The Underwriter's Insider April 2015 by The Underwriter's Insider

Features 5 Advertising 9 Kim Komando 22 Inside Track 27 Insider Advisor 28 Classifieds 32 Say What? 34 Back Issues

News 4 4

California Insurance Agent Busted For Stealing Premium Payments

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California Insurance Broker Arrested For Grand Theft

Mercury Insurance Agrees to $1M Settlement For California Compliance Violations

3 Ways To Free Up Space On Your Smartphone Or Tablet - Really Cool Info by Kim Komando

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Is Drunken Brawl Resulting In Death Covered? - By Barry Zalma, Esq.

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Farmer’s Insurance Agrees To $84M Settlement With Texas

New GOP Alternatives To The UNACA OP/ED by Spencer A. Lehman, RHU GA’s Hudgens Announces Arrest Of South Georgia Insurance Agent Five Indicted In Cincinnati-Area Fraudulent Insurance Claim Ring Federal Jury Reaches $391M Verdict Against Trustee For Pre-Need Funeral Contract Trusts

Seven Suspects Arrested In Georgia Accused Of Staging Auto Collisions North Florida Man Arrested For Faking Death For Insurance Money docSTAR Awarded 5-Star Rating In CRN 2015 Partner Program Guide

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News 17 17 18 18 19 21 23 27 31 32

Vero Beach, Florida Insurance Agent Arrested For Filing False Claims

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Racist Azealia Banks Comes Out Of The Closet - Read Her Vile Comments.

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Florida Approves Removal Of Up To 48,331 Policies From Citizens

Business Insider Points Out 11 Words Most Commonly Mispronounced Mercury Insurance Agrees To $1M Settlement With California DOI Progressive To Increase Rates On Risky Snapshot Drivers Progressive Insurance Reveals Top Accident Trends Of 2014 Regulatory Insights For Agents From The Florida Office Of Insurance Reg. A New Chinese Study On Aging Reveals It’s All In The Face... The Insider Advisor: Snapshot Sux. Celebrities Insured What? See The List! Obama’s EPA Gone Wild! Ever Expanding Fed Bureaucracy Now Wants To Monitor Your BBQ Grilling!

George Zimmerman On Obama Racial Bias - A Rush To Judgement Called Out Former Muslim: Islam Cannot Be Reformed... Crazy Mountain Biker Takes On Sedona’s White Line - And Lives! Video Purports To Show What Happens When You Don’t Pay An Employee And It Ain’t Pretty!

Sponsors 6 7 8 17 20 18 22 26 26 27 38 39 40 37 40

Modern Insurance Consultants QQ Solutions H.O.P.E. St. James Insurance Company Clearwater Underwriters Accu-Auto NASA - Eclipse Agency Mgt. Accu-Auto SLB Group Encore HR Personnel Solutions Barry Zalma, Esq. The Towing & Rental Group FYI Georgia View & News Orrin R. Beilly, Esq. Financemaster

Former Federal Judge Asks: “Mr. President, Whose Side Are You On?”

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Cover Photo: © R. Manera

CALIFORNIA INSURANCE AGENT ARRESTED FOR STEALING PREMIUM PAYMENTS

AN DIEGO, Calif. - Dawna The Department of Insurance is Louise Ernster, also known looking for additional victims as Dawna Louise Salois, 48, in this case and encourages anyone that may of El Cajon, was arrested have done business Tuesday, October 15, with Dawna Ernster, on 14 felony counts aka Dawna Salois, of grand theft, 14 and JND Insurance felony counts of failure Services to contact to disclose events investigators at affecting insurance (858) 693-7150. coverage and two misdemeanor counts of UPDATE: Dawna petty theft. Dawna Louise Ernster Louise Ernster aka Dawna Louise "Ernster violated her fiduciary responsibility and placed Salois, age 48, of El Cajon, her customers at unnecessary risk California was sentenced last for her own personal gain," said weekto 180 days in custody, 5 years formal probation and Commissioner Dave Jones. ordered to pay more than Ernster was licensed as an $20,000 in restitution to multiple insurance agent and specialized victims.Ernster’s custody was in selling general liability stayed, pending successful insurance policies to construction completion of probation. companies. More than a dozen companies and individuals reported to the department that Ernster collected and allegedly stole their insurance premiums.

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This case is being prosecuted by the San Diego County District Attorney's Office. Ernster's bail is set at $50,000 and her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, October 29. If convicted, Ernster faces up to 18 years in state prison. 4

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MERCURY INSURANCE AGREES TO $1 MILLION SETTLEMENT FOR CA COMPLIANCE VIOLATIONS

ACRAMENTO, Calif. Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones announced a $1 million settlement with Mercury Insurance Company, Mercury Casualty Company and California Automobile Insurance Company. This settlement stems from a regularly scheduled market conduct exam based on which the California Department of Insurance (CDI) found that Mercury violated California law more than 350,000 times based on more than 50 illegal rating and underwriting practices. In addition to the $1 million fine, Mercury agreed to business practice reforms. The Department found a range of unlawful violations across several lines of insurance. The exam concluded, among other things, that Mercury failed to provide reasons for nonrenewals and cancelations, used unapproved and unfiled rates, failed to consistently follow their own rating and underwriting rules, and failed to make certain required disclosures in Spanish. The Underwriter’s Insider

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CALIFORNIA INSURANCE BROKER ARRESTED FOR GRAND THEFT POCKETING MORE THAN $500,000 Suspect stole funds intended for a Los Angeles Unified School District safety program

OS ANGELES, Calif. - Arthur Cade, 60, a licensed insurance b r o k e r agent was arrested on three felony counts of grand theft for stealing more than $100,000 from a Los Angeles U n i f i e d California Insurance School District Commissioner (LAUSD) Dave Jones

and management on new Insurance investigation began construction sites for LAUSD. after another employee at Dugan &Associates reviewed "No matter what the program funds form insurance trust account and fraud takes, it harms discovered Cade insurers, consumers was allegedly and California's diverting program e c o n o m y , " funds to his personal said Insurance account. Commissioner Dave Jones. "Thanks Cade was booked to the combined at the LAPD Jail efforts of the Division and his bail Department of is set at $318,000. He Arthur Cade, 60, Insurance and the faces up to 12 years in Licensed Insurance Los Angeles County state prison if convicted Broker District Attorney's on all counts. The Los office, we were able to Angeles County District stop the alleged theft from this Attorney's Office White Collar program." Crime Division assisted with the investigation and is prosecuting The California Department of this case.

program and over $400,000 from other programs that his employer, DACM Project Management, aka Dugan &Associates, managed. Cade was the employee that controlled funds for programs his employer managed, including LAUSD's rewards and recognition program, established to influence safe behavior www.underwritersinsider.com

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APRIL 2015 A Publication of AdMax Corp Corporate Offices P.O. Box 31551 Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33420 Ron Manera, Senior Editor 561.718.0745 • ron@insurmedia.com © Entire Contents 2015 AdMax Corp

To best navigate The Insider, begin with the Table of Contents and select your topic. On the bottom of most pages is a Table of Contents link that will immediately return you for your next topic selection. EVERY SPONSOR AD LINKS DIRECTLY TO THE SPONSOR’S WEBSITE. CLICK ON ANY AD TO VISIT OUR FINE SPONSORS!

