All Posts

From the Front Lines: Long-Term Care

IA Magazine

“We see challenges with LTC (long-term care) adoption rates,” says independent agent Kelly Augspurger. “In my opinion, it's an awareness and education issue because people don't know what they don't know.”

Posted: Mar 09, 2025

3 Commercial Property Trends to Watch in 2025

IA Magazine

There are signs of stabilization in the property market, with ample capacity available following favorable underwriting results on the insurance and reinsurance side.

Posted: Mar 09, 2025

Gallagher Acquires Woodruff Sawyer for $1.2 Billion

IA Magazine

The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025 and will continue to strengthen Gallagher's middle-market reach.

Posted: Mar 04, 2025

Barging in

Rough Notes

INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASESDigested from case reports published onlineCOURT DECISIONS Barging in In 2014, Swalling Construction Company, Inc., entered into a charter agreement with Pool Engineering, Inc., for a freight barge. Swalling obtained insu...

Posted: Mar 04, 2025

Must insurer pay for resulting loss exception?

Rough Notes

INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASESDigested from case reports published onlineCOURT DECISIONS Must insurer pay for resulting loss exception? The Gardens Condominium purchased an all-risk policy from Farmers Insurance Exchange in 2002. This version of the p...

Posted: Mar 04, 2025

A GHOSTLY ANNIVERSARY

Rough Notes

The current interpretation of the McCarran-Ferguson Act is only a specter of the law’s original intent The belief that McCarran-Ferguson is just an antitrust exemption for the insurance industry is just another clever humbug. By Kevin P. Hennosy Marc...

Posted: Mar 04, 2025

WINNING THE M&A GAME IN 2025

Rough Notes

Key strategies agencies can deploy For independent insurance agency owners, it’s likely the best time in the past decade to execute a local merger and acquisition (M&A) strategy.   By James Graham, CVA Elevated, albeit historically normal, capita...

Posted: Mar 04, 2025

COMMERCIAL LINES WATER-RELATED CONSIDERATIONS

Rough Notes

  The conundrum of “water-related or “water damage” Anyone who is new to commercial insurance can quickly get tripped up by water-related claims.   By Marc McNulty, CIC, CRM Anyone who is new to commercial insurance can quickly get tripped up by wate...

Posted: Mar 04, 2025

KEEPING OLDER WORKERS PRODUCTIVE

Rough Notes

What strategies will work for seasoned employees? “With longevity increasing, employers need to focus even more on the levers that impact retirement readiness.” —Holly Verdeyen U.S. Defined Contribution Leader Mercer By Thomas A. McCoy, CLU Major emp...

Posted: Mar 04, 2025

Liberty Mutual to Retire Safeco Brand in 2026

IA Magazine

Liberty Mutual Insurance, the sixth-largest personal insurance provider in the U.S., will market and sell all of its personal lines products solely under the Liberty Mutual brand starting in 2026.

Posted: Mar 03, 2025

Triple-I: Florida’s P/C Market Stabilizing Due to Legislative Reforms that Curbed Legal System Abuse...

Insurance Information Institute

Florida Press Office Mark Friedlander [email protected] 904-806-7813 JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 4, 2025 – Florida’s legislative reforms to address legal system abuse and claim fraud are stabilizing the state’s property/casualty insurance market, according...

Posted: Mar 03, 2025

Why Crop Insurance Is Essential to Protect Against Unpredictable Weather-Related Losses

IA Magazine

Extreme weather events continue to present difficulties in the agricultural sector, and farmers are finding themselves in dire financial straits and at risk of losing their livelihood.

Posted: Mar 02, 2025

How Agents Can Explain the Importance of Crop Insurance Coverage to Clients

IA Magazine

Farmers face making increasingly difficult, complicated decisions when it comes to choosing from complex insurance products. This is where independent agents can help.

Posted: Mar 02, 2025

Creating a Holistic Financial Plan for Dual-Income Households

IA Magazine

Among married-couple families in 2023, both spouses were employed in nearly 50% of families, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Here are three considerations for serving dual-income households.

Posted: Mar 02, 2025

Navigating Risks: The Crucial Role of Insurance Agents in Today’s Market

IA Magazine

Leveraging expertise to provide comprehensive protection and improve customer retention.

Posted: Mar 02, 2025

Some CX Moments Matter More Than Others—Invest in Ones That Count Most

IIR

Today enhancing the customer experience and investing in technology can go hand-in-hand—companies are no longer required to choose between investing in technology and satisfying the customer.

