Carolina

Posted on January 29, 2026 by Victoria Hoang - Uncategorized

Stonetrust Expansion announcement into North and South Carolina

Stonetrust Commercial Insurance Company, an AM Best “A” rated specialty workers’ compensation carrier, announced the expansion of its operations into North Carolina and South Carolina, effective January 2026. With these additions, Stonetrust now serves businesses across 14 states throughout the South and Midwest. The Stonetrust Expansion strengthens the company’s regional footprint and supports its long-term strategy of partnering with independent agents to serve employers with multi-state operations.

“This expansion reflects our continued commitment to steady, profitable growth while delivering our workers’ compensation solutions to more businesses with multi-state operations,” said Michael G. Dileo, Stonetrust President & CEO. “We’re excited to introduce our underwriting expertise, superior service model, and exceptional claims management to businesses in North and South Carolina.”

Independent agencies interested in a Stonetrust appointment can inquire by clicking on the following: Agent Portal | Stonetrust Workers’ Compensation. Agent Portal | Stonetrust Workers’ Compensation.

About Stonetrust

Stonetrust is a regional insurance company headquartered in Baton Rouge, LA providing workers’ compensation and employers’ liability insurance in 14 states across the Midwest and Southeastern U.S. Stonetrust provides statutory workers’ compensation insurance to employers large and small, with a concentration in construction, wholesale, retail, manufacturing, and other service-related businesses.

Your Workers’ Compensation Caddie: Stonetrust’s 2025-26 Campaign

Posted on December 23, 2025 by Victoria Hoang - Uncategorized

Stonetrust Workers’ Compensation Caddie campaign using a golf course metaphor to highlight insurance partnership

At Stonetrust, we are your Workers’ Compensation Caddie—making workers’ compensation insurance the easiest part of our policyholders’ businesses and our agency partners’ job every day. Market conditions change fast. You need a carrier you can trust completely: one that anticipates your needs, responds quickly, follows through, and helps you protect every business relationship you’ve worked hard to build. Someone who’s always by your side.

That’s the idea behind our latest campaign: Your Workers’ Compensation Caddie.

Just like in golf, no two rounds in the insurance world are the same. Markets shift, unexpected challenges pop up, and one wrong move from a carrier can put an entire account at risk. That’s why the best agents and their clients don’t go it alone. They rely on a partner who knows the course, knows their game, and understands what makes their business unique—anticipating the hazards and equipping them with exactly what they need every step of the way.

This campaign uses real golf-course moments to highlight the realities of protecting workers–the tough terrain, the off-target movements, the unexpected hazards. Through it all, Stonetrust is there to help you stay confident and competitive. With an ”A” rating from AM Best, the world’s leading insurance credit rating agency, Stonetrust’s financial strength is rock solid. Our team of expert, responsive, and relationship-driven employees sets us apart from the rest.

You’ll see this campaign across LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Google, industry publications, and at conferences throughout the upcoming year. But no matter where you encounter it, the message stays the same: Behind every great agent is a partner they can rely on.

If you’re looking for a workers’ compensation carrier who understands the course, hustles for you, and helps you deliver a win for your clients, we’re ready when you are. Visit stonetrustinsurance.com/wc-partner to see how we support agents—every step of the way.

Stonetrust Workers’ Compensation is upgraded to “A” (Excellent) Rating by AM Best

Posted on August 22, 2025 by Victoria Hoang - Uncategorized

AM Best, the world’s leading insurance industry credit rating agency, upgraded Baton Rouge-based regional workers’ compensation insurer, Stonetrust Commercial Insurance Company’s Financial Strength and Credit Ratings from A– (Excellent) to A (Excellent). Stonetrust provides workers’ compensation coverage and services to more than 5,000 policyholders in Louisiana and eleven other states in the Midwest and Southeastern regions of the United States, supporting businesses of all sizes with reliable and comprehensive insurance solutions. Their offerings include claims management, risk assessment, and dedicated customer support, ensuring policyholders receive the guidance and protection they need.

The AM Best upgrade reflects Stonetrust’s very strong balance sheet strength and consistent operating performance, highlighted by five consecutive years of positive income in every area of the business. Stonetrust President, Michael G. Dileo, commented, “The upgrade is a compliment to the tremendous team that we’ve assembled at Stonetrust and reinforces the momentum and progress that we’ve achieved over the last few years. We had just achieved our A– rating in 2022, so we’re truly excited to receive this upgrade so soon after the last one. It affirms our profitability-first strategy, the partnerships we’ve built with our outstanding agency partners, and supports our plans to expand our products into additional states.”

