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Monitor Relationships with Joint Planning Tool Quick Step |  Think Flood Before the Rain Falls |  Access the RLI Personal Umbrella Program |  Big "I" Broadcast Hits Airwaves Hurricanes’ Wake |  Preview December Issue | Renew Your IA Subscription Today|  Industry News

B E S T   P R A C T I C E S
Plan for Better Carrier Relationships

As a successful agency owner, you want to create productive partnerships by sharing information and planning responsibilities with the carriers your represent. The "Joint Planning Tool Quick Step" is designed to facilitate this critical planning. Developed jointly by agents and companies in partnership with IIABA’s Council for Best Practices, this easy-to-use Excel spreadsheet program helps establish and monitor your collaborative planning relationships with your insurance partners.

The "Joint Planning Tool Quick Step" can help you quickly establish production goals, enjoy greater underwriting profitability, increase retention rates, enhance productivity, facilitate mutual problems solving, improve client service and allocate resources better.

You can also use the "Joint Planning Tool Quick Step" to attract and develop new partnerships. In previous surveys, 100% of insurance companies interviewed would seriously consider any agency that had initiated the planning process on its own and prepared a submission for the company in anticipation of an appointment. The "Joint Planning Tool Quick Step" takes you through establishing internal goals, preparing for joint discussions, developing a joint plan and implementing, adjusting and monitoring the plan. The program includes the planning template and complete sets of printable planning worksheets for both the agency and carrier. Let it simplify the mechanics of your planning process so you can quickly get to the heart of the matter—working jointly with your company partners to become the best of the best. A free demonstration version is available here. (System Requirement: In order to utilize the "Joint Planning Tool Quick Step" you must have Microsoft Excel installed on your computer.) To order a copy,  click here.

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B I G   " I "   M A R K E T S
Think Flood Before the Rain Falls

If there is anything this fall’s weather has demonstrated, it’s that floods can occur anytime, anywhere. From the Gulf Coast to New England, to the heartland and last spring’s torrential rains in Southern California, Mother Nature can strike at any time. After a flood, it is too late to offer flood insurance when your clients call to see if their flood loss is covered. Check with your existing clients to ensure that you offer them flood coverage. Also, sign up to receive free leads generated by the National Flood Insurance Program marketing efforts. To begin receiving free leads, simply update your contact information with the Agent Referral Program. It’s easy—click here, download and complete the leads form, and fax it to 321-978-0333. Your name will be available immediately in the call center database and should appear online here within 30 days. For more information about the Big "I" Flood Program, click here or contact Linda Mackey at linda.mackey@iiaba.net.

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Access the RLI Personal Umbrella Program

Help your customers protect themselves from the unexpected by offering them a personal umbrella policy from RLI corporation. An umbrella policy is excess liability insurance coverage over and above what basic homeowner or automobile insurance covers. In picking up where homeowner and automobile policies leave off, it is an extra layer of protection against lawsuits resulting from damage to someone else’s property or injuries as the result of an accident. It also protects against false claims and intentional acts such as libel, slander and vandalism by minors, and covers false arrest, wrongful entry, invasion of privacy and more. The RLI personal umbrella is a stand alone policy with limits up to 5 million, offered on admitted paper from an A+ rated carrier. This product also features a self-rating application, fast service and competitive rates. Access this product by logging in to Big "I" Markets, and look on the "Underwriting and Coverage" page of the personal umbrella product for a list of state administrators. Your administrator can tell you how to get applications and rate sheets, and how to submit a quote. Agents in Alaska, Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Georgia, North Dakota, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Utah or West Virginia can submit an RLI application online with Big "I" Markets. For more information, log into  www.bigimarkets.com or e-mail bigimarkets@iiaba.net. 

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B I G   " I "   I N   T H E     S P O T L I G H T
Big "I" Hits Airwaves in Hurricanes’ Wake

The media continues to look to the Big "I" as it reports on the aftermath of this season’s devastating hurricanes. Last week, Dave Evans, Big "I" senior vice president of retirement and financial planning, took part in a live discussion with Florida Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher on CNBC’s "On the Money." They talked about Gallagher’s new insurance proposals for hurricane-battered Florida homeowners. In addition, several prominent local and regional news programs have featured Big "I" spokespeople. Big "I" CEO Bob Rusbuldt was interviewed last week on a morning-drive radio news program broadcast over southern Florida on WGMX-FM and its affiliates. He provided tips for homeowners on avoiding post-hurricane insurance fraud and home repair scams. Also in that region, President-Elect Alex Soto of InSource, Inc., in Miami, Fla., recently appeared on several local newscasts reports about Hurricane Wilma insurance issues. In New Orleans, WGSO-AM radio featured a live interview with Big "I" member Don Beery of Eustis Insurance in New Orleans during its first day back on air since Hurricane Katrina. Beery also appeared live on WDSU-TV, the New Orleans’ NBC station, dispensing advice for storm victims on avoiding scams and fraud. For more information, contact Sue Nester at 703-706-5448;  susan.nester@iiaba.net.

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I A       M A G A Z I N E
December Issue Preview

IA’s holiday gift to you will arrive in a matter of weeks—the December issue! Here’s a sneak peak of what's inside: "Break the Cross-Sell Spin Cycle," a primer on using the retirement planning angle for a holistic sales approach; "Fine-Tine Your Training Regimen," a look at how employee training benefits your bottom line; "Picking Up the Pieces," the survival story of an agency devastated by Katrina; and more! The issue also contains a subscription renewal form. Fill it out and send it back to keep IA coming!

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Renew Your IA Subscription Today

Want to have the latest industry news and trends, management information, specialty lines access and government affairs coverage at your fingertips? To improve the profitability and efficiency of your agency, renew your subscription to Independent Agent magazine. And the best part—it’s free! Take action now. Keep your IA magazine coming, delivered straight to your home or office each month. To validate your subscription online, go to IAmagazine.com and click on "Update Your Subscription." Use the six-digit ID printed on your magazine mailing label and follow the directions. While you’re visiting IAmagazine.com, don’t forget to check out the Premier Insurance Directory (PID). PID is the ultimate monthly guide for insurance products and services, including specialty lines, and the information is searchable by category online. Direct IA subscription questions to Jill Cosgrove at jill.cosgrove@iiaba.net; 800-221-7917.

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