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OKLAHOMA
VOICE
February 2012
Published monthly by United Farmers Agents Association, aka UFAA, Chapter 15 Eastern Oklahoma. The chapter now meets the first Thursday of each month.
Next Chapter 15 Member Meeting will be THURSDAY, February 2nd 11:30 AM |
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101 E Albany St. Broken Arrow
Chapter 15 Meetings have moved to the more elegant LONE STAR STEAKHOUSE (this is right off the B/A Expressway @ 161 E A just past entrances to BASS PRO). MAP Chapter 15 Meetings have changed from the first Wednesday to the FIRST THURSDAY of the month.
Non-members welcome
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Mission Statement
 The United Farmers Agents Association -UFAA- 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.Check out UFAA's newly updated website |
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Oklahoma UFAA Contacts:
UFAA Chapter 15 serving Eastern Oklahoma
President- Glenn Johnson 918/252-0561
UFAA Chapter 12 serving Central-Western Oklahoma:
President- Tony Reese 580/355-1335 - Lawton
United Farmers Agents Assn. National Office 800-275-8668
UFAA Oklahoma Voice Editor
UFAA Oklahoma Voice Ads
To join an Oklahoma UFAA Chapter
choose one closest to you and
contact the chapter. Or, sign
up at the UFAA Website.
United Farmers Agents Association Web Site
UFAA Chapter 15 Newsletter Archive & Homepage
Letters to the Editor
Learn more about our advertisers in this issue. Ads are hot links to their websites.
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Greetings!
Join us Feb 2nd at the Lone Star Steakhouse
for the
 | State Rep Dan Kirby
Vice Chair. Legislative Insurance Committee.
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UFAA Chapter 15 Monthly Meeting
Chapter 15 will hold the next monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb 2nd 11:30 AM at the Lone Star Steakhouse 101 E. Albany St. Broken Arrow- located just past the driving entrance to Bass Pro Shop. Exit B/A Exp. @ 161st E A aka (Elm PL) Menu (scroll to bottom for lunch)
Chapter Meeting on Feb 2nd:
Lunch 11:30. Meeting begins at Noon.
Join with our Special Guest Speaker Rep. Dan Kirby, Vice Chairman of the Okla. Legislative Insurance Committee. Dan will update us on Insurance Legislative Activities scheduled for 2012. Dan is an x-Farmers Agent and would like to hear your business concerns.
All members are reminded to bring a current or potential new member to the meetings. |
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Oklahoma: A worker is an employee IF ANY of the following 16 "Conditions of Employment" apply: See results of the "Pulse of the Agents Poll" below Reprint from the Jan 2012 Okla. Voice *You or your representative tells the worker where, when, and how to work. *You train the worker. *The business performance depends on the worker.
*The worker has a continuing relationship with the company.
*The worker's services are personally rendered by him/her.
*You set the worker's work hours.
*The worker works on the employer's premises.
*You pay the worker by the hour, weeks, or month.
*You furnish tools and materials for the work performed by the worker.
*You can fire the worker without violating a contract.
*The worker has a right to quit without incurring a liability.
*The worker does not offer the worker's services to the public at large.
*The worker has no opportunity for profit or loss as a result of the worker's service.
*The worker has no significant investment in the business.
*You require the worker to submit oral or written reports.
*The worker is a corporate officer. Source: Gov. Mary Fallin fallinforbusiness.com You may also take the Okla. Business Owner Survey at this site. -ed Pulse of the Agents Poll results from January 2012:
How many "Oklahoma Conditions of Employment" do you believe Farmers and/or your District Manager violates?
None 6%
One or two 6%
Three 6%
Four 29%
Five or more 53%
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 | | Larry Pratt Pres. Sales |
"The 2012 Farmers Broadcast" Agent rough notes from the January 19, 2012 Farmers
Movie House Broadcast. Video link to this broadcast below.
CEO Jeff Dailey Video time: 05:00 - 22:00
 | CEO Jeff Dailey
He spoke very fast for agents taking notes |
Goal of doubling the size of the company by 2020 //only .9 of 1% overall growth in 2011, but trending higher because 3% growth increase in last qtr. Wants 6% in 2012 // 5 core strategies for achieving this goal: Building the Brand thru advertising, sports sponsorships etc. Farmers brand reserved for captive agts, Foremost for independentsStable pricing- premium increases to continue, but will be measured and timely, no big price swings up or down.
