T H U R S D A Y ,   J U N E   7  ,   2 0 0 7

Industry News

IIABA NEWS

Start of Hurricane Season Sparks Media Blitz

The hurricane season kicked off this week --- with a spate of national television appearances by the Big "I."  Vice President of Education and Research Madelyn Flannagan appeared on CNBC on June 1 in a series of stories by reporter Scott Cohn on the changed insurance landscape since Hurricane Katrina. Flannagan addressed availability and affordability issues for homeowners looking for coverage in coastal areas. Portions of Flannagan interview aired throughout the day on CNBC, including on its flagship evening financial program, “On the Money.” In addition, Big “I” President Alex Soto was a featured guest on a special edition CNN's “Open House” show. The program, broadcast from Miami, focused on hurricane preparation and protection. Soto discussed windstorm and flood insurance issues with anchor Gerri Willis. This special aired on CNN and also Headline News several times over last weekend. For more information on any of these appearances, please contact Sue Nester, Big “I” broadcast media director, at 703-706-5448; susan.nester@iiaba.net.

Grassroots Site Gets Upgrade

It’s now even easier to make the grassroots connection because of updates to the Big “I” grassroots Web site. Here’s how to get started: go to www.independentagent.com, click “government affairs” and then click “grassroots.” Once there, take a moment to update your home address information by selecting “Update Your Information.” While the Big “I” already has your agency’s address, we need your home address to better target members of Congress with the constituents in their district. It only takes a minute, but the Big “I” grassroots database is an invaluable tool as the association’s Capitol Hill staff makes plans to reach out to key members of Congress on specific issues.


BIG “I” MARKETS^SM

Looking for D&O Package or Stand Alone EPL Coverage?

Look no further for a trusted and reliable source of EPL coverage than Big “I” Markets^SM. In May long-time Big “I” Markets MGU partner AJ Wayne wrote its first EPL policy for an Alabama member with Berkshire Hathaway’s A++ rated Mount Vernon Fire. Also in June, another Alabama member placed a D&O package for a local business taking advantage of Travelers’ wrap + executive liability for private companies. The wrap+ placement took advantage of the D&O and Crime coverages available from the schedule of D&O, EPL, fiduciary, miscellaneous E&O, crime, kidnap and ransom and identity fraud protection.

“We’ve been very pleased with the service level of AJ Wayne and Travelers underwriters and see that business line on Big “I” Markets growing slowly but gaining momentum,” Big “I” Assistant Vice President and Big “I” Markets leader Gary Heiligman says.

Agents interested in stand-alone EPL and wrap+ can review coverage details by logging on with their user name and password at www.bigimarkets.com. Basic coverage descriptions are available to any agent, but member agents must register for Big “I” Markets to submit a quote. If you do not know your password, click here. To register for Big “I” Markets, a link to the online registration process is available at the Web site. To learn more about D&O please read  “Improve Your D&O IQ – Part Two” in the national section of this week’s IN&V.


YOUNG AGENTS

Apply for the YAC Awards Today

The Big “I” National Young Agents Committee is seeking submissions for the 2007 YAC awards in the following categories: membership development, state committee project, communications, Young Agents meeting and political involvement. Outstanding Young Agents Committee-of-the-Year and first runner-up honors will also be awarded. Participating in the national YAC awards program demonstrates the commitment state young agents and brokers committees have towards perpetuating the independent agency system and solidifies their presence as the driving force behind its future. The 2007 YAC awards will be presented at the 2007 Young Agent Leadership Institute being held in conjunction with the National Board of State Directors meeting scheduled for Sept. 28-30 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, Calif.

Entries must be postmarked by July 1. Visit www.independentagent.com and click on Young Agents and then Tools to download the 2007 YAC Awards Criteria. Direct questions to Katie Cosgrove at 800- 221-7917; katie.cosgrove@iiaba.net.


VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY

Is Online Learning For You?

Online learning is different in many respects from the traditional face-to-face learning most people are used to. The rush to class, sign-in process and coffee and doughnuts are gone. The methods with which people get their information and how they interact with the material, instructors and other students are very different. But, increasingly, a large number of students say they learn more online, and their retention is much improved.

There are a variety of learning styles and some are well-suited to e-learning and some will struggle with it. Visual, self-directed learners do well at online learning, while others succeed because online instructional design is often sophisticated and planned to reach a wide variety of learners.

Lifestyles play a big role in the success of online learners too. The traits that successful online students possess include: self-direction, motivation, comfort with computers, the ability to use email, internet browsers and word processors, discipline, independence and the ability to stay on task.

As summer approaches and schedules become more hectic, education still remains an important issue. The Virtual University anticipate many agents will be looking for a creative and fun way to get the insurance education they need in a way that won’t keep them in a classroom all day. At Virtual University, agents will find a wide variety of unique quality online classes to enhance and expand their insurance technical and business skills. Classes, which can be purchased by both members and non-members, include certification and designation programs, as well as beginner, intermediate and advanced classes --- all online and available anytime. To access the Big “I” Virtual University go to www.indpendentagent.com or to go directly to the online course catalog by clicking here.

Anyone interested in online learning can send an e-mail from their agency e-mail system to Madelyn Flannagan at madelyn.flannagan@iiaba.net with the subject line “Online Learning is for Me.” The Virtual University will respond with a discount coupon for an online class and your member ID and password for access to all the free areas of the Virtual University.