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                                                     National News

Trusted Choice^®
‘Tis the Season for Marketing Savings

Many Trusted Choice^® agents shopped to build brand power in 2009, and Trusted Choice^® has helped them in the process. Agents have applied for marketing reimbursements for items including business cards, Web sites, t-shirts and outdoor signage. It’s not too late for more Trusted Choice^® agencies to take advantage of the program and live the brand. Trusted Choice^® agencies have until Feb. 28, 2010 to submit for reimbursements on items ordered through Dec. 31, 2009. To receive up to $500, follow the logo rules and the following four easy steps. First, check your stock, because MRP is perfect for re-ordering business cards, stationery and more. Second, does your Web site include the Trusted Choice^® logo and pledge? Do you have a Web site? Trusted Choice^® can help agencies update their Web presence. Third, find a vendor - a Trusted Choice^® preferred vendor will gladly help, but agents are also welcome to use local resources. Finally, fill out the Trusted Choice^® marketing reimbursement form and send it with professional proofs to Trusted Choice^®. Find out more by visiting www.TrustedChoice.com/MRP. For those who have already taken advantage of the 2009 MRP, Trusted Choice^® will continue the program in 2010 and will make the reimbursement available again. Click here to view the 2010 MRP guidelines.

Best Practices
2009 Best Practices Study Update Available

Since 1993, the annual Best Practices Study has served as a tool to help agency owners and managers understand how their business operations perform and measure up to the top- performing firms across the country. It is a “must have” for agencies that want to become the best they can be through soft markets, hard markets and an ever-changing industry. This year’s release, the 2009 Best Practices Study Update, demonstrates that although positive revenue growth was difficult to achieve, Best Practices agencies continued to invest in new production talent.
 
Click here to order the 2009 Best Practices Study Update. For more information, e-mail BestPractices@iiaba.net. 

Education
Webinar Library Offers Education on Demand

On Dec. 3, agents from across the United States participated in the webinar titled “Where you reside – the Where’s Waldo^® catastrophic homeowners policy exclusion that could bankrupt your insureds.” The two–hour session reviewed situations where homeowners claims might be denied because of the phrase “where you reside.” Homeowners policies cover the dwelling “where you reside,” but what if the insured doesn’t reside there at the time of loss? This situation could arise from temporary rentals or foreclosures, relocating for a job, home renovations, military deployment or moving to a nursing home. Those who missed this webinar but would like to learn more can visit the Big “I” pre-recorded webinar library. The library offers previously presented webinars on topics such as how to become a Best Practices Agency, Certificates of Insurance, intellectual property, changes to the National Flood Insurance Program, overcoming sales call reluctance and more. All webinars are presented by experienced subject matter experts in a brief timeframe, and some are offered free of charge. Agency staff can learn from professionals without leaving the office. Click here to learn more about upcoming webinars and to access the library. To check out related “where you reside” resources available from the Big “I” Virtual University, click here. For more information on any of the webinars offered, e-mail BestPractices@iiaba.net. 

IIABA News
Big “I” Names New Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs

This week, Lauren Cialone joined the Big “I” government affairs staff as senior director of federal government affairs and John Prible was promoted to vice president of federal government affairs.
 
“Lauren brings valuable experience on financial services issues to the Big ‘I’ through her service in both the House and Senate,” says Charles Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for government affairs. “She will make a great addition to our government affairs staff, and we are very pleased to welcome her to our Capitol Hill team.”

Cialone previously served as a legislative assistant to Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.), a Blue Dog Democrat who sits on the House Financial Services Committee, and as his top financial services staffer. She also worked for Senator Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), a well-respected moderate and long-standing member of the Senate Banking Committee.

Cialone is a native of Upper Arlington, Ohio and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and Spanish from Butler University in Indiana. She joins a bipartisan lobbying team after Tom Koonce recently departed the Big “I” to head the Mortgage Bankers Association government affairs staff.

Prible joined the Big “I” team as assistant vice president for federal government affairs in 2006.
 
“John Prible’s extensive association, government and political experience has earned him the respect of countless decision-makers in Washington,” Says Symington. “We’re very proud of his numerous accomplishments on behalf of the Big ‘I’ and it’s a pleasure to announce that he has been promoted to vice president of federal government affairs.”

