T H U R S D A Y ,  J A N U A R Y  2 8 ,  2 0 1 0 
                                                     
                                                     National News

Legislative Conference & Convention
Early Bird Deadline for Big "I" Legislative Conference & Convention is Jan. 29

The Big "I" Legislative Conference & Convention is just around the corner, and we want to see you in Washington, D.C. This is the premier event for independent agents, offering attendees a one-of-a-kind opportunity to take part in the legislative process. Insurance regulation, the ongoing health care reform debate and taxes are all hot-button topics, and the Big "I" bipartisan lobbying team is prepared to educate agents on issues important to their businesses. Before visiting Capitol Hill, attendees are invited to listen and learn at the legislative issues briefing. The Big “I” team will provide talking points and issues papers, and will make presentations about important discussion points. Thursday join in the inaugural event YAC Gives Back: A Fundraiser for InVEST Scholarships, which is home to the InVEST silent auction. The event concludes with the general session, which includes a state of the association address by Big “I” Chairman J. David Daniel and the popular CEO panel discussion. This year’s panelists include Michael Hughes, president of Safeco; Michael LaRocco, president and CEO of Fireman’s Fund; Tom Motamed, chairman and CEO of CNA; Liam McGee, chairman and CEO of The Hartford and Big “I” President and CEO Bob Rusbuldt. Jan. 29 is the deadline for early registration and the cutoff for attendees to have their name published in the attendee directory. Attendees who register between Jan. 30 and the online registration cut-off date of Feb. 19 will be listed in the supplemental attendee directory. Visit the event Web site at www.independentagent.com/events for details. For more information, contact Lauren Batch at 800-221-7917; lauren.batch@iiaba.net. 

Young Agents
First-time Young Agents Can Apply for Big "I" Legislative Conference & Convention Scholarships

The Big "I" Legislative Conference & Convention is just around the corner, and it’s critical that Young Agent members attend the March 3-5 event in Washington, D.C. to show the nation’s decision-makers that young insurance professionals are involved in the legislative process. Two scholarships are available to help Young Agents attend. First, each state association hands out two $500 scholarships to fund first-time Young Agent attendees. To apply, agents should submit this application to their state association by Feb. 2. First-time Young Agent attendees may also apply for the Maurice Herndon Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship is presented to one individual in honor of Maurice Herndon, who spearheaded many of the grassroots initiatives that make the Big "I" what it is today. Registrants can also save 10% on the cost of conference registration if they register by Jan. 29. Click here to download the scholarship applications, or visit www.independentagent.com/events. For more information, contact Susie Bonner, Big I” director of agent development and marketing, at 800-221-7917;susan.bonner@iiaba.net.

ACT
ACT Introduces Webinar to Assist Agencies with Social Web Policies

Agents are encouraged to take advantage of ACT's newest free webinar, "Formulating a Social Web Strategy & Policy for your Agency,” which will be held on Feb. 11 from 2:30-3:30 p.m. EST. The webinar will discuss the management process that agents Angelyn Treutel and Cindy Adams and insurance carrier executive Katie Herbst went through in deciding on an appropriate social Web strategy for their organizations. The webinar will reference ACT's new agency resource, "Creating a Social Web Policy for your Independent Agency," available at www.independentagent.com/act. The session will also feature Rick Morgan, chair of ACT's social Web work group, and Jeff Yates, ACT's executive director. Click here to register.

Big “I” Markets
Engineers Professional Liability Market Now Exclusively Available to BIM Agents

As the economy continues to struggle, one thing is certain: a resurgent construction industry will play a pivotal role in recovery. This means a lot of engineers will be on the job designing and overseeing a wide variety of projects. Every engineer and engineering firm has unique insurance exposures that may require coverage tailored to them. Big “I” Markets agents now have access to an exclusive product designed especially for engineers.

The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) is the voice of America's engineering industry. Council members – numbering more than 5,500 firms throughout the country – are engaged in a wide range of engineering works that propel the nation's economy and enhance and safeguard Americans’ quality of life. The council's mission is to contribute to America's prosperity and welfare by advancing the business interests of member firms.

The ACEC business insurance program provides access to business insurance and professional liability insurance for ACEC members. The ACEC business insurance trust (ACEC BIT) is comprised of practicing engineers who provide strategic direction and insights for the engineering industry. The ACEC business insurance program is endorsed by the ACEC national organization, as well as by the 51 state and regional councils. Participation in the programs offered by the ACEC business insurance program is exclusive to ACEC members. The insurance professionals at Seabury and Smith are the only agents who can market the ACEC business insurance program to ACEC member firms. Thanks to an agreement with Big "I" Markets, BIM agents now have the ability to make this coverage available to engineers as well.

The ACEC Business Insurance Program is designed for engineers with input from engineers.

