T H U R S D A Y ,   J U L Y   1 7 ,   2 0 0 8

Industry News

IA MAGAZINE
Coming Soon ---A New Look for Insurance News & Views

This month Insurance News & Views, your weekly source for must-have industry information from the independent agent perspective, is getting a makeover! The redesign incorporates suggestions received from readers, and features a more readable layout, larger font size and much more. Watch for the new and improved IN&V in the coming weeks.


FUTURE ONE
Final Call for Participation in 2008 Future One Agency Universe Study

All Big “I” members have recently been invited via e-mail to participate in the 2008 Future One Agency Universe Study. The study, which is conducted every two years, provides a complete demographic profile of the independent agency system and identifies significant trends affecting the industry. It is widely recognized as one of the most comprehensive views of agency operations in the U.S., so it’s important that every agency take the time to participate in the online survey. Your opinions are extremely important and will provide critical information for the independent agency system, IIABA and the insurance carriers that you represent. Invitations to participate were e-mailed approximately 10 days ago. If you have already provided your responses to the survey, thank you! If you have not responded or if you only partially completed the survey, please take the time to do so before the July 21 deadline. For questions about the survey, contact Madelyn Flannagan, IIABA’s vice president of education and research, at madelyn.flannagan@iiaba.net.


InVEST
The 2007-2008 Stakeholder Report Educates about Advancements

Do you have an active InVEST program or interested in putting one in place? Request a copy of InVEST’s 2007-2008 Annual Stakeholder Report today. The Stakeholder Report provides information on InVEST programs around the nation, current public relations and marketing efforts, new and improved resources available, finances and more. For a copy, contact Jennifer Robinson at 703-706-5437; Jennifer.robinson@iiaba.net.


TRUSTED CHOICE^®
Summer Celebrations Equal Insurance Risks

Summer is truly party time in America, but homeowners should be aware of the risks associated with these get-togethers. Trusted Choice^® has a new consumer interest article that reviews summer safety tips and looks at three common risks that might require insurance coverage. To download the article, go to the Agents/Brokers section of TrustedChoice.com, under Public Relations Articles. Feel free to reproduce the article in any customer communications, such as a newsletter or on your agency’s Web site. Once logged into the Agents/Brokers section, you can access many other consumer interest articles, including one about pool safety, which is also relevant during the summer months.

You will need your agency username and password to access these areas of the secured Agents/Brokers section of www.TrustedChoice.com. If you do not have this login info handy, send an e-mail to Trusted.Choice@iiaba.net to request your login information. For more information, contact Jenner Gohr at 800-221-7917; jenner.gohr@iiaba.net.


IA MAGAZINE
Take a Vacation with the July Issue

Going on vacation this summer? Why not take the July issue of Independent Agent along and catch up on the latest industry information? This months’ edition features plenty of articles perfect for poolside or beach chair reading, including: “Change Agent,” a look at how to increase your agency’s value --- regardless of its age; “Set to Shrink,” a guide on preparing your markets strategy for future carrier consolidation; “Forecast: Even More Regulation,” a lesson on preparing your agency’s l-h strategy with an eye toward the red tape; and much more. The summer reading doesn’t stop there either --- be sure to visit IAmagazine.com for the issue’s Online Extras.


BIG “I” MARKETS
Habitational Market Success Story

Randy Riegner, an agent at the T R Insurance Group in Collegeville, Pa. was keeping up with his summer reading when he looked at the Two for Tuesday edition announcing the habitational market. The student housing niche caught his attention.

“I just happened to have a student housing risk coming up for renewal,” Riegner says. “It was in the E&S market with a big name carrier, but through MiddleOak Specialty I was able to procure more coverage for less premium. Student housing is a unique niche with risks that are not the most desirable or easiest to place. It is certainly not a class we are used to seeing carriers advertise.” 

Learn more about the new habitational market and other products at www.bigimarkets.com.