HOPE YOU ENJOY FEBRUARY 2010 ISSUE OF THE NEW ELECTRONIC EDITION OF UNITE. WE WANT IT TO SERVE YOUR NEEDS AND BE THE VOICE OF SPECIALTY INSURANCE AGENTS ASSOCIATION. PLEASE DIRECT ANY COMMENTS TO US AT

INFO@SPECIALTYINSURANCEAGENTS.ORG. WE ARE ADDING NEW AND EXCITING ARTICLES EACH AND EVERY MONTH. CHECK OUT OUR ADVERTISERS THEY ARE HERE TO SUPPORT THE UNITE MEMBERS AND HELP YOU BECOME MORE SUCCESSFUL

QUESTION OF THE MONTH

WHAT ARE THE "RED FLAGS" THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN FIGHTING FRAUD?

Anti-Fraud Checklist

The following steps that can help you avoid underwriting a questionable risk. Remember when in doubt, contact the carrier's underwriting department before binding coverage. (Source: National Insurance Crime Bureau.)

1. Ask for multiple proofs of identification-credit cards, SSAN Cards, Picture IDs
2. Obtain both the Social Security Number and Drivers License Number.
3. Obtain applicant's and all other driver's MVR's.
4. Verify residence actually exits-call landlord, check GOOGLE MAPS, or Post Office-Watch for, "Mail Drops".
5. If unemployed, investigate applicant's source/s of income, bank records, SS Disability Check.
6. Verify employment-call the HR department of the employer, or ask for a paycheck stub.
7. Insist on INSPECTING the vehicles to be covered-even if liability is only requested.

Email your questions to UNITE at

INFO@SPECIALTYINSURANCEAGENTS.ORG

21ST ANNUAL CONVENTION & TRADE FAIR May 13th-16th 2010

TIME IS RUNNING OUT REGISTER TODAY

**FREE TRADE FAIR**

Specialty Agents of Florida has held an annual Trade Fair since 1989 where insurance companies and other vendors have exhibited their products to hundreds of agents in an endeavor to make agents knowledgeable, competitive and more efficient. A great networking environment is created and both seminars and Continuing Education classes are offered keeping agents informed of the latest products and legislation. The Association has developed a strong presence in Tallahassee and has attracted many prominent speakers from legislative leaders to the State CFO.

This year a big change, you asked for it and here it is no charge to enter the Trade Show.

We have also lowered the cost of the package for the convention and we have included the Trade Fair lunch in the SA spouse package.

CAN YOU GUESS THIS YEARS THEME ?????

Specialty Insurance Agents Association join us at our 2010 Convention and Trade Fair - DoubleTree Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando

May 13th thru May 15th 2010.

Specialty Agents Convention and Trade Fair's offer unmatched opportunities for our members, agencies, companies and industry service providers to network with peers, learn about the latest market trends and gain access to industry leaders and policy makers.

The Annual Convention and Trade Fair, attended by over 500 participants; highlights innovative practices and business resources for our member's. At convention, SA engages participates in discussions about a range of industry and professional development issues. It also offers an interactive setting for information sharing and hands-on learning.

This upcoming Convention and Trade Fair will feature a chance to network one-on-one with political officials and Florida congressional leaders. SA will offer an expert panel discussion on legislative policy issues.

For our members and non-members convenience, co-sponsored Continuing Education (CE) courses are offered during the Annual Convention.

During Convention, additional networking activities and events are planned. Our Annual Golf tournament is great fun while giving our members an opportunity to interact to build lasting friendships and win prizes.

The Annual Convention and Trade Fair is held during the month of May on an annual basis. We are grateful to our generous sponsors who help to make this event a tremendous success year-after-year.
The Trade Fair is open to all and you asked for it so it is FREE that's right Free!!!!!!!

SA members are offered a discounted rate to attend the Convention.

TRADE FAIR TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

C.E. and Breakout Sessions throughout both days.

Thursday
May 13th 7:00 pm                   Exhibitors Cocktail Party

Friday-May 14th
8:00 am                     Golf Tournament

12:00 Noon              Golfer's Lunch

5:00 pm                     Industry Set-up

6:30 pm-9:30 pm     Welcome Cocktail Party

Saturday-May 15th

8:30 am                       Industry Meeting

10:00 am                     Exhibit Hall Opens

12:00 pm-1:30 pm      Lunch

1:30 pm-3:30 pm      Exhibit Hall

3:30 pm-4:30 pm       Exhibit Booth Breakdown

7:00 pm-10:00 pm     CASINO PARTY

THE THEME IS

DoubleTree Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando

$99.00 per night at the DoubleTree Hotel Universal, Orlando, FL. Rates are good as long as the reservations are made by April 23, 2010. Call the Hotel to book your rooms at 800-327-2110 and use Group Code #SAT.

