e-Insight - December 2022 - Non-Member

By AnneMarie McPherson Spears

By Robyn Rivera

Board of Directors

Executive Committee

Chairman of the Board | Jay Peterson, AFIS, LUTCF (217) 935-6605 | jay@peterson.insurance

President | Kevin Lesch (630) 830-3232 | klesch@arachasgroup.com

President-Elect | Allyson Padilla (618) 393-2195 | allyson@blanksinsurance.com

Vice President | Patrick Taphorn, CIC, CSRM (309) 347-2177 | ptaphorn@unland.com

Secretary/Treasurer | Cindy Jackman, CIC, CISR (800) 878-9891 x8745 | cjackman@arlingtonroe.com

IIABA National Director | George Daly (708) 845-3311 | george.daly@thehortongroup.com

Regional Directors

Region 1 | James Sager (618) 322-9891 | james@sagerins.com

Region 2 | Ray Roentz (618) 639-2244 | ray.roentz@hwcrins.com

Region 3 | Christopher Leming (217) 321-3185 | cleming@troxellins.com

Region 4 | Bart Hartauer, CIC (815) 223-1795 | hartauer@hartauer.com

Region 5 | Noele Tatlock (309) 642-6855 | ntatlock@unland.com

Region 6 | Thomas Evans, Jr. (779) 220-6564 | tevans@crumhalsted.com

Region 7 | David Jenk, Esq. (312) 239-2717 | djenk@nwibrokers.com

Region 8 | Charles Hruska (708) 798-5700 | chas@hruskains.com

Region 9 | Lindsey Polzin (630) 513-6600 | lpolzin@presidiogrp.com

Region 10 | Mohammed Ali CS (847) 847-2126 | mali@aliminsurance.com

At-Large Director | Amiri Curry (847) 797-5700 | acurry@assuranceagency.com

At-Large Director | Jeff McMillan (815) 265-4037 | jeff@mcmillanins.com

At-Large Director | Patrick Muldowney (312) 595-7192 | patrick.muldowney@alliant.com

At-Large Director | Luke Sandrock, CIC (815) 772-2793 | lsandrock@2cornerstone.com

Committee Chairs

Budget & Finance | Cindy Jackman, CIC, CISR (800) 878-9891 x8745 | cjackman@arlingtonroe.com

Education | Lisa Lukens (618) 942-2556 | salibainsurance@gmail.com

Farm Agents Council | Steve Foster (217) 965-4663 | s.foster@ciagonline.com

Government Relations | Dustin Peterson (217) 935-6605 | dustin@peterson.insurance

Planning & Coordination | Nick Gunn, CIC (309) 691-1300 | nickgunn@nixonagency.com

Technology | Brian Ogden (217) 632-2206 | brian@ogdeninsurance.com

Young Agents | Renee Crissie (224) 217-6577 | renee@crissieins.com

Director of Information and Technology Shannon Churchill - (217) 321-3004 - schurchill@iiaofil.org

Director of Education and Agency Resources Brett Gerger, CIC - (217) 321-3006 - bgerger@iiaofil.org

Accounting & Admin Services Tami Hubbell, CIC - (217) 321-3016 - thubbell@iiaofil.org

Director of Human Resources, Board Admin Jennifer Jacobs, SHRM-CP - (217) 321-3013 - jjacobs@iiaofil.org

Sr. Vice President/Chief Financial Officer Mark Kuchar - (217) 321-3015 - mkuchar@iiaofil.org

Chief Executive Officer Phil Lackman, IOM - (217) 321-3005 - plackman@iiaofil.org

Central/Southern Marketing Representative Lori Mahorney, CISR Elite - (217) 415-7550 - lmahorney@iiaofil.org

Director of Government Relations Evan Manning - (217) 321-3002 - emanning@iiaofil.org

Office Administrator Kristi Osmond, CISR - (217) 321-3007 - kosmond@iiaofil.org

Director of Communications Rachel Romines - (217) 321-3024 - rromines@iiaofil.org

Director of Membership Services Tom Ross, CRIS, CPIA - (217) 321-3003 - tross@iiaofil.org

Products & Services Administrator Janet White, CISR - (217) 321-3010 - jwhite.indep12@insuremail.net Director of Prof. Liability & Ins. Products Carol Wilson, CPIA - (217) 321-3011 - cwilson.indep12@insuremail.net

TRUST US TO PROTECT WHAT THEY’VE BUILT

From tools to outdoor signs, our Contractor’s insurance coverages are a great foundation for those in the business of building. Trust in Tomorrow.® Contact us today.

