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October edition of monthly magazine
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IIAC Mid-Year Convention
November 8, 2012
See Page 3 for
Program and Registration Information
The Connecticut Independent Agent
October 2012
The Connecticut Independent Agent
This Issue’s Features
November 8, 2012 Mid-Year Convention Program 03 Month In Review IIAC New Officers Begin Their Term 04 IIAC News Releases 04 MAIA News Release - “Stop Work Orders” 05 Insurance Department Bulletins 05 New Member Benefit - WAHVE 06 ACT - “The Reality of Texting for Insurance Agents” 07 Project CAP - “Marketing to Generation X” 09 RLI Stand Alone Personal Umbrella - “20 Most Frequently Asked Questions” 10 IIAC Member Benefit 14 Swiss Re 14
In Every Issue October and November Continuing Education Courses 12 Events 15 Big “I” Advantage Programs 16 About Us 21
Associate Member Index Associate Members - Insurance Brokers & Services 17
Associate Members - Insurance Companies 19
“The Connecticut Independent Agent
is the official publication of the Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut
30 Jordan Lane Wethersfield, CT 06109 Phone: (860) 563-1950 Fax: (860) 257-9981
www.iiact.org
Warren C. Ruppar President
Tracy Hearn Office Manager / Event Planner
Ed Meaney, CPCU Education Director
Laura Szatkowski E&O Program Administrator
Rosemary Mullaly
Lawyers’ Liability Program RLI
This publication is intended to provide accurate and authoritative information on the subject matter covered. It is dis-tributed with the understanding that nei-ther IIAC, nor any contributing author, publisher or contributor is rendering le-gal, accounting or any other professional service and assume no liability whatso-ever in connection with its use. Further, the electronic links to our associate mem-bership found in this publication are pro-vided as a courtesy to our readers and do not necessarily indicate an endorsement by IIAC. News items will be accepted / printed at the discretion of the IIAC. No paid advertisements are accepted in this publication. Please contact Warren Ruppar for further information.
IIAC Staff
Independent Agents Services Staff
Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut - www.iiact.org - October 2012 Page 3
Thomas B. Leonardi - Insurance Commissioner, State of Connecticut
Each year state regulation of insurance faces new challenges. The future of insurance regulation and the interna-tional impact on the insurance business will be discussed by our state insurance commissioner.
Kevin J. Counihan—Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange
The Connecticut Health Insurance Exchange is a quasi-public agency that was created by the Connecticut Legisla-ture in 2011. It is charged with implementing federal health care reform in Connecticut. Kevin was recently ap-pointed as the CEO and will discuss the implementation of health care reform and the impact on agents.
Robert A. Rusbuldt - IIABA President & CEO
Bob Rusbuldt will discuss the activities of your national association including the impact of the November elections and the progress of the Consumer Agent Portal (CAP) project.
Insurance Industry Panel
This is a unique opportunity to hear your carriers’ perspective on current issues impacting our industry. The Indus-try panelists are:
Michael Christiansen, President and Chief Executive Officer, Peerless Insurance
William Donovan, Vice President, CNA
Jeffrey A. Updyke, Senior Vice President, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
Total Registration Fee enclosed: $___________ (make check payable to “IIAC”)
NAME OF INDIVIDUAL FOR BADGE: __________________________________________________ CT Producer Lic. # _________________
AGENCY / COMPANY: ____________________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ (include City, State & Zip Code) TELEPHONE: ______________________________ E-MAIL: _______________________________________________
REGISTRATION FEE MEMBERS/ASSOCIATE MEMBERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 95.00
EACH ADDITIONAL PERSON FROM MEMBER AGENCY OR ASSOCIATE MEMBER COMPANY -------------------------------------------------- $ 80.00
NON-MEMBERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $155.00
LIST NAMES OF ADDITIONAL INDIVIDUALS FROM YOUR MEMBER AGENCY OR ASSOCIATE MEMBER COMPANY WHO WILL BE ATTENDING AT DISCOUNTED RATE (please attached additional forms if needed)
_________________________________ ____________________________________ __________________ Name E-mail CT Producer License #
_________________________________ ____________________________________ __________________ Name E-mail CT Producer License #
IIAC MID-YEAR CONVENTION 2012 AQUA TURF, PLANTSVILLE, CT
NOVEMBER 8, 2012
8:00 AM- 2:00 PM Exhibit Hall Open: 8:00 AM - 9:15 AM and 12:00 PM—1:00 PM
Business Session: 9:15 AM - 12:00 PM - 3 CE Credits Course #106927
Lunch: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut - www.iiact.org - October 2012 Page 4
MONTH IN REVIEW
a part of the “non-claims costs” category. The Rogers-Barrow bill corrects this by specifically excluding agent compensation from the MLR formula, since this compensation is a pass-through payment from the consumer to the agent.
“Agent compensation does not go to an insurance company’s bottom line and therefore should not be part of the MLR for-mula,” said Charles E. Symington, Big “I” senior vice president for government affairs. “The bipartisan Rogers-Barrow legisla-tion is a crucial fix to correct this error made in the regulatory process.”
Since the MLR rules went into effect they have created prob-lematic disruptions in the marketplace. The effect on agents and brokers in particular has been damaging as many insur-ance carriers have significantly cut their agent compensation in an effort to meet these new regulations. This has in turn reduced consumer access to agents and brokers, leading to a detrimental effect on essential services provided such as guid-ance in claims processing and tailoring health plans to fit the needs of individuals and businesses.
“If the MLR calculation is not quickly corrected to exclude agent compensation, consumers will suffer the prospect of losing the professional, licensed guidance of insurance agents during this time of great change in the health insurance mar-ket,” said Ryan Young, Big “I” senior director of federal gov-ernment affairs. “This damaging regulation has already had tremendously negative effects.”
