Rough Notes
How agents can add value with software tools Supporting clients with OSHA compliance is more than just checking boxes; it’s about setting up a safer work environment and preventing injuries. By Randy Boss, CRM, MWCA, SHRM-SCP In today’s regulatory en...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS Wrestling claim denied Jodi Greenlaw, individually and as personal representative of the estate of her late husband Philip J. Greenlaw, appealed from a judgment...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS Bad day for scooter rider In November 2021, an automobile struck and injured David Goyco while he was operating a Segway Ninebot KickScooter Max in Elizabeth, N...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS Who wins dispute over UIM benefits? Shane and Melissa Pelissier insured their automobile with GEICO General Insurance Company. Four and a half years after a mot...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
Advocate for a more balanced approach that values both structure and contents By Steve Gibson In recent months, several significant natural disasters, notably hurricanes and wildfires, have impacted various regions of the United States. For instance,...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
Who will be the 2024 agency of the year? One of the agencies featured in a Rough Notes cover story during 2024 will be named Agency of the Year. The winner will be selected based on votes from previous Rough Notes cover agents. The nominees for this...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
Everybody’s talking about AI! But what about EI and CI? By Olga Collins Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a global phenomenon transforming every aspect of our lives and work, regardless of our location or profession. The insurance industry, traditional...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
Top trends and tools for independent agencies to stay competitive in 2025 By Jace Hopper Independent insurance agencies are under increasing pressure to balance exceptional client service with efficient operations. With more demands for their time, a...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
What changes or improvements should your agency implement this year? By Christopher W. Cook Being one of the younger folks on staff here at Rough Notes, the duty of maintaining our social media presence was bestowed on me. I tend to plan posts in adv...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
Fifteen years of public policy education and engagement with agents and brokers, customers, and the public By Maura C. Ciccarelli Standing at the engagement point between the insurance industry and public policy since 2009, the Travelers Institute ha...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
Progress in the quest to integrate premium finance into a seamless, automated process By Lori Widmer The shift toward digitization of the premium finance market continues. In an effort to eliminate paperwork and paper-based payments, the insurance in...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
AI solution gathers comprehensive data about prospects, creating lists of suitable potential future clients By Christopher W. Cook In 1998, the rock band Train invited us to “Meet Virginia” in their debut single. What a character she was. Some of her...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
A “responsibly competitive” market provides adequate protection, for now By Joseph S. Harrington, CPCU It’s pretty easy to name the big challenges facing independent insurance agents and brokers. At the top of the list is the determination of replace...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
EBRI seminar examines the broadening focus Whether it is via webinars, digital resources or personal coaching, financial wellness is evolving beyond a focus exclusively on retirement plans. By Thomas A. McCoy, CLU Retired business owners or CEOs, if...
Posted: Dec 31, 2024
Let them know what to expect and assure them that you are available to assist them Every year seems to bring with it some new iteration of “Snowpocalypse” or “Snowmageddon.” Make sure your clients protect themselves, their families, and, if applicab...
Posted: Dec 26, 2024
Courts are reminding us that deadlines are deadlines [A] court found that the policy’s prejudice provision was superseded by the policy’s “hard cutoff” for submitting claims—90 days after the expiration date … . By Joseph S. Harrington, CPCU If you...
Posted: Dec 18, 2024
Are your team members propelling the agency forward or pushing it back? [P]ositive momentum puts you in a better position to succeed. Getting there may not be easy, but the opportunities it brings promise to make it well worth the effort. By Brent Ke...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Are your team members propelling the agency forward or pushing it back? [P]ositive momentum puts you in a better position to succeed. Getting there may not be easy, but the opportunities it brings promise to make it well worth the effort. By Brent Ke...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Passion, plus innovative thinking It is important to resist the siren call of “assistants” and “ outsourcing” currently tempting you to give up on your best secret weapon for success—great people of your very own … . By Cheryl Koch, CPCU, ARM, AAI, A...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
The year-end move to own 2025 People don’t just buy insurance; they buy connection. And your story is what bridges that gap. By Carolyn Smith, APR, TRA Stop what you’re doing for a second and think about this: What’s your story? No, I don’t mean your...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
From proactive communication to streamlined claims processing By planning ahead and considering both client and operational needs, you can ensure that your agency is ready to face any natural disaster and continue providing the essential services tha...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
In today’s M&A marketplace, owners often are motivated by factors beyond price [E]nsuring alignment between a seller’s fundamental motivations and a potential buyer’s capabilities is a key to maximizing value … . By James Graham, CVA The rapid pa...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Can this employee be saved? Managers tend to think they know what the problem is. Speculation is dangerous. The real reasons for underperformance often need to be uncovered. By Kimberly Paterson, CEC Every organization has one. It’s the under-perform...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Ship builder and insurer disagree about policy exclusion While protection is incredibly valuable, it’s worthless if an operation fails to have standards and controls that provide the best chance to achieve positive results. By Bruce D. Hicks, CPCU, C...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Delivering better workers comp claims analysis by adding data-driven benchmarking and risk mitigation The entire goal of Mod Advisor, an internet-based application, is to simplify and streamline the analysis process. By Lori Widmer The standard for...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024