Whether you want to grow your insurance agency or broaden youproperty and casualty expertise, the right book can help take youto the next level.

To save you research time, we've compiled a list of 13 recentlypublished books that may be just the right tool to inspireinnovation, expand your knowledge or help overcome a currentchallenge you're facing.

New agents as well as seasoned insurance professionals may findone of these publications useful. Because the Property &Casualty insurance industry is so wide-ranging, these books onlytouch on a few topics where it's important to stay on top ofmodifications and updates.

If you have a book you'd like to recommend to other P&Cinsurance agents, please let us know in the Comments sectionbelow.

Here are 13 books insurance agents should consider adding totheir library:

1. The Breakthrough InsuranceAgency (2015)

By Bart Baker, LUTCF.

You’re in the insurance business, and you’re searching for abreakthrough. Maybe you’re a new agent and feel overwhelmed by thetask ahead of you. Or maybe you’ve already been in the business forseveral years, and you’re doing pretty well, but you’ve hit aplateau.

Whatever the case, you’re looking for a way to put your businesson the path to continuous growth. If this sounds likes somethingyou can relate to, "The Breakthrough Insurance Agency: How to MultiplyYour Income, Time and Fun" may be the book for you.

2. Casualty, Fire and Marine InvestigationChecklists (Ninth edition, 2015)

By Pat Magarick and Ken Brownlee.

"Casualty, Fire and Marine InvestigationChecklists" strives to avoid unnecessary callbacks andreinvestigations into casualty, fire, and marine claims. It listsprocedures for thoroughly investigating claims and offerssuggestions for in-depth treatment of issues and investigativeprocedures.

This book assure no aspects of a claim will be overlooked, and aglossary provides applicable insurance and legal terms.

3. How to Build a $10 Million Insurance Agency in 5Years (2016)

By Billy Williams, Ph.D.

This book demystifies and simplifies the tasks and processes youmust have in place in order to grow your insurance agency.

In addition to working with top insurance companies such asMetLife Auto and Home, Williams personally oversees the day to dayoperations of Inspire a Nation Business Mentoring Svc., as well asmentoring the leadership and staff members of the more than 40partner agencies of the Williams Family Investment Group. Thisgroup produces over $500 million in new and renewal premium eachyear.

"How to Build a $10 Million Insurance Agency in 5Years: Or double what your insurance agency is currentlyproducing" is filled with explanations and examples that a10th grader could understand and implement in an agency. It'swritten this way because Williams wants you to use your timeimplementing processes, not trying to figure out what the heck heis talking about.

4. Insurance Claims: A Comprehensive Guide(2014)

By Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE.

"Insurance Claims: A ComprehensiveGuide" is a comprehensive two-volume set resource thatenables insurance professionals to successfully handle insuranceclaims from start to finish — employing proven, practicaltechniques and best practices every step of the way.

Editor's note: This book is available from a division of ourparent company, the NationalUnderwriter Co., a unit of ALM Media.

5. Insurance Handbook: A guide to insurance and how itworks (2016)

By the Insurance InformationInstitute.

For nearly 50 years the Insurance Information Institute has beenregarded as a primary source of factual information and credibleanalysis on insurance — what it does and how it works. Its crucialeducational role is especially important in today’s challengingeconomic environment.

The "Insurance Handbook: A guide to insurance and how itworks" provides insight on key issues affectingthe industry, from financial and market conditions, to the natureof insurance regulation, to covering the costs of natural disastersand terrorism. It also provides information on the basics ofinsurance as well as numerous tables and charts and directories ofinsurance associations and regulators.

6. Insurance Law (2015)

By Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE.

"Insurance Law" is the most comprehensive,and yet practical, insurance law authority available today.

Written by nationally renowned insurance coverage expert BarryZalma, an insurance coverage attorney, consultant, expert witnessand blogger, "InsuranceLaw" introduces the new insuranceprofessional to the fundamental principles of insurance andprovides the experienced litigator analyses of today’s leadinginsurance law decisions nationwide.

Editor's note: This book is available from a divisionof our parent company, the NationalUnderwriter Co., a unit of ALM Media.

7. Property & Casualty InsuranceEssentials (8th edition)

By the National Alliance for Insurance Education &Research.

