Rough Notes

AH-GEE-LAY
AH-GEE-LAY

LEADERSHIP AH-GEE-LAY Can the software development strategy Agile translate to a teamwork approach in insurance? By Christopher W. Cook At least once a year I hear the  “Old Man” mispronounce The post

Posted: Feb 26, 2020

KELLER-BROWN INSURANCE SERVICES
KELLER-BROWN INSURANCE SERVICES

Looking Back, Looking Ahead KELLER-BROWN INSURANCE SERVICES Now in its fifth generation of family leadership, this small-town agency aims big Then … Our founder, my great-great grandfather Eli Benjamin Keller, The post

Posted: Feb 26, 2020

PATHWAY TO PERPETUATION
PATHWAY TO PERPETUATION

PATHWAY TO PERPETUATION New PIA program helps agency owners value their businesses and plan for succession By Elisabeth Boone, CPCU “Does anybody really know what time it is? Does anybody The post

Posted: Feb 26, 2020

HARD MARKET: HAVE A PROACTIVE PLAN
HARD MARKET: HAVE A PROACTIVE PLAN

Beyond Insurance By F. Scott Addis, CPCU, CRA, CBWA, TRA HARD MARKET: HAVE A PROACTIVE PLAN You don’t need to be a deer in the headlights as today’s market shifts The post

Posted: Feb 25, 2020

MOBILE ADOPTION: OVERCOME THE FEAR OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE
MOBILE ADOPTION: OVERCOME THE FEAR OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE

TechKnowFile By Monique VanMeter MOBILE ADOPTION: OVERCOME THE FEAR OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE Become comfortable and gain control and confidence with new technologies As  a corporate trainer at Sunstar Insurance Group The post

Posted: Feb 25, 2020

NONTRADITIONAL FACTORS CREATING COVERAGE GAPS
NONTRADITIONAL FACTORS CREATING COVERAGE GAPS

Mind the Gap By Marc McNulty, CIC, CRM NONTRADITIONAL FACTORS CREATING COVERAGE GAPS Educate your clients, from social inflation to nuclear verdicts It’s hard enough for new producers to learn The post

Posted: Feb 25, 2020

WHO’S IN YOUR CORNER?
WHO’S IN YOUR CORNER?

Acquisition Acumen By Brad Unger WHO’S IN YOUR CORNER? Seek out experienced advisers who specialize in the business issues you’re confronting As a leader in your business, you make hiring The post

Posted: Feb 25, 2020

AVOIDING THE DRIFT
AVOIDING THE DRIFT

Risk Management By Randy Boss, CRA, CRM, MWCA, SHRM-SCP AVOIDING THE DRIFT How do you maintain focus on risk management when everything is (seemingly) good? When I was 12 years The post

Posted: Feb 25, 2020

GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION
GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION

The Innovative Workplace By Joy Justus GOING THE EXTRA MILE FOR EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION Focus on culture, not just special occasions or annual reviews In a tight labor market, attracting quality  The post

Posted: Feb 25, 2020

THE RISKS OF PAPER RECORDS
THE RISKS OF PAPER RECORDS

To the Point By Eric Robuck THE RISKS OF PAPER RECORDS A five-stage solution for digitizing records and protecting clients’ data Insurance agents have one of the most important jobs The post

Posted: Feb 25, 2020

WHAT LIES AHEAD ON THE BENEFITS HORIZON?
WHAT LIES AHEAD ON THE BENEFITS HORIZON?

Benefits Products & Services By Thomas A. McCoy, CLU WHAT LIES AHEAD ON THE BENEFITS HORIZON? The uncertain but necessary task of preparing for the future How will the American The post

Posted: Feb 25, 2020

EXECUTIVE LIABILITY RISKS
EXECUTIVE LIABILITY RISKS

Risk Managers’ Forum By Richard (Dick) G. Clarke, CIC, CPCU, RPLU EXECUTIVE LIABILITY RISKS Tracking the exposures and insurance options Executive liability insurance encompasses directors and officers liability, employment practices The po...

