American Agent & Broker February 2005
Features
To seize the future, learn to break out of your paradigms
WOULDN'T it be wonderful to know what the future holds? If we knew what would happen tomorrow, we could plan accordingly, avoid danger and make the most of every opportunity. Unfortunately, I can't predict the future, but I can offer some suggestions
Features
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Analyzing the lease exposure
WHEN my daughter went away to college, she and two of her friends decided to rent an apartment. She brought the apartment lease to me because the property owner required a parent's signature. After reading the lease, I was convinced that if I signed
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Environmental insurance market looks up in 2005
POLLUTION exposures have been growing in significance for years. Yet even in the face of clear need, environmental insurance has not been a coverage insureds have readily accepted. For the agent, this has created a complex problem. How to prioritize
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Arranging flood insurance for housing authorities
WHEN YOU think about floods and the need for flood insurance, what's the first image that comes to mind? You might envision the storms that so recently overcame Florida and other parts of the Southeast. Perhaps you remember some of the more serious
Columns
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For The Manager: Be sure to budget for new producers
WHAT IS your budget line item for "New Producer Expense"? Agencies have line items for charity, postage, autos and many other expenses. But few consider the cost of new producers. Any agency wishing to grow or perpetuate itself needs new producers.
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Policy Issues: Response to water-damage claims alienates insureds
IT STARTED innocently enough. While I was braving the cold to retrieve a Christmas package delivered to the front stoop, our next-door neighbor pulled into her driveway. "Hey, neighbor!" she called. "If you and your lovely wife don't have any plans
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Strictly Sales: Five things to consider when developing producers
"Strictly Sales" is written by the faculty of the Dynamics of Selling program. This month's coumn is from Jeff Wodicka, CIC. MANY books and seminars are available to help agency managers hire fresh, untrained producers. The real management challenge
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Automation: Tempering autonomy and creativity with consistency
WHAT DO autonomy, creativity and consistency have in common? They are all characteristics an agency owner would like to see in each employee. Autonomy gives employees the sense that they control their destinies and have the opportunity and authority
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What's Going On: Congress takes another stab at the asbestos problem
IT WAS AN all-too-familiar announcement. Last month ACE Ltd. said it would kick up its loss reserves for asbestos and other environmental claims by $788 million. According to a Morgan Stanley analyst quoted in the Wall Street Journal, ACE's move was
Departments
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Down To Cases
Broker can't intentionally misrepresent facts on an insurance application In 1998, a California general contractor was sued for its work on a single-family residence. The contractor's insurer initially undertook the defense of the claim under a
