Texas Connection: October 2013 by FYI Express

More “News, Satire & Opinions for Independent Agents from Independent Agents” at www.PIATX.org

Texas Connection

Trick or Treat! Contents

Do you have Insurance License?

TRICK OR TREAT! ..................1

I’ll show you how to get the non-profit organizations in your neighborhood to send these clients to you. It will be the easiest insurance sale you will ever make (& you get commission on the entire amount paid by the policyholder and federal government subsidy).

VIVA LAS AGENTS!................3 ............................................3 AUTUMN WOOD SEARCH .....16 TEXAS PIA MEMBERSHIP HAS MORE ADVANTAGES! ..........22

Health

Are you a P&C only agency? Want to be brought up to date on all the “tricks” needed to maximize the opportunities from the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Confusion and a Super-Optimized Web Presence for your agency? The editorial content is valuable information but as always you should do your own due diligence and evaluation. The content is meant to be for informational purposes only and does NOT warrant an endorsement by the Texas Professional Insurance Agents in any form or fashion

Well … you are in for a “treat” if you attend the Texas PIA Holiday Casino & How To seminars on nd November 2 at Menger Hotel in San Antonio! Did you realize that most agencies do not have a “ghost of a chance” of being seen online because they have not implemented the free tools I’ll demonstrate at the seminar? Try this experiment. Type into your browser any insurance product sold in your agency. If your agency is not on page #1, 90% of those interested in buying do not know you exist. It’s as if you were invisible.

Come enjoy the Menger Hotel Ghost! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= hJPTKcX5pGY

Here’s another trick: go to www.GetListed.org and rate your visibility. I can show you how to make it 100% and blow away the competition.

Texas PIA’s Texas Connection

Page 1

You won’t get commission but I’ll show you how to have folks lining up at your door wanting ACA information. If you don’t remind them of all of their other insurance needs, you don’t deserve the title “Professional Insurance Agent”. In just 4 hours on Saturday nd afternoon, November 2 , you will learn all the “tricks” so you can “treat” your clients to the excellent customer service that you brag about. Then we will kick off the Holiday Season with an open bar, hors d’ oeuvres and Casino Night. And here’s a treat from the sponsors: use special promotional code Aggressive or Empower2013 when you register online and 20% discount will be auto-magically deducted from your fee. Make plans to attend registering online http://pia1102.eventbrite.com.

by at

Treat: “How to Claim Google Listings” Booklet for all attendees. Sample in this edition October, 2013

…

Solutions for Very Hard-to-Place Risks An Excess and Surplus Lines Carrier 1-800-257-5590 www.primeis.com

More “News, Satire & Opinions for Independent Agents from Independent Agents” at www.PIATX.org

Viva Las Agents! Let's start the Holiday Season in style with a day of marketing seminars, Trade Show and Holiday Casino Party at the historic Menger Hotel in San Antonio.

Agenda

5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Welcome Reception Room reservations only $99.00 Rooms only $99.00 per night at the Historic Menger Hotel as long as rooms are available. Call (800) 345 9285 and ask for special Group Code PIA2013.

1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.: Everything you need to know about the opportunities from the ACA Confusion

Members in good standing get $10,000 in PIA Casino Chips & earn up to 4 hours Association CE

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Everything you need to know about being on Page #1 in Google Local Search

with PIA

Agents & CSRs

Couples Registration = $100.00 Agent / CSR Online registration at http://pia1102.eventbrite.com Sponsorships Available Table Top Exhibit in Classroom = $250

Non-members get $5,000 in PIA Casino Chips

Casino Table Sponsorship = $250 Reception Refreshment Sponsorship = $250

Agent / CSR Online registration at http://pia1102.eventbrite.com

Contact Empower, Aggressive or AgencyThrive for special 20% off Registration Fees.

Prize Auction Casino Chips

Individual Registration = $59.00 Sponsored by Aggressive Insurance

Texas PIA Membership has more advantages!

Casino Party

Co-

Free Wi-Fi - Bring your iPads & Laptops for “Hands On” Training

Each sponsor gets an extra $5,000 in PIA Casino Chips to share with their favorite agents & CSRs

I’ll show you how to create QR marketing like this:

Company Representative Online Registration at http://pia1102.eventbrite.com

Online Registration at http://pia1102.eventbrite.com

How to Claim Your Free Google+ Local Listing

Local Customers are Searching Online for Your Agency RIGHT NOWâ&#x20AC;Ś Did They Find You?

We Can Help!

Safeco Insurance® At a Glance

When it comes to protecting what matters most, trust matters. You’ll never have to wonder if Safeco Insurance will be there when you need us most. From the smallest fender-bender to a storm-damaged home, Safeco has stood ready during the most trying moments for almost 90 years. Backed by the financial strength of Liberty Mutual Insurance, we have friendly employees across the country dedicated to meeting the needs of people like you.

