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Midwest Conference Brings Over 100 Young Agents To Omaha
Young agents and company reps from 12 midwest states gathered in Omaha July 15-16 to share knowledge, learn how to stay motivated, manage the sales roller coaster, be inspired, and have fun, at the inaugural Midwest Young Agents Conference, hosted by IIAN's nextgen young agents. The conference was created by young agents Zak Morken, Western Insurors, Ogallala, NE; Jared Blackwood, Bain Agency, Bismark, ND; and Ryan Karst, DFS Insurance, Sioux Falls, SD.
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Aaron Davis and Zak Morken |
After golf at Quarry Oaks on July 15,
Katie Bohrer, Peterson Bros., and Jenny Hruska-Kopun, Harry A. Koch, welcomed everyone to a great reception at the Old Mattress Factory in the Old Market, on behalf of Omaha's nextgen group.
Aaron Davis,
a member of the Nebraska 1994 National Championship football team, opened the conference on July 16 with his inspirational message of using the power of a "championship attitude" to achieve incredible results.
Then agency consultant
Brandie Hinen
with Powerhouse Learning led agents through a day of discussion on how to gain trust and turn prospects into relationship-builders, how to take on everyday adversities and turn them into positive opportunities, and how to empower others to achieve better performance. The day wrapped up with a lively "Carrier Speed Dating" event when agents visited round-robin with conference sponsor representatives.
"We're excited that our inaugural Midwest conference was a success, and look forward to next year's conference," commented Morken. "We'd especially like to thank our conference sponsors, who made it all possible!"
Gold Level Sponsors
EMC Insurance Markel
Silver Level Sponsors
Diversified Crop Insurance
Nationwide NAU Country
NCMIC Finance RAS
Safeco UFG Insurance
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New Nebraska Insurance Laws Went Into Effect July 19
IIAN August Seminars Will Feature Insurance Dept. Officials, Big "I" Experts
A number of laws impacting the insurance industry and agents passed by the 2018 Nebraska Legislature went into effect on July 19, 2018. IIAN will present morning seminars on August 20 in Grand Island, August 21 in Columbus, and August 23 in Ashland (Mahoney State Park) to review and explain the new Public Adjusters Licensing Act, changes to the Insured Homeowners Protection Act regarding assignment of rights, a new CE law for insurance producers, Workers' Compensation law changes and issues, and more. Emerging issues such as commercial lines de-regulation, autonomous vehicles, cyber security, and the insurtech movement will also be discussed.
Three (3) Nebraska CEUs have been approved.
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Nebraska Insurance
Director Bruce Ramge
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Featured presenters are Nebraska Insurance Department Director Bruce Ramge and Legal Counsel Robert Bell, IIAN Legislative Representatives Jim Cavanaugh and Perre Nielan, along with CEO Carol McClelland and Marketing Director Jeremiah Gudding, Three (3) Nebraska CEUs have been approved.
Afternoon sessions will feature ethical considerations and the laws governing conduct for insurance producers, along with privacy regulations - presented by Dave Teche, who conducts producer pre-licensing courses in partnership with IIAN, and has received excellent reviews. The afternoon sessions are approved in Nebraska for three (3) Ethics CEUs.
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Three Nebraska Members Reappointed to IIABA Posts
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Three IIAN members have been reappointed to serve on national committees and boards by IIABA Chairman-Elect Joseph Leahy, effective September 1.
Todd Anderson
of York will continue to represent Nebraska on the IIABA Crop Insurance Task Force.
Bob Hoppe of Columbus will serve for the third year in a row on the national InsurPac Board.
Mark Lisko
of Omaha will serve on two of IIABA's for-profit Boards - Big "I" Advantage, and as the Chairman of Agency Administrative Services , Inc. for the second year, as well as IIABA's Professional Liability Committee. Lisko also serves as National Director from Nebraska on the IIABA Board of Directors.
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Nominate Someone Deserving An IIAN Award
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New Quick, Easy Nomination Form
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 110th Annual Convention, October 10-12, at the Embassy Suites in LaVista.
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
Trusted Choice® Agency of the Year.
Nominations are due September 10 -
New quick, easy online form:
click here.
Download print form:
click here.
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Senate Expected To Act On Flood Program Today
Currently Set To Expire July 31 - What Happens If It Lapses?