Expanded Distribution- expansion into the Eastern market states //
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Journalist Suzanne Rico, Interviewes the Mgmt.Team
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Doubling the production/pif of our captive agents // Better customer retention // Customer loyalty pricing through reasonable, competitive, and stable pricing // discounts directed at retaining policyholders instead of attracting new customers. Passion for the Mission- Agents must bring their A game // Transform the culture from one of being on defensive, just holding on, to actively growing agencies // Better communication from the company to the agency force. No agent can live on specialty // no std auto/homes for Ind. channel- reserved for exclusive. Ind dominate commercial. Future acquisitions will be in Ind. channel // Expansion in Pa. & NJ in 2011 and MA. & AL in 2012
For core 29 states will have larger exclusive agencies// FIG loses substantial customers yearly// Past improvements over years we discovered did not fixed the right things// Competitive and stable pricing difficult with 70%/30% expenses in claims and operations// All must have Passion for the Mission" // We must communicate w/agents, must win to keep customers // A journey we're all in together to work hard and smart.
Brian Dwyer/President of Personal lines- video time: 27:00 - 40:00 
$70B in economic cat losses in 2011......$35B in insured losses will result in larger HO premium increases than in the past // will be taking increase in auto also // overall policy retention 3% less than one of our major competitors // pol's billing on EFT have a 10% higher retention rate than for other billing modes // need to increase our cross sell opportunities with foremost and FNWL // make umbrella easier to sell by integrating into express quoting platform. Push Foremost products & umbrella to the exclusives to attain total $1B in GWP. 2011 saw PIF increase of 200,000
(divided over 14k agents = 14.28 PIF- It's a celebration!)-ed
Past P/L changes were conflicting in same states // Will have 3 regions West/Central/East each with product manager to focus on H/H as suggested by agents for decades // Rec'd agent complaints auto rates too low?? // will price renewals competitive for retention and hike rates on NB // Retention lower than competition // Renewals higher profit than NB // Incr EFT on 10% of book in 2012 for retention // higher retention vs lower expense = less rate hike // 21st C quotes not taken sold to agents = $190m in GWP // (No comment on no agent no sales leads TAKEN by 21st C // Last few years saw new gen home/auto/multi-car designed to take back clients? // 2012 will fine tune and tweak systems with 2013 seeing next generation of products.
Simon Noonan / Commercial- video time 41:00 - 49:00
quotes on accounts < $50,000 in premium....we have 30% close ratio // 81% retention rate on our commercial book // expect rate increases
 David Travers / Operations- ServicePoint video time 51:00 - 57:00 800# will be put on billing stmt for customers to call with billing Questions // After hours CSR pgm to be introduced mid yr.....available nights/weekends for customer calls, when outside of agents normal office hours // Chat capability for agents to interact with service point // accelerate the business
 | | Don Mealer, FFS |
Don Mealer / FFS Jerry Carnahan / FNWL-video time 57:00 - 1:02:00 Having life in a HH is a good retention tool // Will be introducing profitable and competitive products We only have 8% life penetration in our P&C book
Shohrea Abedi- Info Tech ITT video time 1:03:00 - 1:10:00
 Director of IT for company // Designed CRN for claims // Building next generation Dashboard quoting all-lines // Current system not optimal // Changes made to improve data speed with more coming // Dashboard on smart phones and tablets // Image center has had its ups and downs with multiple issues // Now a better system? Ed's note- Image Center cannot access scores of months of images such as Okla. UM selection/rejection forms leading Claims to go back to agent to acquire forms. If not available, Farmers attempts to file a UM E&O claim against agents, when, in fact, it's a historic Image Center storage system glitch. The UFAA member E&O carrier is aware of this and politely advises Farmers to "pound sand."