For what you have, and what’s ahead.

Local advice and support.

With a comprehensive offering of coverage to meet your needs, responsive customer service, and local agents to help you choose and customize your options, we make it simple and convenient to protect what matters most to you – today and tomorrow.

We believe in the power of relationships. That’s why Safeco is sold exclusively through independent agents who live and work in your community – providing expertise, sensible advice and recommendations tailored to your needs.

The products you need, in one place. The Safeco® Package – combining your auto and home coverage – offers the best blend of savings, convenience and coverage available. • • •

Savings: Discounts of up to 15% on your premium when you combine home and auto coverage Convenience: A single bill for your policies Coverage: Superior value included in your base policies plus flexible coverage options for both your home and auto policies.

Responsive customer service. When you have a claim, we take care of it. It’s that simple. • •

Our claims and service professionals are available 24/7. We promise to contact everyone involved in your claim within one business day.

Financial strength you can trust. Safeco Insurance is a proud part of Liberty Mutual Insurance, a Fortune 100 company and the sixth-largest personal lines insurer in the country. Liberty Mutual is also rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company.

Safeco offers much more than auto and home, including: • • •

motorcycle classic car landlord protection

• •

boat umbrella

• •

RV renters

Talk to a local Safeco agent today. ©2013 Liberty Mutual Insurance Insurance is offered by Safeco Insurance Company of America and/or its affiliates, 1001 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98154. In Texas, insurance is being offered by one or more of the following Safeco Insurance companies: American Economy Insurance Company, American States Insurance Company of Texas, American Lloyds Insurance Company, American States Preferred Insurance Company, Safeco Insurance Company of America, First National Insurance Company of America, Safeco Insurance Company of Illinois, Safeco Insurance Company of Indiana, Safeco Lloyds Insurance Company, and General Insurance Company of America. The materials herein are for informational purposes only. Nothing stated herein creates a contract. All statements made are subject to provisions, exclusions, conditions and limitations of the applicable insurance policy. If the information in these materials conflicts with the policy language that it describes, the policy language prevails. Coverages and/or features not available in all states. Eligibility is subject to meeting applicable underwriting criteria. Not available in MA.

AP-2583E 03/13

Safeco.com

How to Claim Your Free Google+ Local Listing

I Never Realized Just How Much Business Was Driving Right Past My Door, Because They Couldn’t Find Me! ~Anonymous~ The methods of growing a insurance agency have changed drastically over the years… The influence of the internet and mobile phone technology has completely turned marketing upside down. The traditional marketing methods of old are no longer producing the same results they once did… From all indications though, the results from the new methods of marketing are exceeding everyone’s expectations...

In this Free Report we’ll show you why Local-Mobile Marketing is critical for your insurance agency, no matter how big or small. However, you don’t have to go it alone, this report will guide you through this process so that you can get the best results or instead, the services that can do it for you!

Download the 31-page PDF at: www.AgentsFirst.org www.Georgia-Agents.com www.AutoInsuranceAgentsNC.com www.FYIGeorgiaViews.com www.PIATX.org

Your clients deserve more than just insurance.

Offer them the added security of TicketProtect™ including emergency roadside services. Even good drivers make mistakes. Good drivers need protection against those times when a small driving error results in being issued a hefty summons. That’s why we’re offering a product that combines legal fee reimbursement with emergency roadside service.

TicketProtect™ can keep driving mistakes from becoming financial disasters. TicketProtect™ affords good drivers a safety net. Simple driving mistakes shouldn’t end up costing anyone a fortune in penalties. Ticket Protect™ will reimburse members for citations received up to $150, legal fees reimbursement up to $200, and up to $250 for defensive driving courses. This legal fee reimbursement benefit pays back members for most non-reckless vehicle citations.

Clients also receive Emergency Roadside Service and other valuable benefits! For more protection we’ve added Emergency Roadside Service featuring: • Towing • Fluid Delivery • Tire Change • Jump Starts • Lock-Out • Concierge Services Additional benefits include: • Hotel discounts • Car rental discounts • Trip Routing

Ask your carrier if they have TicketProtect™ For more information:

1.888.920.0091 Ext. 2005

Vehicle Administrative Services, Ltd. • 4287 Beltway Drive, Box #198 Addison, Texas 75001 • info@vehicleadminservices.com

TicketProtect™ powered by

MOTOR CLUB

How to Claim Your Free Google+ Local Listing

Introduction Insurance agency owners everywhere have always searched for ways of bringing more customers through their doors. It’s called advertising, and you either pay for it, or you learn effective ways to bring customers to your insurance agency without spending a dime. Customer responses to the yellow pages, newspapers, radio and even local TV ads are declining every year… yet some insurance agencies are booming even in this down economy… Nielsen Wire study: Over 65% of people use Google to find local services, versus only 0.2% still using the Yellow Pages

Google+ Locals is one of those best-kept secrets that successful insurance agency owners never want to share with their competitors.

