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

Legislative Conference & Convention
Top Insurance Carrier CEOs to Address Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention

Want to learn about the top trends affecting the insurance industry in 2010? Come hear Michael Hughes, president of Safeco; Michael LaRocco, president and CEO of Fireman’s Fund; Tom Motamed, chairman and CEO of CNA; Liam McGee, chairman and CEO of The Hartford and Big “I” President & CEO Bob Rusbuldt during the CEO panel at the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention. The event will take place on March 5 from 8–10 a.m. EST. at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.
                                 
“The Big ‘I’ CEO panel is a unique opportunity for some of the top insurance carriers in the country and our members to interact,” says Rusbuldt. “We look forward to hearing insights from some of the top experts in the insurance industry.”

The insurance carrier CEO panel, which will take place during the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention’s general session, will allow the Big “I” members to hear and participate in a discussion of some of the most important issues pressing independent insurance agents and the industry. Topics will include economic challenges facing insurance carriers, agents and the industry; the property-casualty insurance cycle; insurance regulatory reform; health care reform; the need for attracting new talent to the industry and other challenges and opportunities facing the independent agency system. The session will also include a state of the association address given by Big “I” Chairman David Daniel.

Highlights of the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention, which will take place March 3-5, include in-depth issues briefing sessions; appearances by numerous high-profile speakers discussing important insurance and national issues confronting lawmakers, as well as agents and brokers; and hundreds of meetings on Capitol Hill between Big “I” agents and brokers and their elected representatives in the Congress.

For registration and hotel information, visit www.independentagent.com and select the “Events and Conferences” link.

IIABA News
Oklahoma Agency Awarded Trusted Choice^® Agency of the Month

The Bramlett Agency, headquartered in Armdore, Okla., has been named the Trusted Choice^® Agency of the Month by Trusted Choice^®.

“The professional and experienced team at the Bramlett Agency exemplifies the Trusted Choice^® Pledge of Performance,” says Dave Evans, Trusted Choice^® executive director. “Trusted Choice^® is proud to present the Agency of the Month award to the Bramlett Agency. For more than 60 years and three generations, the Bramlett family and their team has provided excellent service and continues to serve as leaders and role models in the industry.”

The Bramlett Agency was founded in 1948 by Jim and Mary Jane Bramlett. In 1975, their son Bob joined the firm. Upon his parents’ retirement, Bob purchased the agency in 1982 and he has continued his family's legacy of commitment to their clients and to the community.

 “As a Trusted Choice^® agency, we have made a commitment to our clients to provide custom programs and services that will help benefit their clients, employees and profits,” says Bob Bramlett, president and CEO of Bramlett Agency. “We are all honored to be recognized for that commitment.”

The Trusted Choice^® Agency of the Month program recognizes those Trusted Choice^® agencies that are going above and beyond in living the tenets of the Trusted Choice^® Pledge of Performance and in communicating the benefits of their services to consumers.

Education
Learn How to Become a Best Practices Agency

Has your agency fallen short in achieving its projected growth, profit, retention and productivity goals when compared to Best Practices agencies? Industry expert Kel Plasket will present a 90-minute webinar on Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. EST that will address the specific factors separating the average agency from those in the top 25%. Each webinar “seat” costs $59 and will include executive-level, strategic concepts that focus on successfully integrating and implementing all of the moving parts of an organization. Learn how to evaluate your agency’s true operational effectiveness. Gain insight into proven methods that enhancee productivity, agency culture and proactive client service. Begin building the operational platform required to compete with the top 25% of agencies in terms of profit and growth, guaranteeing increased value and future agency success. The series will continue in mid-February and in March with webinars on how to implement profitable and productive commercial account marketing and increase productivity and service with effective information management techniques. Click here to learn more and to register or e-mail BestPractices@iiaba.net with questions.

If, after completing the webinar, you think your agency has what it takes to join the Best Practices ranks, the Big “I” and Reagan Consulting are now taking nominations to participate in the 2010 Best Practices Study. Click here to learn more about the nomination process, and click here to download a self-nomination form.                                                                                      

IIABA News
Big “I” Leaders Named Among “100 Most Powerful People in the Insurance Industry”

Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO, and Jeff Yates, executive director of the Agents Council for Technology (ACT), were recently named to the annual list of the "100 Most Powerful People in the Insurance Industry" by Insurance Broadcasting.

In compiling the list, Walter Podgurski, the newsletter’s CEO, says, “The premise is simple. What 100 people connected to the insurance industry in the U.S. would you put in a room to affect an outcome related to insurance?”

Rusbuldt is listed in the “agents organizations and distribution” category and appears for the seventh consecutive year. Yates appears for the first time this year and is listed in the “insurance technology” category.

Podgurski adds that the list includes the people who control the most insurance industry resources (people, capital, intellectual knowledge, technology, etc.) or have the most influence on those resources.

