IA Magazine

Are Your Clients’ Life Insurance Policy Reserves Adequately Funded?

Interest rates have been declining in the U.S. for decades. Establishing a review process and ongoing monitoring will help ensure clients' life insurance policies are adequately funded throughout their lifetime.

Posted: Dec 27, 2020

From the Front Lines: Personal Umbrella

"I envision consumers will continue to realize the importance of an umbrella policy," says independent agent Taylor Justice. "I have personally seen a large increase in young individuals wanting to protect themselves with a personal umbrella policy a...

Posted: Dec 27, 2020

Sales, Service and Satisfaction Under a Personal Umbrella

Knowing how a personal umbrella policy fits into your client's lifestyle is key to understanding why you should offer one. Here are four ways agents can help ensure clients are covered with a personal umbrella policy.

Posted: Dec 27, 2020

In with the New: How to Guide Young Producers to Long-Term Success

Here's three things to tell your new talent to help them see the exciting career opportunities the insurance industry offers.

Posted: Dec 21, 2020

Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief and Government Funding Deal Struck

Late Sunday, Congressional leadership approved a roughly $900 billion COVID relief package and a $1.4 trillion omnibus government funding package, expected to be approved today. The package includes roughly $325 billion in small business relief, incl...

Posted: Dec 20, 2020

Global Supply Chain Upheaval to Create New Opportunities

The global supply chain was already reordering when COVID-19 accelerated shifting trends in different geographies. The effects will drive the demand for all types of insurance, including commercial insurance.

Posted: Dec 20, 2020

The Hanover Offers Home Businesses Endorsement

The Hanover Insurance Group offers home based business solutions coverage for on-site businesses with no more than three employees.

Posted: Dec 20, 2020

2021 Big ‘I’ Legislative Conference Will Take Place Virtually

The 2021 Big "I" Legislative Conference will now take place virtually. Exact dates for the virtual conference, which was scheduled to take place in person April 14-16, 2021, in Washington, D.C. are yet to be finalized.

Posted: Dec 20, 2020

How Societal Changes Are Stirring Up the Personal Umbrella Market

Umbrella coverage offers additional protection for those who want increased limits or to fill insurance gaps. As claims go up and new risks emerge during the pandemic, the personal umbrella market is feeling the impact and appears to be hardening.

Posted: Dec 20, 2020

What Can an Unlicensed Employee Discuss with Clients?

What are the restrictions an unlicensed employee has when talking with an insured? Is coverage the only thing they cannot discuss?

Posted: Dec 17, 2020

DOL Finalizes New Exemption for Investment Advisers

Earlier this week, the Department of Labor ruled on creating a new exemption for investment advice fiduciaries allowing financial advisers to collect commissions and other compensation when offering retirement advice.

Posted: Dec 16, 2020

2021 Poised to Be Busy Year for Flood Legislation

2021 is potentially a busy legislative year for flood insurance. The flood industry, industry stakeholders and policyholders are unified in the fact that Congress needs to act on long-term reauthorization to end the cycle of short-term extensions to...

Posted: Dec 16, 2020

TrustedChoice.com and the Big ‘I’ to Make Agents More Visible Online

TrustedChoice.com announced an expanded partnership with the “Big “I" which is set to ensure that when shoppers are looking online for an independent agent in their city, they'll find a Trusted Choice® independent agent.

Posted: Dec 16, 2020

Student of the Industry: What's Your Biggest Statutory Line of Business?

Several Big “I" state associations are working on creating an agent-focused annual property-casualty marketplace summary. The report focuses on agent penetrations in lines of business, loss ratios, leading insurers, growth rates and commission rates.

Posted: Dec 15, 2020

Your Guide to Helping Clients Protect Their Wine Collections

Wine collecting is an area of the luxury market that has grown significantly in recent years—with unique and ever-present risks from water damage to cleaning chemicals. Here's how agents can guide clients on protecting their collections.

Posted: Dec 14, 2020

Workers Compensation: How Agents Can Help Clients Adapt

Having performed well over the past six years, the workers comp market is starting to feel the impact of COVID-19. Presenting options for clients in the market is critical in dealing with the long-term impact.

Posted: Dec 13, 2020

Burns & Wilcox Launch ProConstruct for Contractors and Designers

Burns & Wilcox's ProConstruct provides tailored professional liability coverage for contractors and designers and valuable contract review services that can help the contractor address potential litigation concerns from project delays.

Posted: Dec 13, 2020

Hidden Mold in Newly Purchased Home: Why Won’t the Carrier Pay?

Upon moving in to their new home, an insured found hidden mold on a wall. Why can't the insurance company pay for damages and subrogate against the prior homeowner?

Posted: Dec 10, 2020

Big ‘I’ Urges Congress to Protect McCarran-Ferguson Exemption

This week, the Coalition Organized for the Future of Insurance Regulation, of which the Big “I" is a founding member, sent a letter to the Senate opposing the amendment of the McCarran-Ferguson Act. The letter seeks to prevent the elimination of the...

Posted: Dec 09, 2020

House Passes Legislation Exempting Agents from New Federal Reporting Requirements

The Big “I" was successful in securing a full exemption for independent insurance agents and brokers from the “National Defense Authorization Act." The Act, passed earlier this week by the House, would have created a burdensome new federal reporting...

Posted: Dec 09, 2020

House Passes One Week Government Funding Extension

Earlier this week, the House passed legislation to extend government funding until Dec. 18 giving Congress time to act on federal funding through 2021 and possibly additional COVID-19 relief. As talks continue, the Big “I" continues to advocate for s...

Posted: Dec 09, 2020

House Passes One-Week Government Funding Extension

The legislation extends government funding until Dec. 18, giving Congress time to act on federal funding through 2021 and possibly additional COVID-19 relief. The Big “I" continues to advocate for small business support.

Posted: Dec 09, 2020

Drivers Give the Green Light to Usage-Based Auto Insurance

A new Agent Authority survey released this week by Nationwide found that more auto insurance customers are ready to give usage-based insurance a try, giving agents an opportunity to grow their business and enhance relationships.

Posted: Dec 08, 2020

5 Considerations for 2020 Year-End Tax Planning

As we approach year-end, agents should take into consideration the year that was and the numerous coronavirus-related tax changes that may have an impact on their 2020 tax filings.

Posted: Dec 08, 2020

Agent for the Future Award Winners Show How Agencies are Evolving

On Tuesday, Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance announced the winners of the 2020 Agent for the Future Award, which included several Big “I" members. The award celebrates agencies that are leading the way into the future.

Posted: Dec 08, 2020