The MN News August 2010

August 2010 • The Minnesota News 1

Minnesota NewsTHE

Official Publication of the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers Association

August2010

Inside this Issue:ACT UPDATE: “Don’t Get Caught in the Web”CAPITAL NOTES: 2010 MIIAB/Trusted Choice Legislative ReportTechnically Speaking... “Optional Coverages Under the BOP”MIIAB President Message - Ken Ohl, CICExecutive V.P. Message - Dan Riley

FEATURED DIAMOND PARTNER: ENCOMPASS INSURANCE PAGE 15

FEATURED PLATINUM PARTNER: AAA INSURANCE - PAGE 29

State-Wide Trusted Choice T.V. Advertising Campaign!

MN Independent InsuranceAgents & Brokers Association

T.V.

COMMerCIAls fOr

yOur AgenCy!

fOr As lITTle

As $34.00 A week

See Page 8for Details

2 The Minnesota News •August 2010www.rascompanies.com

Celebra�ng

We, at RAS, are currently celebra�ng

our 20th anniversary and would like

to thank all of our agents and loyal

insureds for their support. Due to this

support RAS has grown to one of the

largest work comp insurers in the

Upper Midwest wri�ng over $42M

in premium.

OFFICES IN MINNESOTA AND SOUTH DAKOTAP. 800.732.1486 www.rascompanies.com

2oYears in Business

Richard Johnson,

President and CEO

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION.

Our Focus. Your Opportunity.SM

You’re local, we’re local;

let’s work together.

Na�onwide Strength. Midwest Values.

Proud of our local roots, together, we

all support the Minnesota business

community. Because of RAS’s local

presence, we provide the very best in

resources helping employers manage

their workers’ compensa�on risk

while protec�ng profitability.

We would like the opportunity to

grow our business locally through

our independent agency partners.

Please contact us on-line at

www.rascompanies.com.


Inside this Issue5 President’s Message7 Executive VP Message8 Trusted Choice Statewide T.V. Advertising Campaign15 Diamond Partner Article: Encompass Insurance19 ACT UPDATE: “Don’t Get Caught in the Web”25 Technically Speaking... “Optional Coverages Under the BOP”29 Platinum Partner Article: AAA Insurance37 In The News...43 Capital Notes: 2010 MIIAB/Trusted Choice Legislative Report50 Remember When...54 Education58 Power in Partners

MIIAB BOARD OF DIRECTORSwalter k. Ohl, Jr., CICPresidentPioneer Heritage Insurance, LLC, Spicer, MN

Mark Z. Moores. CPCu, ArM, AAIPresident-ElectMoores Insurance Management, Inc., St. Paul, MN

rob wunderlichVice PresidentWunderlich Insurance Agency, Winona, MN

David J. szczepanskiIIABA State National DirectorGarry Insurancenter, North St. Paul, MN

Chad BjuganRichfield State Insurance, Richfield , MN

roberta gibbons, CIsr, CICDyste Williams Agency, Minneapolis, MN

Travis Hansen, CICReliable Agency, Inc., Cloquet, MN

John keller, CICLindfors Insurance Agency, Fosston, MN

Jamie larsonLarson Insurance of Fergus Falls, Fergus Falls, MN

Mark lenzT.C. Field Company, St. Paul, MN

Vance PriggeAtlas Insurance Brokers, Rochester, MN

Bruce l. sognOakwood Insurance Agency, Inc., Coon Rapids, MN

shawn wensel, CICPast PresidentSMA Insurance, St. Cloud, MN

Mark white, CIC, CPCuFoster Carlson White Agency, Monticello, MN

Tanner BalfanyYIP RepresentativeAssociated Insurance Agents, Inc. Brooklyn Center , MN

MIIAB STAFFDaniel D. rileyExecutive Vice President952-253-6072 [email protected] waldhauserDirector of Insurance Operations952.253.6089 [email protected] sposetoGovernment Affairs Director952-253-6075 [email protected] lepleyChief Financial Officer952-253-6076 [email protected] goodinDirector of Education952-253-6074 [email protected] schneiderAdministrative Assistant952-253-6070 [email protected] neffTechnical Advice952-253-6073 [email protected] DunningDirector of Work Comp Insurance952-253-6239 [email protected] norumInsurance Coordinator952-253-6237 [email protected] B. knappDirector of Marketing952-253-6243 [email protected]

Reach MIIAB At:7500 Flying Cloud Drive

Suite 900Eden Prairie, MN 55344

Telephone: 952-835-4180Tollfree: 800-864-3846

Fax: 952-835-4774www.miia.org

August 2010



Minnesota NewsTHE

Official Publication of the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers Association

August2010

Inside this Issue:ACT UPDATE: “Don’t Get Caught in the Web”CAPITAL NOTES: 2010 MIIAB/Trusted Choice Legislative ReportTechnically Speaking... “Optional Coverages Under the BOP”MIIAB President Message - Ken Ohl, CICExecutive V.P. Message - Dan Riley

FEATURED DIAMOND PARTNER: ENCOMPASS INSURANCE PAGE 15

FEATURED PLATINUM PARTNER: AAA INSURANCE - PAGE 29

State-Wide Trusted Choice T.V. Advertising Campaign!


T.V.

COMMerCIAls fOr

yOur AgenCy!

fOr As lITTle

As $34.00 A week

See Page 8for Details

4 The Minnesota News •August 2010

Vaca

nt P

rope

rty

Don’t Let Your Clients Skate By with an Inferior Vacant Property Policy.

Want Vacant Property coverage your clients will flip over? Partner with Burns & Wilcox and you partner with a national network of brokers and underwriters with unparalleled access to the leading markets for Vacant Properties. Plus, full brokerage capabilities and large limits in protection against vandalism, fire and other unforeseen claims. So, for the best Vacant Property coverage across the board, turn to Burns & Wilcox, North America’s largest specialty insurance MGA/wholesaler.

St. Paul, Minnesota 651.487.2800 toll free 800.637.7318 fax 651.487.2010stpaul.burnsandwilcox.comBurns & Wilcox is exclusively endorsed by the MIIA as a provider of choice.

26016_Burns_NewVacant_MinnNews.indd 1 5/19/10 3:39:28 PM

MIIAB

Diamond Partner

www.stpaul.burnsandwilcox.com


President’s MessageKen Ohl, CIC

[email protected]

See you at the town meetingSIt’s hard to believe that we are about to start the second half of 2010 which also means that we will start a schedule of “Town Meetings” to be held in seven separate locations across the State of Minnesota, from Red Wing to Thief River Falls to Duluth. One of these meetings should be in a location reasonably close for most of our membership to have the opportunity to attend. Each one will offer 6 CE credits including the 3 hour “Ethics” course now required of everyone to renew your license. In addition, Dominic Sposeto, our lobbyist in St.Paul will be there to update everyone on this year’s legislative issues; Frank Whitcomb will give you all a “pep talk” on selling your products, your agencies and yourselves along with ideas on how to promote the “Trusted Choice” brand! If you have not had the opportunity to hear Frank speak, his segment alone will be worth the price of admission! A reception will follow compliments of the MIIAB/Trusted Choice so if you have not registered yet, go to our website and click on the education tab for more info or call the offices in Eden Prairie. This is our effort to bring your Association closer to you. Please take time to attend. We need your input.

Crop inSuranCe - a national Debate!Even though summer is quickly slipping by us, Congress is still busy trying to put together laws, deal with two wars and fight with big oil problems! Crop insurance reform is currently in its third and final draft of the Standard Reinsurance Agreement (SRA) at the direction of the Risk Management Agency (RMA) and is intended to determine the terms and conditions for the Administrative and Operating (A&O) reimbursements and underwriting gains for crop insurance companies. Their apparent goal is to reduce the program subsidy by $6 billion dollars. The bottom line is that the changes will reduce the incomes of over 18,000 crop insurance agents across the US significantly including several hundred right here in Minnesota. If you sell crop/multi-peril insurance you need to pay attention and make your voice heard by contacting your Congressmen (specifically Colin Peterson, chairman of the House Ag Committee) and Senators. Let them know how important this program is to your agency as well as to our whole economy. The program has worked for the past 25 years and I say “if it ain’t broke , then don’t fix it!”

why Can’t CongreSS fix flooD inSuranCeWashington logic becomes even murkier when they recently failed again, without explanation, to provide a “long term” extension for the National Flood Insurance Program. Congress needs to pass a “long term” solution for flood insurance. Not having a permanent flood insurance program is like not having a working contingency plan for an oil disaster. Once again we need to let Washington know that this is vitally important to our region and must be implemented now.

Support your aSSoCiationFinally, this time of year is also when membership renewals are being mailed from the Association offices. We certainly appreciate everyone’s commitment to this industry by choosing to be a member of one of the best independent agent’s associations in the country. Please continue your support by returning your renewal payment as soon as possible. Thanks and as Red Green says: “Keep your stick on the ice! We’re pulling for you.”


www.austinmutual.com

Protection You Can Count On

Maple Grove, MN 55369800-328-4628 • AustinMutual.com

Your home is your castle, and your contents are your treasures, and that is why Austin Mutual offers the protection you need. With Austin on your side, there’s a comfort level that comes with knowing we’re always just one phone call away. So when your castle needs guarding…

Austin’s Got You Covered

Executive VP MessageDan Riley

[email protected]

it iS time for uS to tell our Story- purChaSe your inSuranCe from a true profeSSional truSteD ChoiCe inDepenDent inSuranCe agent

For years, I have been asked by member agents why can’t we promote the Independent Agency System on television like the direct writers are doing. As you know, the direct writers spend millions and millions of dollars on advertising their system of purchasing insurance. I do not believe we can compete on that level; however, by harnessing the 30,000 plus independent agents throughout the country, I feel that we can compete in promoting independent agents under the Trusted Choice umbrella.

In Minnesota, we have over 800 agencies representing 5,000 plus insurance professionals who advise the consumer every day on their insurance purchases. If every one of these agencies begin to promote their agency as a Trusted Choice agency by putting this logo on their agency signage, letterhead, business cards, and their websites, this would be a major step in promoting the professionalism of our industry over selling insurance as a commodity.

