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We wish you safe journeys and your dreams fulfilled. We wish you good health. And we wish for peace on earth for everybody. Wishing you the best in 2009 OKLAHOMA
February 2009
Published by UFAA Chapter 15 Eastern Oklahoma. Chapter 15 meets the
first Wednesday of each month. Next meeting: Wed. February 4th 11:30 AM
Green Onion Restaurant 4532 E 51st Tulsa. |
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 NEW: Opinion Poll Issue: The company rarely asks for your opinion. At chapter 15, your opinion is most important to us. Starting with this issue, we will place a single question at the conclusion of selected articles to gain your opinion on the subject. Please, help us to help you by taking a few seconds to respond to the poll and support us that we can publish meaningful results in the Oklahoma Voice and be your only source of - "Agents Helping Agents. tm" |
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Mission Statement
The United Farmers Agents Association is a professional association committed to helping our members through education, communication, support and information and to establish a true partnership with Farmers Group, Inc. |
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Oklahoma Contacts:
Chapter 15 serving
Eastern Oklahoma
President- Mike Gately 918/481-3277 -Tulsa
Chapter 12 serving
Central-Western Oklahoma:
President- Tony Reese 580/355-1335 - Lawton
To join an Oklahoma Chapter
choose one closest to you
and contact the chapter. Or,
Sign up at UFAA Web site.
United Farmers Agents Association Web Site
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Greetings!
The Chapter 15 Oklahoma Voice email address database was recently updated. You should not receive duplicates of this and future issues unless we have you listed under a farmersagent.com AND an alternate email address like AOL, Gmail, etc. If so, and you choose to have this newsletter sent to your alternate address only, politely UNSUBSCRIBE your farmersagent.com address at the bottom of this issue leaving your alternate address active. Having a problem viewing this email? You can click the link above this newsletter to view as a web page. |
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UFAA Sponsored E&O is a Go!
E&O UPDATE: January 06,2009
You may have received an email dated December 29th stating:
"If you have applied for coverage for your agency with the United Farmers Agents Association Group Errors and Omissions Liability Insurance Plan and your application for coverage has been approved pending final approval from the program administrator and collection of your premium-" NO COVERAGE IS BOUND OR IN FORCE AT THIS TIME.
For those agents that fall into the above paragraph, a new email was sent January 06 with specific instructions to complete the payment process. Agents in this category must complete the process to obtain a policy that provides real E&O coverage.
The up front costs of the billing costs of $40 and E&O education services of $100 are not pleasant but, E&O documentation service is necessary to eliminate the policy deductible and creates a charge the first year only. After that, your E&O costs should be reduced $100 while gaining the needed broader coverage at even a more competitive price.
If you did not receive the email dated January 06 concerning agents with approved applications, we have a copy of it on the Chapter 15 Home Page.
For agents who have not applied for UFAA Sponsored E&O Coverage, it's not to late-
You may complete a trial application and receive a competitive E&O quote for your agency. You do not have to be a UFAA member to receive a quote. If you accept the quote and request coverage, the UFAA limited membership dues ($10/mo.) will be included in your monthly E&O payment. No other UFAA membership benefits apply other than access to the UFAA Group E&O coverage.
To complete a trial application and receive a quote go to this link.
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Breaking News: Rumors have floated around the agency force since March, 2008 of a new agent contract being developed by Farmers. It's taken nearly a year but, a copy dated 02/09 has just been received by UFAA. It's too early to consider all the merits of the new contract. However, it is reported to be offered only to newer agents. Read the new contract here > New Contract. Then, take our single question opinion poll here > OPINION POLL |
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State Farm Abandons Florida 
Jan. 27 (Bloomberg) -- State Farm Mutual Insurance Co., the largest home insurer in the U.S., plans to drop 1.2 million customers and leave Florida's residential market after state regulators denied a request to raise prices by 47%.
The insurer cited risks from hurricanes and the rising cost of everyday claims submitted by the state's homeowners in an e-mailed statement today. Surplus funds held by State Farm's Florida unit fell by $201 million in the first three quarters of 2008, a period when no hurricanes hit the state. Hurricane Katrina, the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history, caused $41.1 billion in insured losses after striking the Gulf Coast in 2005 while Florida has 25% of coastal property.
