American Agent & Broker July 2009
Cover Story
10 events shape insurance history
Read about some of the most significant changes that AA&B has covered.
Features
-
10 people make insurance history
Meet 10 insurance industry leaders of the past 80 years.
-
"Forms" follows function? Not in insurance!
The Great Depression, Word War II and the Cold War had little or no impact on the evolution of insurance coverages. Similar to today, most coverages resulted from court decisions, governmental pressures and marketing departments.
-
Agency automation comes of age
It took more than 30 years and a lot of acronyms, but the promise of seamless interface between agents adn carries is becoming a reality
-
Agency management: Yesterday and today
Eighty years ago, automation consisted of a telephone and typewriter, agency commissions were much higher than they are today, and agents had more responsibility, "for better or for worse."
-
Ernesta Procope: An insurance pioneer
Her agency emerged from a storefront to America's largest minority-owned brokerage
-
The ascendancy of associations
Read a history of some of the most influential agent associations, including IIABA and PIA.
-
In the future...
A panel takes predictions on what will occur in the future.
-
The war on keystrokes
The insurance industry has joined forces against a long-time nemesis: redundancy
-
Stimulus spurs construction resurgence
Learn what types of projects are funded by the $787 billion federal stimulus and how to help clients manage new risk
Columns
-
Editorial: The more things change...
This issue features a celebratory look on our 80 years of covering independent agents and brokers.
-
Sounding Board-Looking to grow your agency? Optimize
Agency health creates the climate for M&A. Hard economies and soft markets notwithstanding, agencies can boost their financial performances by optimizing their internal performances.
-
Down to Cases- Cost guide software isn't perfect
Read about Peterson v. Big Bend Insurance Agency Inc. The agent who makes a promise must fulfill it.
-
Policy Issues- Answering a business income question-from 1929
Chris Amrhein answers a 1929 question on policy issues, about use and occupancy.
-
For the Manager- Good statistics are key to management
Chris Burand shows how to discern between good and bad statistics.
-
Agency Technology- It's a brave new Google world
Google is now an integrated part of modern culture, replacing the family dictionary, the encyclopedia and phone book.
-
Overcome an incumbent with these strategies
Learn the questions to ask to overcome an incumbent sale.
Departments
-
Industry IQ: 7 sectors succeeding in downturn
Vehicle maintenance, home remodeling, food stores, specialty schools, dentists, CPAs and personal care services are growing.
-
Industry IQ: Report: 10 steps to address risk management flaws
A report by the Economist Intelligence Unit identifies 10 steps to address weaknesses in risk management.
-
Industry IQ: Dow Jones adds Travelers to index
Travelers replaces Citicorp.
-
Industry IQ: Facebook, Twitter portrayal concerns execs
60 percent of executives believe they have the right to know how employees portray themselves and their companies on social networks.
-
Industry IQ: Say "I do" to wedding insurance
There are twice as many wedding insurance claims as 2 years ago.
-
Industry IQ: Exec: 3 insurers wrongly keeping rates low
MarketScout's CEO said three unnamed insurers are keeping rates low at a time when business realities call for market hardening.
-
The Last Word: Millions-wise, billions-foolish
The Last Word addresses the terrorism risk insurance program.