By now you have received information on our state-wide television advertising campaign promoting Trusted Choice and an opportunity for you to promote your agency at the same time. We have hired an outside professional (Total Media LLC) to put this program together for us on a state-wide basis. For non-metro agents, Total Media LLC has put together and Over-The Air T.V. Campaign that will put the Trusted Choice Brand and your agency on network television such as ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX News for prices that are truly unbelievable. Sample television programming will be programs such as Good Morning America, The Today Show, CBS Morning News, local news channels, Nightline, The Tonight Show, Wheel of Fortune, Weekend Sports, Big 10 Sports, Dr. Phil, and even Oprah. I know this is hard to believe, but these commercials can be purchased by your agency for as little as $34 per week. Just think if every agency participated in this campaign how this will impact your agency and the consumer.

For metro agents, Total Media LLC has put together a Cable Market Campaign throughout the Metro Area. There are 29 independent cable networks and we will be airing Trusted Choice ads with your agency tags on television programming such as the Big 10 Network, CNN, ESPN, Fox News, HGTV, and the USA Network. The cable network advertising is even less expensive than the Over-The-Air T.V. advertising.

We have highlighted this television campaign in this magazine and we are also holding seminars at our upcoming Town Meetings in the near future to review the campaign and sign up agencies for their tags. The only thing that your agency needs to determine is where you want to advertise and if you want a full tag or partial tag. Total Media LLC will help you and your staff put together your agency tags and make sure that you are happy with your advertising decisions.

Today more than ever, independent agents in Minnesota must come together to tell our story to the consumers that insurance is not a commodity and what they need to look for is a Trusted Choice independent agent in their area that will provide them CHOICE, CUSTOMIZATION, AND ADVOCACY at the time of a claim.

Your association is doing their part by funding the first $100,000 into this program this year and we hope that you will take a portion of your current agency advertising dollars and move it into this program. Also, if your companies are Trusted Choice companies, you should ask them if their co-op dollars will help you pay for this campaign. We will provide them with the necessary information and copies of the ads that will satisfy their requirements for participating in this type of advertising.


Statewide T.V. Advertising Campaign

Promoting Trusted Choice and Your Independent Agency!

for as

little as

$34.00

a week

t.V.

CommerCials

for your

agenCy!

•YourAssociationisinvesting$100,000topromoteTrustedChoiceinMN.YourAgencycanpiggybackontheseprofessionalcommercialsforaslittleas$34.00aweek

• IowaIndependentTrustedChoiceAgentshavebeensuccessfullyusingthisprogramforthepastyear!

• ProfessionalMNSpecificCommercialsareinDevelopment

•AdCampaigntostartinNovember,signupnow,soyoudon’tmissout!

a ProVen

Program that

works!


6 Television Over-The-Air MarketsOut State Regions

Sample Television ProgrammingGoodMorningAmerica

TodayShowCBSMorningNews

MorningNEWSShowsNoonNEWS

5,6,6:30&10PMNEWSCastsNightline

TonightShowWheelofFortuneWeekendSportsBig10Sports

Dr.PhilOprah

t.V.

market

5

CommerCials*

Per week Per

agent!

*The more participation by member agents the more frequent the member agents tags will air each week.


Rochester/AustinOver-The-AirT.V.MarketExample

SampleT.V.ScheduleKTTC-TV (NBC)Monday-Friday 9am-3pm DayRotator 2/wkMonday-Friday 12-12:30pm MiddayNews 2/wkMonday-Friday 3-5pm AfternoonRotator 2/wkMonday-Friday 5-5:30pm NewsCenter5 1/wkMonday-Friday 10:35-11:35pm TonightShow 1/wkMonday-Friday 2:30-6pm NotreDameFootball 2/wk

Total 10/wkKXLT-TV (FOX)Monday-Friday 5-7pm Rotator 2/wkMonday-Friday 4-11pm Rotator 1/wkMonday-Friday 6-10pm Rotator 4/wk

Total 7/wkKAAL-TV (ABC)Monday-Friday 5-6am AMThisMorning 2/wkMonday-Friday 6-9am GoodMorningAmerica 2/wkMonday-Friday 4-5pm Oprah 1/wkMonday-Friday 5-5:30pm LocalNews 1/wkMonday-Friday 10:35-11:05pm AccordingtoJim 1/wkMonday-Friday 11:05-11:35pm Nightline 2/wkSaturday 3-5pm ESPNSportsSaturday 1/wkSunday 7-8am GoodMorningAmericaSunday 2/wk

Total 12/wk

Ofthe29spotsperweekintheRochester/AustinMarket,weestimatethatyouragencytagwillrunatleast5times;thisequatesto65timesforthe13weekperiod.

Tag Type Total Cost Total Ads Weekly Cost Ads Per Week Per Spot CostSinglePod1/2Screen5seconds $450 65 $34.62 5 $6.92

DoublePodFullScreen5seconds $900 65 $69.23 5 $13.85

QuadPodFullScreen10seconds $1800 65 $138.46 5 $27.69

Rochester/Austin Market Cost Breakdown


LOCAL CABLE AD INSERTION: MINNEAPOLIS DMA

Beltrami

NCC MEDIAMINNEAPOLIS DMA

9617 CHARTER/POLK-BURNETT, WI9534 PRIME MEDIA/BALDWIN, WI9243 PRIME MEDIA/CHIBARDUN, WI8966 CHARTER/NEW RICHMOND, MN8370 PAUL BUNYAN TV/MINNEAPOLIS, MN8158 CHARTER/LAKE CITY, MN

Cass

Hubbard

8158 CHARTER/LAKE CITY, MN8106 CHARTER/WOOD LAKE, MN8105 CHARTER/WASECA, MN7957 CHARTER/ST. CROIX FALLS, MN7896 COMCAST/CAMBRIDGE (ZONE 7), MN6863 CHARTER/ROSEMOUNT, MN6862 CHARTER/RED WING, MN6736 CHARTER/BEMIDJI, MN5920 COMCAST/CENTRAL (ZONE 6), MN5328 CHARTER/MENOMONIE, WI

AitkinCrow Wing

DouglasGrant KanabecMille LacsMorrison PineTodd

Wadena

Burnett Washburn

5328 CHARTER/MENOMONIE, WI5327 CHARTER/RICE LAKE, MN4905 COMCAST/ST. PETER, MN4904 COMCAST/GRANITE FALLS, MN4903 COMCAST/MSP LAKES, MN4663 CHARTER/CROSSLAKE, MN4641 COMCAST/ST. CROIX (ZONE 5), MN4044 CHARTER/SAINT CLOUD, MN3392 COMCAST/NORTH (ZONE 1), MN3390 COMCAST/SOUTH (ZONE 4) MN

Anoka

Benton

Big StoneChisago

g

H i

Isanti

KandiyohiLac qui Parle

Meeker

Mille Lacs

Pope

R

SherburneStearnsStevens

Swift

Traverse

W hi t

Wright

Barron

Burnett

Polk

St Croix

Washburn 3390 COMCAST/SOUTH (ZONE 4), MN3262 CHARTER/WILLMAR, MN3151 CHARTER/BUFFALO, MN2813 CHARTER/BRAINERD, MN2573 CHARTER/ALEXANDRIA, MN2081 COMCAST/NORTHWEST (ZONE 2), MN1499 CHARTER/OWATONNA, MN1129 COMCAST/ST. PAUL (ZONE 3), MN0754 COMCAST/MINNEAPOLIS SOUTH, MN0753 COMCAST/MINNEAPOLIS CITY MN

CarverChippewa

Dakota

Goodhue

HennepinLac qui Parle

Le SueurLyon

McLeod

Nicollet

Ramsey

Redwood

Renville

Rice

ScottSibley

Wabasha

Washington

Yellow Medicine

Dunn

Pierce

St. Croix 0753 COMCAST/MINNEAPOLIS CITY, MN0751 COMCAST/MINNEAPOLIS CENTRAL, MN

Cottonwood

FaribaultJackson

SteeleWaseca

3/18/2010 AMS/CableTrack *All data and geographic representations aresubject to qualifications available upon request. Not Applicable = No Local Insertion or Non-Sellable Cable

= NOT APPLICABLE

29 Cable Television MarketsMetro & Central Regions

Cable

market

10

CommerCials*

Per week Per

agent!

*The more participation by member agents the more frequent the member agents tags will air each week.


Network Days Time WK1

WK2

WK3

WK4

WK5

WK6

WK7

WK8

WK9

WK10

WK11

WK12

WK13

A&E Mon-Sun 6am-12m 9 9 9 9 9 9TLC Mon-Sun 6am-12m 9 9 9 9 9 9ESPN Mon-Sun 6am-12m 9 9 9 9 9 9USA Mon-Sun 6am-12m 9 9 9 9 9 9HGTV Mon-Sun 6am-12m 9 9 9 9 9LIFE Mon-Sun 6am-12m 9 9 9 9 9

FOXNews Mon-Sun 6am-12m 9 9 9 9 9Total 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27 27

LargeCableMarketExample

SampleSchedule

Ofthe27spotsperweekintheLargeCableMarket,weestimatethatyouragencytagwillrunatleast10times;thisequatesto130timesforthe13weekperiod.

Tag Type Total Cost Total Ads Weekly Cost Ads Per Week Per Spot CostSinglePod1/2Screen5seconds $440 130 $33.85 10 $3.39

DoublePodFullScreen5seconds $880 130 $67.69 10 $6.77

QuadPodFullScreen10seconds $1760 130 $135.38 10 $13.54

Large Cable Market Cost Breakdown


EachCommercialis30secondsinlength.20secondswillbededicatedtotheTrustedChoiceMessage

10secondsareavailabletopurchasewithAgent/AgencySpecificPictureandInfo

Gotothefollowinglinkstoviewexamplecommercials:

http://mn.iiaa.org/video/C1-III-0043_Disaster.wmv

http://mn.iiaa.org/video/C1-III-0013_pledge.wmv

http://mn.iiaa.org/video/CableOne_DrTom.wmv

Theprocesscouldn’tbesimpler

1st:CompleteMIIAB-TrustedChoice-Television&CableCommitmentSheet

2nd:SendpictureandtexttoTotalMediaLLC,2550MiddleRd.Ste502,Bettendorf,[email protected]

3rd:ReviewandApproveTagthatwascreatedbyTotalMediaLLC

4thWaittoseehowmanypeoplerecognizeyoufromyourpicturefromtheT.V./CableAdCampaign

Contact Total Media, LLC if you have any questions/concerns or if you need help to identify which market(s) you could advertise in.

