T H U R S D A Y ,  J A N U A R Y  7  ,  2 0 1 0 
                                                     
                                                     National News

Legislative Conference & Convention
Resolve to Visit Capitol Hill in 2010

The Big "I" Legislative Conference & Convention is the premier event for independent agents offering an opportunity for agents to speak to legislators in Washington, D.C. with a unified voice. The Big "I" offers talking points and a briefing session before agents head to Capitol Hill to talk about issues important to the insurance industry. For agents who resolve to be more successful in their businesses in 2010, this event is a must-attend.

In addition to the annual pilgrimage to the Hill, agents can also participate in YAC Gives Back: A Benefit for InVEST Scholarships and the first ever National InVEST Teacher Workshop. All Big "I" agents are invited to attend the National InVEST Teacher Reception & Dinner and National InVEST Teacher Workshop for an additional fee. The early bird pricing deadline for the event is Jan. 29 and the deadline for hotel reservations is Feb. 10. Visit www.independentagent.com/events to make plans to attend the Big "I" Legislative Conference & Convention, March 3-5 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.

Education
Sign Up for the Workers’ Compensation Experience Rating Webinar

Workers’ compensation experience mod errors often cause premium overcharges—and often, bidding agents areable to take these accounts away from an existing agent who was not vigilant in monitoring the insured’s mod. During the workers’ compensation rating webinar on Jan. 14, from 2-4 p.m. EST, participants will learn to decipher a mod worksheet and explain it to an insured or prospect. Agents will learn what information is needed to monitor, check and project mods; how to calculate a mod from scratch and how to identify and correct worksheet errors.
 
The webinar will explain what experience rating is and is not. This is critical to understanding how an insured can have a relatively high mod with what appears to be good loss experience. Through exercises, participants will be able to determine when an account is eligible for experience rating and when it's not, which is good to know if the insured has a debit mod. The webinar will also explore the impact of ownership changes on the mod when someone sells a business to a newly created corporation in an attempt to revert to a 1.00 mod.
                
Webinar presenters will identify the sources of information participants will need to check or calculate mods, from the worksheet to loss runs and audit reports. They will also examine and explain every single entry on a mod worksheet, from expected loss rates to D-ratios and weighting to ballast values. At the end, participants should be able to explain these items in a way insureds can understand.
 
The presentation will also go through a complete exercise of calculating an experience mod from scratch and will discuss some related issues such as when changes can be made to the mod after policy inception; the impact of loss frequency on a mod; how deductible plans work; the importance of loss control and an overview of interstate rating.
 
The webinar includes a full PDF workbook with dozens of real-life examples and exercises. Click here for more information and to register.

IIABA News
Trusted Choice^® and the Big “I” Featured in New Book on Saving Money

Elisabeth Leamy, consumer correspondent for ABC’s “Good Morning America,” has written a  new book entitled “Save Big” about the best ways to save money on big purchases. Her work outlines innovative ways to save on houses, cars, credit, groceries and healthcare, which she cites as most consumers’ five major expenses. Part of her advice to savvy consumers involves seeking the advice of a Trusted Choice^® independent insurance agent for car and health insurance needs. Leamy twice refers her readers to the Big “I” for advice on how to find a qualified independent agent. Click here to learn more about the book, which is available online from major booksellers.

Virtual University
Get Your Certificates of Insurance Questions Answered

Agents have a host of questions about certificates of insurance. What constitutes a certificate misrepresentation? What laws could hold the agency responsible for incorrect certificates? Does the agency have procedures in place to deal with unusual certificate requests? What can the agency do to minimize the chances of being sued over a certificate of insurance?

The answers to these questions and more can be found in the certificates of insurance webinar available from the Big “I” Virtual University. Those who were you unable to attend the webinar presentation on Nov. 2, 2009 can find the entire webinar online. Click here to access the recording.

Trusted Choice^®
Trusted Choice^® Marketing Reimbursement Program is Back

Agencies across the nation took advantage of the 2009 Trusted Choice^® Marketing Reimbursement and received up to $500 to offset the cost of their marketing efforts. Take inventory of your agency’s collateral, including business cards, letterhead, envelopes, agency signage, logo-wear and Web site. If you add the Trusted Choice^® logo, your agency is eligible for up to$500 from the premier national brand for independent agents. Visit www.TrustedChoice.com/MRP to learn how to participate.