Why not make this a mini vacation and bring the family. Experience comfortable accommodations in an enchanting lakeside setting. With sweeping views of Orlando's theme parks, our high-rise hotel features oversized, beautifully-appointed guest rooms and suites, all sporting an array of contemporary leisure and business amenities. Reconnect with your family in spacious, kid-friendly suites and stay connected to the office with high-speed capability. Steps from the Universal Orlando Resort, the Doubletree Hotel is your ideal convention destination. The hotel is a short drive from Orlando's world-famous theme parks, shops, restaurants, golf courses, entertainment and sports venues and exciting attractions, such as Universal Studios, City Walk, Walt Disney World, SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove and the Orange County Convention Center - putting a world of fun and excitement at your fingertips! For those who love to shop the Doubletree Hotel At The Entrance To Universal Orlando is less than 10 minutes from the Mall at Millenia, Festival Bay Mall and Prime Outlets.

Hotel cost $99.00 per night.

Package
Friday Night Reception, Saturday Trade Fair Lunch, Saturday Night Party and CE's included

$89.00 SA Member
$69.00 SA Spouse
$139.00 NON-Member

Golf Package (including Lunch)
OPEN TO ALL !!!!!!!!! $125.00

Purchase by item

CE Courses per Day
$30.00
Friday Night Reception

$30.00

Saturday Luncheon

$30.00
Saturday Casino Night Party

$40.00

CLICK HERE TO 2010 CONVENTION BROCHURE

CLICK HERE FOR 2010 CONVENTION REGISTRATION

CLICK HERE FOR 2010 CONVENTION GOLF REGISTRATION

HOTEL INFORMATION

Your registration does not include hotel reservations. You are responsible for making your own hotel accommodations. Your request must be received by April 23, 2010. After that date, the hotel will release all unreserved rooms for the sale to the public. Limited rooms at this price reserve early don't wait.
Universal DoubleTree

1-800-327-2110

(Be sure to mention Group Code # SAT to receive the discounted rate).

Hotel Rate $99.00per night,

plus taxes

CLICK HERE DOUBLETREE PICTURES

CLICK HERE FOR LOCATION MAP

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

IF YOU WOULD TO HAVE YOUR COMPANY SPOTLIGHTED HERE CONTACT US.

BY FRAN COLUCCI SPECIALTY INSURANCE AGENT ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBER

NATIONS SAFE DRIVER ROAD TO SUCCESS

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

WE ALL NEED CE'S

DON'T MISS OUT CE'S AT THE 2010 CONVENTION

We already have a new 2 hour class on agency management approved for the 2010 convention. There are two other 3 hour classes pending. One is a class on homeowners insurance and the second class is on the subject of flood insurance. We are planning on a class dealing with auto insurance and another class on the subject of Comprehensive General Liability Coverage, the sub contractors coverage. Many of our members sell the CGL policies and need to know more about them. We always have several participants at the TRADE FAIR who offer the CGL policy as part of their programs. It can add to the agencies bottom line. If you are not currently selling the CGL coverage, plan on attending our class and learn how to add it to your product offering for your customers.

The homeowners class is based on the subject of the proper coverage's needed by your customers before a hurricane. Action you and your customer should take before a hurricane. The personal information they need to have available before a hurricane. The claims information you need to share with your customers after a hurricane. There will be a discussion on company adjusters, independent adjusters and public adjusters. We will discuss what the mediation process is.

We will have the mandatory classes, CITIZEN CLASSES, 3 hour ethics class and a 1 hour wind mitigation class to meet the requirement for 2-20 agents and a senior annuity ethics class for our life license members.

Our flood class will discuss in depth the flood insurance program. We will discuss what is a flood, the WYO program, the SFHA and who is eligible for a flood policy.

The National Flood Insurance Program has a co op program for yellow page ads. If you qualify and by using a NFIP ad, they will pay from 25% to 75% of the yellow page ad cost. We will have information to share with you on this program and how you can make it a part of your budget for yellow page advertising.

Last year Progressive, Infinity and Nations Safe Driver participated in our CE offerings for you. We are looking forward to the biggest and best Convention and Trade Fair in 2010 and we are making plans right now to make it be important for you to attend.

ETI ACCORD FOR DUMMIES FREE

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

FLOOD BEST BARGAIN EVER

WHY SHOULD I SELL FLOOD ?

Top Ten Reasons To Buy Flood Insurance Now

It might be the best insurance bargain ever invented

The National Flood Insurance Program is so successful that it may be flying under the radar for many people. Besides being one of the few sources of insurance for flood-prone communities that include millions of American homes, the forty-something-year-old program of the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency deserves recognition for NFIP insurance being the great bargain that it is. So without further ado, begin the drum-roll and we'll give you

The Top Ten Reasons To Buy Flood Insurance Now

10 Flood insurance compensates you for all covered flood-related losses to your home or business after your deductible is met.

9 Coverage is relatively inexpensive with an annual average premium of $477 in Louisiana .

8 You can depend on being reimbursed for flood damages because NFIP flood insurance is backed by the federal government, even if the President does not declare a federal disaster.

7 You do not have to repay flood insurance benefits.

6 You become eligible for additional benefits to elevate, strengthen or move your building.

5 Renters can purchase flood insurance contents coverage for their personal belongings or business inventory.

4 Basement coverage includes cleanup expense and items such as furnaces, water heaters, washers, dryers, air conditioners, freezers, utility connections, and pumps.