TotalMedia,LLC

2550MiddleRoad,Ste502Bettendorf,IA52722

P:563.344.9034F:563.823.0806

JulieDerrer:[email protected]:[email protected]


MIIAB-TRUSTEDCHOICE-Television&Cable13WeekAgencyCoopCommitmentSheet

NameofAgency____________________________________________________

NameofAgent_____________________________________________________

Address___________________________________________________________

City,State,Zip_________________________________Email_______________________________________

Phone________________________Cell__________________________Fax____________________________

Website_________________________________________

*Agentsmaypurchaseadditionalpods:DoublePod(FullScreen5Seconds)=2xBasePriceQuadPod(FullScreen10Seconds)=4xBasePrice

Payment Options:

1. Credit Card through Total Media LLC

VisaMastercardDiscoverAmExpress

Account#______________________________________

ExpDate_________________

2. Checks Made Payable to: TotalMediaLLC2550MiddleRd.Ste502Bettendorf,IA55722

Agents Picture AvailableYesNoAgency Logo AvailableYesNoNeed PictureYesNoEmail to:[email protected]

T.V. MARKET (13 Weeks) *Single Pod = 1/2 Screen 5 seconds

T.V. Market CheckBase Price

Credit CardBase Price

Duluth $600 $618Fargo $450 $464Rochester/Austin $450 $464Mankato $360 $371LaCross $360 $371SiouxFalls $300 $309

CABLE SYSTEM (13 Weeks) *Single Pod = 1/2 Screen 5 seconds

Cable Market CheckBase Price

Credit CardBase Price

Comcast/MplsCentral $440 $453Comcast/MplsCity $440 $453Comcast/MplsSouth $440 $453Comcast/St.Paul $440 $453Comcast/North $440 $453Comcast/Central $440 $453Comcast/St.Croix $440 $453Comcast/Northwest $440 $453Comcast/St.Peter $330 $340Charter/Rosemount $330 $340Comcast/Cambridge $330 $340Charter/Buffalo $330 $340Comcast/South $330 $340Charter/St.Cloud $330 $340Comcast/MSPLakes $330 $340PaulBunyanTV/Mpls $220 $227Charter/LakeCity $220 $227Comcast/GraniteFalls $220 $227Charter/Bemidji $220 $227Charter/RedWing $220 $227Charter/Waseca $220 $227Charter/WoodLake $220 $227Charter/Owatonna $220 $227Charter/Alexandria $220 $227Charter/Brainerd $220 $227Charter/Willmar $220 $227Charter/Crosslake $220 $227

Total Media LLC, 2550 Middle Road, Ste 205, Bettendorf, IA 52722P: 563.344.9034 F: 563.823.0806 E: [email protected]

Contact total media, llC if you have any questions/concerns or if you need help to identify which

market(s) you could advertise in.


LargeCableMarketExample

EachCommercialhasa10secondtagwithupto

4Pods

Agents may purchase additional pods

Double PodFullScreen5Seconds

2xBasePriceQuad PodFullScreen10Seconds

4xBasePrice

AgentInfo/Picture

$440

1 Pod-1/2Screen5Seconds

Market1 Pod

1/2Screen5seconds

Double PodFullScreen5seconds

Quad PodFullScreen10Seconds

LargeMarketCable $440 $880 $1760MediumMarketCable $330 $660 $1320SmallMarketCable $220 $440 $880DuluthMarketT.V. $600 $1200 $2400FargoMarketT.V. $450 $900 $1800Rochester/AustinMarketT.V. $450 $900 $1800LaCrosseMarketT.V. $360 $720 $1440MankatoMarketT.V. $360 $720 $1440SiouxFallsMarketT.V. $300 $600 $1200

AgentInfo/Picture

$880

Double Pod-FullScreen5Seconds

AgentInfo/Picture

$1760

Quad Pod-FullScreen10Seconds

CABLE SYSTEM COUNTIESComcast/MinneapolisCentral HennepinComcast/MinneapolisCity,MN Anoka,HennepinComcast/MinneapolisSouth Carver,Hennepin,Scott,WrightComcast/St.Paul,MN Dakota,RamseyCharter/Owatonna,MN Rice,SteeleComcast/Northwest Hennepin,WrightCharter/Alexandria,MN Douglas,Grant,PopeCharter/Brainerd,MN Aitkin,Cass,CrowWing,Hubbard,Todd,WadenaCharter/Buffalo,MN Carver,Hennepin,Meeker,Sherburne,WrightCharter/Willmar,MN Chippewa,Kandiyohi,Lyon,SwiftComcast/South DakotaComcast/North Anoka,Hennepin,Washington

Charter/SaintCloud,MN Benton,Morrison,Sherburne,StearnsComcast/St.Croix,MN Dakota,WashingtonCharter/Crosslake,MN CrowWingComcast/MSPLakes,MN Carver,Dakota,Hennepin,Rice,ScottComcast/GraniteFalls,MN BigStone,Chippewa,Kandiyohi,LacquiParle,Meeker,Pope,Stearns,Stevens,Swift,Traverse,YellowMedicineComcast/St.Peter,MN BlueEarth,Brown,Cottonwood,Faribault,Hennepin,LeSueur,McLeod,Meeker,Nicollet,Nobles,Redwood,

Renville,Scott,Sibley,Waseca,Watonwan,WrightComcast/Central Ramsey,WashingtonCharter/Bemidji,MN Beltrami,CassCharter/RedWing,MN GoodhueCharter/Rosemount,MN Dakota,RiceComcast/Cambridge Anoka,Benton,Chisago,Isanti,Kanabec,MilleLacs,Morrison,Pine,Sherburne,Stearns,Todd,Wabasha,

Washington,WrightCharter/Waseca,MN BlueEarth,Dodge,Freeborn,LeSueur,Steele,WasecaCharter/WoodLake,MN Lyon,Redwood,Renville,YellowMedicineCharter/LakeCity,MN WabashaPaulBunyanTV/Minneapolis Beltrami,Clearwater,Hubbard,Itasca,Koochiching


www.encompassinsurance.com

The key to growing your business is

ne policy.

To learn more, contact us at www.encompassinsurance.com/newagents.asp

Encompass Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL and its affiliates. Availability from a particular company varies by state. The smaller of the two deductibles is waived.

Shouldn’t you be selling it?The Encompass® Universal Security Policy can make life simpler for you and your customers.

• ONE POLICY for home, car, power sports, umbrella liability and more makes it easier to provide your customers with complete protection.

• ONE BILL just once a year means higher customer retention. And your customers will be happy to know they can earn discounts for combining their coverage.

• ONE DEDUCTIBLE is all that’s owed in case of a loss to multiple lines. So for example, if a tornado damages your customer’s home and car, they won’t pay twice.

Encompass is one company you can bank on. We offer independent agents competitive compensation, profit sharing and a nationwide network of sales and education teams.

MIIAB

Diamond Partner


Encompass Insurance: National company, local-market focusEncompass is one of the nation’s largest companies to provide protection through independent agencies. As part of the Allstate group, we offer the financial stability and economies of scale of a national company – while maintaining a local-market focus.

And we’re proud of this.

In addition to the feedback we get from our Minnesota-based sales and education team, we also have one of the premier agency advisory councils in the industry: NorthStar. Its members provide an “agency point of view” to help ensure we understand the marketplace – and to help us identify and deliver the products, customer service, marketing, claims and technology agencies need to serve customers – and grow profitably.

In fact, NorthStar provided valuable input on our Universal Security Policy, which combines customers’ personal lines insurance into one annual policy. That’s one policy for a customer’s home, car, motorcycle, boat or other recreational vehicle, rental unit – and even a home-based business*.

The power of oneWith just one policy, customers have:

• One insurance agent;

• One premium;

• One bill;

• One renewal date; and

• One deductible.

That’s less hassle for them – and better retention, better cross sales and more opportunities for agencies to grow profitably.

NorthStar also provided input on recent Encompass Express desktop improvements, which make it easier than ever to write business with us – and their ideas were critical on some of new marketing tools we offer that can help your agency attract and retain high-value customers.


Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers Association

Power in Partners Program

DIAMOND PARTNER


The value we offerBut there’s more. Here are some other benefits of Encompass Insurance:

• Major insurance rating agencies give us strong marks, which can provide peace of mind when you place customers with Encompass.

• Agencies and customers give us rave reviews on our 24x7 claim service.

• Our top-notch field sales and education teams are available to consult with your agency to be sure we’re providing the services you need. We help you get up and running – and continue to provide support along the way, with training programs featuring such topics as value selling, retention and cross selling.

• Our Policyholder Service Center can help minimize daily processing and service work – giving agencies more time to “grow” by doing what you do best: sell, cross sell and retain business.

• Our compensation package includes competitive commission schedules and significant promotions to help increase agency revenue.

• Gold Key Agencies receive a special 800 number to call for Claims, the Help Desk, Encompass Agent Care Center and the Risk Management Center; a dedicated underwriter to handle specific underwriting needs; free access to webinars by industry experts; and exclusive high-lifetime-value leads to identify desired customers within your agency’s geographic range; and preferred placement on our Agency Locator.

• At Encompass we believe in giving back to communities. In fact, we offer a grant program that provides funding to qualifying local nonprofit organizations at which our appointed agencies volunteer.

Cynthia H. Young, PresidentEncompass Insurance


As a Diamond Partner of the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers Association, Encompass also carries the Trusted Choice® designation by the Independent Insurance Agencies and Brokers of America.

This designation means that we are:

1. committed to treating customers as a person – not a policy

2. dedicated to proving excellent customer service

3. committed to guiding customers through the claims process.

We think our products and services are among the best in the industry – and that your customers will appreciate the strong Encompass value proposition. If you don’t already offer Encompass, take a look. Prospect agents can go online to learn more. For additional information, contact Frank Whitcomb by phone at (866) 731-1936 or via email at [email protected].

*Through the addition of a HomeWork Supplement to the USP Homeowners policy.

About Encompass Insurance• Part of the Allstate group, Encompass is one of the nation’s largest companies

to provide protection through independent insurance agents.