On July 25, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a measure to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through November 30. Congress must periodically reauthorize the NFIP, which is currently set to expire on July 31. However, Congress has yet to pass a long-term extension of the program, as debate continues regarding options for reforming the program. This has already resulted in a series of six stop-gap extensions and two brief lapses in 2017 and 2018.
The current House-passed measure would extend the program for four months. But the Senate must also act for the program to continue operation after the end of the month - and the Big 'I' expects the Senate to vote (and pass) the four-month re-authorization this Wednesday, August 1, or Thursday, August 2.
"Following the House vote, the Big 'I' urges prompt action in the Senate to extend the NFIP before July 31," says Jennifer Webb, Big "I" counsel, federal government affairs. "A lapse in the NFIP during the height of hurricane season could impact the ability of the program to promptly pay claims if there is a major flooding event, delay recovery efforts related to the catastrophic 2017 storm season and disrupt real estate markets across the country." Over the past two weeks, Big "I" members across the country mounted a massive grassroots campaign targeting key U.S. Representatives and Senators.
What Happens If The NFIP Lapses?
The Big 'I' worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to issue guidance outlining procedures if the program lapses. Click here for Big 'I' "Lapse Resources" White Paper.
The Big 'I' encourages agents to reach out to any insurance companies they use to write NFIP policies for company-specific procedures.
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State of the P/C Industry:
Pricing Cycle Effects on Agents
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The P&C industry has now been in a soft market for 14 years. That is longer than any soft market going back to 1900. Net Premiums Written growth has not exceeded 4.4% once in that time. Looking forward, growth is likely to decrease even further.
A soft market is created by adequate to excess surplus and profitability. Carriers have had an average profit the last 20 years of $37 billion on both a pretax and net income basis. Industry surplus hit an all-time high in 2017. Surplus is now approximately 2.7 times what it was in 1996.
Source: Insurance Journal
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The Problem With InsurTechs
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One startup says they can quote your homeowners insurance in 5 seconds with only an address. This demonstrates the fundamental problem with the vast majority of insurtechs I've looked at: They simply don't get it. Virtually (no pun intended) all of them focus on alleged convenience and the "customer experience."
Consumers often don't understand the risks they face and the insurtechs I'm familiar with don't seem to be the least bit interested in educating them and assisting them in properly and adequately managing their exposures to potentially catastrophic, life-ruining loss.
That's what insurance professionals do.
Source: Bill Wilson, P&C Commentary
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Cybersecurity Insurance: Popular But Poorly Understood
Big "I" Solution Can Help
When it comes to cyber liability insurance, one size does not fit all. In fact, off-the-shelf coverage can cause more problems than it solves. To avoid potential coverage gaps and disputes, agents should work closely with clients to identify their unique risks, tailor coverage to address then, and sure their insureds know exactly what is and isn't covered. Read more.
Source: PC360
That's one big reason why he Big "I" has partnered with
Coalition
, the leading technology-enabled cyber insurance solution, to offer members powerful entry to the cyber and technology errors & omissions insurance markets.
What Makes Coalition Different?
Coalition is the first insurance-enabled technology firm built to help businesses before, during and after a cyber incident. During the online quoting process, the insured's network and web properties undergo an automated risk assessment to identify known issues and potential weaknesses in the insured's security posture. Once coverage is bound, Coalition provides ongoing monitoring for new and emerging threats specific to the information technology used by the insured, adding an extra layer of defense. All policies include this technology-driven approach
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which includes automated alerts, threat intelligence and ongoing policyholder monitoring- along with a dedicated claims and security team should a breach occur.
1-800-377-3985, office@biginebraska.org.
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BIG RED HOMECOMING!
Registration Now Open! Early-Bird Pricing Until September 12
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23RD ANNUAL BIG "I" FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT OCTOBER 10 AT WOODLAND HILLS
To Support The Talent Network
We invite you to join us to raise funds for the new IIAN Talent Network program and the IIAN Foundation's college scholarships for Nebraska students. IIAN and t
he
Foundation launched this 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.
Read more . . .
Woodland Hills, located near Eagle, is Nebraska's only 5-star course (Golf Digest). Fun contests and games are planned, along with a great day of golf - and all the proceeds will go towards the Talent Network and scholarship programs!
See all the tournament details . . .
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IIAN PARTNER OF THE MONTH
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Their support enables IIAN to present affordable, high-quality member programs.
Thanks to all of IIAN's Industry Partners, who stepped up their support in 2018!
Don't see your company's name on the list?
Click here
to discover the benefits of being an IIAN Industry Partner.
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