For policyholders and agency partners, this upgrade means continued confidence in Stonetrust’s financial stability, exceptional service, and long-term commitment to providing high-quality workers’ compensation coverage. It demonstrates that the company not only meets but exceeds industry standards, offering peace of mind to businesses and employees alike.

The recognition from AM Best is a testament to Stonetrust’s ongoing dedication to excellence, innovation, and growth. By maintaining strong financials and fostering trusted partnerships with agencies, Stonetrust continues to set itself apart as a leading workers’ compensation insurer in the region. With a focus on continuous improvement, training, and technology-driven solutions, Stonetrust ensures policyholders receive timely, efficient, and reliable support.

Here’s to continued growth, excellence, and dedication in serving Stonetrust’s agency partners and valued policyholders!

2025 Stonetrust Annual Report

Posted on April 4, 2025 by Victoria Hoang - Uncategorized

The Stonetrust 2025 Annual Report provides a comprehensive overview of the company’s performance in 2024. Stonetrust Commercial Insurance Company achieved remarkable financial success in 2024 in a challenging and hyper-competitive workers’ compensation insurance environment. The company reported strong net underwriting and investment gains, resulting in total net income of $13.1 million for the year. Stonetrust’s surplus increased significantly again in 2024, reaching $170.7 million, reflecting its strong financial foundation and stability. These results demonstrate the company’s ability to maintain profitability while navigating market challenges and continuing to provide excellent coverage and dedicated support to policyholders across all operating regions.

This year’s Annual Report features APEX Insurance Consultants of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, as the spotlight agency. APEX operates under the leadership of Stan Elrod, his daughter Melanie Bobo, and his son Michael Elrod. Since partnering with Stonetrust in 2013, APEX has grown to become Stonetrust’s largest agency in Arkansas, exemplifying the type of long-term relationships highlighted in the Stonetrust 2025 Annual Report. Their success showcases how collaborative agency partnerships contribute to sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and enhanced service for policyholders.

Stonetrust’s continued success is built on the loyalty and commitment of its agency partners and employees. The company emphasizes ongoing training, innovative claims solutions, and personalized support, ensuring policyholders receive high-quality coverage and personalized guidance every step of the way. With additional state expansion targeted for late 2025, Stonetrust plans to continue growing its business profitably with current agency partners and agencies in new markets. The 2025 Annual Report highlights these strategic initiatives, demonstrating Stonetrust’s focus on financial strength, operational excellence, and long-term agency relationships. By maintaining consistent growth, strong community engagement, and a respected reputation within the insurance industry, Stonetrust continues to position itself as a trusted and reliable provider of workers’ compensation solutions across all its operating regions.

View Annual Report

2024 Stonetrust Annual Report

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Mike Jackson - Uncategorized

The 2024 Stonetrust Annual Report provides a comprehensive overview of the company’s performance and key milestones in 2023. Notably, Stonetrust Commercial Insurance Company achieved significant financial success, reporting a 6% growth in total premiums, which amounted to $52.4 million in written premiums and $51.7 million in net earned premiums. The company’s net underwriting gain reached $11.1 million, while a net investment gain of $2.5 million contributed to a total net income of $9.4 million. Stonetrust also saw a nearly $17 million increase in its surplus, which grew to $149.5 million, further strengthening its financial position.

In line with these achievements, Stonetrust’s total assets increased from $230.8 million at the end of 2022 to $253.4 million. These results reflect a consistent trend of underwriting profitability and strong investment returns, maintaining a competitive edge in the workers’ compensation insurance market. Despite the challenges posed by declining claim frequencies, lower claim costs, and fierce competition, Stonetrust remained resilient in 2023, underwriting nearly $12 million in new business premiums.

Stonetrust’s success was further validated by its July 2024 AM Best evaluation, which reaffirmed the company’s Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of “a-” (Excellent). Most notably, AM Best upgraded Stonetrust’s outlook from “Stable” to “Positive,” citing the company’s very strong balance sheet strength, consistent operating performance, robust underwriting earnings, and steady investment income.

The report also highlights the importance of partnerships, showcasing One General Agency (OGA) as a key contributor to Stonetrust’s growth and success in Oklahoma. The company expressed gratitude for the ongoing commitment and support from its agency partners, emphasizing that Stonetrust’s continued success is largely due to these strong collaborations.

Looking ahead to 2024, Stonetrust remains focused on maintaining its growth trajectory and delivering excellent results, even in the face of evolving market conditions and technological advancements. For a full view of the company’s financial results and strategic initiatives, you can download the complete 2024 Stonetrust Annual Report below.

Learn More

Unveiling the Stonetrust Difference: Fast, Reliable, and Easy Every Time!