How does your E&O carrier handle it? Better find out before the deductible is deducted from your folio. Surprise!
 | | Mike Linton |
Mike Linton Enterprise Mktg- video time: 1:15:00 - 1:24:00 Industry is a battle of the brands // consumers shops known brands first // we have advantages of winning all touchpoints with customers // we are a challenger brand on the rise
 Myhase Somalya / Distribution video time: 1:27:00 - 1:47:00 St Farm agencies are 3X size of avg FIG agencies //Allstate 2X size of avg FIG agencies. We need to correct that and close the gap to reach our 2020 goals // Agts must chg their way of thinking, New agency platform // there will be some disruption in the agency force // we need to innovate// agts must take responsibility for growing their agencies // pilot programs going now....FIG investing $ into agencies to help them grow..hire staff, market, maintain a professional office.......if successful, will roll out to entire agency force in 2013 // The 2020 guiding principals will be sent to agents soon // All managers coming together to make agents successful // make sure programs work before rolling out //Sustainability centers around execution with regional restructuring // Management will be more organized and communicate and respond // Leadership management that is committed to making significant investment in agents // Agents to partner with company and reinvest in their business // Larger agencies and districts // Our best days are ahead of us // Double size by 2020! (2XBi2020)
 | | Scott Stice |
<-Scott Stice / Director of field execution- video time: 1:49:00 - 02:02:00
New agency platform to be introduced // A-Z roadmap to growth // Fig will co-invest w/agt to hire staff, market, etc in order to grow agency larger // Goal is to change from an agent to a business owner // Nat'l rollout in 2013 on a voluntary basis //
 | Andy Reese
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Partnering with businesses no matter how small (agencies)
video time: same as Stice Andy Reese / Agency Mgmt->
2012 Achievement clubs......qualifications made easier to understand, not easier to obtain- agent must "grow to go" // PACE program for orphan pol's......rules on dashboard tomorrow Jan 20, 2012.
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How long will it take to Double? The 'Rule of 72' is a simplified way to determine how long an investment will take to double, given a fixed annual rate of interest. By dividing 72 by the annual rate of return, investors can get an estimate of how many years it will take for the initial investment to double. -ed
2020 - 2012 = 8 72/8= 9(%) 2012 + 9 = 2021 OOPS! and that's based on a FIXED annual rate that has already been stated won't happen. Does that mean if we miss an annual growth percentage, the balance will be attained with rate increases to meet the 8 years of a 9% annual growth goal? Or, is the percent of shortage the previous year added to the expected percent growth the following year? Scary, huh? Action snapshot photos captured direct from the broadcast
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 | | Click logo above to obtain UFAA Membership App |
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Click logo above to view the UFAA Website
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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. |
 Oklahoma Voice VIDEO Page
Farmerized- 2 definitions Corporate version: Sales VP Larry Pratt used the word Farmerized as management team becomes corporate educated and knowledgeable. The field force has used this word for decades meaning a program or system fails to work or becomes overly burdensome.
You can view the entire broadcast at the links below. Once the broadcast begins, you can use the video times printed beside each name above to slide the video progression bar to that time slot interview by journalist Susan Rico. 02hr 10 min
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Farmers Float, Rose Parade 2012
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Farmers Wins Roses Parade Award
for Best Animation Here is the winner of the animation that comes to us from our buddies at Farmers Insurance Group. this creation is a depiction called the "Unimaginable."
The proprietors of University of Farmers demonstrate how one small little mishap can mushroom room out of control and become a major disaster. It all starts with the turn of that straw flower key. We are not sure if it is the piano crashing through the roof or a storm literally blowing the roof away. They won the best display of animation.
This California X-Farmers Agent
Started His Independent Agency Early  Yes, finding markets is a challenge. So is financing. And, the soft market doesn't help. But Phil Hakopian managed to overcome these and other obstacles to launch his Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. agency, Cornerstone Commercial Insurance Services. In this interview with Insurance Journal from the recent WIAA Insurance Industry Roundtable, Hakopian says if he can do it, so can others. Click on pic to see this short video. Phil was a 17 year Farmers Agent from 1988-2005, starting Cornerstone Insurance Agency in 2001.  | Farmers Insurance - Sticky Map: University of Farmers
Farmers East Coast Expansion Pennsylvania Commercial
Agent Escalates MVR Charges Complaint
The agent who wrote in last month concerning MVR charges on policies sold; advised us upon seeing no MVR credits on the January Folio escalated his demands per FB# 11-0697 to KCSP Gretchen Kephart 913-564-5604 on Jan 3rd. An electronic deposit was made into his account on Jan 6th. |
Pulse of the Agent Polls from January 2012
Since Aug. 26, 2011, have you been charged for MVRs and had to make one or MORE refund requests for MVRs charged to you on business sold or quoted?