3 You can request a partial payment immediately after the flood, which can help you recover even faster.

2 Buying flood insurance is the best thing you can do to protect your home and business, and your family's financial security from a flood. And the number one reason is

1 Be FloodSmart! Buy now because there's a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins. To contact a flood insurance agent serving your area, check out: www.floodsmart.gov

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003

REPRINTED FROM FEMA

FOR MORE INFO GO TO WWW.Agents.FloodSmart.gov AND www.floodsmart.gov

E&O SITUATION HELP

WHAT IS FULL COVERAGE ??? BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY !!!!!!!!!!

What exactly is full coverage insurance?

We all say it to a cleint when they come thru the front door or call on the phone, liability or full coverage? There is really no such thing as 'full coverage". No insurance company should advertise full coverage. Agents may use it as a term to reference physical damage coverage along with the state required coverage.
Most people use this term to refer to physical damage coverage. Physical damage coverage consists of collision and comprehensive coverage. Generally, collision insurance covers damage to your automobile caused by collision with another object or by upset. Comprehensive insurance covers damage to your automobile from vandalism, theft or glass breakage. Most lienholders require physical damage coverage if you are financing or leasing your vehicle.
You may be required to carry a specific amount of liability insurance if you are leasing the vehicle rather than financing it. Liability coverage consists of bodily injury coverage and property damage coverage. Bodily Injury Liability covers other people's bodily injuries or death for which you are responsible. Property Damage Liability covers you if your car damages someone else's property.

Therefore, please BE CAREFUL you could be faced with an E&O situation.

SIAA AGENTS E&O

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS PROGRAM CALL OR EMAIL TODAY

GRAVES & COMPANY

1-386-257-0595

SGRAVES1@HOTMAIL.COM

BIG WORDS BIGGER BRAINS???

The Lost Art of Plain Speaking

by Michael Dalton Johnson

"Big words don't equal a bigger brain, intelligent people who are confident in their message and passionate about what they do don't need obscure language to communicate," writes John McFerran.

This simple truth is widely ignored even though studies show that sales and marketing pitches filled with jargon and corporate speak come across as rude, misleading or obnoxious. Simple plain English is viewed as honest and friendly and closes deals.

The sales and marketing world is awash in jargon and euphemisms. Examples: "We will study the cross-promotional dynamics, identify revenue stream enhancement opportunities and determine and develop deal mechanics;" or "Our platform is a synergistic best of breed solution for managing departmental and interpersonal relationships in order to identify and optimally utilize resources." Huh? Reading this is much like listening to a 5-year-old recap a SpongeBob episode.

You can't escape it. Unintelligible, obscure, misdirecting and pretentious language is everywhere you turn.

Companies are not laying people off; they are "rightsizing." One head of a major international corporation described the company's ongoing job chopping as "synergy-related head count restructuring." You betcha!

Another firm didn't receive payment when the check arrived instead it had a "liquidity event."

Politicians, of course, are masters at misdirection and sugarcoating harsh realities. Heck, they're not going to propose raising your taxes. Instead they are introducing "revenue enhancement initiatives." Few are fooled but they persist.

Good news! There is no longer employee theft at some companies. It's been replaced with "personnel displaced inventory."

Bureaucrats have long loved playing the game. Citing just one of thousands of examples: Conservation has become "environmental stewardship."

One company, in an attempt to make job titles sound uber-important, identifies their Marketing Manager as Vice President, Sales Enablement Strategies and their Sales Manager as Vice President, Sales Process and Practices. Guys, these were already very important jobs and really didn't need bombastic corporate embellishment.

Because it's everywhere, it's easy to unconsciously let corporate speak, jargon and euphemisms creep into your sales presentation. Remember, a major reason why customers don't buy is their inability to understand and trust what they are being told. Buyers see red flags in a salesperson's use of terms that sugarcoat, obscure, mislead and confuse. Who can blame them?

Reprinted with permission from www.SalesDog.com

PROGRESSIVE ATTRACT - AND RETAIN - MORE CUSTOMERS

But I can't afford it!!!! MANY OF YOU ASKED SO HERE IT IS AGAIN

Why you can afford to be a member!!!!

I am a Board Member and a Florida agent, but I work on the carrier / wholesaler side of the business. After being a Board Member for only several months, I feel it is important to shout from the mountaintop my firsthand observations of the Board Members.

Prior to joining, I had no idea what to expect. I had no idea what this Association actually does for its members. I have observed firsthand, a passion, dedication and commitment by my fellow Board Members like I have never before seen. In this day and age, most people only care about themselves and how much money they can make. These guys authentically care about each and every one of you.

I do not think that most of us understand exactly what these guys do, so I asked for permission to write an article to expound on the benefits of membership. Yes, they are listed in several places but a list is so much different than seeing and hearing what they actually do.

We too often forget that these Board Members have been VOLUNTEERING their time for each and every one of you for many years. They fight for YOUR rights. Every Board Member has an outside job and yet they find the time to put the UNITE Newsletter together every month, to pay for a lobbyist to stand up for YOUR rights in Tallahassee, to go to bat with carriers for YOUR rights.

Time is a commodity, a very valuable commodity. These guys are giving you their TIME so they can fight for YOU.

There is power in numbers. We have a lobbyist who lobbies for each and every one of us but in order to be successful we need the strength of you joining our efforts. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

When you run into a problem with getting your agency licensed or have questions about anything having to do with Specialty Agents, we are here for YOU.

