Rough Notes
What strategies will work for seasoned employees? “With longevity increasing, employers need to focus even more on the levers that impact retirement readiness.” —Holly Verdeyen U.S. Defined Contribution Leader Mercer By Thomas A. McCoy, CLU Major emp...
Posted: Mar 04, 2025
Three power moves to try If you’re not recognizing your team consistently and specifically, you’re leaving wins on the table. By Carolyn Smith, APR, TRA Are you just a “good” manager—or are you ready to lead? Most agency managers are good, but let’s...
Posted: Feb 28, 2025
Real-world examples involving tenured employees No matter how experienced you are, you can still make mistakes … . And newer employees simply don’t have the “institutional knowledge” that grows from tenure in the position. By Cheryl Koch, CPCU,...
Posted: Feb 28, 2025
Exploring gender bias in the independent agency system [O]ne’s gender seems to have more than a little to do with your current and future position in the agency. By Cheryl Koch, CPCU, ARM, AAI, ACSR, AFIS, and Mary Belka, CPCU, ARM, ARe, RPLU, CIC...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
Shaking off your “shimmy” [No] agency can operate properly when different teams are working independently, unaware of what others in their organization are doing. By Kari Glennon In our increasingly competitive industry, the quality of the customer e...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
Understanding both terms and their applications is crucial for effectively managing risk and liability Both agreements play crucial roles in risk management strategies, but they must align with legal standards and the specific needs of all parties in...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
Focus on circumstances, operations and humanity The best agency owners don’t sit back and complain about what’s out of their control. They look for opportunities, even in the toughest circumstances. By Carolyn Smith, APR, TRA Let’s kick off the new y...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
It’s here and changing the financing game for independent agencies Offering premium finance at checkout can reduce the typical premium collection time from 20 days to less than five … . By Chase Petrey Obtaining financing for insurance premiums can b...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
How agents can add value with software tools Supporting clients with OSHA compliance is more than just checking boxes; it’s about setting up a safer work environment and preventing injuries. By Randy Boss, CRM, MWCA, SHRM-SCP In today’s regulatory en...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS Wrestling claim denied Jodi Greenlaw, individually and as personal representative of the estate of her late husband Philip J. Greenlaw, appealed from a judgment...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS Bad day for scooter rider In November 2021, an automobile struck and injured David Goyco while he was operating a Segway Ninebot KickScooter Max in Elizabeth, N...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS Who wins dispute over UIM benefits? Shane and Melissa Pelissier insured their automobile with GEICO General Insurance Company. Four and a half years after a mot...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
Advocate for a more balanced approach that values both structure and contents By Steve Gibson In recent months, several significant natural disasters, notably hurricanes and wildfires, have impacted various regions of the United States. For instance,...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
Who will be the 2024 agency of the year? One of the agencies featured in a Rough Notes cover story during 2024 will be named Agency of the Year. The winner will be selected based on votes from previous Rough Notes cover agents. The nominees for this...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
Everybody’s talking about AI! But what about EI and CI? By Olga Collins Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a global phenomenon transforming every aspect of our lives and work, regardless of our location or profession. The insurance industry, traditional...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
Top trends and tools for independent agencies to stay competitive in 2025 By Jace Hopper Independent insurance agencies are under increasing pressure to balance exceptional client service with efficient operations. With more demands for their time, a...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
What changes or improvements should your agency implement this year? By Christopher W. Cook Being one of the younger folks on staff here at Rough Notes, the duty of maintaining our social media presence was bestowed on me. I tend to plan posts in adv...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
Fifteen years of public policy education and engagement with agents and brokers, customers, and the public By Maura C. Ciccarelli Standing at the engagement point between the insurance industry and public policy since 2009, the Travelers Institute ha...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
Progress in the quest to integrate premium finance into a seamless, automated process By Lori Widmer The shift toward digitization of the premium finance market continues. In an effort to eliminate paperwork and paper-based payments, the insurance in...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
AI solution gathers comprehensive data about prospects, creating lists of suitable potential future clients By Christopher W. Cook In 1998, the rock band Train invited us to “Meet Virginia” in their debut single. What a character she was. Some of her...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
A “responsibly competitive” market provides adequate protection, for now By Joseph S. Harrington, CPCU It’s pretty easy to name the big challenges facing independent insurance agents and brokers. At the top of the list is the determination of replace...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
EBRI seminar examines the broadening focus Whether it is via webinars, digital resources or personal coaching, financial wellness is evolving beyond a focus exclusively on retirement plans. By Thomas A. McCoy, CLU Retired business owners or CEOs, if...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
Let them know what to expect and assure them that you are available to assist them Every year seems to bring with it some new iteration of “Snowpocalypse” or “Snowmageddon.” Make sure your clients protect themselves, their families, and, if applicab...
Posted: Dec 26, 2024
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