Yes, only on business SOLD 38%Yes, only on business QUOTED 15% Yes, On BOTH business SOLD and QUOTED 38%
No, I have not had any MVRs charged to me during the period 8%
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(Our last poll in July, 2011 agent poll showed 68% of respondents were charged for MVRs on business sold.)  | Professor Burke Breaks Down the Opportunity of Your Lifetime. It's time to ...What?
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. Confused over the words "the rest the of the Enterprise" on #10? -to provide agents with competitive products in the guiding principles list. Just who is that reference to?
Definition of ENTERPRISE
a : a project or undertaking that is especially difficult, complicated, or risky
b : a unit of economic organization or activity; especially : a business organization Pulse of the Agents Poll  |
Pulse of the Agents Poll from the January issue:
Following the Thanksgiving move of Farmer's ITT Computer Facility from L.A. to Chicago,
I experienced one of the following Internet Dashboard speeds.
WOW!- My dashboard paging speeds are nearly INSTANT 6%
Humm- Except for the Monday crash, I can't tell any difference 56% Bummer- My Dashboard paging speeds are slower 6% Yawn- My Dashboard speeds are EXTREMELY slow 31%
93% of the Agent Poll respondents advised their Dashboard data speeds were the same or actually decreased following the IT Dept. move from L.A. to the Farmers state-of-the-art IT facility in Chicago over the Thanksgiving week-end. The article below may be one reason.
Break out $ome more Tech Buck$
Wasn't the Broadcast all about commucating with the agents?
Oops, Did the Management Team forget to take the opportunity during the broadcast to communicate that our office computers must have an immediate upgraded operating system? -
FROM: XP, Vista & Internet Explorer 7
TO: Windows 7 & Internet Explorer 8 AIMS Minimum Technology Specifications Effective: January 11, 2012- |
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Click for our website. Call Ron 918-282-9093
Ron Quinalty- rquinalty@tntsecurityservices.com
TNT Security- Our goal is providing homeowners and small business owners with a wide range of security options at an affordable price. 04/12 |
We now repair auto electric Windows
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918/664-7904 918/258-7578
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Oklahoma Agents Bite the Dust in 2011
We have completed another rough year with farmersagent email addresses returned marked non-existent addresses from these issues of the Oklahoma Voice. We will add returned mail from the Jan 2012 Issue to complete the year of those leaving in Dec 2011 or earlier.
January issue- 15
February issue- 8
March issue- 8
April issue** 10
May issue 5
June issue 2
July issue 5
August issue 3
Sept. issue 9
Oct issue 4
Nov issue 0
Dec Issue 7
Jan issue 3
Total for 2011- 79*
*These figures may not match actual as it's based on returned email only.
** Included 3 DMs
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HP Stupid Question Gains
Similar Response
Dear Okie Voice,
HelpPoint CSA calls agent stating they paid a claim to a client. Client returned check to HP to have deceased husband's name removed. The conversation continues-
HP: "In order to remove the deceased name, I need a copy of the death certificate." long pause...
Agent: "And?"
HP: "Can you fax me a copy from your files?"
Agent: "Well, let me check our database. Did You know, we store all death certificates of all deceased policyholders in this Farmers Office that have died since Farmers began in 1928?"
HP: "Great! Do you have Mr. So-n-so's?"
Agent: "Checking, there's over a million. "Humm...no hit. Let me check our last audit report." (long pause, figuring she would get the Point.)
HP: "Did you find it?"
Agent: "Well, out of over 1,785,214, the audit report shows Mr. So-n-so's is the only one missing. With such great numbers luck, have you tried the Lottery?" (That went right over her head)
HP: "So, is there a way you can get it?"
Agent: (not to pleasantly) "Duh, lady, I believe that question has been asked and fully answered. Have you called a family member?" Good day.
Agent: (after-thought) I am surprised they don't yet document the document- it's gone from the sublime to the absurd and now to absolute stupidity. What's next? An above-ground magnetic imaging photo of the deceased six foot under? Okie Agent.