Why? Because, it’s a FREE SERVICE that displays your insurance agency, to your local market, making it much easier for people to find you. It’s called Local Search… and you don’t need a website to use it! Compare it to a Free Yellow Pages display ad, only better! Google+ Local provides you with targeted advertising that attracts people who are ready to buy… even those just passing through! What makes Local Search Customers so Important? Statistics show that searches done by people in a 6 mile radius of your insurance agency are 90% Ready-To-Buy, with money in hand! -3Copyright 2012 www.AgencyThrive.com All Rights Reserved

How to Claim Your Free Google+ Local Listing

Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................. - 3 L e g a l N o t i c e .............................................................................. - 5 The Edge on the Competition ......................................................... - 6 An Even Bigger Edge…................................................................... - 7 This is How to Stand Out Among the Crowd .................................. - 8 How to Get a Prized Top 7 Listing .................................................. - 9 1.

Set Up Your Google+ Local Mobile Listing ....................................... - 9 -

Citations.......................................................................................... - 9 -

Get Listed on many other Local Search Sites ................................... - 9 -

Endorsements ............................................................................... - 10 -

Reviews ........................................................................................ - 10 -

Be Social, Market Your insurance agency at other Sites ................ - 10 -

Engage with your followers at your Google+ Page ........................ - 10 -

How Important is Mobile Marketing? ........................................... - 11 QR Codes – Funny Name Powerful Marketing Tool ...................... - 12 Text Messages that Make Money ................................................. - 12 How to Claim Your Free Google+ Local Mobile Listing ................. - 13 Step 1 – Create an Account with Google .............................................. - 13 Step 2 - Find Your Listing .................................................................... - 14 Step 3 – Are You the Business Owner? ................................................ - 14 Step 4 – Basic Information .................................................................. - 15 Step 5 – Service Area and Location Settings… ..................................... - 19 Step 6 – Hours of operation… .............................................................. - 20 Step 7 – Payment options… ................................................................. - 20 Step 8 – Photos… ................................................................................ - 21 Step 9 – Videos… ................................................................................. - 22 Step 10 – Additional Details… ............................................................. - 22 Step 11 – Important Note* .................................................................. - 23 Step 12 – Validate The Listing ............................................................. - 23 -

More About the Verification Process... ......................................... - 25 You Did It! Now Get to the TOP! .................................................. - 26 Adding an Offer Coupon............................................................... - 27 What’s Next? Getting to the Next Level ....................................... - 28 -4Copyright 2012 www.AgencyThrive.com All Rights Reserved

More “News, Satire & Opinions for Independent Agents from Independent Agents” at www.PIATX.org

In addition, severance pay often is added to early retirement packages to make them more attractive. It also can be a valuable tool to use in sensitive situations where you are encouraging an employee to resign or are negotiating a release from legal claims in an effort to prevent potential litigation.

Severance Pay and Terminated Employees Q&A By Robin Thomas, Managing Editor Severance pay generally is not required unless you have a contract or policy requiring that you pay it to employees at termination. However, there may be circumstances when you feel you should pay severance. Find out how most employers treat severance and whether it is taxable income to employees.

Severance generally is not paid when an employee is terminated for performance reasons or for violating work rules. (Though, an exception to this general rule is when an employer is concerned about potential litigation over the termination and so pays severance in exchange for a release agreement, for example if the employer’s disciplinary policies and procedures were not followed and the terminated employee is a minority or over 40.) In addition, severance usually is not offered when an employee voluntarily resigns or refuses a transfer, unless the transfer involves a major pay cut or significant change in working conditions.

Q: Should we offer severance pay to terminated employees, and who should be eligible for severance? Should we have a written policy addressing it? Finally, is severance pay treated as regular income to employees? A: Severance pay, defined as extra compensation paid to employees as a result of their involuntary termination, generally is not required by law. However, a few states, such as Maine, require the payment of severance in the case of plant relocations or shutdowns. You should check applicable state law for coverage. And note that while the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act) requires covered employers to provide employees advance notice of certain layoffs, it does not provide for severance benefits per se. Instead, an employer that does not satisfy the WARN Act’s notice requirements may be liable for back pay for the notice period. (Download free Severance Pay model policy including HR best practices and legal background.) So, you generally are not legally required to pay severance unless you have a contractual obligation to do so, such as a collective bargaining agreement or other written agreement, a promise in employee handbooks or personnel policies to pay severance, or a consistently implemented practice of paying severance to employees in the same position. Severance pay is used most often to provide a cushion or bridge for certain terminated employees while they are looking for new employment. Typically, it is paid only to employees who are terminated for reasons beyond their control, such as a reduction in force or the elimination of the job. In addition, most employers restrict eligibility for severance pay to full-time employees and exclude temporary and part-time workers. Length of service requirements, such as one year of full-time employment, are also used by most organizations. And some employers limit severance pay to certain categories of employees, such as exempt employees, key managers, or highly trained technical employees.