"Property & Casualty InsuranceEssentials" is a comprehensive guide that teaches thebasics of property and casualty insurance. This guide supplies youwith basic knowledge, yet it covers a wide breadth ofinformation.

The guide discusses the most important aspects of personal linesand commercial lines insurance, and contains explanations of policyterms, coverage forms, conditions, endorsements, exclusions, andlimits. This book is continually updated based on the most recentISO forms.

8. Property Investigation Checklists: UncoveringInsurance Fraud (11th edition, 2015)

By Michael H. Boyer.

"Property Investigation Checklists: UncoveringInsurance Fraud" provides detailed guidance and practicalinformation on the four primary areas of any investigation ofsuspicious claims:

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  • Recognizing suspicious claims.
  • Proper investigation procedures.
  • Analysis of laws concerning fraudulent personal and realproperty claims.
  • Evaluating and settling claims.

The book also examines recent developments in areas such asarson investigation procedures, bad faith, and extracontractualdamages. The appendix includes the National Association ofInsurance Commissioners' Insurance Information and PrivacyProtection Model Act.

9. Shock the Topline: A Practical Guide for GrowingYour Insurance Practice (2016)

By David E. Estrada.

Written by award-winning retail insurance sales producer andsenior industry leader David E. Estrada, "Shock the Topline" offers a practical,no-nonsense guide for insurance professionals who want to achievesuccess and generate opportunities for career advancement.

Estrada focuses on three core elements vital for success:

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  • Gaining perspective within the industry.
  • Increasing topline revenues.
  • Developing leadership skills.

Estrada’s insight and experience will help sales leaders, agencyowners, and brokerage leaders better understand the challengesfaced by their production teams.

10. So You Want To Be An InsuranceAgent (Third edition, 2013)

By Jeffrey L. Hastings.

There is more to selling insurance than writing policies. Whendone right, you can build a successful business that affords you alifestyle most people only dream about. Why try to figure it out onyour own when you can learn from someone who has already been thereand done that?

"So You Want To Be An Insurance Agent" iswritten by someone who knows insurance, and who knows how tobuild a profitable business. Since starting as a file clerk withFarmers Insurance Group in 1985, Hastings has built anextraordinary business, consistently receiving top awards,including District Manager of the Year in 2005.

11. Starting, Buying, Selling, and PerpetuatingInsurance Agencies (2014)

By Jon Persky, CPA, CIC, PHR.

"Starting, Buying, Selling, and PerpetuatingInsurance Agencies" is a valuable resource for insuranceagency owners who wish to improve a perpetuation plan, purchase ormerge with an agency, or sell an existing agency. The guide canalso assist an experienced insurance professional in starting aninsurance agency from scratch.

Because of the many considerations and complexities associatedwith any of these actions, this book includes survey results andexhibits that are helpful in successfully planning, implementing,and/or negotiating the necessary steps and transactions. Practicallegal agreements, worksheets, and checklists are key features.

12. Workers Compensation Guide: Coverage andFinancing (Third edition, 2016)

By Steven Coombs, CPCU, ARM and David Thamann, J.D., ARM, CPCU.

"Workers Compensation Guide: Coverage andFinancing" guides you through the entire spectrum ofissues and considerations in the complex area of workerscompensation. From exclusions, to limits of liability,endorsements, and policy wording, this resource delivers valuable,expert insights every step of the way.

This fully revised third edition includes additional case law, anew section on Alternate Employer Coverage, important updates tothe workers compensation classification schedule, and more.

Editor's note: This book is available from a divisionof our parent company, the NationalUnderwriter Co., a unit of ALM Media.

13. 2016 Cancellation & Nonrenewal

By Christine G. Barlow, CPCU.

"Cancellation & Nonrenewal" outlineshow insurers can legally terminate insurance policies in all 50states and the District of Columbia, delivering completely currentguidance on cancellation of both standard property and casualtyinsurance policies. State-by-state differences are examined indetail on a line-of-business basis.

The 2016 edition contains many vital updates and additions,including:

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  • Fraud bureaus by state chart.
  • Cell phone restrictions by state chart.
  • Data breach notification laws by state chart.
  • Claims handling requirement chart.

Editor's note: This book is available from a divisionof our parent company, the NationalUnderwriter Co., a unit of ALM Media.

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