WINTER 2017
Big I Washington is a publication of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Washington
TAXES vs. EDUCATION SPENDING Susan Scott Retires New Regulations for Agents Conference Photos
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Official publication of Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Washington 11911 NE 1st St., Suite B103, Bellevue, WA 98005 Ph. (425) 649-0102 Fax: (425) 649-8573 Web: www.wainsurance.org Officers of IIABW President: Lori Reed, Mitchell Reed & Schmitten Insurance, Inc., Wenatchee President-elect:Rob Tripple, Tripple Tripple & Tripple, Edmonds Secretary: Dave Merrill, Merrill & Merrill, Seattle Treasurer: Melissa Power, ACSR, CIC, Homestreet Insurance, Spokane IIABA Director: Sue Knobeloch, CIC, CPIW, Association of Risk Managers NW, Tacoma Executive VP: Daniel Holst, IIABW, Bellevue Board of Directors Rob Bush, (King), Valley Insurance, Kirkland Craig Field (Chelan/Douglas), Mitchell Reed & Schmitten Insurance, Inc., Wenatchee Matt Henderson (At Large) PayneWest, Richland Duane Henson, LUTCF (Skagit/Island), WAFD Insurance Group, Mt. Vernon Kim Krogh, ARM, (Past President) Hub International Northwest, Spokane Mary Lemon (Spokane), Hub International Northwest, Spokane Amberlyn McQuary Buratto, CIC (At Large), Stonebraker McQuary, Spokane Dave Merrill (At Large), Merrill & Merrill Insurance, Seattle Melissa Power, ACSR, CIC (At Large), Homestreet Insurance, Spokane Nick Stay (Pierce) American Underwriters Insurance, Tacoma Dave Street (Grant), Martin-Morris Agency, Wenatchee Rob Tripple (Snohomish), Tripple Tripple & Tripple, Edmonds Carissa Veltri (Benton-Franklin), Conover, Tri Cities Dan Wareham (At-Large), Blasingame Insurance, Spokane Staff Daniel Holst, Executive V.P. - dholst@wainsurance.org Susan Scott, AAI, Sr. V.P. of Education - sscott@wainsurance.org Ashley Kuaea, Director of Member Programs - akuaea@wainsurance.org Kathy Gardner, Administrative Assistant - kgardner@wainsurance.org Bill Stauffacher, Stauffacher Communications, Contract Lobbyist - gocougs@billstauffacher.com Big I Washington is the official magazine of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Washington and is published quarterly. News items from IIABW members are requested. IIABW does not necessarily endorse any of the companies advertising in this publication or the views of its writers. IIABW reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject advertising that does not meet IIABW qualiďŹ cations or which may detract from its business, professional or ethical standards.
Advertising For more information on advertising, contact Jim Aitkins Blue Water Publishers, LLC 22727 - 161st Avenue SE, Monroe, Washington 98272 360-805-6474, fax: 360-805-6475 jima@bluewaterpublishers.com
The publisher cannot assume responsibility for claims made by advertisers, content provided by the editor, or for the opinions expressed by contributing authors.
WINTER 2017
Advertiser Index Anchor Bay Insurance Managers
29
Anderson & Murison
12
B C E Consulting
26
Burns & Wilcox
11
Contractor Connection
15
Grange Insurance Association
2
Griffin Underwriting
5
Imperial PFS
27
Liberty Mutual
32
Mutual of Enumclaw
25
Preferred Property/JGS
13
R-T Specialty, Inc.
27
Risk Placement Services
31
Ron Rothert Insurance Services
29
Vertafore 3 Western National Insurance Group
Table of Contents 6
A Message from Lori Reed, IIABW President
18 WA Joint Conference & Trade Show Report and Photos
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Thank You, Susan: Susan Scott Retires
26 New Regulations for Insurance Agents
10 Legislative Update: Education vs. Taxes
27 Improvements to Our E&O Program
12 Washington State Insurance Commissioner, Mike Kreidler
28 Records Retention Recommendation
14 Fun Young Agents Mariners Game Event
30 Young Agents Holiday Event Information & Registration
16 Agents Throw Out the First Pitch 4
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IIABW President
Lori Reed
I
t is my honor to step into the role of President of IIABW. I grew up within the Big I and am proud to call it my family. My father, Bob Mitchell, was very active in the association and served on IIABW’s Board of Directors in the early 1980’s. My husband, Mike Reed, served as President in 2005 and we are now the first husband/wife team to serve as President of our association. This past June our board held our annual strategic planning meeting at our Young Agent’s Conference. Jeff Bronaugh from BCE Consulting did a great job in facilitating the session.