Opinions differ on the wisdom of including detailed severance policies in employee handbooks. Many employers are reluctant to commit to a specific plan because they want to retain maximum flexibility in determining when severance will be given. However, since the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) covers most severance plans, they generally should be in writing. Normally, a severance pay policy is covered by ERISA if it constitutes a “plan, fund or program ... established or maintained by an employer” for the purpose of providing severance or unemployment benefits. A severance pay arrangement will be considered a “plan, fund, or program” subject to ERISA if it involves significant discretion on the part of the employer in determining the eligibility of employees or the amount of severance pay due or if benefits are payable following different triggering events (as opposed to a policy adopted for application only to a single plant closing or workforce reduction). As a way to deal with the need for a written policy, some employers limit detailed information to their benefit plan summary material. They then include a reference to the plan material in their handbooks and direct all questions to HR. Remember, though, any reference to severance pay in your handbooks should make clear that employees are not automatically entitled to this benefit and that all workers are not eligible to receive severance. And, as with all policies, make sure you have your attorney review it to ensure compliance with federal and state employment laws. (Download free Severance Pay model policy including HR best practices and legal background.) Continued on page 14

Special severance packages also can be added as extra inducements to recruit or retain employees during unsettled periods such as mergers or takeovers, reductions in force, and bankruptcy. Texas PIA’s Texas Connection

Page 12

October, 2013

More “News, Satire & Opinions for Independent Agents from Independent Agents” at www.PIATX.org

Severance Pay and Terminated Employees continued from page 12

should consult with a tax attorney regarding whether taxes should be withheld from severance benefits.

Finally, regarding withholding taxes from severance pay, in the past employers generally have treated severance pay as normal wages for tax purposes and so withhold Social Security and Medicare taxes (required by the Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA)) and federal income taxes from severance payments, and courts have agreed with this position in the few times the issue has been litigated. For example, in CSX Corp. v. United States, 518 F.3d 1328 (Fed. Cir. 2008), the court stated “A separation payment may be designed to induce the employee to leave or to cushion the effect of a separation, but that does not deprive the payment of its character as wages under the broad definition of that term for purposes of FICA.” The court agreed with the trial court that the separation allowances constituted taxable wages and compensation. However, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, in United States v. Quality Stores, Inc., 693 F.3d 605 (6th Cir. 2012) recently questioned the CSX Corp. decision and found that severance pay generally is considered supplemental unemployment compensation benefits and is not compensation for work performed and thus is not taxable under either FICA or federal income tax withholding. Because of the conflict between the Appeals Courts, you Texas PIA’s Texas Connection

YOU CAN TRUST PPS Information provided in HR Matters E-Tips is researched and reviewed by the HR experts at Personnel Policy Service as well as employment law attorneys. However, it is not intended as legal advice. Readers are encouraged to seek appropriate legal or other professional advice. Interested in using an article from HR Matters E-Tips on your Web site or in a newsletter? Please contact Robin Thomas, Managing Editor of Personnel Policy Service, Inc., to request permission. You can contact her by email at editor@ppspublishers.com. Please note that the information in every issue of HR Matters E-Tips is the original, copyrighted work of Personnel Policy Service, Inc., and is protected under U.S. copyright laws. As such, you may not reprint or publish in any format any article or portion of article from HR Matters E-Tips without the express permission of Personnel Policy Service, Inc.

Remember, too, we encourage you to pass along any issue of the E-Tips by forwarding it to friends and colleagues. Page 14 October, 2013

More “News, Satire & Opinions for Independent Agents from Independent Agents” at www.PIATX.org

Texas PIA has a new program that lets you earn more commissions. We've teamed up with goagents.com to offer you great new products. Easy to sell some of the fastest growing products: Pet Health Insurance, Auto, Motorcycle, Appliance and Home Warranties.

Membership & General Information

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Joe Tipton Membership Director

All of these products are click and buy online. Absolutely no paper chasing or additional work for you.

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TEL: 972-862-3333

FAX: 972-307-7888

Cell: 972-965-2025

Joe@PIATX.org

PIA National

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It's completely free for PIA of Texas

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Agents.

