Congratulations to these top-tier members of the business community for their long-standing contributions to our islands.

In the current economic climate, companies on Guam and in the Northern Mariana Islands are proud to show their success and longevity in serving the people of our islands. Guam Business Magazine presents a handful of outstanding companies that are doing business in Micronesia celebrating important milestones in 2022. Through inspiration and dedication, each of them has managed to stay on course in a region that has seen more than its fair share of challenges for decades.

These leaders in their fields have ensured quality and reliability to consumers and businesses alike and have given back to the communities in which they do business, setting an example for others to follow. Guam Business is privileged to honor these companies' milestones and brings readers a special Corporate Anniversaries feature with a closer look at their endeavors.

Great National Insurance Underwriters
 

FIFTY YEARS OF DEDICATION TO OUR CLIENTS

Great National Insurance Underwriters was founded by the late Domie Bumagat Sr. 50 years ago, after he worked in the industry as a life insurance agent. His hard work, dedication to his craft, managerial, business skills and vision opened new opportunities for him as the first general agent in Guam to represent Chung Kuo Insurance Co.

Great National started as a husband-and-wife team on Sept. 20,1973. The company grew slowly but surely and employed several loyal staff. “We currently maintain a staff of 36 that effectively handle our Production, Accounting, HR & Systems and Claims departments,” says Marilou Besagar, general manager.

Domie B. Bumagat Jr. leads the executive team as president and CEO. Aside from Besagar, other executives are Vilma L. Bumagat, HR & Systems manager; Wildemonte Ubay, AISI/Claims manager, Almina Bustos, production manager; and Irene Castro, accounting manager.

Besagar says the dedication of the Bumagats was its original success. “The personalized service rendered to clients and the treatment of them as part of our GNIU family assured them that we will be there when the need arises.”

Domie Bumagat Jr. took over the leadership of the company 25 years later and brought it to the next level when the use of computers in the issuance of policies, notices and billings was initiated. “The staff had to do away with their typewriters and had to learn to use the computer. We had to make sure that we lived up to our slogan at that time, which was to be more responsive and more innovative with the use of technology,” Besagar says.

“From typewriters to the big box computers to laptops and cellphones, now we are actively engaged with our clients via email, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram,” she says. “But we still look back to where we originally came from and our founder’s philosophy. We still consider the personal touch and our dedicated service to clients the most important way of servicing and keeping them, even after 50 years,” she says.

There are many ways that Great National leads the industry, Besagar says.

“Our ability to adapt to changes and look for new ways we can attend to the needs of our customers by building relationships with our competitors, which are also partners in this industry; the support from our carrier Chung Kuo Insurance, which has been there for us through all the catastrophes we had for the past 50 years and the everyday accidents/claims that we have to attend to and pay; the professional management team of GNIU, which are very much respected in this industry;  our employees who represent all generations from baby boomers to Gen Z and are thus able to provide personalized service to our clients; the board of directors who remain committed to keep the legacy of their parents alive by ensuring GNIU thrives and is capable of meeting its challenges.”

Great National Insurance is also transforming the insurance industry in Guam. Besagar says, “With our commitment to customer convenience, we are the only agency open seven days a week, including holidays, at our Micronesia Mall branch location. But that’s not all. We have also developed a cutting-edge 24/7 cloud app, available in the Apple store and Google Play. This app allows our clients to access their accounts, make online payments, and perform other transactions anytime and anywhere with their mobile phones and desktop computer. With Great National Insurance, managing your insurance has never been easier.”

Great National offers many lines: Fire/Property, Homeowners, Automobile, General Liability, Workers Compensation, Crime, Bond and Life Insurance.

“Risk management services is something that we offer to clients,” Besagar says. “We conduct on-site inspections and give our clients our recommendations for prevention, mitigation or ways it can be an acceptable risk,” she says.

To the community, Besagar says “50 years is indeed a milestone for Great National Insurance and with all humility I say, ‘Thank you to all who have supported and believe in us all these years.  We will not be here if not because of your trust in us.’  BIBA GREAT NATIONAL INSURANCE!”