JUNE 2021
INSIGHT
TECHNOLOGY IN YOUR AGENCY
IIA of IL Forms Technology Committee Cool Tech vs the Right Tech Insurance 2030 - The Impact of AI on the Future of Insurance Is Your Agency Cyber-Secure?
We are third-generation, family-owned & independent. Honesty, Integrity & Trust. We’ve been Doing the Right Thing since 1964. We are a third-generation, family-owned, independent managing general agency and wholesale insurance broker with a history of valuing and trusting business relationships. Our underwriters and brokers coordinate among specialty teams to meet the needs of multi-faceted risk opportunities, piecing each risk puzzle together for our producers. We strive to be a premier resource through our core pillars of honesty, integrity, respect and trust.
Managing General Agents | Wholesale Insurance Brokers
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Aviation | Bonds | Cannabis | Casualty | Commercial Agribusiness | Farm Healthcare & Human Services | Personal Lines | Professional Liability | Property | Transportation | Workers’ Compensation
Editor & Graphic Design - Rachel Romines
June 2021
12
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Advertising - Tami Hubbell
CONTENTS 11
Sales Success Really Boils Down to These Two Things
By John Chapin
12
IIA of IL Forms Technology Committee to Meet the Needs of Member Agencies Cool Tech vs. the Righ Tech
24
14 17 20
Your Website Should be ADA Compliant
26
24 26
14
By Shannon Churchill By Brian Haney
How Do I Know if My Agency is Cyber-Secure
By Ron Berg
Insurance 2030 - The Impact of AI on the Future of Insurance
By Ramnath Balasubramanian, Ari Libarikian, and Doug McElhaney By Larry Neilson and Jerry Fox
QR Codes: What Are They, and How Can They Help Your Insurance Business
By Rachel Romines
In This Issue
The Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (IIA of IL) has been providing members with a sustainable competitive advantage since 1899.
7 9 19
President’s Message Brett’s Two Sense
e-Insight
29 30 33 34
Young Agents Associate News IIA of IL News Classifieds
info@iiaofil.org | www.iiaofil.org | (800) 628-6436 or (217) 793-6660 | Fax: (217) 793-6744
2009 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • 2017 • 2019 • 2020
Insight is the official publication of the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (IIA of IL). The magazine is published monthly for the members of the IIA of IL, with the office located at 4360 Wabash Avenue, Springfield, Illinois 62711-7009; Consumer Website: www.ChooseIndependent.com. The IIA of IL welcomes letters discussing concerns of the insurance industry, articles, editorials, other matters of interest to the membership. The editor reserves the right to edit and select submissions for publication. Address submissions for review to Rachel Romines at rromines@iiaofil.org. For advertising information, contact Tami Hubbell at thubbell@iiaofil.org.
Board of Directors Executive Committee
Chairman of the Board | Bill Wirth (618) 939-6368 | billw@wirthagency.com President | George Daly (708) 845-3311 | george.daly@thehortongroup.com President-Elect | Jay Peterson, AFIS, LUTCF (217) 935-6605 | jay@peterson.insurance Vice President | Kevin Lesch (630) 830-3232 | klesch@arachasgroup.com Secretary/Treasurer | Bennie Jones (312) 960-6206 | bjones@rmsoa.com IIABA National Director Gregory A. Sandrock, CIC, AFIS (815) 438-3923 | gregsandrock@2cornerstone.com
Regional Directors
Region 1 | James Sager (618) 548-2796 | james@kaneinsurance.com Region 2 | Joseph Heneghan (618) 639-2244 | joe.heneghan@hwcrins.com Region 3 | Christopher Leming (217) 321-3185 | cleming@troxellins.com Region 4 | Bart Hartauer, CIC (815) 223-1795 | hartauer@hartauer.com
ADVERTISERS 35
ACUITY
36
APPLIED UNDERWRITERS
2 32
ARLINGTON/ROE BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY/GUARD INSURANCE CO
5
EBRM
8
GRINNELL MUTUAL REINSURANCE COMPANY
6
INSURANCE PROGRAM MANAGERS GROUP
Cover Tip
OMAHA NATIONAL UNDERWRITERS, LLC
23
SOCIETY INSURANCE
28
UNITED FIRE GROUP
10
W.A. SCHICKEDANZ/INTERSTATE RISK PLACEMENT
18
WEST BEND MUTUAL INSURANCE CO.