Renewing your E&O every year isn’t much fun, is it? Sign up today and start earning additional commissions. http://www.goagents.com/piatx

For more information about the products and take a quick tour stop by: http://www.goagents.com/agents

For additional questions you can also contact GoAgents at 800-245-8726 option 6.

Scan to Subscribe to Texas Connection

Don’t you want to make sure that you’re getting the best price for the best coverage you can get on your renewal? Why not compare with another company for your peace of mind? It costs you nothing and you don’t have to be a member of PIA of Texas to move your coverage. Go to the E&O Program link at www.PIATX.org and print the applicable application and e-mail or fax it to us. Do you want higher E&O limits but your carrier won’t quote what you want? That’s not a problem. Go to the E&O Program at www.PIATX.org and print the umbrella application from the link shown. Fill out the application and send it to us.

http://www.formstack.com/for ms/?1485393-PQNoD5tFVS

E&O Contacts

Houston area

Dallas area

Bob Dixon

Ray Reyes

bdixon@piatx.org

ray@piatx.org

866-577-7428

214-618-2365

832-375-0787

Texas PIA’s Texas Connection

Page 15

October, 2013

Autumn Word Search U S V R V F H O E L Y A S T S R F V

S K T T E S Q Q F A L T Z H T E A A

U C K H A B U S D E U A A A U D R C

T A A U G I M Y C N A L F N N L M H

ACORN APPLE BIRD MIGRATION BLOWING LEAVES BLUSTERY DAY CANNING CHESNUTS CHILLY COLD CROPS EQUINOX FALL FARMING

B T Q R N I R E S H L S S K Y E I I

T S N O E E N E V O O E T S R A N L

F Y X R T C H R W O V O D G O V G L

Y A O S O C R E E A N T L I K E R Y

I H U S T C E O E G Q A O V C S E E

M L W Z Y N A L W D N T C I I N B K

B I R D M I G R A T I O N N H U O R

FEAST FROST HALLOWEEN HARVEST HAYSTACK HICKORY NUTS LONGER NIGHTS NOVEMBER OCTOBER ORANGE LEAVES PIE PUMPKIN RAKE

Q G N I N N A C E K X P L G L U T U

C I B G I S Y A D R E T R O H S C T

W R P W Y E L L O W L E A V E S O C

Z I O N I K P M U P S E A S O N Q R

E L H A R V E S T W V W E L P P A O

B S E P T E M B E R O S F R O S T P

S E V A E L E G N A R O E K A R G S

RED LEAVES SCARECROW SCHOOL SEASON SEPTEMBER SHORTER DAYS SQUASH SWEET POTATOES THANKSGIVING TURKEY WINDY YELLOW LEAVES Solution elsewhere in this edition

More “News, Satire & Opinions for Independent Agents from Independent Agents” at www.PIATX.org

Online Registration at http://pia1102.eventbrite.com Agents & CSRs

Company Reps

Individual Registration = $59.00

Table Top Exhibit in Classroom only $250

Couples Registration = $100.00

Casino Table Sponsorship only $250

Agent / CSR Online http://pia1102.eventbrite.com

registration

Members in good standing get $10,000 in PIA Casino Chips Non-members get $5,000 in PIA Casino Chips Texas PIA’s Texas Connection

Reception Refreshment Co-Sponsorship only $250 Each sponsor gets an extra $5,000 in PIA Casino Chips to share with their favorite agents & CSRs Company Representative Online http://pia1102.eventbrite.com

Page 17

Registration

October, 2013

Autumn Word Search Solution + S + R + + H + E L Y + S T S R F +

S K T + E S + Q F A L T + H T E A +

+ C + H A B U S D E U A A A U D R C

+ A A U G I M Y C N A L F N N L M H

+ T Q R N I R E S H L S S K Y E I I

(Over,Down,Direction) ACORN(10,7,NW) APPLE(16,17,N) BIRD MIGRATION(11,1,S) BLOWING LEAVES(17,1,SW) BLUSTERY DAY(11,1,SW) CANNING(12,8,N) CHESNUTS(8,6,SW) CHILLY(3,18,E) COLD(10,13,W) CROPS(14,18,E) EQUINOX(1,9,NE) FALL(4,13,NW)