On September 11, 2012,the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America released a statement praising the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Com-merce Subcommittee on Health for their action on H.R. 1206, the “Access to Professional Health Insurance Advisors Act of 2011.”
The bipartisan H.R. 1206, sponsored by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.) and Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga.), would clarify that agent compensation is not part of the Medical Loss Ratios (MLRs) formula as enacted in the health care overhaul law. The bill was reported by the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Sub-committee on Health and is now up for consideration before the full Committee.
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) estab-lished MLR requirements for insurance carriers, which went into effect on Jan. 1, 2011. The law mandates that at least 80% (individual and small group) or 85% (large group) of pre-miums collected by the carrier must be spent on claims pay-ments or “health care quality improvement.” In other words, no more than 20% or 15% may go towards “non-claims costs” such as profits, advertising, administrative costs, etc. If a car-rier does not meet these ratios, rebates are due to the con-sumer.
The PPACA did not statutorily address how to classify inde-pendent agent compensation under the MLR formula. How-ever, through the regulatory process not only was agent com-pensation included in the MLR formula but it was included as
Health Insurance Exchange Fills Final Posts CEO is Scheduled Speaker at IIAC Mid-Year Convention on November 8, 2012
On September 5, 2012 Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman announced the final two Health Insurance Exchange hires with the selection of Peter Van Loon as Chief Operating Officer and Steven Sigal as the Chief Financial Officer. This follows a June 21, 2012 press release in which the Lt. Governor announced the hiring of Kevin J. Counihan as the Health Insurance Exchanges Chief Executive Officer.
To read the September 5, 2012 press release, click here. To read the June 21, 2012 press release, click here.
Kevin Counihan, Chief Executive Officer of the Health Insurance Exchange, is scheduled as a speaker at the November 8, 2012 IIAC Mid-Year Convention.
Big “I” Praises House Sub-Committee Action on MLR Bill Legislation is essential to preserving consumer access to agents and brokers
IIAC News Release From 09-06-12
IIAC News Release From 09-20-12
New IIAC Officers Begin Their Term
The IIAC officers for the 2012 – 2013 were sworn in at the June 7, 2012 Annual Membership Meeting and began their term on Sep-tember 1, 2012. The new officers are:
Chairman: Michael Gergler, CIC - Wilcox & Reynolds Insurance, LLC, Storrs Chairman-Elect: Jim Suzio, CIC – Suzio Insurance Center, Inc., Meriden Treasurer: Kim McGillicuddy, CPCU – Pierson & Smith, a division of First Niagara Risk Management, Norwalk Secretary: Jared Carillo – Charles S. Carillo Insurance, Windsor Locks State Director: James Byrnes, III, CIC - Byrnes Agency, Inc., Dayville Immediate Past-Chairman: Tom Wilson – The Wilson Agency, Inc., Shelton
In addition, Mike Rivers of Tracy-Driscoll & Company in Bristol was elected to the IIAC Executive Committee. Bill Pierz, CIC of Shoff Darby in Norwalk and Mary Pursell, CPCU of Abbate Insurance Agency in New Haven continue their term.
Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut - www.iiact.org - October 2012 Page 5
MONTH IN REVIEW Connecticut Insurance Department
Bulletin L-20 “Changes to Licensing Requirements for Adjusters Who Handle Subrogation Claims
On September 4, 2012, the Connecticut Insurance Department released Bulletin L-20 regarding “Changes to Licensing Re-quirements for Adjusters Who Handle Subrogation Claims.” To read the complete bulletin, click here.
New Addition to the List of Final Regulations - Regulations Concerning Utilization Review, Grievances and Appeals
On September 4, 2012, the Connecticut Insurance Department released a new addition to the List of Final Regulations - Regulations Concerning Utilization Review, Grievances and Appeals. To read view this release, click here.
Instructions for Checking Continuing Education Credits On-Line
Prometrics is the vendor for Continuing Education tracking for the State of Connecticut. Prometrics is powered by Sircon.
CE course information and individual transcript information can be obtained by accessing www.sircon.com and proceeding with the following steps: 1. Under “Quick Start for Agents & Agencies” select “Look Up Education Courses / Credits.” This will bring you to an
“Inquiries” page. 2. Select “Continuing Education Transcript Inquiry.” 3. Select “Connecticut” from the drop-down menu. 4. Enter your license number and last name and click “submit.”
You will now be able to view and print your transcript.
Please note that transcripts are only accessible using producer license numbers. Social Security numbers can not be used.
COASTAL INSURANCE COMPLIANCE
IIAC has received inquiries recently concerning coastal insurance and underwriting guidelines. The Connecticut Insurance Department has issued bulletins on their “Coastal Homeowners Information” page. We urge our members to review this information.
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact us.
IIAC News Release From 09-21-12
MASSACHUSETTS ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE AGENTS NEWS RELEASE “Comp. Corner: DIA Offers Guidance on Stop Work Orders . . . “
The Massachusetts Association of Insurance Agents recently released an article in their newsletter titled “Comp. Corner: DIA Offers Guidance on Stop Work Orders. . . . “ In recent months, several of our members have asked for guidance regarding The Department of Industrial Accident’s (“DIA”) issuance of Stop Work Orders when insured employers have more than one location in Massachusetts and the DIA deter-mines that the additional location(s) is not listed and therefore not covered by the employers’ workers’ compensation insur-ance policy . . . Click here to read the entire article.
Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut - www.iiact.org - October 2012 Page 6
WAHVE allows you to meet your staffing needs by en-
hancing your current agency staff or by maintaining pro-
ductivity in your agency if an employee is on maternity or
other extended leave. WAHVE is truly a member service
for all agencies.
IIAC is pleased to announce a new membership benefit
called WAHVE - “Work at Home Vintage Employees.”