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3 WAYS TO FREE UP SPACE ON YOUR SMARTPHONE OR TABLET

Really Cool Info - by Kim Komando

ou’re in the park with your family and one of the kids does something unbelievably cute. You quickly grab your smartphone to take a video and ... “Not enough room.

can make your phone or tablet do some useful and amazing things. I have plenty of great apps from games and utilities to security and photo editors on my site, but they can fill up your available space before you realize it. You A full smartphone or tablet can’t probably don’t need every one take pictures, download music, of those latest-addicting-mustadd new apps, or even install have game apps, or three to-do operating system updates that list apps. contain important security fixes. You need to free up some space In Apple, iOS 8, go to Se fast, and I can tell you how t t i n g s > > G e n e r a l > > U s a g without losing any important e>>Manage Storage. For information. iOS 7 and earlier, it’s just

Clear Out Apps

Settings>>General>>Usage. Here you’ll see a list of apps and how much space they use. This helps you make an informed decision about where to go fattrimming. To delete an app you don’t want, simply tap its name. Then tap the “Delete App” button on the next screen. In Android, go to Settings>>Applications (Settings>>Application Manager on some gadgets). Swipe left until you end up on the “Downloaded” tab. Here you’ll see a list of apps you’ve downloaded and how much space they use. To remove an app, just tap the name and then tap the “Uninstall” button. Start removing the apps you no longer use, then take a look at the largest apps that are left and think about how much you really need them. With Android, you can also go to Settings>>Storage to get a detailed breakdown of how much space you have and what’s using it, such as Apps, Pictures, Audio, Downloads, etc. Tapping a category will take you to the relevant area of Android. So, tapping on “Apps” will take you to the Application Management screen while tapping “Pictures” will take you to your photo gallery app.

A p p s

In Windows Phone 8, go to the Start screen and swipe left to

See Kim Komando Pg 39 www.underwritersinsider.com

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IS DRUNKEN BRAWL RESULTING IN DEATH COVERED? Expert Analysis & Commentary by Barry Zalma, Esq.

Agent Only Responsible for Acquiring Policy Ordered

n Atlantic Cas. Ins. Co. v. Norton, Slip Copy, 2015 WL 1293666 (E.D.Tenn., 3/23/15) a patron at the Grill & Pub died at a tavern owned and operated by Grover Norton in Harriman, Tennessee. A patron of the tavern accidently backed his Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE is a California attorney vehicle into another vehicle specializing in insurance coverage, insurance in the tavern’s parking lot. A claims handling and fraud who serves as a consultant and expert for insurers and dispute then arose between policyholders. He founded Zalma Insurance several patrons leading to the Consultants in 2001 and serves as its senior violent beating death of David consultant. He recently published an e-book, Lee Harvey. A wrongful death “Getting The Whole Truth,” which is available at his Web site, www.zalma.com. Go to Zalma lawsuit was filed against Books at http://www.zalma.com/zalmabooks. Norton and others. Atlantic htm. Casualty Insurance Company brought this declaratory action seeking a declaration owe Norton a duty to defend or that it has no duty to defend or indemnify him in the wrongful indemnify Norton in the action. death lawsuit. Atlantic asserts that Norton has filed a Third–Party the allegations in the wrongful Complaint for failure to procure death lawsuit are excluded from insurance against AGA Insurance, coverage pursuant to the terms Inc. The parties filed cross-motions of the insurance policy Atlantic for summary judgment. issued to Norton including, but

relied on AGA to exercise due diligence in providing a policy that would protect him for foreseeable perils such as the assault and battery described in the wrongful death lawsuit. Therefore, to the extent that coverage is not available to him under the policy of insurance with Atlantic, AGA should be held liable for any damages assessed against Norton as a result of its intentional or negligent acts, omissions, or misrepresentations related to procurement of coverage for the tavern.

APPLICABLE POLICY PROVISIONS

Atlantic issued a commercial lines insurance policy to Grover Norton d/b/a/ The Grill & Pub. The assault and battery exclusion provided: “This insurance does not apply to and we have no duty to defend any claims or “suits” for ‘bodily injury,’ ‘property damage,’ or ‘personal and advertising injury’ not limited to, the policy’s “Assault arising in whole or in part out of:a) Atlantic claims that it does not and/or Battery” exclusion. the actual or threatened assault and/or battery whether caused by Norton also filed a Third– or at the instigation or direction Join Barry Zalma’s new Blog: Party Complaint against AGA of any insured, his employees, http://www.zalma.com/blog Insurance, Inc., alleging that he patrons or any other person;…” 10

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ANALYSIS

losses arising out of business operations. Commercial general liability policies are divided into several components, including the insuring agreement, which sets the outer limits of an insurer’s contractual liability, and the exclusions, which help define the shape and scope of coverage by excluding certain forms of coverage.

As a general rule, Tennessee law construes any ambiguities in an insurance policy in favor of the insured. Yet, if the terms of the policy are clear, the court enforces insurance contracts “according to their plain terms” with the language construed in its “plain, ordinary and popular sense.” Tennessee courts do not create a new insurance contract The court concluded that the claims in the wrongful death for the parties. action fall squarely under the policy’s exclusion. Courts ASSAULT AND construing similar policy BATTERY provisions have found similar claims excluded by the policy’s EXCLUSION Assault and/or Battery exclusion. The underlying wrongful death Norton does not challenge the Complaint alleged that Eric Glen validity of the Assault and/or Gallaher, Derek Lynn Gallaher, Battery exclusion, or contest Devin Lee Bertram, and Anderson that it applies to the allegations Treavin Wright, either acting alone in the underlying case; instead, or in concert with one another, he argues that the insurance did unlawfully, negligently, agent, AGA Insurance Inc., failed recklessly or intentionally assault to secure proper coverage for his and kill David Lee Harvey in the business, and that this failure is parking lot of The Grill and Pub attributable to Atlantic, because owned and operated by the AGA is the agent of the insurer, Defendant, Grover Norton. It also Atlantic, and not the insured. alleged that Grover Norton failed to exercise reasonable care by failing to operate the Grill and Pub and its parking lot in such a fashion so that it would not attract or provide a climate for crime such as was perpetrated on David Lee Harvey as alleged herein. Commercial general liability policies are designed to protect an insured against certain www.underwritersinsider.com

Complaint that he assumed he had coverage for assaults and batteries, and he believed he had coverage for the type of incident that is at issue in the wrongful death lawsuit. In his affidavit, Norton does not state that he instructed AGA to obtain a policy with assault and battery coverage, or that AGA made a mistake in carrying out his instructions. Nor does he state that at any time during the 20 years he purchased insurance from AGA, he ever asked AGA to obtain assault and battery coverage for him. AGA was acting as Norton’s agent, not Atlantic’s. Therefore the alleged actions by AGA do not bind Atlantic to coverage for the allegations of assault and battery in the wrongful death lawsuit.

The insured may recover from the agent the loss he sustains as a result of the agent’s failure to procure the desired coverage if the actions of the agent warrant an assumption by the client that he was properly insured in the amount of the desired coverage. RESPONSIBILITY An agent or broker is liable for failure to procure on the theory OF BROKER that he or she is the agent of the insured in negotiating for a policy, Under Tennessee law, a cause and owes a duty to the principle of action for failure to procure to exercise reasonable skill, care, insurance is separate and distinct and diligence in effecting the from any cause of action against insurance. an insurer, and the agent, rather than the insurance company, The elements of a cause of action is independently liable. Norton for failure to procure are: (1) an alleges in his Third–Party See ZALMA Page 24

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NEW GOP ALTERNATIVES TO THE UNACA

OP/ED BY SPENCER A. LEHMANN, RHU federal income tax on the value of employer-provided health benefits that exceed certain annual thresholds — $12,000 for individuals and $30,000 for families. Health benefits above those levels would be treated and taxed as regular income for the employee. The thresholds would increase over time.

eadline, NY Times: “G.O.P. Lawmakers Propose Alternative to Obamacare”. A plan designed to overhaul the UnACA (UnAffordable Care Act), designed by Senator Orin Hatch and drafted with the encouragement of both GOP House and Senate Members, has been announced. [HERE] . The plan would halt the advancement of Medicaid, reduce subsidies for Middle Class Americans, and would limit Federal regulation of insurance companies, placing that regulation back on the States. One element of this new proposal is receiving a lot of attention and blowback… that being the requirement that employees would need to begin paying federal income tax on the value of employer provided health care benefits that exceed a certain annual threshold.

