Rough Notes

NURTURING THE NETWORKS

NURTURING THE NETWORKS How three women are leading their respective networks—and insurance—toward a stronger, more collaborative industry approach By Lori Widmer In the beginning, Rene Swan was one of very The post

Posted: Oct 26, 2020

AGENTS, NETWORKS, AND CARRIERS: A PARTNERSHIP FOR GROWTH

AGENTS, NETWORKS, AND CARRIERS: A PARTNERSHIP FOR GROWTH Helping industry organizations derive value greater than the sum of their parts By Joseph S. Harrington, CPCU “Two’s company; three’s a crowd,” The post

Posted: Oct 26, 2020

Fork over the photos

Fork over the photos James Simmons owned a residence that was insured under a homeowners policy issued by Avatar Property & Casualty Insurance Company. After damages to his residence, Simmons The post

Posted: Oct 26, 2020

Say nope to dope

Say nope to dope James and Maria Mosley owned a house that Pacific Specialty Insurance Company (PSIC) insured under a homeowners policy whose term was between April 2016 and April The post

Posted: Oct 26, 2020

Condo chaos

Condo chaos Wiley Verstappen entered into a contract with Robert Saavedra and his construction company, R.S. Homes, LLC, to perform construction renovations throughout her condominium. The initial estimated cost of The post

Posted: Oct 26, 2020

AGENCY NETWORKS MUST—AND DO—ADD VALUE

AGENCY NETWORKS MUST—AND DO—ADD VALUE More than just a premium pass-through, networks drive agency growth and more By Joseph S. Harrington, CPCU Since they originated nearly 50 years ago, independent The post

Posted: Oct 26, 2020

A FLOOD OF INFORMATION ON FLOODING

While the National Flood Insurance Program still provides more than 90% of residential flood coverage, recent years have seen a growth in carriers offering private flood insurance. Will online flood The post

Posted: Oct 22, 2020

TOP 5 THINGS 2020 HAS MADE ME MORE APPRECIATIVE ABOUT

It would be easy enough to list the top five reasons why 2021 needs to get here already. Instead, our writer takes a different approach and shares what he appreciates The post

Posted: Oct 22, 2020

Partnership & Profitability

Partnership & Profitability: How The Insurance Provider You Choose to Work With Impacts Your Business and Bottom Line By Edward Partridge, CPCU, RPLU, ARe, AINS Determining which insurance provider(s) you The post

Posted: Oct 08, 2020

FROM KITCHEN BROKER…

AGENCY OF THE MONTH FROM KITCHEN  BROKER… … to risk management powerhouse with global reach By Dennis H. Pillsbury Risk management has certainly jumped to the top of nearly everyone’s The post

Posted: Sep 30, 2020

TECHNOLOGY AND SMALL BUSINESS

Agency Partners TECHNOLOGY AND SMALL BUSINESS Flexibility and digital options help agents meet their customers’ changing needs By Lori Widmer Michael Keane believes it’s both a unique and challenging time The post

Posted: Sep 30, 2020

ENVIRONMENTAL AND POLLUTION INSURANCE

ENVIRONMENTAL AND POLLUTION INSURANCE Contractual requirements and concern for reputations drive steady demand By Joseph S. Harrington. CPCU In most years, changes in environ-mental and pollution insurance would be big The post

Posted: Sep 30, 2020

FROM MAILROOM TO MANAGEMENT

BROKEN GLASS FROM MAILROOM TO MANAGEMENT Energetic, enthusiastic, and focused, this young agent is working to become a third-generation owner By Elisabeth Boone, CPCU With my youth a tiny dot The post

Posted: Sep 30, 2020

HONORING PANDEMIC HELPERS

HONORING PANDEMIC HELPERS Applications being accepted for independent agents, brokers and their firms for the annual Rough Notes Community Service Award By Robert N. Kretzmer, CIC Have you helped your The post

Posted: Sep 30, 2020

HOSPITAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE

HOSPITAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE Employer and worker interest in this employee benefit continues to grow By Len Strazewski In New York, public health officials briefly turned the giant Javits Center into The post

Posted: Sep 29, 2020

NO INDIRECT COVERAGE WITHOUT DIRECT DAMAGE

No Indirect Coverage Without Direct Damage The owner of a car dealership was frustrated with their insurer due to a couple of incidents that occurred after an area snowstorm. The The post

Posted: Sep 28, 2020

RETHINK INSURANCE MARKETING

RETHINK INSURANCE MARKETING Our industry needs transformational leaders—not just transactional ones By Peter van Aartrijk “We don’t need marketing. This is just a relationship business.” I’ve heard those words many, The post

Posted: Sep 28, 2020

RRGs: JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED

RRGs: JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED Flexible and focused, risk retention groups meet risk financing needs across a range of industries By Michael J. Moody, MBA, ARM The insurance industry The post

Posted: Sep 28, 2020

TO POST OR NOT TO POST?

TO POST OR NOT TO POST? VCIA virtual conference session focuses on evaluating one’s online presence and company social media policies By Christopher W. Cook Did you see Joey’s latest The post

Posted: Sep 28, 2020

LESSONS FROM THE PANDEMIC: FAILING TO PLAN IS PLANNING TO FAIL

LESSONS FROM THE PANDEMIC: FAILING TO PLAN IS PLANNING TO FAIL Go beyond just using tech and learn to master it By Todd Sorrel Not too long ago I was The post

Posted: Sep 28, 2020

LEADING AND SUCCEEDING IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

LEADING AND SUCCEEDING IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC How can balancing realism and optimism help during these challenging times? By Karl Sherrill Almost 20 years ago, Jim Collins introduced us to The post

Posted: Sep 28, 2020

SHIFTING THE RECRUITMENT NARRATIVE

SHIFTING THE RECRUITMENT NARRATIVE What agencies can learn from insurtechs about attracting millennial and Gen Z talent By Philip Charles-Pierre “Because it’s insurance.” This is the response one of the The post

Posted: Sep 28, 2020

WHAT’S HOT?

Tactical Tech By Chris Paradiso WHAT’S HOT? Data tool helps you visualize visitor engagement on agency websites These days, marketers in your agency can measure just about everything. This gives The post

Posted: Sep 25, 2020

FIVE STEPS TO MORE REFERRALS

Blasted Myths By Carl Maerz FIVE STEPS TO MORE REFERRALS Avoiding the “awkward ask” Your clients love you and are willing to tell others how great you are. Now it’s The post

Posted: Sep 25, 2020

STREAMLINED MARKETING

TechKnowFile By Laureen Mathon STREAMLINED MARKETING How technology can boost submission efficiency, even in a pandemic As the pandemic continues and social distancing remains essential, agencies can embrace technology to The post

Posted: Sep 25, 2020