Okie Agent. Amen.Thanks for sharing. I needed a good laugh today. By the way, I insured a guy last week that does ground imaging. Maybe, we can get him to place an ad in the Oklahoma Voice. (:>) -ed
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Knuckles are Most Commonly Used for Fighting. Check out the MacGyver Tip
MacGyver Tip: Use your knuckles to remember each month's days. This is a clever way to remember which months have 31 days and which have 30 or less.
Count the months on your knuckles (right to left or left to right) and the grooves between your knuckles. Leave out your thumb knuckle. Every month that lands on a knuckle is 31 days, every month that lands on a groove between knuckles is 30 days (or 28/29 for February).
For February 2012, it would be 29 as It's Leap Year.
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RPost Patents Validated by California Federal Court
RPost sued Adobe-Echosign, DocuSign, Swiss Post, Canada Post, Zix Corporation, RightSignature, Farmers Insurance, Telarix, Trustifi, among others, in 2011, alleging infringement of the '219 patent and in some cases four additional RPost patents. |
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Bethel Collision Center in Broken ArrowBBB Rated A+
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Our Guarantee Check our website
Thank you choosing Brad's Seamless Guttering for your rainwater control system, Please accept this as our written letter of Guarantee, Our Guarantee is as follows: Brad's Seamless Guttering will repair or replace any defect in workmanship or materials for a period of two years from the original date of installation, This covers any guttering that leaks sags or comes loose as a result of faulty workmanship or materials This guarantee does not cover repairs which are due to acts of nature or neglect. 9727 East 46th Place Tulsa, Ok 74146 Call us- 918.252.RAIN for New Guttering, Repair or Cleaning. 09/12
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Ads are now hot links to websites
Support Our
Advertisers
Please support and recommend our supporters.
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.
 Ads are hot links to our advertisers websites. Click any ad.
ads rotated for 02/12 issue.
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Farmers kept busy with both catastrophes, public events and news releases
Foremost Launches Updated Auto Program in Illinois- another Farmers Branded State
Here is a listing from Yahoo News
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By Kim Komando
 | | By Kim Komando. |
Extend Smart Phone Battery Life
How'd you like to save money on essentials like cable, phone, Internet service, credit card fees and more? Kim Komando shares with you three websites that you can get the very best deals.
Oklahoma Voice has reprint rights. Copyright 1995-2012 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.
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Oklahoma Towns: Have it All
Love the Summer?
Come to Poolville, Oklahoma or
Sunray, Oklahoma
Want something to eat?
Corn, Oklahoma; Grainola, Hominy, Olive, South Coffeeville, and Cookietown, Oklahoma
Why Travel? We gott'em udder cities-
Cleveland, Orlando, Miami, Pittsburg, Santa Fe, Chattanooga, Peoria, Burbank & Fargo, Okla.
Do you like wildlife? Then, visit-
Wolfe, Eagle, Buffalo, Fox, Bison, Deer Creek and Elk City, Oklahoma
We have a town named after a number called IXL, Oklahoma
Feeling a bit chilly? Your in-
Snow, Slick, or Cold Springs, Oklahoma
Oklahoma is full of love-
Lovedale, Loveland, Lovell and Loyal, Oklahoma
Other Towns to make you Smile-
Frogville, Loco, Bushyhead, Bugtussle, Hooker, Slaughterville, Bowlegs, Bocacheeta, Slapout, and Sapulpa, Oklahoma pronounced Sa-Pul-Pa but, called Sap-a-loopa by foreigners. Finally, you even have your choice of Gay or Straight, Oklahoma.
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In the Gregorian calendar, the current standard calendar in most of the world, most years that are divisible by 4 are leap years. In a leap year, the month of February has 29 days instead of 28. This compensates for the fact that a solar year is about 6 hours longer than 365 days, by adding an extra day (a leap day) to the calendar every four years. |
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 Allstate Reduces Planned Cut to Agent Commissions
Allstate says it will not cut agents' base commissions as deeply as it originally announced, but the head of an agents' group says the rank-and-file is still not pleased with the company's move.
In a letter to Allstate agents obtained by NU, Mark LaNeve, Allstate's senior executive vice president/agency operations and chief marketing officer, says the company will not cut base commissions to 8 percent, but rather only one percentage point to 9 percent beginning in 2013.