•
Our Young Agent’s group is very active and is a great way to get our new industry professionals connected within the industry. I encourage you to invite anyone who is new to the industry or under 40 to join the 250 people annually who attend the quarterly Young Agents events (see the flyer on page 26).
•
We also have a very competitive E& O product and many different property and casualty markets available through our Big I markets.
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IIABW continues to make new producer development a priority. Our New Talent Recruitment and Development Task Force was successful last year creating tools to help agents recruit, hire, train and mentor new employees. We held a successful workshop with Marsh Berry to help agency owners to grow and perpetuate with the help of new employees. Watch for more on this important topic.
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And lastly we need to attract new leaders to your association’s Board of Directors. The Young Agents are a great resource to us and we will be looking to them as one way to fulfill positions on our board.
There were three critical issues that came out of the session: membership, communicating value and attracting new leaders. This next year we will be looking at these issues in our short and long term strategic plans. Membership is the lifeblood of the association and some of our immediate goals will be to review our new member on-boarding process and look at ways to provide more personal follow up. We will look to our company partners to help us identify new members and possibly make joint calls to new prospects with our board members. To go along with membership is communicating the value of the association to our current members and potential members. •
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We have a strong lobbyist, Bill Stauffacher, who represents our association in Olympia. He does a great job working with our members to lobby for lower taxes and reasonable regulations.
I look forward to this next year and I encourage our members to spread the word to those who are not members about the benefits of members. Lori Reed IIABW President Mirchell Reed & Schmitten Wenatchee
WN-2013FallAd-(IIABWA-(WA)).pdf 1 10/25/2013 8:17:24 AM
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Susan Thank You,
T
he insurance industry recognized Susan Scott at the IIABW/PIA Joint Conference in September for her 37 years of service to independent agents in Washington State. Susan announced that she will be retiring at the end of the year. Twenty-three IIABW Past Presidents had lunch with Susan during the Conference to thank her for all she has done for the industry. This distinguished group (pictured below) representing six decades of leadership came from as far as Florida to celebrate Susan’s contributions and achievements. IIABW renamed the award recognizing insurance educators the ‘Susan Scott Insurance Education Award.’ Susan was the first recipient of this prestigious award. In addition, she was presented the IIABA’s national Spirit of Education Award for her contribution of time, energy, and expertise to make our education program so successful. In 1979, IIABW hired Susan to further develop our educational offerings since the state was planning to pass the first law requiring CE for all licensed agents. She taught prelicense education for a decade before it became a state requirement in 1989 and continued teaching our the new insurance professionals through this year. Susan helped at least 4,000 insurance professionals pass the licensing exam during her career.
Susan earned IIABW’s highest award, the Burnam Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2009 and our state’s Insurance Education Award four times. She has served on committees formed by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to provide guidance on continuing education and prelicense education. Under her leadership, IIABW’s education department has been awarded over two dozen different national education awards, including IIABA’s L.P. McCord and the Excellence in Insurance Education Award. IIABW just received the highest education award last month at our national association’s conference in Chicago. Susan has also served on a number of IIABA education-related committees. Sue Knobeloch, IIABW Past President and current national director, summed it up when she said, “Susan Scott is one of those exceptional people whose career is one we all hoped to achieve, but few do. An educator, a mentor, a person who helped all of us achieve our goals, someone’s who’s life goal was to make “you” the best. There is no one more deserving of recognition than Susan Scott!” Thank you, Susan, for all you have done for our industry. You will truly be missed.