Posted on April 9, 2024 by Chelsea Stiebing - Uncategorized

Since 1993, our commitment to reliability has defined the Stonetrust Difference, guiding us on an incredible journey with our agents and policyholders. Our dedication to building and fostering these relationships is at the heart of everything we do. When our agents and policyholders spoke up, we listened.

They expressed their prior frustrations with other workers’ compensation companies and the hurdles they have faced over the years. From fancy gimmicks and unclear incentives, to going round and round with underwriters, it has become clear that some companies simply drop the ball all too frequently.

As we listened carefully to the feedback from our customers and partners, a vision began to emerge. The complicated interaction and slow response times of other companies reminded us of a Rube Goldberg machine, a contraption intentionally designed to perform a simple task in an overly complicated way. This comparison seemed to capture the complexity and additional steps required of agents and policyholders by other insurance companies as part of their workers’ compensation underwriting process.

Please take a moment to watch our version of the Rube Goldberg machine. To us, it illustrates how other workers’ compensation companies have complicated processes and unreliable service. Stonetrust provides a better way – always available and responsive, delivering personalized service every time. We believe in making the process simple, fast, and reliable, so you never have to jump through hoops or wait on the phone for answers.

With Stonetrust, we’ve streamlined the process, offering efficient service that’s just a phone call away. We’ve built our reputation by consistently delivering on our promises, and we continue to be a trusted partner for our agents and policyholders. At the end of the day, it’s about providing service that is reliable, responsive, and easy. That’s the Stonetrust Difference —the way insurance should always be.

Stonetrust Insurance Announces Donation Funds and Donations in Honor of Cancer Survivors

Posted on July 27, 2023 by Katie Bourg - Uncategorized

Stonetrust Cancer Donations: Supporting Survivors and Research

Stonetrust Commercial Insurance Company has announced two cancer research and treatment donation funds, as well as company donations in honor of two members of the Stonetrust team. The company recently hosted a luncheon in their Baton Rouge office to celebrate cancer survivors in the Stonetrust family and kick off their fundraising efforts for these leading nonprofits.

Stonetrust has donated $5,000 to Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center (in honor of employee Lydia Acosta) and $5,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (in honor of Dawson Bunch, son of employee David Bunch). These Stonetrust cancer donations reflect the company’s dedication to improving cancer care and raising awareness. Both organizations are leaders in research and treatment: Mary Bird Perkins provides comprehensive cancer care in Louisiana, while St. Jude focuses on saving the lives of children battling cancer across the globe. Through these contributions, Stonetrust empowers both employees and the community to celebrate survivorship and hope.

“We wanted to honor these Stonetrust team members and their families, and celebrate their courage,” said Stonetrust President and CEO Mike Dileo. “It presents an opportunity for us to learn more and understand the challenges that accompany cancer survivorship. It’s also a great reminder of the immense strength, courage, and resilience of these individuals and their families,” Dileo said. By sharing these stories, Stonetrust encourages empathy and community engagement, highlighting the importance of both corporate responsibility and personal inspiration.

Dileo emphasized that while the Stonetrust family celebrates the triumphs of Lydia and Dawson, the company is acknowledging the importance of cancer prevention and continued research towards further advances in cancer treatment.

“We encourage everyone to join us by donating individually as well. Lydia and Dawson each have a unique story that brings hope to others,” Dileo said.

READ LYDIA ACOSTA’S STORY AND DONATE
https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/Lydia

WAYS TO GIVE TO ST. JUDE
stjude.org

2023 STONETRUST ANNUAL REPORT

Posted on July 25, 2023 by Kim Leger - Uncategorized

Stonetrust is proud to announce the release of the 2023 Stonetrust Annual Report, highlighting a year of strong financial performance, operational success, and milestone achievements. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the company’s performance, including A.M. Best’s recent affirmation of Stonetrust’s A- rating, demonstrating continued financial stability and commitment to excellence in workers’ compensation insurance. For more information on industry standards and the role of financial ratings in insurance, visit A.M. Best to learn how companies like Stonetrust are evaluated.

The 2023 Stonetrust Annual Report also celebrates Stonetrust’s 30th anniversary, showcasing the growth and development of the company since its founding in 1993. A special agency spotlight highlights the partnerships that have been integral to the company’s success, recognizing the critical role insurance agents play in delivering exceptional service to policyholders. These features underscore Stonetrust’s dedication to maintaining strong relationships, supporting agencies, and fostering a collaborative insurance community.

Readers will find detailed financial information, including updated earnings, underwriting results, and investment performance, demonstrating the company’s consistent ability to navigate a competitive market while maintaining a solid balance sheet. The report reflects Stonetrust’s long-term commitment to providing reliable coverage and personalized service for businesses across multiple industries.

