THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010 

                                                Big “I” National News

IA Magazine
IA Offers Social Media Sales Tactics
Hone your social media strategy and check out the Big “I” on Facebook.

Social media enables agents to stay connected, build brand equity and position themselves as experts among their clients. It also makes communicating with clients in times of disaster a breeze. “In January, our community was in the midst of an ice storm,” says Nibby Priest, an independent agent at Vaughn Insurance Agency in Henderson, Ky. “We had lots of information we needed to get out (to policyholders) and our traditional Web designer was not able to get it posted fast enough. I quickly created a blog and started adding claims-related information to the blog about contractors and claims adjustors in the area.” But, when navigating the social media world, how can you make sure your agency stands out in the crowd? How do you add enough of your personality to engage fans without being over the top? This month’s IA Magazine lead story, Social Selling, will help you find your place in social spaces. Connect with IA magazine and the Big “I” on Facebook at www.facebook.com/independentagent.


IIABA News
Big "I" Member Featured on "Good Morning America"
Trusted Choice^® agency helps Washington, D.C. area family "save big".

Donna Alcorn, an independent agent with Rust Insurance in Washington, D.C. appeared last week on "Good Morning America." Alcorn took part in a March 4th segment for a series the morning program calls "Save Big" in which consumer correspondent Elisabeth Leamy performs financial makeovers for real families trying to slash thousands of dollars from their household expenses. For a portion of the makeover, Leamy called upon the Big "I" and Trusted Choice^® to identify an agent who could help a large Virginia family save money on their insurance costs. Alcorn analyzed the family's health insurance policy and was able to find comparable coverage with a yearly premium savings of more than $6,700. Of all the financial experts who participated in the segment, Alcorn saved the family the most money annually.

This series is the TV companion to Elisabeth Leamy's new book, Save Big, which touts the value of working with independent insurance agents. To see the "Good Morning America" story, click here. For more information about the book or last week's segment, contact Sue Nester, Big “I” broadcast media director, at 800-221-7917; susan.nester@iiaba.net.


InVEST
First National InVEST Teacher Workshop a Success
New programs sprouting up as a result of the event.

During the recent Big “I” Legislative Conference and Convention, InVEST held its first National Teacher Workshop—and the response was very positive!

Nearly 40 teachers gathered from 13 states to learn more about insurance instruction in the classroom and the free resources InVEST offers to make teaching the program as easy as possible. Presentations topics included insurance history, InVEST resources, teaching using the InVEST text, how to incorporate agency simulation, using SilverPlume (the free rating software for InVEST schools) and incorporating guest speakers in the classroom.

Phil Martin, U.S. Department of Education assistant for financial education and student aid, also addressed the group, and outlined the department’s plans for financial education and allowed time for teachers to ask questions and provide feedback.

Already, several new programs have spurted up across the country as result of the workshop.
To get involved with InVEST, or to start a program in your state, contact Jennifer Robinson at 800-221-7917; jennifer.robinson@iiaba.net.


Big “I” Flood
Mark Your Calendars for the 2010 National Flood Conference
Attend agent-focused workshops on flood coverage.

Register now to join insurance industry partners, lenders, local and state representatives, and top FEMA officials at the 27th annual National Flood Conference. Participants will congregate at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina in San Diego, Calif. April 11-14, to discuss the importance of flood insurance and other flood-related issues. Topics include flood map changes and the new Risk MAP program, writing commercial coverages, improving the claims process, Community Rating System and mitigation efforts, private and excess flood insurance, marketing and much, much more!

Agents are encouraged to attend Agent’s Day on April 13 at a reduced registration fee of $30. Agents can attend comprehensive, agent-focused workshops such as The Claims Process: Everything the Agent Needs to Know, Effects of Map Changes on Insurance: Understanding the Role of Grandfathering, Conversion and Vertical Datum, and Introducing the New National Flood Insurance Designation Program, among others. Also, there will be a Flood 101 and a Flood 102 course (CE pending for Calif.) taught that day by Sonja Wood, CFM of H2O Partners, Inc. sponsored by Big “I” Flood and IBA West Insurance Skills Center.    
For more information about registration, hotel availability, and workshop schedule and descriptions, please visit the 2010 National Flood Conference homepage at http://www.nfipiservice.com/nfc.html. Learn more about the Big “I” Flood Program at www.iiaba.net/Flood.