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Specializing in crime scenes |
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For Residential and Commercial |
Approved HelpPoint Vendor
918-698-7445
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From: "THE OHIO VOICE"
Farmers Kansas City Service Point and Underwriting are aware that an error is occurring on the Memorandum of Fire Insurance for the Next Gen policy. On page 4 of the document, the fourth line below the 'losses' section, inserts the statement: 'This quote is for less coverage and a lower premium than our standard Farmers Next Generation Homeowner policy". A service ticket has been opened on it as of January 20, 2009 to resolve the issue. At some level they have been aware of the problem for some time. It would have been nice if they had put out a bulletin. It apparently affects several states. You may want to alert your detail oriented customers about the statement in advance. |
Microsoft Security Bulletin MS08-069 - Critical Vulnerabilities in Microsoft XML Core Services Could Allow Remote Code Execution (955218)
Published: November 11, 2008 | Updated: December 17, 2008
Version: 1.2
General Information
Executive Summary
This security update resolves several vulnerabilities in Microsoft XML Core Services. The most severe vulnerability could allow remote code execution if a user viewed a specially crafted Web page using Internet Explorer. Users whose accounts are configured to have fewer user rights on the system could be less impacted than users who operate with administrative user rights. This security update is rated Critical for Microsoft XML Core Services 3.0 and Important for Microsoft XML Core Services 4.0, Microsoft XML Core Services 5.0, and Microsoft XML Core Services 6.0. For more information, see the subsection, Affected and Non-Affected Software, in this section.
Affected Software: Windows 2000,
Windows XP, Windows Server 2003,
Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008,
Microsoft Office 2003 2007
Non-Affected Software: Microsoft Office 2000 Service Pack 3, Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 3, Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server 2001 Service Pack 3, Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003 Service Pack 3,
Microsoft Excel Viewer 2003 Service Pack 3 | |
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Call us for Board up Service 
Broken Arrow 258-7578 |
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Ads are now hot links to websites
Support Our
Advertisers
Learn more about our advertisers as you or your clients may need their services in the future. Educate yourself so you can give your clients more detail about the services they offer.
 You may click on any of our valued ads in this issue for direct access to their informative and educational website.
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Short videos that will make you say Ouch or LOL.
Turn up sound.
911 call: Hunting hillbillies calls 911 after one is shot (1 min)
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Kim Komando "America's Digital Goddess" Free Business Directory Service from any phone
By Kim Komando:
Just dial 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411) on your cell phone. An automated service will ask for your city and state. Just speak your answer or type in a ZIP code. Then, say what you're looking for. It can be a specific business name.
Or, you can ask for a general category, like pizza restaurants. GOOG-411 will read off a numbered list of business names and addresses. Say or type the number you want, and you'll be connected. You can also say "Text message."
It will then text you information on the business you selected. Or you could say "Map it." If your phone has Internet access, you'll be sent a Google map. GOOG-411 is a free service from Google. Review the 1.5 minute video- GOOG-411 video
Copyright 2008 WestStar TalkRadio Network. Reprinted with permission. No further republication or redistribution is permitted without the written consent of WestStar TalkRadio Network. Visit Kim Komando and sign up for her free e-mail newsletters at: www.komando.com | |
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Chapter 15 Seeking Credit Union
Take the credit union survey below Resulting from a member suggestion and our on-going efforts to expand our chapter's benefits to you, we are seeking a credit union that is available to many or most cities and towns across the state. That is a tall order to have a credit union with a physical presence in most locations and cost prohibitive.
Research has revealed a physical location for a specific credit union is not required due to inter-banking and ATM Network agreements among scores of Oklahoma Credit Unions (CUs). For example, as a member of the ABC CU, an agent can do face to face business through the XYZ CU transacting business with his or her the primary CU, assuming a CU Network Agreement.
FIG Federal CU has only one location in the state located at HelpPoint in OKC. We did find Fig Federal as being a member of the shared services network to expand locations to 30. Another CU has 14 operated locations across the state with shared services of up to 50 locations in OKC metro and 20 in the Tulsa Metro and several other cities. And, they share services with Fig Federal.
ATMs- Fig Federal has 6 free ATMs in OKC and 6 in Tulsa on the Co-op Network. However, they do not accept deposits. Other credit unions have expanded free ATM locations up to 82 across the state using the ZONE ATM Network. On line banking is provided free by most all CUs.