We listen to you and do our best to fulfill your needs. We are giving you FREE access to the tradeshow this year. We offer Free CE at our annual Convention.

We write articles which will benefit you every month in UNITE.

We all want to make money. We have negotiated a special Flood Program for our members which pays 20% on both New Business and Renewals. Even if you don't have a homeowners market you can write flood. If you don't have one, we will help you get one.

We need YOUR help. We cannot do this by ourselves. We are giving of our time. We NEED you to help us help you by becoming a Member. There is strength in numbers.

by Deborah Grey

$500,000 WORTH OF BOGUS INSURANCE POLICIES

Safeguard Our Seniors effort nabs Tampa-area senior scammer

Florida CFO Alex Sink's Division of Insurance Fraud arrested Richard M. Incandela, 57, for selling nearly $500,000 worth of bogus insurance policies to two Hillsborough County senior citizens. Incandela made the sale by falsely represented himself as a licensed insurance agent at a pitch to a local church. CFO Sink's investigators were able to arrest Incandela in an undercover sting operation after the victims' stories were uncovered at one of Sink's Safeguard Our Seniors workshops.

"Florida seniors need better protection from financial fraud and more information on the front end - reforms I have been trying to put into law for years," said CFO Sink. "This latest Tampa arrest is yet another outrageous example of innocent seniors falling prey to deceptive sales practices."

This week, the Florida Senate Committee on Banking and Insurance unanimously passed CFO Sink's Safeguard our Seniors legislation (SB 844) sponsored by Senator Mike Bennett and Representative Maria Lorts Sachs. The legislation holds those who prey on Florida's seniors accountable by increasing the penalty for unscrupulous agents to a third degree felony and establishing better disclosures and protections upfront for seniors who invest in annuity products. The Safeguard our Seniors bill passed the Florida Senate unanimously last, but failed to be heard in the Florida House.

Incandela was arrested during an undercover operation by CFO Sink's Division of Insurance Fraud after making promises and solicitations regarding life insurance policies. From December 2007 through September 2009, Incandela received 15 premium payments totaling $489,426 from two senior citizens he met after making presentations at a local church. The victims were told to make payments to two fraudulent corporations, both of which listed Incandela as the manager and president. Incandela led the victims to believe he had obtained life insurance policies through legitimate insurance companies in the seniors' names and that the policies would be sold to a third party for a profit, known as a Stranger-Originated Life Insurance (STOLI) transaction.

Incandela was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail, charged with Scheme to Defraud, a first-degree felony, and Unlicensed Selling of Insurance, a third-degree felony. If convicted, he faces up 35 years in prison.

To learn more about the Safeguard Our Seniors Task Force or what to consider when purchasing annuities, visit www.flseniors.net/. Senior Floridians who believe they may have been the victim of annuity fraud should call 1-877-My-FL-CFO or log on to www.MyFloridaCFO.com to file a complaint

SPECIALTY AGENTS FLOOD 20% COMMISSION

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

I AM NOT THAT OLD

RATE BOOKS????? PAGERS?????

As I sit here at the "tender" age of 58, thinking "I'm not that old" I reflect back to last week and a lunch I attended with one of our young agents.
So, there we sit at lunch, myself, another agent (mid - forties) and me, talking about writing auto applications. So, the conversation goes to, remember when.

Remember when we had our pagers with us all day every day, including the weekends. "What's a pager?" Okay, so now I think to myself, doesn't everyone know what a pager is? Apparently not, since if you look around, you won't have seen one for the past five plus years. (maybe more). So this young person had no idea what a pager even looked like.
So, the conversation moves forward and we start talking about our "rate books." "Rate books? What's that?" Moving on to the rate books, we explain that there were no computer raters back in the "old days" and we had to get out a book and calculate a rate, using base rates, expense fees, age factors - the mind boggles.

Then we talked about our Symbol books. "You had to go to a book to find a symbol for a vehicle? Oh my God, you guys were in the dark ages."
"How did you print the application?" Ha! We handwrote the applications, and sometimes you could even read
our writing. Then we mailed them in to the company so the company could issue the policy. "You did what?" We hand wrote the application, I replied. "Well, how did you know what to put on the paper? Well, we actually had an application form. "Really, how funny."
How did you get the MVR? We didn't get the MVR, we relied on the client to give us as much info as possible and clean and claim free meant the same thing as it does now. "But, did they tell you the truth?" Of course they didn't tell us the truth. That's why 70% of the policies came back with additional premiums for undisclosed violations.

Ok, so what happened after that. Well, the company issued the policy and mailed it to us so we could review it and send it to the client. (at our expense). But, what happened if the customer had an a/p? Well, we would offer to add most of it to the finance contract with a small down payment, or the customer would get cancelled for non payment. "What's a finance contract?" No, only kidding, the agent did now about finance contracts.
So, I took a trip down insurance memory lane and realized this business sure got easier with technology. God Bless my computer, which I am using, of course to write this little article.

SIAA MEMBERS CAN SELL AARP MED SUPP

CALL TODAY TO START SELLING AND MAKING MONEY TODAY

1-888-290-8436

WHAT IS FACEBOOK?????

