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Meet the Commissioner- In this issue
OKLAHOMA

VOICE

May 2011
Published monthly by United Farmers Agents Association, aka UFAA, Chapter 15 Eastern Oklahoma. The chapter meets the first Wednesday of each month.
Next Chapter 15 Member Meeting: Wednesday, May 4th 11:30 AM

United Farmers Agents Assn. National Office 800-275-8668
UFAA Oklahoma Voice Editor
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choose one closest to you and
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Letters to the Editor

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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 its appreciation to the many members who assist in and support its 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. Trademarks and/or logos are the respective products or trademarks of their respective owners.

Breaking News! Join UFAA Before

May 31 and save

UFAA is running a Spring Membership Drive until May 31st. Any agent joining between now and the end of May will receive $50 off the first year of membership.

*Convention attendance not required to join UFAA

Only applications for Full Regular Membership paid either annually or semi annually, will qualify for this discount. A semi annual payment will receive a 25.00 discount when the application is processed and a 25.00 discount when the membership is invoiced in 6 months. On the application put "15" in the "Chapter Box."

A REGULAR MEMBERSHIP does NOT include Career, Associate, Affiliate or Limited Members FOR THIS CONTEST. See membership app for definitions of membership.
Rejoining members must have a MEMBERSHIP LAPSE of 90 days or more.
An application can be obtained at www.ufaa.com, or page 15 of the voice or by calling the National Office at 800-275-8668.

"Agents Helping Agents"tm

Greetings! Availability in April. Contact me direct for up to 40% off published rate. NEXT SUMMER, THIS WILL RENT FOR AS MUCH AS 1,600/WEEK, REFERRALS PAID 10% Contact Glenn at glenn@gjohnsonagency.com Click pic for panoramic interior/exterior view 07/11

HOMEOWNERS MULTIPLE PERIL Oklahoma -2009

by premium written and percent of market share

STATE FARM FIRE AND CASUALTY CO 261,696,286 26.981%

FARMERS INS CO, INC. 159,704,803 16.466%

OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU MUTUAL INS CO 71,625,771 7.385%

ALLSTATE PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INS CO 34,047,418 3.510%

SHELTER MUTUAL INS CO 29,688,251 3.061%

UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOC 28,557,925 2.944%

ALLSTATE INS CO 28,393,953 2.927%

AMERICAN FARMERS & RANCHERS MUTUAL INS CO 25,020,420 2.580%

LIBERTY MUTUAL FIRE INS CO 23,322,575 2.405%

TRAVELERS HOME AND MARINE INS CO 20,643,429 2.128%

REMAINING COMPANIES 287,225,396 29.613%

OTHER PRIVATE PASSENGER AUTO LIABILITY Oklahoma -2009

by premium written and percent of market share

STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INS CO 205,061,813 19.148%

FARMERS INSURANCE COMPANY, INC. 142,287,229 13.286%

OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU MUTUAL INS CO 71,759,828 6.701%

PROGRESSIVE NORTHERN INS CO 48,240,056 4.505%

SHELTER MUTUAL INS CO 35,584,294 3.323%

MID-CENTURY INS CO 30,958,592 2.891%

ALLSTATE FIRE AND CASUALTY INS CO 30,709,250 2.868%

AMERICAN FARMERS & RANCHERS MUTUAL INS CO 28,674,846 2.678%

UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION 28,113,599 2.625%

ALLSTATE INS CO 27,565,563 2.574%

REMAINING COMPANIES 421,963,392 39.402% 100.000%

Licensed Oklahoma Companies

NAME TYPE LIC DATE ADDRESS ASSETS & LIABILITIES SURPLUS OK PREMIUM & LOSSES

FARMERS INS CO, INC. P&C 12/69 Olathe KS 314,232,165|215,905,201 |98,326,964 |421 ,721,551 |347,344,661

FARMERS INS EXC P&C 10/30 L A CA 15,016,596,846|11,317,356,665|3,699,240,180 |9,902,135|5,748,334

FOREMOST INS CO P&C 05/58 MI 2,036,014,236 |1,403,393,442 |632,620,794 |25,364,102|17,239,546

Foremost P&C INS Co P&C 04/91 MI 44,146,985 |27,842,465 |16,304,520 |1,801,146 |1,608,814

