The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents and The Hartford are looking to reward an outstanding customer service representative (CSR).

The Hartford is sponsoring the annual PIA National Customer Service Representative of the Year Award, to be given to a member of the association at an awards ceremony and luncheon March 20, 2010, in Arlington, Va.

PIA National President Jon Spalding said CSRs “form the backbone of the agency business.

“The Hartford’s ongoing commitment to its partnership with professional insurance agents is exemplary and its dedication to recognizing the key role customer service representatives play in our agencies strengthens that partnership,” he said in a statement.

The national award is given annually to an outstanding agency CSR who works for a PIA member insurance agency. Nominations are made by PIA members.

Juan Andrade

The award recognizes a representative who has improved operations of the agency, served their clients in a unique or extraordinary way and engaged in community involvement and activities to advance the betterment of the insurance industry, according to the PIA.

Juan Andrade, president and chief operating officer of The Hartford’s property-casualty operations, said the company is a “proud” sponsor of the annual honor.

“As we celebrate our bicentennial in 2010, we are excited to recognize the industry’s finest CSRs for the role they play in providing exceptional service for their customers,” Andrade said.

The deadline for nominations is January 22, 2010. Nomination forms are available online.