• Allstate has been selling insurance under the Encompass name since 1999.

• According to the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, nearly 35 percent of consumers purchase personal lines insurance through an independent agent.

• Approximately 3,200 independent agents are appointed to sell Encompass Insurance.

• Encompass is leveraging the strength of our package product and adjusting rates to be more competitive for high-lifetime-value shoppers – those who own residential property and either insure multiple vehicles or have certain BI limits.

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Liz WaltherCommercial Lines Field Underwriter

Discover the Integrity difference, contact Cathy Beaudin at 800-348-1741 ext. 8326.

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Over 40% of agencies insured through the IIABA-Swiss Re E&O program now have their own website, having grown from 19% in 2006. Having a good website, with robust functionality, has become a core tool for agencies with a modern marketing strategy. Agencies are moving to more complex websites to respond to consumers and clients who increasingly want to shop online and be able to handle basic service needs when convenient for them.

Virtually all agency websites provide basic advertising for the agency, showing the agency name, logo, phone number, address and email link. Over the past eighteen months, however, applications for E&O show a clear trend toward agency websites expanding beyond standard advertising information, as might be expected from expanding consumer online behavior and the services being offered by competitors and other industries.

Advertising Exposure

Let’s first examine what errors and omissions exposures an agency can face from the more traditional type of website. Many of the exposures on these sites are the same that exist in the ‘paper’ world. Advertising liability can arise out of the use or misuse of a trademark, or from the copyrighted material of others, and statements regarding the services available through the agency may be subject to regulatory requirements. At least one state, New York, makes this clear in Circular Letter No. 5 (2001), “Advertisements, Referrals and Solicitations on the Internet,” where it states that “Advertisements that appear on the Internet are subject to all applicable existing statutory and regulatory guidelines and restrictions applicable to advertisements in any other medium.”

E&O Tip: The same level of care in creating ‘paper’ advertising is appropriate for the agency advertising contained on the website. If in doubt, a quick consultation with your qualified legal counsel is well worth the cost.

Websites commonly provide a button allowing a site visitor to contact the agency via email. One could certainly expect questions about what services the agency provides, hours open for business or even driving directions. Keep in mind, however, that there is no way to control what a visitor might choose to include in the content of their email. The visitor might decide to include confidential personal information

ACT UPDATE: Don’t Get Caught in the Web!Be aware of and mitigate E&O exposures

from your website By Sabrena Sally, CPCU

Westport Insurance Company

continued on page 22

21

(such as a name coupled with a social security, drivers license or credit card number) in the unprotected email, creating an exposure to breach of data privacy.

E&O Tip: To help mitigate the liability exposure from this common website feature, posting an appropriate disclaimer is a best practice. A sample disclaimer is provided at the end of this article for agents to use as a starting point and to customize to their agency’s situation.

Posting Website Content

As a simplified case study, let’s view the stages a hypothetical agency might follow in expanding its website over time, and how these changes can affect the agency’s E&O exposure. After constructing a basic website, the next step an agency often takes is to add articles that will be of interest to site visitors. Articles of interest can range widely in subject matter and may be available for viewing only or also as a download. “What is an umbrella policy,” “How to implement an employee wellness plan,” and “Where to find information on OSHA requirements” are examples of topics seen on agency websites. Content can be general in nature or become more technical and specific to certain types of exposures. The options are practically endless.

Posting informative articles on the agency website can draw visitors, generate stickiness with existing customers, and lead people to contact the agency for additional information. In addition to these positive benefits, there are risks that accompany posting information.

E&O Tip: If the content is original material created by the agency, practicing due diligence to ensure accuracy of the information is a key preventative measure. The more specific the information provided, the higher the risk of generating allegations against the agency for misrepresentation or providing inaccurate advice.

There is one significant difference between content posted on a website and content published in more traditional forms. Posting content online makes the information available to anyone regardless of their physical location. This instantaneous world-wide availability raises the issue of jurisdiction. It is not yet clear how legal jurisdiction might be applied to content published on a website. Including an appropriate legal disclaimer as part of posted information is for now one’s most effective tool in mitigating the jurisdictional risk.

E&O Tips: If the content is obtained from another source, the first step in risk management is to verify the expertise of the information’s source. This step helps minimize the exposure to allegations of misrepresentation or inaccurate advice. The information is also most likely copyrighted, creating exposure to allegations of copyright infringement. Obtaining written permission from the owner or licensor of the material prior to posting and giving appropriate credit of authorship can help mitigate the copyright exposure. If the content is obtained under a licensing agreement, explore what options may exist to protect the agency via contractual indemnification. As with information authored by the agency, it is recommended that appropriate legal disclaimers be clearly posted with information obtained from other sources.

Website Referrals

As agencies often receive requests from customers for referrals to other service vendors, it is a natural next step for the agency website to include links to these types of service vendors. Windshield repair services, CPAs for tax preparation, and

continued from page 21

22


disaster recovery solutions firms, are just a few examples of service vendor links seen on agency websites. Linking to vendors on the agency website can create the same exposure to negligent referral that exists when the referral takes place verbally, through email or snail mail. Regardless of how a referral is provided, the best practice recommendation is to provide at least two referrals, leaving it to your customer to choose which vendor to use. If the agency site links directly to a vendor, there also may be exposure to allegations of trademark infringement or unfair use of cyber marks from the vendor.

E&O Tips: The best practices to follow to mitigate allegations of negligent referral for vendor referrals, including linking, are to:

1. obtain written permission from the vendor or site to which the link leads

2. provide always more than one selection for each type of service

3. ensure there are appropriate disclaimers regarding the services being provided by these vendors.

Interactive and Web-based Transactions

Agencies are increasingly adding interactive website features to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the agency. When interactive features are included on an agency website, more unique E&O exposures can quickly develop. The most rapidly growing exposure we have seen is the number of agency websites that are accepting application information.

As part of the underwriting process on a recent renewal, we reviewed an agency website. The site opened to a very professionally designed home page. The site had clearly written text, eye-pleasing graphics, was well-organized, and quick-loading. At the bottom of the first page, a link to the agency privacy statement was prominently posted. Following the various tabs, one could easily find informative articles which clearly showed authorship and contained appropriate disclaimer language. So far, so good.

We then clicked on a button titled Personal Lines, on through the Auto Insurance button, to “Submit Application.” The Submit Application button led to a page where a full spectrum of personally identifiable information can be submitted, including: name, address, date of birth, social security number, drivers license number – basically all the information one needs to carry out identity theft. There was no indication of security being enabled by an ‘https’ displayed before the URL (evidence of creation of an SSL connection), and nothing contained within the web page itself referred to secure transmission of this data.

An agency has the duty to protect personally identifiable information and a myriad of both state and federal laws apply. Violations of these laws carry significant financial penalties, not to mention the extreme damage that can be done to the agency’s reputation. One state, for example, specifically requires “encryption of all transmitted records and files containing personal information that will travel across public networks, and encryption of all data containing personal information transmitted wirelessly.” At the most recent count, forty-six states have some type of law or regulation addressing the protection of personal information.

E&O Tips: Agencies that collect personally identifiable information (whether on their websites or not) should take the necessary steps to be knowledgeable about

23

state and federal laws and regulations that protect such personal information and provide the level of data security required by them.

A best practice is that the agency website create an SSL connection with the visitor’s browser before the visitor is asked to enter an id or password or any personal information, such as that included on insurance applications, so that this information cannot be read by unintended parties over the Internet.

Many agencies are now expanding their online presence to include social media as a part of their advertising and customer interaction. ACT has an article and webinar on the E&O exposures arising from the use of social media which can be found at www.iiaba.net/act at the “Website & Social Media” link.

Key activities for mitigating E&O exposures generated by a web presence

It’s an exciting time as agencies become more creative in using the opportunities that websites can provide. Be creative, but not naive. Keep in mind that with every opportunity, there is risk. Consider the following quick tips to help mitigate your agency’s exposure to errors and omissions that may arise from your agency’s website:

1. 1Review website advertising with the same level of legal scrutiny toward copyright and trademark issues as the agency’s more traditional advertising

2. Post an appropriate Privacy Statement prominently on the website

3. Review original content posted on the website for accuracy and post appropriate disclaimers

4. Obtain written permission for content obtained from other parties, be confident they are a knowledgeable source, credit their authorship, obtain the author’s indemnification (if feasible) and post appropriate disclaimers

5. If you decide to refer to other service providers, provide more than one provider name, obtain written permission to link to them and post appropriate disclaimers regarding the services provided by the vendors

6. If the website has interactive features that collect personally identifiable information, comply with all state and federal privacy and data breach notification laws and regulations and create an SSL connection with the visitor’s browser before the visitor is asked to enter an id or password or any personal information.

Sample Website Disclaimers

Agents should consult with their local counsel to customize these sample disclaimers so that they fit their website, are positioned at the appropriate places on the site and comply with all of the federal and state laws and regulations that apply to them. These disclaimers are in addition to the Privacy Statement that the agency should include at the bottom of its website setting out its privacy policies.

Website Disclaimers

Please review carefully!

“This information is not an offer to sell insurance. Insurance coverage cannot be bound or changed via submission of this online form/application, e-mail, voice mail or facsimile. No binder, insurance policy, change, addition, and/or deletion to insurance coverage goes into effect unless and until confirmed directly with a licensed agent. Note any proposal of insurance we may present to you will be based upon the values developed and exposures to loss disclosed to us on this online form/application and/or in communications with us. All coverages are subject to the terms, conditions and


24

exclusions of the actual policy issued. Not all policies or coverages are available in every state.”

“Please contact our office at 555.555.5555 to discuss specific coverage details and your insurance needs. In order to protect your privacy, please do not send us your confidential personal information by unprotected email. Instead, discuss that personal information with us by phone or send by fax.”

“Statements on this website as to policies and coverages and other content provide general information only and we provide no warranty as to their accuracy. Clients should consult with their licensed agent as to how these coverages pertain to their individual situation. Any hypertext links to other sites or vendors are provided as a convenience only. We have no control over those sites or vendors and cannot, therefore, endorse nor guarantee the accuracy of any information provided by those sites or the services provided by those vendors.”

“Information provided on this website does not constitute professional advice. If you have legal, tax or financial planning questions, you need to contact a qualified professional.”

