THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 2010 

                                                Big “I” National News


On the Hill
What Exactly is InsurPac?
InsurPac produces video to educate and engage agents on Big “I” political action committee.

You may have heard the term “InsurPac” thrown around at one of your state meetings, or perhaps seen it in a publication such as IN&V. Maybe you have even supported it financially. But what exactly is InsurPac?

To find out more about InsurPac and, more importantly, what it does to protect your business, please click here and take a moment to watch this video.

Coming off the 2008 election cycle where more than  $1.6 million was disbursed to 241 federal campaigns (92% were victorious), InsurPac is eager to flex its muscle again this November. It anticipates disbursing nearly $2 million and supporting an even greater number of campaigns—all with the goal of electing more business-friendly members to Congress.

For more information, please contact Nathan Riedel (nathan.riedel@iiaba.net), Big “I” vice president of political affairs.


Big “I” Communications
Big “I” Makes a Splash in the Washington, D.C., Media
Reports feature staff, agent commentary and research in spate of local news insurance stories.

Over the last several weeks, the Big “I” has been the go-to insurance source for local Washington, D.C.- area news reporters. After a couple of severe storms left the region with widespread damage and power outages, Big “I” President and CEO Bob Rusbuldt and Trusted Choice® agent Billy Simons of D.C.-based Rust Insurance appeared on the local CBS, Fox and ABC TV affiliates offering tips to consumers on storm recovery and claims filing. In addition, Simons was interviewed on the No. 1-rated local radio station for a morning drive time news program on the same topic. On NBC’s Washington station, one recent newscast detailed a homeowner checklist created by the Big “I” for consumers to use as guidance before filing storm-related claims. 

In other insurance news, Big “I” Markets’ Gary Heiligman was featured in a CBS station’s story about personal umbrella policies after a high-profile liability insurance case involving Arlington, Va., high school students. Separately, that station also reported on tips and pointers from the Big “I” on earthquake coverage after an unusual quake rattled the D.C. area last month. To see a sample of this recent news coverage click here. For more information about any of these media hits, contact Sue Nester (susan.nester@iiaba.net), Big “I” director of broadcast media.


Young Agents
Been There. Done That. Here’s How I Handled It. 
Attend the YA Leadership Institute to brainstorm with your peers.

Have you ever faced a challenge you wanted to bounce off of a peer who wasn’t in your agency? Are you searching for a network of young professionals from all over the nation to share ideas? The Big “I” Young Agents Leadership Institute offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for young agents to connect. Come prepared to experience superior leadership training and networking. Discover ready-to-implement tools to excel in your agency, including social media strategies and goal-setting best practices. Whether you are just starting out in insurance or already working your way through the agency ranks, spend time with other motivated young professionals who understand your challenges. Bring home a pocket full of business cards and a whole new network of peers who can say, “Been there. Done that. Here’s how I handled it.” Visit www.independentagent.com/events to register today for the Sept. 24-25 event in San Francisco.


Big “I” Markets
BIM Agent Scores with EPLI Market
Make sure your commercial clients have the proper coverage.

By using Big “I” Markets, a Colorado agent who wishes to remain anonymous has been making sure employers in his market are protected from lawsuits filed by employees. The agent has written nine Employment Practices Liability policies through Big “I” Markets so far this year. What’s his angle?

“I used to work for a direct writer but started my own agency in February,” he says. “I had written a lot of EPLI before and knew that I needed to focus on higher premium business to generate cash flow, so I gravitated to the EPLI market. I happened to be reading about the Travelers Wrap+ product on BIM, which includes EPLI, and stumbled upon the other EPLI offering. I have a direct appointment with Travelers, and they are my primary market, but having access to another market has been a big help. In fact, I currently have just the one direct appointment, and between that, Big “I” Markets and one other wholesaler, I am making it.”

Follow this agent’s lead to make sure your commercial accounts have proper EPLI coverage. BIM offers access to two EPLI markets:

Alex J. Wayne can write employment practices liability for any size company operating in any industry. It is very effective for companies with 1-100 employees, but can also entertain large companies with 1,000+ employees. It can write everything from “run of the mill” manufacturers, contractors, retail stores, lawyers, insurance agents, accountants, consultants, etc., and can even write accounts with claim activity.

Wrap+^SM from Travelers is available to privately-owned companies. Wrap+ is an executive liability insurance policy with the breadth of coverage required to address the current and emerging exposures of private companies. Its modular policy design means an easier process for the agent and the insured. Each Wrap+ coverage has been crafted to seamlessly work in conjunction with all of the other Wrap+ coverages or function as a single policy (for instance EPLI), and it boasts some of the most progressive coverage in the industry.

Log on to www.bigimarkets.com to learn more.


InVEST
InVEST 101 Web
Webinar will give InVEST overview and offer tips on how to start a program in your area.

Do you want to get involved with InVEST but don’t know where to start? Have you heard buzz about the program, but do not understand exactly what it entails? Do you want to learn more?

Attend the InVEST 101 webinar, designed specifically for people who are unfamiliar with the InVEST high school program. The session will arm you with all the tools needed to jump start your involvement! This webinar will cover why InVEST was created, the components of the program, the free materials available to assist in launching an InVEST high school program and how to get started!

No volunteer commitment is required to sit in on this webinar—just come ready to learn more! Click here to register for the free webinar.

InVEST, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is a classroom-based program whose mission is to increase insurance literacy of students and attract new talent to the industry. For more information, visit www.investprogram.org.


Big “I” Markets
Access Professional Liability Market for Health Care Professionals
Big “I” Markets offers coverage for dieticians, nurses, pharmacists and other health-related careers.

Through the proliability product on Big “I” Markets, you can offer professional liability coverage to several classes of health care professionals, including:

• Athletic Trainer
• Dental Assistant/Hygienist
• Dietitians
• Interpreter for the Deaf
• Nurse
• Optometrist
• Pharmacist
• Physical Therapist
• Rehabilitation Counselor Therapist
• Surgical Assistant/Technician

Log on to www.bigimarkets.com to learn more.