From the article: “Their plan includes a potentially explosive proposal: Workers would have to pay 12

Spencer A. Lehmann is a Registered Health Underwriter (RHU), whose company, Lehmann/Wood & Associates, Inc., specializes in Group and Individual Long Term Care insurance and Medicare Supplemental Coverage. Mr. Lehmann retired from his company in 2005 and now spends his time writing on Health Care Insurance and Political Issues, both of which have encompassed over 40+ years of his life. He has been an actively involved member of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU) since 1978, and serves on the Board of Directors of several Charitable Organizations’ helping Special Needs Children, and Inner-City Children to experience and participate in the world of the Arts and Music. In his free time he plays golf with his wife, Fran, who usually wins.

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Employers could still take tax deductions for the cost of employee health benefits as an incentive to continue providing coverage, Republicans said. Moreover, a summary of the proposal says that “economists across the political spectrum largely agree” that the current tax break for employer-provided insurance is fueling the growth of health costs.” Some of the changes promoted by the Republicans make a lot of sense, for example. Again quoting from the article: “The Republican plan would repeal the individual and employer mandates under which most Americans must carry insurance and larger employers must offer it to employees or else pay penalties.”

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Given that the Individual Mandate is at best a feeble attempt to make Americans Individually responsible and force them to carry coverage, with only nominal penalties assessed if they don’t, I.e. $95 penalty versus $2,000 for the cost of insurance, $800 penalty on an AGI of $80K, tossing this ludicrous mandate makes perfect sense. As far as the Employer Mandates are concerned, now that America has witnessed President Barack Obama delaying the implementation of both the Individual and Employer Mandates for purely political manipulation to assure his reelection in 2012, added to the dramatic negative affect of the Employer Mandates on the Employment Market, tossing these mandates makes good sense.

From the article: “The Republicans would also repeal more than a dozen new taxes and fees, including taxes on insurance companies and manufacturers of

prescription drugs and medical devices.”

Also of importance:

This change is excellent in many ways, most noticeably that the implementation of these taxes can only have the effect of increasing the cost of health care to the nation.

“Under the Republican proposal, the government would provide a “capped allotment” to states to finance coverage for certain Medicaid beneficiaries. Money would be allocated according to the number of poor people in each state. The amount would increase

Subsidies won’t be eliminated, merely amended:

See GOP Alternatives- Page 30

“The government would offer subsidies, in the form of tax credits, for the purchase of “health care coverage or services,” according to the proposal. The subsidies would be available to people with incomes up to three times the poverty level (up to $35,300 for an individual), compared with four times the poverty level under the Affordable Care Act. Lower-income and older people would receive larger subsidies, but the average amount would be less than the current subsidies, which, according to the Congressional Budget Office, are now expected to total $1 trillion over 10 years.”

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HUDGENS ANNOUNCES ARREST OF SOUTH GEORGIA INSURANCE AGENT

At the time of the theft, Heard was employed by Tracie Hart Insurance and Financial Services, in Adel. Fraud investigators tlanta – Insurance fraud, one count of forgery in the believe that more than $4,000 C o m m i s s i o n e r first-degree, one count of forgery has been embezzled. Ralph Hudgens in the third-degree, and 18 counts today announced the arrest of theft by taking. “Heard’s actions have put of a Cook County insurance consumers and businesses at An investigation agent on multiple great financial risk,” said Hudgens. by Hudgens’ Fraud charges related to “I will not tolerate any insurance Division revealed that misappropriating of agent stealing from Georgia between 2010 and insurance premiums. consumers.” 2014, Heard allegedly stole premiums Teresita D. Heard, Heard has been released from for personal 47, a sub-agent the Cook County Jail on bond and commercial with Cory Bromlow and disciplinary action against insurance from her Insurance and her license to sell insurance is Teresita D. Heard clients instead of Financial Services, in currently under review. The case forwarding the money Adel, Georgia, was will be prosecuted by the Cook arrested March 13, and charged to the insurance company for County District Attorney’s Office. with seven counts of insurance coverage.

FIVE INDICTED IN CINCINNATI-AREA FRAUDULENT INSURANCE CLAIM RING

OLUMBUS — Lt. the scheme to defraud insurance Governor Mary Taylor companies, the individuals filed announced today that fraudulent claims pertaining to automobile an Ohio Department accidents that never of Insurance-led occurred investigation has resulted in the “Insurance fraud indictment of five increases the cost Cincinnati-area of insurance for all residents on multiple of us and will be counts of alleged aggressively pursued insurance fraud for filing by the Department a significant number of false insurance Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor of Insurance,” said Taylor, also Director claims in 2014 totaling approximately $85,000. As part of of the Department of Insurance.

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“I applaud the efforts of the investigative team that led to this indictment.” A Hamilton County Grand Jury charged Deandra Chambers, Domynic Elahee, Trenton Evans, Jaynell Todd, and Shawniece Reed on Jan. 30. Chambers was also charged with forgery and tampering with records. The Ohio State Highway Patrol and the National Insurance Crime Bureau assisted in the investigation. The Underwriter’s Insider

FEDERAL JURY REACHES $391 MILLION VERDICT AGAINST TRUSTEE FOR PRE-NEED FUNERAL CONTRACT TRUSTS

USTIN -- A St. Louis federal jury has awarded $391 million, including $35.5 million in punitive damages, against PNC Bank following a five-week jury trial.

The plaintiffs were the Special Deputy Receiver (SDR), Jo Ann Howard and Associates, appointed by the Commissioner of the Texas Department of Insurance; the National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations (NOLHGA) on behalf of 28 state guaranty associations, and the state guaranty associations of Missouri, Texas, Illinois, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Kentucky. The SDR, NOLHGA and the state guaranty associations joined forces to pursue breach of fiduciary duty and negligence claims against PNC, which was the successor to Allegiant Bank and Trust Company, a St. Louisbased bank that had served as a trustee for multiple pre-need funeral trusts. "This has been a superb team effort with the guaranty associations. We are very pleased with the jury's award," said David Mattax, the Commissioner of Insurance for the State of Texas. www.underwritersinsider.com

Peter Gallanis, president of NOLHGA, said, "We are proud that the guaranty associations have met their obligations to ensure that the consumer losses were covered. The jury's verdict is the next step in the process." Thousands of consumers and multiple funeral homes had entered into contracts with a company known as National Prearranged Services (NPS), which was run by a number of individuals who were indicted and convicted of fraud. NPS sold pre-need funeral contracts initially in Missouri and used two affiliated Texas-based life insurance companies to back the pre-need funeral contracts. In 2008, NPS and the two insurance companies were placed in receivership in Austin, Texas. The SDR and state guaranty association system worked together to ensure that thousands of funerals were paid for. Since 2008, the guaranty associations have paid more than $300 million for in excess of 50,000 funerals in 40 states. The guaranty associations will pay for all covered future funerals, which will be additional millions of dollars

$84.4 MILLION REFUND AGREEMENT WITH FARMERS FILED IN COURT

Agreement Brings Total of Recent Settlements Close to $437 Million for Texas Consumers

USTIN – On the heels of last week’s multimillion dollar refund agreement with the state’s largest homeowners insurer, Texas Department of Insurance Commissioner David Mattax announced today a revised settlement with the second largest homeowners insurer, Farmers Insurance, stemming from a 2002 lawsuit by the State against Farmers. The settlement, which amends a prior agreement, will enhance benefits to Farmers policyholders who fall within the settlement class. As part of the settlement in 2002, Farmers provided a 6.8 percent homeowners rate reduction that has already been received by its policyholders. An additional $74.38 million in refunds has been increased by $10 million to account for the passage of time. 15

HUDGENS: SEVEN SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN GEORGIA FOR STAGING AUTO COLLISION

tlanta Insurance Commissioner Ralph Hudgens announced today that seven suspects have been charged with one felony count each of insurance fraud for allegedly staging an automobile accident in Bibb County. An investigation by Hudgens’ Fraud Division revealed that on September 5, 2013, Kokeythia B. Glover, 23, Stephanie James, 41, Alicia Bell, 43, Erion Phillips, 22, Marcus Pertillo, 29, Kentaurus Taylor, 26 and Bernard Taylor, 56, planned and participated in a staged automobile accident in Macon, Georgia.

and Glover’s rented Ford U-Haul truck resulted in more than $8,000 in fraudulent claims being paid by two insurance companies. “Insurance fraud is a serious crime that can cost Georgians millions of dollars each year in the form of higher premiums,” Commissioner Hudgens said. “I will continue to make combating fraud one of my highest priorities."