WAHVE provides a unique remote staffing service for your
agency by utilizing experienced and qualified insurance
professionals.
IIAC MEMBER BENEFIT
Business Process Outsource Services for Retail Agencies
Back Office Process Support for Commercial and Personal Lines Policy Checking Preparation of New and Renewal Business Applications Quoting and Proposal Preparation Loss Run Ordering & Analysis Certificates & Evidence of Insurance Change Requests & Endorsements CSR/Account Manager Assistance Sales Support for New Business Submissions Renewal Business Binding Marketing Support Premium Audits Carrier Document Retrieval & Distribution
Claims Processing Analysis Adjusting
Full Service Staffing Live Commercial Lines Customer Service Representative Live Personal Lines Customer Service Representative Live Sales & Marketing Assistant Live Claims Representative Special Institutional Knowledge Experts Mentors and Trainers
Accounting Premium Accounting Accounts Receivable
Employee Benefits Health Insurance quoting, proposal preparation and servicing Life, LTC and LTD quoting and proposal preparation
www.wahve.com
Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut - www.iiact.org - October 2012 Page 7
A number of people commented that it was seamless to at-tach an email, voicemail or other documentation in their agency management system, but not so texts. Since it is diffi-cult to manage the capture of the text information, they want to ban receiving texts. We need to remember that capturing email information in an agency management system was not always easy. Once upon a time we copied the emails and pasted them into an activity or note since we couldn't attach anything to our agency management systems.
Through communication with the various agency management vendors from their user groups, the vendors enhanced their systems to handle email attachments. From this grew the abil-ity to easily attach various other attachments and we hope vendors will create streamlined workflows for capturing texts as well, possibly as a part of their mobile apps. The initial at-tachment functions were "clunky", but as time and technology have progressed, this function has become more streamlined.
In today’s world, texting is a reality. It is not only your young clients that are engaging in this act. Texting eliminates tele-phone tag, and results in an almost instant response. This is what many of us are programmed to want.
Current “Best Practices” I recommend you consider taking the following approach with regard to texting:
1. Do you want to be relevant to your client base? If so, then you must embrace this technology.
2. Set standards and best practices. These really are no dif-ferent than handling face-to-face conversations, phone calls, emails, etc. Your standard should be that all conver-sations with the client or with others about the client’s account are to be documented in the agency manage-ment system or the system which you are using to collect client data.
3. Be pro-active and determine how to best receive texts at the agency level and educate your staff and clients.
4. If your client and someone in your agency are friends, in-evitably there will be a text on a person phone. Define, train and implement the process to get this moved to an agency level as quickly as possible.
About this article: Clients are increasingly texting their agents and preferring to receive texts from their agents, creating the challenge as to how agencies manage this form of communica-tion. In this article, the author discusses the challenges agen-cies face with texting, how agents can send texts to their email to document the conversation and how agents can use their email to send texts to their clients who prefer this method of communication. We are hopeful that more efficient ways to attach texts to agency management systems and to send texts from these systems will be developed in the future.
During every meeting I have attended in the last few months, there have been questions and discussions on “should an agency allow texting by its clients and staff and if so, how do we control Errors & Omissions and documentation in our agency management system?” Empowered clients are going to communicate with agents in the manner most convenient to them, so the real issue becomes “how is the agency going to manage texting if the client prefers to use it?” In this arti-cle, I discuss several concerns agencies have with texting, cur-rent “best practices” for managing these communications, and the technology options for managing texts and importing them into your systems as I understand them. There may be other options and not everyone uses Microsoft Outlook. Your technology professional should be able to assist you with the details.
Agency Concerns
1. If clients are texting staff members on their personal phone, a number of issues come to my mind:
a. What if your staff member is on vacation where their phone is not functioning or they are just too busy to take care of the issue?
b. What if your staff member is ill and not able to pay attention to incoming messages on a real-time basis?
c. What if the individual is actually no longer a staff member?
d. What if the individual says they will take care of the request and does, but doesn't document in the sys-tem and something is not correct?
I have heard more than one agency principal flatly state that they weren't going to allow any texting. Others don't see any way to stop people from texting but don't know what to do with it and how to set parameters.
The Reality of Texting For Insurance Agencies by Pat Alexander
Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut - www.iiact.org - October 2012 Page 8
Microsoft has done a really good job here of explaining the options available for using Outlook and providing lots of screen shots.
Implementing an Agency Text Address
I also recommend that the agency implement a way to receive text messages directly. I understand from my tech friends that many VoiP phone systems can have a number set up for receipt of text messages. I am also advised that this works differently with every system and that you will need to work with your phone system provider to get this set up and imple-mented. Once set up, someone in your agency will need to monitor this number during business hours so that the ex-pected immediate response can be managed.
If your agency does not have a VoiP system, another option available for receiving texts at a number that you control is to set up a Google Voice number at https://www.google.com/voice. In the Settings section of your Google Voice account, you will find a place to show the email address for Text For-warding.
When you receive these text messages, they should then be forwarded to the Outlook email address of the individual in your agency who will be handling this client. Once the num-ber is set up, you should promote it to your clients, so that those who want to communicate in this manner can do so. When agency employees receive text messages on their phones, they should let that individual also know there is a number that is attended during business hours and would get attention even when the employee is not available.
Finally, some important points about texting to keep in mind:
1. If the client texted you, that is how they would like to communicate, so at least your initial response should be in a text.
2. If the client texted you, they expect an immediate response as that is what the common expectation is with texting.
3. Your employees should know the agency’s procedures for documenting text messages in the agency’s system, just as they would other communications from clients and busi-ness partners.
Patricia Alexander, CIC is a consultant, coach and mentor with many years of experience in retail agency and MGA settings. She may be reached at [email protected]. Alexander developed this article for the Agents Council for Technology (ACT), part of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. ACT’s Web site is www.independentagent.com/act. This article reflects the views of the author and should not be construed as an official statement by ACT.