Jim Gibbons (2001), Mike Reed (2005), Jim Brown (1988), Kim Impecoven (1998), Ron Getchell (1995), Don McQuary (2003), Spike Lynch (1978), Donna Haynes (2004), Barry Jones (1967), Dean Young (2009), Robb Dale (1993), Susan Scott, Rob Bush (2002), Larry Tornow (1989), Dave Hargreaves (1994), Sue Knobeloch (1997), Darren McEuin (2011), Mike Button (2014), Dale Gress (1991), Frank Radford (1990), Tom Taylor (1987), Mike Rydbom (2001), Harold Smart (1979)
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Legislative Update:
Education vs.
TAXE$
By Bill Stauffacher, IIABW’s Lobbyist
S
ince the state Supreme Court’s McCleary decision in late 2012, the legislature has made significant strides in increasing K-12 education spending. However, the Legislature must still address two critical components of the court’s decision: 1. Reduce school districts’ use of local property-tax levies to fund state obligations for “basic education”; and 2. Ensure that the state fully funds all K-12 education costs - including class-size reduction, all-day kindergarten, teacher salaries, and student transportation, material - by 2018. With a $42 billion 2017-2019 budget in the making and this deadline facing the legislature, substantive action on these two remaining challenges is likely to occur. This Winter you will hear about the need to implement a “levy swap” - which would raise the state’s property tax rate while lowering local school districts’ property-tax levies. A levy swap would address the court’s finding that school districts have used local levies to fund state obligations. However, there are clear winners and losers in any form of a levy swap among high-value or property-rich school districts that have paid for state obligations with local tax dollars and lower-value or lower-income school districts that have struggled to do so.
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Full funding public schools brings two issues to the forefront: will the state need to raise taxes to fund this effort and should the state take over a number of local school district obligations such as negotiating teachers’ compensation and benefits on a statewide basis. IIABW expects to see proposals that force school districts to purchase their employee’s health care through the state rather than procured through the private market by each school district. The public will hear a wide range of numbers when it comes to how much new tax revenue is needed to meet the state’s McCleary obligations. Some will suggest that $4 billion is needed and others will say no increases are necessary. The behind-the-scenes numbers that are most often identified is $1 - $1.5 billion in new tax revenues. Expect proposals from lawmakers to create a state-based capital gains tax (5% rate) and the elimination of “tax preferences” such as the insurance producers’ B&O tax rate on commissions. IIABW members will have plenty at stake in these policy and budget debates. Back in 2013, IIABW led the fight to defeat the proposal to triple producers’ B&O taxes from .484% to 1.5%. We expect a similar fight in 2017 in addition to participating in a small business lobbying coalition to fight back against any state capital gains tax proposals. And for IIABW members who sell health care insurance to school districts, this fight to move school district health insurance out of the private market and into the PEBB will be an intense battle.
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WASHINGTON STATE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER
Mike Kreidler
Legislation aims to protect consumers from surprise medical bills
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onsumers in Washington need assurance that a medical condition won’t end up costing them hundreds to thousands of dollars in extra costs.
A prime example is an Olympia resident, Dave. He went to a Thurston County medical facility last year. He had a life-threatening heart condition. He received treatment that saved his life. He also ended up with an unexpected shock– a surprise medical bill of over $1,400. Dave did what we asked him to do. He got health insurance. He went to his health plan’s approved hospital. He did everything right. But no one ever told him he might receive treatment from doctors who were not in his health plan’s network. Dave’s story is all too common. That is why I will again urge the Legislature in 2017 to approve my proposal to end surprise medical bills. I have worked with provider, insurer and consumer groups to refine my consumer-first proposal. It offers protection from a surprise bill when patients seek care from an in-network facility but instead receive treatment by providers outside the network. Arbitration would settle any billing disputes between the insurer and provider. No one who has insurance and goes to their plan’s network provider or facility deserves a surprise bill. My proposal offers a reasonable and workable compromise. Washington is not alone in dealing with this problem. California’s governor in late September signed legislation that protects consumers from surprise medical bills. This follows other states that have done the same lately, notably Florida and New York. It’s time for the same consumer protection in Washington. 12
The draft bill is available for review: www.insurance.wa.gov/ current-issues-reform/surprise-billing/documents/draftsurprise-billing-legislation.pdf Comment on the proposal: www.insurance.wa.gov/secureforms/contact-policy/ Share your story about a surprise medical bill: www.insurance. wa.gov/connect-with-us/contact-us/media-inquiries/publicaffairs/ A&M Assoc Ad WA PRINT.pdf
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10/20/15
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FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN YOUNG AGENTS FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUNM’s FUN Game FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN FUN Forty Young Agents attended their Mariner’s game networking event last month. We’d like to thank American Modern, Imperial PFS and Otter Insurance for sponsoring the event. Be sure to attend the Young Agents Holiday Party on November 17 in Kirkland.
