IIABA Chairman: End ‘Nightmare’ Of Multistate Licensing

Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com April 1, 2011

Mike Miley, chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, tells us what tops the association’s legislative agenda, in advance of its annual America Legislative Conference.  read more..

Sitting on a "Goal Mind"

To avoid irrelevancy, rethink your dated sales approach

American Agent & Broker April 2011

Have you ever considered that "goals" and "gold" are tied together, and one actually leads to the other? For us to maximize our revenue potential in this marketplace we need to understand the relationship between the gold we have with our clients and prospects and the goals we have for our production. We need to use our minds—our knowledge—to maximize our potential. In this market, there are a number of challenges affecting our business.  read more..

Do we dare become professional?

March 25, 2011
By W. Kurt Fickling

I consider myself to be a professional insurance agent. But by what standards do I consider myself professional? As a property-casualty insurance agent, I have no real industry standards to measure my professionalism. Of course, there are legal standards I must conform to, but is there a "code of practice" with which I must comply? Other than individual state requirements for licensing and continuing education, I know of none.  read more..

Quinn Proposing Changes to Workers' Comp in Illinois

April 4, 2011
By Deanna Bellandi, Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) — Amid a federal investigation of potential workers' compensation abuses, Gov. Pat Quinn's administration on Friday proposed systemwide changes to prevent possible malfeasance and save employers money.  read more..

Buyers, Don’t Get Too Comfortable With Low Workers' Comp Prices

February 15, 2011
By Caroline McDonald, PropertyCasualty360.com

A number of issues, including regulation, medical and insurer costs are high on the radar this year for workers’ compensation experts, one who warned that buyers most likely will be looking at price hikes in 2012.

Mark Walls, assistant vice president, claims with Safety National in St. Louis, Mo., observed that of a number of workers’ comp areas he is watching this year, legislative issues in two states—California and Illinois—are at the forefront, and cover opposite ends of the spectrum.  read more..

Up Against The Clock: Insurers Avoiding Coverage Of Wage & Hour Claims

But huge demand among insureds presents opportunity with right risk controls

National Underwriter P&C March 28, 2011
By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com

While there is sizable demand from insureds for coverage against the increasing tide of wage-and-hour claims made under the Fair Labor Standards Act, carriers remain largely reluctant to write policies—fearing a good chance of losing their shirts if they do.  read more..

Condo Coverage Conundrums

March 28, 2011
By Christine G. Barlow

Condominiums are a difficult subject in insurance because of the intersection of the unit owner’s policy and the association’s policy. Where exactly do the two policies meet?

Who is responsible for what part of the building is a common and confusing issue. A year or two ago, we presented a wildly popular web seminar explaining just how the coverage worked. Recently, fellow FC&S expert Diana Reitz blogged about improvements and betterments, so now seems to be a good time to talk about condominiums.   read more..