N. FLA MAN ARRESTED FOR FAKING DEATH FOR INSURANCE MONEY

ACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater today announced the recent arrest of Jose Lantigua and his wife Daphne Simpson of Fleming Island on seven counts of insurance fraud after it was discovered that Lantigua allegedly faked his own death in order to cash in on $9 million in life insurance policies he purchased.

All seven suspects A partnered state and federal have turned themselves in at investigation that included the the Bibb County Sheriff’s office, Florida Division of Insurance Hudgens said. Fraud discovered that Lantigua was in fact alive despite a 2013 Both Glover and James are also charged with one count each of insurance claim that stated he The staged accident, which false reporting of a crime. The had died of mad cow disease in occurred at the intersection of cases against all seven will be Venezuela. The filing alleged that Patterson Street, and Birch Street, prosecuted by the Bibb County he traveled to seek treatment for his illness and later died while between James’ 1998 BMW 325i District Attorney's Office. still in the country of Venezuela. Lantigua was arrested at his North Carolina home.

DOCSTAR AWARDED 5-STAR RATING

CHENECTADY, NY - docSTAR, an award-winning provider of Enterprise Content Mgt & automated Accts Payable processing solutions, announced a 5-Star rating in The CRN 2015 Partner Program Guide. This annual directory is the definitive listing of

technology vendors that service solution providers or provide products through the IT channel. The 5-Star Partner Program rating recognizes an elite subset of companies that offer solution providers the best partnering elements in their channel programs.

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Lantigua’s case will be prosecuted by the office of 4th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Angela Corey. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are expected. The Underwriter’s Insider

VERO BEACH INSURANCE AGENT ARRESTED FOR FILING FALSE CLAIMS

ERO BEACH, Fla. – The Florida Department of Financial Services’Division of Insurance Fraud announced the arrest of Jessica Gianna for filing nine fraudulent health insurance claims between May 2012 and January 2014. Gianna filed the fraudulent claims on behalf of herself and a family member while employed at a Vero Beach, Florida insurance company. Gianna’s position at the insurance company allowed her the opportunity to usher fraudulent www.underwritersinsider.com

claims through the process without raising suspicions. Before the insurance company’s internal investigative unit became aware of the theft and notified the Division of Insurance Fraud, Gianna secured more than $6,000 in fraudulent claims payments.

BUSINESS INSIDER POINTS OUT 11 WORDS COMMONLY PRONOUNCED WRONG It ain’t “Cash - Shay”

Gianna faces up to 45 years in prison. The Department’s Division of Agent & Agency Services will also seek to suspend her license. Gianna’s case will be prosecuted by the office of 19th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bruce Colton.

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MERCURY INSURANCE AGREES TO $1 MILLION SETTLEMENT FOR COMPLIANCE VIOLATIONS Mercury Insurance agrees to $1 million settlement for compliance violations

ACRAMENTO, Calif. - Today Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones announced a $1 million settlement with Mercury Insurance Company, Mercury Casualty Company and California Automobile I n s u r a n c e Company. This settlement stems from a regularly scheduled market conduct exam based on which the California Department of Insurance (CDI) found that Mercury violated California law more than 350,000 times based on more than 50 illegal rating and underwriting practices. In addition to the $1 million fine, Mercury agreed to business practice reforms. "Market conduct exams help make sure insurers are fulfilling their obligation to consumers and following all insurance laws and regulations," said Commissioner Jones. "This routine market

conduct exam of Mercury Insurance resulted in payment of a penalty and business practice reforms, and serves as an important reminder to all insurers to uphold commitments made to policyholders."

PROGRESSIVE TO INCREASE RATES ON RISKY SNAPSHOT DRIVERS

hen Progressive Corp, the 4th largest writer of auto insurance in the country introduced it’s Snapshot program, it was billed as a way for safe drivers to save money - but few in the insurance industry were fooled. Progressive wasn’t looking for a way to give back premium dollars, they were ultimately looking for a way to surcharge those drivers they deem a higher risk. The Snapshot device is plugged into your vehicle’s computer and collects data on miles driven, braking and the time of day driven. Many folks consider the device an unwelcome intrusion into their privacy.

The Department found a range of unlawful violations across several lines of insurance. The exam concluded, among other things, that Mercury failed to provide reasons for non-renewals and cancelations, used unapproved and unfiled rates, failed to consistently follow their own rating and underwriting rules, and failed to make certain required disclosures in “This is a key policy shift,” Spanish. Progressive wrote in a report. CDI conducts market conduct “The decision to raise prices for examinations of insurance some bad drivers may discourage companies to ensure the customer acceptance of Snapshot, companies are complying with whose sales grew 28% in 2014.” the California Insurance Code and the California Code of Regulations with respect to rating, underwriting and claim practices. Exams can be scheduled based on consumer complaint activity, special requests, or at regular intervals.

While acceptance of the program seemed to be increasing, many drivers may not want their insurance carrier riding along with them on their way to work. The rate changes for “risky” drivers may increase those numbers as well.

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PROGRESSIVE INSURANCE REVEALS TOP ACCIDENT TRENDS OF 2014 Findings include peak times for claims and types of claims for cars, boats, commercial lines and motorcycles

AYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio — January 29, 2015 — What's the safest month on the roads? Where do the most car thefts and break-ins occur? The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies set out to answer these questions, and others, in its 2014 Year in Claims Report. Progressive analyzed all of its claims in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to determine where and when claims happened.

overlooked catastrophe that damages thousands of vehicles each year.

in the District of Columbia than any other state. The rest of the states in the top five for theft and break-ins were California, The weekend might seem like Washington, Missouri and a more dangerous time to be Hawaii. on the road. However, more claims occurred on each of The top five states in which a person was most likely to file an auto claim were all on the East Coast—The District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York and South Carolina. The state where customers were least likely to file an auto claim was Oklahoma. The 4th of July weekend was particularly dangerous for boaters in 2014, with the top three days for boat claims being July 5th, July 4th and July 6th.

Progressive looked at multiple areas it insures— auto, motorcycle, boat and commercial lines and created a report for each, with a granular breakdown of the top claims and highlighting the most interesting findings. Notable claims trends from 2014 include:

the weekdays than on either Saturday or Sunday. One might think that the biggest dangers on the road for motorcyclists are cars and trucks, but in 2014 there were more single-vehicle motorcycle claims than any other type. In While winter driving can be fact, there were more singledangerous, December saw the vehicle claims than the next lowest volume of claims of three types combined. any month, and May had the highest. This was largely due to You are more likely to have the spring hail season, an often- your car broken into or stolen www.underwritersinsider.com

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"The goal of this report is to empower people with information so they can avoid accidents," said Mike Sieger, claims operations leader at Progressive. "For example, when people see that rear-end accidents were the top claim of 2014, maybe they'll think twice before following the person in front of them too closely. Or seeing that intersection claims are high on

See Progressive Claims Pg 25 19

The Underwriterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Insider

INSURANCE INSIGHTS FROM THE FLORIDA DIVISION OF AGENT & AGENT SERVICES Customer Representatives' Lawful Duties and Compensation

Chapter 69B-213, Florida Administrative Code, provides additional guidance regarding customer representatives. Please review 69B-213.010, F.A.C. regarding “Duty to Supervise” ccasionally, general lines clarifies what the agents and the customer which representatives (4-40s) Department requires of a general lines agent that is supervising they supervise c u s t o m e r blur the lines “A customer representatives. when transacting representative can insurance under A customer their licenses and conduct activities representative find themselves under his/her can only solicit the subject of business within license during an Department the office or discipline. We've absence of the by phone from put together a the office [see primer to clarify general lines agent, subsection but the general the duties a CR can 626.7315(1), F.S.], lawfully perform lines agent must and cannot "run followed by those the office" during have daily, inactivities that can the extended only be performed person contact absence of a by a licensed with the customer general lines General Lines agent. In the case representative.” agent: of more than an absence of the Chapter 626, Part II General Lines general lines agent, a new general Agents - please pay particular attention to section 626.7315, F.S. - lines agent must be appointed as Prohibition against the unlicensed the agent in charge to supervise transaction of general lines the customer representative insurance. This section discusses during the extended absence of activities that can be lawfully the original supervising agent.

conducted only by a licensed and appointed general lines agent. Florida Statute sections 626.7352, 626.7353, and 626.7354 apply specifically to customer representatives. www.underwritersinsider.com

A customer representative can conduct activities under his/ her license during an absence of the general lines agent, but the general lines agent must have daily, in-person contact with the

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customer representative. Should a complaint be filed with the Department regarding business conducted during the absence of the supervising general lines agent, the Department will review all facts prior to considering the appropriate enforcement action. You can review 69B-213.120, F.A.C., for more information.

