Rough Notes
Courts are reminding us that deadlines are deadlines [A] court found that the policy’s prejudice provision was superseded by the policy’s “hard cutoff” for submitting claims—90 days after the expiration date … . By Joseph S. Harrington, CPCU If you...
Posted: Dec 18, 2024
Are your team members propelling the agency forward or pushing it back? [P]ositive momentum puts you in a better position to succeed. Getting there may not be easy, but the opportunities it brings promise to make it well worth the effort. By Brent Ke...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Are your team members propelling the agency forward or pushing it back? [P]ositive momentum puts you in a better position to succeed. Getting there may not be easy, but the opportunities it brings promise to make it well worth the effort. By Brent Ke...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Passion, plus innovative thinking It is important to resist the siren call of “assistants” and “ outsourcing” currently tempting you to give up on your best secret weapon for success—great people of your very own … . By Cheryl Koch, CPCU, ARM, AAI, A...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
The year-end move to own 2025 People don’t just buy insurance; they buy connection. And your story is what bridges that gap. By Carolyn Smith, APR, TRA Stop what you’re doing for a second and think about this: What’s your story? No, I don’t mean your...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
From proactive communication to streamlined claims processing By planning ahead and considering both client and operational needs, you can ensure that your agency is ready to face any natural disaster and continue providing the essential services tha...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
In today’s M&A marketplace, owners often are motivated by factors beyond price [E]nsuring alignment between a seller’s fundamental motivations and a potential buyer’s capabilities is a key to maximizing value … . By James Graham, CVA The rapid pa...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Can this employee be saved? Managers tend to think they know what the problem is. Speculation is dangerous. The real reasons for underperformance often need to be uncovered. By Kimberly Paterson, CEC Every organization has one. It’s the under-perform...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Ship builder and insurer disagree about policy exclusion While protection is incredibly valuable, it’s worthless if an operation fails to have standards and controls that provide the best chance to achieve positive results. By Bruce D. Hicks, CPCU, C...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Delivering better workers comp claims analysis by adding data-driven benchmarking and risk mitigation The entire goal of Mod Advisor, an internet-based application, is to simplify and streamline the analysis process. By Lori Widmer The standard for...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
A look at endorsements to help create a well-rounded personal lines program Don’t make replacement cost on contents be the exception—make it the rule. By Marc McNulty, CIC, CRM Our last two editions of “Mind the Gap” have focused almost exclusively o...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS Arson doesn’t pay A fire damaged a malt beverage store owned by A Maxon Company, LLC (AMC). Acuity Insurance Com-pany sought a declaratory judgment to determine...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Making it easier to bring new team members up to speed on technical and soft skills Rather than one employee shouldering the workload for an entire onboarding, we can use subject matter experts to train on individual workflows or processes in their...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
A bank’s role throughout the independent agency life cycle By Patricia Smith and Keith Mangini Independent insurance agencies have unique financial needs that evolve as they mature and grow. From agencies in their early stages to seasoned agencies th...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Why agents should spend time on site with clients By Larry Chasin Insurance is a business rooted in relationships, and cultivating and maintaining relationships is just as important today in insurance as it ever was. What’s changed is how we maintain...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
“I hope one day my kids will be able to listen to my recorded podcasts and learn more about their dad’s career. Each podcast episode is like a time capsule.” —Josh Gurley HM Advisors Partner of Georgia agency builds solid foundation in work and home...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
The importance of balancing human touch and artificial intelligence in insurance By David Derigiotis Artificial intelligence (AI) has completely transformed how we do business—now it’s time for AI to shine its light on insurance. From underwriting an...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Five things to consider when developing a personal brand By Bill Brooker As a young insurance agent, you may feel like you’re standing in the shadows of seasoned professionals, trying to find a way to stand out and build your career. The next time y...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Digital platforms and streamlined enrollment and education continue to move the employee benefits market forward By Lori Widmer It’s no secret that the last four years have marked seismic changes in how and from where businesses operate. As employers...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Even amid political goings on, there are more important things we all should be concerned with Passion drives businesses and the entrepreneurs that start them. That, unquestionably, is where their focus should be—on what they are passionate about. B...
Posted: Nov 22, 2024
Rulings raise questions about key coverages and exclusions. [E]enterprises (that outsource e-commerce functions) can breathe a little easier after a recent decision of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, but they need to remain vigilant regarding the...
Posted: Nov 21, 2024
The importance of having a sound strategy in place—and what that entails By Lori Widmer When the insurance industry exited 2023, the consensus was that, in terms of mergers and acquisitions, the year had ended on a rather sluggish note. According to...
Posted: Nov 05, 2024
Providing customers with the right tools, resources and experiences can amplify an independent agent’s value By Lori Widmer It seems that for years there have been those forecasting the demise of independent agents and brokers. The growth of direct w...
Posted: Nov 05, 2024
A valuable resource for insurance network leaders By Ray Scotto When the inaugural meeting of the Insurance Networks Alliance (INA) took place in 2018, attendees approached the gathering with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Many wondered about the...
Posted: Nov 05, 2024
A guide for agents and brokers on the peril, its impact, mitigation steps and response By Thomas Brocksmith As natural catastrophes go, hail probably isn’t at the top of the list of perils that keep most people up at night. Yet, every year, hail is...
Posted: Nov 01, 2024