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Industry News

Trusted Choice^® 
Announcing the Dan Fulwider Trusted Choice^® Award for Community Involvement

Dan Fulwider was the government affairs coordinator and membership liaison for the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa, and a huge supporter of Trusted Choice^®. He was also a warm and caring young man whose dedication to his community and the causes he believed in inspired all who knew him. Fulwider recently passed away after a valiant fight with cancer and in recognition of his community involvement, the Big “I” has established an award in his honor. Each year, an agency that’s actively involved in the community will be awarded $2,500 to give to a charity of their choice. For more information, including an application, please click here.

The first award will be presented at the  Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention, April 29 – May 1 at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C. For more information, contact Kevin Brandt or Jenner Gohr at 800-221-7917; kevin.brandt@iiaba.net or jenner.gohr@iiaba.net. 


Legislative Conference & Convention
Early Registration Ends Tomorrow

This is your last chance to save 10% on Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention registration! Visit the “Events” section of www.independentagent.com and enter the code EARLY09 at checkout by 5 p.m. EST on Feb. 20. The Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention will be held April 29 – May 1 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.  For registration questions, contact Lauren Batch at lauren.batch@iiaba.net.


Young Agents
Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention Events Geared Toward Young Agents

The National Young Agents Committee is offering events geared specifically for up-and-coming leaders at the Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention. Special sessions include a first-time Young Agents attendee reception, the Young Agents and InsurPac State Chairpersons Legislative Luncheon, two hospitality events, a tour of Washington, D.C., and the always popular Presidents’ Panel breakfast with Big “I” leadership. Young agents will gain valuable legislative and leadership skills at this ground-breaking insurance industry event. The Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention will be held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C. April 29 – May 1, 2009. For more information, contact Katie Cosgrove, manager of the National Young Agents program, at 703-776-5455; katie.cosgrove@iiaba.net.


IIABA News
IIABA Commends BancInsure for Enhancements to Independent Agency Agreement

BancInsure recently made a number of positive enhancements to its independent insurance agency agreement based on its work with the Big “I,” announced Rodney Sargent, president and CEO of BancInsure, Inc. The new contract will be introduced to agents this month.

“Independent agencies have strong relationships in their communities, which makes our partnership with them a cornerstone of the way we do business,” says Sargent. “IIABA helped us reinforce the importance of that partnership by working with us to develop an agreement that demonstrates our commitment to our sales force. By taking advantage of the expertise IIABA has on agency appointment contracts, we were able to include terms in our contract that make clear to our agents how much we value their work and the integrity of their businesses.”

“IIABA commends BancInsure for the changes it made to its contract with agents, and for its ongoing efforts to develop and nurture its independent agency relationships,” says Debra Perkins, Big “I” executive vice president and general counsel. “By working with IIABA to make these changes, BancInsure has demonstrated its confidence in and continued commitment to the independent agency system.” 

A few noteworthy changes to BancInsure’s agency appointment contract are that it includes enhanced protection for agents of their ownership of expirations, a renewal/run-off provision to enable them to continue to service insured’s needs after termination of the appointment agreement, additional time to collect audit premiums, a longer notice period before the contact can be terminated and an arbitration clause like those found in many business agreements.

“IIABA is extremely pleased that BancInsure considered and adopted so many of its recommendations to enhance its agency contract,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “This joint effort in enhancing the company’s contract shows that agents and companies can work well together to reach mutually important goals.” 

BancInsure is headquartered in Oklahoma City and holds a rating from A.M. Best of A- (Excellent) with a stable outlook. The company is a full-line independent insurer licensed to specific financial institutions, is endorsed by 18 banking organizations and is licensed in 48 states.


IIABA News
Big “I” Expands International Membership Across the Pond

The Big “I” recently announced that Neil Hitchcock of Tysers, an independent insurance broker headquartered in London, has joined the association. 

“We are honored to have Neil join the Big ‘I’,” says Jeffrey Etzkin, Big “I” vice president of events and international memberships. “The Big ‘I’ offers a wealth of information and resources for agents and brokers all over the globe with the firm knowledge that whether an agency is in England, Japan or North Dakota, many of the operational challenges and opportunities are similar. Our members everywhere provide outstanding customer service.”

“We at Tysers are extremely pleased to be the first international member of the IIABA from the UK,” says Hitchcock, production and marketing manager at Tysers. “Our intention is to assist fellow members in accessing the London, Lloyd’s and international (re)insurance markets along with providing exclusive products for the membership.”

Hitchcock has more than 17 years of experience in the insurance industry and was recently appointed as production and marketing manager of Tysers’ North America & International Specialty Division. He specializes in North American property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, including captives, self-insurance and other alternative risk transfer solutions. Hitchcock started his career at the Meacock syndicate at Lloyd's before moving to Bermuda in 1998 where he served as senior vice president of a Hannover Re subsidiary and president and CEO of Swift Intermediaries Limited, an independent insurance and reinsurance intermediary. Hitchcock, who frequently visits the U.S., can be reached at neil.hitchcock@tysers.com.

“Our recent Agency Universe Study found that despite tough economic times in many areas of the financial services sector, independent agencies remain strong, stable, flexible and have much potential for growth,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “The industry continues to expand internationally. We welcome Mr. Neil Hitchcock to our association and look forward to continuing to grow overseas.”

The IIABA’s growing international membership also includes members from Australia, Austria, Dominican Republic, Japan, India, Mexico, Panama, Philippines and Vietnam.


Big “I” Markets
What is Big “I” Markets?