Region 5 | Nick Gunn, CIC (309) 691-1300 | nickgunn@nixonagency.com Region 6 | Thomas Evans, Jr. (779) 220-6564 | tevans@crumhalsted.com Region 7 | Jason House (708) 597-8731 ext. 131 | jhouse@insxchg.com Region 8 | Andrew Allan (773) 891-8000 | aallan@lakeviewins.com Region 9 | Ed Boltz, JD (630) 443-7300 | eboltz@crumhalsted.com Region 10 | Christopher Bassler, CLCS (847) 480-0800 | cbassler@basslerins.com At-Large Director | Amiri Curry (847) 797-5700 | acurry@assuranceagency.com At-Large Director | William Durkin (312) 629-0725 | durkinb@danielandhenry.com At-Large Director | Michael-Charles Hilson (708) 333-3378 | mhilson@gbgins.com At-Large Director | Allyson Padilla (618) 393-2195 | allyson@blanksinsurance.com At-Large Director | Patrick Muldowney (312) 595-7192 | patrick.muldowney@alliant.com
Committee Chairs
IIA of Illinois Staff
Budget & Finance | Bennie Jones (312) 960-6200 | bjones@rmsoa.com
Director of Information and Technology Shannon Churchill - (217) 321-3004 - schurchill@iiaofil.org
Director of Government Relations Evan Manning - (217) 321-3002 - emanning@iiaofil.org
Education | Teresa Fleming, CIC, CISR (815) 849-5219 | tess@leffelmanassoc.com
Director of Education and Agency Resources Brett Gerger - (217) 321-3006 - bgerger@iiaofil.org
Office Administrator Kristi Osmond - (217) 321-3007 - kosmond@iiaofil.org
Accounting & Admin Services Tami Hubbell - (217) 321-3016 - thubbell@iiaofil.org
Director of Communications Rachel Romines - (217) 321-3024 - rromines@iiaofil.org
Director of Human Resources, Board Admin Jennifer Jacobs - (217) 321-3013 - jjacobs@iiaofil.org
Director of Membership Services Tom Ross, CRIS, CPIA - (217) 321-3003 - tross@iiaofil.org
Sr. Vice President/Chief Financial Officer Mark Kuchar - (217) 321-3015 - mkuchar@iiaofil.org
Products & Services Administrator Janet White, CISR - (217) 321-3010 - jwhite.indep12@insuremail.net
Chief Executive Officer Phil Lackman - (217) 321-3005 - plackman@iiaofil.org
Director of Prof. Liability & Ins. Products Carol Wilson, CPIA - (217) 321-3011 - cwilson.indep12@insuremail.net
Farm Agents Council | Randy Jacobs (309) 365-3231 | rjacobs@mtco.com Government Relations | Patrick Taphorn, CIC, CSRM (309) 347-2177 | ptaphorn@unland.com IIAPAC | Dustin Peterson (217) 935-6605 | dustin@peterson.insurance Planning & Coordination | Cindy K. Jackman, CIC, CISR (800) 878-9891 x8745 | cjackman@arlingtonroe.com Technology | Ryan Hite (309) 688-7316 | ryan.hite@eaglerockins.com Young Agents | Renee Crissie (224) 217-6577 | renee@crissieins.com
Central/Southern Marketing Representative Lori Mahorney - (217) 415-7550 - lmahorney@iiaofil.org
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president's message | INSIGHT
IIA of IL Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives Our June issue of Insight has a heavy emphasis on technology. As we slowly get our lives back, I know we are all looking forward to rebooting 2020 and moving on to a wonderful summer of 2021. I just took a weekend trip with my son to Disney World to celebrate his high school graduation and finishing his first year of college. The experience was great! Flying again and being in the Disney parks really made it feel like we are getting back to normal. When I look back on the trip, I realized how much technology had influenced the experience. It started with online ticket purchases, digital boarding passes, and counter-free rental car check-in. I was amazed during the trip at how much Disney had embraced technology to create a safer and more efficient experience. From digital check-in to digital food ordering through an app to an automated queue for the new Star Wars attraction - I was blown away by the technology capabilities, and the efficiency gained. I know our clients have an expectation that we can deploy technology that will help their customer experience. I’m happy to say that the IIA of IL is here to help all of our members embrace and navigate the world of insurance technology.
