THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2010 

                                                Big “I” National News


InVEST
InVEST Presents to Teachers Colorado Insurance Institute Program 
Teachers learn more about free resources available from InVEST.

On June 22, InVEST program manager Jennifer Robinson presented to 47 teachers attending the Insurance Education Institute in Fort Collins, Colo., on the free resources available to teachers though InVEST.

“The teachers were thrilled to learn InVEST has all the tools needed to begin teaching insurance in their classroom,” says Robinson. “41 of the 47 teachers in attendance requested InVEST send additional information on how to start a program in their school, which is very exciting for our program.”

Teachers sat for an hour-long presentation detailing the importance of insurance literacy, the free resources available (including lesson plans and textbooks) and career options for their students in the insurance industry.

InVEST will be presenting at other Insurance Education Institutes in New York and Roanoke, Va.

The Institutes are collaborative efforts between the Griffith Insurance Education Foundation and universities with respected risk management and insurance programs. The program is designed for junior high through high school teachers who will integrate insurance into their financial literacy curriculum or another subject such as business, consumer education, economics, social science, family and consumer science, mathematics or driver’s education.

The 47 teachers in attendance hail from Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Carolina and Wyoming.

For more information on InVEST, visit www.investprogram.org.


Big “I” Umbrella Program
Take Advantage of the PUP Summer Special
Earn higher commission despite the soft market.

While the market in general shows little or no sign of any real hardening, Big “I” Markets is doing its part to help lighten the burden on agents with an increase in commission on any personal umbrella policy bound on Big “I” Markets. From June 1 through August 31, you will receive an additional $15 in commission for every personal umbrella bound on BIM. The additional $15 will simply be added to your monthly commission statement. The incentive applies to both umbrella markets, including the preferred market offered though RLI, which includes a broader appetite within PUP Special. Visit www.independentagent.com/umbrella to learn more about the program, then log in to www.bigimarkets.com to access the markets.


Young Agents
Work Smarter, Not Harder 
Big “I” Young Agents Leadership Institute teaches time-saving techniques.

The sun rises and sets later during the summer, but that doesn’t mean agents should spend more time in the office. While hammering away on daily work, to-do lists and goals pile up. Fortunately, there are tools and techniques to help, and the Big “I” Young Agents Leadership Institute will give agents the edge they need to work smarter. The Agents Council for Technology (ACT) gurus will start the event with a round of Jeopardy, but this isn’t an ordinary game show quiz—it’s chock full of tips on workflow, marketing, social media, saving time and current trends. The acclaimed Presidents’ Panel will include representatives from leading carriers who will share their insight on perpetuation, the economy and making the best of today’s market. Keynote speaker Bodine Balasco will show agents how to tap the power of the creative process to reach goals without exhausting resources and energy. If smart marketing is on your mind, this event offers two young agent social media gurus who will share tips and techniques for using social media effectively.

Join us Sept. 24-25 at the Fairmont San Francisco for the premier event for young agents. Spend time with other young agent movers and shakers, and build lasting relationships. Not a young agent? Invite young professionals in your agency to attend the event and demonstrate your support for their continued professional growth. Register today!


Big “I” Education
What’s It Worth?
VU and industry expert hosts webinar on agency valuation.

Would you like to know the secret to accurate agency valuations?  Want to cut through the morass of valuation voodoo that exists in the industry? Attend “De-Mystifying Agency Valuation” on August 5 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. ET.  The webinar will be presented by Al Diamond, president of Agency Consulting Group, Inc., a Virtual University expert and well-known, hands-on consultant to the insurance industry.  With a direct and straightforward style, Diamond will explain how valuations are done and dismiss the “voodoo” of multiples. For a $99 registration fee, participants will also learn why different parties (internal owners, perpetuators, merger candidates, buyers, banks) can (and will) establish different values for the same agency—and all are correct. The session will also show attendees how to estimate and maximize their own agency value or cast realistic values on other agencies. To learn more about the webinar and Diamond, click here. To register, click here or e-mail BestPractices@iiaba.net with questions.


Big “I” Markets
Turn Summer into a Selling Season
Access marine, RV and event liability markets.

Summer offers the perfect opportunity to market seasonal product coverages to clients—and Big “I” Markets offers lots of options.

The marine program available on Big “I” Markets through Ski-Safe/Sea-Safe is designed especially for the most common watercraft. The Ski-Safe personal watercraft policy provides extensive protection for Jet Skis and just about any kind of personal watercraft. The Seafarer policy was tailored with motorboats and fishing craft in mind. Getting a quote from Ski-Safe is fast because you can get an instant online quote for nearly all of the most popular boats. What about the coverage options? Click here for a coverage comparison of the SkiSafe product vs. the competition! Also remember that Premier Boat Coverage is available through MiddleOak.

The MiddleOak Yacht program provides premium hull and liability coverage for standard manufactured boats and yachts. MiddleOak’s broad ocean marine coverage form provides agreed value, all-risk hull coverage and P&I liability. Available navigations include Canadian, inland and coastal waters from Maine to Cedar Key, Fla. All quotes are returned the same day if submitted by 3 p.m. ET.

In challenging economic times, camping offers a way for people to still take a vacation while minimizing costs. The recreational vehicle product offered by National Interstate on Big “I” Markets provides coverage for motor homes, bus conversions, medium duty tow vehicles and converted medium duty tow vehicles with a value up to $1.5 million; and travel trailers and fifth wheels with a value of up to $150,000. All policy terms are annual unless specifically approved by the company. National Interstate does not impose minimum or maximum limits on the age of the primary driver. Commercial usage of recreational vehicles is acceptable, with the exception of those rented or leased to others.

Through Big "I" Markets, you can access three key coverage options that are the foundation of specialized RV coverage. Each option provides a form of depreciation protection, but provides it in a different manner. Here is a summary of eligible vehicles and also a look at coverage features. Log in to Big “I” Markets to learn more.

Summertime also means special events of all types. Whether it’s county fairs, craft shows, weddings, music festivals or a host of other special events, don't forget to help your clients insure those events through the event liability product on Big “I” Markets.

Visit www.bigimarkets.com to access these products and more. If you’re not yet registered for this free member benefit, register today.


Big I Advantage^®
Start Here to Hire Right
Access job websites and candidate personality profiles through the Big “I.”

Looking for top talent for your agency? The Big “I” offers two resources to assist you. First, post the open position on the Big “I” job website, www.insurancecareerfinder.com, as part of your talent search. Then when you have a final candidate, use your Big “I” membership to access discounted pricing on personality profiles from Caliper. Caliper testing can help you measure a candidate’s sales or customer service ability before you extend an offer. Learn more at www.independentagent.com/caliper.