“Trust in Tomorrow.” and the “Grinnell Mutual” are registered trademarks of Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company. © Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, 2022.

Carrier Relationships

I want to start off by wishing everyone a fantastic holiday season. If the past few years have taught me anything, it is how important family is and to value the moments we have together.

Relationships are what I would like to focus on this month, specifically the relationships we have with our carriers.

One of the most popular events of our annual convention is the Tradeshow. This year I made it a point to go around and visit every booth to thank them for attending and being part of CONVO 2022.

A common theme I heard amongst the attendees was that CONVO is a great place for them to see and interact with multiple agents. For them, that is especially important in today’s environment because they are having trouble getting to see their agents on a regular basis.

While I don’t want to sit here and preach to my fellow agents, I would like to REMIND you that as independent agents, one of the greatest things we offer to our clients is the ability to provide multiple options. With those options, we offer great relationships with the carriers that offer value beyond just competitive insurance prices.

Our carrier relationships help us understand the marketplace, give us underwriting expertise, discover support programs, provide us claim support, or even may help you write that tough-to-place account. I cannot tell you the number of times I have been sitting with a carrier marketing representative, explaining an account to them that I felt there was no way they would ever consider writing. Lo and behold, they were placing the insurance

IIA OF IL PRESENTS

EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM

RECEIVE UP TO 18 HOURS IL CE

JANUARY 10, 17, & 24

9:00 AM - NOON & 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Make the TIME to see your carrier. It is worth the investment and part of the process that makes our industry the best option for the insurance consumer.

My book recommendation of the month: Patrick Lencioni, The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate the Three Essential Virtues – some fun holiday reading for you.

Happy Holidays!

The Education Symposium offers up to 18 hours of IL CE presented by topic experts! You can’t get that anywhere else!

Offering the symposium virtually on Tuesdays allows us to spread the seminars over a three-week period, and there is no need to drive in the nasty January weather! Choose one, two, or three days (BEST VALUE). Each class instructor is extremely knowledgeable in their field (representatives from NCCI and FEMA, 20+ year State Regulator, and more!) Read the speaker bios here. Plus, the PFTA session includes Ethics CE credit.

Find details and register at www.iiaofil.org/education.

BUT SOMETIMES IT DOES.

And that’s the Silver Lining®.

It shouldn’t take a storm of immense proportions to find out who your customers can count on.

national director's message |

Announcements & Agency Universe Study

As your new national director, I wanted to share some information with all of you. First, there is some important leadership information that is worthy of communication to our membership. I want to announce the Big “I” Board of Directors elected our very own Greg Sandrock as the newest at-large Executive Committee member. This is a big deal for Illinois as Greg is now on a path to becoming National Big I Chair several years from now. Greg’s term began immediately following the September Big “I” Board meeting.

In addition, I would like to include a summary of the recently published Agency Universe Study. This study provides a comprehensive look at the entire independent agency system. The study details statistics about independent insurance agencies, including information about revenue, employee mix, ownership structure, the mix of products and segments, technology, marketing, and much more. I encourage you to learn more by accessing the entire Agency Universe Study on the Big “I” website.

Key findings from the Agency Universe Study are on the next page.

Also, IIABA President & CEO Bob Rusbuldt, the longestserving CEO of the association, announced that he will retire on August 31, 2023, after 37 years. It was announced that the long-time Big “I” head of Government Affairs, Charles Symington, will become IIABA’s next President & CEO on September 1, 2023. On behalf of the IIA of IL membership, I congratulate Greg, Bob, and Charles. We are so thankful for their amazing service.

George Daly - IIA of IL National Director - IIABA - (708) 845-3311 - george.daly@thehortongroup.com

Greg Sandrock, second from left, with the 2022-2023 Big “I” Executive Committe.

George Daly

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INSURANCE PROGRAM MANAGERS GROUP CLAIMS MANAGEMENT SERVICES

IN THE WORLD OF INSURANCE, CLAIMS DO HAPPEN.

IPMG’s Claims Management Services division (CMS) is that partner. As a full-service claims management company, IPMG CMS accepts the responsibility and expects to be held accountable for the results we achieve on behalf of our clients.

