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IN&V Marks First Anniversary | Improve Effectiveness, Enhance Profits | The Ultimate Producer Challenge Participants Revealed | ISO Product Discounts Via the VU | GuideOne Insurance Independent Agent Agreement Reviewed | Attorney Professional Liability Available | Trusted Choice® National Ads to Air in September|  Industry News

I N & V
IN&V Marks First Anniversary

This week’s issue of Insurance News & Views marks the e-newsletter’s one-year anniversary. From multiple hurricanes to TRIA to Spitzer, IN&V has been there to breakdown the agent angle to Big “I” members on a weekly basis, and we look forward to continuing to bring you industry news and analysis as we head into our second year.

We always welcome your feedback and comments. Do you want to share an opinion or suggest a story topic? Contact Katie Butler at katie.butler@iiaba.net or Jennifer Sikorski at jennifer.sikorski@iiaba.net.

Want to sign all your agency employees up to receive IN&V? To subscribe, e-mail  INV@iiaba.net with the word “subscribe” in the subject line. Include the following information in the message so we can properly identify your record in our database:

• First and Last Name 
• E-mail Address 
• Agency’s Name 
• Agency’s Address (street address, city, state and zip code) 
• Agency’s Phone Number 

B I G   “ I ”   C O N V E N T I O N
Improve Effectiveness, Enhance Profits

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York  and the Agents Council for Technology are co-hosting a business improvement workshop on Sunday, Sept. 11, at the Best Practices Management Institute at the Big "I" Convention in New York City .

Technology is moving beyond the traditional service functions to respond to the multi-faceted needs of producers and principals to put new business on the books. In the first part of the workshop, “Enhancing Your Agency’s Sales & Marketing Effectiveness,” business leaders will learn how agencies are using specific business processes and technology tools to enhance the sales, marketing and management functions.

In the second part of this workshop, “Five Steps to a Better Agency Bottom Line,” agents, carriers and vendors will discuss how to implement new business processes and technologies to enhance profits. This panel will focus on the benefits of the latest real-time interfaces, improved downloads, paperless   strategies and other operations that drive agency efficiencies and enable more productive sales and service contacts.

“In this workshop, it’s more than industry experts,” says Jeff Yates , executive director of ACT. “You hear from innovators, successful agents, carriers and vendors who know how to thrive in the industry. They know how to improve business because they’ve all done it. They know what works and are eager to share that knowledge to all participants.”

Click here for more information. Click hereto register.

The Ultimate Producer Challenge Participants Revealed

The Big “I” has selected 10 producers with a special blend of personality, salesmanship and technical expertise to participate in The Ultimate Producer Challenge. These producers will face off on Sept. 12, undertaking a series of group and individual sales exercises and tests from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hilton New York. The Challenge takes place during the Best Practices Management Institute, held Sept. 11 through 12 in conjunction with the Big “I” Convention in New York City .

Roger Sitkins, The Sitkins Group, will lead the producers through the day of competition, fun and networking, and the winner will be revealed at the Closing Session of the Big “I” Convention. 

The Ultimate Producer Challenge Participants are:

• K. Patrick Armstrong, L.V. Toole Insurance Agency, Inc., Lee, Mass.
• Jason Besse, C.T. Lowndes & Company, Summerville, N.C.
• Marc A. Cisneros, Jr., Integrity Insurance Agency, Inc., San Antonio , Texas
• David C. Crevelt, Salsbury & Associates Insurance Services, Inc., Fremont, Calif.
• Diane Durnin, J.D. Fulwiler & Co Insurance, Portland, Ore.
• Megan B. Foster, Brett Insurance Agency, Inc., Johnstown, Pa.
• Roosevelt Haywood III, Haywood and Fleming Associates, Gary, Ind.
• Edward H. Lukatsky, Salhaney Insurance Agency, West Roxbury , Mass.
• John D. Marek, Compass Insurance Agency, Inc., Dallas, Texas
• Gregory S. Wassberg, Crockett Insurance Service, Crockett, Texas

For more information, click here or contact Madelyn Flannagan at madelyn.flannagan@iiaba.net; 800-221-7917.