Help! Everyone Says My Business Needs to be on Facebook, but HOW Do I Do It?

How to Build a Facebook Page for Your Business

As the official representative of a business, you can build a Facebook page for your business, free of charge and market to thousands of people.

Follow these simple steps to start marketing your business through social media marketing.

Click on this link: http://www.facebook.com/help/?page=904#!/pages/create.php
Select your business type (for this example I used "Professional Service")
Name your page (your agency name) and be sure to click the "Do not make page publicly visible at this time" box.
Click on "Create Page"

From here you can edit your page, here are some suggestions:

Upload a photo of your office, your staff, your logo or yourself.
Write "something" about your office in the space provided-what are you known for?
On the Info tab, click 'Edit Information', this allows you to enter basic and detailed information about your agency.
Make sure you SAVE your changes!
Click on "Done Editing"
When you're finished, at the very top there is a reminder that your page has not been published...Click the link "publish this page".
Share your page! Make sure your employees, friends, clients and everyone you know becomes a fan.

My business has a Facebook page...now what?

Use your wall to communicate with your fans. Do this by updating all of your fans on what's going on with the office.
List events, safety information, useful tips but don't try to "sell" on your Facebook wall.
Remember to check for messages and comments, reply back to people who write on your wall.
Have fun!!!

WHAT TO DO IF MAPS REVISE?

Agents should be proactive

When Maps Revise, Agents Should Convert policies to Preferred Risk and Offer Refunds
When property zones change from a high-risk zone into a low-to-moderate risk zone due to FEMA flood remapping, agents should make contact with insureds to convert regular policies to Preferred Risk policies (PRP).

Agents should be proactive to contact insureds affected to offer PRP policies and generate premium refunds since insureds will hear from their lenders that flood insurance is "no longer required". This lender notification may unnecessarily result in cancellation of policies rather than retaining flood coverage as a PRP policy.

Talking points with insureds of the benefits of the PRP policy include:

Lower premiums and refunds will resultwhile retaining coverage for both building and contents.

25% of actual claims paid are for properties mapped into the low-to-moderate risk areas

Changing weather patterns or property development nearby can change water drainage patterns

Premium refund will be the difference in premium between the current regular policy and the PRP policy of the closest equivalent building value.

FLORIDA DHSMV GO RENEW

LOTS OF QUESTIONS THIS NOVEMBER

FIVE AMENDMENTS SET FOR 2010 BALLOT
By KATHLEEN HAUGHNEY
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA
THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, Feb. 1, 2010........Voters will decide on six
proposed constitutional amendments this fall with Monday's end to the time
window for proposals to qualify for the ballot.
Floridians will see questions on campaign finance, property taxes, growth
plans and legislative redistricting come November.
Repeal of public campaign finance laws - The Florida Legislature voted in
the spring to put before voters a proposed amendment that would repeal the
public campaign financing for statewide campaigns. In 2006, the state
shelled out $11,133,761 to 10 candidates for statewide office. Gov. Charlie
Crist received about $7.4 million, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink
received about $1 million, Attorney General Bill McCollum received $897,104
and Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson received $393,459.
Homestead ad valorem tax - The Legislature is asking voters to provide an
additional homestead property tax exemption for members of the U.S. military
or military reserves, the U.S. Coast Guard or its reserves, or the Florida
National Guard, who receive a homestead exemption and were deployed in the
previous year on active duty outside of the United States. The exempt amount
will be based on the number of days the person was deployed.
Property tax limit for non-homestead property - The Legislature also put on
the ballot a proposal to limit the maximum annual increase in the assessed
value of non-homestead property to 5 percent. It also requires the
Legislature to provide another homestead exemption for people who have not
owned a principal residence during the last eight years.
Hometown Democracy - The group known as Florida Hometown Democracy garnered
enough signatures to place an amendment on the ballot that would require
changes to local comprehensive growth plans to be approved by local voters
at the polls. Backers say the measure would end what they call undue
influence by local developers. However, opponents argue it would make it
much more difficult for local governments to make even small, necessary
changes for local community growth.
Redistricting - The group Fair District Florida collected signatures for
Amendments Five and Six, which deal with the redrawing of legislative and
congressional districts. The proposed amendment prohibits officials from
drawing legislative districts that favor incumbents or political parties and
sets up other requirements. Amendment Five deals with the Florida House and
Senate seats and Amendment Six addresses Florida's congressional seats.
　
　
Independent and Indispensable
http://www.newsserviceflorida.com

FYI

THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

Subject: NSF BREAKING NEWS ALERT - SANSOM RESIGNS
Former House Speaker Ray Sansom resigned from the Florida House Sunday night, a day before a House tribunal was to kick off a formal hearing investigating the Destin Republican. Sansom wrote in his resignation letter that the decision "should not be received as an admission of any wrongdoing." "On the contrary, I have steadfastly maintained that I am innocent of any wrongdoing and I will never relent from that position," he wrote.

THRASHER WINS GOP CHAIR, WANTS FORENSIC AUDIT OF PARTY BOOKS

By JOHN KENNEDY
THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

ORLANDO, Feb. 20, 2010... Pledging to end months of bitter in-fighting, state Sen. John Thrasher was elected Saturday as Florida Republican Party chairman, leading the nation's fourth-largest GOP caucus into a tough election year.