This article is intended only for educational or illustrative purposes and should not be construed to communicate legal or professional advice. You should consult legal or other professionals with respect to any specific questions you may have. Further, the statements and/or opinions contained are those only of the author and do not constitute and should not be construed to constitute any statement, opinion or position of Swiss Re, IIABA or ACT.

Sabrena Sally, CPCU is Senior Vice President of Westport Insurance Corporation, a Swiss Re company, and manages the Big “I” Agency Professional Liability Program, which is endorsed by IIABA and 51 Big “I” state associations. Sabrena can be reached at [email protected] . Sabrena produced this article for the Agents Council for Technology (ACT), a part of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. For more information about ACT, visit www.independentagent.com/act or contact Jeff Yates, ACT Executive Director at [email protected]. This article reflects the views of the author and should not be construed as an official statement by ACT or IIABA.

25


When it comes to protecting your reputation, you may fi nd us surprisingly fi erce. With over 30 years of serving the U.S. insurance agents market, we’re the most experienced provider of professional liability coverage. Yet it’s not just our longevity in the market that may surprise you; it’s our commitment. As more than 20,000 insurance agencies across North America have discovered, we’re fi ercely committed to protecting what matters most – your business, your fi nancial assets and your reputation. At Swiss Re, we always work with the same raw material: risk. And what we work to create for our clients is always the same product: opportunity.

See for yourself at www.swissre.com/insurance

For more information on our Insurance Agency professional liability program, please contact your state association.

Shelley Waldhauser, Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers Association7500 Flying Cloud Drive, #900, Eden Prairie, MN 55344P) 800-864-3846/X-6086, F) 952-835-4774, D) 952-253-6086, C) [email protected]

Insurance products underwritten by Westport Insurance Corporation, Overland Park, Kansas, a member of the Swiss Re group. Westport is licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

© 2009 Swiss Re

The_Minnesota_News_PrimIns_Lion_Cat_EN_USA_PL_A_151009.indd 1 26.10.09 13:53

www.swissre.com/bigi


Technically Speaking…Bernie Neff, CIC, CPCU

[email protected]

optional CoVerageS unDer the bopThe ISO Business Owners Package has been the template for many of the individual insurance carriers’ BOP’s for over 30 years now. Many companies look at what ISO does, then take those ideas and customize their own BOP to fit the needs and desired coverages for their selected clients. Now we have BOP’s specifically designed to cover the individual exposures of drug stores, grocery stores, bars, restaurants, contractors, garage repair shops, and so on.

The lesson here is that the BOP contracts of today are fairly diverse and it is getting harder to compare one against the other from a coverage standpoint. One of the issues here is what I call the “Optional Coverages” needs of many of our BOP customers. Here is a quick look at two of them – optional coverages that almost all our clients would most likely need and which may not be automatically provided. Which means you have to sell them.

1. Sign Coverage – almost every insured will have some kind of sign indicating where they are and what they do. At present, outdoor signs fall into two categories – attached to the building, or unattached. Attached signs fare much better since they get the covered causes of loss of the building (risks of direct physical loss), and are usually covered for $1,000 or $2,500. Unattached signs do not fare so well – they are put into the category of “Outdoor Property” and are only covered for the causes of fire, lightning, explosion, riot or civil commotion, and aircraft. There is no coverage for wind, hail, vandalism, vehicle collision, etc. They are usually covered for $2,500.

ISO’s Optional Coverage for signs is much better. You can choose the amount of coverage necessary and indicate that on one of the Declarations Pages. The coverage is risks of direct physical loss – and the only exclusions are wear & tear, hidden or latent defect, rust, corrosion and mechanical breakdown. This is much better coverage. One thing to remember, don’t just consider the cost of the sign, consider also the cost to install the sign. One example I have used for years is the cost of a sign for a BOP risk here in Minnesota that was over $75,000. Much of this cost was the installation cost as the sign had to be tall enough to be seen from an elevated freeway. A large expense, but the owner swore it was worth every penny.

The Optional Coverage for signs also broadens the causes of loss considerably. It eliminates many of the Section I – Property Exclusions for such causes as Ordinance and Law, Earth Movement, Water (flood) and Power Failure off the premises (for direct damage only).

This coverage also is available not only for signs that the insured owns but also for signs in the insured’s care, custody or control. Since many BOP risks are tenants, it is very possible that they might be using space on the owner’s sign to advertise their business. Or, in another case, the BOP risk rented the entire building and the sign out in

Technically Speaking...continued on page 29

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Technically Speaking...continued from page 27

the parking area, and the lease requirements made the BOP risk liable for any damage done to the sign. Whether it is the insured’s fault or not makes no difference to their lease responsibility. In one case, the BOP insured was held liable for damage to the sign in the parking area that was hit, knocked over, and completely destroyed by an uninsured drunk driver.

2. Money and Securities – this is the second of the Optional Coverages to discuss today. It is a common exposure for many BOP risks, and many of our smaller businesses will not accept credit cards or even checks. It requires two limits – one for Inside the Premises and one for Outside the Premises. I am often asked if these limits should be the same or different amounts. Most contracts I have seen used the same amount of insurance for both inside and outside coverage. However, it would be a good idea to question your client on how often he/she takes the money to the bank. One insured I know of will keep 3 or 4 days of receipts at home and then take them to the bank once or twice a week. This would require a larger Outside limit. You can buy coverage for just inside or outside, or both. The BOP form makes it clear that the inside limits applies not only to the “described premises” but also to a bank or savings institution. The outside limits apply to losses “in transit”.

A couple of issues with this coverage. The insured is covered only in the area that he/she does business in. If, for example, I have a small amount of space for my retail operation in a mall, that small area of space is my “described premises” and I would be “outside the premises” as soon as I walk out the door – even though I am still inside the mall. Another issue is that this coverage in a BOP is different from the typical Crime form. The Crime form requires the money to be in the possession of a “messenger” for the outside coverage. The BOP simply says that the money and securities is covered for loss at a bank or savings institution, within the living quarters of the named insured or a partner or an employee, or at the described premises or in transit between any of these places. So if the money is stolen at work, at home, or in transit, it is a covered location.

The covered cause of loss for this coverage is as broad as you will find anywhere. The listed perils are: theft (any act of stealing), disappearance or destruction. So any act of burglary or robbery is covered, as well as the destruction of the money in a fire or tornado, and if the money is just gone (disappearance). The only exclusions are for accounting or math errors, giving property away during a transaction (such as giving change for a $20 bill when the customer gave you a $10 bill), and money in a money-operated device that does not have a continuous recording instrument in the device. The Section I – Property exclusion and limitations also apply – the big exclusion here that would pertain is for Employee Theft. These Section I exclusions would also excludes flood, earth movement, etc.

Finally, the insured has the duty to keep all pertinent records necessary to verify the amount of any loss.

A final note about insurance company BOP’s – they vary all over the place and may even cover the above two exposures automatically. That is all well and good, but be sure and check the amounts of coverage given, to be aware if they are appropriate to your BOP risk’s needs.


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ABOUT AAAAAA was founded over 100 years ago for the purpose of lobbying for driver and passenger rights, fair laws and safer vehicles — all to better promote the love of the open road and the adventure of driving. Since then, AAA has grown to over 50 million members strong, while providing valuable membership services such as roadside assistance. Additionally, AAA has broadened its horizons to include all types of travel-related services, as well as offer a variety of insurance and financial products and services.

Today’s AAA is a national federation comprised of more than 50 individual clubs throughout the United States and Canada. Whether you’re traveling around the world or to the corner grocery store, planning a honeymoon or weekend road trip, learning to drive or in need of a battery boost, the best way to begin your journey is with AAA.

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AAA HISTORYAAA was founded over 100 years ago for the purpose of lobbying for driver and passenger rights, fair laws and safer vehicles.

Today, approximately 25 percent of households in the United States have AAA Memberships and more than 28 percent of North American passenger vehicles belong to AAA Members.

EACH YEAR, AAA:• Dispatches roadside assistance to nearly 30 million motorists

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• Provides information on more than 60,000 AAA Approved and Diamond-rated lodgings and restaurants, nearly 17,000 AAA Approved attractions and 21,000 events

• Advocates for consumer rights and safety improvements at local, state and national levels

AAA continues to exist solely for its members and is committed to providing safety, security, peace of mind and unparalleled service and savings.

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COMMITMENTAAA holds fundamental and enduring principles to guide our mission and corporate behavior. They are a collective commitment by association headquarters, clubs, employees and governing bodies to those we serve and to each other. They determine the culture of our organization and how we work with each other, our members, other customers, suppliers and the public.

Our Local Sales Management Team

WE ARE PROUD TO SERVE OUR MINNESOTA INDEPENDENT AGENTS!

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INTRODUCING EMC ChOICE® hOMEOwNERs PROGRaM wITh EqUIPMENT BREakDOwN COvERaGE EMC’s new homeowners product provides three levels of comprehensive coverage with outstanding

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equipment breakdown coverage. Even our most basic level of coverage provides better-than-average

protection with identity theft resolution service and extra coverages such as silverware theft, refrigerated

property, lock replacement, personal injury, identity fraud expense, golf cart liability and many more.

Learn about these exciting new coverages by contacting your local EMC branch office.

I used to think EMC was ju st for commercial lines. Then again, I used to think that chocolate milk came from brown cows.

Minneapolis Branch: 800.362.4670 | Home Office: Des Moines, IA www.emcinsurance.com

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It’s what our independent agency partners do every day with the quality insurance programs from Western National. Together, we meet our customers’ unique insurance needs by providing a mix of coverage, expertise, and relationship-based service that no other team can bring to the table.

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Thank Your Customers.

“With TouchCardz, you thank them when they receive it, & you thank them again when they get the check!”

-Frank Whitcomb, Education Consultant at Encompass Insurance

© 2009 Meridian Media Group, Inc.

Only $6.50 each Logon for complete details and easy ordering www.miia.org Click on TouchCardz

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Only 3% of our mail is personal. How do you feel when you walk out to the mail box & see a personal card addressed to you?

Your clients & prospects are no different.

Just saying thank you to your clients…particularly new clients, can increase your business by 7%.

For every month that you don’t contact or communicate with your clients, you lose 10% of your influence.