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Dave Merrill of TAG
AGENTS THROW OU
Brown & Brown 16
Independent agencies partnered with Safeco to throw out the first pitch at different Mariner’s games in September. It is a wonderful opportunity to fulfill a bucket list item for a lucky agent while getting public exposure for the agencies and the entire industry. All the agencies threw strikes, of course.
Rob Swallow of PayneWest Tracy Johnson of Brown & Brown
UT THE FIRST PITCH
The Advantage Group (TAG) 17
A HUGE SUCCESS IIABW and PIA held our sixth joint conference at the Davenport Grand Hotel which was attended by over 300 people. The sold out Trade Show provided attendees 65 booths to visit, excellent educational sessions to learn from and fun networking activities. IIABW President Kim Krogh and PIA Chair Amy Perkins were masters of ceremonies for the conference. IIABW INSTALLED OUR NEW OFFICERS:
TiTle SponSor
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President Lori Reed is a commercial lines agent and the Secretary of Mitchell, Reed, Schmitten in Wenatchee.
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President Elect Rob Tripple is an owner of Tripple Tripple & Tripple of Edmonds.
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Secretary Dave Merrill is an owner of Merrill & Wednesday, September 14,Group, 2016in Seattle Merrill, a member of the Advantage
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Treasurer Melissa Power is the FVP/Agency Manager of Homestreet Insurance Agency in Spokane.
Golf Tournament
IIABW RECOGNIZED SOME OF ITS MEMBERS BY PRESENTING ITS ANNUAL AWARDS: •
IIABW’s top honor, the Don C. Burnam Lifetime Achievement award, was presented to Rob Bush of Valley Insurance for contributions he has made to his and the insurance industry. uscommunity at Spokane’s
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Amberlyn McQuary Buratto of Stonebraker McQuary Agency Group was given the Agent of the Year award for the leadership she has provided on the IIABW Board of Directors and Talent Recruitment/ Development Task Force.
•
Gabe Gonzalez of Safeco was presented the Industry Person of the Year award for the support he has given IIABW and our Young Agents.
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Annie Dimmitt of Superior Underwriters was presented the Young Agents of the Year Award for her leadership on the IIABW Young Agent Committee.
TiTle SponSor
The golf tournament was played at Downriver, Spokane’s oldest golf course. The tournament was won by Heidi Duncan, David Babbitt, Garn Kemp and Josh Hatley. 2nd Place: Brent Schmitten, Andy Hansen, Craig Field, Greg Boyd. 3rd Place: Mark Backstrom, Dale Main, Rob Bush, Rich Biggs
The Davenport Grand Hotel
The newest addition to the AAA’s
Our first Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament wasAutograph a big success four diamond award with almost 60 participants. The tournament wasiswon Collection of hotels the by firsttime player Paul DeVenzioDavenport of IPFS. The runners up included Grand. Conference Brett Kok of Guide Insurance Services, Nate Bochsler of Nate members who are accustomed Insurance Corporation, of IIABW Max Kusske to the high standardsDan andHolst history that theand Davenport ofHotel Stonebraker McQuary. provides can expect the same level of outstanding
customer service and attention to detail in this new
We gave out selfie sticks and received selfies from the sleekly designed convention centermany hotel. conference – even from camera-shy members.