Big “I” Markets is the Big “I”’s online market access program. There are no access fees and no volume commitments. The Big “I” is licensed in all 50 states and acts as the appointed agent while our members are sub-producers. Currently there are 7,600 agencies registered to use Big “I" Markets, representing 28,500 licensed producers across the nation. Big "I" Markets was started  primarily to help agents gain access to specialty business from A–rated brand carries including Chubb, Fireman’s Fund, Lexington, RLI and Travelers. Last year, more than 10,000 quote requests were submitted to Big “I” Markets. Products such as affluent homeowners, flood, EPL, special event liability, contractors, habitational (apartments & condos) and vacant property are available. For more information or to complete an easy registration for your agency, visit www.bigimarkets.com.


Big “I” Markets
Eagle Agency Web Site Updated

The area of the IIABA Web site featuring information about Eagle Agency---a general agency created exclusively for Big “I” members offering access to MetLife Auto & Home and Travelers personal and commercial lines—has been updated. Visit www.independentagent.com/Eagle to learn about the program’s minimal volume and submission requirements, view a state availability chart and access specific registration instructions for each of the carriers. Questions about Eagle Agency may be directed to eagleagency@iiaba.net.


Big I Advantage^SM
Free Caliper Webinar: Invest in Your Best in this Tough Economy

As a leader in this tough economy, there is only one thing that cannot be duplicated by your competitors --- your people. They are the ones who set you apart from the competition, and they are the ones who will pull you through challenging times. So how do you retain top performers? How do you keep your best people engaged so they don’t walk out the door, taking their knowledge and skills with them?

Caliper is offering a free webinar, “Invest in Your Best in This Tough Economy,” to Big “I” members at 12 p.m. EST, March 4. Find out how to use this time as an opportunity to gain on your competitors; identify top talent and keep them engaged; and develop high-potential employees to take on leadership positions.

Find out how Kohler, West Marine Products and Philadelphia Insurance Companies are investing in their top performers. Speakers for the webinar include: Michael Grubich, director of talent, development and diversity, Kohler; Bob O’Leary, executive vice president, Philadelphia Insurance Companies; Brandon Raasch, director of human resources, West Marine Products.

To register for this webinar, click here. Once you register, you will receive an e-mail with detailed instructions on how to participate in this webinar.

For Communiqué Conferencing help or technical support, call 1-877-283-7062 or visit www.communiqueconferencing.com.


Virtual University
Certificates of Insurance, Agency Workflow and Sales Model Webinars Planned

According to one of the top 10 findings in the Big “I” 2008 Agency Universe Study, agencies are doing more with less. If your agency one of these, we are pleased to announce three new webinars that will bring terrific education opportunities directly to your computer. The following webinars are designed to provide professional training aimed at making your agency staff more knowledgeable and productive:

Certificates of Insurance, or “How I Got A Job In The Prison Laundry”
The first session of this two-part series will begin on March 19 at 2 p.m. EST. Presented by Bill Wilson, director of the Big “I” Virtual University, it will review: certificates of insurance; contractual insurance requirements and additional insureds; policy processing forms and issues; how to respond to onerous requests; dealing with competitive pressures to issue questionable certificates; legal aspects and much more. To register and purchase this webinar, click here. 

Best Practices Guide to Agency Business Processes and Information Management
The first session of this three-part series will begin on March 25 at 2 p.m. EST. Presented by Laura Nettles of Nettles Consulting Group, it will teach participants how to understand the concepts and solutions outlined in the Best Practices Guide to Agency Business Processes and information Management. Learn how to evaluate your current technology and workflow implementations and gain a greater understanding of the tools available today that can improve operational efficiencies within an agency. Participants will also gain valuable information about auditing and monitoring an agency’s compliance with procedures and workflows eliminating E&O exposures. These three sessions can be purchased individually. To view each session, register and purchase, click here.

A New Look at Classic Insurance Sales Methods
The first session of this three-part series will begin on May 13 at 2 p.m. EST. Presented by Lisa Harrington, vice president of education at the Florida Association of Insurance Agents, these sessions will feature  “Prospecting in the New Century,” “How Objections Help You Close the Deal” and “The Closing Toolkit.” Each session can be purchased individually to meet your specific training demands. All session are derived from the highly successful Elite Force Sales Training program. To view each session, register and purchase, click here.

All sessions can be presented “conference style,” allowing the entire agency to benefit. Complete details are available online by visiting www.independentagent.com and selecting “Education,” then “Webinars” from the top menu.

Big “I” Professional Liability
Agency Shield Program^TM Webinar Scheduled for Swiss Re Policyholders

Swiss Re Commercial Insurance, working with Big “I” staff, has scheduled a free webinar at 2 p.m. EST, Feb. 25 for policyholders to learn more about the Agency Shield Program^TM (ASP^TM). ASP^TM is an insurance agency E&O claims prevention consulting program available exclusively to Swiss Re policyholders. Distributed through your local Big "I" association, it is designed to be an affordable and easy-to-implement tool to reduce E&O exposure, improve client service and build sustainable, profitable processes. Policyholders who complete the Agency Shield Program^TM will receive a 10% E&O premium credit good for three years on their next renewal. The goal of ASP^TM is to help agencies establish a standardized process that makes procedures focused and efficient throughout, ultimately leading to better productivity, increased profits and reduced E&O exposure.

Click here to view and download the invitation. Swiss Re has also created a flier promoting the webinar that can be included in newsletters. Click here to download the flier. Contact David Hulcher at david.hulcher@iiaba.net with questions.