ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 10, 2009 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) today announced that the Big “I” Virtual University will be presenting a two-part webinar on Certificates of Insurance on March 19 and April 16 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern.
“The independent agency system has been plagued by unreasonable and too often onerous requests for certificates of insurance and related documentation and it’s getting out of control,” says Madelyn Flannagan, Big “I” vice president for education and research. “Owners, general contractors, lenders, and landlords are making demands that agents and insurers simply cannot comply with—legally or practically. The key to preventing many of the risks is in continuing education, such as the Virtual University webinars.”
The purpose of this webinar is to provide a comprehensive review of certificate of insurance issues. While the focus of this program is on certificates and evidences of insurance, it also addresses critical peripheral issues such as contractual risk transfer and additional insureds.
“Although they obviously serve an important function, certificates of insurance typically generate little or no revenue but create significant costs for agencies,” says Bill Wilson, CPCU, ARM, Big “I” associate vice president and Virtual University director.
Webinar is short for “web based seminar.” Instead of meeting in a conference room, the training takes place via the internet with the visual portion on the screen and the audio through the computer or phone. For more information, visit the Virtual University website: http://www.iiaba.net/vu.
“The Big ‘I’ is committed to the education and professional development of those who choose careers in the independent agency system or simply want more information,” says Robert A. Rusbuldt, Big “I” president and CEO. “We continue to cultivate interest and education in the industry through programs like the Virtual University, the Diversity Program, and InVEST.”
Founded in 1896, the Big “I” is the nation’s oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing a network of more than 300,000 agents, brokers and their employees nationally. Its members are businesses that offer customers a choice of policies from a variety of insurance companies. Independent agents and brokers offer all lines of insurance—property, casualty, life and health—as well as employee benefit plans and retirement products. Web address: www.independentagent.com.
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