As mentioned, our lead-in article is highlighting the introduction of our IIA of IL Technology Committee and reviewing 2021 goals. You will notice in Shannon’s article that we are creating a separate brand for technology. By doing so, I feel we have a better chance to break through the vast amount of communication you receive every month and produce content that will be a must-read for all of our members. We want you and your clients to feel that our industry is taking innovative steps toward creating better technology that you can understand and deploy every day in your agency. Lastly, I just wanted to acknowledge the staff for the great job they did with producing our virtual Legislative and EDGE conferences. They pivoted and produced two wonderful events for our members. Thanks for all the participation. You should be receiving news early this summer about our live convention back in Springfield, October 5-7. All the best for a safe and healthy start to your summer.
I encourage all of you to use the IIA of IL and Big “I” technology resources. In this edition of the magazine, you will find information from Shannon Churchill that details our IIA of IL Technology Committee goals for 2021. Please read this article as it will articulate those resources we will be highlighting and communicating regularly to our members. Also, I would like all of you to visit the Big “I” website and invest some time reviewing all of the great technology resources that are free to our members. There are several that I love and want you all to take advantage of those that will add value to your business. My picks to click include the guide on cyber, the disaster (business continuity) template, Best Practices remote work guide, and customer service lifecycle strategy. In this issue, you will find articles on several components of technology that include the following: - Insurance 2030: The Impact of AI on the Future of Insurance - ADA Compliance - Cool Tech vs. the Right Tech - ACT/Cyber - QR Codes
George Daly - IIA of IL President - (708) 845-3311 - george.daly@thehortongroup.com june 2021
insight
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grinnellmutual.com “Trust in Tomorrow.” and the “Grinnell Mutual” are registered trademarks of Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company. © Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, 2021.
AN AGENT‘S RESOURCE GUIDE TO CHATBOTS THIS GUIDE WALKS YOUR AGENCY THROUGH THE IMPORTANT ADVANTAGES OF HAVING A CHATBOT AND HOW IT CAN LEAD YOUR AGENCY TO GREATER CHANGE. CHATBOTS OFFER UNLIMITED POTENTIAL TO CUSTOMERS WHILE ONLINE. UNLOCK THE SECRETS BEHIND CHATBOTS TO HELP FURTHER YOUR AGENCY FOR THE FUTURE. READ AN AGENCY’S RESOURCE GUIDE TO CHATBOTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE EVOLUTIONARY ASSETS. TOPICS INCLUDE: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY • CHATBOT OVERVIEW CURRENT USES IN IA DISTRIBUTION • AGENCY BENEFITS CURRENT HURDLES FOR AGENT IMPLEMENTATION AGENCY CONSIDERATIONS • STRATEGIC, AND BEFORE PURCHASE TYPES OF CHATBOTS • FEATURES, CONSIDERATIONS, SELECTING A VENDOR RESOURCES • ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS INDEPENDENTAGENT.COM/ACT/PAGES/MARKETING/INTERNET/CHATBOT-GUIDE.ASPX 16
insight
june 2021
It shouldn’t take debris from half a mile away slamming into your customer’s building to find out who you can trust.