A 5% increase in customer loyalty will add 20% - 80% to your bottom line profit…It is much wiser to spend money on customer retention than acquisition.

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Property and casualty coverages are underwritten by a member of the Sentry Insurance Group, Stevens Point, WI. For a complete listing of companies, visit sentry.com. Policies, coverages, benefits and discounts are not available in all states. See policy for complete coverage details. *Some coverages available at additional premium. 11/07 (4)

More Coverages.

Sentry understands trucking is your number one priority. That’s why we constantly review and enhance our coverages to provide you with the insurance protection you need.

Some of the important coverages we provide include: • Unlimited towing coverage • Pollution liability• Unladen liability* • Enhanced deductible options• Bobtail coverage* • Blanket additional insured endorsement• Cargo pollution cleanup • Accident travel coverage• Workers’ compensation

Learn more about the products and services Sentry provides. Call today.

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sTAr TrIBune nAMes rJf AgenCIes A TOP wOrkPlACe

The Star Tribune newspaper announced that Minneapolis-based risk management and insurance firm RJF Agencies was named one of the Top Workplaces in the Twin Cities metro area, based on an employee-based survey project. RJF was ranked 19th on the list of companies with 50-149 employees.

Top Workplaces recognizes employers in the metro based on employee opinions about company leadership, career opportunities, workplace flexibility, compensation and benefits. More than 1,000 companies were invited to participate, and employees of those that participated were surveyed anonymously by a third party research firm. The analysis included responses from over 34,000 employees at Minnesota public, private and nonprofit organizations.

“The entire leadership team is thrilled about this honor,” said RJF Chief Executive Officer Bill Jeatran. “Not only did we secure a position on this list, but we did so only because nearly 90% of all RJF employees took the time to provide their honest feedback to the survey. The insight they provided was largely positive, as demonstrated by the ranking, but the high participation level also shows me that our employees are ready and willing to help make this an even better place to work.”

Star Tribune Publisher Michael J. Klingensmith said, “I congratulate each of the companies in the Star Tribune Top Workplaces on their outstanding accomplishment. They have succeeded in creating a positive workplace for their employees during very challenging economic times.”

Over the past several years, RJF has also been named multiple times to the Business Journal’s Great Place to Work list, received the Minnesota Business Ethics Award in 2009, and earned gold or platinum status five times in Hennepin County’s Wellness by Design Award.

lOCAl Insurers sPOnsOr HOMe OwnersHIP

Education Campaign Local insurance companies Western National Insurance Group and Austin Mutual Insurance Company today announced that they have partnered with the Minnesota Home Ownership Center in support of its new “Look Before You Leap” campaign, which empowers home owners to spot deceptive scams and to protect their most precious asset – their home. The effort engages local governments, nonprofits, community and business leaders, and citizens in preserving home ownership in Minnesota by calling attention to predatory companies’ techniques and offering home owners free alternative home preservation solutions.

The Minnesota Home Ownership Center reports that one in every 20 Minnesota homes was foreclosed upon between 2005 and 2009. As foreclosures have continued to mount, for-profit foreclosure prevention scams have arisen to prey on struggling home owners at their weakest. Incidents have boomed from only one reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2008 to nearly 8,000 reported in 2009. “We’re glad to help further protect the financial well-being of Minnesota’s home owners,” said Stuart Henderson, president and chief executive officer at Western National. ”At a time when the troubled economy is making it easier for scams like these to take place, we believe insurance companies need to step up their efforts to support safety for vulnerable home owners.”

“Helping people understand how to recognize these scams provides the best defense against them,” said Jeffrey Kusch, president and chief executive officer at Austin Mutual. “Our thanks and support go out to the Minnesota Home Ownership Center for leading this charge.”

In The News...


Just ask the owners of childcare centers,

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THe HArTfOrD’s JeAnnIe IAnnellO wIns InDusTry leADersHIP AwArD frOM

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Twenty-five year veteran of financial services industry has built an award-winning customer service organization and will now lead technology upgrade

Jeannie Iannello, vice president of new business and underwriting for The Hartford’s Individual Life Insurance Division in Minnesota, has received an Industry Leader award from the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal. Iannello was one of 25 women to receive this year’s award, which honors professional women who have emerged as leaders in their respective industries and are recognized for both their track record of success and their involvement in the community.

Iannello leads an organization of more than 300 employees throughout the Twin Cities which has won numerous DALBAR awards for outstanding customer service and an underwriting department which was first in the nation to offer standard rates on life insurance to qualified women recovering from breast cancer and qualified men who have been successfully treated for prostate cancer. Her employees are credited with working with Casting for Recovery to organize and fund the first retreat in Minnesota to help women recovering from breast cancer. As a result of her many successes, Iannello was recently selected by her division’s senior management to lead a new multi-million dollar technology upgrade of the new business processing systems.

“Jeannie Iannello is a rare professional who has the skills and composure to manage large organizations through significant change,” said Brian Murphy, executive vice president of The Hartford’s Individual Life Division. “She is a gifted, no-nonsense leader that consistently gets the job done by instilling a sense of purpose and pride in everyone who depends on her.”

Prior to joining The Hartford in 2006, Iannello was senior vice president and chief operations officer of JP Morgan-Chase. Before that, she was chief integration officer for Bank One’s acquisition of Zurich Life.

InTegrITy BOArD nAMes DIMArTInO PresIDenT

Integrity Insurance announced today that Joseph F. DiMartino, Jr. has been named company president, effective today. Mary Jo Buchberger, who has been serving as interim president at Integrity, will resume her duties as vice president of financial services for the company. DiMartino was most recently president of personal lines at Grange Insurance, Integrity’s affiliate partner in the Grange Mutual Casualty Group.

“The board believes Joe’s strong background in risk management and analytics, plus his product and agency relations experience, make him the perfect candidate to lead Integrity Insurance,” said Integrity board chair and Grange Insurance president Bob James. “We are greatly vested in the success of Integrity as part of the Grange Mutual Casualty Group and we’re confident that he will lead the organization to continued financial strength for our policyholders, agents and associates. On a related note, the board and


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I would like to thank Mary Jo for overseeing the company’s day-to-day operations as interim president.”

As president of personal lines at Grange, DiMartino ran the $850 million business unit managing underwriting, operations, loss control, pricing, research and product development. He first joined Grange in 2004 as vice president of product pricing and research and also served as a regional president of personal lines at the company. DiMartino also has held various risk management and analytics roles with Bank One and Associates First Capital.

DiMartino holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from Boston University along with a doctorate in economics from Northeastern University. He also has served as an adjunct faculty member in the economics departments at Ohio Dominican University and Northeastern University.

DiMartino is eager to get to Appleton, engage agents and associates, and embrace this new

challenge.

“During my six years at Grange, I have developed great respect for Integrity, its history and the service it provides to its independent agents and policyholders,” he said. “The company has a strong and dedicated group of agents and associates, as well as a top-notch claims department, which is important to all our customers. I’m excited to be a part of the Integrity team. I know we will accomplish great things together.”

DiMartino and his wife, Elizabeth, and their four young sons will be moving to the Appleton area soon. He plans to be active in his new community, as he was working with the Buckeye Ranch in Grove City, Ohio, a United Way agency dedicated to offering family-focused mental health treatment and alcohol/drug services for children with behavioral or psychological and substance abuse disorders.

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2010 MIIAB/Trusted Choice Legislative ReportThe 2010 session of the state legislature was dominated by the finances and expenditures of state government and the showdown between the governor and legislature over the state budget. Yet, a few insurance issues were debated and several new laws were enacted. The following is a summary of these new laws:

Certificates of Insurance Once again the MIIAB returned to the state legislature to obtain legislation on requests for certificates of insurance. Last year’s law put certificates of insurance directly into insurance law, attempted to make these documents more uniform and clearly stated that certificates are merely proof of insurance and cannot amend or alter the underlying insurance policy. This year, the MIIAB was able to gain additional language in statue to clarify the period for notice of cancellation to certificate holders, who may receive this notice and state in statute that certificates do not convey any contractual rights to third parties. Hopefully, these two legislative initiatives will go a long way to addressing some (not all) of the problems that many agents are experiencing with certificates of insurance.

Here are following changes that were made to the new certificate law (Chapter 60A.39) that were part of the Department of Commerce’s 2010 market assurance bill.

Subdivision 1. Issuance. A licensed insurer or insurance producer may provide to a third party a certificate of insurance which documents insurance coverage. The purpose of For the purposes of this chapter, a certificate of insurance is to provide a document that provides evidence of property or liability insurance coverage and the amount of insurance issued, and does not convey any contractual rights to the certificate holder.

Subd. 4. Cancellation notice. A certificate provided to a third party must not provide for notice of cancellation that exceeds the statutory notice of cancellation provided to the policyholder or a period of notice specified in the policy.

Subd. 5. Filing. An insurer not using the standard ACORD or ISO form “Certificate of Insurance” shall file with the commissioner, prior to its use, the form of certificate or memorandum of insurance coverage that will be used a similar alternative “Certificate of Insurance” covering the same information for use by the insurer. Filed forms may not be amended at the request of a third party.

The result of the MIIAB initiative emphatically states that certificates convey no contractual rights to those requesting proof of insurance and that cancellation notification periods are established by state law or by periods of notice contained in the insurance contract.

Another section of the new law was added to address the responsibility of insurers when dealing with cancellation notice requests. It clarifies that a request for notice on a

CapitolNotes

THE LEGISLATIVE AND POLITICAL NEWSLETTER OF THEMN INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENTS & BROKERS ASSOCATION



46 The Minnesota News •August 2010 [email protected]

Workers’CompensationSpecialists, LLC

Protecting Your Customers

Cormac DunningDirector of Insurance

[email protected] P: 952.253.6239F: 952.253.6242

Terri NorumInsurance Coordinator

[email protected] P: 952.253.6237F: 952.253.6242

MIIAB, 7500 Flying Cloud Drive, Suite 900 Eden Prairie, MN 55344

For more information contact:

When one is helping another, both are strong.


certificate does not in itself require the insurer to provide such notice. Insurers are only legally required to provide notice of cancellation to a licensing agency for which insurance is a requirement for the maintenance of a licenses or unit of government on whose behalf the insured is providing services. Here is that language

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 60A.36, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 2a. Third-party notices. An insurer shall provide notice to a third party if:

(1) the policyholder has, separately from the certificate, notified the insurer of the identity of the third party; and

(2) the third party is a licensing authority authorized by statute to receive the notice or a state, city, or county governmental unit on whose behalf the insured is providing services.