SERVICES AND RESOURCES:

» Workers’ compensation claims management

» Property and liability claims management

» Auto liability and physical damage claims management

» Professional liability claims management

» Strong emphasis on public entity and long-term care sectors

» Nurse case management

» Risk management/loss control

» Medical bill review

» Pharmacy benefit management

» Aggressive litigation management

» Utilization review

» Electronic claim reporting with immediate acknowledgment and adjuster assignment

» 4-hour assigned adjuster contact on every claim

» Online claim review including adjuster notes and financials

» Industry leading analytics with national database for benchmarking purposes

INTERNAL QUALITY CONTROL AND COST CONTAINMENT PRACTICES:

» Adjuster book of business analysis – to ensure workload does not affect service levels

» Closing ration analysis – a monthly review to ensure adjusters are achieving maximum production

» Claims diary tracking

» Formal litigation handling guidelines and practices

» Comprehensive medical bill review – average 59% cost reduction

» Pharmacy benefit program – average 35% cost reduction

» ISO claims search

» Medicare section 111 data reporting and compliance

For more information please contact:

MIKE CASTRO

Sr. VP, Claims Management Services

Mike.Castro@ipmg.com 630.485.5895

BOB SPRING

VP, New Business Development

Bob.Spring@ipmg.com 630.485.5885

IS THE BUSINESS READY?

Do you have the plans in place to successfully transition your business to the next step(2)?

ARE YOU FINANCIALLY PREPARED?

Are your personal finances in a stage where you can afford to retire and live the lifestyle you want?

ARE YOU PERSONALLY PREPARED?

Do you have personal goals and plans for using your time? Are you prepared mentally to not be involved in your agency?

Donald Gaddis Co. Celebrates 40th Anniversary

The Donald Gaddis Co. team and their families reently celebrated their 40th anniversary at a fun weekend at the Grand Geneva Resort in Wisconsin. The company has had a fantastic 40 years as an independent wholesaler brokerage and look forward to many more. IIA of IL has been a great partner in helping us grow and prosper, and we couldn’t appreciate that relationship more. This trip was particularly special, because we all work almost exclusively remote now, so it was great to catch up together in person.

distance calls were too pricy. It was a very soft market, but the little company had a ton of heart and chutzpa, negotiated contracts with great carriers, and wrote enough premium to pay the bills.

In 1985, the hardest market ever hit the insurance business. Sled hills closed because no one would insure them. Premiums doubled or tripled, if coverage was even available at all. The company got big enough for Dad to bring in my brothers and me. Dad sadly passed away very young in 1997. I’m sure he’s watching over us between golf rounds and super excited about how amazing his little company has become. We now have a team of 26, placing business nationwide for thousands of agents with scores of carriers. We have been blessed over the years to bring in team members who share his core tenants of passion, integrity and competence. They have been and always will be, our most important asset.

JM Wilson Announces Recent New Hires and Promotion

JM Wilson has announced the addition of two new hires.

Jaime Fenimore has been hired as Brokerage Underwriter. Fenimore is responsible for underwriting a wide variety of new and renewal professional and brokerage accounts, as well as maintaining relationships with carriers and independent insurance agents in all states that JM Wilson writes business.

Before joining JM Wilson, Fenimore worked for a private health insurance company as a Medicare Sales Representative. Prior to that, she was in general insurance sales for an agency. Fenimore is a graduate of Penn State University where she earned a Master of Science degree. She has also earned a CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) designation.

Here is a little fun history on how the agency got to where they are now, according to Chris Gaddis, president:

Donald Gaddis Co. exists because Donald Gaddis was a free spirited, entrepreneurial, gutsy and fun loving guy, and also because he was a botany major. Naturally, a botany major was going to end up working for an insurance company, and so he did, at a life insurance company in California. Then one day he got a call out of the blue to join a high risk, taxi cab insurance company in Chicago. Our young family moved out here and then that company soon tanked, but specialty underwriting got in his blood, and he loved it.

He eventually went on to run a large wholesale brokerage in Chicago. When they were acquired by a national carrier, they wanted him to stay in the office and write procedure manuals, instead of going out and doing deals. He wanted nothing to do with that, and in October of 1982 he took his small profit sharing balance and started DG Co. on a shoe string with three of his coworkers.