Posted: Feb 25, 2020

IF THE CRICK DON’T RISE …
IF THE CRICK DON’T RISE …

Public Policy Analysis & Opinion By Kevin P. Hennosy IF THE CRICK DON’T RISE … The U.S. private flood insurance subsector enjoys growth This year, the National Council of Insurance The post

Posted: Feb 25, 2020

YOU CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS
YOU CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS

Dig a Little Deeper By Bruce Hicks, CPCU, CLU YOU CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS Changes in residency require assessment and possible changes in coverage “Court Decisions” is a popular The post

Posted: Feb 25, 2020

KEY “NEEDLE MOVERS”
KEY “NEEDLE MOVERS”

Winning Strategies By Roger Sitkins KEY “NEEDLE MOVERS” What can you implement this year to make a difference in your operation? If you’re reading this article, I assume you want The post

Posted: Feb 25, 2020

Can insurer exclude criminal conduct?
Can insurer exclude criminal conduct?

Can insurer exclude criminal conduct? On July 11, 2008, Sharmin Walls, Randi Harper, and Christopher Timms were passengers in a vehicle owned by Walls and being driven by Korey Mayfield. The post

Posted: Feb 25, 2020

IS HAGGLING OVER ROOFTOPS A WORTHY DISPUTE?
IS HAGGLING OVER ROOFTOPS A WORTHY DISPUTE?

A large condo development suffered substantial hail damage to many of its buildings’ roofs. After initial interaction with its insurer, the two parties went to arbitration in hopes of resolving The post

Posted: Feb 25, 2020

PURSUING DISCOMFORT
PURSUING DISCOMFORT

Agency of the Month PURSUING DISCOMFORT Texas agency ventures outside the box to reach customers where they want to be reached When Heather and Brandon Smyrl started Highpoint Insurance Group The post

Posted: Jan 30, 2020

ELITE INSURANCE SOLUTIONS
ELITE INSURANCE SOLUTIONS

Congratulations Elite Insurance Solutions 2019 Agency of the Year By Dave Willis, CPIA For more than 30 years, Rough Notes magazine has featured some of the nation’s most remarkable independent The post

Posted: Jan 30, 2020

THE BENEFITS OF CREATING A NICHE
THE BENEFITS OF CREATING A NICHE

Young Professionals THE BENEFITS OF CREATING A NICHE Because time spent working should be doing something you enjoy By Christopher W. Cook Someone who puts in a traditional 40-hour workweek The post

Posted: Jan 30, 2020

FOODBORNE ILLNESS: WHAT THEY DON’T KNOW CAN HURT THEM
FOODBORNE ILLNESS: WHAT THEY DON’T KNOW CAN HURT THEM

FOODBORNE ILLNESS: WHAT THEY DON’T KNOW CAN HURT THEM Agents can help restaurant owners and managers better understand regulations, exposures, protection needs, coverage options, and more By Crystal Jacobs Restaurant The post

Posted: Jan 30, 2020

FOCUS ON SURETY
FOCUS ON SURETY

FOCUS ON SURETY Caution is the watchword in a potentially volatile market By Lori Widmer What a difference a few years make. Or not. In 2017, surety experts were cautiously The post

Posted: Jan 30, 2020

IS ADDITIONAL INSURED STATUS JUST A TECHNICALITY?
IS ADDITIONAL INSURED STATUS JUST A TECHNICALITY?

An insurer denied coverage for a contractor. The carrier held that the contractor was not owed coverage as it was not explicitly shown under a written agreement to be an The post

Posted: Jan 30, 2020

CRITICAL ILLNESS: GROWING AND EVOLVING
CRITICAL ILLNESS: GROWING AND EVOLVING

CRITICAL ILLNESS: GROWING AND EVOLVING Product’s growth is driven by employee financial needs and employer concern By Len Strazewski Heart attack, cancer, stroke and long-term degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and The post

Posted: Jan 30, 2020

CONSTRUCTION INSURANCE
CONSTRUCTION INSURANCE

Specialty Lines Markets CONSTRUCTION INSURANCE Market may cool while labor shortage limits capacity to build By Joseph S. Harrington, CPCU The U.S. construction market may have hit the high-water mark The post

Posted: Jan 29, 2020