Employees? No I don't have any employees.... and my truck is just for personal use (never mind the signs all over it).

When I opened my agency I asked an agent who had been in the biz a long time to recommend an agency management system that was user friendly and would not cost me an arm & leg. I have been quite happy with the same system for the past 10 years. My recommendation is a little company called AMSOFT...

This situation is never easy from any perspective. I had this happen to me when I was a producer - I did all the hard work of selling the client & getting the client approved for issuance. It didn't matter that i had the solid relationship with them since another producer had prospected the acco...

Having your property titled in an LLC is not just for "rich people" anymore nor is it just for tax perposes. Attorney's are now using LLC's for living trusts. This is something we're seeing more often. Because the owner of the LLC and the LLC are still one & the same you're ok to put t...

I recently terminated my agreement with NIA and it was easy. Dealing with them was the most difficult part of the transaction. When it became harder to write a new piece of business than sell it to the client, I decided that paying them my hard earned money every month was not a smart move.

call 1800-engaged. RV Nuccio has the wedding insurance program - avg cost is about $200 for 1mil coverage including all sorts of goodies like liquor liability.

They wrote homeowner policies - and unfortunately the rates were really cheap. They were a B company but a lot of agents didn't care since the rate was unbeatable. I had them back in 2000 - canceled the contract in 2001 because they still didn't have an A rating - then as a favor to the marketing re...

We also require written requests for certs and A/Is. Two reasons, 1- they have all the required info for the cert / AI and you get the info correct. 2- If it's faxed over by the owner/manager/etc it's easier to collect the premium. We require any change to a policy to be sent over in writing. So far...

I feel your pain. Unfortunately the very same technology that makes our jobs easier also makes it easier for those that don't wish to play fair. I do find though that it's generally larger entities (and mainly for additional insured certs) that want the copy mailed - most want our fax info - won't t...

Big Dog, you couldn't be more mistaken about my level of respect for underwriters. I was one - have many friends that still are and even my daughter-in-law is one. I was mearly commenting on the over use of the word "underwriter" when there is no underwriting being done.

Unfortunately you have a new underwriter - I fear. Or another clerk in underwriter's clothing. Personal lines has been deluged with a lot of "underwriters" who are really clerks in disguise since the mid to late 80's. That was the time that Safeco announced that they had grid underwriting ...

I agree that there are no easy answers and it seems that at least once a month there is a posting asking for them. I wish there was a magic formula - hell I could have made a fortune as a marketing rep if there were. It takes more than the desire or even an ability to sell insurance to be an agency ...

He can buy coverage at the track - my daughter raced until recently at a local track. Your client needs to be aware that his regular insurance (including classic / specialty ) excludes racing.

Contact Mark Hewit @CBIC bonding - if he can't do it, He'll know who can.

For all you new agents out there..... welcome to the beginning of the soft market. This is a time of insanity in the industry. Let us all hope it doesn't last as long as the previous one.