American Agent & Broker December 2011
Cover Story
Upping Your Game
Trusted advisors face challenges, but new opportunities are worth the effort.
Features
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Dishing Up Cyber Risk
As cyber criminals focus on small and mid-sized businesses with less network securities in place, restaurants have become a growing target for cyber crime. Learn how to protect your restaurant customers.
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R&O Editorial: Educated Guesses and the Magic 8-Ball
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R&O Independent Agents and Brokers: Shining Stars
The past few years have been challenging for agencies with the economy, soft market and clients’ changing expectations. Read the advice of three Commercial Agency Awards for Excellence standouts regarding young talent, client relationships, efficient operations and future expectations.
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R&O Insurance Executives: Cautiously Optimistic
Ongoing economic uncertainty, weak investments and a spate of record-breaking catastrophes made 2011 challenging for most insurers. But executives are hopeful that firming prices, a history of success in selected markets and a little luck could make 2012 the insurance industry’s turnaround year.
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R&O nGI: Young Guns
Many young agents struggle when entering this industry, especially in the areas of client relationships, financial burdens and carrier appointments. Our panel of sharpshooting young agents discusses how to overcome these challenges, and what skills young agents need to make an impact.
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R&O MGAs, Wholesalers and Program Administrators: Strategic Management
The continued soft market and economic changes are still forcing wholesalers to shift their business strategies. Read our panel’s insights on how to maintain stability, through industry specialization, training and development, investing and customer service.
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R&O Insurance Societies and Associations: Plenty on the Plate
With a host of state and federal legislative issues up for grabs (NFIP, NARAB II, health care reform and more), insurance trade associations are busier than ever representing the needs of their members to legislators. Find out about what the industry’s top associations have in store for 2012 and beyond.
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R&O Consultants: Quality Control
Industry consultants agree that investing in young talent, keeping their associates motivated and exploring the meaning of quality service are key factors in providing major payoffs for agencies. Consultants also give advice on what steps agencies should take to continue operations in a soft market.
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R&O 2011 Master List of Advertisers
The following is a list of advertisers appearing in AA&B during 2011. Numbers in parentheses after the name of an advertiser means its product is only available in certain parts of the country. Please check the map to determine where.
Columns
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No Duty to Benefit Consult
Unless compensated as a counselor, an agent’s responsibilities are limited
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Think like the Dickens
To untangle complex coverage issues, look for the “key”
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Words of Wisdom, Part 3
Keep communication flowing with new client letters and newsletters
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'Hello, Computer!'
Smart voice recognition comes into its own
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Go Beyond the Numbers
Successful prospecting requires perspective and passion
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nGI: Douglas Fairbanks, CIC, AAI
Producer, Hartland Insurance Agency
Departments
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What’s Smart and What's Right
In our world of instantaneous access, nobody can afford to close their eyes and plug their ears to ugly news.
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The Death of Agent Customer Service?
There is a developing current of debate in today’s sale of insurance products that due to economic constraints and market dynamics, the buyers of insurance are now focused solely on price—and that customer service is a thing of the past.
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IQ: Study: How Much Does Health Insurance Cost?
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IQ: Homeowners Say Falling Market Values Larger Risk
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IQ: Organic Growth Increases Agency Values
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IQ: Millennials May Be the Most Underinsured Generation
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IQ: Voluntary Benefits: Employers Focused on Employee Satisfaction
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Passing the Buck
In litigation, the best defense is the one someone else pays for
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Weathering the Storm
One Jersey agency’s experience in the wake of Hurricane Irene
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Potential Frankenstein
FIO study of insurance regulation could be flawed
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Market Directory: Restaurant and Hospitality Risks
Resource Library
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When Banks Won't Help, Oak Street Funding Will.
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Home Run Leads are Here!
Our high quality leads will have you swinging for the fences and knocking your sales...
We Have Your New Formula for Success!
Your goal is to deliver maximum impact on those critical aspects of business that drive...
Complimentary White Paper: What Makes a House a Home?
The restoration vendor is the first person on site after a disaster strikes a home...
Complimentary Case Study on Data and Analytics Solutions
Infinilytics provided their client a solution platform with an increased scope of data insight and...
Producer Profiles: Share Your Stories
PropertyCasualty360 invites all brokers and agents to showcase their businesses and themselves with our readers. Tell us why you became an agent, what makes you successful and who you look up to--and we'll feature your achievements here on PC360 and highlight some of the profiles in the pages of Property Casualty 360 – National Underwriter and American Agent & Broker.
Trending & Most Popular
Events
17th Annual America’s Claims Event
When: June 19-21, 2013
Where: Austin, Texas
The ONLY industry event where senior managers, practitioners & experts involved with claims operations can get the insight they need to implement effective and tactical strategies for their claims handling process.