Join Book Your Room: Call the hotel directly at 509-455-8888 oldest golf course for or call Marriott reservations at 800-228-9290. Identify a fun day ofYOU golf and THANK TO OUR CONFERENCE SPONSORS FOR THEIR SUPPORT: yourself as an attendee of the 2016 Washington Joint networking. Conference. Group room rates begin at $159 single or •
TITLE: Liberty Mutual & Safeco
double occupancy. Conference room block is valid until This• course is a favorite ELITE: Imperial of PFS, Progressive, Travelers Friday, August 12, 2016 and is subject to availability. many and is nestled in tall pines along the Spokane • MAJOR: Capital Premium Financing, Grange, MAPFRE, Mutual of Enumclaw, Nationwide, Western National River and Riverside State Park. Gently rolling terrain PARTNER: Encompass, Oregon Mutual and • views of the beautiful Spokane River are all part of your golfing experience. Downriver, established • SUPPORTING: Berkley NorthPacific, Capital Insurance Group, MetLife in 1916, has hosted many major tournaments and • CONTRIBUTING: Griffin Underwriting Services, provides a challenge to all skill levels. Downriver’s par Integrity Surety, Pacific International Underwriters, Prime Insurance Co, Superior Underwriters. 71 and 6,130 yards welcome your game. 18
Lori Reed, Rob Tripple, Dave Merrill
Annie Dimmitt, Young Agent of the Year
Rob Bush, Burnam Award Winner
IIABW President Kim Krogh
Frank Radford, Amberlyn McQuary Buratto
Amberlyn McQuary Buratto, Agent of the Year
Amy Perkins, PIA Chair
Tom Stratton, Dave Hargreaves, Ryan Porter
Kristie English, Incoming PIA Chair
Lori Reed, IIABW Incoming President 19
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Heidi Duncan and Amy Perkins
One of the “selfies”
Bob Horn, Rich Hawkins, Sue Knobeloch
Chris Jones, Jim Brown, Kristie English, Amy Perkins
Gabe Gonzalez, Industry Person of the Year
Scott, Barry and Craig Jones
Jeff Mumma, Ashley Kuaea, Rob Bush
Dave Merrill, Claire Merrill, Jerry Kelly
Robert Young, Mariane George
Cathy Holt, Susanne Felix, Rita Stephenson
Maggie Cooper, Marit Winger, Carissa Veltri, Courtney Carr
Denise Hesse, Dave Butler, Alisa Rorvick, Duane Henson
Dana Campbell, Rob Tripple
Garn Kemp, Dawn Irwin, Sue Knobeloch
Frank Harget, Denise Baker, Sue Knobeloch
Sold Out Trade Show 21
22
Dave Butler, Dan Holst, Ron Sarka
Dan Holst, Kim Krogh, Sue Knobeloch, Barb Kiser
Brittany Malkin, Brian McAlpine
Christina Goode, Shelby Janklow, Michael Ebert
Jim Gibbons, Ashley Kuaea
Nick Hansen, Ryan Pugh, Mary Townsend
Jim Brown, Jenny Lupescu
Mike Stutsman, Dean Young
Cretia Primmer, Kurt Krajic, Zach Turner, Max Kusske
Poker Tournament
Poker Tournament
Bob Hoogendam showing his poker face
Poker Tournament
Paul DeVenzio, winner of the poker tournament
Poker Tournament 23
RaeAnn Grant, Kristin Cuillier, Cretia Primmer, Flo
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Andy Hanson, Brent Schmitten, Craig Field, Greg Boyd (Second Place)
Chris Bolin, Raelena Bowell, Heather Park, Craig Law
Mark Backstrom, Rich Biggs, Dale Main, Rob Bush (Third Place)
Josh Hatley, Garn Kemp, David Babbitt, Heidi Duncan (First Place)
Duane Henson, Jeff Puffinburger, Bruce Thompson, Kurt Krajic
Melissa Power, Joe Kelly, Annie Dimmitt, Mary Lemon
Dave Street, Jerry Kelly, Thane Street, Rich Hawkins
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New Regulations for Insurance Agents H ere is a sampling of the new rules that IIABW has been working with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner on behalf of agents.
