August 9, 2016
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Starting Thursday, August 11 on IIAN's Facebook and Twitter pages, the Big "I" Insurance Olympics will begin!  It's seven days of trivia questions about the ins and outs of IIAN and the member services the association provides. At the end of the week there will even be a drawing for those who respond on social media for a $100 Amazon gift card!    Want to compete?   
Three Nebraska Members Appointed to National Big "I" Posts - Updated
Three IIAN members have been appointed to serve on national committees and boards by IIABA Chairman-Elect Spencer Houldin, effective September 1. 

Todd Anderson of McCool Junctioin will represent Nebraska on the IIABA Crop Insurance Task Force. Bob Hoppe of Columbus has been appointed to the national InsurPac Board.  Mark Lisko of Omaha will be serve on two of IIABA's for-profit Boards - Big "I" Advantage, and as the Chairman of Membership Services Inc.ard.


Nominate Someone Deserving An IIAN  Award
Each year IIAN recognizes the contributions of outstanding individuals who have given service and support to the Independent Agency System in Nebraska. This year's awards will be presented during the 109th Annual Convention, October 25-27, at the Younes Convention Center in Kearney. Please take a few minutes to nominate your choices in the following categories: 

Five Star Company of the Year, Company Representative of the Year, Young Agent of the Year, Spirit of Nebraska Award, and Trusted Choice® Agency of the Year.
Nominations are due September 15 - download nomination form here. 
MAKE-A-WISH® AND TRUSTED CHOICE® FACEBOOK CAMPAIGN
Trusted Choice®, the consumer branding program for independent insurance agents and brokers, is raising money for Make-A-Wish® as part of its sixth annual summer social media campaign.
Click above for video about Andrew's Wish!
 
This month, Trusted Choice will donate $10 to the organization for  each post you share from the Trusted Choice Facebook page up to a minimum of $100,000 and a maximum of $150,000.


Read More . . . 
INDUSTRY NEWS
Will Peer-to-Peer Insurance Startups Disrupt the Insurance Industry?

Big names in insurance are throwing their weight behind peer-to-peer insurance startups like Lemonade, which tap the power of the crowd. Do these new companies have serious potential for disrupting the industry?


Tough Year For P/C Insurers
According to a report by S&P Global Market Intelligence, the P/C insurance industry's pre-tax return on equity will decline about two percentage points in 2016 while its combined ratio will increase to 99.5, the highest level since 2012. The commercial lines combined ratio is projected to increase to 95.1 from 93.4 in 2015. Private passenger auto combined ratio will rise to nearly 105.1, up from 104.6 in 2015, as Americans drive more as gas prices remain low.
LEGISLATIVE NEWS
LB 835 Highlights
LB 835 was passed by the Nebraska Legislature this year -- It amends, among other provisions of consumer protection laws, the Financial Data Protection and Consumer Notification of Data Security Breach Act of 2006 (Act).
Of note to entities regulated by the Department of Insurance, LB 835 expands the definition of personal information contained within the Act to include a user name or email address, in combination with a password or security question and answer, that would permit access to an online account.  Additionally, LB 835 requires that if an individual  or commercial entity is required to provide a notice  of breach of security of the system to a Nebraska  resident, it must also provide the notice of the breach  to the Nebraska Attorney General.
Insurance Legislators Find Lackluster Support For WC Opt-Out Model Law
Following an investigation of workers compensation opt-out programs, the National Conference of Insurance Legislators found there's not enough support to propose a model law.
At NCOIL's July meeting in Portland, Oregon, attendees spoke about the pros and cons of programs like the Oklahoma Employee Injury Benefit Act passed in 2013. Similar bills, based on Texas' 100-year-old non-subscription system, have also been filed in Tennessee and South Carolina.           Read More...

MARKETING FOR MEMBERS
AGENCY NATION PODCAST:  Are Millennials Out of Reach for the Average Independent Agent?
Check out this passionate podcast by Agency Nation's Ryan Hanley on how independent agents can catch the attention of millennial consumers. 

Learn More

UPCOMING EVENTS
We invite you to join us to raise funds for the IIAN Foundation Scholarship and College Programs! This golf outing benefits the IIAN Foundation's college scholarship programs for Nebraska students - approximately $88,000 in scholarships has been awarded to date.  And t he  Foundation and IIAN are launching a new program in 2017 to help independent agencies and companies connect with upper-level college students, implement internships, and expose students to career opportunities in the independent agency system.

Two Dates and  Locations This Year: September 27, 2016, Papillion
                                                                 October 12, 2016, Axtell     
See all the details . . .  
FREE CE SEMINARS - 6 CEU's*
For Members Only

August 23 - Grand Island
August 24 - Norfolk
August 25 - Ashland
International Exposures & Solutions
Cyber Liability Risk Assessment & Coverages
                           PLUS
Flood Insurance - NFIP Agent Resources, Update  on 2016 Changes, Basements,
Claims, Discounts . . . and more!
FREE AGENCY RISK MANAGEMENT WEBINAR 
August 17 - 1:00-2:00 PM CDT
A recent trend among insurance companies is NOT to require a signed and dated application to bind coverage. Big "I" Professional Liability's risk management team is hosting a panel discussion featuring IIABA's Bill Wilson, Swiss Re's Brian Butcher, and Howard Kronberg, Esq. of Keidel, Weldom & Cunnungham, LLP.

This FREE Big "I" member-exclusive webinar will tackle the risks associated with this trend.

More information and registration
IIAN PARTNER OF THE MONTH
Thank You!
Their support enables IIAN to present affordable, high-quality member programs.


Independent Insurance Agents of Nebraska
(402) 476-2951
office@biginebraska.org
http://www.iian.org