Thrasher won the post by a large margin over two rivals, powered by having driven a $1 million party fund-raising effort over the past six weeks and drawing the support of most of the state's top elected officials, including Gov. Charlie Crist.

Thrasher and Attorney General Bill McCollum, a Republican candidate for governor, also pledged to hire a major accounting firm to conduct a forensic audit of the state party's finances during ousted chairman Jim Greer's three years as chairman, an era clouded by accusations of budget shortfalls, overspending, and sweetheart dealing.

Both men said they wanted to make public the eventual results of that audit.

"Nothing should be left unlooked at," McCollum said. "This isn't just about credit cards, it's about every question you might have ever had. There may be nothing there. We don't know. But there's been a lot of rumors and innuendo."

Thrasher said the approach "wasn't just a one-trick pony," but was the beginning of a more open period of party decision-making, a theme he used as part of his final campaign pitch to the more than 220 members of the Republican Executive Committee who gathered in Orlando for Saturday's special election.

"Folks, the fracturing of our party stops today," Thrasher said.

Thrasher will serve out the remaining year left in Greer's term. Greer moderated Saturday's meeting in his last act as party boss, having resigned after months of mounting criticism over party finances.

Top GOP fund-raisers accused him of overspending on travel and consultants and using dollars earmarked for House and Senate campaigns to plug budget holes. He leaves amid continued calls from party members that party records be opened to allow deeper scrutiny of how party contributions have been spent.

A party internal audit is already underway. But Thrasher and McCollum said Saturday the party next week plans to hire a major national auditing firm to conduct the kind of review that could ferret out possible criminal wrongdoing, which the attorney general said would be referred to criminal agencies if found.

"I stand ready to assist you in referring that to the appropriate law enforcement agencies in our state for a resolution," McCollum told Thrasher.

Thrasher was elected Saturday with the support of 135 REC members with his chief rival, Broward County state committeewoman Sharon Day trailing with 85 votes. Osceola County state committeeman Mark Cross received two votes.

In the race for vice-chair, Hillsborough County Republican Chair Deborah Cox-Roush defeated Alachua GOP Chairman Stafford Jones in a run-off election, 113-97.

The theme of purging the past clearly dominated the weekend meeting. And few attendees at the Florida Republican gathering failed to notice that in a neighboring ballroom at Orlando's Rosen Centre Hotel international disaster managers were holding their annual meeting.

"Let's not look in the past, let's look into the future," said Cox-Roush, in a Friday evening speech touting her credentials as one of five contenders for party vice-chair, replacing Allen Cox, a Greer critic, who also resigned his leadership post.

Nancy Riley, the Pinellas County state committeewoman, who also ran for vice-chair, emphasized that this weekend's election was "not a popularity contest. Make a decision that's best for the Republican Party of Florida," she urged.

Thrasher rivals Day and Cross were no match for the firepower the state senator and his supporters sought to bring to the gathering. Most top state lawmakers, including four Republican members of Congress, spent Saturday morning in the windowless Rosen Centre ballroom to help cement Thrasher's victory in the secret chairman's election ballot.

Within the REC, 222 members were eligible to cast ballots in Saturday's election. Roughly 40 of those casting ballots were either elected officials or appointees of Crist, who was among those spearheading Thrasher's candidacy to succeed Greer.

Greer, whose leadership roiled party members for months before he announced in January that he was stepping down, chaired the meeting but his presence was muted. In a brief farewell after Thrasher's election, Greer said he was "very proud of our accomplishments over the past three years."

Greer, though, leaves a party sharply divided over finances - with many members accusing him of leaving a million-dollar shortfall in the party's operating budget, caused by unbridled spending on travel and consultants that was brought into balance only by tapping dollars intended to elect House and Senate members.

Revelations that party executive director Delmar Johnson earned at least $408,000 while performing the dual role of administrator and top fund-raiser has fueled more anger toward Greer and raised lingering questions about whether the chairman received some of that money in addition to his $130,000 salary.

Greer departed as chairman without taking any questions. During the meeting, his three-year tenure was referred to obliquely - but also as a deep pit the party must now climb from as an election year dawns.

R.B. Davis, chairman of the Hamilton County Republican Party, in nominating Thrasher as party chair cited the "weak...incompetent," leadership which plagued the party. Cross, the Osceola County state committeeman who trailed Thrasher and Day in the chair's contest, cited the rebuilding ahead.

"We have to restore the trust of the voters, the donors and the grassroots," Cross said. "We also have to get this party united."

Day also talked about the excesses of the Greer years.

"We will earn back that faith," she assured. "We will earn back that trust...Those velvet ropes are gone."

Crist left without addressing the crowd, as did former House Speaker Marco Rubio. The contest between the two men for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate has also divided the state party, but both candidates have said they are eager to end the turmoil within the Florida GOP.

"Even before the election, the party had already won and had already turned the page and was beginning the process of rebuilding the party into what it once was," Rubio told reporters.