The current commission of 10 percent on new and renewal policies remains in place next year as the company begins its "transition to the variable component" to better allow agents to adjust over "the next several years" and develop a long-term strategy for the future.
Allstate confirmed the commission-schedule change, saying it has worked with more than 300 agency owners on the compensation structure.
Jim Fish, executive director of the National Association of Professional Allstate Agents, which represents 10-12 percent of Allstate agents, says the change in commission schedule comes after the company learned through a survey of the agents' displeasure in the cut to 8 percent that amounted to a 20 percent cut in actual commission dollars.
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Beware of Copy Machines!
Digital copy machines built since 2002 hold all the data that the machine has copied.
They contain hard drives that retain an image on the hard drives that can be used for
Identity Theft. Don't become a victim or an unaware criminal of ID Theft Crime. Check out this that short video of all of what's on copy machines. A new FACTA law went into effect in 2009 with severe penalties for failing to clean or destroy vital information including even putting an empty payment envelope in the public trash that contains a name and address.
 | | Copy Machines = another security risk! See video |
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Study: Personality has an impact on credit score
Credit scores have become so central to our lives. They dictate whether we get the job offer we want, what insurance and loan rates we pay and whether or not we can get a credit card. But what is the likelihood that you can predict someone's credit score based on their personality?
The Journal of the Association for Psychological Science reports that a study out of Stanford University and Columbia University says that you can predict someone's credit standing based on how patient or impatient they are.
Those who are patient have significantly higher scores over time, regardless of income. The patient can delay gratification, while the impatient tends to be impulsive.
The whole idea of waiting to buy something until you can afford it may sound quaint, but it really lowers the level of stress in your life and gives you a better chance to survive during tough times.
If your natural personality is to be an impulsive person, try to consciously know that's who you are and work to overcome it. Your finances will thank you.
clarkhoward.com
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Savings of 15 to 50% Book now direct with Glenn for Spring & Summer, Better weeks won't last long! Contact Glenn at Glenn@gjohnsonagency.com 07/12 |
 Greetings!
NEW FACTA Law- R U AWARE OF IT? Effective Jun 1 2009
Fines up to $2,500 per violation
Reprint from Okla. Voice- You heard it from UFAA First 03/01/09
The Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act, known as FACTA, is a consumer rights bill designed to protect consumers' private information and prevent identity theft. It was published on November 24, 2004 in the Federal Register and became effective June 1, 2005. Yet, parts of the law have been delayed until June 1, 2009 related below. This same law gives you access to a free credit report annually at annualcreditreport.com
FACTA aims to protect consumers, employees and employers alike from identity theft. As identity theft is considered the fastest growing crime in the country, this bill seeks to enforce the proper disposal of confidential consumer and employee information. Not only does FACTA require the proper disposal of information, it requires companies and organizations (anyone taking private information) to be able to demonstrate that they have a proper information protection and disposal plan in place.
Proper Disposal Techniques (paper): Shredding, Burning, Pulverizing,
Proper Disposal techniques (computers/hard drives) Secure Erase, Shredding, disintegration.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Your business can be liable, should a customer' identity be stolen! If your business is found to be non-compliant with FACTA rules and regulations, you could be subject to severe fines, penalties and civil lawsuits. State Fines: Up to $1,000 per violation. Federal Fines: Up to $2,500 per violation. Civil Liability: If Identities are stolen or lost due to lack of protective procedures and actual damages are sustained as a result of corporate inaction. Statutory damages are up to $1,000 per employee. Class-Action Lawsuits: If a large number of employees or customers are affected, a class-action suit may evolve against the organization suspected of improper disposal procedures.
The Okla Voice ran the above article in March 2009. In that article, customers polled in a study said-
Loss of Customers: According to a recent study, 19 percent of customers said they would terminate their relationship with any company that encounters a data breach. An additional 40 percent said they would strongly consider terminating their relationship with the company.
What To Shred?
Documents: Information that should be destroyed includes: Names and Addresses (when they appear together) Social Security Numbers, Credit Card Information, Finance Statements, any Data Compiled From the Above Information.
Electronic Media:
Digital storage devices such as Hard drives, zip disks, floppy disks, CDs and DVD's are also subject to the above FACTA regulations. Upon disposal, these digital storage mediums must either be completely destroyed or the content must be completely erased. *NOTE* Simply selecting the delete function on your computer system will NOT completely remove the file.
