IA Magazine

Does a Workcation Create Workers Comp Issues?

Until the coronavirus pandemic, the majority of office workers were required to regularly be present in a central office location. COVID-19 nixed this requirement, creating several unexpected workers compensation issues.

Posted: May 31, 2021

Spring Clean: How Long Should You Retain Documents in Your AMS?

Differences between federal and state record retention rules as well as those included in carrier contracts may lead to uncertainty.

Posted: May 27, 2021

Big ‘I’ Joins Coalition Opposing President Biden’s Tax Increases

The coalition intends to spread the message that the tax increases proposed in the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan would stall economic recovery rather than fuel it.

Posted: May 26, 2021

Accelerate 2021: Vertafore Reveals Products and Recognizes Big ‘I’

Vertafore® kicked off Accelerate, powered by NetVU, with its strategy and vision for the future of InsurTech. In addition to several product reveals, Vertafore recognized the contributions of the independent agent channel over the past year.

Posted: May 25, 2021

Capital Gains Tax Increases Will Accelerate M&A Activity in 2021

The proposal by the Biden administration may cause agency owners interested in selling their business in the next three to five years to accelerate their timeline to 2021.

Posted: May 25, 2021

5 Ways Agents Can Compete Against Direct Carriers

Direct carriers are a strong competitive force, slashing prices and selling customers on price alone, now more than ever. Here are five ways agents can step up to the challenge and grow their agencies.

Posted: May 25, 2021

Growing Through Account Rounding: Why Is It So Hard?

Existing client growth is challenging. Here's how agencies can better serve their clients and grow revenues.

Posted: May 24, 2021

3 Ways to Effectively Manage Public Entity Risks

Independent agents can play an important role in assisting clients mitigate the increasing costs of insurance for public entities. Here are three ways agents can add value.

Posted: May 23, 2021

4 Things Agents Need to Know About the Sizzling Construction Market

Current low interest rates and a significant inventory shortfall have combined to make the housing and constructions markets hot. For agents, it's a great time to sell builders risk to commercial and personal lines clients. Here are four tips.

Posted: May 23, 2021

‘Above-Normal’ 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season Expected

Now is the time for communities along the coastline as well as inland to get prepared for the dangers that hurricanes can bring.

Posted: May 23, 2021

From the Front Line: RV

"We find it to be beneficial to develop relationships with RV dealers, so they can provide our contact information to their clients," says independent agent, David Keslar. "We know it is important for the dealers to have a trusted partner for insuran...

Posted: May 23, 2021

CNA Paid Cybercriminals $40-Million Ransom

The company, one of the largest commercial property-casualty insurance companies in the U.S., made the payment approximately two weeks after the attack. The payment is bigger than any previously disclosed payment to hackers.

Posted: May 23, 2021

Do Commercial Umbrella Aggregate Limits Apply to an Underlying Policy Without an Aggregate?

If an insured has a $1-million, combined single limit (CSL) on an auto policy and they exhaust the auto CSL and the umbrella limits, would the limit for the umbrella be reset for any other loss?

Posted: May 20, 2021

2021 Auto Insurance Trends Report Recaps a Bumpy Year

The evolving impact of the pandemic on the personal auto maket is still unknown, but understanding these trends and evaluating their projections can help insurers make better business decisions, according to LexisNexis.

Posted: May 19, 2021

Senate Banking Committee Holds Hearing on NFIP Reauthorization

The Big “I” submitted a statement noting the importance of enacting a long-term reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program. Additionally, the Big “I” submitted comments on nine of 24 proposed interagency questions and answers regarding p...

Posted: May 19, 2021

Big ‘I’ Advocates Against Harmful Tax Increases on Small Businesses

The Big “I” joined small business organizations in sending a letter to the leadership of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance and the U.S. House Ways and Means committee showing support for the continuation of stepped-up basis.

Posted: May 19, 2021

5 Ways to Improve Your Social Media Skills

The effective use of social media provides agents with opportunities to directly connect with clients and develop customer relationships, regardless of geographic proximity.

Posted: May 18, 2021

Student of the Industry: Do Your Carriers Offer Policy Dividends?

If you're using an insurer that pays dividends—or competing against an insurer that does—you should know their impact.

Posted: May 17, 2021

DOL Withdraws Trump-Era Worker Classification Rule

The rescinded rule would have put more emphasis on the nature and degree of the worker’s control over the work and the worker’s opportunity for profit or loss in the “economic realities” test.

Posted: May 17, 2021

From Cybercrime to Sexual Molestation, Risks Facing Public Entities Increases

Facing unique risks and an extremely challenging landscape, cyber liability is an area where agents should make sure all public entities have coverage.

Posted: May 16, 2021

Does Cyber Insurance Make Ransomware Attacks Worse?

Ransomware attacks require a whole suite of incident response and remediation from insurers, a response seen most recently in dealing with the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack.

Posted: May 16, 2021

Turbulence in the Professional Liability Market Continues

COVID-19 resulted in increased number of insolvencies, layoff-related discrimination and wrongful termination claims, and cyber breaches with carriers reacting with higher premium rates, reduced capacity and tighter underwriting requirements.

Posted: May 16, 2021

Surround Insurance Targets the Next Generation of Consumers

Surround Core launches a renters policy, a named non-owned auto policy, and a miscellaneous professional liability policy in a flat-priced package designed for millennial and Generation Z consumers.

Posted: May 16, 2021

Does ‘Work-Related Harassment’ Include Sexual Harassment?

Should employment practices liability insurance that covers “work-related harassment" specifically mention sexual harassment?

Posted: May 13, 2021

Only 20% of Middle Market Companies Rely on an Agent or Broker

While middle market companies say risk management is extremely important to their firm, mitigating exposures with the help of an insurance agent is not a high priority.

Posted: May 12, 2021