Big “I” Markets
2009 Brings Record Sales for BIM Agents

Thanks to Big “I” members, 2009 was a record-breaking year for Big "I" Markets. Despite the softest market in recent memory, BIM agents wrote 31% more in premium on Big "I" Markets during 2009 than in 2008 and shattered the record for most new premium written in a year. With more marketscoming soon, the Big “I” hopes that more agents will write more new business with Big "I" Markets than ever before. Each sale helps Big “I” Markets accomplish its mission, which is to "help the independent agent to live, thrive and survive." Product highlights include:

• The affluent homeowner program grew more than 30% in premium in comparison to the prior year. Many agents are availing themselves of the Chubb Masterpiece^® product and/or the Fireman's Prestige^® Portfolio product to provide superior coverages to the high-end market. While it is true that many high net-worth households are challenged by the economic times, they still have risks that require the unique coverage options offered via the affluent program in order to get the most appropriate coverage. Keep an eye out for some more webinars designed to educate agents on the coverage advantages of the BIM affluent products.

• With the habitational market, agents can write apartment buildings, condominiums and, in some states, vacation rental property. Specialty niches include student housing, senior housing and affordable housing.

• Many agents have taken advantage of the non-standard homeowners E&S market, especially the coastal homeowners and the non-admitted vacant home product. For those who have a high-value home that is declined for value, unprotected town class or seasonal exposure, Big "I" Markets can help. Click here for a listing of all markets that fall under the banner of non-standard homeowners.

• The restaurant markets recently expanded to include multiple classes of hospitality markets. Click here for a list.

• In this difficult real estate market, real estate agents need E&O protection now more than ever. BIM agents can offer them the best product on the market – 1stChoice+SM from Travelers. Meanwhile, the news regarding community banks is less than encouraging, so they also need the best insurance coverage they can get. The SelectOne^® product from Travelers offers one of the most flexible policy forms on the market.

Access these markets and more today by visiting www.bigimarkets.com. 

Trusted Choice^®
Address Winter Fire Risks with Customers

Winter brings with it the opportunity to decorate in creative ways using candles and electric lights and the chance to finally start cozy fires in unused fireplaces. The unfortunate consequence is that winter is also a prime time for fire-related injuries, property damage and even deaths. Agents can help families prepare for fire risks and hazards that may come during the winter months by passing this list of tips on to customers.

ACT
ACT Releases Social Media Policy Guide for Agencies

Want to learn more about entering the social media world safely? The Big “I” Agents Council for Technology (ACT) has released a report titled “Creating a Social Web Policy for Your Independent Agency.”

“Agents are understandably excited about the potential of the social Web to expand their marketing reach, shape their brand and enhance their client communications,” says Jeff Yates, ACT executive director. “But agents also want to know what their risks are in using social media, how they can make sure these tools do not detract from their employees’ productivity and how they should structure their agency’s social media policy. ACT’s new report seeks to help with each of these three issues.”

"It is good management to deploy a social web policy that clearly lays out what is and isn’t permissible when employees are presenting themselves as representatives of your organization,” says Rick Morgan, ACT Web 2.0 Work Group chairman and principal of Rick Morgan Consulting. “Agency employees participating on the social web can contribute greatly to enhance their firm’s brand online by giving the firm a ‘personality’ and revealing the quality and expertise of its staff. This guide will be an invaluable tool for agencies, brokers and carriers as they embark on their social media journey."

ACT’s new 12-page report contains a checklist of key steps to take in developing and implementing an agency social Web policy, sample policies from some prominent companies, examples of possible provisions to include and suggestions for a social Web code of conduct for agency employees. Agents can also visit the ACT Web site to view actual policies that two independent agencies are using today. To download the report and access these additional resources, click here. 

Big I Advantage^®
Access Internet Leads with the Member Marketing Activity Center

With competition from 436,000 captive and independent insurance agents in the U.S., agencies need to reach potential customers more quickly and efficiently than ever. Today's consumer uses the Internet to evaluate almost everything, from cars to software to prospective mates, and the same goes for insurance. To reach these consumers, agents need to have access to a slice of the insurance inquiries being generated online. Internet leads represent the best opportunity to reach consumers while they are actively looking for a new insurance policy.

To read a white paper on Internet leads, click here. In the meantime, members can get started with Internet leads today by going to the Big “I” Member Marketing Activity Center (MMAC). After paying the annual access fee of $18.96, agents can request $100 worth of free Internet leads and can determine whether making Internet leads a part of their marketing process makes sense. Visit www.independentagent.com/MMAC to learn more.


Big I Advantage^®
Big “I” Seeks Caliper Success Stories

If you’re one of the thousands of Big “I” member agencies that has successfully worked with Caliper for personality profile testing, coaching or human resources consulting, the Big “I” wants to hear from you. Interesting stories will be shared with the national Big “I” agent community through this publication. Please send success stories to Elif Wisecup at elif.wisecup@iiaba.net. Big “I” members receive exclusive discounted pricing on all Caliper services. Visit www.independentagent.com/Caliper to learn more.