T H U R S D A Y ,  O C T O B E R  1 ,  2 0 0 9 
                                                     
                                                     Industry News

IIABA News
Big “I” Featured in Two National TV Interviews

As the health care debate rages on, the media is turning to the Big “I” for analysis and expertise. Last week, Big “I” spokespeople took part in two high-profile national interviews on the latest developments in the reform efforts. As the Senate worked on a health reform measure, Big “I” Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Charles Symington appeared on CNN’s “Lou Dobbs Tonight” in a story about how senior citizens might be affected by the proposed changes to the health insurance system. And on Fox Business News, Big “I” Government Affairs Chairman Spencer Houldin of Ericson Insurance Services in Washington Depot, Conn. was interviewed live on the “Bulls & Bears” program by anchors Liz Claman and David Asman. He also discussed the Senate’s bill and the latest wrangling over the possible impact of the reforms on Medicare. These segments are the latest in a series of Big “I” media hits revolving around the health care reform issue in print, TV and radio. For information on any of these appearances, contact Sue Nester, Big “I” broadcast media director, at 703-706-5448; susan.nester@iiaba.net.

IIABA News
Big “I” Issues 2009 State Association Education Awards

Independent insurance agent associations in Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, New Mexico, North Carolina and Virginia were recognized by the Big “I” for their outstanding education programs at the recent education convocation in New Orleans.

“The education awards were established by the Big ‘I’ to recognize the tremendous contributions made by our state associations in their efforts to improve education,” says Cindy Webster, chair of the Big “I” Virtual University curriculum and research committee and principal, president and CEO of Jack Rice Insurance in Largo, Fla. “The needs of our agents could not be successfully met without the hard work and dedication of state associations such as those we honor with 2009 education and L.P. McCord awards.”

The 2009 Innovations in Education award was presented to the Independent Insurance Agents of Maryland (IIAM). This category takes into account all of the programs offered, including curriculum design, marketing and production.
  
The 2009 Non-Seminar Education Services winner is the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia (IIAG). This category includes other types of services such as videos, computer-based programs, self-study programs, workbooks, audio-tapes, etc. Criteria include nature and types of services, practical education value, size and type of user group, original or innovative service and technical quality.

The 2009 Single Best Seminar award was presented to the Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia (IIAV) for an outstanding education seminar that serves as an example of the high quality work Big “I” members have come to expect.

“The Big ‘I’ greatly appreciates all the hard work the state associations put forth on education programs,” says Madelyn Flanagan, Big “I” vice president of agent development, education and research. “Continuing education programs across the country are increasingly more important and helpful to our agents and, ultimately, to consumers.”

The L.P. McCord Awards are bestowed annually to the state associations, in size categories, that have provided their members with the best opportunity to broaden their knowledge of the insurance profession. The state associations are evaluated according to innovation in education, single-best seminar and non-seminar education services.

The Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina (IIANC) received the 2009 L.P. McCord Award in the category of 461 to 1000 members.
           
The Alabama Independent Agents Association was awarded the 2009 L.P. McCord Award in the category of 251 to 460 members.
The Independent Insurance Agents of New Mexico (IIANM) received the 2009 L.P. McCord Award in the category of less than 250 members.

These prestigious awards are presented in honor of L.P. “Dean” McCord, a Jacksonville, Fla. agent who pioneered the “short” course in 1936. McCord was a recipient of the Woodworth Memorial Award, the highest honored bestowed upon a Big “I” member.

Big “I” Markets
Agent Achieves Success with Habitational Market

Big “I” agent Steve Grimaldi of the John Grimaldi & Associates agency in Buffalo, N.Y., recently bound a large habitational account with Big “I” Markets.

"This was my first foray into using Big 'I' Markets," says Grimaldi. "I remembered reading about the habitational market with MiddleOak in the Big I Advantage^® Newsletter. So when this particular account came my way I decided to try MiddleOak."

Grimaldi writes a lots of condominium business and has direct appointments with several carriers. So why did he choose MiddleOak this time?

"None of my directly appointed carriers would write this particular risk," he explains. "It is in a frame building in protection class nine."

Grimaldi says the process was no different than dealing with underwriters at one of his direct carriers. He adds that the MiddleOak underwriters knew their product well and that he would use the product again.

Learn more about this market and dozens of others by logging on to www.bigimarkets.com.


Big I Advantage^® 
Agency Shield Program: A Hands-On Demonstration for Improving Agency Productivity

Still contemplating taking the ASP Challenge? The Agency Shield Program™ is an online insurance agency errors & omissions self-assessment program that enables an agency to review its processes and procedures to identify potential exposures to E&O claims. Join the Swiss Re ASP™ team for a webinar providing a live hands-on demonstration of how the process works and how it will ultimately help you and your agency improve workflows to avoid E&O claims. A walk-through of the ASP™ process, from completing the self-assessment survey to updating project tracking sheets, will be included. Participants will also learn about the support available during the entire process. Upon completion of ASP™, agents may be eligible for a 10% credit on their Swiss Re E&O policy. The webinar will be conducted on Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. EST. Click here to register for this 30 minute presentation.


Trusted Choice^®
New Service Helps Agents Make Meaningful Contacts

Wouldn’t it be great if potential clients were calling you instead of you calling on them? Trusted Choice^® wants to make it a little easier for its members to make meaningful contacts. 1-800-WE-INSURE is a new service exclusively for Trusted Choice^® agencies that connects consumers with local Trusted Choice^® independent insurance agents. The best part is that Trusted Choice^®, state associations and other Trusted Choice^® stakeholders will market the number for you. Initially, the phone number will be included in all Trusted Choice^® national TV ads, on the Web site and in consumer print materials. With more than 208 million consumer impressions in 2008, imagine what 2010 will bring. Sign-up for the service will be available Oct. 15, so stay tuned to www.TrustedChoice.com/leads for frequently asked questions and more details.


Big I Advantage^®
Member Marketing Activity Center Webinar Scheduled

We will be hosting a brief webinar to answer member questions about the new Member Marketing Activity Center (MMAC). The webinar will take place on Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. EST. To sign up for this 30-minute webinar, click here. For more information, contact Brett Sutch at 703-706-5464; brett.sutch@iiaba.net.