I don’t see that there is any more of an errors & omissions exposure in receiving and responding to texts than there are in phone calls, emails or face-to-face conversations. The big-gest issue I believe agencies have at this time is how to make this format work for them as seamlessly as possible.
Forwarding Texts to Email
Here are some thoughts I have on this process that I have picked up from users who have already addressed this issue:
1. As soon as the initial text is received on a personal phone, forward it to your business email address. Text a re-sponse back to the client from your business Outlook ac-count. The client's text response will come back into the email which will let you accumulate the stream of the con-versation which can then be attached to the agency man-agement system.
2. Some phones will allow you to capture an entire text con-versation. In this case it could be acceptable that the con-versation continue on that phone and then be captured and sent to the business email address for attachment into the agency management system. This would be the best approach when the conversation is just a question and answer session.
3. It is important for everyone in the agency to learn how their specific phone works for text forwarding:
a. iPhone – http://iphonefaq.org/archives/97335 ; An-other approach is to take a picture of your iPhone screen when the text is showing, by pressing the on/off button on the top of the phone simultaneously with the application change button on the bottom front of the phone. This approach creates an image of the entire text message and the picture can then be emailed to your Outlook account.
b. Android Phones - Each manufacturer handles this in a different way and I find even some differences within a manufacturer between their phones. It is best to check the operating information for your specific phone for this function.
Sending Texts from Email
Microsoft Outlook can be used as a tool to manage text mes-saging with your client. There are several steps to setting up and implementing the use of Microsoft Outlook. However, like anything else that you do, if you invest the time to re-search, implement and train a process, the rewards will be great.
The best place to start the research is on the web at Set Up text messaging (SMS) in Outlook.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook-help/send-and-receive-text-messages-sms-HA101823438.aspx?CTT=1
ACT is a partnership of independent agents, compa-nies, technology vendors, user groups, and associa-tions dedicated to enhancing the use of technology and improved work flows within the Independent Agency System.
Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut - www.iiact.org - October 2012 Page 9
Marketing to Generation X Written by Dave Wencel
Giving Your Message the "X" Factor I’ve put together a list of some best practices to consider as you are thinking about reaching Generation X.
√ Satisfaction guaranteed. Be responsive to your clients and prospects! Surprise the normally skeptical buyer by over-delivering on your promise of service. That is what the concept of Trusted Choice is all about.
√ Unique and new messages. Find new ways to identify and differentiate your agency to the community. I was recently touched by an agency in Illinois (Query Insurance) that incorporated their family dog, “Murphy,” into an ongoing marketing campaign. It was an effective way to show they are a member of the community and are committed to the individuals and families they represent.
√ Make it fun and entertaining. See The Murphy Col-lection above. Show ongoing variety in all your mar-keting.
√ Appeal to values. Be mindful of their emphasis on work/life balance and community involvement.
√ Simplicity and honesty. Convince people that you are there to simplify rather than complicate their lives. Avoid being to “salesy” and aggressive in your ap-proach. Always be honest and straightforward in all your dealings.
Where to Reach Generation X There are a number of ways to reach Generation X. Tradi-tional mediums like TV, radio and newspaper continue to be important. Using the Internet is a vital approach, of course. There is also a tremendous opportunity in social media with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Plus and Pinterest to reach and grow relationships in your community.
As an insurance professional, you represent an important part to virtually everyone in mitigating their risks and protecting their lives and families. Done right, a good insurance agent can effectively stand out from the crowd by being a commu-nity-minded individual and resource.
In keeping a strong dedication to the best interests of every-one you touch, you will soon find you won’t need to cold call anyone. They will be knocking on your door – either in person or online – every day because they know you are a reputable and value-added pro in your community!
What can Project CAP do for you?
Generation X represents one of the most important demo-graphics to marketers and businesses in the U.S. today. Though there is no universally accepted age range, Gen X can be categorized as adults, age 35-46, born between 1965 and 1976. The nearly 50 million Gen Xers represent 16% of the total population.
As a group they hold even more significance to businesses as they are at the point of their lives when they reach their peak earning years and are typically focused on providing for their families.
Generation X started out with a reputation for being an un-known, amorphous group defying definition. They represent diverse characteristics in race, class, religion, ethnicity and sexual orientation. Defining trends and common characteris-tics in their growth have included:
√ Independent, resourceful and responsible. Rising divorce rates and economic issues have caused Gen X to become very resilient. There was a significant in-crease of mothers working outside the home from prior generations. Downsizing and layoffs have be-come part of everyday reality that they must face.
√ Technologically advanced. Gen X has lived through a tremendous amount of innovation in their lives. From the creation of the home computer, video game en-tertainment, cable/satellite TV and of course the rise of the Internet. Gen X has gained a multitude of new skills and tools from their birth.
√ Flexible. Change has been the rule more than the exception for Gen X.
√ Skeptical. Disdain for authority tends to play against following directed “messages.” Gen Xers are not apt to follow, but rather to find their own way in making decisions. They seek to accomplish things on their own terms.
√ Educated and career-focused. Though advanced in their education and careers (more than 60% have at-tended college), Gen X works to live rather than live to work.
√ Dedicated to friends, family and community. Family takes precedence in their lives over career. Commit-ment to enhancing their communities and surround-ings is an important part of their everyday lives.
Marketers should keep in mind these values as we think about promoting our businesses. Gen Xers grew up in an era of un-certainty, and as a result, weighing the pros and cons of every-thing has become a way of life.
Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut - www.iiact.org - October 2012 Page 10
I N DE PE N D E N T AG E N T S S E RV I CES
QUESTION 1. Do the named insured’s need to be married?