Their little office in the Insurance Exchange Building had old used metal desks and a linoleum floor. Applications and policies were manually typed and mailed, and communications with London were by telex, because long

Ryan Streit has joined JM Wilson as Surety Bond Manager. Streit is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the surety department including the placement of risks, making informed and timely underwriting decisions, as well as helping to provide outstanding service and growing relationships with our partner agents, their customers, and our carriers in all states that JM Wilson writes.

Streit joins JM Wilson with 10 years of experience as an underwriting manager for a surety company. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Dakota, and an MBA in Business Administration from the University of Sioux Falls.

JM Wilson has also announced the promotion of Heather Pifer to Senior Property & Casualty Technician in their Portage, Michigan office. Pifer has been with JM Wilson since 2018 when she joined as a Property & Casualty Technician. With her promotion, Heather is responsible for processing commercial and personal lines policies and endorsements, assisting JM Wilson underwriters, training teammates, and serving independent insurance agents in all states.

Diamond Level

Platinum Level Progressive Surplus Line Association of Illinois

A. J. Wayne & Associates

AMERISAFE

AmTrust North America

Auto-Owners Insurance Co.

Badger Mutual Insurance Company

Berkley Management Protection

Gold Level

AAA Insurance Arlington/Roe BlueCross/Blue Shield of IL Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company

Keystone Insurance Group, Inc. Pekin Insurance

Silver Level

Imperial PFS

IMT Insurance

West Bend Mutual Insurance Co.

Bronze Level

Insurance Program Managers Group

J M Wilson

Liberty Mutual/Safeco Insurance

Madison Mutual Insurance Company

Berkshire Hathaway Guard Insurance Companies

BluSky Restoration Contractors

Central Illinois Mutual Insurance Company Chubb ClickVSC

Columbia Insurance Group

Continental Western Group

Cornerstone National Insurance Company

Cowbell Cyber CRC Group

CRDN of Chicago (formerly Restoronics)

Donald Gaddis Company, Inc.

Donegal Insurance Group

EMC Insurance

Encova Insurance

Family Financial Solutions Group

Foremost Choice Property & Casualty

Forreston Mutual Insurance Company

Frankenmuth Insurance

Grange Insurance

Homeowners of America Insurance Company

Illinois Mine Subsidence Ins. Fund

Illinois Public Risk Fund

Indiana Farmers Insurance

Main Street America Insurance Marble Box MarshBerry

Maximum Independent Brokerage, LLC Mercury Insurance Group Method Workers Comp Midwest Insurance Company Nationwide NHRMA Mutual Workers’ Compensation Pouch Insurance

Previsor Insurance & Missouri Employers Mutual PuroClean Emergency Restoration Services Rockford Mutual Insurance Company

RT Specialty - Naperville Sensa, Inc. ServiceMaster DSI

Society Insurance

SPRISKA - Specialty Risk of America Synergy Select

The McGowan Companies

Travelers

UFG Insurance

UIG - The Agent Agency

Utica National Insurance Group W. A. Schickedanz Agency, Inc./Interstate Risk Placement Western National Insurance Westfield

Society of Certified Insurance Counselors Honors Marshky

Sarah Marshky, CIC of Snyder Insurance, Champaign, IL was recently recognized for professional leadership and advance knowledge by the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors.

Marshky was awarded a certificate of achievement recognizing twenty-five consecutive years of successfully maintaining the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation. The CIC designation requires an annual continuing education update ensuring that her education is always up-to-date and relevant.

Marshky’s ongoing allegiance and support of the CIC Program is a testament to the value she places on “real world” education and professional growth. “Your clients, associates and the insurance profession as a whole benefit from such leadership and a strong commitment to continuing education,” stated William J. Hold, MBA, CRM, CISR, President & CEO of The National Alliance for Insurance Education and Research.

The CIC Program is nationally recognized as the premier continuing education program for insurance professionals, with programs offered in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, the Society of CIC is a not-for-profit organization and the found program of The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research.

“We are proud to have a large presence with our national association,” said Phil Lackman, IIA of IL CEO. “Having Illinois agents participate and lead on several IIABA Committees, and Task Forces confirms Illinois’ role as a leader within the Independent Agency system and provides tangible benefits for our members.”

