Agents Confidential #8-LXV

Agents Confidential #8, 12/17/15

for your eyes only

DECEMBER 17, 2015 | VOLUME LXV, ISSUE 8 PAST ISSUES

ADVOCACY IN MEMORIAM The FAIA family expresses its Channel exclusivity: How does it condolences to the friends, family, and factor in your carrier decisions? colleagues of:

Back in the day, carriers were either one Scott Robertson of “us” (those who distribute exclusively Scott passed away on November 29. through the American Agency System) or The president of the Villages Insurance one of “them” (those with captive agents Partnership truly loved his work, and or who wrote direct). For independent was a frequent speaker at industry agents, it was fairly easy to tell who was events. He also enjoyed time with on your side and who wasn’t. The Internet has completely family and friends, mentoring others, changed the game, with more carriers writing direct, in and giving back in the community. essence competing with their agents. So, what’s the score Learn more about his life in The now? Read Jeff Grady’s blog and weigh in with your own Villages-News. answer. J. Larry Sands What agencies and consumers can do now to curb Assignment of Benefits abuse Larry, of Bateman, Gordon & Sands, Inc., passed away on December 6. He Assignment of Benefits may prove to be a heavy lift in served his country in the Korean War, 2016’s early Legislative Session, but there are steps agents as a sergeant in the Army. He was can take now to help beat back the rampant abuse. First active in his community through the and foremost, understand what it is, how it happens, and Masonic Lodge, Elks Lodge, and the what it costs. Then, educate your staff (especially those Pompano Beach Historical Society. who may deal with vendors) and your customers. Read our Read more about his life in the South AOB FAQ to learn more. Florida Sun-Sentinel. Don’t make an E&O situation worse by MEMBER AGENCY NEWS saying the wrong thing to customers

Start your new year off right by re-acquainting your staff John M. Pollock, CIC, BB&T- with a list of five tips for dealing with customers that will Oswald Trippe and Company: has help your agency avoid or greatly mitigate liability as a been promoted to a multi-state result of an E&O claim. Read Laura’s Legal Brief of the regional leadership position, Week for details. overseeing insurance operations in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. More than 200,000 Citizens policies tagged for 2016 take-out Lassiter-Ware Insurance, Leesburg: the agency’s foundation, According to Citizens’ staff, the insurer’s pre-December LassiterWare Cares, received the 2015 take-out policy count is hovering around 509,000 policies. Humanitarian Award from the That number is projected to shrink further after two Leesburg Chamber of Commerce. rounds of take-outs scheduled for January and February 2016. Also in the CPIC blog: An overview of policy changes Richard D. Childers, Jr., CPCU, (many of them designed to curb Assignment of Benefits Lassiter-Ware Insurance: installed abuse) recommended by Citizens' staff to the Actuarial and as a board member onto the Leesburg Underwriting Committee. Chamber of Commerce board.

Still more reasons why your clients need Scarborough Insurance, personal umbrella protection Gainesville: was one of 15 agencies featured in an article on how they got Normal, everyday activities can expose insureds to large started by Property Casualty 360. lawsuits. Simply living is a risk, and unfortunate accidents happen every day. In parts two and three of The Need for Wallace Welch & Willingham, PUP series, FAIA Member Services Director Dave Burt Inc., St. Petersburg: named a “Best shares two such examples, one where a construction zone Place to Work” by Business Insurance. turned into a nightmare for a driver, and another where a casual boat resulted in a large claim for the insured.

EDUCATION

He knows when you’ve been bad or good, so no gifts for goodness sake

David Thompson is coming to town to ruin everyone’s Christmas. How’s that? He sees you when you’re gifting, and he knows that some of you are giving baskets of fruit, bottles of wine, and tins of cookies. He knows that some of it costs more than $25, and that food, even when wrapped in agency logo cellophane, is not merchandise. Learn why you can’t give your customers special holiday gifts. List of colleges offering insurance INDUSTRY NEWS specialization programs grows to eight

The number of state colleges offering risk management and All Risks, Ltd.: announced the insurance programs has more than doubled since FAIA’s acquisition of Specialty Risk Underwriters workforce bill passed April 23, increasing the licensing (SRU). options for students who complete the programs and Liberty Mutual Insurance graduate with an associate degree. Find out which new Companies: the Financial Strength colleges are on board and how you can help build the Rating of “A” and Issuer Credit Ratings of insurance workforce with your time and money. “a” remains unchanged by A.M. Best. Have you considered self-appointing? Main Street America Group: launched If you plan to leave the insurance industry for a while but cyber risk protection in 19 states. Though intend to return (or think you might), you must maintain not yet in Florida, expansion to others is your CE credit and have a company appointment. A expected. somewhat new way to obtain an appointment is to self- appoint. Read David Thompson’s newest Education Normandy Insurance Company: Library article to learn how it’s done. promoted Robert Sublet to vice president of Business Development. Additionally, INFORMATION & TECHNOLOGY Frank Primato has been hired as a senior field underwriter.