Virtual University
Webinar Explains ACORD 24 and ACORD 25 Certificate Changes
Learn more about the changes and related marketplace issues.

Largely in response to regulatory pressure from several states, ACORD has expedited the publication of new versions of its ACORD 24 and ACORD 25 certificates of insurance forms. The changes to these forms could comprise the single most dramatic revision in over 30 years.

They say that 13 is unlucky, so perhaps that explains why ACORD swiftly went through the working group process following the 13th edition of the ACORD 25 certificate of insurance in January 2009. This group produced a new September 2009 edition that incorporates possibly the most significant changes since the ACORD 25 was introduced in November 1977. This form’s speedy revision more likely resulted from at least three states’ concern with the cancellation clause language based on recent regulatory directives.

VU Experts Bill Perkins and Bill Wilson will present a Webinar devoted to explaining what you need to know about these changes. The Webinar, which will examine the major changes and related marketplace issues, will take place on March 24 at 2pm ET and last 75 minutes. It’s been approved by the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) for one (1) hour of continuing education credits (intermediate) CE #71337, CE 2-20 - General Lines (Property & Casualty).  Florida agents will be required to provide additional information after the Webinar for CE credits. Click here to download an outline and register. For questions, please contact BestPractices@iiaba.net. To view other Webinars and check for CE approval in other states, click here.


Big “I” Flood
Mail-On-Demand Program Available
FEMA offers 35% discount on cross-sell direct mail to help agents sell flood coverage.

The Mail-On-Demand program is available to all FloodSmart-registered agents. This customizable, direct mail program provides you with pre-built direct mail templates that enable you to reach out to your current or potential clients with ease. These templates include messaging for issues such as new customer acquisition, cross-selling and retention of existing customers, and winning back customers with lapsed policies. The templates are ready for you to add your own contact information or a personal message and send to your current book of contacts or, if you choose, to purchased contact lists. And all of this can be done without leaving your office!

Not only will FloodSmart help you market flood insurance to existing customers, they'll also help you pay for it! Now, for a limited time, FEMA is offering a 35% discount on Cross-Sell direct mail to help agents sell flood insurance to their customers who have purchased other types of insurance. Agents can enjoy up to $500 off their order with this offer.

Mail-On-Demand is accessible through Agents.FloodSmart.gov. You will be redirected to the secure Mail-On-Demand site where you can select and modify templates, purchase a mailing list, ask technical questions, coordinate shipping and securely pay for orders right from your desktop.


Trusted Choice^®
Moon & Adrion Agency Receives Dan Fulwider Award
Award recognizes agency’s community involvement.

At the recent Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention, Trusted Choice® awarded the annual Dan Fulwider Award for Community Involvement to Craig and Melanie Moon of the Moon & Adrion Insurance Agency in Middletown, Ohio. In the spirit of and to honor Dan Fulwider who recently passed away after a valiant fight with cancer, the award recognizes Trusted Choice^® member agents for going above and beyond in volunteering time and enthusiasm to causes close to their heart.

“Dan Fulwider was the government affairs coordinator and membership liaison for the Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa, and a huge supporter of Trusted Choice^®,” says David Daniel, Big “I” chairman. “Dan was a warm and caring young man, whose dedication to his community and the causes he believed in inspired all who knew him.”

As the recipient of the Dan Fulwider Award for Community Involvement, the Moons receive a $2,500 contribution for the charity of their choice and were recognized at the 2010 Big “I” Legislative Conference & Convention. The charity they selected is Safe Havens Farm, a farm community for adults with autism. They are among the eight founding families of this special non-profit parent and donor funded effort. The Moons have an adult daughter who is autistic.

“The Moons give back to the community that supports their business and their family,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “Their efforts to improve the lives of people with special needs, particularly autism, are truly inspirational.”


ACT
Learn More About the Social Web
ACT offers second in a series of Webinars.

Want to learn more about how to incorporate the social Web into your agency’s marketing efforts but don’t know where to start? Sign up for the webinar “Introduction to the Social Web - A New Way to Connect”, a new webinar which is the second installment of a series hosted by the ACT Social Web Work Group on April 7 from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. EDT. The session will cover the basics for getting started and implementing a successful agency social web strategy using tools such as Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

For more information and to register, go to: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/487344785.