T H U R S D A Y ,   J U N E   1 ,   2 0 0 6

 Industry News

T R U S T E D   C H O I C E ®
Summer Ad Blitz launches June 19

Trusted Choice® Month may be over, but the brand will remain in front of consumers thanks to a summer-long national ad blitz that will educate consumers about the value the brand and your agency bring to them.

The ad campaign will feature 180 ads on nationwide cable TV and a 45-day Internet ad flight on popular Web sites. The 30-second Trusted Choice® television ads begin airing June 19 and will run nationally through Aug. 27, except for a one-week period the first full week of August. The targeted cable TV networks are: FoxNews, running June 19 through July 9; CNN & Headline News, running July 10 through July 30; and The Weather Channel, running Aug. 7 through Aug. 27. The FoxNews flight schedule will be posted online at www.TrustedChoice.com soon; the other two network schedules will be posted shortly. Click here to view the three ad flight schedules.

A complementary online ad campaign will run July 17 through the end of August. Web sites and portals that will run Trusted Choice® banner ads are www.aol.com, www.msn.com and www.yahoo.com.

This provides the perfect opportunity for your Trusted Choice® agency to run a local tie-in advertising campaign using the high-quality, customizable ads the brand program provides. Your local promotional activity will educate local consumers about your agency’s Trusted Choice® status and position it as the trusted advisor for their insurance needs. Your agency also will gain double exposure by running the ads concurrent with or immediately before or after the TV ad flights. Trusted Choice® provides participating agencies free customizable print, radio, billboard and TV ads for use in their local marketing area. Click here to view, order or download the customizable ads and to learn how to purchase broadcast and print advertising.

Take advantage of the hype and promote your agency in conjunction with Trusted Choice®. Not yet part of Trusted Choice®? Click here now to join the consumer brand movement that is sweeping the agency ranks. For more information, contact Jeff Myers at 800-221-7917; jeff.myers@iiaba.net.

B E S T   P R A C T I C E S
The Five Practices of Highly Effective Leaders

Skip the trial and error approach. Read the handbook "The Five Practices of Highly Effective Leaders" to learn five proven practices for overcoming new and difficult challenges that often arise within an organization. Experience is one of the best teachers, and this handbook allows readers to profit from the experience of 18 leaders who successfully guided their agencies through periods of change and uncertainty. The handbook includes case studies that applied the following five fundamental practices to accomplish superior results through their employees:

(1) Engage and empower staff and teams.

(2) Align employees with the agency's vision and goals.

(3) Clarify expectations.

(4) Support employees' and teams' needs.

(5) Reward progress and results achieved.

"The Five Practices of Highly Effective Leaders" includes tips and techniques to build and lead effective teams, identify opportunities for productivity improvements and cost savings, improve customer service and quality and increase the effectiveness of all employees. In addition, diagnostic tools help you and your staff put these leadership best practices into action in your agency. For more information, click here. Need more information? To download an order form, click here.

B I G   " I "   F L O O D   P R O G R A M
New Flood Processing Information

In order to streamline the quoting and policy service process, as of June 2, all flood quotes should be directed to Selective's customer center. The new fax number for all flood quotes is 973-948-2599. All policy processing and inquiries should be made through this office going forward: 

Selective Insurance - Flood Operations
40 Wantage Ave, CN101
Bracnhville, NJ 07890
877-348-0552

If you have any questions, contact Linda Mackey at 800-221-7917; linda.mackey@iiaba.net.

B I G   " I "     M A R K E T S
A New Look at Non-standard Risks

Trying to find a "home" for the business of non-standard homeowners clients can be a challenge. Pricing for homes that are eight miles away from a fire department and located on roads that are hard to find is tricky—and try to talk to an actuary about what to charge for a home that had three water losses in five years! The non-standard homeowners product available to you through Big "I" MarketsSM, the online market access program available exclusively to Big "I" members, is not for everyone. An important thing to note about the product is its $300,000 minimum value. Most Main Street carriers have taken an increasingly tough stance on prior losses, and when combined with the real estate boom of the past few years, it may mean that many risks might be more non-standard than you think. So start to think differently. Click here to learn more about this product.

Event Liability at Your   Fingertips

It’s officially summer! Memorial Day weekend has come and gone, and the rising temperatures signal many things: budding trees, blooming flowers, the end of school and an invitation to get outdoors. On any given weekend, you’re bound to hear about weddings, picnics, athletic events, proms and graduations. Chances are your clients are involved in one of these events. What they all have in common is the need for event liability insurance. As a Big "I" member, you have access to event liability offered through Gales Creek on Big "I" Markets, and registered Big "I" Markets members can quickly and easily provide an indication when a client calls inquiring about event insurance. Click here for event categories and rates posted on the "Underwriting and Coverage" page of event liability. Access the info with just one click after logging in. Click here to download a copy of the rating guide that contains both event categories and rates on one page, conveniently sized to fit on the wall beside your phone. A quick glance at the rating guide will give you an indication while your client is on the phone. Not only does this save you time by saving you the return call, you also avoid spending time submitting a request on the system for a client who may or may not be interested. With this you can submit quote requests only for coverage the client has already agreed to purchase. Click here to learn more about this product. For more information, contact a Big "I" Markets team member at bigimarkets@iiaba.net.