Posted: Mar 02, 2025

Agency Nation Meets: Bobbie Collies

IA Magazine

Bobbie Collies is the chief insurance officer at Coterie Insurance and a passionate servant leader who loves to help drive strategy and execution.

Posted: Feb 28, 2025

How To Go From being A “Good Enough” Manager To being An Unstoppable Leader

Rough Notes

Three power moves to try If you’re not recognizing your team consistently and specifically, you’re leaving wins on the table. By Carolyn Smith, APR, TRA Are you just a “good” manager—or are you ready to lead? Most agency managers are good, but let’s...

Posted: Feb 28, 2025

ANATOMY OF AN E&O CLAIM—PART II

Rough Notes

  Real-world examples involving tenured employees  No matter how experienced you are, you can still make mistakes … .  And newer employees simply don’t have the “institutional knowledge” that grows from tenure in the position.   By Cheryl Koch, CPCU,...

Posted: Feb 28, 2025

Guardian’s Strategic Focus on Supporting Members through Wellness Partnerships

IIR

Matt Darula, Head of Product and Digital Offerings at Guardian, talks about the insurer’s partnerships with Peloton, Uber Health and other services that foster the interconnection between physical, financial, and mental well-being.

Posted: Feb 27, 2025

How Often Should AMS Data Backups Occur?

IA Magazine

How should an agency prepare for an agency management system (AMS) being down for an extended period of time, such as after a catastrophe or cyberattack?

Posted: Feb 27, 2025

P&C Industry Results Improve Despite 2024 Underwriting Loss

IA Magazine

​U.S. property & casualty insurers posted an underwriting loss of $2.6 billion for 2024, a significant improvement from the $24.6 billion underwriting loss recorded in 2023, according to AM Best.

Posted: Feb 25, 2025

6 Ways AI Can Help Insurance Agents During the Policy Lifecycle

IA Magazine

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how independent agents operate, freeing agents to focus on meaningful client conversations and strategic advice.

Posted: Feb 25, 2025

9 Things Every Agency Should Review on Its Website

IA Magazine

Your website is more than a page on the internet—it’s your digital front door, the first impression many prospective clients have of your business.

Posted: Feb 25, 2025

How to Explain the Homeowners Market to Your Clients

IA Magazine

As homeowners premiums increase agents can help create understanding through education on why costs are up and what coverage options are available for their clients.

Posted: Feb 23, 2025

K&K Insurance Launch Specialized Program for Media Productions

IA Magazine

The program includes a suite of commercial inland marine and general liability products, as well as additional optional coverages to meet unique exposures within the entertainment space.

Posted: Feb 23, 2025

Why Agencies Are Paying More for E&O Coverage at Renewal

IA Magazine

Seventy-three percent of independent insurance agencies saw an increase in their agency errors & omissions renewal premium in 2024.

Posted: Feb 23, 2025

4 Ways Agents Can Add Value for Customers in Today’s Market

IA Magazine

Four strategies agents can use to enhance coverage and build trust.

Posted: Feb 23, 2025

P&C Insurance: Mind the Gap(s)

IIR

The expression ‘Mind the Gap’ applies especially well to the many risks and headwinds faced by the insurance industry today which, if unattended, may be irreversible or much harder to close.

Posted: Feb 23, 2025

Transforming for Growth: MAPFRE USA’s Debashish Duttaroy

IIR

MAPFRE USA is transforming technology to support growth and product innovation in its traditional lines of business, with an emphasis on systems consolidation, advanced analytics, enhanced agent and customer experience and a shift to the cloud.

Posted: Feb 20, 2025

How to Fulfill a State Requirement of $1 Million Limit on Damages to Rented Premises Coverage

IA Magazine

A general contractor in New York is being required by a state authority to have $1 million limit for coverage for damages to rented premises. The commercial general liability (CGL) carrier can only issue a maximum of $300,000.

Posted: Feb 20, 2025

Half of Midsize Businesses Feel Unprepared for Risks, Says Nationwide Survey

IA Magazine

More than three-quarters of midsize business owners say evolving regulatory and safety standards have had an impact on their risk management needs, the survey found.

Posted: Feb 19, 2025

Dream Team: Selling Your Agency With Your Team Top of Mind

IA Magazine

A thriving team can be the key to a smooth and successful transition during an acquisition, engaging with new leadership and contributing to the long-term success of the business.