An example of how the law is interpreted: We were recently asked if a customer representative could access her agency work emails from home via her smart phone. Although the employee can lawfully view the emails, to take any type of action that falls under her lawful duties as a customer representative would be unlawful as she would not be under the direct supervision of her designated supervising general lines agent. We are frequently asked how an agency can lawfully compensate customer representatives. Customer representatives must be salaried, non-commissioned employees. However, customer representatives can receive bonus income provided the bonuses are given to everyone in the agency for the overall production/ performance of the agency, but not for the customer representative's individual production. 21

among other things, oddly requires drivers to have comprehensive and collision coverage, which Uber argues no driver is required to have and it is not known why lost to the Islamic crazies or supporters of the legislation where substantial ground contends the change is has been lost including needed. Iraq, Syria and Libya. While diminishing our influence loyd’s of London reported all over the Mid-East as our a pre-tax profit of $4.99 enemies gain ground, the billion for 2014, the identical president has also managed amount posted in 2013. to coddle Iran as she is on The results were based on a the brink of gaining a nuclear combined loss ratio of 88.1% weapon, but to alienate the on gross written premiums only democracy in the region of $39.42 billion. “This is and our only true ally: Israel. a strong set of results for

Breaking News

ccording to a recent US News report, “a growing number of Americans are living to age 100. Nationwide, the centenarian population has grown 65.8 percent over the past three decades, from 32,194 people who were age 100 or older in 1980 to 53,364 centenarians in 2010, according to new Census Bureau data. In contrast, the total population has increased 36.3 percent over the same time period.” Note: inneapolis and St. Paul it is overwhelmingly women are currently wrestling (82.1%) who live to and with the issue of Uber beyond age 100. insurance regulation as a bill is considered. The bill, he U.S. announced in March that it was pulling it’s special forces troops from a vital air base in Yemen as the country falls to Islamic radical rebels. Yemen, once described by the president of an example of how well his foreign policy was working, was the latest of a string of nations completely

Lloyd’s, despite challenging market conditions. The robust performance of the market in 2014 reflects a collective achievement, of

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which we should be proud,” exas Insurance Lloyd’s CEO Inga Beale said in Commissioner David a statement released. Mattax was elected chairman of the Interstate Insurance he German pilot Andreas Product Regulation Lubitz who crashed an Commission (IIPRC) on Airbus A320 into the French March 27 in Phoenix, AZ. Alps killing all 150 souls The Commission also onboard in March reportedly selected Virginia Insurance told his instructors at a Commissioner Jacqueline K. Lufthansa training school he Cunningham as Vice Chair had suffered from and been and Puerto Rico Insurance treated for severe depression, Commissioner Angela Weyne according to sources at the as Treasurer. The Interstate airline. The depression was Insurance Compact (Compact) so severe, Lubitz was forced is an initiative that improves the to take a break in his training efficiency and effectiveness of that lasted several months. the way insurance products are Further, the young co-pilot filed, reviewed, and approved had been treated for suicidal allowing consumers to have tendencies prior to earning faster access to competitive his pilot’s license. Obviously, insurance products in this is not good news for the an ever-changing global airline - nor it’s insurors who marketplace. The Compact have been told to set aside promotes uniformity through $300 million to deal with application of uniform product claims and the loss of the standards embedded with aircraft. Not enough... strong consumer protections. This serves as a great benefit new Chinese study on to state insurance regulators, aging concluded that a consumers, and the insurance 3-D image of the face can industry. be a more reliable indicator of age than even complex nsurance industry agent panels of blood work. “This and carrier leaders face the suggests not only that youth challenge of clearly positioning is ‘skin deep,’ but also that their brand touch points to health is ‘written’ on the face,” meet consumer expectations according to the authors of throughout the insurance the study. life cycle. That’s the reason

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industry groups Agents Council for Technology (ACT) and ACORD-User Groups Information Exchange (AUGIE) are co-locating their May 2015 meetings with Brand Camp, a special event for insurance branding and marketing decision-makers. The events will be held backto-back May 17-20 in St. Louis at the Magnolia Hotel. Each meeting has a unique agenda, but the three groups will share a key industry imperative: improving how insurance brands are viewed by customers and business partners. “Everything that ACT and AUGIE are doing highlights the front-end customer-experience expectations that consumers everywhere have now, especially because of the technology tools available to them,” said Ron Berg, executive director of ACT. “The new‘Customer Insurance Journey Recommendations’ report from ACT’s Customer Experience work group identified consumer touchpoints at various phases of the insurance journey. Brand Camp, AUGIE and ACT all will focus on the critical aspects of brandings, marketing, and reaching the customer.” 23

Continued from Page 11

irrespective of whether he actually read the policies. Tennessee law is clear that “in the absence of fraud or mistake, an insured cannot claim that he undertaking or agreement by Under Tennessee law, an insured, is not bound by the contract of the agent or broker to procure upon receipt of the policy, is insurance, or certain provisions insurance; (2) the agent’s or conclusively presumed to have thereof, because he has not read broker’s failure to use reasonable read, understood and assented it, or is otherwise ignorant of, or diligence in attempting to place to all provisions of the policy. unacquainted with its provisions.” the insurance and failure to notify Webber v. State Farm the client promptly Auto. Ins. Co., 49 S.W.3d of any such failure; 265, 274 (Tenn.2001). and (3) the agent’s Summary judgment or broker’s actions was granted for both warranted the client’s the insurer and the assumption that he broker. or she was properly insured.

ZALMA

Norton testified he had purchased insurance for his tavern through AGA since approximately 1990. Norton admitted he did not talk to the agent or anyone else at AGA about obtaining a policy providing coverage for assault and battery, and no one at AGA ever told Norton the policies being purchased would provide coverage for assault and battery. Norton received a copy of the Atlantic policy and later received copies of the policy upon renewal. Norton acknowledged that he did not read the policy. Bob Layton, the agent with AGA who initially procured insurance coverage for Norton, testified that exclusions for assault and/or battery are universal with commercial 24

liability policies, and that each property and commercial liability policy secured through AGA contained a similar exclusion.

ZALMA OPINION

Over the last 42 years I have asked insureds, under oath, if they read and understood their policy. Only Norton requested a property two answered “yes” and further and commercial liability policy, questioning proved both lied. and AGA procured a property In this case Norton admitted he and commercial liability policy had not read his policy and its as requested. An insurance renewals over a 20 year period agent does not owe a duty to sell and still claimed he was entitled customers more coverage than to assault and batter coverage requested or selected. The agent’s and dram shop coverage. obligation to the customer ends when the coverage requested by The policy issued to him was clear and unambiguous and the customer is obtained. he eventually gave up his Norton received renewal case against the insurer and notices and policies over 20 demanded the broker pay for not years, detailing the scope of his reading his mind and obtaining commercial liability coverage, the coverage he needed for the Norton is presumed, as a matter first time after the death. The of law, to possess full knowledge court, wisely, did not buy his of the coverage provisions, argument.