MID-CENTURY INS CO P&C 06/53 CA 3,222,935,802|2,445,254,954 |777,680,848 |51,876,656 |31,587,853

BRISTOL WEST INS CO P&C 0871 FL 206,570,751 |165,717,062 |40,853,689 |16,879,908 |9,772,932

21ST CENTURY CAS CO CAS 01/03 DE 14,840,176 |3,165,538 | 11,674,638 0 0

21ST CEN CENTENNIAL P&C 11/56 DE 646,250,267 |254,552,518 |391,697,749 |2,507,345 |1,490,504

21ST CENTURY INDEM P&C 08/70 DE 60,097,939 |25,129,297 |34,968,642 | 589,461 |311,570

21ST CENTURY INS CO P&C 01/03 DE 1,072,387,204|270,354,538 |802,032,666 |0 |0

21ST CEN INS CO S/W P&C 05/09 DE 5,592,771 |1,945,190 |3,647,581 |0 |0

21ST CEN N AMERICA P&C 01/79 DE 1,780,744,325 |1,319,451,957 |461,292,368 |3,856,750 |1,959,195

21ST CENTURY PACIFIC P&C 10/78 DE 64,662,946 |26,754,068 |37,908,878 |1,221,338 |1,065,199

21ST CENTURY PREMIER P&C 06/21 DE 308,869,528 |126,725,273 |182,144,255 | 11,517 |55,946

21ST CENTURY SECURITY P&C 05/82 DE 261,588,943 |101,329,683 |160,259,260 |2,220,308 |2,482,629

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Fire, Water, Storm Damage & Other Perils

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PRIVATE PASSENGER AUTO PHYSICAL DAMAGE Oklahoma -2009

by premium written and percent of market share

STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INS CO 169,039,506 21.116%

FARMERS INS CO, INC. 100,681,143 12.577%

OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU MUTUAL INS CO 65,130,269 8.136%

PROGRESSIVE NORTHERN INS CO 31,648,682 3.953%

ALLSTATE INS CO 30,760,614 3.843%

ALLSTATE FIRE AND CASUALTY INS CO 26,270,106 3.282%

AMERICAN FARMERS & RANCHERS MUTUAL INS CO 25,587,201 3.196%

SHELTER MUTUAL INS CO 25,245,111 3.154%

UNITED SERVICES AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION 21,474,992 2.683%

PROGRESSIVE DIRECT INS CO 16,533,504 2.065%

REMAINING COMPANIES 288,156,482 35.996%

Foremost and Bristol were listed once each in the OID Annual Report

OCEAN MARINE Oklahoma -2009

LIBERTY MUTUAL INS CO 1,457,685 12.634%

NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS CO OF PITTSBURGH, PA 1,292,949 11.206%

FOREMOST INSURANCE COMPANY 1,281,215 11.104%

FINANCE CHARGES Oklahoma -2009

AMERICAN FARMERS & RANCHERS MUTUAL INS CO 3,331,479 8.984%

STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INS CO 3,071,969 8.284%

EQUITY INS CO 2,350,283 6.338%

PROGRESSIVE NORTHERN INS CO 2,251,230 6.071%

AMERICAN CONTRACTORS IND CO 1,815,996 4.897%

SHELTER MUTUAL INS CO 1,465,875 3.953%

OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU MUTUAL INS CO 1,438,897 3.880%

STATE FARM FIRE AND CASUALTY CO 1,403,551 3.785%

ALLSTATE INS CO 1,209,796 3.262%

BRISTOL WEST INS CO 874,015 2.357%

I want my own agency underwriter

And, I want it now!

The ServicePoint System is no longer tolerable. It's a multi-level, confusing process that involves way too many people. You never get the same person twice and if you have to deal on the same or similar issue, there is no way in hell to contact the original underwriter. In fact, it appears to be a progressive requirement and a make work process to justify the underwriter's micro-managed points gained on the request or phone call. None of the first line SP employees have phone numbers to recontact and only a few signs a service request with their names.

Take this simple story of writing a new business homeowners. Current insured who took home to competition in 2007 calls the agency to quote the home as the competitor non-renews all fire policies in the state. Pretty simple deal since the agency had most of the needed information. All seemed to go smooth until CSI Inspections sends in their report. Risk advise- due to business on premises. CSI took way to long to report, so the agency gets a very short hold file date on cancellation.

Agency calls underwriter #1 advising business out grew the residence property and was moved in 2009 a 1/4 mile away. Agency sends additional pics showing separate locations and entrances and different address for business insured by guess who- Zurich. We have 6 other household policies with this client. Request Denied- SP Underwriter #2 using Google, agency told business website shows business at residence address. Agency responds, that's mailing address. Owner wants all business and personal mail to residence address. SP underwriter #3 wants utility bill with service at one location while mailing address at residence. Owner sets up utility with mock building numbers (no addresses) with only mailing address shown.

