Rough Notes
A federal court lets a CGL insurer settle a case on its own terms In North Carolina, an insured under a CGL policy recently learned the hard way how a high deductible combined with the insurer’s discretion regarding settlements can severely reduce c...
Posted: Sep 17, 2025
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASESDigested from case reports published onlineCOURT DECISIONS You violated our privacy! Mullins Food Products, Inc., an Illinois-based company that manufactured food ingredients, was sued under a state act regarding informat...
Posted: Sep 05, 2025
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASESDigested from case reports published onlineCOURT DECISIONS Separate endorsements for separate vehicles Kepali Group owned multiple vehicles. The company used Brown & Brown to handle its automobile insurance needs, whi...
Posted: Sep 05, 2025
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASESDigested from case reports published onlineCOURT DECISIONS There may be fraud, but there are no damages This is a dispute that centers upon whether possible fraud on one party’s part results in a legitimate claim for dama...
Posted: Sep 05, 2025
While E&O doesn’t address every concern for a contractor, it does speak to many common ones At some point, an honest mistake could prove to be too large for an out-of-pocket fix. By Marc McNulty, CIC, CRM Like many others in the independent insur...
Posted: Sep 05, 2025
For outsized growth in this industry, M&As are critical The talent and relationships gained through quality acquisitions could take decades to develop organically. By James Graham, CVA The increasing volume of insurance broker transactions is a...
Posted: Sep 05, 2025
Retirement security may depend on it “[T]he public is becoming aware that Medicaid benefits are going to be cut.” —Jesse Slome Executive Director The American Association of Long-Term Care Insurance By Thomas A. McCoy, CLU In retirement planning disc...
Posted: Sep 05, 2025
It’s 2025, not 2015 [O]ne day you’re reviewing a routine renewal … and the next, you’re scrambling to explain a risk no one saw coming. By Carolyn Smith, APR, TRA As we head into the final stretch of 2025—the last quarter of the first quarter of a br...
Posted: Sep 05, 2025
Eight key elements to create the ultimate independent agency [We] have discovered [that] eight key business practices … will enable any agency to create and sustain an extraordinary organization. By Cheryl Koch, CPCU, ARM, AAI, ACSR, AFIS, and Mary B...
Posted: Sep 05, 2025
Federal proposal to ban state actions to regulate AI defeated The states hold limited and contingent authority over insurance. The arrangement could end tomorrow. By Kevin P. Hennosy If artificial intelligence (AI) triggers feelings of menace and u...
Posted: Sep 05, 2025
Companies should be certain of their rationale for using private data Considering the legal risks that accompany the use of private data, it is important to create, vet and publish privacy statements that are clear, accurate and in compliance with ap...
Posted: Sep 05, 2025
Success doesn’t depend exclusively on strategy, resources and talent, but also on thinking bigger [Successful business owners] simply don’t indulge the voice of internal doubt that produces self-limiting behaviors. By Brent Kelly In working with the...
Posted: Sep 05, 2025
Natalie Stone takes the helm at Illinois agency founded by her great grandmother “Our team learns from one another constantly, enabling us to craft tailored risk mitigation strategies for each client. Everyone here knows our clients and deeply unders...
Posted: Sep 02, 2025
More memories of a difference maker In May, we lost our boss and friend, Walt Gdowski. Since then, we’ve received condolence notes and calls from so many of you. We’ve exchanged great stories among our internal team and others with whom we’ve engaged...
Posted: Sep 02, 2025
AI helps create deeply consultative conversations leading to client loyalty By Elad Tsur In the dynamic world of independent insurance agencies, competition is fierce, and customer expectations are constantly evolving. Technology has always been a co...
Posted: Sep 02, 2025
Considerations when making a significant but necessary tech investment By Nicole Farley Adopting a technology solution to streamline your workflow is a daunting step in the growth plan of any agency. However, it’s also a necessary one. You may have...
Posted: Sep 02, 2025
While the “siren song” for tech becomes very strong, people remain the critical element in relationship building By Maura C. Ciccarelli Defining a good customer experience is a tricky thing, since everyone thinks of it differently. But what’s true no...
Posted: Sep 02, 2025
Perspectives on growth, trends, and the future of this vibrant industry sector By Gene Abbey, MSRI, MBA, CPL As the insurance industry continues to evolve, one of its most dynamic and rapidly growing sectors is program insurance. Once considered a ni...
Posted: Sep 02, 2025
Data intake solution automates gathering quote information By Christopher W. Cook This writer has always had a problem with the synchronization between his brain and fingertips when typing, which leads to many backspaces and much rekeying. The number...
Posted: Sep 02, 2025
Navigating risk in a time of heightened scrutiny By Nelson Kefauver Nonprofits aren’t immune to risk. In fact, they’re facing a growing wave of legal, financial and reputational threats. As public attention and donor expectations intensify and regula...
Posted: Sep 02, 2025
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: Aug 28, 2025
DIFFERENTIATE YOUR BROKERAGE THROUGH PROGRAM DESIGN To be a top-flight consultant of any type and cement your role as a strategic partner, you need to master advanced program-design levers and tighten protections for your client. By Michael Wayne Jul...
Posted: Aug 28, 2025
You can serve your clients well by providing important and knowledgeable guidance and support When it comes time to make a claim, coverage for fine arts usually has exacting requirements for identifying a work, appraising its value, and establishing...
Posted: Aug 20, 2025
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASESDigested from case reports published onlineCOURT DECISIONS Sorry, you owe a contribution This matter was purely among insurers. Specifically, an insurance company, designated as a target insurer, sought contributions fr...
Posted: Aug 06, 2025
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASESDigested from case reports published onlineCOURT DECISIONS General contractor fails to prove any harms It looks like construction contracts can be difficult to reach completion. That can be easy to understand, since large...
Posted: Aug 06, 2025