PRIVACY STATEMENTS PROPOSED RULE IIABW co-wrote a letter with the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), American Insurance Association (AIA), National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), and Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCIAA) to advocate in support of a proposed rule which would reduce the frequency most agencies would be required to send their customers privacy statements. Congress recently passed a law which eliminated financial institutions’ obligation to provide privacy notices each year if they had not changed its privacy policies. We argued that simplifying the annual privacy notice requirements benefits agencies by reducing the cost of sending out annual statements as well as benefits customers by making it easier for them to know if the policies have changed. UNINSURED MOTORISTS PROPOSED RULE The OIC is considering passing a rule which would amend the rejection of underinsured motorist insurance coverage requirement (RCW 48.22.030(4)) to include the following language, “In order to provide for an informed decision of the potential consequences of rejecting Underinsured motorist coverage; the undersigned acknowledges they understand that without Underinsured motorist coverage there is exposure to the risk of not being fully compensated for injury and/or damages when involved in an accident with a driver of an underinsured vehicle.” IIABW is working with the OIC to ensure the new rule meets its goal of educating the customer and also protects the agent from burdensome regulations and increased E & O exposure. 26
NEW CREDIT SCORING RULE Beginning January 1, 2017, a new rule will go into effect requiring insurers that use credit history for rating personal lines to update the credit history and resulting insurance score no less often than once every three years. The insurer must update all information necessary to determine the insurance score, including updating credit information on policyholders who were previously classified as “no hit” or “no score.”
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Strategic, succession and contingency planning Business growth and development Market feasibility studies Education, sales training and professional development Operational efficiency and process improvement For further information or details please see our website: www.bceconsulting.co or contact:
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Improvements to Our
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he Big I Professional Liability program is designed by agents, for agents, and for over 30 years now we’ve “had your back” with the largest and most stable agents E & O program available.
Agents and brokers, for more information please contact: Sue Brennan - President P.O. Box 2011 Edmonds, WA 98020 (425) 954-2322 Ed Bukovinsky - President 1200 Fifth Ave., Suite 1910 Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 708-2000
PROPERTY | CASUALTY | EXECUTIVE & PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY | AGRIBUSINESS | WORKERS’ COMP | HEALTHCARE | AVIATION LIFE SCIENCES | CONSTRUCTION | TRANSPORTATION | CLAIMS SERVICES | BINDING AUTHORITY | PERSONAL LINES R-T Specialty, LLC (RT), a subsidiary of Ryan Specialty Group, LLC, provides wholesale brokerage and other services to agents and brokers. RT is a Delaware limited liability company based in Illinois. As a wholesale broker, RT does not solicit insurance from the public. Some products may only be available in certain states, and some products may only be available from surplus lines insurers. In California: R-T Specialty Insurance Services, LLC License #0G97516. ©2016 Ryan Specialty Group, LLC
This Fall, our Big I member exclusive policy added new and expanded enhancements that elevate coverages independent agents want, based on feedback from our member agents. • • •
LOCAL SERVICE
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THE INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENTS & BROKERS OF WASHINGTON MATTER TO US.
That’s why Imperial PFS,® the leading source of premium funding for the IIAWA membership, has been located in the Pacific Northwest for more than 30 years. In addition to a strong local business, we are dedicated to Customer service and delivering advanced technology to better serve YOU. Our stable and experienced team finds creative solutions to help address your needs and grow your books of business. For more information on how Imperial PFS® can help you, contact: Bothell: 800.888.2750 | Spokane: 800.234.7373
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Increased Catastrophe Extra Expense Coverage Greater Loss of Earnings Coverage Broadened Regulatory Defense Coverage New Crisis Management Coverage Increased Breach of Data Coverage Improved Termination of Coverage Amended Insured vs. Insured Coverage Attractive Deductible Reduction Feature For more information contact Ashley Kuaea IIABW office 425-649-0102 ext. 225 akuaea@wainsurance.org
Connect with us anywhere, anytime using your Android or iOS device! Using a QR code reader app, scan the QR code above, or go to www.ipfs.com.
Visit us online at www.ipfs.com or download our mobile app.
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Records Retention Recommendation
S
wiss Re, IIABW’s endorsed E & O carrier, has changed its recommendations for records retention. Due to changes in technology from paper files to virtual files and cloud computing, and changes in privacy laws (Gram Leach Bliley Act, HIPAA, the Patriot Act and its successors), federal and state specific laws regarding notifications necessary due to data breaches, individual state laws regarding document retention, and individual agency/carrier agreement requirements, a “one size fits all” method of document retention is no longer conducive to good business practice. With the advent of digitized electronic documentation, the ability to store a vast amount of records in a relatively small electronic space has dramatically changed the ability to retain records. However, along with the ability to store documents electronically comes the vulnerability that people from outside your agency could obtain access to your records for purposes such as identity theft and corporate espionage.
