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T H U R S D A Y , O C T O B E R 4 , 2 0 0 7
Industry News
YOUNG AGENTS
North Carolina Earns Outstanding YAC Award
The National Young Agents Committee presented its most prestigious annual award to the Young Agents Committee of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina at the 2007 Young Agents Leadership Institute last weekend.
In recognition of its outstanding efforts on behalf of the independent agency system to cultivate and inspire the next generation of industry leaders, the North Carolina YAC was honored as the Outstanding Young Agents Committee of the Year. This award recognizes the outstanding efforts made by North Carolina’s Young Agents in the areas of political involvement, membership development, communications, state committee project and young agents meeting, as well as a committee’s promotion of the independent agency system.
The runner-up in the Outstanding Young Agents Committee Award category was the Young Agents Committee of the Alabama Independent Insurance Agents Association.
Five other national awards of excellence recognizing the leadership of Young Agents committees in state associations were presented, including:
Outstanding Political Involvement Award – The Young Agents Committee of the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois for outstanding achievement in promoting young agent participation in the legislative process.
Outstanding Young Agents Meeting Award – The Young Brokers and Agents Committee of the Insurance Brokers & Agents of the West for excellence in providing and promoting an annual Young Agents meeting.
Outstanding State Committee Project – The Young Insurance Professionals of the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers for outstanding achievement in a state committee project that benefits the community, the insurance industry and/or the independent agency system.
Outstanding Membership Development Award – Young Agents Committee of the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois for excellent achievement in recruiting and maintaining Young Agents participation in association activities.
Outstanding Communications Award – The Young Agents Council of the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents for outstanding achievement in maintaining a communications campaign dedicated to young agents.
The 2007 Young Agents Leadership Institute was a three-day conference held at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego and featured breakout sessions focusing on membership development, communications and political involvement. Attendees heard from a panel of vendors, consultants and agents on latest technology trends. They also networked with peers and Big “I” leaders, learn new strategies for agency management and develop valuable professional and personal contacts. Along with the announcement of the Young Agent Committee awards, the committee also welcomed its new chairperson, Joey O’Connor, and thanked outgoing chairman Keith Riley for his service to the committee.
BIG “I” MARKETSSM
Contractors Equipment Coverage Available
Big “I” Markets agents have access to contractor equipment coverage through www.bigimarkets.com. All types of contractors' equipment are eligible with the exception of coal mining operations. This product features all-risk coverage with $1,000 minimum premium and $1,000 minimum deductible. Optional coverages includes:
* Equipment that is waterborne and/or underground (i.e. "down hole" exposures);
* Leased/rented equipment from others;
* Rental expense;
* Riggers/on-hook;
* Bailee's; and
* Boom collapse/overload.
Real Property coverage can be included along with the equipment. Most accounts will qualify for our standard markets, but in certain rare circumstances surplus lines carriers may be necessary.
The Contractor's Equipment policy is currently available to members in; Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Wisconsin. Look for it to become available in additional states soon. Learn more at www.bigimarkets.com.
BIG “I” ADVANTAGESM
Free Caliper Seminar Available
On Oct. 9, Big “I” partner Caliper will be sponsoring a Webinar through www.HR.com titled, "Action Learning: Solve Critical Business Problems and Build Valuable Leadership Skills in Real Time.” This is a free Webinar open to Big “I” members. In this session, attendees will learn more about how to help their top performers develop valuable leadership skills, while also providing an opportunity to solve a real business challenge and make a significant contribution to their organizations. In most conventional training programs, individuals are limited by a classroom setting and only apply new skills in hypothetical situations. However, action learning brings together a group of high-potential employees with various performance backgrounds and experiences to work on an important and urgent business problem. The wide range of their perspectives enables participants to move beyond their areas of specific expertise, using their combined ideas and information to address issues that, as individuals, they may not have faced before or fixed on their own. Groups that participate in the action learning process are more successful at developing innovative, high-impact strategies and solutions than other internal groups or outside consultants. Companies have been able to develop innovative new products and services; create operational efficiencies; and improve quality, service and organizational culture-- all while saving money. Executives, managers and HR professionals are encouraged to participate. For more information, click here.
TRUSTED CHOICE®
Trusted Choice® Unveils New Web Site
Have you checked out the redesigned Trusted Choice® Web site? The main page is now more consumer focused, which should help potential clients better understand what it means to be a Trusted Choice® agency and why they should choose a Trusted Choice® agency for their insurance needs. The new layout also means easier navigating. Agents can still log in from the homepage, www.TrustedChoice.com, by clicking the Agents/Brokers button on the bottom of the page.
Members will need their Trusted Choice® login information to access the password-protected area. Anyone who has lost or forgotten their login info can e-mail Trusted.Choice@iiaba.net to request it. While exploring the new layout, take a moment to make sure your agency profile is up to date---you never know when a consumer will be using the agency locator to find you. For additional information, contact Jenner Gohr at jenner.gohr@iiaba.net or Kevin Brandt at kevin.brandt@iiaba.net.
InVEST
Boost Student Training
SetWriteTM 3.0 Online Rating Software is available to active InVEST programs nationwide. Rackley Rating, a Vertifore company, generously donated the software demonstration. This online rating tool will permit teachers and agent liaisons to show students the factors involved in rating automobile and homeowner policies. SetWriteTM 3.0 enables agents to enter information once into a single interface and receive rates and related information directly from participating carriers in real-time. Users also will be able to access manufactured rates from carriers that are always included in traditional comparative rating. This software will help enhance the simulation experience for InVEST students.
Active InVEST schools can sign up for the software by filling out the registration form and faxing the completed form to Sandra Skipper at 703-683-7556 or e-mailing it to sandra.skipper@iiaba.net. Anyone with questions can contact Skipper at 703-706-5437.
A 501(c)3 educational trust, InVEST introduces high school and community college students to insurance and the more than 350 diverse careers available within the industry giving students a new outlook on the future. The program offers insurance agencies, brokers and carriers a diverse and talented group of entry-level recruits.
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