2. Do you need lead certificates for primary homes or rental properties?
3. Where is the on-line quoter?
4. Must the signatures be originals or are faxed or scanned signatures acceptable?
5. Can you write coverage naming an LLC, Trust or Estate as the named insured?
6. What is the maximum number of rental properties al-lowed?
7. Is a 4 family home counted as 1 or 4 properties owned?
8. Where can I find the application and rate sheets?
9. Can my customer pay with a credit card?
10. Can a youthful driver with an incident qualify?
ANSWER 1. The named insured's do not need to be married or even
related but must live in the same household
2. No lead certificates required for any reason.
3. The on-line quoter is located on line at www.RLIPersonalUmbrella.com and also at the Connecti-cut Independent Agents website: www.iiact.org under Member Resources.
4. Signatures may be photocopies, scanned or faxed.
5. An LLC, Trust or Estate cannot be a named insured but coverage may exist if the Basic policy provides coverage on a personal lines form.
6. The maximum number of rental properties allowed is 5.
7. 4-family home is counted as 1 property.
8. Y o u c a n f i n d t h e a p p l i c a t i o n a t www.RLIPersonalUmbrella.com or www.iiact.org under Member Resources
9. No credit card payments are possible with new business unless your agency is set up with the PUP ACCESS system (Contact Rose Mullaly at 860-563-6510 if you are inter-ested). Agents with ACCESS can have their insured’s complete and sign an application electronically and make an electronic credit card payment at the same time. In-sured’s may make a RENEWAL payment online using the login credentials and instructions provided on the back of the renewal bill.
10. Two fold answer: If the youthful operator with an inci-dent is under the age of 20, they would NOT qualify for the RLI Personal Umbrella. If the youthful operator with an incident is 20 or 21, they can have 1 incident and qual-ify for the PUP Special program with limits offered at $1 million. (Drivers 22 and older are no longer considered youthful operators.)
RLI PERSONAL UMBRELLA PROGRAM 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions
Questions? Call Your RLI Program Manager
Rose Mullaly Independent Agents Services
30 Jordan Lane, Wethersfield, CT 06109 [email protected]
860-563-6510 or 800-255-9787
Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut - www.iiact.org - October 2012 Page 11
I N DE PE N D E N T AG E N T S S E RV I CES
QUESTION 11. If the applicant doesn’t own a personal vehicle and only
uses company cars, will they qualify?
12. Must there be a licensed driver in the household?
13. If there are no licensed drivers in the household, why must the applicant choose between limits A, B & C per-taining to required underlying automobile liability limits on the application?
14. If I write in a requested effective date, will you honor my request?
15. If only one answer falls into another rating tier, do I have to rate the entire risk in that tier?
16. Who is the check to be made out to?
17. What is the cost for UM coverage?
18. Will RLI write over a farmowners policy?
19. Will RLI write over a Trust, LLC or estate?
20. Is the entire risk disqualified if they own a boat that is over 45’ long and/or has a maximum speed of over 50 mph?
ANSWER 11. Yes, if they only use company vehicles they will still qual-
ity. The company vehicles must be private passenger ve-hicles and they will be counted as vehicles that they are regularly operated by the insured's. The Agent must in-sure that the companies insuring the vehicles are cover-ing the applicant for personal use of the vehicles and that the underlying coverage amount on the company policy is at least the amount that the applicant agreed to carry on the RLI application.
12. No licensed driver is required but all members of the household should be listed on the application.
13. The applicant needs to answer this question so that they are aware what they need to carry should they rent or buy a vehicle during the policy period.
14. Your requested effective date will be honored as long as an acceptable signed application and full gross annual premium payment is received at IAS, Inc’s office within 13 days of the requested effective date.
15. Yes, the entire risk would be rated in the highest tier.
16. The check should be made payable to either IAS, Inc. or RLI.
17. UM coverage costs $150 per driver. No driver can be ex-cluded.
18. Yes, they will unless the farm is a commercial farm. Cov-erage for real farm exposures, equipment and staff are limited. The policy intent is for a true “gentleman farm,” tomatoes in back yard type risk.
19. A Trust cannot be the named insured on the policy; how-ever, if the underlying homeowners policy lists the Trust, LLC or estate as an Additional Insured the PUP policy will provide coverage.
20. The entire risk is not disqualified but that boat will be excluded from coverage.
RLI PERSONAL UMBRELLA PROGRAM 20 Most Frequently Asked Questions
New business applications must be mailed to Independent Agents Services, 30 Jordan Lane, Wethersfield, CT. 06109
Applications that are sent directly to RLI will be forwarded back to the state’s program manager (IAS) and may delay coverage being bound.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 ACSR #2
Personal Auto Insurance 8:30 - 4:30
4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 Life &
Health Pre-Licensing
Day 1 8:30 - 4:30
12 13
14 15 16 Errors &
Omissions Loss Control Techniques 8:30 - 4:30
17 18 Life &
Health Pre-Licensing
Day 2 8:30 - 4:30
19 20
21 22 Property
& Casualty Pre-Licensing
Day 1 8:30 - 4:30
23 24 Property
& Casualty Pre-Licensing
Day 2 8:30 - 4:30
25 Life &
Health Pre-Licensing
Day 3 8:30 - 4:30
26 27
28 29 Property
& Casualty Pre-Licensing
Day 3 8:30 - 4:30
30 31 Property
& Casualty Pre-Licensing
Day 4 8:30 - 4:30
October 2012
A COMPLETE ANNUAL CALENDAR CAN BE OBTAINED ON THE “EDUCATION” PAGE OF OUR WEBSITE
CONNECTICUT CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
All resident agents are subject to continuing education for every line of authority.
The Connecticut Insurance Department has an extensive website (www.ct.gov/cid) offering information on licensing, forms, statutes, regu-lations (proposed and finalized) Please take advantage of this web site for valuable information.