Invest in technology and use it to Security First Insurance Company: improve the customer experience CEO Werner Kruck won the 2015 Ventana Research Leadership Award for Customer Global consulting expert Ernst & Young is out with its 2016 Excellence. P&C Outlook, which predicts and ranks, on a scale of one to 10, the impact of external forces on the P&C market in 2016. Not surprisingly, technology receives a 10, following NEW AGENCY MEMBERS by pricing with a 9 (which factors in technology with analytics gathering), and customer expectations with an 8. Insure-Line, LLC: Palm Coast While the report is focused on companies, these external forces affect the entire American Agency System. How Seaboard Agency, LLC: Summerland important is adapting? It’s imperative. Read more. Key

Don’t miss out on marketing Str8line Group: West Palm Beach reimbursement money for your agency Williams & Associates Insurance: West Palm Beach If your agency is co-branding with the Trusted Choice logo and/or using the Freedom Campaign advertising materials, don't miss out on matching money available through the NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Trusted Choice Marketing Reimbursement Program (details on funding tiers and eligible expenses are available All Risks, Ltd.: Ormond Beach online). The MRP provides each member agency location with up to sixteen hundred dollars for eligible Trusted All Risks, Ltd.-Personal Lines: Choice marketing expenses. Expenses must have been Richmond, VA incurred and invoiced during 2015, and must be submitted by Jan. 31, 2016. Edison Insurance Company: Boca Raton CONVENTION It’s official: Blues Traveler to CALENDAR OF EVENTS headline Thursday night party FAIA EVENTS The Grammy-award winning band led by harmonic virtuoso John Popper is the featured entertainment for FAIA Capitol Days: January 26–27, Convention’s Thursday night party. Again in 2016, 2016; DoubleTree Tallahassee. Thursday night will start with a networking dinner to be 112th Anniversary Convention & followed at 9:00 p.m. by the concert, with the Kids Zone Education Symposium: June 16–18, available for those who want a night out without the kids. 2016; World Center Marriott, Orlando. Get the details in Cindy Molnar’s blog. Summer Leadership Conference: August 11–13, 2016; The Ritz-Carlton, Timely Breakout Sessions to cover on Naples. emerging industry trends LOCAL BOARD EVENTS Expect to learn a lot at FAIA’s next Convention, June 16– Many local boards hold monthly or 18, 2016, with bonus breakout sessions Wednesday, June quarterly meetings. Visit our website for a 15. Classes such as Insurance Fraud and Social Media, and schedule. Drones: Problems, Solutions, and Insurance will get agents up to speed on these rapidly changing risks and the Pinellas Association of Insurance coverages available to guard against them. Plus, the classes Agents, Post New Year’s Event: Jan. 7, you’ve come to expect including David Thompson’s E&O 2016; Courtside Grille, St. Petersburg. tour de force and the Five-Hour Update will be back. Check IIA of Palm Beach County, Monthly out our growing list of Breakout Sessions and register. luncheon and Officer Installation: Jan. 21, 2016; Hilton Palm Beach Airport Hotel, West Palm Beach. IIA of Palm Beach County, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure: Jan. 30, 2016; Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach.

YAC EVENTS

Political Summit: January 25–27, 2016; The Doubletree by Hilton, Tallahassee. Sales & Leadership Conference: March 21–22, 2016; Tampa Westshore Marriott.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

IIABA Winter Meeting: Jan. 6–10, 2016; Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort, Orlando. FAIA offices will be closed December 24–25, and the the Agents Confidential is also taking some time off. Expect to see the next issue in your inbox the second week of 2016.

Happy holidays to you and yours.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means-electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise-without the prior written permission of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents. FAIA does not give legal advice. Agents are urged to seek the counsel of a licensed Florida attorney familiar with the Florida Insurance Code.