V I R T U A L   U N I V E R S I T Y
ISO Product Discounts Via the VU

ISO and the Big “I” have teamed up to bring Big “I” members a host of valuable ISO products at a substantial discount, including:

• Commercial Lines Manual information
• Personal Lines Manual Information
• Reference Library of Personal and Commercial Lines Form
• Community Mitigation Classifications Manual PLUS
• Analysts’ Summary Package

For more information on the discount program, go to the Big “I” Virtual University Web site.  Big “I” members and their employees who do not have a Big “I” user ID and password can click on the Member Login icon here, then click on “don’t know password” and follow the onscreen instructions. If this approach does not generate a password, click on the link in the “member login information” section and e-mail your name and agency contact information.   

For more information about Big “I” membership and the Big “I” Virtual University, please click here.

L E G A L   A D V O C A C Y
GuideOne Insurance Independent Agent Agreement Reviewed

IIABA’s Office of the General Counsel completed its review of the GuideOne Insurance Independent Agent Agreement. Some provisions of concern for agents include: 1) The commission can be amended on only 30-day notice; 2) The company disclaims any warranty about online policyholder information for particular uses; 3) The ownership of expirations clause is limited only to when the agent is terminated in writing; and 4) There is uncertainty if arbitration of disputes requires the consent of both parties and if it is binding. Big "I" members can access the review by clicking here.    For more information, contactAmy Hendricks at amy.hendricks@iiaba.net or Kathleen Graber at kathleen.graber@iiaba.net; 800-221-7917.

B I G   “ I ”   M A R K E T S
Attorney Professional Liability Available

It's a mistake to assume that since attorneys practice law, they are automatically aware of the insurance risks they face. Big "I" Markets agents have access to a Hartford product that addresses the unique insurance needs of attorneys. Drawing upon its in-depth experience insuring “middle market” companies, The Hartford developed a coverage package policy for law firms that help you provide these clients with superior insurance protection tailored to their specific needs. Coverage highlights of the program including:

• Blanket protection for buildings, business personal property (BPP) and business income coverage.
• General Liability Insurance.
• Commercial Auto Coverage.
• Umbrella Coverage.
• Computer Equipment Coverage.

The Hartford also provides valuable commercial auto coverage for a firm’s company vehicles. Physical damage coverage for hired autos is one of the many automatic enhancements available through the commercial auto broad form. Note that professional liability for attorneys is a coverage that is not part of The Hartford program.

For more information about how to access this product, click here. Not yet registered for Big "I" Markets? Register online today.

T R U S T E D   C H O I C E ®
Trusted Choice® National Ads to Air in September

The third round of Trusted Choice® cable television advertising this year will air Sept. 12 through 25. This is a great opportunity for your agency to run a local ad campaign to tie into the national flight. The ads introduce consumers to the Trusted Choice® brand and educate them on the valuable services—choice of companies, customized policies and advocacy support—provided by participating agencies. The ads, which will be seen by millions of consumers from coast to coast, will run on ESPN, Fox News, Turner Network Television (TNT), The History Channel and Home & Garden Television (HGTV). In all, 57 spots will air nationwide during many top-rated cable shows, including “SportsCenter” and Major League Baseball on ESPN, “The O’Reilly Factor” on Fox News, primetime programming on HGTV, primetime movies on TNT and The History Channel’s “Modern Marvels.”

Click here to view the nationwide ad flight schedule. You can choose from TV, radio and print ads to run in your local area. Each ad explains the benefits of using a Trusted Choice® agency, and you can add your agency’s name and contact information. Your local advertising campaign will give your agency twice the exposure for a relatively small investment and help establish your agency as the Trusted Choice® for local insurance and financial services consumers.

Click here  to view and order or download the tag-able ads and to learn how to conduct local TV, radio and print advertising campaigns.

Contact Ines Hoyle at ines.hoyle@iiaba.net if you need your agency username and password to access this secured area. For more information, contact Jeff Myers at jeff.myers@iiaba.net or  Stacy Heatherington at  stacy.heatherington@iiaba.net; 800-221-7917.