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Continued From Page 19

PROGRESSIVE CLAIMS the list could help convince them that running that red light isn't worth the time you save. We hope consumers can use this data to their advantage when they're on the road or on the water." For a graphical representation of the top claims for each business area, visit http:// at.progressive.com/everythinginsurance/2014-insurance claims-data. For a more detailed breakdown of each line of business, visit the links below. Auto (http://at.progressive. c o m / e v e r y t h i n g insurance/2014-autoinsurance-claims-report) Boat (http://at.progressive. c o m / e v e r y t h i n g insurance/2014-boatinsurance-claims-report) Commercial Lines (http:// at.progressive.com/everythinginsurance/2014-commercialvehicles-insurance -claimsreport) Motorcycle (http:// at.progressive.com/everythinginsurance/2014-motorc ycle insurance-claims-report) www.underwritersinsider.com

About Progressive

he Progressive Group of Insurance Companies makes it easy to understand, buy and use auto insurance. Progressive offers choices so consumers can reach it whenever, wherever and however it's most convenient— online at progressive.com, by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, on a mobile device or in-person with a local agent. Progressive also offers insurance for personal and commercial autos and trucks, motorcycles, boats, recreational vehicles, as well as home insurance through select carriers. It's the fourth largest auto insurer in the country, the largest seller of motorcycle insurance and a leader in commercial auto insurance. Progressive also offers car insurance online in Australia at http://www. progressiveonline.com.au. Founded in 1937, Progressive continues its long history of offering shopping tools and services that save customers time and money, like Name Your Price®, Snapshot®, and Service Centers. The Common Shares of The Progressive Corporation, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based holding company, trade publicly at NYSE:PGR.

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“The Final Authority on Everything!” Snapshot? It Sux.

ADVISOR

styles to a greater or lesser chance of loss is not such a bad thing - but will it really be a set of old biases that penalize for perceived increase in risk for someone who may accelerate or brake somewhat more sporty? Hey, Progressive, some people enjoy driving!

Now that Progressive has admitted they may raise rates on Snapshot insureds if the carrier deems their driving “risky,” do you feel the company has gone too far and too intrusive in their underwriting by tech? H.K. If we choose to believe Austin, TX. Progressive, what the From whose perspective? Snapshot device is NOT From a carrier’s point of view, monitoring is quite telling. It the device which plugs into a cannot tell you’re drowsy. It cars computer and reportedly cannot tell if you’re under measures, hard braking, the influence. It cannot tell if time of day driven, mileage you’re drag-racing. It cannot (and God knows what else...) tell if you’re texting. It cannot offers some extraordinary insight into the risk they are insuring. The device is capable of measuring far more than those factors and may, in fact, be doing so. So, from many insured’s perspective, it really sucks.

tell if you’re on the phone and distracted. Snapshot is judging you on a tiny subset of data. The 100% guarantee is this: Soon the Snapshot will be mandatory - or those opting out will pay a substantial surcharge. Most companies will adopt similar devices. (State Farm already has a device.) Your insurance company will be monitoring you in real-time each time you get behind the wheel. Big Brother has arrived - and he is watching you closely.

The device is intrusive and the data it collects may judge you unfairly. Ultimately, some underwriter must draw a conclusion as to how the data affects your chance of loss. Clean actuarial results comparing different driving www.underwritersinsider.com

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Registered Customer Service Rep 4-40 Palm Beach County

Experienced Registered Cus-

FREE CLASSIFIED RULES: Submit all ads online at: www.underwritersinsider. tomer Service Representative com/classifieds. Ads must be less than 501 characters plus a title line. Eligible free classifieds include help wanted, position wanted, personal ads, agency for sale/purchase, or the one-time sale of an item or items. Place Ad HERE!

REGULAR CLASSIFIED RULES:

Submit all ads online at: www. underwritersinsider.com/classifieds. Only $1.00 per word, including title line and response info. Payment must be received prior to print date. Ads run 3 mo.

Property Underwriting Manager Monmouth County NJ Our client is seeking to hire a Property Underwriting Manager. 10+ years of current underwriting experience; excess and surplus experience preferred. For more information contact: Lloyd Kushner 800-797-1412 or send your resume in complete confidence to lloyd@yoursearchfirm. com 15-2

Florida Agents with 2-20 License for Palm Harbor Want to work in an exciting work place? Looking for a career and not just a job! We pay higher commissions then the standard industry offers. We are expanding our independent Property and Casualty Insurance agency in Palm Harbor, FL and currently seeking highly motivated professional people who hold a Florida 2-20 insurance license to join our sales team. Contact: gary.s@insurancesolutionstb.com

Premium Finance Sales Rep California

Insurance Premium Finance company is seeking an Account Sales Rep to cover our California territory. The ideal candidate will have experience in insurance industry and/or knowledge of insurance premium financing. Travel throughout the state of California required. All eligible candidates will be subject to a background search. Send resume to opportunities@financebulldog. com 15-2

Looking To Buy Agency

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Property and Casualty Agents Wanted Looking for self motivated agents in the state of FL. Contact:info@insurebenefits.com

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Personal Lines Producer Destin, FL Area Wanting an experienced self motivated producer for this high end area. Don@mcmahonhadder.com 15-3

Entrepreneurial Underwriter

Entrepreneurial, qualityfocused, P & C underwriter and marketing person seeks part time or full time employment. I bring knowledge, team spirit and enthusiasm to the job. I can work from my office in Cocoa or your office in the Orlando area. Contact cee42@aol.com 15-3

I am looking to partner with an agency located in Broward or Palm Beach County. I would like to be a second location and run business with your office. Contact: gisflorida@outlook.com

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4-40 Wanted Bilingual English / Spanish with experience, to work in Lake Worth, Palm Beach, excellent working conditions requested. Angel 561-755-2586. 15-4

Experienced Personal lines CSR Wanted St. Pete FL Looking for a self motivated, ambitious inside sales account rep, 2-20 lic., may consider 4-40 for full or part time, duties include quoting and servicing accounts and account rounding for Business owners, Workers Comp, General Liability and other lines of business Established agency since 1958 Contact: rbozeman@bozemaninsurance.com 15-4 The Underwriter’s Insider

POSITION WANTED COMPANY REP S. FLORIDA

Independent Agency Owners Wanted Florida/Georgia

Experienced and Licensed Insurance CSR

Experienced Florida insurance & premium finance professional holding active 2-20 & 2-15 licenses seeking company rep or relationship manager position in carrier, MGA or PFC role. Experienced working with commercial & personal lines. Available to travel. Please contact me at: candidate88@ yahoo.com for further information and resume. Seeking salary + commission. 15-2

Join one of the fastest growing independent agencies in the country. Our owners earn the highest commissions and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t waste time on non-money making service work. Save 5 years or more starting or transition your existing agency to a model that carriers give preference to. Visit http://weinsuregroup. com/ or contact a Territory Manager at damon.fico@weinsuregroup.com or megan.null@ weinsuregroup.com

Large, independent property and casualty insurance agency located in Lake Mary, Florida is seeking 220, 2044 or 440 licensed and experienced customer service representatives. We represent over 40 insurance carriers. Great written and verbal communication skills are required.

LICENSED 220 WANTED-FLORIDA INDEPENDENT LEAD GENRATOR FACE TO FACE OR PHONE CONTACT-COMMERCIAL & PERSONAL LINES-COMMISSION ONLY POSITION-50% NEW BUSINESS,25% RENEWALS-MUST HAVE OWN E&O COVERAGE-SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY. APPLEINSURANCE@MSN.COM 15-2

Experienced CSR Wanted - Louisville Kentucky Insurer specializing in personal jewelry coverage seeks CSR. Job includes processing applications, giving quotes & issuing policies. Must have agency CSR experience, good phone presence, and hold an Ins Property license. You should also have an interest in jewelry. Computer keyboarding skills & working knowledge of MS Office are crucial factors. Agency Management systems experience is a plus. 15-2 www.underwritersinsider.com

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EXPERIENCED AUTO INSURANCE AGENT EXPERIENCED AUTO SALES PROPERTY AND CASUALTY 220 AGENT SEEKING PROFESSIONAL AGENCY WHO APPRECIATES A WELLROUNDED SALES AGENT WHO IS EXCELLENT IN SALES AND VERY METICULOUS WITH RECORDING MEMOS AND HANDLING PAPERWORK. MUST HAVE A WARM AND FRIENDLY ATTITUDE AND BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE CLIENTS NEEDS.

