T H U R S D A Y ,   O C T O B E R   6 ,   2 0 0 5

 Industry News

B I G   " I "   M A R K E T S 
Quick Guide to Popular Products

Members of Big "I" enjoy online market access to a variety of products through Big "I" Markets. Here is quick guide of the highlights of some of the most popular products on Big "I" Markets:

Affluent Homeowners: Gain access to Chubb and Fireman’s Fund to write those high value homes and all autos and the toys that go with them. Click here for more details.

Renters: A non-underwritten product that does not use credit scoring. Click here for more details.

Flood: Needless to say, the recent storms in the Gulf shine the spotlight on the need for flood insurance. Now is the time to learn more and write more. Click here for more details...

Marine Insurance: Anchors aweigh with the new personal lines marine product. Click here for more details.

Event liability: Fall festivals, weddings and events of all kinds need liability coverage. Click here for more details.

Community Banks: With average premiums sometimes in six figures, you can earn a lot of commission by simply getting an appointment with your banker and letting the St. Paul Travelers underwriters take it from there. Click here for more details.

Recreational Vehicles: Start your sales rolling along with these increasingly popular vehicles. Click here for more details.

Big "I" Markets features no fees, no volume commitments and competitive commissions. For more information or to register for Big "I" Markets, click here.

B I G   "   I "   K A T R I N A   R E L I E F   F U N D
Apply for a Grant

The Big "I" Katrina Relief Fund is now accepting applications for grants from affected agents. To download an application, please click here. To read the Big "I" Katrina Relief Fund Distribution Guidelines, please click here.

The Big "I" Katrina Relief Fund is up to $280,092 funds received with an additional $35,000 committed for a total of $315, 092. Among the donations: the Big "I" National Board donated $100,000; Safeco Insurance donated $25,000; OneBeacon Insurance donated $25,000; the Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents donated $20,000; and Encompass Insurance donated $10,000. Even Big "I" member brokers from Japan donated to the fund at the National Convention in New York.

The Big "I" Katrina Relief Fund will assist those whose lives have been tragically altered by Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath.

All donations will assist insurance industry colleagues, including independent agents, brokers, their employees and their families in the impacted areas.

Checks should be made payable to "Big ‘I’ Katrina Relief Fund" and mailed to:

Big "I" Katrina Relief Fund
c/o InsurBanc
10 Executive Drive
Farmington, CT 06032

If you prefer to contribute via credit card, please click here.

All funds contributed to the Big "I" Katrina Relief Fund are tax deductible as charitable contributions.

B I G   "   I "   C O N V E N T I O N
Save the Date

If you enjoyed this year’s Big "I" Convention in New York City, be sure to save the date for next year’s show when it joins forces with the Big "I" National Legislative Conference. The 2006 Big "I" National Legislative Conference & Convention will take place April 26-29 in Washington, D.C. Click here for more details.

I A   M A G A Z I N E
Sneak Peek at October Issue

Look for the arrival of the October issue of Independent Agent magazine in your mailbox in a matter of days. Among this issue’s features: "Sharing the Passion," an in-depth profile of new Big "I" President Bill Stiglitz; "Money, Money, Money," insights into insuring clients with deep pockets;" "Stick to Value Nuts and Bolts," a primer about determining your agency’s value; "Rev Up Your Retirement Planning," which examines how to make your agency the primary source for clients’ retirement needs; and more! And it doesn’t stop there—don’t forget to visit IAmagazine.com for this issue’s Online Extras as well.

B E S T   P R A C T I C E S
2005 Best Practices Study Update Now Available

It’s time to update your Best Practices library with the "2005 Best Practices Study Update." This valuable study provides critical performance benchmarks in seven agency revenue categories ranging from less than $500,000 to more than $25 million. Agencies can measure, evaluate and compare results for agency operations including:

· Income & Expense Distribution
· Revenue & Profitability Growth
· Production and Service Staff Compensation/Productivity
· Technology Expenses
· Carrier Representation

Realize your agency’s potential—purchase the Best Practices Study today. For more than a dozen years, the annual Best Practices Study has served as a tool to help agency owners and managers understand their business operations’ performances and benchmark against the top the performing firms across the country. It is a "must have" for those agencies that want to become the best they can be.   Click here to download an order form.