N.J. Agents See Surge In Appointments

Insurance companies are adding new independent agents to their New Jersey operations in record numbers, according to an agents' trade group.

That finding was reported by the Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey Inc., which keeps track of the companies each of its members represents.

Shirley Albright, PIANJ Industry Resource Center Director, said, "Generally, we find company representation is fairly stable from year to year, varying by only a few percentage points from the year before. But this year, the changes reported by members who updated their data resulted in double-digit year-over-year increases almost across the board."

According to PIANJ figures representation by agents was increased by at least 10 percent at the following companies or company groups: AIG, Andover Cos., The Chubb Group, CNA, Cumberland, Foremost, Franklin Mutual, Greater New York, The Hartford, Mercury Group, Ohio Casualty, Palisades, Philadelphia Group, Preserver Group, Proformance, Quincy Mutual, St. Paul Travelers and Zurich.

Responding to the surge in interest by carriers, PIANJ will repeat an earlier seminar on how to land a company appointment. "Company Appointments: The Art of Gaining New Markets" will be taught by John D'Agostino Jr., PIANJ's past president, providing three New Jersey continuing education credits.

The seminar will be held Nov. 1 at the Ramada Inn in East Brunswick, N.J. The charge is $65 for members, $115 for nonmembers.

Registration and additional information is available by contacting the Education and Conference Department at (800) 424-4244 or www.piaonline.org, and typing ED14994 in the Quick-Link box.