BUT SOMETIMES IT DOES. And that’s the Silver Lining®.
e INSIGHT -
online journal at www.iiaofil.org/Resources/Insight
JU N E 20 21
INSIGH T
T EC H N OL G IN YO Y UR AO GENC Y
IIA of IL Techno Forms logy C ommit tee Cool Te ch vs th e Right Tech Insura AI on thnce 2030 - T he e Futu re of In Impact of suranc Is Your e Agenc y Cyber -Secur e?
In this month’s e-Insight.
Ensure Digital Marketing Success in the Wake of the Pandemic
By Gregory Bailey for PropertyCasualty360 june 2021
insight
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ufginsurance.com/online © 2021 United Fire & Casualty Company. All rights reserved.
Vi
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2021 Powered by:
conference 2021 EDGE Conference: A Virtual Success By Rachel Romines Flashback to early 2020: The Young Agents Committee had all the details for the 2020 EDGE Conference nailed down. Speakers, topics, exhibitors, sponsors, networking, and fun. We were ready for another GREAT conference – just like attendees are used to. We were excited to be at a new venue, the DoubleTree in Oak Brook.
as much exposure to agents as possible, and agents had plenty of opportunities to meet with those companies. We contracted with an outside vendor to host a networking event. Both scenarios were out of the norm for this conference, but we feel like it ended up being a success for all involved.
Then… COVID hit. CANCELLED!
If you were able to attend this event, we hope you feel the same way. We hope you enjoyed the speakers and presentations, time with company sponsors, and the networking event. If you couldn’t join us, but are hearing all the buzz about the great sessions, they are still available for you to watch on-demand (no CE is included). Go to https://events.bizzabo.com/295691 to purchase the recordings.
Back to the drawing board? Kind of. The committee reached out to the speakers that were contracted for the 2020 event to make sure they could pivot to a virtual environment. We spoke with them to make sure their presentation could be implemented in a completely different setting than they are used to. All three speakers were ready to make the switch, and they had plenty of time to work on their presentations for the 2021 event. What we struggled with was the personal interactions – both with attendees, and sponsors and exhibitors. How could we replicate this important feature of an in-person conference virtually? We couldn’t. No matter how much research we did, we could not find a way to give our attendees what they were used to experiencing. So, we did some pivoting ourselves. We decided to make lemonade out of lemons. We combined exhibit and sponsor opportunities to make sure our company supporters had
Virtual Exhibit Booths are still available on the website above. Please take a minute to visit each booth and read through all the information provided by our sponsors. We are already making plans for the 2022 event! We will be at the DoubleTree in Oak Brook, April 20-21, and we will present the same great event that EDGE attendees have become accustomed to. Rachel Romines is the Young Agents Committee staff liaison and can be reached at rromines@iiaofil.org.
Thank you to our sponsors! AgriSompo North America Applied Underwriters Arlington/Roe Auto Owners Insurance Belfor Property Restoration Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Breckenridge Insurance Services and Blue River Underwriters Columbia Insurance Group Continental Western Group Donald Gaddis Company, Inc. june 2021
Grinnell Mutual Illinois Public Risk Fund IMT Insurance J C Restoration JM Wilson Markel Mercury Insurance Prophetstown Farmers Mutual Ins Company PURE Insurance Society insight
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INSIGHT | associate news Thank you to our Associate Members.
Diamond Level
Platinum Level
Progressive Surplus Line Association of Illinois
Gold Level AAA Insurance Arlington/Roe Blue Cross/Blue Shield of IL Keystone Insurance Group, Inc. Pekin Insurance
Silver Level Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company Imperial PFS
IMT Insurance West Bend Mutual Insurance Co.
