IA Magazine

Vertafore Partners with Rocket Referrals to Provide New CRM Tools

The partnership aims to help independent agencies build stronger relationships with their clients through more meaningful client engagement, direct from their agency management system.

Posted: Feb 24, 2021

President Biden Criticizes Home and Auto Insurance Pricing

The president's comments came during a CNN town hall where he mentioned disparities in insurance pricing for home and auto insurance particularly for lower-income and minority consumers.

Posted: Feb 24, 2021

Student of the Industry: Where Do Premium Dollars Go?

Has a customer ever asked you where their premium dollars go? Put on your philosopher’s cap and discover how there's more to it than meets the eye.

Posted: Feb 22, 2021

Sankaty Light Benefits Provides Additional Health Coverage for Key Employees

As an excepted benefits plan, it provides an annual benefit of $100,000 per plan participant, with a per-occurrence limit of $10,000 for select employees.

Posted: Feb 21, 2021

4 Emerging Trends in Medical Malpractice Insurance

2020 was a year of tremendous change in the medical industry and the signs are that 2021 will be no different. Here are four considerations agents should discuss with medical practitioners to ensure they are adequately covered.

Posted: Feb 21, 2021

How 2020 Took the ‘Essential’ Cannabis Industry Higher

The cannabis industry saw a big change in its landscape in 2020. With a projected $35 billion in U.S. legal sales over the next four years legislators, insurers and agents alike are taking notice.

Posted: Feb 21, 2021

From the Front Lines: Cannabis

"I don't think we're going to see an insurance change until it becomes federally legal," says independent agent Sabrina Alkire. "However, we've seen more companies come into the market and more types of policies become available, like directors & off...

Posted: Feb 21, 2021

Why Offer Terrorism Coverage for CGL and Umbrella Policies?

Why must an insured accept or reject Terrorism Risk Insurance Act coverage under a commercial general liability or umbrella policy? Does the TRIA act provide any coverage that would fall under these policies?

Posted: Feb 18, 2021

7 Steps to Serving Clients Through Mail Delays

The mail delays over the past number of months have made invoices and insurance payments arrive late, often resulting in dropped coverage for clients. Here are seven ways to keep your team and clients up to speed.

Posted: Feb 17, 2021

Agents, Brokers Post Record Profits in 2020

In the first quarter of 2020, agents and brokers predicted 7% growth. In 2021, agents and brokers are predicting a bullish 6% growth.

Posted: Feb 16, 2021

Progressive to Buy Transportation Insurer Protective in $338 Million Deal

The acquisition allows Progressive to add products for larger fleets and brings expertise in workers comp coverage for the transportation industry, which are new areas of business for Progressive.

Posted: Feb 16, 2021

Balancing Act: Customers Demand Both a Digital and Personal Experience

While 73% of independent agents say their customers expect a fully digital experience, 91% report an increase in customers' desire to speak to an agent when they have questions.

Posted: Feb 15, 2021

Golf Bag Bling: What Is a ‘Motorized Vehicle’ on a Standard Homeowners Policy?

Clients have purchased remote-controlled electric golf bag carriers. How would a homeowners policy respond if one of these ran into a person or another vehicle, either on the course or in the parking lot of the clubhouse?

Posted: Feb 11, 2021

60% of the Workday Lost to ‘Work About Work,’ Study Reveals

Organizations of every size and across all industries are losing countless hours to work about work: the time wasted on searching for information, switching between apps and holding status meetings.

Posted: Feb 10, 2021

Top 5 Insurance M&A Deals in Q4 2020

The five major deals accounted for 100% of the fourth quarter's total deal value, with the largest deal being the $3.94 billion acquisition of Metlife Auto & Home Insurance Agency by Zurich Farmer's Group and Farmer's Exchanges.

Posted: Feb 10, 2021

Selective’s College Competition Kicks Off

The annual contest provides teams of students with the opportunity to gain valuable insurance experience and networking opportunities.

Posted: Feb 09, 2021

Marketing Basics Haven’t Changed, But Delivery Has

Agencies have the tools available to better understand audiences, update message delivery channels and reach clients in the best way possible.

Posted: Feb 08, 2021

4 Ways to Boost Your Personal Auto Business in 2021

While the personal auto market will be under pressure in the short term, there are opportunities for agencies to grow. Here are four ways agents can improve their personal auto book.

Posted: Feb 07, 2021

Wright Specialty Launches New Education Coverage

The Wright Specialty Education Insurance Program, offered in conjunction with Munich Re, delivers a broad range of property-casualty coverages for schools, colleges and universities.

Posted: Feb 07, 2021

Wright Specialty Launches New Education Coverage with Munich Re

Wright Specialty Insurance, a fully integrated managing general agency, launches the Wright Specialty Education Insurance Program delivering a broad range of property-casualty coverages for schools, colleges and universities.

Posted: Feb 07, 2021

Help Trucking Clients Mitigate Ransomware Risks

All businesses, and in particular trucking, should be aware of the increasing cyberattack risk which has ballooned during the pandemic. Here are some ways agents can help their trucking clients protect themselves.

Posted: Feb 07, 2021

P-C InsurTech Funding Hits Record $4.7B in 2020

The billions invested in p-c InsurTechs last year is a sign that this sector of the industry will continue to grow, especially in the post-COVID-19 world.

Posted: Feb 03, 2021

Biden Administration Opens New ACA Special Enrollment Period

The enrollment period for expanded access to the Affordable Care Act is scheduled to begin on Monday, Feb. 15 and will run for three months.

Posted: Feb 03, 2021

How to Get Started with Video Marketing for Your Agency

Looking to bring prospects closer to your agency while still maintaining a safe social distance? Here are some tips to help create useful and engaging marketing videos.

Posted: Feb 02, 2021

Hidden Treasures: Mapping Your Data-Driven Marketing Plan

Marketing can feel like a stab in the dark. But what if the light switch was right at your agency's fingertips?

Posted: Feb 02, 2021