Despite the promises, the party has plenty of challenges ahead. Democrats, Republican gubernatorial candidate Paula Dockery, Republican Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, and several party members have demanded that American Express credit-card records accumulated during the Greer era be made public.

Thrasher also pointed out Saturday that he had made good on his campaign pledge to bring at least $1 million into the party over the past six weeks. Top fund-raisers had refused to solicit contributions for the party while Greer was chairman, but were quick to help Thrasher once he declared his candidacy.

Thrasher said with renewed fund-raising potential, the party would focus on carefully pricing its campaign spending on consultants, direct-mail and other tactics. Also, Thrasher said he would work to restore grassroots campaign efforts that he suggested languished under Greer.

Thrasher also offered plenty of partisan red-meat to those gathered Saturday in Orlando.

"Our focus is on beating our enemies - not ourselves," Thrasher said. "Our enemy is the liberal media, and the Democrats. And that's where we will begin to focus our assaults."
--END--
2/20/2010

Independent and Indispensable

http://www.newsserviceflorida.com

From the desk of Putsy Perrone

HB 1219 - Relating to Department of Financial Services (Long) Department of Financial Services: Revises duties of DFS' Division of Consumer Services relating to OIR; specifies that complaints about sales & finance or title loans be submitted to OFR; repeals provisions relating to commercial collection practices; requires consumer collection agencies to be licensed instead of registered; limits effective period of license to 2 years; requires licensee to obtain surety bond; authorizes DFS to investigate license applicants; repeals provisions for void registrations; clarifies that out-of-state consumer collection agency is subject to same sanctions & fines as in-state licensee; provides fine for failing to obtain license; provides that prohibited act conducted by agent, employee, or control person is violation by consumer collection agency; provides grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of license; provides for duration of license suspension or revocation; prohibits willful obstruction of investigations; authorizes DFS to adopt penalty guidelines; provides for payment of restitution; revises provisions for civil remedies; extends statute of limitations; revises provisions for injunctions; provides criminal penalties for failure to obtain license; authorizes Attorney General to bring action against consumer collection agency under Florida Deceptive & Unfair Trade Practices Act. Effective Date: October 1, 2010

whole bill at www.myfloridahouse.gov

FLORIDA INSURANCE COMMISSIONER ORDERS THREE ENTITIES TO CEASE AND DESIST SALE OF UNLICENSED PRODUCTS.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 16, 2010

Contact:   Jack McDermott                             Brittany Benner
                 850-413-2515                                 850-413-2515
                 Jack.McDermott@floir.com          Brittany.Benner@floir.com

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty yesterday announced the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) has issued cease and desist orders to three entities, including their subsidiaries, for the unauthorized sale of warranty products and service agreements. These companies include an order to National Home Protection, an order to National Home Warranty, and an order to National Automotive Services.

Office investigators determined National Home Protection and National Home Warranty conducted home and service warranty transactions in Florida without a license. Investigators also found National Automotive Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries (Warranty Financial Inc., Warranty Financial O.R.G. Inc., Warranty U.S.A., and Warranty Services) sold motor vehicle service agreements without a license.

"I commend our investigators for their work in halting the unlicensed sale of warranty products and service agreements in the State of Florida," remarked Commissioner McCarty. "The Office is committed to protecting Florida consumers from purchasing products that are sold by unlicensed entities that do not comply with Florida law."

The entities are required to submit letters of certification, within 30 days, stating their company no longer provides services in Florida. The orders also require that the companies honor and fully service all valid claims and fulfill their contractual obligations.

Consumers may determine if an insurer or warranty company is licensed in Florida by visiting the Company Search tool on www.floir.com.

About the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (Office) has primary responsibility for regulation, compliance and enforcement of statutes related to the business of insurance and the monitoring of industry markets.

DOES MY AGENCY NEED A LICENCE?

Agency Registration and Licensure

Every insurance agency transacting insurance business in Florida should have either a registration or a license. This requirement became law on October 1, 2006.

An agency registration is provided to agencies that were in business prior to January 1, 2003, and the agency (1) is wholly owned by insurance agents currently licensed and appointed, (2) is an incorporated agency whose voting shares are traded on a securities exchange, or (3) whose primary function is offering insurance as a service or member benefit to members of a nonprofit organization. There is no fee associated with a registration. It is perpetual and does not have to be renewed.

An agency license is needed for agencies in business on or after January 1, 2003, or the agencies that were in business prior to January 1, 2003 and do not meet the criteria listed above for registration. An agency license is valid for three (3) years and must be renewed. There is no fee associated with the issuance or renewal of the license. Fingerprints of agency owners, officers, directors, or others exercising control over the agency are not required when applying for a renewal, but are for a new agency license. If you fail to renew your agency license prior its expiration date, you must apply for a new agency license.

When you apply for a agency registration or license, you will be asked when the agency began transacting. The transaction date requested is the date the agency began transacting insurance business in the State of Florida. This is not the date the agent became licensed nor the date the agency became incorporated. Also, if an agency changes its agent in charge, or officers, the agency has 30 days to inform us of the changes. Current fingerprints will need to be submitted to us, if they have not already, for the new individual(s).

You can find more information regarding insurance agency registration and/or licensure via our web site at www.MyFloridaCFO.com/Agents.