Prior to joining the Big “I” team, Prible was the director of government affairs for the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT). He worked for former Rep. Darlene Hooley (D-Ore.) and former Rep. Jim Davis (D-Fla.), and earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts from the University of Florida. As the senior legislative assistant to Rep. Hooley, Prible helped draft several key pieces of financial services legislation.

Big “I” Markets
Help Habitational Clients Save with MiddleOak^® Stovetop Fire Suppression Program

For property owners and landlords, protecting property and tenants is crucial. MiddleOak^® created the stovetop fire suppression program to provide clients with peace of mind and savings on insurance costs. Recommending this product can position agents as knowledgeable professionals who can save clients thousands of dollars just by sharing the benefits and relating them to actual differences in the fire damage.

The stovetop fire suppression system credit encourages property owners and managers to install the stovetop fire suppression device, a small and inexpensive device designed to help put out a stovetop fire quickly, safely and with less damage. A magnet secures and conceals the device under the range hood and above the burners. When smoke or fire is detected, the canisters open and release a harmless substance that immediately extinguishes the fire.

A typical stovetop fire claim in a single apartment can be reduced from about $11,000 to $1,000 or less by using this device. The fire is put out quickly and is easily cleaned up afterwards, and the risk of lost rental income is reduced significantly since the apartment unit is still livable after the fire. Also, unchecked fires often spread to multiple units and increase incidences of tenant displacement and tenant lawsuits.

The property owner’s investment is small, at about $48 for two canisters with a reduced price for multiple orders. In addition to saving lives, reducing tenant displacement and eliminating lawsuits, clients also receive a substantial discount on the property portion of their MiddleOak^® policy.

Agents can view a video demonstration of this product at www.stovetopfirestop.com. 

MiddleOak^® also offers WorldsApart^®, a specialized BOP policy with no year-built requirement, guaranteed replacement cost with no dollar limit or percentage cap, 18 months of business income and much more. Each policy comes with a claims service that has satisfied 96.9% of claimants surveyed. This product also provides comprehensive solutions for a variety of commercial risks. Log on to Big “I” Markets for a full list.

The habitational program is currently available to members in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. It is expected to become available in more states in the near future. For more information, log on to www.bigimarkets.com or contact Sherre Sidwell at 800-622-3780, extension 5117; sherre.sidwell@middleoak.com.

IIABA News
Florida Agency Named Trusted Choice^® Agency of the Month

Hillcrest Insurance Agency in Mount Dora, Fla. has been named the Trusted Choice^® Agency of the Month by Trusted Choice^®.

“The fine team at Hillcrest Insurance exemplifies the Trusted Choice^® Pledge of Performance through their personalized and committed culture of excellent customer service,” says Dave Evans, Trusted Choice^® executive director. “Trusted Choice^® is proud to present the Agency of the Month honor to the Hillcrest Insurance Agency.”

Hillcrest Insurance Agency has been serving central Florida businesses and families since 1985. The agency’s professional relationships and reputation have enabled it to work with providers to provide products and services normally reserved for much larger agencies. Hillcrest provides comprehensive business insurance programs, home, auto, umbrella and life insurance, as well as health and employee benefit products.

“The Trusted Choice^® ‘Pledge of Performance’ is part of our agency DNA,” says Kevin McEwen, president of Hillcrest Insurance Agency. “We hold ourselves accountable to the pledge to make sure that our clients get the advocacy, advice and products they need for their protection.”

Hillcrest‘s agency mission statement is “Focused on Protection” and its motto is “One Step Further.”


Big “I” Markets
Insure Vacant Properties with BIM

Mortgage rates remain near all-time lows, the unemployment rate lingers at a 25-year high and foreclosures show no signs of slowing down, which means many homes are vacant and require unique coverage needs. Agents with customers or prospects in that situation have access to a vacant home market via the non-standard homeowners markets on Big "I" Markets. Other markets for difficult-to-place homeowners include high value homes with no maximum limit; high profile or target operations; coastal, non-coastal or brush exposures; rental or short-term rental properties; homes titled under an LLC or corporate name; risks cancelled due to nonpayment of premium; risks with prior losses or non-renewed and poor credit.
 
Click here to learn more, or visit www.bigimarkets.com. 

Big “I” Career Center
Big “I” Career Center Offers Job and Resume Posting

Big “I” members can target qualified industry candidates quickly and easily through the Big “I” Career Center. Visit www.independentagent.com/careercenter to post a job or to post a resume for free. For more information or assistance, contact Elif Wisecup at elif.wisecup@iiaba.net.