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As to insurance agents E & O claims, the retention time period for agency file documentation that could relate to an E&O claim is simple: as long as possible. There are many factors that could have an effect on how long documents could be necessary to help in the defense of claim, including, but not limited to, statute of limitations or an extension of that limitation. At the same time the longer you retain such documents, the greater your exposure in the event of a data breach. Each agency must determine for itself the time period for its documents to be retained based upon their location, type of business and all of the factors previously mentioned. We recommend that you consult with legal counsel in developing your agency’s document retention policy. In Washington State, RCW 48.17.470 dictates record retention “shall be kept available and open to the inspection of the commissioner at any business time during the five years immediately after the date of the completion of such transaction.”
We Haven’t Raised Our Rates in 10 Years... Restaurant, Bar & Tavern Program Can your current restaurant, bar & tavern market make that claim?
We’ve had a restaurant, bar and tavern program for ten years and right now – today – it is Since 2000, have written program restaurants, barsaccounts, & tavernswe in Alaska, Oregon, morewe competitive thananit exclusive has ever been. Onon “target” (preferred) have been Washington and, more recently, in Colorado. We’ve written over 10,000 policies and over $50 consistently able to beat expiring pricing by 20% and more and our bind-to-quote ratio million is morein premiumthan in this class of business. 70%. We’re stable. We’ve been with the same carrier for over 10 years and our loss and loss expense ratio is the–six priorfor to submitting this advertisement, we have only lost two renewals and right at In 40% so weeks we’re here the long haul. our written premium versus the same period in 2009 has more than doubled. Our application We have great rates. Because we have been so profitable, we haven’t been forced to take the big rate flow is up more than five-fold. Most accounts are quoted within 4 to 48 hours. increases that have plagued our competition. We haveOur a strong form. Wenon-admitted are usually silent on policy Assaultform & Battery on the we offer several carrierpolicy is rated A- IX, and our is strong. ThisCGL is a and package policy other coverage advantages over our competition. that includes Property, General Liability and Liquor Liability. We have a Property broadening dohave not exclude Medical Payments. Battery is of usually included We are endorsement. growing rapidly.WeWe a very high “hit ratio” and, inAssault the first&six months the year, our written without limitation or sublimit on target accounts. We offer Food Borne Illness coverage with premium is up almost 40% over last year. We do rushes. sublimit. Our commission level is generally much higher than our competition’s. Regrettably, we are unable to consider nightclubs, adult entertainment or accounts with liquor serving issues. For No details substandard business program please. and target account eligibility criteria, and an about or thedistressed program, including application, please visit: http://www.surpluslines.com/products/restaurant-bar-tavern.asp
We compete favorably with all the major programs! Anchor Bay Insurance Managers, Anchor Bay Insurance Managers, Inc.Inc. Post Box Office // Silverdale, 98383 Post Office # Box 2510# 2510 // Silverdale, WAWA 98383 Contact Bill at (360) 649-8969 Phone: (800) 929-9560 // Tanner Fax: (800) 929-9794 www.SurplusLines.com Web: Web: www.SurplusLines.com Email: Info@ SurplusLines.com Email: Info@ SurplusLines.com
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A NAME THAT BUILDS RELATIONSHIPS At Risk Placement Services (RPS), we are committed to building relationships one retail partner at a time. Our stewardship begins by providing you access to the finest markets and top producers in the industry and providing customized solutions to meet your needs by designing, negotiating and tailoring individual risks that help you succeed. It’s a partnership you can count on! To learn more contact Bud Carter 480.860.5572 or email at Bud_Carter@RPSins.com. www.RPSins.com
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You’re passionate about your clients. We’re passionate about protecting them. You have a passion for supporting your clients. Liberty Mutual has a passion for protecting them with coverages like commercial auto, workers compensation, and business owner’s policy (BOP). With regional offices, industry understanding, and comprehensive coverages for businesses of all sizes, we have the local knowledge and national resources to help your clients thrive. Talk to your territory manager today about Liberty Mutual Insurance, or go to libertymutualgroup.com/business. We are proud to support the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Washington. @LibertyB2B
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