Bronze Level A. J. Wayne & Associates AMERISAFE Auto-Owners Insurance Co. Badger Mutual Insurance Company Berkshire Hathaway Guard Insurance Companies Columbia Insurance Group Chubb Columbia Insurance Group Continental Western Group CRC Group Donald Gaddis Company, Inc. Donegal Insurance Group EMC Insurance Encompass Insurance Encova Insurance Foremost Insurance Group Forreston Mutual Insurance Company Frankenmuth Insurance Grange Insurance Illinois Mine Subsidence Ins. Fund Illinois Public Risk Fund Indiana Farmers Insurance Insurance Program Managers Group 30
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J C Restoration J M Wilson Kemper Liberty Mutual/Safeco Insurance Madison Mutual Insurance Company Marsh, Berry & Company, Inc. Maximum Independent Brokerage, LLC Mercury Insurance Group MetLife Auto & Home Midwest Insurance Company Nationwide Previsor Insurance RT Specialty - Naperville ServiceMaster DSI Society Insurance Specialty Risk of America Travelers UIG - The Agent Agency United Fire Group W. A. Schickedanz Agency, Inc./Interstate Risk Placement Western National Insurance Westfield june 2021
associate news | INSIGHT Pekin Life Insurance Company Holds Annual Meeting
Pekin Life Insurance Company held its annual meeting on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. The Company reported net income of $1.2 million, for the year ending December 31, 2020. Premium income increased by 0.8 percent to $186.8 million. Life Insurance in force exceeded $19.6 billion at year-end 2020. At the meeting, shareholders elected directors Craig W. Concklin, Hinsdale, Illinois; Daniel V. Connell, Tremont, Illinois; and John S. Heller, East Peoria, Illinois, to threeyear terms to expire in May 2024. Other directors whose terms continue are: Steven R. Anderson, Loves Park, Illinois; Anthony S. Burkhart, Vincennes, Illinois; Scott A. Martin, Chillicothe, Illinois; and Thomas C. Hornstein, Brian K. Lee, and Christine A. Schwartz, all from Pekin, Illinois. Pekin Insurance officers elected to Pekin Life Insurance Company included: Daniel V. Connell, Chairman of the Board & Chief Executive Officer, Steven R. Anderson, Vice Chairman of the Board; Brian K. Lee, President and Chief Operating Officer; Dina S. Schultz, Senior Vice President; Michael A. Zabinski, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Greg C. Bee, Vice President - Chief Risk Officer; Amy M. Darling, Vice President - Life Claims; Jocelyn A. Duncan, Vice President - Life Administration; Phillip L. Evans, Vice President – Administrative Services; Joel M. Jackson, Vice President - Sales and Marketing; Subhasis Mukherjee, Vice President - Chief Information Officer; Tyler D. Petersen, Vice President - General Counsel and Secretary; Kimberly S. Remmert, Vice President Human Resources; Michele E. Ginther, Controller; and Amber J. Stenger, Assistant Treasurer.
Encova Insurance to Again Offer Virtual Summer Internships
Encova Insurance will again host virtual summer interns following the success of their first virtual internship program last year. Twenty-three interns will join Encova this summer; most start on May 10, 2021, with virtual training and onboarding. About 90% of Encova’s associates have been working from home since March 2020. Last year, despite many companies canceling internship programs amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Encova continued with their program and adapted it so interns could work remotely. They will use lessons learned last year to improve the virtual internship experience this year. “Our internship program is a win-win for Encova and our interns. They gain real-world experience and knowledge, and we gain their valuable contributions and fresh perspective,” Encova Talent Acquisition Specialist Natalie Payne said. Nine different departments will welcome an intern, including Information Technology, Accounting, Safety and Loss, Underwriting and Analytics. The interns are primarily college juniors and seniors, representing 13 different universities. june 2021
J.C. Restoration Joins Restoration Affiliates
J.C. Restoration, Inc. (JCR) has announced they have recently joined Restoration Affiliates (RA), a national industry peer network that serves interests of select independently owned, regional restoration service organizations throughout the United States. RA is a national network of independent, full-service disaster restoration companies which provides mitigation, restoration, remediation and repair services for commercial, industrial, multifamily property owners and insurance clients. Each of the quality restoration services is backed by RA’s values of industry leadership, shared success, quality and value, teamwork and cooperation, learning and development, trust and respect, creativity and innovation, and responsiveness. RA brings together top-quality restoration service providers from all over the country with a shared purpose. Together with RA, JCR is now part of a strategic network to share resources, relationships and support in order to provide regional and national clients with expert service, response and value in the event of a property damage loss. RA also facilitates opportunities for Affiliate members to collaborate to share knowledge, capabilities and resources to respond to complex projects, large-scale losses and regional catastrophic events.