Individual transcript information can be obtained by accessing www.sircon.com. Once on the website, select “For Individual Agents” from the “Products and Services” menu. Under “Quick Start for Agents” (at the top of the page) select “Look Up Education Courses / Credits.” This will bring you to an “Inquiries” page. Select “Continuing Education Transcript Inquiry.” Select “Connecticut” from the drop-down menu. Enter your license number and last name and click “submit.” You will now be able to view and print your transcript. Please note that transcripts are only accessible using producer license numbers. Social Security numbers are no longer usable.
Flood Insurance Course Requirement Newly licensed agents are required to complete a flood program course during their first compliance period.
A COMPLETE CALENDAR CAN BE OBTAINED ON THE “EDUCATION” PAGE OF OUR WEBSITE
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 IIAC
Mid-Year Convention 8:00 - 2:00
9 Life &
Health Pre-Licensing
Day 5 8:30 - 4:30
10
11 12 Property
& Casualty Pre-Licensing
Day 5 8:30 - 4:30
13 14 Property
& Casualty Pre-Licensing
Day 6 8:30 - 4:30
15 Life &
Health Pre-Licensing
Day 6 8:30 - 4:30
16 17
18 19 Property
& Casualty Pre-Licensing
Day 7 8:30 - 4:30
20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 Property
& Casualty Pre-Licensing
Day 8 8:30 - 4:30
29 30
November 2012
A COMPLETE ANNUAL CALENDAR CAN BE OBTAINED ON THE “EDUCATION” PAGE OF OUR WEBSITE
CONNECTICUT CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
All resident agents are subject to continuing education for every line of authority.
The Connecticut Insurance Department has an extensive website (www.ct.gov/cid) offering information on licensing, forms, statutes, regu-lations (proposed and finalized) Please take advantage of this web site for valuable information.
Individual transcript information can be obtained by accessing www.sircon.com. Once on the website, select “For Individual Agents” from the “Products and Services” menu. Under “Quick Start for Agents” (at the top of the page) select “Look Up Education Courses / Credits.” This will bring you to an “Inquiries” page. Select “Continuing Education Transcript Inquiry.” Select “Connecticut” from the drop-down menu. Enter your license number and last name and click “submit.” You will now be able to view and print your transcript. Please note that transcripts are only accessible using producer license numbers. Social Security numbers are no longer usable.
Flood Insurance Course Requirement Newly licensed agents are required to complete a flood program course during their first compliance period.
A COMPLETE CALENDAR CAN BE OBTAINED ON THE “EDUCATION” PAGE OF OUR WEBSITE
Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut - www.iiact.org - October 2012 Page 14
We appreciate your membership. As a way of saying 'Thank You', we’re excited to offer our loyalty program, just for you and your employees, our valued members!
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Same stores you're shopping at today, just starting today you get more for your money — cash back. Download to your home / personal computer and use the shopping tool-bar for your browser to make it even easier.
Too good to be true? Not really. Just the benefit you de-serve. Get started.
A "tutorial" video is available to help you get started. (http://retailbenefits.com/video?audience=shopper).
So, as a 'thank you' for your business, we are excited to offer you this new money saving program.
Click SIGN UP, start shopping and start earning your cash back. “This is a great benefit for you to use for your business and office supply needs, as well as at home for your personal shopping.” Tom Wilson, IIAC Chairman
IIAC Member Benefit . . .
Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut - www.iiact.org - October 2012 Page 15
2012 IIAC EVENTS
Mid-Year Convention
November 8, 2012 Aqua Turf Club, Plantsville, CT
Spring Conference
Sponsored by the IIAC Young Agents Committee Was Held on May 2, 2012
Wethersfield Country Club, Wethersfield, CT
Annual Dinner Meeting and Installation of Officers
Was held on June 7, 2012 St. Clement’s Castle, Portland, CT
23rd Annual Golf Tournament
Sponsored by the IIAC Young Agents Committee Was held on August 2, 2012
Blackledge Golf Course, Hebron, CT
Additional information and registration forms for the above events can be obtained by clicking on the event name above, going to the “Events” page of our website or by contacting Tracy Hearn at 860-563-1950 or emailing to [email protected].
Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut - www.iiact.org - October 2012 Page 16
Big “I” Professional Liability As a member, you have access to the Big “I” Professional Liability program, the most respected and comprehensive program in the business offering a variety of insurance agent’s E&O products that are hand-selected for their superior reputation and exceptional performance. www.iiact.org - Member Resources page / Or call Laura Szatkowski at 860-563-6510
Big “I” Markets Exclusively available to Big “I” members, IIABA’s online market access program features specialty/niche coverages, program business and hard-to-find markets. Unlike similar programs, there are no registration fees, no volume commitments and competitive commissions. www.bigimarkets.com
Big “I” Flood Big “I” Advantage operates as a managing general agency and agents participate as sub-producers for the Big “I” Flood Pro-gram. Selective Insurance Company is the provider for this NFIP Write-Your-Own program and they make writing flood insur-ance easy and profitable leaving the method of quoting up to the agent. www.independentagent.com/flood
Big “I” Retirement/Benefits Having trouble deciding which retirement plan is right for you or your agency? Big "I" Retirement Services is here to help you choose which plan best meets your circumstances. www.independentagent.com/retirement
RLI RLI's Personal Umbrella Policy stands atop your client’s existing homeowner and auto insurance to provide an extra layer of personal liability protection. RLI’s @Home Business policy, responds to the needs of over 100 eligible business classes on an ISO BOP form. www.iiact.org - Member Resources page / or call Rose Mullaly at 860-563-6510.
Business Resources Enjoy group discounts for a variety of services to assist in managing your agency. Caliper (employee testing) ; DHL (express delivery); Mines Press (printing); Hertz (car rental); Artizan Internet Services (Service 911, CSR 24). www.independentagent.com.