Shred insurance invoices paid in your office. Be careful of what you trash that was printed from Dashboard such as quotes with any vital info or anything containing BOTH name and address. All should be shredded, burnt or pulverized.
You heard it here and from UFAA first.
"Agents Helping Agents"tm |
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Greetings!
 UFAA Membership Benefits
- Our Quarterly magazine, The Voice, is published with you, the agents, in mind. We regularly address issues, report on current events, and provide the agency force with a chance to freely express their opinions
- Our past legal endeavors now allow you to have that PC on your desk
- Our nationwide activities opposing agent-owned ACA bank accounts led to the management company creating a company-owned ACA-saving you money
- Our efforts on the national level, in conjunction with the CEAA, effectively eliminated the 15.3% SECA tax on your contract value
- Constant questions from our membership nationwide led to our introduction of a UFAA sponsored E&O program
- Membership gives you access to our extensive legal library and our archive of Farmers historical documents
- UFAA offers a Pre-paid Legal program and an Affinity Marketing Program through Prepaid Legal Services, Inc
- We introduced the "Original" E&O Deductible Recovery Program to help you earn more money from outside business without the worry of a large deductible
- Our outside legal opinion of the HMA agreement was designed to assist you in making decisions about your future
- Our efforts on the national level defeated legislation designed to change the IRS definition of independent contractors - a change that would have adversely affected our livelihoods
- Pro-agent legislation has been introduced in many states - and passed in several - that benefits all exclusive agents
- UFAA Technology Services, a subsidiary of UFAA, will assist members with computer hardware and software questions and problems, recommend computer programs to assist members in operating their offices and recommend hardware configurations
- As a member of UFAA you can log onto the member's only section of our Internet Website, www.ufaa.com, for the most up to date information available to the Agency Force.
- Members have access to affordable website development and free email
- We have introduced a 401K and profit sharing program exclusively for our members, which includes a greatly reduced rate for payroll services.
- We are actively involved in both national and state legislative efforts that are favorable to our interests
- Members enjoy the benefit of our Agent Referral Program for clients needing coverage at a vacation home or for that college student out of state
- Legal referral and assistance is also available to our membership
- 25% of your membership dues returns back to your local chapter
- UFAA holds a National Convention every year for its membership to gather, meet and socialize with old acquaintances and make new friends along with offering compelling and informative discussions and presentations to attendees
- UFAA members also have access to discounted continuing education
As always we are always working on offering more and more benefits to our memb
ership.
Onl y 2 days remain to Join UFAA by Jan. 31st and Save 1/3 off your first year dues. That's a savings of $120 - but you must act now! Just go to our home page link below and look for the new membership ad and obtain a membership app. It's too late to mail so, use your credit card and fax it
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Check out our CHAPTER 15HOME PAGE LINK This Month
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 or too large to publish above.
-- These Articles are on our Home Page link this month
Just click the Home Page Link above2011 Property and Casualty Insurance Report Card- Best and Worst States- A state-by-state analysis of regulatory burdens- Texas, California & Florida worst regulation while Vermont, Ohio, Illinois and Maine ranked best. See where Oklahoma ranked.
Farmers Insurance Deploys Symbility Company-Wide
From the Okla. Ins. Dept. Website
Oklahoma Charges Former Tulsa Agent with Embezzlement, Unlawful Insurance Sales
OID denies license for providing materially untrue information on a license application.
Tulsa Agent fined $500 for violating four provisions of Title 36 Insurance Statutes.
Comm. Doak slashes Insurance Department spending by nearly $675,000 in first year.
All the stories behind the headlines above can be found on our home page by clicking the home page link at the top of this article block.
Quick reference Advertiser listing in this issue you can print or download for your office referral 
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The OID has updated the Oklahoma Auto and H/O rate comparison charts as of Aug. 2011 on our home page.Okla Ins Dept: Change of address or name more than thirty (30) days after the change occurred shall be $50.
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Did you know? As a member of UFAA you get:
1 hour of tech support a month
1 Free @ufaa.com email address
1 Free web page with your domain name
Call us today Toll Free, Primary # 1-866-441-8018
Alex Conger - UFAA Tech 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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