Rough Notes
Studying, learning and asking questions develop skills that make work easier and more accurate [Natural curiosity is] important because the types of customers that an agent may have the opportunity to serve are unimaginably diverse. By Paul Martin, C...
Posted: Dec 29, 2023
“Real world” reality check can benefit newly licensed producers While adding enhanced replacement cost coverage will help new agents and their clients sleep better at night, another potential issue may be lurking in the form of detached other structu...
Posted: Dec 29, 2023
Meshing employee/organization goals drives staff engagement Effective goal setting in the workplace isn’t just about setting objectives; it’s about a comprehensive approach that involves employees, aligns with business priorities, and adapts to chang...
Posted: Dec 29, 2023
From paper files and landline phones to the forefront of safety innovations As we continue to embrace technology and innovation, we must also remain committed to our ultimate goal: sending workers home to their families healthy and safe, every singl...
Posted: Dec 29, 2023
Looking back to embrace the future There is truly a need for greatness to meet current and future challenges in our industry and beyond. Where do you stand in your journey? – By Cheryl Koch, CPCU, ARM, AAI, ACSR, AFIS, and Mary Belka, CPCU, ARM...
Posted: Dec 29, 2023
While once an option, specializing is becoming increasingly important Besides enhancing the revenue potential for insurance agents and agencies, specialization provides valuable benefits to their clients. By Kari Glennon Have you ever been asked by a...
Posted: Dec 29, 2023
Who will be the 2023 agency of the year? One of the agencies featured in a Rough Notes cover story during 2023 will be named Agency of the Year. The winner will be selected based on votes from previous Rough Notes cover agents. Principals of the winn...
Posted: Dec 29, 2023
Having dabbled in card magic when he was younger, Tony Cañas, co-founder and chief motivational officer of Insurance Nerds, picked it back up more seriously last year. “I just like putting a smile on people’s faces and it goes well with my top hat,”...
Posted: Dec 29, 2023
Dedicated outsourced staffing provides agencies and brokerages greater independence By Maura C. Ciccarelli When Norm Hudson’s full-service agency, Inszone Insurance Services, was looking to expand about 10 years ago, finding talent to do back-end pro...
Posted: Dec 29, 2023
Adopting these solutions can give your agency a competitive advantage By Brenna Johnson It is officially the beginning of 2024. As with every new year, it’s a time when agents are fresh and ready to achieve their new goals. Along with new goals come...
Posted: Dec 29, 2023
Hutch Mauck, President, Scott Insurance Founded during the Civil War, this thriving agency serves clients from nine offices across the Southeast By Keith Mann At Scott Insurance, we are extremely proud of our long history of service as trusted partne...
Posted: Dec 29, 2023
The top tools to increase cybersecurity regardless of agency size By Joyce Sigler According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy’s article “Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business 2023,” a small business is one that...
Posted: Dec 29, 2023
How AI is revolutionizing customer satisfaction in insurance By Bhaskar Kalita In today’s insurance landscape, one fundamental truth reigns supreme: Customer experience is everything. Policyholders now demand more than just great coverage; they seek...
Posted: Dec 29, 2023
Producers and carriers adapt to prolonged legal limbo By Joseph S. Harrington, CPCU The march to legalize recreational use of cannabis continues, with 14 states acting to do so over the past four years, mostly by voter referendum. Today, 24 states an...
Posted: Dec 29, 2023
Opportunities depend on tailoring products to employee interests By Thomas A. McCoy, CLU Employee benefits brokers have reason to be optimistic at the start of this new year. The need for traditional benefits products remains strong, and employees ar...
Posted: Dec 29, 2023
Adapting to changes brought on by the hard market and other factors As an agent, your genuine focus should be on making your clients’ lives easier. If your heart really isn’t in it for them, they will know. By Michael Wayne Looking ahead to 2024, i...
Posted: Dec 28, 2023
Coverage questions arise when damage is found Although the failure to disclose occurred while the seller was the insured owner of the property, the court agreed with the insurance company that failure to disclose in itself does not constitute an “o...
Posted: Dec 21, 2023
Tips for developing communication skills Just because you talk every day doesn’t mean you’re working on your communications skills. There’s more to it than that. By Brent Kelly Whatever your business or skillset, I’ll bet you’ve heard some form of th...
Posted: Nov 30, 2023
Artificial intelligence takes hold in benefits plans “Generative AI allows us to … create trends and insights that were not available before . We can use this to refine product recommendations … .” —Michael Estep Head of Product Prudential Group Insu...
Posted: Nov 30, 2023
Key questions a potential investor should ask before moving forward with a transaction While equity is just one part of the equation in picking a partner, it can have material ramifications on your agency’s valuation. By James Graham, CVA It has been...
Posted: Nov 30, 2023
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS EPLI dispute Kentucky State University (KSU) purchased a claims-made employment practices liability policy from Allied World Specialty Insurance Company for the...
Posted: Nov 30, 2023
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS Variable life scuffle Peter Fischl was a thoracic surgeon. After the stock market crash known as the “Great Recession” of 2008, Fischl asked his sister to recom...
Posted: Nov 30, 2023
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS Cat litter caper CC 145 Main owned an apartment building in Newmarket, New Hampshire. It purchased from Union Mutual Fire Insurance Company a businessowners pol...
Posted: Nov 30, 2023
How various communication techniques improve or hurt your relationships [A]n understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of communication can make all the difference in the ways we build relationships … . By Paul Martin, CPCU One c...
Posted: Nov 30, 2023
Tips to navigate the deep, lasting effects that change has on our relationships Appreciating how you respond to the mistakes you make and missteps you take will be as important as the decisions you make that do go as planned. By Meg McKeen, CIC The o...
Posted: Nov 30, 2023