This is the seventh year Insurance Broadcasting has released this list, also known as "The Insurance Dream Team." The list is produced in conjunction with the Insurance Media Association.

Virtual University
Workers’ Comp Experience Rating Webinar Now Archived

The workers’ compensation experience rating webinar presented on Jan. 14 was recorded and has now been archived here. The archived version includes the entire program with both audio and PowerPoint slides. New registrants can download a webinar manual with appendix, a copy of the PowerPoint presentation and the Q&A discussion from the live webinar. Those who listen to the recorded webinar can e-mail additional questions to the presenter. 

Agents who participated in the webinar gave positive feedback on the presentation’s value to their businesses. One participant said, “Excellent presentation yesterday on experience mods. I can't tell you how many CFOs ask us about the specifics of the mod calculation and equation. This presentation will be very beneficial to us in responding to our clients and partners.”

This webinar discusses how to decipher a mod worksheet and explain it to an insured or prospect. Participants 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. To access the archived webinar and supporting documentation, click here. 

Trusted Choice^®
Play It Smart with a $500 Marketing Reimbursement

When making a sale, repetition is key. Occasionally, one phone call may do the trick, but more often than not, it takes multiple touches to be successful. The same goes for branding, which is why so many agents are reaping the rewards of the Trusted Choice^® brand. Agencies large and small, state associations and the Big "I" are all using the Trusted Choice^® logo in TV ads, on letterhead, on Web sites and more. Whenever a consumer sees the national TV commercials or a roadside billboard, it creates an impression for independent agents everywhere. To best leverage a Trusted Choice^® membership, the logo must be used correctly and Trusted Choice^® makes it easy to do so. The signature guide illustrates how the logo should be used and all files can be downloaded from the Trusted Choice^® Web site. What’s more, Trusted Choice^® agents who use the logo in 2010 for marketing collateral, whether it’s for stationery, business cards, a Web site or a brochure, can earn up to $500 through the Marketing Reimbursement Program to offset the cost. Follow four easy steps, which can be found at www.TrustedChoice.com/MRP. Funds are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are not a Trusted Choice^® agent, contact jenner.gohr@iiaba.net for more information.


Best Practices
CD Can Help Build Agency Disaster Recovery Plan

What would your agency employees do in emergency situations such as a berserk employee, boycott, flood, technology failure, negative media exposure, storm or a terrorist attack? There are five compelling reasons for every agency to develop a disaster plan before an emergency situation arises. First, under pressure, emotional decisions can be costly. Decisions based on a prepared plan have been shown to be more effective, timely and lower overall cost. A plan can reduce recovery time and the impact on customers, and a plan will instill confidence in employees and customers that the organization is there for the long term. In addition, insurance settlements require “due diligence and dispatch” in recovering from interruption, and a plan helps prove that the organization has acted accordingly. Finally, a plan helps the agency avoid inappropriate and unnecessary costs.

Agencies can order a CD entitled Best Practices of Crisis Management to help prepare for these occurrences and minimize their impact on normal business. Once they obtain a CD, agencies can customize a manual to determine if the plan needs to be executed, provide an external communication guide, assign and describe duties to each member of the resumption team and more. Click here to download an order form for the CD. For more information, e-mail BestPractices@iiaba.net. 

Big “I” Markets
Habitational Markets Prove Popular Among BIM Agents in 2009

MiddleOak^® was ranked as one of the top performers with Big "I" Markets in 2009 because of its outstanding products, along with its ability to provide easy solutions for agents’ placement needs. MiddleOak^® is a habitational specialist offering a comprehensive BOP policy with no year-built requirement for risks with five or more rental units. This product provides customized solutions for a variety of commercial risks such as the following: senior housing, student housing, garden-style apartments, apartment buildings, high rise buildings, outbuildings/appurtenant structures, dwelling schedules of five units or more, mixed apartments office/mercantile, planned unit developments, urban risks, housing authorities, tax credit programs - public housing and low-income, privately-owned housing.

Habitational – Apartment Program: Any year of construction is eligible as long as it’s well maintained and has been updated within the last 30 years. Eligible classes include senior housing, student housing, garden style apartments, high rises, rental condos, mixed apartments with office or mercantile exposures, urban risks, housing authorities, tax credit or public housing and low- income, privately-owned housing.

Habitational – Condominium Program: Underwriting will look for management experience within the association. Eligible classes of business include condo associations, condo conversions, homeowner associations, seasonal associations, secondary/rental associations, self-managed associations and cooperatives.

This product is currently available in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. Look for it to become available in more states in the near future.

MiddleOak^® issuing companies Holyoke Mutual Insurance Company in Salem, Mass. and Middlesex Mutual Assurance Company in Middletown, Conn. are financially rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company. For more information, log on to www.bigimarkets.com or contact Sherre Sidwell at 800-622-3780 extension 5117; sherre.sidwell@middleoak.com.