The ACEC Business Insurance Trust of practicing engineers provides input to the dedicated insurance professionals from Seabury & Smith, Inc., working together for ACEC member firms.

Seabury and Smith, the program administrator for the ACEC business insurance program, represents more than 26 years of experience in risk management and insurance brokering for the ACEC member firms. The Hartford has also been the underwriter for the ACEC business insurance program for more than 26 years. The coverages offered include: 

- Broad coverage for property, general liability, automobiles, workers' compensation and umbrella liability
- Features including identity theft protection, blanket additional insured coverage and a billable hours component for business interruption coverage.

Agents do not need to have a comprehensive understanding of the needs of ACEC members or the coverages. Seabury & Smith underwriters on the BIT team in St. Louis are standing by to help with the submission process and will even help sell the product to ACEC members. Agents simply have to refer a lead.

To learn more and access this market, log in to www.bigimarkets.com or contact bigimarkets@iiaba.net. Big “I” Markets is the association’s online market access program available exclusively to Big “I” members, featuring no fees, no minimums and no volume commitments.

Agency Universe Study
Wanted: Agencies to Participate in Agency Universe Study

Every two years, the Big “I” and a group of independent agency insurance companies conduct the Agency Universe Study (AUS) and produce it under the name Future One. The AUS aims to understand the current state of the independent agency system and indentify issues that are important to independent agents. The 2010 survey will be occur this spring. 

This year, two important focus areas of the study will be how carriers can be helpful to their agencies; and what non-carrier outside organizations agencies are using to obtain market access and other services.

To make sure the right questions are included, the Future One Research Committee is holding a series of online and teleconference discussion groups on Feb. 9 and 10. The groups will last 75 to 90 minutes and will require participants’ undivided attention at their computers and on the telephone. Agency principals or agency managers are asked to participate. 

Those interested in volunteering can click here to provide contact information. Agency study participants representing a broad range of agencies will be selected from the volunteer pool and will be notified by 5 p.m. EST on Feb. 5 if selected.

The teleconference focus groups will take place on the following dates and times: Feb. 9 at 1 p.m. CST, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m., EST, Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. PST or 11 a.m. Mountain time.

Each participant will receive a brief summary of the group discussion, regardless of whether they are chosen to participate in the study.

For more information about the study or serving as a volunteer, contact Madelyn Flannagan at 800-221-7917; madelyn.flannagan@iiaba.net.

Education
Register Now for Nonprofit Executive Liability Webinar

On April 14 at 2 p.m. EST, 25-year industry veteran Diane Voit will present a webinar on nonprofit executive liability titled “Unlocking the Mystery.” This webinar provides an overview of nonprofit organizations’ operations and the protections available to them through the executive liability policy. Participants will learn about nonprofit organizations’ liabilities and exposures, including board member actions, creating liability, volunteer liabilities and other sources of claims from volunteer and certification activities. The presentation will also offer suggested risk management procedures to prevent losses arising from these activities and will include analysis of the combined D&O and EPLI policy wording, with emphasis on policy provisions common to both coverages. Participants will gain a working knowledge of the defense and settlement provisions, application of the limit of liability and retention, operation of the extended reporting period and the importance of the application warranty and severability provisions. Click here to register and learn more about other webinars, including “How to Become a Top 25% Best Practices Agency,” “How to Implement Profitable & Productive Commercial Account Marketing” and more.


Big “I” Flood Program
Winter is the Time to Market Flood Insurance

Winter storms can pop up unexpectedly, and with spring not too far away, now is the time to market flood insurance to customers. The Big “I” Flood Program offers flood coverage in, above and outside the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). For more information on the Big "I" Flood program, which currently serves more than 5,000 Big “I” agents, visit www.independentagent.com/Flood or contact  Linda Mackey at 800-221-7917; linda.mackey@iiaba.net. 

Big I Advantage^®
Tour the Big I Advantage^® Virtual Risk Consultant

The Big I Advantage^® Virtual Risk Consultant (VRC), powered by Rough Notes, is an online sales and service resource designed to help agencies better serve customers. Using this tool will lead to increased sales by improving agency staff’s knowledge of a prospect’s operation, enabling them to better identify and cover customer exposures. The VRC will also help staff members better understand the product they sell and will assist them with preparing proposals, explaining complicated insurance terms and documenting client files. It is truly a tool that will increase staff professionalism and help the agency grow while limiting exposure to E&O claims.

Big "I" members have exclusive access to the VRC. Similar products sell for thousands of dollars, but Big "I" members enjoy a deeply discounted rate starting at just $250 a year.

Click here to view a demo and see the VRC in action.

For a telephone demo, call Margaret Rhodes or Nancy Lynch at 877-582-9199. For information on purchasing the VRC, contact David Hulcher or Pam Andrews at 800-221-7917; eo@iiaba.net.