Jean Lucey
Jean E. Lucey, CPCU is the former Library Director for the Insurance Library Association of Boston. Education:
University at Albany (New York)
BA in English (Spanish minor), 1968
Masters in Library Science, 1969
Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designation conferred 1986
Work experience:
Librarian and substitute teacher, Central Square Public Schools, Central Square, NY, 1969-1973
Tucker-Smith Insurance Agency, Delmar, NY, 1973-1979
Insurance Library Association of Boston, 1979-2012 (Director 1980-2012)
I am a participant in the IIABA’s Virtual University program.
The independent Tucker-Smith Insurance agency sold and serviced a book of business that was roughly 70% personal lines, 30% commercial. During my first year with the agency, I obtained my New York State broker’s license. I dealt with insureds directly, both in and out of the office, and developed my own book of business at the urging of the agency owner.
Upon a move with my husband to Boston in 1979 when a job opportunity presented itself to him, I began working at the Insurance Library Association of Boston. When the then-Director left in early 1980, I became the Director, serving in that role until retirement from it in November of 2012. My responsibilities at the Library, in addition to administrative functions and oversight of an extensive education program, included the performance of reference and research work regarding insurance and insurance coverage. Some of the research was responsive to inquiries from consumers, but the majority (80%) was initiated by insurance agents, expert witnesses and consultants, and attorneys.
I have a strong grounding in all property/casualty lines of insurance and am familiar with many nuances of coverage. Perhaps more important, I recognize when a better understanding of any particular matter is necessary, and know how to perform effective, targeted research. Such research is clearly most productive when primary sources, such as bulletins and notices from the Insurance Services Office, are available.
In terms of coverage, my particular areas of strength are:
- Commercial General Liability
- Commercial Property
- Homeowners and personal auto
Functional strengths include:
- Summary and analysis of policy language and terms
- Underwriting
- Agents’ legal responsibilities
Jean E. Lucey, CPCU
1313 Washington Street, Apartment 424
Boston, MA 02118
617-266-9362
Jean.lucey@hotmail.com
About the Insurance Library Association of Boston
The Insurance Library Association of Boston was founded by industry leaders in 1887 and has operated continuously since that year. The collection has grown in the intervening years and now encompasses materials both historical and contemporary, all of which are cataloged by subject-specific librarians. That means that a volume from 1885 may well sit on a shelf next to one from 2009 if their topics are the same. We subscribe to scores of insurance periodicals, all of which we index in a proprietary database. And of course, some of our patrons’ information needs are best met through use of the online services to which we subscribe, many of which might prove prohibitive in cost to those patrons.
We like to think that we can provide information on any insurance-related subject, old or new. Sometimes that means we are tracing an insurance company that merged, changed its name, or was dissolved in decades past (we always like it when we can find a current incarnation). Sometimes we are finding items from the insurance trade press that talk about changes in standard coverage forms that are contemporary to when those changes were being made and shed light on the rationale. Sometimes we are finding case law interpreting various policy provisions. Every day seems to bring something new.
An education program begun in 1890 still makes available a wide variety of insurance-related courses including classes addressing the curriculum of the Insurance Institute of America and the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters. Special seminars provide focus on more specific subjects and issues.
We are a non-profit 501[c][3] organization and receive no public funds. We are open at no charge to members of the public, including students, who have a need for the information we can provide. Our main sources of support are annual membership dues and revenue from our education programs, supplemented by research fees. Members are charged nothing in additional to document provision charges (scans, photocopies and the like) if we are answering an uncomplicated “reference” question for them. If we are asked to perform in-depth research into a particular subject, members are charged a reduced hourly rate: non-members pay a higher rate, and are required to pay for at least one hour of our time up-front.
Our members number some 425 individuals and firms from states all over the country. Anyone who needs reliable information about insurance can benefit from a membership. Much additional information about the Insurance Library Association of Boston and its activities can be found on our website at www.insurancelibrary.org. The website also facilitates email communication with the staff, and can be used to establish a membership or register for a class.
Last Updated: November 2020