T H U R S D A Y ,   M A Y  1 4 ,   2 0 0 9

 Industry News

Trusted Choice^®
Need a New Web Site or Office Sign?

“We offer you a choice of insurance products and customized policies to meet your needs.” This phone message at Big Bear Insurance in Tallahassee, Fla. defines what it means to work with a Trusted Choice^® independent insurance agency.

Earl Ossorio, the owner of Big Bear Insurance, recently received $500 in Trusted Choice^® marketing reimbursement dollars. After 20 years in the financial services industry, Ossorio decided it was time to take the plunge and start his own agency. Within a year, Big Bear Insurance, with a staff of three, was ready to compete with larger agencies. Being part of a nationwide brand with TV commercials, print ads and a membership of more than 10,000 agencies was just what they needed to put their agency front and center in the minds of consumers.

“It all clicks. I use the logo on everything I do, business cards, brochures, everything. I know many agencies in Florida are part of Trusted Choice^® and bigger agencies in town use the logo, too.” Ossorio says. “I needed a new sign and a Web site so applying for the marketing dollars just made sense.” 

Trusted Choice^® Marketing Reimbursement Program (MRP) dollars bought Big Bear Insurance a Web site, www.bigbearins.com, and a brand new sign with the Trusted Choice^® logo. At least 1,500 agencies will benefit from the MRP and applicants can apply for a maximum of $500 on a first come, first serve basis. If you are a Trusted Choice^® agency and haven’t applied for your Trusted Choice^® dollars, now is the time. For more information, visit www.TrustedChoice.com/MRP.


IIABA News
Robb Dale of Washington Wins Barney Burns Award From Big "I"

The Big “I” recently awarded the Barney Burns Award to Robb Dale, CEO of the Unity Group in Bellingham, Wash. The Barney Burns Award recognizes outstanding work for InsurPac, the Big “I” political action committee. 

“The Big ‘I’ is proud to announce that for his tireless efforts on behalf of InsurPac, Robb Dale is the 2008 Barney Burns award recipient,” said Spencer Houldin, Big “I” Government Affairs Committee chairman. “Robb’s slogan was ‘lead by example’, which he did by significantly increasing his annual contribution to InsurPac. Additionally, during his term as chairman of the InsurPac Board, donations from the IIABA executive committee and board of directors roughly doubled.”

Dale’s numerous leadership roles in the industry include serving as the state national director from Washington. He has also served as the state’s InsurPac chair and as chairman of the InsurPac Board of Trustees from 2005 to 2008. During Dale’s tenure as chairman of the InsurPac board, InsurPac receipts increased by 25%. As InsurPac chair for Washington, he took his state from raising $1,000 a year to $35,000 each year.

"Under Robb's leadership, InsurPac achieved three consecutive record setting years,” says Nathan Riedel, Big “I” vice president for political affairs. “His efforts have positioned InsurPac to become a $2 million PAC in the coming election cycles."

The award is named after former Big “I” President Barney Burns, who founded InsurPac in 1975 and served as chairman of its board of trustees until 1983. During his tenure, Burns worked tirelessly to educate agents about the importance of being politically active and contributing to InsurPac.

“This marks the eighth consecutive year that InsurPac has grown and we expect this trend to continue as we surpass the $1 million mark in 2009,” says Bob Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “Our membership has always prided itself on political engagement, and the continued growth of InsurPac says that we’re not slowing down any time soon.”

InsurPac is the largest property-casualty PAC. In disbursing contributions, InsurPac does not look at party affiliation but supports representatives, senators and candidates for federal office that have been advocates and supportive of the independent agency system. Ninety-two percent of InsurPac-supported candidates won in 2008.


Legislative Conference & Convention
Attention Event Attendees: Complete a Survey and Win an iPod

Independent agents from around the nation joined the Big "I" for the annual Big "I" Legislative Conference & Convention, April 29-May 1 in Washington, D.C. Please take a few minutes to complete a  survey so we can better serve you in the future. If you complete this survey by May 29, your name will be entered into a drawing for a second generation iPod Touch. Click here to access the survey, which is for event attendees only.


Big “I” Professional Liability
Free Risk Management Webinar: Avoiding E&O Pitfalls in E&S Business

Hundreds of member agents have registered to join the upcoming webinar “Avoiding E&O Pitfalls in E&S Business” that will be put on by Swiss Re and the Big “I” Professional Liability Program on May 15 from 2 – 3 p.m. EST. The webinar is appropriate for all agency staff and covers the E&O issues of placing insurance in the excess & surplus lines market and working with E&S brokers.
 
This is the first webinar in a series addressing knowledge of E&O risk management that will be held throughout 2009.
 
The highly knowledgeable panel will include: an experienced E&S broker, a respected Big “I” state executive director with years of E&S experience, an attorney who has handled numerous cases involving independent agents and their E&S placements, a Swiss Re underwriter who works with E&S placements and a Swiss Re claims attorney who works with Swiss Re E&O insured agents.
 
Attendees will learn more about: where E&O claims occur with the placement of E&S risks; when and why to use the E&S market; laws affecting E&S markets, such as cancellation requirements, coverage changes and guaranty fund protection; how to select an E&S broker; the duties of the producing agent or broker and more.

Please join us as we give you more ammunition to protect yourself in the ever-changing world of the independent agent. Click here to register now.
 
Swiss Re policyholders can also find more valuable agency E&O risk management information by visiting www.independentagent.com/EOhappens.


Big “I” Markets
Restaurant Success Story

Bill Kabboord of Brevard Insurance & Marketing in Cocoa Beach, Fla. was recently frustrated by a client’s decision to switch policies. Not only had he insured his client’s restaurant, but also the client’s workers’ compensation, windstorm and flood policies. But last year, Kabboord lost the restaurant piece to an agent who got broader coverage and convinced the client to pay for it. An agent since 1979 in the agency his father started back in 1957, Kabboord was not about to be out-marketed by his competitor. And he knew full well that it was only a matter of time before the new agent would go after the other lines. Kabboord knew what to do.

“I knew from prior submissions that this risk hit the sweet spot for the carrier on Big ‘I’ Markets,” Kabboord said. “It fit perfectly, and I was able to provide the same broader coverages as the agent I lost the business to and save the restaurant owner $1,000 in premium. Plus, the ProHost policy form bundles all the special coverages such as employee dishonesty and fine arts under one policy number while the competing product had a separate policy for those extra coverages. It all helped me win back my client.”

Kabboord had been especially concerned with retaining the other lines he had, and getting the restaurant back not only helped him to do that but he says the restaurant owner also wants a personal lines quote from him.

“My underwriter, Joan Friedberger, was just great to work with,” Kabboord added. “You have to be careful to dot the i’s and cross the t’s with this market. Some clients may not want to provide updated loss runs or financials, but they are needed. You need to pay close attention to what information is requested and go get it. No details, no dice.”

Kabboord had previously submitted several restaurant quotes on Big “I” Markets, but this was his first success good for $7,900 in premium. Learn more about how you can access this and other markets through Big “I” Markets at www.bigimarkets.com.