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 Industry News

Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention
Registration Deadline is Tomorrow for Inclusion in Directory

Big “I” members need to register for the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention by 5 p.m. EST, April 3 to be included in the event attendee directory. Registrations submitted after this time are not guaranteed inclusion in the event attendee directory, but will be included in a supplemental directory. Agents who register by 5 p.m. EST tomorrow will also be entered into a drawing to win a 16GB second generation iPod Touch. To register for the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention, April 29 – May 1 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C., visit www.independentagent.com/events or click here. E-mail Lauren Batch with questions at lauren.batch@iiaba.net.


Best Practices
Five Reasons to Build Your Disaster Recovery Plan Now

What would your agency or clients do in the event of a berserk employee, boycott, flood, technology failure, negative media exposure, storm or terrorism? Do you have a plan in place? The current floods in North Dakota and impending seasonal storms serve as a reminder that there is no time like the present to prepare. 

Why build a plan? Here are five reasons:

1. Under pressure, emotional decisions can be costly. Decisions based on a prepared plan have been shown to be more effective, timely and less costly overall.
2. A plan can reduce recovery time and the impact on customers.
3. A plan will instill confidence in employees and customers that the organization is there for the long-term.
4. Insurance settlements require “due diligence and dispatch” in recovering from interruption. A plan helps prove that the organization has acted accordingly.
5. Inappropriate costs are avoided.

The Best Practices of Crisis Management CD can help you prepare for these occurrences and minimize the impact on normal business. Obtain your CD, and customize a manual that will outline initial steps to determine if your plan needs to be executed. This information is valuable to an agency and its clients. Click here to download the order form. For more information on other Best Practices resources, click here or e-mail BestPractices@iiaba.net.


Virtual University
VU and IRMI Partnership Program

Information is the key to success in this challenging industry, but information is only as good as the solutions and practical strategies it provides. Since the field of risk management and insurance is incredibly complex and ever-changing, it’s difficult to keep up-to-date.

Fortunately, the International Risk Management Institute, Inc. (IRMI^®) does that for you.

You have to see the IRMI Reference Library for yourself to understand its depth and practical application. For example, did you know IRMI publishes nine resources just for commercial liability? Free training is available for using these resources, and you can schedule a no-obligation demo to “kick the tires.”

You’ll find every resource you need in the alphabetical list of publications available in the “partnership programs” area of the Big “I” Virtual University. From there, you can easily add any IRMI publication to your resource library for IRMI Online or SilverPlume Sage.
 
IRMI is a premier authority in providing practical solutions and strategies for risk and insurance professionals. The industry’s top agents, brokers and account support staff use IRMI to pinpoint errors in competitors’ policies and proposals, plus assure their own are bulletproof.
The IRMI team of research analysts is one of the largest and most experienced teams in the U.S. property-casualty insurance and risk management publishing field. The team has a combined 318 years experience working as underwriters, risk managers, consultants, agents, brokers, attorneys and research analysts. Let IRMI be “your resource for risk and insurance solutions!”™
 
Access to the IRMI catalog is available for Big “I” members via the Big “I” Virtual University at www.iiaba.net/VU.


Education 
ACSR/NAIW Scholarship Reminder

The Big “I,” in close cooperation with the National Association of Insurance Women International (NAIW), continues to offer a scholarship program to further promote insurance agents and brokers’ commitment to excellence. 

This May, during NAIW’s annual convention in New Orleans, La., the Big "I" and NAIW will award the following scholarships toward the Accredited Customer Service Representative Designation (ACSR): Two full scholarships to take all classes required to earn the ACSR personal, commercial or life-health designation; and one scholarship to take one ACSR personal, commercial or life-health class.

Scholarship recipients will gain critical professional development skills, improve their customer service tactics, retain accounts and reduce their agencies’ E&O exposure. In addition, they will be able to take advantage of earning their designation online via the Big “I” Virtual University.