Education Classes

E&O: Duties, Best Practices, Operations, Certificates Webinar

Pre-Licensing-Property & Casualty Virtual

E&O: Identity Theft, Red Flags, and Money Laundering Webinar

Flood Insurance, FEMA, and the NFIP Webinar

Pre-Licensing-Life & Health Virtual

E&O Roadmap to Personal Auto Webinar

Deep Dive Into Agency Ethics Webinar

CISR-Insuring Commercial Property Virtual Class

E&O Roadmap To Cyber & Privacy Insurance Webinar

E&O-Roadmap to Homeowners Endorsements Webinar

New Members member agency

EP Skylight Insurance Services, LLC Skokie, IL

Levitt Insurance Agency Washington, IL

Xartis Insurance Advisors, LLC Aurora, IL

For information regarding IIA of IL membership or company sponsorship, contact Tom Ross, Director of Membership Services, at (217) 321-3003, tross@iiaofil.org.

Pre-Licensing-Property & Casualty Virtual

Ed Symposium-Drone & Sales Virtual

CIC-Commercial Property Virtual Agent’s E&O: Defenses and Preventions Webinar

Ed Symposium-PFTA & Workers’ Comp Virtual

CISR-Commercial Casualty 1 Virtual

Deep Dive Into Agency Ethics Webinar

Ed Symposium-Flood & Cyber Virtual

CISR-Agency Operations Virtual

CISR-Commercial Casualty 2 Virtual

Mark

East Peoria, IL

“I thought the 2022 convention was great and I was very happy I attended. I do not have a license (no need for CE credit) and am relatively new to the industry, so it was great for me to soak up a lot of knowledge and meet an awful lot of people.”

- First Time CONVO Attendee ILConvention.com

for the insurance professional by the insurance professional

INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENCIES

WANTED

17. We are an Independent family-owned agency located in the Chicago area. We are looking to expand through growth and acquisition. If you have a small to medium sized agency and are looking to sell, call or send us a message. We are strictly looking for Personal Lines and Small Commercial accounts with preferred companies.

GALO Insurance Agency, Inc (847) 832-0888 steve@galoagency.com

AGENCY/AGENTS/PRODUCERS WANTED

02. Forest Park/Oak Park agency for over 60 years, will meet your needs by providing space, markets, marketing & sales support, automation, merging with or purchasing your agency. Perpetuation/ Succession Plans, BuySell Agreements also available. We have experienced, educated and dedicated staff for you and your clients. Have access to our numerous companies, office services and many other resources. Retain ownership in your book with contingency. Please look closely at us- we are an agency you want to do business with! We’ve done it before, we know how- we make it easy! Visit our website at forestagency.com/agents.html, or call for a confidential discussion and a list of Agency benefits.

Dan Browne will provide an agency evaluation/appraisal at little cost to you. Please call:

Dan Browne or Cathy Hall Forest Insurance (708) 383-9000 www.forestinsured.com/mergers-acquisitions

AGENCY WANTED

20. Since 2004, Central Illinois Agents Group LLC has been providing independent agents with a variety of markets with contingency opportunities. Agents have availability to several markets that they may not be able to sustain or maintain on their own. We have markets for personal, commercial, agricultural and crop insurance lines. Let us help you get to the next level.

Visit www.ciagonline.com for contact information.

OPPORTUNITIES/SPACE AVAILABLE/RETAIN OWNERSHIP

13. We are a 100 year old Northbrook agency looking to discuss any mutually beneficial opportunity. Our producers, mergers, clusters and agency purchases receive 50% commissions on new and renewal business without any expenses. We can provide: office space, phones, agency management system, service renewals and changes. The companies we represent are: Badger Mutual, Employers Mutual, General Casualty, Guide One, Hartford, Kemper, Progressive, Rockford Mutual, Safeco, State Auto, Travelers and Met Life. Contact: Nancy Solomon Martini, Miller & Schloss, Inc. (847) 291-1313 Ron@martini-miller.com

We Make Hiring Easier +

CareerPlug’s hiring software helps agents attract more qualified candidates, identify the right candidates with confidence, and improve hiring results.

CareerPlug will provide IIA of IL members access to a free account that can be used to post jobs, manage applicants, and improve the organizations’ employment brand. Association members can also access a “Pro” version of CareerPlug for a special rate to take hiring to the next level.

Learn more about CareerPlug and check out the brand new IIA of IL job board at www.iiaofil.org

Independent, Authorized General Agent for

An Independent Licensee of the Blue Shield Association