American Agent & Broker February 2008
Features
A regional tour of environmental opportunities
In 2007, independent agents and brokers saw the soft market dig in its heels. Unusually good underwriting results, fewer hurricanes than expected and an absence of other catastrophes led once again to a turn of the underwriting cycle. New carriers
Features
-
Details can make the difference in flood insurance
Flood insurance long has been a basic product for New Orleans agencies--even before Hurricane Katrina led to the worst flooding in the city's history. Indeed, for Gillis, Ellis & Baker Inc., discussing the coverage with our clients has always
-
Environmental insurance looks promising in '08
(The following article is based on part of a presentation that Mr. Heft made at the AAMGA University Weekend, which was held last August in Scottsdale, Ariz.) The demand for environmental insurance is definitely growing. In 1999 the market
Columns
-
What's Going On: Dealing with reality in flood-insurance reauthorization
The last time the National Flood Insurance Program came up for reauthorization, at the end of 2003, the program had to be temporarily extended twice before the House, Senate and Bush administration finally were able to reach a meeting of minds and
-
For The Manager: The importance of knowing what's really profitable
"The Stag Looking Into the Pool," by Aesop: A stag, drinking at a clear pool, admired the handsome look of his spreading antlers, but was very unhappy with the slim and ungainly appearance of his legs. "What a glorious pair of branching
-
Agency Technology: The top technology trends of 2008-part I
Agents and brokers are faced with the challenge of deciding whether and how much to invest in new technology. Another big issue is timing: Just because technology can benefit your agency doesn't mean that your agency is ready for it.Regardless of the
-
Strictly Sales: What I've learned from coaching new producers
Over the past 12 years, I've had the opportunity to coach more than 500 new producers. Most were young men in their mid-twenties to early thirties. The youngest was a 19-year-old woman; the oldest, a 60-year-old man. This is what I've learned from
-
Policy Issues: Not only geeks love technology-and need coverage
Ah, February! The month of love! No, not that touchy-feely romantic mush that leads to flowers and candlelit dinners. I'm talking about real passion--for high-tech wizardry! And I don't just mean "boys and their toys." Women can catch the bug
Departments
-
New Policies
Markel American announces excess flood program Markel American Insurance Co. announced an admitted excess flood program for residential and nonresidential properties, available in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Mississippi, North Carolina,
-
Down To Cases
Ordinarily, agents can't become fiduciaries without their consentThe Ohio Court of Appeals, at the end of last year, handed down a decision important to every agent and broker, especially those doing business in Ohio. Insureds whose coverage does not
