Rough Notes
Top photo caption: The Shaw Insurance team. Front row, from left: Jennifer Waganer, Agent and CSR; Howard Shaw, Owner; Jean Irby, Previous Owner; Susan Shaw, Owner; Aaron Carter, Account Manager. The post
Posted: Jan 31, 2022
CONGRATULATIONS STEWARDSHIP 2021 Agency of the Year By Dave Willis, CPIA As we’ve done for more than 30 years, we at Rough Notes magazine again are naming our Agency of The post
Posted: Jan 31, 2022
Looking Back, Looking Ahead METZWOOD INSURANCE: GROWING STRONGER EVERY DAY Fourth generation of agency builds volume in high-net-worth personal lines By Matthew Wood, CPCU, CIC, CPRM, AAI Founded in 1913 The post
Posted: Jan 31, 2022
Professional Development THE INSURANCE GUYS Two Alabama agency owners start podcast to help agencies succeed By Christopher W. Cook “Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” The post
Posted: Jan 31, 2022
The Young Pro-File BETTER THAN JAKE Third-generation agency owner takes on large captive agencies   By Christopher W. Cook In the insurance industry, certain dedicated young professionals stand out among The post
Posted: Jan 31, 2022
Mind the Gap COMMERCIAL CRIME COVERAGE—PART ONE A look at the coverages on the ACORD 141 Crime Section application   Not only are there a lot of coverages from which The post
Posted: Jan 31, 2022
SPECIALTY LINES MARKETS A RECIPE FOR AGENT E&O PROBLEMS The market remains tight as the pandemic question looms By Joseph S. Harrington, CPCU No one likes to spend more time The post
Posted: Jan 31, 2022
CRITICAL ILLNESS: IT’S A CRITICAL SITUATION The COVID pandemic raises employer and employee consciousness for the product By Len Strazewski The situation is critical. Hospitals are filled to near capacity The post
Posted: Jan 31, 2022
TOP FIVE COVERAGES THAT INFLATION CAN AFFECT When costs do normalize, there’s no chance they’ll return to earlier levels While the cost of medical treatments and other factors can devalue The post
Posted: Jan 25, 2022
Coverage Concerns EMBEDDING THE NEED TO SAY “NO.” OR NOT Embedded insurance is not really new, but it’s re-emerged with new capabilities [I]t’s telling that embedded insurance has had its The post
Posted: Jan 19, 2022
HOW TO KNOW IF IT’S TIME TO SHOP Shopping smart for towing insurance enables you to avoid the reason to shop every year — and build trust with clients By The post
Posted: Jan 06, 2022
WHEN THE PUNISHMENT FITS THE CRIME “Eligible losses” is key when breaking down this Court Decisions case Losses that occur and that are, in any significant manner, under your control The post
Posted: Jan 04, 2022
When the punishment fits the crime … INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online   Seventeen-year-old Nicholas Sempf Nyren and his two minor-aged friends were hunting while using flashlights after Th...
Posted: Jan 04, 2022
Was driver unlicensed? INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online   On December 14, 2018, Felicia Edwards and Robert Allen Marak were involved in a motor vehicle accident in Dadeville, The post
Posted: Jan 04, 2022
SLAPPed down INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online   Allstate Insurance Company et al. filed a complaint on behalf of itself and the people of California against Dr. Sonny The post
Posted: Jan 04, 2022
LEVERAGING CUSTOMER DATA More than a buzzword, info in your existing system can be used to drive easy growth External data can help you and your agency “fill in the The post
Posted: Jan 04, 2022
  ORGANIC AGENCY GROWTH … SEVEN PROVEN DISCIPLINES Master these areas to see your agency growth skyrocket [C]ompanies with the highest customer loyalty grow at more than double the rate The post
Posted: Jan 04, 2022
AT THE MARGIN Blanket insurance and the impact of margin clause endorsements When insured on a blanket basis, if a building is destroyed in a covered claim, the limit would The post
Posted: Jan 04, 2022
AUDITING FOR OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE Making agency processes and workflows reality and not simply suggestions The best agencies are never completely satisfied with their results; they continuously seek to improve … The post
Posted: Jan 04, 2022
Winning Strategies THE FOUR ESSENTIAL BELIEFS OF SUCCESSFUL INSURANCE PRODUCERS Beliefs drive behavior You won’t achieve unless you believe—in yourself, your agency, and the carriers you represent.   By Brent The post
Posted: Jan 04, 2022
IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION Risks are growing, but so are the product’s sales By Len Strazewski The cases are frightening. Suddenly, your tax refund has disappeared, taken by someone using your The post
Posted: Dec 30, 2021
LOOK OUT, GLASS CEILING Texas young pro named National Alliance Outstanding CSR of the Year By Alice Ashby Roettger As each generation ages, it tends to opine that the next The post
Posted: Dec 30, 2021
GATEWAY TO SMALL COMMERCIAL LINES Agent network offers virtual course to affiliates   By Elisabeth Boone, CPCU “It gave me great tools to feel confident, look professional, and be prepared The post
Posted: Dec 30, 2021
SPORTS AND RECREATION INSURANCE Exercise is optional; therein lies the risk By Joseph S. Harrington, CPCU Diet, exercise, and access to healthcare are the three components of physical well-being that The post
Posted: Dec 30, 2021
  THE VOICE OF THE AGENT How can program providers and others better take the pulse of their “lifeblood”?     By Steve Bristow Program administrator/managers and insurance carriers must The post
Posted: Dec 30, 2021