Applicants must be current and active members of the NAIW in good standing, work at a Big "I" member agency, employed full-time and must have been in the insurance industry for at least one year. Applicants must intend to complete and achieve the ACSR designation within three years or take the ACSR class within one year, and expect to continue their career in the insurance industry for the next three years. To download an application, click here. All applications must be postmarked no later than April 15.


Young Agents
Conference & Convention Events Geared Toward Young Agents

The National Young Agents Committee is offering events geared specifically for up-and-coming leaders at the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention. Special sessions include a first-time Young Agents attendee reception, the Young Agents and InsurPac State Chairpersons Legislative Luncheon with guest speaker Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), two hospitality events, a tour of Washington, D.C. and the National Zoo and the always-popular Presidents’ Panel breakfast with Big “I” leadership. Joining Big “I” Chairman Brett Nilsson on the Presidents’ Panel will be:

* Harold Morrison, executive vice president and chief global field officer, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies

* John Hennessy, senior vice president of distribution management, CNA

* Scott Goodby, president of Regional Companies Group, Liberty Mutual Agency Markets

* Jim Clay, president, Westfield Insurance

Young agents will gain valuable legislative and leadership skills at this ground-breaking insurance industry event. The Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention will be held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington D.C., April 29 – May 1.

For more information, contact Katie Cosgrove, manager of the National Young Agents program, at 703-706-5455; katie.cosgrove@iiaba.net.


Big “I” Markets
Real Estate Professional Liability Offered

Do you have clients or friends who are realtors? Protect them with the Travelers Real Estate E&O product, which Big “I” members may access through Big “I” Markets. Click here to read a fact sheet about this product, then log on to Big “I” Markets at www.bigimarkets.com to submit a quote.


Big “I” Markets
Vacant Property Market Available

As the economy continues to sputter, the number of vacant homes continues to increase. Don’t forget that with Big “I” Markets you have access to two vacant home products:

• Vacant Property Program Admitted: Currently in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont, and offered by MiddleOak Specialty.

• Vacant Dwelling Non-Standard: This excess & surplus market is available in all 50 states, via Lexington. Members in North Carolina and New Mexico have access to this program if they are licensed in E&S lines and provide a copy of the license and a written statement  agreeing to file taxes according to their DOI regulations.

To learn more about the types of exposures vacant homes present and why owners of vacant homes need a policy that is designed specifically for vacant homes, click here. To view the products available on Big “I” Markets, log on to www.bigimarkets.com.


InsurBanc
InsurBanc Visa Business Rewards Credit Card Available

InsurBanc, the bank designed by agents for agents, has introduced a credit card designed for insurance professionals. This unique business credit card includes an easy way for you to manage your agency, earn free travel rewards and enjoy numerous protections not found anywhere else.

In today’s economy, you need financial choices to help you manage your business efficiently and add to your bottom line. InsurBanc’s unique business credit card does just that. It comes with the features and benefits that are important to your agency, as well as expense management, including no annual fees, zero liability on unauthorized purchases, an introductory rate on purchases and balance transfers, no balance transfer fees and the chance to earn rewards toward travel, merchandise, gift cards or even cash for every dollar you spend.

There’s also more than 10 enhanced protection benefits, online access to your card and a quick and easy online application.
 
To find out more or to apply, click here.

Learn more about InsurBanc at www.insurbanc.com or call 866-467-2262.


Big “I” Flood Program
Big “I” Flood Program to Offer “Spring into Sales with Excess Flood” Webinar

Join us for an overview of excess flood products – Flood Excess, Non-Participating Communities & CBRA or other protected properties all available through the Big “I” Flood Program. Company partner Wells Fargo Special Risks, Inc. will present the ins and outs of excess flood placement, eligibility of risks, their in-house authority and when Lloyds submissions for rate are necessary. To register for this hour- long webinar being held from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on April 16, click here.