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HAPPY 150TH BIRTHDAY NEBRASKA!
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IIAN is proud to be a
First 150 Founder in support of our Sesquicentennial Celebration!
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IIAN Legislative committee member Andy Bassett, left, waiting to testify at the State Capitol on February 27 |
IIAN Testifies In Support of LB 553
New Bill Addressing Uninsured Independent Contractors Is Top Priority
On February 27, IIAN members Andy Bassett of Omaha and Tom Champoux of Lincoln explained to Senators on the Unicameral's Business & Labor Committee, why a new law is needed to address the growing problem of uninsured independent contractors who do not insure themselves for workers' compensation. IIAN will be working with Senators on the committee and other interested parties to move the issue forward.
LB 553 was introduced by Senator John Lowe of Kearney at IIAN's behest, and
Senators Kolterman, Lindstrom, Krist, Harr, McCollister, and Powell have signed on as co-sponsors. Senator Kolterman also testified in support of the bill. Read more about LB 553 and how it will benefit hiring parties/general contractors, independent contractors, and insurance carriers in Nebraska. It is patterned after a 2015 Iowa law which has been working well in the marketplace.
As of mid-February last year, 26 bills had passed and in 2015, nine 90) bills had passed. This will make it difficult for many bills to be considered and passed this year. Only four bills on IIAN's watch list have been advanced for first-round consideration: two Insurance Department bills (LBs 137 and 406 - IIAN supports), LB 181 to allow an employee who disputes medical findings in a workers' compensation claim to choose a physician and obtain an additional medical exam, and LB 406, which would allow notice of cancellation of policies by first class mail, in addition to certified or registered mail.
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Young Agent Scholarships Available - Apply By March 15
If you're a Young Agent (age 45 or under, or 6 or less years in insurance), and you'd like to join IIAN's officers and hundreds of other agents from across the country for IIABA's annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., May 3-4, 2017, f
ax or e-mail your application for one of two $1,000 scholarships to the IIAN office by March 15, 2017!
Each $1,000 scholarship should be sufficient to cover conference registration, air fare, and one night's lodging - and most meals are provided by the Big "I". Scholarship winners can stay for IIABA's Conference events May 4-5 at their own expense - including a Young Agents event and fundraiser, and a panel of top political commentators!
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New York Data Security Requirements Impact Non-Resident Insurance Agencies
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Nebraska Insurance Department Will Allow Transitional Policies
Individual and Small Group Health Insurance in Nebraska
On February 23, 2017, the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) issued guidance that allows the states the option to extend transitional policies for individual and small group health insurance plans to policy years beginning on or before October 1, 2018 provided that all policies end by December 31, 2018. Pursuant to that option provided to the states by CCIIO, the State of Nebraska will allow transitional policies, for both the individual and small group health insurance markets, to continue until December 31, 2018. Read the Department Bulletin . . .
Nebraska Insurance Homeowners Protection Act
Share Brochure With Your Clients
Whether you are a homeowner, an insurance producer, an insurer or residential contractor, being familiar with the "Insured Homeowners Protection Act" can be an important step in helping yourself or others deal with post-loss repair issues.
The act applies to the business of contracting or offering to contract to repair or replace a roof system or to perform any other exterior repair, replacement, construction, or reconstruction work on residential real estate or to perform
interior or exterior cleanup services on residential real estate. Download Department Brochure . . .
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Over 240 agents and industry representatives gathered in Kearney for this year's conference, including 57 young agents and 47 "first-timers". The conference trade fair on February 1 featured a Young Agent Networking reception and 45 exhibit booths, with piles of cash and booth prizes - all followed by the traditional prime rib buffet, and Young Agents hospitality.
But it wasn't all networking and fun - conference attendees also earned up to 13 CEUs over two days, including a Crop Insurance update led by IIAN Crop Insurance task force chairman
Todd Anderson, York, agribusiness sessions on side-businesses, pollution, drones, and the 2016 ISO Farm program presented by ag guru
Cheryl Koch, CPCU, CIC, AFIS, along with professional liability, homeowners, and personal auto solutions, and E&O loss control strategies presented by top expert John
Dismukes, CPCU, CIC. IIABA Federal Government Affairs head
Jen McPhillips briefed attendees on
Big "I" legislative priorities on Capitol Hill, and congratulated IIAN Legislative/PAC chairmen
Bob Hoppe and
Vincent Christensen for achieving "Eagle" status in 2016 for InsurPac, and raising the largest percentage increase nationwide last year. IIAN
"Circle of Eagles" Gold and Silver contributors were also honored.
Sam McNair of Imperial was the lucky winner of the raffle prize - a three-night Vegas Vacation for two at The Venetian - and the raffle raised over $4,750 for Big "I" PACs! Dakotah Hueftfle with Lundeen-Isaacson
Insurance in Holdredge was the winner of the $125 Young Agent scholarship, sponsored each year by IIAN Farm & Small Agents committee chairman
Jim Steider
of Seward.
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How mobile friendly is your agency website?
In a recent issue of Steve Anderson's "Tech Tips" newsletter, Steve suggests using Google's website testing service that will rank your website in three areas: 1)mobile friendliness, 2) mobile loading speed, 3) desktop loading speed.
Your website is graded on a 0 to 100 scale for each of the above criteria. Keep in mind, you will be penalized in a Google search if your agency website is not mobile responsive. You need to check it often to make sure it is performing well. Also, the test results provide concrete steps you can take to improve your website in each of the three areas tested.
Trusted Choice® Rolls Out The Power of 30 Seconds™
The first 30 seconds of any inbound sales call set the tone for the entire customer experience. In that short time agencies can either earn valuable new business or develop an unfavorable view among potential clients.
The Power of 30 Seconds
is an online training tool designed to help Big "I" member agents convert inbound sales calls into clients.
Through The Power of 30 Seconds, you will learn how to:
- establish an effective call workflow,
- provide a positive customer experience and
- manage phone system automation.
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UNICO Group Named As Top "Best Practices" Agency
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UNICO Group based in Lincoln has been named as one of the top "Best Practices" agencies nationwide in its revenue category.
Every three years, the Big "I" collaborates with Reagan Consulting to select Best Practices firms throughout the nation for outstanding management and financial achievement in six revenue categories: less than $1.25 million; $1.25-2.5 million; $2.5-5 million; $5-10 million; $10-25 million; and more than $25 million. The Best Practices program reviews financial and benchmarking information for the participating agencies and provides updates the following two years.
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Congratulations also to Barney Insurance based inKearney, and Ellerbrock-Norris Insurance based in Hastings, who were named top Nebraska "Best Practices" agencies.
Find out more about the Best Practices program and how to participate.
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IIAN PARTNER OF THE MONTH
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Their support enables IIAN to present affordable, high-quality member programs.
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