PRESQUE ISLE - For the second time in six years, a locally based insurance company beat out firms throughout the state and nation to garner top industry honors as the Maine Insurance Company of the Year for 2005.

Maine Mutual Group of Presque Isle received the award, which recognizes the state's top independent agency-based property and casualty insurance carrier, during the Maine Independent Agents Association's Young Agents Conference in Sebasco on Monday night. The award is open to any firm that operates in Maine, regardless of headquarters.

The Maine Independent Agents Association, based in Augusta, is an insurance network in the state that includes 188 agency members and about 1,000 independent agents.

"This really is confirmation of our business model and how we approach business," Larry Shaw, MMG president and CEO, said Tuesday of the award. "This is a vote of confidence for our employees who come in here every day and do fabulous work."

MMG employs about 145 people, who write a total of about $102 million in personal and commercial policies in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. About 52 percent of that business is conducted in Maine. MMG previously garnered the Maine Insurance Company of the Year award in 2000 and the New Hampshire Insurance Company of the Year award in 2004.

According to Stephanie Lewis, chairwoman of the Maine Young Agents Committee, other companies have received the state award more than once, but the achievement is far from the norm.

Lewis said Tuesday from her office in Augusta that the criteria for the award includes high marks in marketing, quality and timeliness of work, competitiveness, pricing, overall relationship between the company and insurance agencies, as well as efficiency in claims settlements and automation.

With all the criteria, with about 1,000 independent agents voting on the award, and with national heavyweights such as Boston-based OneBeacon Insurance as contenders, Lewis pointed out that winning the award isn't easy.