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Spitzer probe brought bad practices to light, panel says

Feb 6 2006 // That the investigation of New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer into compensation practices of the nation’s insurance brokers and carriers brought to light the unethical behavior of some bad industry apples was a...

Oklahoma’s legislative session shifts into gear

Feb 6 2006 // The bill-filing deadline for the Oklahoma Legislature passed Jan.19, 2006, and the session opens Feb. 6. At the close of the filing process, the state Senate had 1,034 bills and 28 joint resolutions filed, the House filed...

Seven tips for successful insurance process outsourcing

Feb 6 2006 // Outsourcing often receives a bad rap, with large corporations using it to reduce staff count, bureaucracy and overhead. However, for smaller companies, such as small and medium sized insurance agencies, outsourcing can be...

Pushing paper

Feb 6 2006 // There appears to be a lot of action on state legislative hills these days. Politicians have been meeting in most Western states to consider a wide variety of insurance proposals to regulate the industry. And hundreds of...

Brokerage Watch

Feb 6 2006 // Stock Prices: In terms of stock prices for property and casualty brokers, the year was mixed. With its stock up 54 percent, Aon experienced a remarkable year. However, Marsh and McLennan’s woes continued as its stock...

Agency value and price–what sellers can expect to put in their pocket

Feb 6 2006 // Today there is constant attention by those asking agency owners to think about selling or merging with them, so the owner can pursue his or her hopes, dreams and yes … retirement. We know because our clients keep...

Who is worth what?

Feb 6 2006 // Last year was not a big year for raises in independent insurance agencies as salaries in many agencies across the county stayed right where they were in 2004. Producer commission rates stayed the same also. More than 1,000...

Caution: Motor truck cargo insurance not for rookies

Feb 6 2006 // Transportation insurance and, more specifically, motor truck cargo insurance are not fields where an agent should dabble without some expertise. The specific nuances in this class of insurance lead to extensive errors and...

Fitch Analyst

Feb 5 2006 // James Auden, Fitch: stable outlook for broker industry in 2006 New York-Chicago-based Fitch Ratings is predicting stability and growth for the broker industry in 2006, while admitting that earnings will be down in 2005...

News Currents

Feb 5 2006 // W. Va. Big ‘I’ members to hear about mandates, regulations during Feb. 12-13 legislative discussions An update describing local, state and national industry and government issues, focusing on the latest...

Baylor University endowed professorship honors Texas agent

Feb 5 2006 // Presentation of scholarship endowment to Baylor University. Pictured from left to right: Dr. Terry Maness, Dean of the Hankamer School of Business at Baylor University; Bill Bailey, Founder of Bailey Insurance &...

Managing Your Agency

Feb 5 2006 // For smaller companies, such as small and medium sized insurance agencies, outsourcing can be a valuable, even critical tool to facilitate cost-effective growth and stimulate productivity. Outsourcing often receives a bad...

News Currents

Feb 5 2006 // Oklahoma’s legislative session shifts into gear Lawsuit reform, uninsured drivers are among issues to be debated. The bill-filing deadline for the Oklahoma Legislature passed Jan.19, 2006, and the session opens Feb....

Young agent tricks and treats

Feb 5 2006 // Any activity done ouside the office is always better than doing something in the office. Like many of you, I started my insurance career with an empty desk and a phone. Over the years I have learned some tips or...

Spitzer probe brought bad practices to light, panel says

Feb 5 2006 // That the investigation of New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer into compensation practices of the nation’s insurance brokers and carriers brought to light the unethical behavior of some bad industry apples was a...

Feb 5 2006 // People Bob Amado, president of Colemont’s Northern California offices, has retired, effective Jan. 1, 2006. Doris Barnett has been named his successor. Amado joined Colemont in 1997 and was instrumental in growing...

Editor’s Note: Pushing paper

Feb 5 2006 // There appears to be a lot of action on state legislative hills these days. Politicians have been meeting in most Western states to consider a wide variety of insurance proposals to regulate the industry. And hundreds of...

Cautionary tale on switching cargo

Feb 5 2006 // Agents new to the transportation insurance field must be careful of exclusions-especially when it comes to motor truck cargo. This frequently arises where an agent is switching coverage from one carrier to the next. Maybe...

Closer Look: Motor Carrier Cargo

Feb 5 2006 // Producers advised to work closely with a wholesaler or carrier that knows transportation contracts Transportation insurance and, more specifically, motor truck cargo insurance are not fields where an agent should dabble...

2005 delivers mixed bag for property/casualty brokers

Feb 5 2006 // Stock Prices: In terms of stock prices for property and casualty brokers, the year was mixed. With its stock up 54 percent, Aon experienced a remarkable year. However, Marsh and McLennan’s woes continued as its stock...