2024 was an exciting year of new milestones, expanded offerings and giving back to the communities we serve. We continued living out our core values, serving people and aspiring for better. Let’s explore just a few highlights from the year.
Protective joins the 2024 Miami Open
Protective was the exclusive life insurance partner of the 2024 Miami Open presented by Itaú, held March 17-31 at Hard Rock Stadium.
“The Miami Open presented by Itaú is pleased to have Protective play a new and important partnership role with us in Miami,” said Josh Ripple, SVP of Tennis Events at IMG, which owns and organizes the Miami Open. “Protective will provide our fans and community with a tremendous opportunity to learn about its world-class life insurance products and services, and we think the alignment of our two powerhouse brands will bring exceptional value to both.”
The Miami Open sponsorship helped us reach more than 11 million viewers in the U.S. and 72 million viewers around the world with insight about the importance of life insurance.
As part of our sponsorship, we collaborated with the Miami Open presented by Itaú to support Amigos For Kids, a nonprofit organization with a mission to prevent child abuse and neglect by valuing children, strengthening families and educating communities.
Find out how Protective made a difference with Amigos For Kids.
Rich Bielen elected as the 2025 Chair of the ACLI Board
In September, the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), the leading association driving public policy and advocacy for the life insurance industry, elected President and CEO of Protective, Rich Bielen, as the 2025 Chair of the Board. In this role, Rich will champion the accessibility and affordability of financial protection products and the life insurance industry as a whole. During his year-long term, he will lead the CEO Steering Committees on Taxation, Consumer Issues and Prudential Issues. He will also be the face of the industry and help more individuals protect what matters most in their lives.
Read more about Rich’s role with ACLI.
Protective releases 2023 Sustainability Report
Living our core value to aspire for better, Protective is committed to sustainable practices that improve lives and build a brighter future for our communities. Protective’s 2023 Sustainability Report highlights some of the accomplishments and milestones achieved including:
- Enhanced digital offerings that meet evolving needs, reduce use of paper and improve the customer experience for our more than 14.4 million customers.
- Support for teammates through enhanced offerings for mental and physical wellbeing and development opportunities to grow in their careers wherever they work.
- Continued investment in the future of our communities and creating positive change in the lives of our neighbors through approximately $4.5 million in gifts to 191 nonprofits and hands-on service activities for its teammates through Greater Birmingham Habitat for Humanity and Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Explore the full 2023 Sustainability Report.
2024 accolades and awards
We were honored to be recognized this year for our workplace culture and financial stability.
Forbes Best Midsize Employer 2024
Protective made Forbes' list of America’s Best Employers 2024 in the midsize category, which includes companies with 1,000-5,000 employees. Based off third-party survey responses, this award recognizes mid-sized employers that keep their employees happy and engaged.
Great Place to Work Certification
For the third year in a row, Protective was awarded the Great Place to Work Certification. Based on employees’ anonymous survey responses, 90% of teammates reported that Protective is a great place to work, which is our highest score yet and 33 percentage points higher than typical U.S.-based companies.
Fortune Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance 2024
This year, Protective made its debut on Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance list, ranking 38th in the large employer category and placing it among other top-tier companies to work for in the financial services and insurance industry
Fortune Best Workplaces for Women™ 2024
Protective earned a spot in the large company category of Fortune’s list of 100 Best Workplaces for Women, which honors companies that create great work experiences for women at all levels of the organization.
AM Best’s Standing the Test of Time
AM Best is the world’s first and largest credit rating agency specializing in the insurance industry, operating in over 100 countries. This prestigious list highlights life and health insurers that have maintained an AM Best’s Credit Rating of A or higher for 75 years or more.
Newsweek’s America’s Best Customer Service 2024
Protective topped this list in the Life Insurance subcategory, with a score of 91.89, three points higher than the second-ranked company. Rankings are calculated through an independent survey of more than 30,000 U.S. customers.
These recognitions are made possible by the dedication of Protective’s teammates and the positive workplace culture they help create. Protective is proud to provide our outstanding team of employees with a great work environment, excellent culture, support, training and opportunities for career advancement.
Supporting our communities
We’re committed to improving the quality of life of our local communities and collaborating with others to create the greatest possible impact. Here’s a look at some of the ways we supported our communities in 2024:
Week of Service
In July, more than 200 protectors from Cincinnati, St. Louis, Syracuse/Elgin and Birmingham joined efforts at three core locations to enhance greenspaces.
“We’re protectors in every sense of the word: We protect the people we serve through our business. We also protect our families, communities, neighbors and environment,” says Lori Dixon, Lead Associate, Community Engagement, Protective Life Foundation. “A lot of the work we do every day is performed behind a computer. That said, we know our employees care deeply about the community, and particularly the environment. This was a great way to get them outside and connected to a cause that matters to them.”
Most Valuable Protector
For the sixth consecutive year, Protective partnered with UAB Athletics Department and Blazer Sports Properties/Learfield to award the Most Valuable Protector to one exceptional community organization at each UAB home game. 2024 honorees included Neighborhood Housing Services, Extra Yard for Teachers, Heart Gallery Alabama, The Bell Center, the Jimmie Hale Mission and Common Thread.
Protecting Good
The Protecting Good program was launched by Protective in collaboration with the City of Birmingham and the State Department of Insurance. Together, they work to identify ways to give back to Northside Birmingham residents who live near Protective Stadium.
One of the ways we worked to provide meaningful change in Birmingham through Protecting Good was a local sponsorship of the American Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers campaign. In Birmingham, the bystander CPR rate, meaning CPR performed before emergency personnel arrive, is a very shocking 7.52%, compared to the national average of around 40%. With our communities’ needs in mind, Protective's sponsorship provided CPR training kits and AHA training support to the 31 City of Birmingham fire stations.
In May, Protective teammates canvassed the neighborhoods around Protective Stadium to offer fire prevention education. Teams offered free smoke detectors and installation as well as guidance for developing home evacuation plans.
“We’re immensely grateful for corporations like Protective who care so deeply and passionately about our community. We continue to work together to save lives in Alabama,” said Anne Rygiel, Executive Director of the Mid Alabama chapter of the American Red Cross.
Community events at Protective Stadium
In August, we sponsored the Protecting Good Wellness Fair at Protective Stadium. In collaboration with UAB Live HealthSmart, we were able to provide complimentary wellness resources and life-saving education to local residents.
Protective hosted its third annual Trick or Treat in the Suites on Oct. 27 at Protective Stadium. Ghosts, goblins, princesses and superheroes from nearby neighborhoods and local organizations were treated to candy, snacks, Halloween activities and more.
The inaugural Gifts for Good Holiday Market at Protective Stadium invited the Birmingham community to celebrate the season of giving. Attendees enjoyed festive activities and entertainment while shopping for unique holiday gifts from local nonprofit organizations.
Protective completes acquisition of ShelterPoint
In November, we announced the closing of Protective’s acquisition of ShelterPoint, a leading provider of statutory disability, paid family and medical leave and medical gap insurance products, among others.
“Today marks a special milestone in Protective’s story as we add a new business line to our portfolio,” said Wade Harrison, EVP, Chief Operating Officer for Protective. “ShelterPoint is a well-known leader in the employee benefits industry, and we are thrilled about the opportunities it brings.”
We’re proud to share our accomplishments from 2024, and we’re already working toward new milestones in 2025. We look forward to more opportunities to protect what matters, serve others and make a positive difference in all facets of our business in the new year.