SECURA Insurance Elects Chris Hess and Barbara Rau to Board of Directors
SECURA Insurance elected Chris Hess and Barbara Rau to its Board of Directors April 26, 2021. “As a mutual company, our Board of Directors represents the perspectives of our stakeholders – our policyholders, agents, associates, and the community,” said Dave Gross, SECURA President & CEO. “We are honored to have Chris Hess and Barbara Rau joining our Board and bringing their unique expertise and knowledge.” Hess is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Goodwill Industries of North Central Wisconsin. Before joining Goodwill, Hess served as vice president of market development and sales for ThedaCare, a nonprofit healthcare organization. He also has held leadership roles within U.S. Venture and Genco (now FedEx Supply Chain). Hess serves on the board of directors of the Fox Cites Chamber of Commerce. He has been named one of Wisconsin’s most influential Black leaders. A native of Kenosha, Hess graduated from St. Norbert College in De Pere and earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Dr. Rau currently serves as the Dean of the College of Business at UW Oshkosh. She earned her Bachelor of Science in economics with a mathematics emphasis and her M.S. and Ph.D. in industrial relations with a minor in statistical research methods from The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Industrial Relations Research Institute. Rau is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, Industrial Relations Research Association, the Academy of Management, and AACSB. She serves on the boards of Evergreen Community, Junior Achievement, and is a member of the Oshkosh Chamber Economic Development Committee, Junior Achievement Laureate Selection Committee, and Leadership Oshkosh Steering Committee. insight
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INSIGHT | associate news West Bend Mutual Insurance: Business Insurance Magazine’s Number-One Place to Work
West Bend Mutual Insurance recently took the numberone spot in the Best Place to Work in Insurance for the large employer category. This is the eleventh consecutive year West Bend has been recognized on this prestigious list of companies by Business Insurance magazine and the Best Companies Group.
West Bend Mutual Insurance Company took the top spot in the large company category for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Top Workplaces in Southeast Wisconsin. This is the tenth consecutive year in which West Bend has placed in the top four. More than 140 companies were named to the 2021 Top Workplaces list.
The Best Place to Work in Insurance national awards program is designed to identify, recognize, and honor the best places of employment in the commercial insurance industry, benefiting the industry’s economy, its workforce, and businesses. It recognizes West Bend’s commitment to attracting, developing, and retaining great talent through a combination of culture, benefits, and other programs associates value. Companies participating in the program include property/casualty insurers, group life/health insurers, reinsurers, third-party administrators, and agents/ brokers.
Commercial & Personal Lines Insurance solutions for homeowners and small, medium and large businesses. Competitive pricing, multi-product discounts, and easy submission process!
