Latest Agencies Headlines

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...

Words Are Key When Program Managers and Carriers Put Vows In Writing

Dec 4 2005 // As in a marriage, if it’s a good relationship, the parties never have to consider the contract. But if things go badly, words mean everything.” Greg Thompson, president of THOMCO brokerage in Kennesaw, Ga.,...

U.S. Risk Insurance Opens Irvine, San Diego Offices

Dec 2 2005 // U.S. Risk Insurance Group, Inc. (U.S. Risk) has announced the opening of its Irvine, Calif., office and a satellite office in San Diego. Scott T. Carroll has joined the company as vice president and branch manager to...