While this law clarifies the responsibility of the insurer, it does not stipulate how, the agent on behalf of their policyholder, alerts the insurer to the need for this statutory notice. This is something the MIIAB will attempt to address with our insurance partners. However, this is a huge step in the right direction, since insurance companies now have agreed that they have legal responsibility to receive certificates and when necessary provide cancellation notice to certain third parties. This should be a big improvement over current practice. The new law will be effective January 1, 2011.

Our proposal also amended several sections of professional licensing laws to assure that licensing agencies get the same notice privileges provided to the policyholder. The following language was added to several sections of professional licensing statutes including plumbers, master electricians, motor carriers, private detectives, water conditioning installers, pipe fitters, and manufactured home installers. “In the event of a policy cancellation, the insurer shall send written notice to the commissioner at the same time that a cancellation request is received from or a notice is sent to the insured.”

Promotion Items or Gifts The MIIAB was able to work with insurers to develop language exempting certain promotional items and gifts from the state’s anti-rebating law. Recent Commerce Department rulings questioned whether these types of items given to the public were rebates under our old and fairly vague anti-rebating law. The Insurance Federation of Minnesota brought this concern to the attention of the state legislature.

Language developed by the MIIAB and MIF was ultimately added to the Commerce Department’s Omnibus Insurance bill that should clarify some of these concerns. New law exempts any promotional advertising item or gift of $25 or less from state statutes prohibiting rebating as long as the gift or item is not conditioned upon the sale of a particular insurance policy or product. This law is effective immediately.

Continuing Education There were two provisions sponsored by the MIIAB that were contained in another technical insurance bill that was enacted this year. One would eliminate the need for CE sponsors to provide each agent with written course approvals, since course completion is now being uploaded to the state licensing site. The other would allow the MIIAB to offer CE courses at company or agency locations without the course being consider “company sponsored”. Effective August 1, 2010.

Roofing Contractors This new law was the top legislative priority of the Insurance Federation of Minnesota and was an attempt to curtail questionable and unethical marketing practices by a few unscrupulous residential roofing contractors. The new law prohibits roofing contractors from offering to pay all or part of a homeowner’s insurance deductible




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in order the a roofing contract. It also gives the homeowners the right to rescind a contract for a new roof within 72 hours after an insurance company has denied the claim. The new law culminates a two year effort by insurers in Minnesota to outlaw questionable marketing practices by roofing contractors. The law is effective August 1, 2010.

Auto Insurance for Minors While state law clearly allows an emancipated minor to own a motor vehicle, the law was not clear whether minors could purchase auto insurance. A new law will allow certain minors the directly purchase auto insurance. To meet the requirements of the new statute which takes effect August 1, 2010, a minor must meet one of the following conditions:

• be 17 years old and completed an approved driver’s training course.

• be a high school graduate and attained the age of 17.

• be an employed, emancipated minor who holds a valid Minnesota driver’s license, or

• own a passenger automobile or truck which is registered in the person’s name.

Ignition Interlock The state legislature continued its assault on drunk drivers with new legislation that lengthens driver’s license revocation periods for repeat DWI offenders. The new law also allows convicted drunk drivers to get their driving privileges back earlier if they agree to use an ignition interlock device. This device is installed in motor vehicles to prevent them from being started if a driver’s breath exceeds a certain breath-alcohol content limit. In 2008 in Minnesota, there were 35,736 DWI arrests. This law takes effect July 1, 2011.

Flexible Health Benefit Plans At the request of the National Federation of Independent Business, the legislature expanded the state’s flexible health benefit law. Under this law, health plans may offer a health insurance plan that modifies or excludes any mandated coverage or benefit with the exception of maternity or benefits required under federal law. Flexible benefit plans must be approved by the commissioner and must provide to each enrollee a listing of the mandated benefits that are modified or excluded under the plan. Under current law, the flexible benefit product is available only to small employers. This year’s legislation would extend flexible benefit plans to individuals and any employer with up to 100 employees. Its is not effective until January 1, 2012.

Federal Health Care Reform Most of the federal health care reform legislation (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or PPACA) enacted by Congress does not take effect until 2014; however, nothing prevents individual states from adopting new federal requirements or reforms prior to that date. The state legislature expressed its desire to do so and enacted a couple of provisions contained in the special session budget bill that puts Minnesota on course to adopt and implement several of the federal health reforms. Perhaps the major items of interest for insurance professionals are provisions relating to the American Health Benefit Exchanges. The state legislature has directed the commissioners of commerce, health and human services to attempt to gain planning grants that are available to state’s exploring health insurance exchanges. The legislature also directed the commissioner of commerce to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the state creating a health insurance exchange prior to 2014. This will likely be a major topic of discussion during the 2011 legislative session.

Another federal health care reform initiative became one of the major roadblocks to a budget agreement. PPACA gave Minnesota and ten other states the opportunity to apply for an early expansion of their state Medicaid programs to include low income adults without



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children. Democrats wanted Minnesota to expand our Medical Assistance (Medicaid) program to100,000 eligible single adults, including former recipients of General Assistance Medical Care, a state only program which was vetoed by Governor Pawlenty last year. Under Medical Assistance the federal government would provide 50% of the program’s costs. However, the governor and Republican legislators strongly opposed Medical Assistance expansion citing its increased state expense and its ties to “ObamaCare”, which they oppose.

In the end, the legislature and the governor reached somewhat of a compromise. The legislature would approve early Medicaid adoption and direct the commissioner of human services to seek the necessary federally approved changes to our current program, but leave it up to the governor to issue an executive order for it to become official. Governor Pawlenty has indicated he will not do so. However, his successor could issue an executive order as soon as he or she takes office. All the candidates for governor, with the exception of Republican nominee Tom Emmer, have indicated they would do so. You can expect this Medicaid expansion along with the whole federal health care reform initiative to become a major issue in the 2010 gubernatorial election.

Opposition to Option Federal Insurance Charter The state legislature adopted a resolution to Congress and the President stating their opposition to any federal legislation that would permit insurance companies to choose between traditional state regulation and new federal regulation. The resolution provides several reasons why an optional federal charter would be bad for the state. The Minnesota Secretary of State will assure the resolution is delivered to the President, Congressional leaders, chairs of the House Financial Services and Senate Banking committees and our Congressional delegation. Commerce Commissioner Glen Wilson has already discussed this resolution with most of our Congressional delegation. The MIIAB strongly supports this resolution to Congress.

Dominic J. SposetoMIIAB Lobbyist


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Research Library: For those who seek a smarter way to research, the VU provides access to hundreds of insurance, business and technology articles written by volunteer faculty and other contributors. Technical insurance articles often include links to full sample ISO forms. You’ll also find white papers and articles on many issues affecting today’s insurance marketplace.

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MIIAB OFFICE AUTOMATION

COMMITTEE

We’re Back!

After a couple year hiatus, the automation committee for the Minnesota Big I has returned! After the initial first couple meetings, education and advocacy are the two main reasons for the committee. Committee members are:

Brian Miller, AAA MinneapolisMerry Koch, RJF AgenciesBill Hofdal, SolbrekkJerry Fox, Marshall Swift BoeckhKeith Knapp, MIIABKevin Benz, SecuraSteve Cook, West Bend

We’re in the process of identifying the top automation needs for independent agents in Minnesota.

Soon you will find a link from the Big I’s website giving tips, shortcuts, and answers to some of our industry’s most pressing automation issues.

Do you have an opinion and/or passion for automation? We could use one or two more agents.

Please email Steve Cook at [email protected]


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July 28, 2010 - OnamiaGrand Casino-Mille Lacs777 Grand AveOnamia, MN 56359800.626.5825

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August 24, 2010 - Thief River FallsSeven Clans Casino20595 Center St. E.Thief River Falls, MN 56701800.881.0712

September 14, 2010 - WalkerNorthern Lights Casino6800 Y. Frontage Rd NWWalker, MN 56484866.652.4683

September 28, 2010 - Red WingTreasure Island Resort/Casino5734 Sturgeon Lake Rd.Red Wing, MN 55066800.222.7077

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Card Number Expiration Date Signature

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Name on Card Security Code (3 digits) Billing Address

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Name MN Insurance License # Email

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Agency/Company Phone

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Address City State Zip

Return to: MIIAB, 7500 Flying Cloud Dr, Suite 900, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 P: 952.835.4180 F: 952.835.4774 E: [email protected]

www.miia.org

Method of Payment

Check Enclosed (Payable to MIIAB) or Charge to: VISA Mastercard

CANCELLATION POLICY: Registration fee is fully refundable if cancellation is received seven days prior to class. A $30.00 fee will be charged for cancellations less than seven days before the scheduled class. NO SHOWS will NOT receive a refund. In accordance with Title III of the American with Disabilities Act, we invite all registrants to advise us of any disability and any request for accommodation to that disabily. Please submit your request as far as possible in advance of the program you wish to attend

MIIAB/Trusted ChoiceTown Meetings

“Don’t Gamble On Your Future...Get Educated!”

Schedule8:30 am - 9:00 am Registration

9:00 am - 12:00 pm “Ethics - It’s the Law” - Gloria Thompson (3 Ethics CE approved)

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch and Association Update - Legislative Update (1 CE approved)

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm“Protecting Your Client’s Future in Today’s Changing Economic Environment” - Frank Whitcomb

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Reception - compliments of MIIAB/Trusted Choice

Cost: $99 for 6 filed CE credit, including 3 Mandatory Ethics Credits, lunch and reception!