The 2023 Stonetrust Annual Report also reinforces the company’s strategic focus on innovation, safety operations, and policyholder support, showing how Stonetrust continues to enhance the insurance experience for all clients. By reviewing the report, stakeholders can gain insight into Stonetrust’s approach to sustainable growth and its dedication to delivering dependable results year after year.

The 2023 Stonetrust Annual Report is a testament to the company’s unwavering commitment to financial strength, operational excellence, and meaningful partnerships that have shaped three decades of trusted insurance service.

For more information about Stonetrust services, agents, or claims, explore our Agent Portal or Policyholder Portal.

View Annual Report

Financial Services Review Honors Stonetrust’s Francis Chou

Posted on January 12, 2023 by Chelsea Stiebing - Uncategorized

Financial Services Award: Stonetrust Owner Francis Chou

Stonetrust Owner, Francis Chou, founder of Chou Associates Management Inc., recently received a prestigious Financial Services Award, recognizing him as part of the Top Canada Investment Firm 2022. The flagship Chou Associates Funds has maintained a long-running and consistent track record since its inception in 1986, earning recognition as one of Canada’s best-performing equity funds. This Financial Services Award highlights Francis Chou’s expertise in investment management, disciplined value-oriented strategy, and strong commitment to long-term results and consistent excellence.

Francis Chou’s investment approach focuses on analyzing company fundamentals, including balance sheets, cash flow, and profitability, rather than chasing short-term market trends. By identifying undervalued opportunities, he has built a portfolio that consistently outperforms competitors. The recognition by the Financial Services Review reflects not only the success of Chou Associates Funds but also the strong leadership, vision, and strategic insight that Francis Chou brings to Stonetrust.

At Stonetrust, this same commitment to excellence is evident in how we serve our policyholders and agency partners. Our approach to workers’ compensation insurance emphasizes responsive service, workplace safety, and cost containment. Just as Francis Chou evaluates investments with care and precision, we carefully underwrite policies to manage risk and provide comprehensive coverage for all our valued clients.

This Financial Services Award also underscores the broader philosophy of Stonetrust: combining experience, diligence, and a long-term perspective to create sustainable results. Agents partnering with Stonetrust benefit from our strong leadership, extensive resources, and a partner-focused approach that helps them grow their book of business while providing clients with reliable workers’ compensation solutions.

Learn more about Francis Chou’s investment strategy and his approach to leadership by reading the full article from Financial Services Review. This recognition reinforces our dedication to excellence, both in the financial industry and in the workers’ compensation market we proudly serve every day.

Read Article

Stonetrust Owner Francis Chou Featured In The Globe And Mail

Posted on November 22, 2022 by Chelsea Stiebing - Uncategorized

Francis Chou investment strategy in Globe and Mail

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Stonetrust owner Francis Chou was recently featured in The Globe and Mail, sharing his insights on market trends and his investment strategy. Known for his award-winning approach to investing, Chou has built a reputation for navigating volatile financial markets with discipline and foresight.

In the interview, Chou discusses his views on bonds versus equities, explaining how investors can balance risk and return even during periods of economic uncertainty. He emphasizes the importance of holding a security’s intrinsic value and having a strong conviction during market fluctuations. “Every five to 10 years you will go through a period where stocks that are overvalued will still go up and become more overvalued, whereas stocks that are undervalued go down in price and become more undervalued,” he says.

Chou also highlights his recent investment successes, including taking advantage of undervalued opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, he invested in Athabasca Oil Corp. when prices were low and saw the fund quadruple its returns. In his equity-based RRSP fund, he invested in Resolute Forest Products Inc. at a significant discount, which later became highly profitable.

He notes that while many securities may have soared recently, their valuation often exceeded intrinsic worth. Chou prefers to focus on undervalued bonds and equities, patiently waiting for the right opportunity to invest, even if it means holding large cash positions until bargains appear. His strategy demonstrates the importance of discipline, patience, and avoiding the temptation to chase overvalued stocks.

For readers interested in learning more about Francis Chou’s investment strategy, the full article can be found in The Globe and Mail: How Lipper Award-Winning Money Manager Francis Chou Keeps His Edge.

At Stonetrust, Chou’s philosophy extends beyond his personal investments, influencing the company’s approach to insurance and risk management. Learn more about our services here: Stonetrust Workers’ Compensation and Contact Stonetrust.

Chou’s insights provide valuable lessons for both seasoned investors and those new to the market, demonstrating how a thoughtful and patient approach can lead to sustainable growth and long-term financial success. By following his guidance, investors can make smarter decisions that withstand market volatility.