+ S N O E E N E V O O E T S R A N L

+ Y X R T C H R W O V O D G O V G L

+ A + S O C R E E A N T L I K E R Y

+ H U + + C E O E G + A O V C S E E

+ L + + Y N A L W + N T C I I + B K

B I R D M I G R A T I O N N H + O R

+ G N I N N A C + + + P L G + + T U

FARMING(1,17,E) FEAST(2,9,SE) FROST(17,13,S) HALLOWEEN(2,14,NE) HARVEST(16,3,S) HAYSTACK(9,2,W) HICKORY NUTS(11,15,W) LONGER NIGHTS(12,13,NW) NOVEMBER(8,11,NW) OCTOBER(14,17,W) ORANGE LEAVES(18,12,N) PIE(14,3,NE) PUMPKIN(15,10,N)

+ I + + I S Y A D R E T R O H S C T

W + P W Y E L L O W L E A V E S O C

+ I O N I K P M U P S E A S O N + R

E L H A R V E S T + + W E L P P A O

B S E P T E M B E R + S F R O S T P

S E V A E L E G N A R O E K A R + S

RAKE(18,16,N) RED LEAVES(1,16,E) SCARECROW(2,1,SE) SCHOOL(3,8,SE) SEASON(15,11,S) SEPTEMBER(17,2,S) SHORTER DAYS(13,16,N) SQUASH(6,2,SW) SWEET POTATOES(17,12,W) THANKSGIVING(1,14,E) TURKEY(13,18,W) WINDY(14,1,SW) YELLOW LEAVES(14,5,S)

The Texas PIA is pleased to announce the endorsement of Imperial PFS. Imperial PFS is one of the largest premium finance companies in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Built on a foundation of close working relationships with our agency partners, our national expertise and personal service make us the industry leader. We are committed to providing superior customer service and the most efficient finance process available. The Imperial PFS Advantage:        

Easy loan acceptance with no impact to your client’s existing credit lines Flexible terms and fixed rate for length of loan Multiple policies financed with one loan and the convenience of one bill Low minimum amount financed and no maximum Payment options including an online ACH or credit card payment, check by mail, automatic debit and IVR phone payment Online quoting and ease with account management Online account information available for insureds to view account history and make payments. Cancellation warning email to agents and insureds

Your participation with Imperial PFS not only benefits your agency but your association as well. With local sales executives and regional branch offices, we offer a unique perspective to accommodate your needs. Please contact Lynn Wiegand at 713.419.4491 or your Imperial PFS branch office at 800.444.8815. We look forward to working with you.

More “News, Satire & Opinions for Independent Agents from Independent Agents” at www.PIATX.org

Letters to the Editor Chris Beeler I read quite a few blogs to stay sharp on my industry. Today I read one of the most common sense comments regarding the Affordable Care Act I've come across thus far. I was compelled to copy and paste the comment here.

Advertise in the Texas Connection Attention: Insurance Companies, MGA’s, Premium Finance Companies & Insurance Industry Vendors:

When car liability insurance became mandatory some people thought "it will kill other car insurance coverage options that are not mandatory". Guess what – it didn’t.

Check out the rates for the most cost effective method of keeping your message in front of your customers …

People still buy “uninsured motorist” coverage. The price of UM coverage went down though. When Geico, Progressive, E-Surance and others moved massively to the Internet to sell auto insurance directly to consumers, industry experts were screaming that such a move is a death sentence to local insurance agents; "consumers are sure to go online for a cheaper version of auto insurance that saves on the added cost of an agent's commission".

The Independent Insurance Agent.

Guess what – Geico is running an advertising campaign touting their nationwide opening of “brick and mortar” agencies in local neighborhoods. Allstate, State Farm and Farmers agents are still in business, at least those of them that do a decent job of serving their policyholders. What the Affordable Care Act is doing is a very simple thing: take the insurance model that completely failed (healthcare) and model it after the insurance model that is totally successful – auto insurance. Imagine for a second that your car insurance is connected to your employer and when you leave them, so goes your auto insurance coverage. Weird, huh? Imagine that when you lose your job nobody in your family can drive the cars you own anymore because all of them uninsured. Crazy, right? I’m not saying the Obama care formula is perfect at the moment. There will be a period of settling down and ironing out wrinkles. At first there will be additional taxes for some and no doubt an increase in everybody’s cost. But down the road? You will not see $700 bill for a semiprivate room where the nurse pokes her head twice in a 12 hour period. For that kind of money you can have a room in Ritz with the staff that is much more attentive and bathroom that may be cleaner and more well-appointed.

Ad Size

Monthly

Pre-Pay 6 Issues

Full Page (7.5” x 10”)

$175.00

$900.00

Half - Page (7.5” x 5”)

$100.00

$500.00

Quarter-Page (3.75” x 5”)

$75.00

$375.00

1/8 - Page (3.75” x 2.5”)

$50.00

$250.00

Questions? Contact Eddie K. Emmett at eddie@piatx.org or (770) 312-2342.