InsurBanc InsurBanc is an independent community bank founded by agents exclusively for agents. www.insurbanc.com
Virtual University Research Library - For those who seek a smarter way to research, the VU provides the access. Ask an Expert Service - Big "I" Members can submit questions to our "Ask an Expert" service and a response is usually sent within 3-5 business days, but often sooner. Online Courses - The VU offers a wide variety of online classes. www.independentagent.com/vu
Best Practices The Best Practices program provides member agents with meaningful performance benchmarks and business strategies that can be adapted to improve the performance of your agency, thus enhancing agency value.
Government Affairs The Big “I” is your advocate on the issues that matter to your success, whether the issues occur in state legislatures, Washing-ton D.C., your state insurance department, the NAIC, or the judicial system.
OF ALL YOUR MEMBERSHIP HAS TO OFFER??
ARE YOU TAKING
ADVANTAGE
??
Big “I” Advantage Programs
Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut - www.iiact.org - October 2012 Page 17
ACE Private Risk Services 860-828-7931
www.aceprivateriskservices.com
Agency Intermediaries, Inc. 203-453-2859
www.agencyint.com
American Integrity Restoration 860-657-2100
www.ctrestoration.com
Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc. 860-560-2766 www.ajg.com
Astonish Results, LP 401-440-5955
www.astonishresults.com
Broadway Premium Financing 800-728-7255
www.broadwaypremium.com
Capitol Bail Bonds, LLC 860-899-1956
www.capitol-bail-bonds.com
Chroma Building Corporation 203-602-8838
www.chromabuilding.com
Coastal Agents Alliance 609-390-1645
www.coastalagentsalliance.com
Connecticut Interlocal Risk Management Agency 203-498-3000
www.ccm-ct.org
Connecticut Underwriters, Inc. 860-347-9600
www.ctunderwriters.com
Crystal Restoration Services 203-853-4179
www.crystal1.com
Disaster Restoration Services, LLC (DRS) 860-788-6822
www.drscleanup.com
Empire State Brokerage Services 203-798-0067
www.empirebrokerage.com
Fairfield County Bank 203-431-7527
www.fairfieldcountybank.com
W. Ford Agency, Inc. 203-549-0005
www.wfordagency.com
Heimgartner Insurance Services, Inc. 860-436-3991
www.heimgartnerinsurance.com
The Hingham Group 781-749-0841
www.hinghammutual.com
HSB Associates, Inc. 860-722-5539 www.hsb.com
For information on how to become an Associate Member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut and a complete list of benefits, please visit the “Join” page of our website or
contact Rose Mullaly at 860-563-1950 or email [email protected]
ASSOCIATE MEMBER INSURANCE BROKERS AND SERVICES
(Click on the website for a direct link)
ASSOCIATE MEMBER INSURANCE BROKERS AND SERVICES
(Click on the website for a direct link)
Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut - www.iiact.org - October 2012 Page 18
Hybrid Insurance Agency 860-688-440
www.hybridins.com
Insurance Agency Accounting & Bookkeeping 860-614-7268
www.brendadicarlollc.com
Insurance Engineering Solutions 860-429-5156
www.insuranceengineeringsolutions.com
InsurBanc 866-467-2262
www.insurbanc.com
Iroquois of Connecticut, Inc. 860-621-8412
www.iroquoisct.com
Kapura Cleaning & Restoration 860-747-2100
www.kapurarestoration.com
Joseph Krar & Associates 860-628-3967
www.jkrar.com
J.P. Maguire Assoc., Inc. 800-233-8220
www.jpmaguire.com
McGrath Insurance Group, Inc. 508-347-6850
www.mcgrathinsurance.com
Maynard Insurance Group 203-318-0008
Oakbridge Insurance Services 860-906-0120
www.oakbridgeins.com
Plymouth Glass & Mirror 860-283-0276
www.plymouthglass.com
JN Phillips Auto Glass 781-939-3400
www.877autoglass.com
Premium Assignment Corp. 603-421-1953
www.premiumassignment.com
Pro-Klean Cleaning & Restoration Services, Inc. 866-463-2313
www.pro-klean.com
PuroClean Mitigation Services 860-516-8083
www.puroclean.com
Renaissance Group, Inc. 860-307-2957
www.renaissanceins.com
ASSOCIATE MEMBER INSURANCE BROKERS AND SERVICES
(Click on the website for a direct link)
ASSOCIATE MEMBER INSURANCE BROKERS AND SERVICES
(Click on the website for a direct link)
For information on how to become an Associate Member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut and a complete list of benefits, please visit the “Join” page of our website or
contact Rose Mullaly at 860-563-1950 or email [email protected]
Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut - www.iiact.org - October 2012 Page 19
Servicemaster QRV Regional Group 203-386-1565
www.servicemastergb.com
ServiceMaster by Wills 860-447-3265
www.servicemasterbymason.com
SERVPRO Cleaning and Restoration of New Haven, Waterbury & Naugatuck Valley
1-800-243-8812 www.servproofnewhaven.com
SERVPRO of Manchester-Bolton 860-649-0836
www.servproofwesthartford.com
Steamatic of CT 203-985-8000
www.steamaticct.com
TAPCO 800-334-5579
www.gotapco.com
Target Insurance Services 860-284-0088
www.target-capital.com
Thompson Agency, Inc. 860-693-4999
www.thompsonagency.net
Travel Insured International, Inc. 860-528-7663
www.travelinsured.com
United Cleaning & Restoration, LLC 800-835-0740
www.unitedcr.com
XS Brokers Insurance Agency, Inc. 617-471-7171
www.xsbrokers.com
Acadia Insurance Company 860-331-2391
www.acadiainsurance.com
American Commerce Insurance Company A MAPFRE Company
603-888-8900 www.acilink.com
AmTrust North American, Inc. 860-257-7286
www.amtrustgroup.com
The Andover Companies 860-257-7286
www.andoverco.com
Central Mutual Insurance Company 877-281-4941
www.central-insurance.com
Chubb & Son Insurance 203-782-4115
www.chubb.com
Cincinnati Insurance Company 513-870-2000
www.cinfin.com
C N A Insurance 860-513-6460
www.cnacentral.com
Connecticut Fair Plan 860-528-9546
www.ctfairplan.com
FirstComp 888-500-3344
www.firstcomp.com
Guard Insurance Group 570-825-9900
www.guard.com
ASSOCIATE MEMBER INSURANCE COMPANIES
(Click on the website for a direct link)
ASSOCIATE MEMBER INSURANCE BROKERS AND SERVICES
(Click on the website for a direct link)