1/13 - 1/16/10 Eden Prairie Commercial Property2/3 - 2/5/10 Plymouth *Ruble Graduate Seminar3/10- 3/13/10 Eden Prairie Personal Lines4/14 - 4/17/10 Eden Prairie Life & Health5/5 - 5/8/10 Eden Prairie Commercial Casualty6/16 - 6/19/10 Alexandria Commercial Property7/14 - 7/17/10 Eden Prairie Agency Management8/4 - 8/7/10 Eden Prairie Commercial Casualty9/15 - 9/17/10 Plymouth *Ruble Graduate Seminar10/6 - 10/9/10 Eden Prairie Life & Health11/10 - 11/13/10 Eden Prairie Personal Lines

* Must be a dues paid member of CIC or CRM to attend a Ruble Graduate Seminar

Dates and locations are subject to change. Before making any travel arrangements, call to verify the dates, location, start time and availablility when registering for a program.

Cost Seminar

$421.00 CIC Institutes

$420.00Ruble

Graduate Seminar



_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Name MN Insurance License # DOB Designations

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Agency/Company Phone Email


Return to: MIIAB, 7500 Flying Cloud Dr, Suite 900, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 P: 952.835.4180 F: 952.835.4774 E: [email protected]

www.miia.org

Method of PaymentCheck Enclosed (Payable to MIIAB) or Charge to: VISA Mastercard

In accordance with Title III of the American with Disabilities Act, we invite all registrants to advise us of any disability and any request for accommodation to that disabily. Please submit your request as far as possible in

advance of the program you wish to attend

2010 MIIAB CIC Program Schedule

All courses begin Wednesday’s at 8:00 a.m., Thursday’s from 8:00 a.m.

until 5:00 p.m., and Friday’s from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Important InformationAll participants must present photo identification to the on-site registrar at the institute. Cancellations received within 7 calendar days of a program will incur a $75 non-refundable fee. If you do not cancel and do not attend the program, you will incur a $125 fee. The balance of the registration fee may be refunded or transferred to another course. You may substitute an eligible person for the same event anytime at no charge with notification prior to the course.

Please select Seminar date

It’s easy to register - by fax, phone, mail or on-line!


1/21/10 - St. Cloud Commercial Property

1/27/10 - Eden Prairie Agency Operations

2/9/10 - Eden Prairie Commercial Casualty

2/11/10 - Rochester Personal Auto

2/17/10 - Shoreview Commercial Casualty

3/9/10 - St. Cloud Personal Residential

3/17/10 - Eden Prairie *WTH Commercial Lines

3/18/10 - Duluth Personal Auto

3/23/10 - Eden Prairie Personal Auto

4/1/10 - Eden Prairie Personal Residential

4/6/10 - Rochester Commercial Casualty

4/8/10 - Fergus Falls Commercial Casualty

4/27/10 - St. Cloud Personal Auto

5/4/10 - Duluth *WTH Commercial Lines

5/12/10 - Willmar Agency Operations

5/13/10 - Shoreview *WTH Personal Lines

5/18/10 - Thief River Falls Commercial Property

5/19/10 - Eden Prairie Commercial Property

6/2/10 - Rochester **Dynamics of Service

6/8/10 - Mankato Personal Auto


6/15/10 - Alexandria **Dynamics of Service

6/23/10 - St. Cloud Agency Operations

6/24/10 - Shoreview Commercial Property

7/8/10 - Rochester Personal Residential

7/20/10 - Brainerd Agency Operations

7/22/10 - Eden Prairie Dynamics of Service

8/10/10 - Duluth Commercial Casualty

8/12/10 - Eden Prairie Commercial Casualty

8/18/10 - Worthington Personal Residential

8/25/10 - Bemidji Agency Operations

9/9/10 - Rochester Commercial Property

9/14/10 - St. Cloud *WTH Personal Lines

9/21/10 - Shoreview Personal Auto

9/23/10 - Eden Prairie Personal Auto

10/5/10 - Hibbing Commercial Property

10/12/10 - Detroit Lakes Agency Operations

10/13/10 - Eden Prairie Personal Residential

10/21/10 - Mankato Commercial Casualty

11/2/10 - Duluth Personal Residential

11/3/10 - Eden Prairie Commercial Property


Cost Seminar

$148.00 CISR Seminar

$158.00 William T. Hold Seminar (WTH)

$158.00 Dynamics of Service






Return to: MIIAB, 7500 Flying Cloud Dr, Suite 900, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 P:952.835.4180 F: 952.835.4774 E: [email protected]

www.miia.org

Method of PaymentCheck Enclosed (Payable to MIIAB) or Charge to: VISA Mastercard

CANCELLATION POLICY: Registration fee is fully refundable if cancellation is received seven days prior to class. A $30.00 fee will be charged for cancellations less than seven days before the

scheduled class. NO SHOWS will NOT receive a refund.

In accordance with Title III of the American with Disabilities Act, we invite all registrants to advise us of any disability and any request for accommodation to that disabily. Please submit your request as far as possible in advance of the program you wish to attend

2010 MIIAB CISR Program Schedule

* REQUIREMENT FOR WILLIAM T. HOLD SEMINAR

(WTH)You must be a CISR, ACSR or CPSR designee and a dues paying member of the National Alliance to attend and get credit for WTH. For inquiries on dues, please call the National Alliance at 1-800-531-5197.

** REQUIREMENT FOR DYNAMICS OF SERVICE

The Dynamics of Service program satisfies the update requirement for all dues paying members of the National Alliance. However, you do not need to hold the CISR designation to attend. For inquiries on dues, please call the National Alliance at 1-800-531-5197.

Please select Seminar date - Each course is 8 MN CE credits, general non-company sponsored

It’s easy to register - by fax, phone, mail or on-line!


Please Check Location1/20/10 - Eden Prairie 8:30am-3:30pm

Prairie Conference Center7500 Flying Cloud DrEden Prairie, MN 55344952.835.4180

3/10/10 - St. Cloud 8:30am-3:30pmBest Western Kelly InnHwy 23 & 4th AveSt. Cloud, MN 56301320.253.0606

4/22/10 - MIIAB Convention9:00am -12:00pm & 12:30pm - 3:30pmRadisson Hotel and Conference Center3131 Campus DrivePlymouth, MN 55441763.559.6600

5/18/10 - Fergus Falls 8:30am-3:30pm Best Western/Bigwoods Event Center925 Western AveFergus Falls, MN 56537800.293.2216

6/22/10 - Morton 8:30am-3:30pmJackpot Junction39375 County Hwy 24Morton, MN 56270507.644.3000

7/28/10 - Walker 8:30am-3:30pmNorthern Lights Event Center6800 Y Frontage Rd. NWWalker, MN 56484218.335.3151

8/26/10 - Rochester 8:30am-3:30pmRamada Hotel1517 16th St. SWRochester, MN 55902507.289.8866

9/22/10 - Duluth 8:30am-3:30pmCanal Park Lodge250 Canal Park DriveDuluth, MN 55802218.279.6000

10/20/10 - Eden Prairie 8:30am-3:30pmPrairie Conference Center7500 Flying Cloud DrEden Prairie, MN 55344952.835.4180

AgEnCy StAFF

SIzE

totAL AttEnDEES REquIRED

At A (6 houR)

SEMInAR

PoSItIon In AgEnCyPLuS

ADDItIonAL REquIREMEntS

1 1 ACtIvE AgENCY PRINCIPAL, OWNER, PARtNER OR OFFICER NONE

2-7 2 ACtIvE AgENCY PRINCIPAL, OWNER, PARtNER OR OFFICER

ONE PRODuCER OR CSR

8-20 4

ACtIvE AgENCY PRINCIPAL, OWNER, PARtNER, OFFICER AnD ONE

ACtIvE AgENCY PRINCIPAL, OWNER, PARtNER, OFFICER, OPERAtIONS

MANAgER OR PRODuCER

tWO PRODuCER’S OR CSR’S

21-50 6

ACtIvE AgENCY PRINCIPAL, OWNER, PARtNER, OFFICER AnD ONE

ACtIvE AgENCY PRINCIPAL, OWNER, PARtNER, OFFICER, OPERAtIONS

MANAgER OR PRODuCER AnD ONE CSR

tHREE PRODuCER’S OR

CSR’S

51+ 10

ACtIvE AgENCY PRINCIPAL, OWNER, PARtNER, OFFICER AnD tWO ACtIvE

AgENCY PRINCIPAL’S, OWNER’S, PARtNER’S, OFFICER’S, OPERAtIONS MANAgER’S OR PRODuCER’S AnD

tWO CSR’S

FIvE PRODuCER’S OR CSR’S

Method of PaymentCheck Enclosed (Payable to MIIAB) or Charge to: vISA Mastercard

CAnCELLAtIon PoLICy: Registration fee is fully refundable if cancellation is received seven days prior to class. A $30.00 fee will be charged for cancellations less than seven

days before the scheduled class. no ShoWS will not receive a refund.

In accordance with Title III of the American with Disabilities Act, we invite all registrants to advise us of any disability and any request for accommodation to that disabily. Please submit your request as far as possible in advance of the

program you wish to attend






Return to: MIIAB, 7500 Flying Cloud Dr, Suite 900, Eden Prairie, Mn 55344 P: 952.835.4180 F: 952.835.4774 E: [email protected]

www.miia.org

Cost per person$151.00 MIIAB Member Price

$166.00 Non-Member Price

Agencies that attend this seminar will receive a 10% loss control credit on their Westport E&O Premium.Once an agency attends the seminar the 10% credit will apply for 3 years if the agency remains claim free

during the 3 year period.

2010 MIIAB Errors & omissions Seminars

6 MN CE Credits - general, non-company sponsored


Power in Partners


Power in Partners ProgramListed below are the companies who strongly support the Indepenent Agency System and the Minnesota Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers Association

2010

DiamonD

allied insuranceGeneral Casualty Companies

Grinnell Mutual reinsurance Companyindiana insurnace

Midwest Family Mutualnorth star Mutual insurance Companies

the Hanover GroupZurich north america small Business

ACUITYAmTrust North America

ICC Restoration & Cleaning ServicesMeadowbook, Inc.

Newman Long-Term CarePremium Financing Specialists, Inc.

Prime Insurance CompanyRobert A. Schneider Agency, Inc.

S.H. Smith & Company, Inc.

Solbrekk Business Technology SolutionsState Auto Companies

The HartfordTomsche, Sonnesyn & Tomsche, PA

Toshiba Business SolutionsTravelers Companies, Inc.

Westfield InsuranceWilson Mutual Insurance CompanyWorkers Compensation Specialist

Platinum

GolD

Silver

Documents

The MN News August 2010