Letters to the Editor Do you have a comment about something you read in Texas Connection? Do you have an opinion about something going on that will affect the insurance industry? Do you want to share your opinion & comment with the rest of Texas Insurance Industry? Send your e-mails to eddie@piatx.org. And if you wish for it to be posted as “Anonymous”, just say so. I have yet to betray a confidence.

So, I plead with you all; Calm down and help. Or stay aside and shut up. Just stop trying to incite panic.

Editor’s Note: Come learn all about the opportunities of Affordable Care Act at our meeting on November 2nd in San Antonio. Register today at http://pia1102.eventbrite.com Texas PIA’s Texas Connection

Page 20

October, 2013

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Texas PIA’s Texas Connection

Page 23

October, 2013

Certain Flood Insurance Subsidies Eliminated Texas Policyholders Could See Rate Increases By Dennis Kuhns, Division Director, Risk Insurance, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, FEMA Flood insurance premiums for some of your clients will increase starting Oct. 1 as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to implement the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (BW-12). You can help your clients understand the changes and prepare for their new bill. The most important thing to know is that not everyone will see immediate rate increases as a result of BW-12. And only one group of policyholders — those in high-risk areas and in Zone D who pay pre-FIRM subsidized rates — might be affected by the changes taking place this year.

Only about 19 percent of all National Flood Insurance Program policies nationwide, or roughly 1.1 million, are subsidized. But the numbers vary from state to state and county to county. According to data compiled in December, Texas has the sixth largest number of subsidized flood insurance policies in the country with more than 61,000, or about 10 percent of all policies in the state. The other roughly 584,000 flood insurance policies are not subsidized and will not be affected by the removal of subsidies. However, your clients might not know what a preFIRM subsidized policy is, let alone if they fit into that category. One way to help them know if they might be affected is to answer true or false to the following three statements: 1. The home or business is in a Special Flood Hazard Area (A, AE, A1-30, AH, AO, V, VE, V1-30) or undetermined risk area (Zone D.) 2. It was built before the community adopted its first Flood Insurance Rate Map (known as pre-FIRM) and was not rated with an Elevation Certificate.

3. A series of 9s or “null” appears in the Elevation Field on the policy’s declarations page indicating it is not elevation rated. If all three are true, the client probably pays a preFIRM subsidized rate. However, that does not necessarily mean the subsidy will be removed at renewal.

Texas Counties with the Most Pre-FIRM Subsidized Policies County Subsidized NonSubsidized Harris 20,904 249,302 Galveston 7,441 54,021 Dallas 2,072 5,226 Travis 2,057 6,461 Tarrant 1,942 5,932 Taylor 1,714 2,760 Brazoria 1,617 34,067 Lubbock 1,536 802 Bexar 1,319 6,915 Nueces 991 30,002 Source: FEMA

Removing subsidies There are several triggers to begin the removal of a subsidy. You can determine the full-risk rate by rating the policy using an Elevation Certificate. Policyholders with non-primary residences, business properties and properties that have experienced severe or repeated flooding will see a gradual removal of their subsidies. Policyholders of newly purchased properties, new policies and lapsed policies will lose their subsidies all at once. As of Jan. 1, rates for pre-FIRM, non-primary residences in most high-risk areas and Zone D began increasing 25 percent each year at renewal until they reach full-risk rates. The timing of these increases will vary.

HARTFORD FLOOD NOW AVAILABLE TO PIA MEMBERS EASY ENROLLMENT. COMPETITIVE COMMISSIONS. EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE. The Hartford and PIA have joined together to provide PIA member agents the opportunity to offer your customers flood insurance through The Hartford. The program is available to PIA members and their policyholders in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

The PIA Advantage® As a participant in PIA National’s official flood insurance program, you have the power of PIA behind you. Our dedicated staff is here to help should you need assistance. Furthermore, participating PIA members have access to the Flood Insurance Marketing Support Center – a PIA member-only benefit.

Contact Us For questions or more information about the program and how it can fit your agency, contact Joseph Surowiecki, Hartford Flood Program Director at 860-547-5006, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST or learn more at www.pianet.com/floodinsuranceprogram Through its national flood insurance service center, The Hartford offers the most advanced Internet services available including: • Flood Zone Determinations • Claims Reporting • Policy Database Download and Maintenance • Electronic Application Submission • Electronic Movement of Premium Commission Funds • Rating Software Download • Production Reports • Assistance in Obtaining Elevation Certificates • Repetitive Loss Review

Beginning Oct. 1, additional pre-FIRM subsidized rates in most high-risk areas and Zone D will increase as follows. Policies for the following properties will receive 25 percent annual increases until reaching full-risk rates: • Business properties (this will apply to all nonresidential properties) • Properties that have experienced severe or repeated flooding