Posted: Feb 18, 2025

Opportunity Cost: The Hidden Cost of Staying Still

IA Magazine

Avoiding a decision can feel like maintaining the status quo. In reality, standing still might mean falling behind, losing a competitive edge or missing new opportunities.

Posted: Feb 17, 2025

Does a PAP Cover Stepdaughter Borrowing Car and Living in Different State?

IA Magazine

A client owns a car, which is titled in her name, and gives it to her stepdaughter to drive. How should the personal auto policy be written?

Posted: Feb 17, 2025

Accounting Matters as Vendor Ownership Models Shift

IIR

Changes in how the vendor world operates may be less obvious and yet have important implications for how insurance carriers manage large, transformational, efforts in the future.

Posted: Feb 16, 2025

Insurance Advisory Firms Embrace Data-Driven Insights, Self-Service, and Unbiased Expertise in 2025

IIR

As M&A drives evolution, firms are leveraging advanced technologies, developing comprehensive data platforms, and maintaining their role as unbiased experts to provide more valuable and accessible insights to their clients in the rapidly transforming...

Posted: Feb 13, 2025

Triple-I: Legislative Reform Essential to Address Impacts of Legal System Abuse on Insurance Costs f...

Insurance Information Institute

For Immediate Release  Loretta Worters New York Press Office 917-208-8842 [email protected]    MALVERN, Pa., Feb.13, 2025 — A comprehensive tort reform package moving through the Georgia General Assembly is essential to addressing the impacts of legal...

Posted: Feb 12, 2025

3 Easy Ways to Promote Your Agency on Social Media

IA Magazine

Social media is a great opportunity for agents to meet customers where they are. Here are three ways agents can use social media to promote their agency.

Posted: Feb 12, 2025

Why Would Tesla Be Comfortable Entering Insurance?

IIR

Insurers struggle to build more integrated, adaptive and intelligent products and services so it makes sense for car manufacturers to sideline the insurer and do it themselves.

Posted: Feb 12, 2025

Couples Consider Joint Insurance Equivalent to Tying the Knot

IA Magazine

While engagements and cohabitation have long been the hallmarks of commitment, a recent Nationwide survey found 42% of renting couples see sharing an insurance policy as a modern equivalent to marriage.

Posted: Feb 11, 2025

2025 Big ‘I’ Legislative Conference: Registration Now Open

IA Magazine

Join other agents and speak to legislators in a unified voice at the premier event for independent agents, taking place April 30-May 2 in Washington, D.C.

Posted: Feb 11, 2025

Triple-I: Workers’ Comp Continues Strong Trend of Underwriting Profitability

Insurance Information Institute

Media Contact: Florida Press Office Mark Friedlander 904-806-7813 [email protected]     MALVERN, Pa., Feb. 11, 2025 – The U.S. workers’ compensation (workers’ comp) insurance industry experienced its second best underwriting result in the past 20 years i...

Posted: Feb 10, 2025

Insurance Wrapped: Looking Back to Prepare for What’s Next in 2025

IIR

By leveraging advanced technologies like AI, insurers will be better able to serve their customers and adopt faster and easier processes overall, and especially in claims.

Posted: Feb 10, 2025

Building Resilient Homes While Keeping Homeowners Coverage Up to Date

IA Magazine

It's important that homeowners who undertake home improvements talk to their agent about what they're planning to do or what they have done to better understand how that affects their insurance premiums and coverage.

Posted: Feb 09, 2025

AI Changes Phishing Attacks: How Firms Can Protect Themselves

IA Magazine

Cybercriminals are using artificial intelligence (AI) to make phishing harder to detect. Here are four security practices that small and midsize businesses can use to protect their organizations.

Posted: Feb 09, 2025

How Insurance Agents Are Embracing a Broader Advisory Role

IA Magazine

Transforming customer relationships with total protection and proactive risk management.

Posted: Feb 09, 2025

Meeting Evolving Cyber Threats: Q&A with Mario Vitale, President of Resilience

IIR

Founded in 2016, the tech-enabled MGA has grown to serve enterprises with some of the largest and most complex cyber exposures.

Posted: Feb 06, 2025

Bipartisan Bill Incentivizes Disaster Mitigation

IA Magazine

The "Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2025," reintroduced in the U.S. Senate, aims to exempt qualified catastrophe mitigation payments from being considered taxable income.

Posted: Feb 05, 2025

Reconstruction Costs Up 60% Since 2014

IA Magazine

Residential reconstruction costs climbed 64% over the past decade and commercial reconstruction costs have risen by 58%, according to a Verisk report.

Posted: Feb 04, 2025