Do we pursue a credit union for Oklahoma Farmers Agents and employees to obtain a CU or greater access to FigFederalCU? Let us know by completing this short 1 question survey. Survey results show immediately following your vote. |
You are our best source of agent news
The Oklahoma Voice Newsletter began in 2002 and was sent to chapter members only the first year and expanded to the Oklahoma Agency Force in 2003 via email. This is your newsletter and your way to communicate to other agents across the state and others as most of our newsletters are posted on the UFAA website with newsletters of other chapters.
It is not designed to rag on Farmers but, to bring forth subjects to help Farmers understand the agent's view of our neighborhood business and assist agents with subjects of interest. However, the Oklahoma Voice has become more important in recent years as company information and stats have not been distributed to the agency force as in the past.
As one agent recently commented, "To find out what our state's production, losses, PIF and what's on the Farmer's horizon, I have to pay for a reservation at the Agents Seminar and drive half way across the state to attend."
Agent's state-wide come across information or an issue with claims, underwriting, affinity group and other departments that is generally not known to the agents at large. Seems, internal procedures, not expressed in field bulletins, are given to agents one by one as a situation arises.
As you learn something new from the company, that is not of general knowledge, you should share it with others in the spirit of "Agents Helping Agents"tm. You may submit an article, idea or information to the Oklahoma Voice for print consideration and your name will be withheld upon request. Contact: Okla. Voice Editor and share with all what's happening in your neighborhood just like the Ohio Voice shared with us concerning the Memorandum of Insurance error above. -ed |
  Retirees Did Farmers Misinterpret Oklahoma Law, Again?
May apply in states of: AZ, CA, CO, IN, MO, OK, OR, WY.
We went through this same scenario in 2007, with Farmers withholding Affinity discounts on auto policies concerning Affinity retirees. As we can now apply the Affinity discount to the Next Gen Homeowners, Farmers failed once again to include Affinity retirees required by Oklahoma Insurance Statute Title 36 Chapter 2 Section 6001.1 para. 3 stating: 3. "Eligible members of the group shall be persons in good standing in the group. In the case of employees, such employees should be engaged in active employment of the employer of the group for not less than thirty (30) hours each week, or shall be on a pension with that respective employer or be the surviving spouse of a deceased pensioner."
When UFAA reported to the DOI, in 2007, that retirees were not receiving the discount on autos, Farmers told the DOI they misinterpreted the law then, alleged they were two separate groups which did not fly with the DOI who mandated Farmers to allow Affinity discounts to retirees. Ironically, Farmers published the inclusion of Affinity discounts to retirees in the auto manual pages dated May 1, 2007, the same date they introduced the Affinity discount on the Next Gen H/O again, excluding retirees and surviving spouses.
Plus, there appears to be discrimination within the Affinity groups as only the Next Gen H/O is discounted, not the Protector Plus and the Special Form homeowners which appears to fly in the face of the same law noted above under para. #4 that states: 4. "Group underwriting standards shall be applied consistently throughout the group." Many Affinity retirees have the H/O policies highlighted.
Okla. Statute Title 36 Chapter 2 Section 6001.1 appears to be a presumptive law that presumes all groups to be fictitious, unless ALL eleven conditions of the law are met. There is strong appearance the conditions #3 and #4 are in controversy with Farmers and may include condition #7 that states- 7. Policies issued to members of such groups shall provide no more restrictive insuring agreements and conditions than those of policies available to the individual purchaser from the same insurer, and such groups shall be provided with the option to select a policy with such limits of coverage as are available to individual purchasers from the same insurer. Knowing that the Prot+ and Special H/O are no longer sold as new business, may include these policies with Affinity discounts as they are re-purchased at each renewal. Unless, the OID finds all Farmers Affinity Groups are fictitious and mandates Farmers dump the entire Program.
This may have grave consequences against the company as their is a continuing appearance to restrict the older Affinity retirees from the discount given to the younger working class in the same groups could lead to charges of favoritism or age discrimination. This may fall under yet another state law.
Title 36. Insurance Chapter 1 - Insurance Code; Article Article 12 - Unfair Practices - Fraud - Deception; Section 1204 - Unfair Methods of Competition and Unfair or Deceptive Acts or Practices Defined.
