Some of you may have noticed the "Voice of Big 'I' Markets" has changed. Your phone calls are now being handled by Chrystal Washington. Chrystal took over back in July and has been doing a tremendous job. She says,"Most of the agents have been very nice, even when they are calling with a problem." So the transition has gone off without a hitch.
Chrystal has 11 years of medical insurance and medical billing experience and 15 years of customer service. In her free time she enjoys reading, art, outdoor activities, and spending time with her 10 year old daughter. She attended George Mason University and then transferred to the Art institute of Washington, majoring in graphic design at both schools.
So now you know the next time you call in you're in good hands.
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The ISO CGL Property Damage Exclusions
May 6, 2015; 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
$79 - Click here to register
The purpose of this webinar is to provide information about a very important element of coverage critical to building service providers, contractors, insurance agents, claims adjusters and subrogation units.
At the conclusion, participants should be able to: understand the primary purposes of CGL PD coverage and exclusions; understand the grant of coverage found in the language of these exclusions; understand the distinctions between ongoing vs. completed operations within the context of the exclusionary language; understand the historical significance and current application of "broad form property damage" and better serve insurance purchasers, particularly in the service and construction industries. VU webinar questions can be sent to bestpractices@iiaba.net.
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Remember that you can view the following webinars 24/7 by checking out the BIM Webinar Library. To do that log onto Big "I" Markets and click on "Publications".
- Personal Liability Trends - Fireman's Fund
- TravPay
- Commercial Lessor's Risk
- Affluent Homeowners
- Travelers Select Products (series)
- Travel Insurance
- Community Banks
- XS Flood
- Real Estate E&O
- RLI Personal Umbrella
- Affluent Homeowner
- "Oh, by the way...Flood Sale"
- Habitational
- Non-standard Homeowner
- Student Housing
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BIM WEBSITE TRAINING WEBINAR
For all you folks who recently registered for Big "I" Markets, remember you can participate in a webinar from the comfort of your office to help you learn how to navigate around the system. Every Thursday at 2:00 p.m. EST we'll show you how to navigate the Big "I" Markets platform, including how to submit a quote! Register for the webinar by sending an email with your name and company name to bigimarkets@iiaba.net. Include "Website Navigation Webinar" in the subject line or body of your email. A recording of this webinar can be found under "Publications" after logging into Big "I" Markets.
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Hard Markets vs. Soft Markets
By Paul Buse, President of Big I Advantage
Last week I was at the Big "I" National Legislative Conference in Washington, DC. This event is where your national board of directors and agents from around the country lobby their elected representatives on insurance issues important to us as Independent Agents. Inevitably at these industry events, predications of "hard" and "soft" insurance markets takes place…especially over cocktails. That is, "Hard Markets" are times of increasing premiums and "Soft Markets" are falling premiums. As students of the industry, be wary of predictions the "market will turn." In hindsight, there is always a seemingly logical explanation but, before it happens, few industry observers see it coming. Below you can see the actual history in average premium increases and decreases from the prior year with selected explanations. Recently we have seen a period of relative stability in prices. What's your pick for how 2015 will come out?
Click Graph for larger version
Source: Robert P. Hartwig, Ph.D., CPCU of the Insurance Information Institute and a recent presentation to the Kemper President's Circle. Data through 1934 are based on stock companies only and data beginning in 1998 includes state funds. Data in his presentation is attributed to A.M. Best and Insurance Information Institute.
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Be one of the first five with the correct answers and win an envy-inspiring TFT Trivia T-shirt. Don't forget to answer the Tie Breaker!
Teresa Thompkins (GA), Sally Bennett (NE), Ed James (FL), Victoria Taggert (IN), & Melody Hagel (MN)
1. The song June Bride is from what 1954 musical? - SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS
2. Does the Markel Outdoors - Rod & Gun Clubs allow for member lodging? - YES
3. Swiss Re was originally founded in what year? - 1863
TIE BREAKER
New York's first car accident was actually between a "horseless wagon" and a bicycle. It occurred on what date? - MAY 30, 1896
Wildfire Protection Unit offers an added layer of protection for your client's family and property. This complimentary service is available to policy holders of AIG Private Client Group who reside within designated response areas. The Wildfire Protection Unit is not a private fire department, but a loss mitigation service designed to preempt damage well before a wildfire ignites. Unlike other organizations that outsource their services to third-party vendors, the Wildfire protection crew members are AIG employees. AIG’s mitigation specialists receive qualifications and training from state-certified fire academies. They maintain these qualifications by attending annual training. In 2007 and 2008, the unit was credited for saving nearly 50 homes and preventing loss for almost $100M in exposure for AIG Private Client Group.
Big "I" Retirement Services, LLC has contracted vWise, Inc.to utilize SmartPlan for the participants of the Big "I" MEP 401(k) Plan. SmartPlan is an exciting online video enrollment portal that educates and enrolls participants while allowing them to make deferral and investment election changes. It's a great tool that walks participants though short, easy to follow, concise videos with the outcome of assessing their retirement readiness. In just a few short minutes, the videos walk employees through their plan highlights and then guide them through an interactive Q&A that helps them discover their individual retirement needs and risk profile.
TECHNICAL CORNER