The following types of policies will receive full-risk rates at policy purchase/renewal: • Policies for properties purchased on or after July 6, 2012 • • 2012

Recommend that clients who are phasing into their full-risk rate at 25 percent a year obtain an Elevation Certificate even though it is not immediately required. For some policyholders, the full-risk rate could be lower than the subsidized rate, and you can revise their premiums accordingly. Mitigation might be the most cost-effective option for clients whose full-risk rates are significantly higher than the subsidized rates. Be prepared to offer suggestions to help lower their premium — and their risk — such as elevating their homes above the Base Flood Elevation, installing flood vents or using breakaway walls. More information about BW-12 including a Quick Reference Guide and informational videos can be found at FEMA.gov/BW12. For information and resources to help sell flood insurance, visit Agents.FloodSmart.gov.

Policies purchased on or after July 6, 2012

Don’t Let Your Referral Program Registration Expire!

Lapsed policies reinstated on or after Oct. 4,

To join or maintain your eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Agent Referral Program, you must participate in 2 hours of flood training every 2 years and provide written proof of training completion to FloodSmart. Beginning in November of 2013, existing agents in the program who haven’t provided this documentation during the last 2 years will be required to provide it in order to stay in the program.

Primary residences that do not fit into any of the categories listed above will keep their subsidies unless and until they fall into one of the categories above. However, they are not impervious to rate increases. FEMA regularly updates rates in the NFIP Flood Insurance Manual. In October, those who retain their pre-FIRM subsidized rates will see an average increase of 16 to 17 percent. As of December 2012, more than 39,800 subsidized policies fall into the category of primary residences that will not lose their subsidy at this time. More than 15,600 subsidized policies in the state will be affected by the 25 percent increase. There is no plan at this time to remove subsidies for condos or multi-family housing structures. More than 5,900 policies in the state fall into this category. Official guidance on the changes and implementing new rates can be found in WYO Bulletins. Helping clients For you to determine the full-risk rate, your clients must provide you with an Elevation Certificate. The Homeowner’s Guide to Elevation Certificates might help them navigate the process. Policyholders moving directly to the full-risk rates will receive a renewal notice that will not include a renewal premium because an Elevation Certificate is not yet on file for the building. Consider reaching out to these clients in advance to encourage them to get an Elevation Certificate before their policy expires. If an Elevation Certificate is not provided by the expiration date, you can rate the policy using tentative rates for up to one year. However, tentative rates are significantly higher than the subsidized rates, and the policy must be elevation-rated before a claim can be paid.

As an agent who is registered in the FloodSmart Agent Referral Program, you receive a number of benefits, including: Listing in direct mail pieces sent to prospects in your area Free transfers of prospects who phone into the NFIP Referral Call Center Free referral from prospects who use the One-Step Flood Risk Profile or the Agent Locator tool on FloodSmart.gov A host of sales and marketing tools and other resources Eligibility to participate in the Co-Op Program (relaunching in 2014)

Over the next several months, agents who do not have current training on file will receive a series of emails reminding them to provide documentation of completion from the organization that provided the training. There are three ways to submit proof of this training. You can email a certificate of training to certificates@nfipfloodsmart.com, fax it to (703) 8919866, or upload it to your profile on Agents.FloodSmart.gov. We hope you will continue to enjoy the rewards and benefits of participating in the NFIP Agent Referral Program. Please contact us at support@nfipfloodsmart.com if you have questions.

Mendota Road & Key Mendota is pleased to offer an emergency roadside assistance service, Mendota Road & Key. This exclusive motor club provides benefits to protect you that extend beyond traditional emergency roadside assistance. Mendota Road & Key benefits are explained below.

Program Highlights: Standard Benefits

24-Hour Emergency Roadside Assistance • Lockout Assistance • Towing • Concierge Service (emergency • Jump Starts phone call support & assistance) • Tire Changes

• Vehicle Fluid Delivery Custom Trip Routing Service Upon request, members will be assisted with driving directions, maps and travel itineraries for domestic auto travel within the U.S. Members can also receive assistance with reservations for air, rental car and hotel. Hotel Discounts Members can take advantage of savings when making reservations at well-known national hotel chains nationwide. Rental Car Discounts Members enjoy car rental discounts at selected, nationally recognized companies across the U.S. and Canada.

Deluxe Benefits

A Deluxe Membership includes all Standard Benefits, as well as:

Key Replacement Members may have either their key or key remote (fob) replaced if lost, stolen or destroyed, with up to a $500 coverage limit. Other key protection includes: home, boat, RV and motorcycle. Alternate Transportation Coverage Should you not be able to replace your key or key remote (fob) immediately, you may be reimbursed for alternate transportation to your destination up to $75 per disablement.