APPLY TO BE AN AGENT: WWW.GUARD.COM/APPLY Not all Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies provide the products described herein nor are they available in all states. Visit www.guard.com/states/ to see our current product suite and operating area. 32
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AmGUARD • EastGUARD • NorGUARD • WestGUARD june 2021
iia of il news | INSIGHT
Education Classes june
2 8 8 9 9 10 15 16 17 17 17 17 22 23 23 28 30
E&O Roadmap to Personal Auto Webinar Pre-Licensing Course - Property & Casualty Virtual Flood Insurance and the NFIP Webinar CISR-Personal Lines miscellaneous Virtual E&O Roadmap To Cyber & Privacy Insurance Webinar E&O-Roadmap to Homeowners Endorsements Webinar The Evolution of Ethics in Insurance Webinar CISR-Commercial Casualty 2 Virtual Farm Agents Council Golf Outing & Annual Meeting Bloomington CISR-Insuring Personal Residential Property Virtual Agents E&O Webinar E&O: Identity Theft, Money Laundering Webinar Pre-Licensing Course - Life & Health Virtual CIC-Commercial Multiline Virtual E&O - Roadmap to Policy Analysis Webinar Ethics Webinar E&O Risk Management – The Challenge of Change Webinar
july
7 7 8 8 14 14 15 15 19 19 20 21 28 28
Pre-Licensing-P&C Virtual E&O Roadmap to Personal Auto Webinar Agents E&O Webinar E&O-Roadmap to Homeowners Endorsements Webinar CISR-Insuring Personal Auto Exposures Virtual E&O Roadmap To Cyber & Privacy Insurance Webinar Ethics: Essentials for the Insurance Producer Webinar E&O Identity Theft, Red Flags, Money Laundering Webinar Pre-Licensing-L&H Virtual E&O Risk Management – Challenge of Change Webinar CISR-Elements of Risk Management Virtual CIC-Ruble Virtual E&O - Roadmap to Policy Analysis Webinar CISR-Agency Operations Virtual
New Members member agencies Buschbach Insurance Agency Oak Lawn
Salegio Insurance Agency, Inc. Waukegan
Grachan Agency Oak Park
Seniors Insurance Marketing Group, Inc. Columbia
PolicyDirect Insurance Services South Holland june 2021
For information regarding IIA of IL membership or company sponsorship, contact Tom Ross, Director of Membership Services, at (217) 321-3003, tross@iiaofil.org. insight
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INSIGHT | classifieds for the insurance professional by the insurance professional
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
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.
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.
AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT
27. Insurance Brokers Incorporated (IBI) Welcomes GAINSCO as a Carrier Partner Insurance Brokers Incorporated (IBI) is pleased to announce the addition of GAINSCO Auto Insurance as an IBI carrier partner. GAINSCO is a nationally recognized market leader with outstanding service to the specialty auto insurance market. The partnership will provide distribution for GAINSCO Auto Insurance products and will provide increased sales opportunities for IBI agency customers. Please contact us at marketing@GoIBI.com.
Bill Coughlin IBI Insurance Brokers, Inc. (547) 797-9577
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
Diversity Scholarship Program
To invest in the future of the insurance industry and independent agents in Illinois, and create long-term opportunities for minorities considering a career in insurance, the IIA of IL now offers Diversity & Inclusion Scholarships.
Scholarship Includes:
Pre-Licensing Course • Reimbursement for Licensing Exam and Fee New Hire Training • EDGE Conference Registration for Two Years
For more information, go to www.iiaofil.org/diversity 34
insight
june 2021
TOP FIVE REASONS AGENT’S LOVE
WORKING WITH US! 1 2
Rated A+ by both AM Best1 and Standard & Poor’s2 with a 20-year track record of beating the industry by more than double the growth and a full eight points on the combined ratio. 1
www.ambest.com/ratings; www.standardandpoors.com,
2
Unparalleled Financial Strength
RATED #1 COMPANY FOR
World-Class Claims Service
3
Responsive and RelationshipBased Underwriting
4
Stable and Consistent Market
5
Impeccable Culture
Sell Acuity!!!
WORK-LIFE
BALANCE DURING COVID-19
Consistently recognized as one of the best places to work in the nation.
MORE IMAGINATION.
MORE TO LOVE FROM APPLIED.® Workers’ Compensation • Transportation – Liability & Physical Damage • Construction – Primary & Excess Liability Homeowners – Including California Wildfire & Gulf Region Hurricane • Fine Art & Collectibles • Structured Insurance Financial Lines • Environmental & Pollution Liability • Shared & Layered Property • Fronting & Program Business • Reinsurance
...And More To Come.
It Pays To Get A Quote From Applied.® Learn more at auw.com/MoreToLove or call sales (877) 234-4450 ©2021 Applied Underwriters, Inc. Rated A (Excellent) by AM Best. Insurance plans protected U.S. Patent No. 7,908,157.