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Industry News

Big “I” Markets
Big “I” Members Can Save with FedEx

Your time and money are important, so the Big “I” is finding ways to help you save both.

The Big “I” is proud to support its members and has teamed up with FedEx to help boost your bottom line. As a member of the association, you are now eligible to receive valuable discounts of up to 26% on select FedEx^® shipping services. Best of all, there are no costs and no minimum shipping requirements to take advantage of this great new member benefit.

Big “I” members can now save:

• Up to 26% on select FedEx Express^® U.S. services
• Up to 20% on select FedEx Express^® international services
• Up to 12% on select FedEx Ground^® services
• Up to 10% on select FedEx Home Delivery^® services

Click here and enter pass code ZFT3SF to start saving now. If you have additional questions, call 1-800-MEMBERS (8 a.m.– 6 p.m. EST, Monday to Friday) to speak to a dedicated member representative.

Within seven to 10 business days of your enrollment, you will receive a welcome kit from FedEx which contains detailed information about your shipping rates. Once you have enrolled in the FedEx savings program, your discounts will automatically be applied to your FedEx account number and you can enjoy these great savings every time you ship.

FedEx shipping discounts are off standard list rates and cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. Shipping discounts are exclusive of any FedEx surcharges, premiums or special handling fees and are not available to package consolidators. Eligibility for discounts is subject to FedEx credit approval. Eligible services are subject to change. Base discounts on FedEx Express^® are 15-21%. An additional 5% discount is available for eligible FedEx Express shipments when you ship online at fedex.com. Discounts are subject to change.


Big “I” Markets
Financial Advisor Professional Liability Market Available

Financial advisor professional liability exposures rely on financial advisors’ ability to choose their clients appropriately, document their objectives and goals, select appropriate investment strategies, execute them without trading errors and disclose all the risks and benefits of the investment strategy to their clients. If financial advisors fail in these regards, they can be sued. In today’s economic environment where all things financial are coming under increasing scrutiny, now is the time for you to approach every financial advisor you know about making sure they have professional liability protection.

Financial Advisor Liability Target Market & Eligibility:
 
• Financial planners
• Registered investment advisors
• Investment advisory representatives
• Asset  managers
• Investment management consultants
• Divorce planners
• Broker / dealers
• Hedge funds and Mutual funds

As a member of the Big “I”, you have access to this market through Big “I” Markets. To submit an application log onto www.bigimarkets.com, go to the “commercial products” menu and select “Financial Advisors Professional Liability.”


Big "I" Legislative Conference & Convention
Freakonomics Author to Address Big “I” Conference

Freakonomics author Stephen Dubner will address the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention at 3 p.m., May 1. 

“Stephen Dubner is a respected, forward-thinking journalist and it will be both educational and fascinating to have him address our membership,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president and CEO. “Dubner’s controversial, yet eye-opening rogue Freakonomics will certainly enlighten our annual legislative conference and convention.”

The Big “I” National Legislative Conference is the insurance industry’s best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place April 29 through May 1 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. Approximately 1,200 independent agents and brokers from across the country are expected to attend.

Freakonomics quickly became a cultural phenomenon and spent more than two years on The New York Times bestseller list with more than three million copies sold in more than 30 languages. Dubner argues that economics is the study of incentives, or how people get what they want or need when others want or need the same thing.

Dubner will address the general session, which will also include a state of the association address by Big “I” chairman Brett Nilsson and an insurance carrier CEO panel moderated by Big "I" president & CEO Robert Rusbuldt.

Highlights of the Big “I” National Legislative Conference will include in-depth issues briefing sessions; appearances by numerous high-profile speakers discussing important insurance and national issues confronting lawmakers as well as agents and brokers; and hundreds of meetings on Capitol Hill between Big “I” agents and brokers and their elected representatives in the Congress.

The legislative conference is an opportunity for agents and brokers to discuss important issues with their congressional representatives. Top issues this year include insurance regulation, natural catastrophes, health insurance distribution, tax issues and more.

For registration and hotel information, go to www.independentagent.com and select the “Events and Conferences” link.


IIABA News
Feeling Overwhelmed? Read Delegating Tips from Caliper

With the new year in full swing, is your plate already overflowing? Click here to read nine tips on better delegating from Caliper.

Caliper has advised more than 25,000 companies --- from Fortune 500 companies to some of the fastest growing smaller firms --- on employee selection, employee development, team building and organizational development. Big “I” members receive exclusive discounted pricing on all Caliper services. Click here for member pricing. Visit www.independentagent.com/Caliper to learn more or call 609-524-1200 and identify yourself as a Big “I” member. Or e-mail info@calipercorp.com.


IA Magazine
Start the New Year Right with the January Issue

It’s a new year and with lots of changes and challenges in store for the independent agency system, it’s more important than ever to stay on top of the latest news and trends. This month’s issue features articles guaranteed to get 2009 started off right, including: “New Year, New Universe,” a look at what the new Agency Universe study reveals about agent challenges and opportunities in the evolving business climate; “New Playbook for Employee Benefits,” an overview of how the new year and current economy will change the strategy for selling benefits; “Recession-Proof Your Agency: Find the Fat,” a guide to overcoming tough times by managing your agency expenses; and “From Crops to Condos,” a profile of a third-generation agency that’s adapted to significant changes in its community demographics. And if you’re still looking for more insights and information ---visit IAmagazine.com for this month’s Online Extras.