The following are hereby defined as unfair methods of competition and unfair and deceptive acts or practices in the business of insurance: 7.(c) As to kinds of insurance other than life and accident and health, no person shall make or permit any unfair discrimination in favor of particular persons, or between insureds or subjects of insurance having substantially like insuring, risk, and exposure factors, or expense elements, in the terms or conditions of any insurance contract, or in the rate or amount of premium charged therefor. This subsection shall not apply as to any premium rate in effect pursuant to Article 9 of the Oklahoma Insurance Code.
"Person," in the above law, would likely include agents and staff, perhaps, forced to violate the above stated laws as a result of Farmers overly strong stand where they have implemented the "NO EXCEPTION" Underwriting Rule preventing avoidance of violation and corrections internally. Agents can not stand idly by and perhaps be forced to violate state laws becoming subject to OID penalties of no less than $100 nor more than $5,000 for EACH violation in addition to revocation of licenses and of certificate of authority to do business in this state. Thus, your OK UFAA chapters, at the direction of the OID, have filed an inquiry to clarify this issue for benefit of clients, agents and companies.
Inquiry#1 To: Kathie Stepp, Dep. Comm; Dir. OID P&C Div.;  Oklahoma Insurance Department Anti-fraud Div.;
Michael Ridgeway, Gen. Council P&C Division. |
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Bristol West Helpful Hint: [We're now FARMERIZED!] B-W email 11/14/08
When you write a Bristol West policy, it is important to remember to list all household members ages 15 and over, licensed or unlicensed, including children away from home or in college on the application. If these household members are not listed on the policy, they will be excluded from Collision coverage under the Oklahoma policy contract and damages to the insured vehicle will not be covered. Under the Oklahoma PAP contract (7/07), page 31, exclusion 23 it states:
EXCLUSIONS THAT APPLY TO PART D - DAMAGE TO YOUR AUTO
Coverage under this Part D does not apply for loss:
covered by collision under this policy if any vehicle is being operated by any person: listed as an operator in the Declarations who has a permanently revoked license; not listed on the policy, who has been a resident of your household for more than 30 days. You must notify us within 30 days of the time when a person becomes a resident who was not listed on the policy or; not listed on the policy, who does not have a current valid license to drive a motor vehicle, regardless of where that person resides.
Please notify your customers of this guideline when they purchase their policy. By following this process, it should help eliminate future claims issues that may arise.
You need a Crystal Ball or "GREAT" E&O Policy!
How do you follow an impossible farmerized process?
With the economy in the toilet, how will you determine a new-comer or a recycle family member back into the household within 30 days? You will likely be notified of this driver during the initial claim process. Just telling customers won't hold up in court without a signed document of fact. |
 Utilizing Our Service Resources
An Exceptional Idea
Dear Editor,
I am writing this as ice has accumulated state-wide overnight on Oklahoma streets and highways. I and other agents across our state including parts of Arkansas and Missouri will likely not be able to drive to the office today as media reports hundreds of accidents across the state with many highways and expressways becoming blocked. This leaves our offices closed in times of vital client needs and they cannot contact us easily.
This ice storm was predicted with lots of media hype 24 hours in advance. Prior to leaving the office yesterday, I forwarded my office phones to ServicePoint to handle inquiries and refer those in need to HelpPoint during this catastrophic weather event as agents will not be available. Okie Agent. 01/27/09
Dear Okie Agent Member,
Kowowabunga Dude! Now, that's an exceptional idea for catastrophes and other times when staff is out of the office due to sickness, CE, training, DM meetings, nights and weekends, etc. I will pass it on to agents and see how long it takes the company to embrace the client service advantages with a field bulletin advising agents that SP service will be OPTIONAL, FREE and they will prepare service requests to let us know what happened during our absence. Thanks for sharing and caring for clients! You get a free lunch at the Green Onion on Feb 4th Chapter 15 meeting. -ed
Jan. 27 Oklahoma City- "Governor, Brad Henry, today declared a state of emergency for all 77 counties due to severe ice hazards and temps" -probably due to the way Okies drive on sheet ice once every 5 years. Check out this Winter ICE video- " Okies Bowling for Buicks." (5 min.) Sound? Ok, us Okies have some great drivers too. So, just check out this Okie that escaped from the Highway Patrol. Cops used the "Pitt" maneuver without success. -ed |
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Farmers promises to promote agent network and
competitive position with new ad partner
Farmers spent $150 mil. on ads in 2007 and $65 mil. through Sept. '08
Dec 8, 2008 -By Andrew McMains
NEW YORK Farmers Insurance has selected The Richards Group to handle creative and media duties on its ad account after a review, Farmers Insurance said today. The other finalists were not disclosed. The client's major media spending totaled $150 million-plus last year and $65 million in the first nine months of 2008, according to TNS Media Intelligence.