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Experienced 440 or 220 Licensed Agent Wanted Busy Hollywood agency seeks 440 or 220 Licensed Agent with min 2yrs experience in non-standard auto & homeowners. Must be professional and have proven ability as producer. Please email resume to joanne@accreditedins.com. 15-1

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2-20 or 20-44 Wanted-Miramar FL Send resume to timinsurance1@yahoo.com, fax 954404-7234 or visit us 6590 Pembroke Road Suite B., Miramar, FL 33023 15-2 29

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Product Manager Experienced Insurance Agent QQSolutions, Inc. - Strong insurance agency experience? Love technology and want to shape the future of software for independent agents? Join our Product Management team. Must have extensive experience working in commercial lines. 2-20 (220) Agent or 4-40 (440) CSR License Required. Direct experience using and administering agency management systems. Contact bnason@qqsolutions.com

Florida 2-20 or 4-40 Agent Hialeah

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Small agency has an opening position for a commercial lines agent with homeowner and auto insurance knowledge in Hialeah Fl 33018 15-2

Producer/Brokers Wanted: Nationally

Cont’d... S. Florida Hialeah Area 2-20 / 4-40 Needed Opening position in small Hialeah agency for a Commercial line with personal line knowledge, fluent in English and Spanish. Send your resume to customerservice@jonrayinsurance.net 15-3

at the rate of the Consumer Price Index plus one percentage point and would “reflect demographic and population changes.”

One of the most important requirements of ObamaCare is that of accepting all who apply during the Annual Enrollment Periods. Clearly a major problem with this requirement is that it allows Experienced Licensed CSR Wanted those Americans who are healthy Ft. Lauderdale to obviate their responsibility Agency needs experienced 440 to purchase of insurance until licensed CSR for renewals/ they need it, defeating the entire sales. Renew policies upon expiration dates; obtain in- philosophy of insurance, and formation to determine cov- making it an entitlement due all, erage changes/requirements, whether or not they have been and binding. Quote to shop renewals. Prepare/provide responsible to themselves and information to insureds us- to society, an issue to which any ing verbal and written comprofessional agent or broker who munications. Cross-sell opportunities for auto, life, has worked with the insurance and flood. Fax resume to 561- consuming public can attest. 948-4582 or email to ahart@ accessaip.com. 15-3

2-20 Agents & Producers USG Insurance Services, Inc. Wanted - FL & GA is a national wholesaler and MGA seeking experienced commercial E&S Producer/ Brokers for multiple locations. Mandatory E&S insurance experience, only those with a proven track record in sales should apply that are self-motivated, team players. Find out more about the position and how to apply at www.usgins.com under Careers. 15-3

GOP ALTERNATIVES

We Insure Group, Inc. is one of Florida’s ‘Fastest Growing Companies’ and is looking to expand even more! Currently seeking new Agency Owners in Central and North Florida, as well as, experienced Producers throughout the entire state! Please Contact: We Insure Group Franchising franchise@ weinsuregroup.com 855-483-3901 15-3

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The new GOP Plan addresses this issue, by requiring a one time only Guaranteed Issue Enrollment Period. It is doubtful that this provision of a one-time only GI enrollment period will be the final language that is adopted. It is far more likely that this will be amended to be more â&#x20AC;&#x153;user friendlyâ&#x20AC;? as this proposal moves through the legislative process.

of utmost importance, the Health Insurance Agent and Broker Community who are the only true advocates for the American insurance consuming public. While not the final proposal, it is most certainly a large step in the right direction to address the clear and egregious failings of the UnAffordable Care Act.

CELEBRITIES INSURED WHAT?

Is this the final proposal that the Republicans will offer to America as their alternative to the current trainwreck moving down the tracks harming millions of Taylor Swift: Her legs for $40M Americans with every mile it travels? No, of course not. Bette Davis: Her waist size for $28,000 As should have happened with the UnACA, there will likely be Bruce Springsteen: His vocal and should be a lot of discussion cords for $6M by all parties concerned, from the Consumer, to the Companies, to Daniel Craig: His body for $9.5M the Health Care Providers, to, and Dolly Parton: Yep, her boobs for $600,000 Keith Richards: His hands for $1.6M Jennifer Lopez: Her booty for $27M Soccer champ Cristiano Ronald: His legs for $144M

VIEW THE FAMOUS OBAMA WORKOUT! (Now Banned On YouTube...)

Julia Roberts: Her teeth for $30M David Lee Roth: His sperm for $1M (actually to protect against a paternity suit www.underwritersinsider.com

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WHO’S THE RACIST AZEALIA?

SAY es! I hate everything about this country. Like, I hate fat white Americans. All the WHAT? Y people who are crunched into the middle of Notable Quotes You May Have Missed!

EPA GONE WILD UNDER EVER-EXPANDING FEDERAL GOV’T

“

The idea that the EPA wants to find their way into our back yards, where we’re congregating with our neighbors, having a good time, on the 4th of July, barbecuing pork steak or hamburgers, is ridiculous and it’s emblematic of agency that’s sort of out of control.”

America, the real fat and meat of America, are these racist conservative white people who live on their farms. Those little teenage girls who work at Kmart and have a racist grandma—that’s really America.” Rabid racist, angry millionaire, Black rapper Azealia Banks in an interview with Playboy magazine apparently not understanding that liberals are supposed to lie about loving America in order to better advance their agenda. Among her other infamous quotes, “[the descendants of prominent slavetrading families] should all have their houses burned and their finances seized,” and “I think white men all need to be locked away in a psych ward… considering the atrocities committed by white men on the world.” Ironically, she seems to like to have her picture taken wearing American-flag inspired clothing or with an American flag as a backdrop.

Missouri State Senator Eric Schmitt (R) reacting to the Obama Environmental Protection Agency’s anti-grilling initiatives while calling for a “rebellion” against ridiculous government intrusion into our back-yards.. The EPA study wants grillers to use a “special tray” to catch grease drippings and a “catalytic filtration system” to reduce air A WISE CENTENARIAN pollution. Unbelievable - and this while the Obama’s took two separate jets to California I wonder about that too.” ON THE SAME DAY - unnecessarily spewing 100’s of tons of carbon into the atmosphere Misao Okawa, acknowledged to be the world’s and spending 100’s of thousands of taxpayer oldest living person at 117 year old, when dollars so as to make the trip slightly more asked for the secret of her longevity. Editor’s convenient for Michelle. Note: Misao passed away in late March.