SP Underwriter #4, repeats #2's Google showing business at residence address. Agency responds DO NOT Google the business name, Google the business address on Google Maps Google shows similar pic previously sent in showing two locations and separate entrances. They never logged the business address. Agency responds with demand to escalate request up line. Sp Underwriter #5 seems nervous as if they are not to do that and handle for their support grading credits. Agency responds 2nd Request to escalate. Supervisor not available, of course, will have them call agency. Agency responds, no time as we are nearing the hold file date. Underwriter #5 reviews the file info and wants address of business previously given but never logged. Okay, all looks good now and underwriter removes the denial, so he says. Whew, finally on Friday it's again a done deal with Next Monday being the hold file date.

frustrated pic

The following Thursday, agency gets call from SP undwriter #6 advising policy had a lock on it and last Friday's approval did not process. Cancellation sent. Underwriter working to reinstate policy, but it has to now go through home office. Underwriter to call back to confirm reinstatement. Agency calls client stating they will get cancellation due to tech issue will receive reinstatement on same day as underwriting completed and it's a done deal.

Underwriter #6 calls back stating, H/O Googled the business name and states no reinstatement due to business located at residence. Wait! we've been through this 3 times before. Underwriting completed and approved. Back to square one. Policy lost along with 6 other household policies. It sucks, so who do I invoice for my lost commissions and time, my embarrassment, stress and anger? Or, better yet, just go independent as Farmer's internal "service" maze just doesn't work, on purpose, I think. And, they are going to double the business by 2020? What ever happened to all the corporate hoopla on
"We will be great in 2010"? That failed miserably, right?. Okie Agent.

Pulse of the Agents POLL

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Oklahoma Statutes Citationized
Title 36. Insurance
Chapter 1 - Insurance Code
Article Article 36 - Insurance Contracts
Section 3633 - Policies Issued in Violation of Code - Penalty

Any insurer or corporation, or any officer or agent thereof, issuing or delivering to any person in this state any policy in willful violation of any provision of this Code shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Oklahoma Agents Bite the Dust in 2011

Looks like we're off to another rough year with farmersagent email addresses returned with non-existent addresses from these issues of the Oklahoma Voice.

January issue- 15

February issue- 8

March issue- 8

April issue** 10

YTD 41*

*These figures may not match actual as it's based on returned mail only

** Included 3 DMs

Zurich Estimates Cat

Losses at Half Billion

Industry insured losses estimated at $25-30 billion for Japan

Zurich, March 31, 2011 - Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) today announced that it currently estimates aggregate claims of approximately USD 500 million for the five natural disasters to hit the Asia-Pacific region since the beginning of the year. The estimate is based on preliminary reviews, representing an amount net of reinsurance and before tax.

The full loss assessment, and therefore the ultimate cost, will take time to complete due to the extreme nature of the losses and the limited access to the damaged areas particularly in Japan but also in New Zealand.

The losses for the five events, which include the Brisbane floods, the Victoria storms and cyclone Yasi that hit Australia in January and February, respectively, the Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand in late February and the recent earthquake and Tsunami in Japan, will be recorded in the first quarter results for 2011. (ZFS press release 3.11.11)

Farmers kept busy with both catastrophes and public events

Here is a listing from Yahoo News

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Oklahoma Statutes Citationized

Title 36. Insurance

Chapter 1 - Insurance Code

Article Article 36 - Insurance Contracts

Section 3639.1 - Cancellation, Refusal to Renew or Increase Premium of Homeowner's Insurance Policy

No insurer shall cancel, refuse to renew or increase the premium of a homeowner's insurance policy, which has been in effect more than forty-five (45) days, solely because the insured filed a first claim against the policy. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to prevent the cancellation, nonrenewal or increase in premium of a homeowner's insurance policy for the following reasons:

1. Nonpayment of premium;

2. Discovery of fraud or material misrepresentation in the procurement of the insurance or with respect to any claims submitted thereunder;

3. Discovery of willful or reckless acts or omissions on the part of the named insured which increase any hazard insured against;

4. A change in the risk which substantially increases any hazard insured against after insurance coverage has been issued or renewed;

5. Violation of any local fire, health, safety, building, or construction regulation or ordinance with respect to any insured property or the occupancy thereof which substantially increases any hazard insured against;

6. A determination by the Commissioner that the continuation of the policy would place the insurer in violation of the insurance laws of this state; or

7. Conviction of the named insured of a crime having as one of its necessary elements an act increasing any hazard insured against.

Does Company Bulletin #10-0205 Violate Oklahoma Insurance Laws?

Dear Okla Voice,
In reading bulletin #10-0205 03/15/2010, it notes that only Tulsa and Oklahoma City and areas surrounding them are required to carry a 1% [or $1,500] wind/hail deductible. After some research, it appears that it is the two COUNTIES of Tulsa and Oklahoma City that were selected for this requirement. Neighbors as close as Creek County (Sapulpa, Kiefer),and Rogers County (Catoosa, Claremore) are not held to this requirement and agents can sell lower deductibles on their fire policies.

Would this be an unfair practice by Farmers to the agents within the state? Any insurance laws on this to protect the agents and clients?
Tulsa Agent.

