Rough Notes
A look at endorsements to help create a well-rounded personal lines program Don’t make replacement cost on contents be the exception—make it the rule. By Marc McNulty, CIC, CRM Our last two editions of “Mind the Gap” have focused almost exclusively o...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASES Digested from case reports published online COURT DECISIONS Arson doesn’t pay A fire damaged a malt beverage store owned by A Maxon Company, LLC (AMC). Acuity Insurance Com-pany sought a declaratory judgment to determine...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Making it easier to bring new team members up to speed on technical and soft skills Rather than one employee shouldering the workload for an entire onboarding, we can use subject matter experts to train on individual workflows or processes in their...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
A bank’s role throughout the independent agency life cycle By Patricia Smith and Keith Mangini Independent insurance agencies have unique financial needs that evolve as they mature and grow. From agencies in their early stages to seasoned agencies th...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Why agents should spend time on site with clients By Larry Chasin Insurance is a business rooted in relationships, and cultivating and maintaining relationships is just as important today in insurance as it ever was. What’s changed is how we maintain...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
“I hope one day my kids will be able to listen to my recorded podcasts and learn more about their dad’s career. Each podcast episode is like a time capsule.” —Josh Gurley HM Advisors Partner of Georgia agency builds solid foundation in work and home...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
The importance of balancing human touch and artificial intelligence in insurance By David Derigiotis Artificial intelligence (AI) has completely transformed how we do business—now it’s time for AI to shine its light on insurance. From underwriting an...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Five things to consider when developing a personal brand By Bill Brooker As a young insurance agent, you may feel like you’re standing in the shadows of seasoned professionals, trying to find a way to stand out and build your career. The next time y...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Digital platforms and streamlined enrollment and education continue to move the employee benefits market forward By Lori Widmer It’s no secret that the last four years have marked seismic changes in how and from where businesses operate. As employers...
Posted: Dec 02, 2024
Even amid political goings on, there are more important things we all should be concerned with Passion drives businesses and the entrepreneurs that start them. That, unquestionably, is where their focus should be—on what they are passionate about. B...
Posted: Nov 22, 2024
Rulings raise questions about key coverages and exclusions. [E]enterprises (that outsource e-commerce functions) can breathe a little easier after a recent decision of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, but they need to remain vigilant regarding the...
Posted: Nov 21, 2024
The importance of having a sound strategy in place—and what that entails By Lori Widmer When the insurance industry exited 2023, the consensus was that, in terms of mergers and acquisitions, the year had ended on a rather sluggish note. According to...
Posted: Nov 05, 2024
Providing customers with the right tools, resources and experiences can amplify an independent agent’s value By Lori Widmer It seems that for years there have been those forecasting the demise of independent agents and brokers. The growth of direct w...
Posted: Nov 05, 2024
A valuable resource for insurance network leaders By Ray Scotto When the inaugural meeting of the Insurance Networks Alliance (INA) took place in 2018, attendees approached the gathering with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. Many wondered about the...
Posted: Nov 05, 2024
A guide for agents and brokers on the peril, its impact, mitigation steps and response By Thomas Brocksmith As natural catastrophes go, hail probably isn’t at the top of the list of perils that keep most people up at night. Yet, every year, hail is...
Posted: Nov 01, 2024
“By keeping our customers focused on what they are buying and why, we create a relationship that is based on service, communication, and choice.” —Cyrus Jaffery Founder and CEO Family agency in Omaha becomes personal lines powerhouse in just five yea...
Posted: Nov 01, 2024
It takes time to design the perfect forms and content management system for producers. Visionaries say 35 years ought to do it. By Lori Widmer If Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Etsy morphed together into an insurance app, the result would be inchanted. S...
Posted: Nov 01, 2024
Texas agency owner appreciative of those who helped shape his journey By Christopher W. Cook In the insurance industry, certain dedicated young professionals stand out among their peers and are members of an elite squad of individuals. These are thei...
Posted: Nov 01, 2024
With Veterans Day observing its 70th anniversary, two insurance professionals share their military experiences By Christopher W. Cook Seventy years ago, in 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill presented by U.S. Representative Ed Rees (Kans...
Posted: Nov 01, 2024
Customizable data analytics platform built internally by one agency goes public to help others succeed By Christopher W. Cook Back in 2018 and 2019, I wrote a series about the misadventures of Ernie and Oliver, two inexperienced agency owners who had...
Posted: Nov 01, 2024
Recommendations to share with clients to lower their risk profile By Eric Spacek Winter is fraught with risk for your customers. From slips and falls on ice, to vehicle troubles, to the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning, there are myriad reasons wh...
Posted: Nov 01, 2024
How to create a healthier workplace through philanthropy Agencies that also weave charitable giving into an environment of inclusivity will create an even more enriching workplace, paving the path to better business results. By Lisa Lounsbury What’s...
Posted: Nov 01, 2024
A look at your crucial role in helping organizations identify and manage risks I realized that no amount of insurance could heal a serious injury or loss of life, and there were several risks where insurance wasn’t even a solution. By Randy Boss, CRM...
Posted: Nov 01, 2024
An exercise to develop a picture of what it costs to write and keep an account on the books There are many moving parts along the journey to understanding and identifying account profitability—but it is well worth the effort to uncover it. By Cheryl...
Posted: Nov 01, 2024
How to play to win It’s not about being busy; it’s about creating results. By Roger Sitkins According to the latest Growth and Profitability Study from Reagan Consulting, agency organic growth dropped to just 8.5% in both the first and second quarter...
Posted: Nov 01, 2024