Patrick Caine, Chief Information Officer for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company and Countryway Insurance, reflects on an 11-year partnership with Finys. He emphasizes the importance of selecting a vendor with a proven track record, the trust established between teams, and the role of Design Studio in accelerating speed to market. Patrick shares how Finys’ technology and collaborative approach have helped both companies achieve high agent adoption and adapt easily to new system capabilities.
About Virginia Farm Bureau and Countryway Insurance
Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company and Countryway Insurance operate with two distinct distribution channels, requiring insurance software technology that can serve both effectively. Their leadership values proven reliability, long-term partnership, and modern development tools.
Choosing a Partner with a Proven Track Record
For Patrick, selecting a core insurance platform was about more than features or cost—it was about finding a trusted partner. Finys’ experience and reliability made them the clear choice, with the confidence that both companies could grow together over time.
High Agent Adoption Across Multiple Channels
Operating two companies with separate distribution channels means adoption is critical. With Finys, both the agency force and customer service representatives adapted quickly, with equal adoption rates across both channels.
Keeping Pace with Technology and Speed to Market
Finys continually evolves its technology to support faster, more efficient development. With Design Studio, product teams and business analysts now have greater control throughout the development lifecycle—reducing turnaround times and enabling faster market launches.
Full Transcript
My name is Pat Caine. I’m the Chief Information Officer for the Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, also Country Way Insurance. We have been with Finys for 11 years, as of next month. Several factors contribute to the decision to choose this type of platform. Primary one was the proven track record. Our primary objective when we go into this type of implementation is, of course, cost is always one of them. These are not inexpensive endeavors; they’re long-term commitments. So cost is a factor, of course, but first of all, we’re looking for someone that we could partner with, someone that would become a true partner, someone that we could trust. We trust our judgment, but we could also trust theirs. Our working relationship with Finys has been fantastic. Couldn’t have asked for a better partner. A system like this, agent adoption is a critical thing.
We operate two different companies with two different distribution channels, so we have to meet both needs. And our agency force and our customer service reps have adapted to the system very, very easily. The adoption rate across those two different channels has been equal. Finys has done a really good job keeping up with technology and technological advancements, and it’s not just about writing good code and good technology. It’s about speed to market. It’s about making the development process easier, more efficient, and more effective for everybody. And so with the use of Design Studio, which they’ve recently come out with, it gives our product people, our business analysts, more control throughout the development lifecycle and gives us that speed to market that I think all product people are looking for. As somebody who’s looking for a major new system, an older company that maybe is looking for a new platform, it’s a challenge, and you couldn’t have asked for a better partner. They don’t try to be all things to all people and to all carriers. We chose them, and we feel like they kind of chose us as far as being happy with Finys, absolutely, it’s a good decision. We know that they have the right people behind the system, and they’re constantly advancing it. So very happy that we went with them. Very happy to be with them right now, and knowing that we will grow together.