Dear Tulsa, This appears as a classic form of red-lining and is generally dealt with under laws of insurance discrimination. If guilty, could cost FIG to the tune of $113,000 in fines and 112 years in jail if 225 agents were discriminated against in those two counties under T36 Sec 1435.15 para E and the state stacked the violations. Plus, the OID could de-certify all affinity groups for violating any ONE of the 11 conditions under T36 Chap 2 6001.1. Add to that T36 Sec 3633 listed above & fines & jail time could likely double. Ye-gads, That's a life term twice over.

There may be other Title 36 sections that would also apply. This issue was addressed in the April and May 2010 issues of the Oklahoma Voice including the written laws cited above. We thought a change was made to a 1% deductible state wide. Guess not, according to Tulsa Agent. This alleged discrimination has now continued over a year. -ed
Pulse of the Agents POLL

April Poll of the Agents Results

Who do you believe is to blame for the Okla. PIF loss?

Oklahoma Agency Force

The Economy

Both listed above

Corporate decisions

100%

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Greetings!

UFAA Sponsored E&O

Have you wondered about the comparison coverage between the Farmers supplied Agents E&O Policy and the UFAA sponsored E&O coverage? You may be surprised in the differences that may place you at personal risk.

What are your rights regarding your Farmers Benefits?

All Farmers benefits, medical, disability AND E&O are voluntary.
You can insure where you wish at any time as other agencies have.
The benefit enrollment period does not control the E&O coverage.
It does not matter if you have accepted the current year coverage.
The policy is filed monthly, may be canceled at any time without penalty.
You will be given the Farmers procedure to opt out if you bind coverage.
No Agents have encountered problems with Farmers by exercising their rights to choose their coverage.

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Check out the UFAA Chapter 15 Home Page
with more Farmers, industry news, lots of member benefit information, newsletter archives and breaking news too late to publish above.

Quick reference Advertiser listing in this issue you can print or download for your office

Chapter 15 HOME PAGE Link

-- On our Home Page link this month --

The OID has updated the Oklahoma Auto and H/O rate comparison charts as of Jan. 2011 on our home page

===============================

Did you know? As a member of UFAA you get:

1 hour of tech support a month

1 Free @ufaa.com email

1 Free web page with your domain name

Call us today Toll Free, Primary # 1-866-441-8018

Alex Conger - UFAA Tech

Classifieds image

Looking for office equipment and furnishings to buy or sell?

Members can now submit classified ads on most anything to buy or sell on the UFAA Website. Go to the Member's Only image on ufaa.com and create your ad. It's Free!

Oklahoma UFAA Members can send a copy of their ad to the Oklahoma Voice for publishing for 30 days- FREE! Just another UFAA chapter 15 service to assist you. Send ads to-

ufaa15editor@ufaa.com

Okla Ins Dept: Change of address or name more than thirty (30) days after the change occurred shall be $50.

Meet the Commissioner

John Doak, Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner

John Doak was sworn in as the 12th

Okla. Ins. Comm. on Jan. 10, 2011.

Doak takes the next step in a distinguished career deeply grounded in providing insurance options and coverage to Oklahomans.

The commissioner of insurance began his career in the field shortly after graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, in 1988.

Doak established his own branch for the Farmer's Insurance Agency in Tulsa, and over the next six years would receive numerous awards and commendations from Farmer's for his office's success.

Doak left Farmer's Insurance to work in the executive level of the insurance industry at firms such as Marsh, Aon Risk Services, HNI Risk Services, and finally at Ascension Insurance, where he served as senior vice president of acquisitions.

Such diverse experience in the industry-from the branch level to the boardroom-is what has given Doak a broad understanding of how insurance works; knowledge that will benefit both the providers and customers of insurance products in Oklahoma. As insurance commissioner, Doak pledges to work with the industry, fostering competition and innovation in insurance products and serving as an advocate for common sense solutions to insurance issues, benefiting all Oklahomans.

Doak has a lengthy history of service to the Tulsa community, as well. He is a former board member for the Tulsa Ronald McDonald House, the Tulsa Opera, and Dillon International Adoption Agency. He also has served as a member of the Oklahoma Governor's Round Table for Business Development.

John Doak and his wife, Debby, live in Tulsa with their children, Zack and Kasey.

Have you missed past issues of the Okla. Voice? If you missed past issues, you can access them and other article headlines on our Chapter 15 Home Page Link above.

Have you joined UFAA?

We just can't make it much easier. Just mouse the Join Ufaa logo to obtain the a membership application. Fill it out; attached a check and mail or use the bank card option and fax it to 1-314-631-7963. United we stand. Divided we fall.

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Breaking News! Join UFAA Before

May 31 and save

-- On our Home Page link this month --