U.S. SECURTIY INSURANCE MOTORCYCLE PROGRAM

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

ACCU-AUTO FREE 30-DAY DEMO

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FYI

THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

whole bill at www.myfloridahouse.gov

NIU HAS THE RIGHT TOOLS

FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE

TAX PREP EARN $300.00 PER HOUR

SPECIALTY INSURANCE AGENTS ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP AND BENEFITS

WHY SHOULD I BE A MEMBER OF SPECIALTY INSURANCE AGENTS ASSOCIATION ?

Benefits of being a member of an agent's organization

Being a member of an Association provides strength to the industry.
Specialty Insurance Agents Association provided assistance to agents in getting their agencies licensed.
Specialty Insurance Agents provided the classroom course for agents to meet their Citizens Insurance requirements.
UNITE
Higher commissions through our flood program. We have negotiated a flood program paying the agency 20% on new business and 20% on renewal business plus 1% to your ASSOCIATION. You can sign up to write flood insurance even if you don't have a homeowners market.
E & O INSURANCE available
Annual convention and trade fair.
Members can receive FREE CE credits on all classes offered at convention.
Industry Designation (to be presented at the 2009 convention).
Specialty Insurance Agents Association has entered into an agreement with the University of Central Florida to sponsor an Industry Designation for the Agent and CSR. The Designation will be available in 2009.
Board Members available to assist members with questions or problems.
Assistance in obtaining appointments with companies. At the annual convention/trade fair there are several dozen participating companies looking to appoint agents. While appointments cannot be guaranteed, we can initiate an introduction for you to the marketing staff of these companies.

Want to become a member of Specialty Insurance Agents Association? Just call to receive the new membership application emailed, faxed or download form today. Don't delay call Susan Graves at 1-888-290-8436

DOWNLOAD MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

FIRST INSURANCE NETWORK INCREASES AGENCY PROFITS

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HELP CLIENTS SAVE $$$$$$

WIND MITIGATION CREDIT PROGRAM

Determining effective dates for wind mitigation credits
IE #002-10 - February 15, 2010
______________________________________________________

Through the wind mitigation credit program, Citizens offers premium credits for residential building features that are intended to reduce losses from hurricanes and other wind events. This notice provides information about how wind mitigation credits are applied to active policies when the credits are requested during the middle of a policy term (midterm). For new business submissions, properly documented wind mitigation credits are applied as of the inception date of coverage.

Wind mitigation credits must be properly documented. It is extremely important that all wind mitigation feature inspections submitted are completed by a qualified professional and contain accurate information. Citizens recommends using inspection services that not only meet the current minimum requirements, but those that provide detailed documentation regarding the presence of wind mitigation features. Examples of detailed documentation include photographs and building permit review/verification.

When Citizens receives properly documented requests to add wind mitigation credits midterm, the following guidelines will be used to determine the effective date of the credits:

·         Wind mitigation credits for features that are inherent to the construction of the building will be applied as of the inception date of the current policy term. Examples include roof shape or construction features required by the building code that was applicable when the building originally was constructed.

·         Wind mitigation credits for features that are based upon improvements made after the original construction of the building will be applied as of the date they are certified by an inspector who meets Citizens' minimum qualifications. Examples include opening protection, secondary water resistance or replacement roofs constructed to the requirements of the Florida Building Code.

·         If a properly documented wind mitigation inspection is provided along with sufficient evidence to show that improvements have been in place since the inception of the current policy term, wind mitigation credits for those improvements may be applied as of the date of the inception of the current policy term. Examples of additional documentation include paid receipts, executed work orders and building permits.

Citizens reserves the right to verify the presence of wind mitigation features by ordering an independent physical inspection of any insured building. Refusal to allow Citizens to inspect a building will result in the removal of wind mitigation credits and may result in coverage being discontinued. .
______________________________________________________

Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
www.citizensfla.com

QUICKFILE #1 AGENCY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU WANT.

ARE THERE SOME OTHER TOPICS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE UNITE?

REMEMBER WE PUBLISH THIS FOR YOU.

SO CALL US OR EMAIL TODAY WITH YOUR IDEAS.

WE ARE A BOARD OF TWELVE , FROM DIVERSE TYPES OF AGENCIES, WITH MORE THAN 150 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

WE ARE HERE TO EDUCATE AND HELP YOU MAKE MORE MONEY.

SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS THEY MAKE THIS PUBLICATION POSSIBLE

YOUR BOARD 2009-2010

SHANE GRIFFIS- President

MARC PEASE - Vice President / UNITE PUBLISHER

PAT LORELLO - Treasurer

FRAN COLUCCI - Secretary / UNITE EDITOR

KIDSON BARNES - Board Member

JENNIFER CREVIER - BOARD MEMBER

SUSAN GRAVES - Board Member / ED

DEBORAH GREY - BOARD MEMBER

MARCUS HANIMAN - Board Member

MICHELLE MOSHER - Board Memeber

CURTIS TYRE - Board Member

ARNIE VASQUEZ - Board Member

Have a question for the board EMAIL or CALL us today.

EMAIL info@specialtyinsuranceagents.org
CALL 1-888-290-8436

Sincerely,

SPECIALTY INSURANCE AGENTS ASSOCIATION