Rough Notes

A SURPLUS OF LONGEVITY

MGA Focus A SURPLUS OF LONGEVITY Quaker Special Risk boasts a rich history of surplus success, familial ties, and smart evolution By Lori Widmer Employees tend to stick around at Quaker Special The post

Posted: Dec 30, 2021

AGENCY OF THE YEAR CANDIDATES

Thirty-Third Annual Rough Notes Agency of the Year Who will be the 2021 Agency of the year?   One of the agencies featured in a Rough Notes cover story during The post

Posted: Dec 30, 2021

DIGITIZING THE APPLICATION AND RENEWAL PROCESS

  DIGITIZING THE APPLICATION AND RENEWAL PROCESS: THE AGENT AND CLIENT PERSPECTIVE To remain competitive, agents must modernize their client experience strategies and technology By Dan Post Customer expectations are The post

Posted: Dec 29, 2021

THE CHANGING TIDE

THE CHANGING TIDE Influx of younger consumers buying high-end homes creates wave of opportunity for agents By Daniel Halsey There is an emerging demographic of high-net-worth individuals—young adults. Millennials, ages The post

Posted: Dec 29, 2021

THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY EDUCATION

THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY EDUCATION Jamaican-born young pro starts nonprofit to honor grandmother By Christopher W. Cook In the insurance industry, certain dedicated young professionals stand out among their peers The post

Posted: Dec 29, 2021

THE PRIVATE FLOOD MARKET FINDS ITS FOOTING

THE PRIVATE FLOOD MARKET FINDS ITS FOOTING Advancements in technology and flood modeling pave the way for better understanding the risks By Lori Widmer In September 2021, the National Flood The post

Posted: Dec 29, 2021

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IN THE WORKPLACE

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IN THE WORKPLACE The need becomes more obvious; how will benefit plans respond? By Thomas A. McCoy, CLU One lasting effect of the pandemic, a positive one, The post

Posted: Dec 29, 2021

TOP FIVE STEPS TO BETTER MENTORING

TOP FIVE STEPS TO BETTER MENTORING  Whether you’re on the giving or receiving end, these tips can lead to a more productive mentor relationship [I]f a tree has strong roots, The post

Posted: Dec 23, 2021

THE MISSING MANDATE THAT MAY NOT BE MISSED

THE MISSING MANDATE THAT MAY NOT BE MISSED The demise of the individual mandate has not disrupted health insurance markets (at least not yet) QUOTE: Whatever its value as a The post

Posted: Dec 22, 2021

Are Your Nonprofits Ready

 ARE YOUR NONPROFIT CLIENTS READY TO REOPEN THEIR OFFICES? Practical guidance for evaluating insurance implications of possible alternatives “The pandemic affected each nonprofit differently, an important factor to keep in The post

Posted: Dec 09, 2021

UIM limits challenged

INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS   UIM limits challenged Kenneth Bogue was driving on a county road in Decatur, Indiana, followed by Terry Robinson and The post

Posted: Dec 01, 2021

Burning down the house

INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS   Burning down the house In September 2014, the Boles Fire damaged and destroyed numerous homes in the town of The post

Posted: Dec 01, 2021

Did insurer act in bad faith

INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS   Did insurer act in bad faith? On July 2, 2011, Trevor Olson was driving northbound in a 2005 Hyundai The post

Posted: Dec 01, 2021

EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN

  [T]he NAIC CMB Special Report requires a very close reading. Financial types pride themselves in soft-pedaling even the most savage events and Hellbroth conditions.   Public Policy Analysis & The post

Posted: Dec 01, 2021

THE BIG QUIT

[89%] of workers admit to experiencing burnout … . [While] burnout is not the only reason people are leaving their jobs … it’s a factor that businesses can’t afford to The post T...

Posted: Dec 01, 2021

EDUCATION AS CUSTOMER SERVICE

Great customer service involves helping clients to understand how their insurance works. This helps to protect the client and the insurance agency.         Customer Service Focus By The post

Posted: Dec 01, 2021

WHEN WILL THE MUSIC STOP?

[I]t can be assumed that by focusing on building and running a best-in-class insurance brokerage, owners can command their own destiny and be shareholders in a resilient and rewarding asset The post

Posted: Dec 01, 2021

TRENDING INTENTIONAL LEADERSHIP

The main differentiating factor … for success is proactive, intentional leadership. Agencies cannot run themselves; employees, regardless of how motivated they might be, need clear structure and purpose.   Inside The post

Posted: Nov 30, 2021

PREDICTABLE GROWTH REQUIRES ALIGNMENT

[S]omething we see way too often in agencies [is] the lack of alignment between the various departments. Think of these departments as wheels on a car … . To achieve The post

Posted: Nov 30, 2021

AGENT FOR THE FUTURE

AGENT FOR THE FUTURE The J. Morey Company takes top national honor By Dave Willis, CPIA For the past four decades, The J. Morey Company, Inc., has maintained a clear The post

Posted: Nov 30, 2021

COMMERCIAL AUTO INSURANCE

COMMERCIAL AUTO INSURANCE Is the road finally clearing for this long-distressed line of coverage? By Joseph S. Harrington, CPCU Is commercial auto insurance, a severely distressed line of business over The post

Posted: Nov 30, 2021

CONGRATULATIONS AND CHEERS!

CONGRATULATIONS AND CHEERS! Five tips to conquer the wine list at your next business function By Chris McQueen   Congratulations! You’ve finally land-ed your first big account after spending years The post

Posted: Nov 30, 2021

INSURANCE PROVIDER GROUP, LLC

Looking Back, Looking Ahead INSURANCE PROVIDER GROUP, LLC Appointed by Travelers in I865 by horse and buggy, this agency is thriving today By Elisabeth Boone, CPCU   What until recently The post

Posted: Nov 30, 2021

AGENCY OF THE MONTH STARTING FROM SCRATCH

AGENCY OF THE MONTH STARTING FROM SCRATCH Amid double-digit growth, North Carolina agency zeroes in on retention and employee development By Dennis Pillsbury     Christopher Cook was following in The post

Posted: Nov 24, 2021

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Young Professionals (INSERT INTERESTING TITLE HERE) Seven tips for creating compelling content     By Christopher W. Cook Writing for an insurance publication that’s been around for over 140 years The post

Posted: Nov 24, 2021