Latest Agencies Headlines

Ease of Doing Business Survey Sets Benchmark for Carriers to Follow

Dec 4 2005 // Ease of Doing Business (EDB) has been a bit like the weather-everybody talks about it, but doing something about it is another matter. While you can’t change the weather, you can equip yourself and your organization...

IJ’s Program Directory, as well as IJ’s E&S Directory and Workers’ Comp Directory, are also available online. Brokers an

Dec 4 2005 // Welcome to Insurance Journal’s 14th Annual Program Directory, Volume II. Information contained in this 2005 directory has been compiled by IJ’s staff as a resource for readers. For the purposes of this...

Your New Employee is about to Start, Now What?

Dec 4 2005 // Editor’s note: This is the second article in a series offering best practices suggestions for hiring in the independent agency. Part one of this series appeared in Insurance Journal’s Nov. 7 western region...

News Briefs

Dec 4 2005 // Willis Expands in China, Latin America: In a breakthrough agreement, global insurance broker Willis Group Holdings Limited, has received written approval from the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) to increase...

News Briefs

Dec 4 2005 // Greenberg Will Not Face Criminal Charges: Additional civil charges against former American International Group Inc. Chairman and CEO Maurice “Hank” Greenberg are possible, but no state criminal charges are...

Agency Consolidation Dynamics are Ripe for the Picking

Dec 4 2005 // The consolidation of insurance agencies has played a prominent role within the industry over the last 30 years. Now more than ever, however, such activity increasingly influences the average size of distributors, the scope...

Mississippi Insurance Commissioner George Dale Serving Eighth Term; Hurricane Katrina Wasn’t Much, Compared to the After

Dec 4 2005 // In public and in an interview with Insurance Journal, Misissippi Insurance Commis-sioner George Dale comes across as a laid-back Mississippi farm-boy, but the commissioner, who has been reelected for eight terms, has...

Dec 4 2005 // Burns & Wilcox, a national specialty insurance managing general agency, has promoted Wayne Bates to director of the company’s Special Risk Division (SRD), International and promoted him to associate vice...

News Briefs

Dec 4 2005 // ALABAMA Alabama Expects 50,000 Claims More than 50,000 claims are expected in Alabama from hurricane damage, however, complete cost estimates won’t be available until this month. Ragan Ingram, Department of Insurance...

How Program Managers Can Avoid the Courthouse Blues

Dec 4 2005 // The little old lady from San Francisco rejected an earthquake endorsement on her homeowners coverage, only to have her home later destroyed by earthquake. Her family sued the agent, the case went to trial, and the jury...

FAIA: Employment Crisis Threatens Agencies

Dec 4 2005 // An impending employment crisis is threatening independent insurance agents and will become disastrous by 2010 unless employers act now, Lisa Harrington, Florida Association of Insurance Agents vice president of education...

Dec 4 2005 // How Program Managers Can Avoid the ‘Courthouse Blues’ A little old lady from San Francisco rejected an earthquake endorsement on her homeowners’ coverage, only to have her home later destroyed by...

Agent-Carrier Partnerships Need Goal Clarity and Exit Strategy, Not Love

Dec 4 2005 // The carrier executive tried to pin down agents on what they wanted from their insurers. Among the vague responses of exclusivity, underwriting authority, respect and long-term relationships, one complaint stood...

Dec 4 2005 // The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research, Austin, Texas, has announced that two outstanding customer service representatives have received its National Outstanding CSR of the Year Award for 2005:...

News Briefs

Dec 4 2005 // New Online License Service Available for Wash. Agents and Brokers Insurance agents, brokers and other insurance professionals licensed to transact business in Washington can now print copies of their licenses from their...

A New Home for Lower Value Dwellings

Dec 4 2005 // Heartland Marketing Group Inc. recently introduced a new market for lower valued homes, including mobile/manufactured home, travel trailer and stand-alone dwelling fire risks. Offered through Aegis Security Insurance...

ASI, Zurich, AIG

Dec 4 2005 // ust like Arnold Schwarzenegger, today’s strongest and most successful insurance programs started out as scrawny and klutzy kids. Hard work along with nurturing from wise and patient carriers helped them build muscle...

Smaller and Regional Programs: Proven Exercises

Dec 4 2005 // Pumped for profit Robin C. Brennan knows fuel dealers. She’s been handling their insurance needs since 1998. Brennan is a vice president with the Managing Agency Group in Hartford, Conn., a subsidiary of Hilb Rogal...

Agents Learn About Potential Policy Glitches, Coverage Fixes

Dec 4 2005 // Are you and your customers aware of potential policy “glitches” in their coverages? And what are you doing to help remedy the situation? Glitches in policies agents select for insureds and possible coverage...

Conn. Proud of Its ‘Common Sense’ Compensation Disclosure Law

Dec 4 2005 // States in search of a “common sense” approach to insurance producer compensation disclosure might consider talking to Connecticut officials, that state’s commissioner recently proposed. “I’m...