Richards, an independent in Dallas, succeeds Interpublic Group's Campbell-Ewald in Warren, Mich., on the account. IPG's Campbell-Ewald had handled the business for more than a dozen years. "Farmers Insurance has a powerful story, and we wanted the best possible advertising partner to help us tell that story," said Kevin Kelso, chief marketing officer at Farmers Insurance, which is headquartered in Los Angeles. "Our search was thoughtful and thorough, and we are excited to begin working with The Richards Group."
Select Resources International in Santa Monica, Calif., managed the review. "Farmers Insurance is an iconic American brand with an opportunity to reestablish its competitive position within the category -- despite being outspent by its peers," said Pete Lempert, principal at Richards. The insurance category has heated up considerably, with most insurers trying to catch up to Geico, which is now spending over $400 million annually, per Nielsen. Farmers Insurance Group is now owned by Zurich Financial Services.
Farmers Names Richards Group Agency of Record
NEW YORK (AdAge.com 12/08/08) -- After a four-month search among 17 contenders, Farmers Insurance Group of Cos. tapped independent Richards Group as its agency of record. The Dallas-based agency takes the helm from Interpublic Group of Cos.' Campbell-Ewald, and will handle all brand and creative development, media buying and digital work for Farmers Insurance, among other responsibilities.
"We wanted to go a new direction in our advertising approach," said Kevin Kelso, the insurer's chief marketing officer. "We've done a lot of brand work in the past couple of years, and some of it has been well-received. We've even won awards. ... But we want to have a broader story." The new effort will focus on Farmer's history and agent network. |
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Newsletter Opinion Poll Tell us what you think about the Oklahoma Voice
Please take a moment to answer the single question opinion poll and tell us your opinion of the Oklahoma Voice. Thanks in advance- Editor
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Weather Forecast? Oklahoma Voice predicts snow across entire U.S. on Feb. 17th
If you have not obtained a newer Digital TV, a digital converter box or a pay TV subscription to watch "broadcast" network type television you will no longer receive any over the air type broadcast TV, except snow.
On February 17, 2009, all full-powered local tv stations will shut down their old analog transmitter and signals. The only thing left on will be digital. You will still be able to play tapes, DVD, games etc on your old Television sets. Therefore, the conventional TV you have been using, do NOT become worthless, they just no longer receive broadcast TV and many bedroom TV's etc were not used for that anyway. Do you need to know more?  Use the DTV logo link
=============================================== Disclaimer: If you wish to be excluded from future mailings please let us know by emailing us at ufaa15@gmail.com or by using the Unsubscribe feature at the located within this document. Disclaimer - The Oklahoma voice is published twelve times per year for the United Farmers Agents Association, Chapter 15 Northeastern Oklahoma. The United Farmers Agents Association and the editor neither assumes any responsibility for the accuracy of the articles or advertisers, nor any liability arising from reliance upon them. The Oklahoma Voice expresses it's appreciation to the many members who assist in and support it's publication,. Opinions in the Oklahoma voice do not necessarily express the views of any single member or Chapter officer or UFAA organization. Products and services advertised are not endorsed by this Chapter or United Farmers Agents Association, Inc. Complaints or inquiries should be forwarded directly to the advertiser. All purchases and services are at the complete discretion of the consumer. |
Check out the UFAA Chapter 15 Web Home Page with lots of member benefit information including E&O updates.
Chapter 15 does and we will show it by sending our members a Valentine email that will assist your marketing efforts and easily and economically stay connected with your clients with email, so they continue to think of you first. Unlike direct mail, you know who reads your email to target them with Farmers or your outside company products.
We doubled our chapter members in 2008 with innovative email campaigns and you can increase sales and revenue in your agency in 2009 by sending email campaigns to clients and prospects during this economic downturn expected to last several years.
Non-members must join our Valentine Special email list below. Sign up now as our Valentine email target date is just a few days away. Share this with your agent friends by forwarding it using the link below. -ed | |
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