“

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OPEN THE POD DOOR HAL

“

ISLAM IS A RELIGION OF WAR

“

Will we be the gods? Will we be the family I was brought up in a state of delusion, pets? Or will we be ants that get stepped believing the Islamic theory that once on? I don’t know about that …” we control the globe and build an Islamic State we can bring humanity, justice and Apple co-founder Steve Wosniak expressing happiness and solve the human condition. real concern about the Islam is a very dark theory and we need to growing emergence of face this reality. Islam is the religion of war. artificial intelligence (AI). Islam is at war with everything that is not Along with Bill Gates, Muslim. Islam has been in a war against the Stephen Hawking and Elon west and its foundations for the last 1,400 Musk, Wosniak feels that years. This is a fact. The Islamic phenomena AI is evolving so rapidly that we see in ISIS, Hamas, Hezbollah, that it may surpass human Islamic Jihad, Boko Haram, Al Qaeda, Taliban intelligence within a few — this is not just a new phenomenon. It has generations. He added, “If we build these devices been out there for the last 1,400 years. And to take care of everything for us, eventually I think this is the time for humanity to have they’ll think faster than us and they’ll get rid the courage to say no to the Islamic theory. I of the slow humans to run companies more was brought up believing in the conspiracy efficiently.” theory that the United States of America and the west, including Israel, is plotting day IF I HAD A SON, HE WOULD and night to destroy LOOK LIKE TRAYVON... Islam and the Muslim world, which is a lie. To me that was clearly a dereliction of duty, And this is how terrorist pitting Americans against each other solely organizations kept based on race,” adding that Obama should pushing the average have said, “Let’s not rush to judgment.” person to fight on their behalf against the United States of America George Zimmerman, the shooter in the and against Israel. Islam cannot be reformed Trayvon Martin case which raised national because at its core, it is based in tribal conflict questions on race relations and self-defense and the mentality of the 7th century.” laws - commenting on President Obama’s prejudicial and inflammatory statements after Mosab Hassan Yousef, former Islamist and the event. The justice department recently author of the best-selling book, “Son Of determined there was no basis on which to Hamas: A Gripping Account of Terror Betrayal, prosecute Zimmerman under federal hatePolitical Intrique and Unthinkable Choices,” in crime laws - yet it is too late to erase the damage a recent interview offering an inside view on done to Zimmerman’s life - or to the life of officer Islam - the aggresively metastasizing deathDarrel Wilson in the Michael Brown case also cult that is causing the world to fall into violent changed forever by presidential comments. chaos.

“

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CRAZY MOUNTAIN BIKER TAKES ON SEDONA’S WHITE LINE - AND LIVES!

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Daredevil Michal Kollbek called the ride “one of the scariest things I have done on a bike.” Just watching the near vertical traverse is scary enough.

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FLORIDA APPROVES REMOVAL OF UP TO 48,331 POLICIES FROM CITIZENS T ALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) has approved the removal of up to 47,831 personal residential policies and 500 commercial residential polices from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (Citizens) by the following three companies:

mostly non-coastal properties and the Coastal Account are coastal properties. The take-out periods are May 26, 2015 for personal residential impacting both the PLA/CA policies and May 12, 2015 for commercial residential impacting both the CLA/CA policies. This is part of the state’s ongoing depopulation effort to reduce the number of policies in the state-created Citizens and transfer them to the private insurance market.

Today’s announcement brings the total number of policies approved for take-outs in 2015 to 536,736. By statute, policyholders may choose to remain covered by Citizens during take-out offers; however, · Heritage Property & Casualty they may be at risk of higher Insurance Company – approved assessments. To date, 95,407 to remove up to 20,000 personal policies have been removed residential policies (17,326 from Citizens this year. PLA/2,674 CA) and up to 500 commercial residential policies (472 Commercial Lines Account (CLA) and 28 CA) · Mount Beacon Insurance Company – approved to remove up to 17,831 personal residential policies (14,831 PLA/3,000 CA)

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FORMER FEDERAL JUDGE ASKS: “MR. PRESIDENT, WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?”

· Southern Oak Insurance Company – approved to remove up to 10,000 personal residential policies (8,500 PLA/1,500 CA) Citizen’s Personal Lines and Commercial Lines Accounts are www.underwritersinsider.com

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Experts and Consultants for Insurance Disputes 4441 Sepulveda Boulevard Culver City, California 90230 310-390-4455 zalma@zalma.com http://www.zalma.com

Consultation from Zalma Insurance Consultants (ZIC) can save you or your client thousands of dollars in the defense or prosecution of an insurance dispute. ZIC provides expert advice and counsel insurers and plaintiffs’ counsel find indispensable. Consultation from ZIC can save you, your counsel or client hundreds of hours of investigative and legal work. ZALMA INSURANCE CONSULTANTS is a service of Barry Zalma, Inc. a California professional corporation. Barry Zalma is an internationally recognized expert on insurance coverage, insurance claims handling, insurance bad faith, insurance fraud detection, the defeat of false and fraudulent claims, Barry Zalma, Esq. insurance claims handling, and the resolution of insurance disputes. As a consultant, expert witness, lawyer, author, mediator or arbitrator he serves all parties who need consultation or expert testimony on matters relating to insurance coverage, insurance claims handling, insurance fraud and the tort of bad faith. Barry Zalma founded Zalma Insurance Consultants to help resolve any insurance claim problem faced by you or your clients that do not need Mr. Zalma’s services as a lawyer. His experience and skill as a consultant and expert witness can make the difference before a jury or other trier of fact. For more than 44 years as a claims person and insurance coverage attorney, Barry Zalma has represented insurers, advised insurers on claims handling, interpreted coverages and testified as an insurance coverage, insurance bad faith, insurance claims handling and insurance fraud expert on behalf of insurers and policyholders in state and federal courts.

Expert Testimony

Zalma Insurance Consultants serves insurers, policyholders, underwriters, brokers, agents, adjusters, public insurance adjusters, lawyers and any person involved in an insurance dispute. Because he is an attorney licensed to practice law in the state of California M r. Zalma may be prohibited by California case law from acting as a consultant or expert witness and, therefore, refuses to serve in any situation where a past client of his law firm, Barry Zalma, Inc. is adverse to anyone seeking his services.

Y ou can obtain M r. Zalma’s C.V . at http://www.zalma.com and his e-book publications http://www.zalma.com/zalmabooks.htm and blogs daily at Zalma on Insurance, http://zalma.com/blog.

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The Underwriter’s Insider

to a computer to free up space. You can also upload them to an online storage site like Dropbox or Google Drive, or put them on a video-sharing site like YouTube. get the App list. Tap and hold an If you don’t want everyone seeing app and then tap “Uninstall.” Tap them, mark them as private so only “Yes,” and the app will go away. people you choose can see them. Continued From Page 9

KIM KOMANDO

Organize Your Photos And Videos Smartphone cameras make it easy to snap dozens of pictures of that family outing, friendly gettogether or just a funny random moment you see while out and about. Do that every couple of days for a year or two and it’s no wonder your phone is full.

Stream Music And Movies

of storing it. Click here to explore more streaming music options that give you a nearly infinite music library. When it comes to movies, just five feature-length HD movies will take up 15GB or more of space. That’s all the space available on many gadgets and a large chunk of others.

If you purchased movies via iTunes, Your smartphone or tablet works Amazon or Google Play, those are great as a media player for music available in the cloud and you can and videos, but those take up a stream them using each service’s lot of space. Instead of loading respective app. Don’t forget you your entire media library on your can also stream movies from gadget, consider using a cloud Netflix, Hulu and other services using their apps. streaming service instead.

For iPhones and iPads, Apple’s iTunes Match will hold your entire music library in the cloud and stream to you the songs you want. Sure it costs $25 a year, but that’s much less than spending hundreds on a new gadget with more storage that will just fill up To free up space, you can transfer again. and organize photos and videos on your home computer or online Google Play Music is another storage using programs like iPhoto, solution. This service can hold Dropbox or Picasa. With Android, your entire music library, including you might also be able to plug songs from iTunes, and stream your gadget into your computer your music to you whenever you and drag the files directly and then want. The only space it takes up is for the Google Play Music app, delete them from your gadget. not each individual song or album. Your camera isn’t just for photos; it There’s also an option to get a can shoot video, too. A dozen one- subscription to add new music and minute videos you shot at birthday movies, much like iTunes. Take a look through your phone’s camera app. Are there any accidental photos, such as photos of the floor, sky or doorway you can delete? Are most of your good photos already posted to social media?

Unless you’re traveling and you won’t have Wi-Fi access, you don’t need to store movies on your gadget. If you are traveling, though, be sure to check out the VLC app (Android, Free) that can play any movie file. It cuts down on the headaches of making sure your movies are in the right format. Copyright 2015, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved.

On the Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show, Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando. parties and other celebrations can take up gigabytes of space. You’ll Of course that’s not your only com. Kim also posts breaking tech definitely want to move these over option for streaming music instead news 24/7 at News.Komando.com. www.underwritersinsider.com

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