For information on how to become an Associate Member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut and a complete list of benefits, please visit the “Join” page of our website or
contact Rose Mullaly at 860-563-1950 or email [email protected]
Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut - www.iiact.org - October 2012 Page 20
Harleysville Worcester Insurance Company 800-225-7387
www.harleysvillegroup.com
The Hartford 860-409-6150
www.thehartford.com
Kemper, A Unitrin Business 203-775-5846
www.ekemper.com
The Main Street America Group 603-358-1352
www.msagroup.com
MEMIC 207-791-3370
www.memic.com
MetLife Auto & Home 860-668-2699
www.metlife.com
MiddleOak 860-638-5132
www.middleoak.com
New London County Mutual 860-887-3553
www.nlcinsurance.com
Ohio Mutual Insurance 419-563-0959
www.omig.com
Peerless Insurance 860-571-2201
www.peerless-ins.com
Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation 860-681-2766
www.plymouthrock.com
PMA Insurance 203-379-3825
www.pmagroup.com
Progressive Insurance Company 800-274-4055
www.progressiveagent.com
QBE 860-570-0802
www.qbeamericas.com
Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance 671-770-5171
www.quincymutual.com
Safeco Insurance 603-358-4156
www.safeco.com
State Auto Insurance Companies 860-633-4678
www.stateauto.com
Travelers 860-277-6948
www.travelers.com
Utica National Insurance Group 800-695-1914
www.uticanational.com
ASSOCIATE MEMBER INSURANCE COMPANIES
(Click on the website for a direct link)
ASSOCIATE MEMBER INSURANCE COMPANIES
(Click on the website for a direct link)
For information on how to become an Associate Member of the Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut and a complete list of benefits, please visit the “Join” page of our website or
contact Rose Mullaly at 860-563-1950 or email [email protected]
Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut - www.iiact.org - October 2012 Page 21
WHO ARE THE INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENTS OF CONNECTICUT?
The Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut was founded in 1899 as the Connecticut Association of Local Fire Insurance Agents. The organization’s name was changed in 1913 to the Connecticut Association of Insur-ance Agents. This name was considered more representative of the membership due to the expansion of the property-casualty business coverages and the increased presence of casualty and surety agents. In 1975 the organization became The Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut to emphasize its members abilities to work with a variety of insurance companies and industry representatives. The Independent Insurance Agents of Connecticut has always been in the lead on important issues for agents. The list is long as IIAC has worked with regulators and the insurance industry on important issues such as agent licensing, anti-rebate laws, ownership of expirations, banking and insurance, and agent compensation to name a few. Today IIAC offers a wide variety of products and services to its members. The education calendar offers a full assortment of choices for licensing, continuing education and advanced degree programs. In addition, IIAC of-fers several insurance programs for our members that can be purchased to protect their agency business and insurance products that members can sell to their customers. IIAC also offers technical and regulatory assistant to our members. Technical advice is available at the staff level and through the Virtual University where you can “Ask The Expert.” In addition, IIAC meets regularly with the Insurance Commissioner and department staff to discuss current market conditions and consumers issues. IIAC is a strong advocate for independent agents at our state capital and in Washington D.C. Whatever the is-sue may be, IIAC is the voice for independent agents as we represent the interests of our membership. Our na-tional association, IIABA is a predominant lobbying force in Washington and is constantly ranked among the top 10 of all the lobbying groups in the United States. The Big “I” mission succinctly captures our purpose: “to pro-vide independent agents with a sustainable competitive advantage.” To accomplish that, IIAC is the unrelent-ing advocate on the issues that shape the environment in which our membership conducts business. IIAC is the voice in the halls of Congress, the state capital and in boardrooms across the nation.
INSURPAC
InsurPac is the Political Action Committee (PAC) of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA). It represents the unified political voice of IIABA's 23,000 member agencies and 300,000 agents and brokers nationwide. It is the largest property-casualty insurance industry PAC in the country, and is one of the primary reasons the Big "I" is rou-tinely rated among the most successful lobbying groups in Washington, DC.
"Lobbying and a well-funded PAC go hand-in-hand," says Charles Symington, IIABA's Senior Vice President of Government Affairs. "InsurPac's voice resonates through the halls of Congress on behalf of the Big "I". Every elected official knows that a contribution from InsurPac is a contribution from 23,000 small business owners."
InsurPac raises funds by asking for voluntary personal contributions from independent agents and brokers throughout the country. By pooling money together, InsurPac helps elect candidates and re-elect members of the U.S. Congress who share IIABA's business philosophy.
This concept of pooling personal contributions together for the greater good is essential to understanding the importance of PACs. As an individual, you can make the average contribution of $200 to a Congressman, or you can invest that $200 in a PAC, which in turn combines that with 9 other donors and gives the same Congressman $2,000. At the end of the day, PACs are able to speak with a collective voice that is much louder than that of an individual. It is impossible to overvalue the power of a collective voice -- of a collective InsurPac speaking on behalf of the Independent Agency system.
