August-September 2015                    
New Nebraska Insurance Department Bulletin On Information Security Programs - Big "I" Resources Available
The Nebraska Insurance Department has issued Bulletin CB-134 to "remind companies" of the requirements of an existing rule (Chapter 77) - "Standards of Safeguarding Consumer Information" - authorized by the Nebraska Privacy of Consumer Information Act  (which was adopted in 2001 in response to the federal Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act).    The existing Chapter 77 rule requires all licensed insurers and producers to implement a comprehensive written information security program that includes administrative, technical, and physical safeguards for the protection of consumer information.   Bulletin CB-134 announces that information security programs will be reviewed during financial examinations of domestic insurers and at any other time for all licensees.  The Department has indicated to IIAN that the size and nature of a producer's organization would be taken into account in the event of a Department review.  
     IIABA's Agents Council on Technology (ACT) has several resources to help you develop and extend your agency's information security program:  Sample Agency Information Security Plan ; and a new comprehensive agency Security Issues Guide to help you understand risks, discover solutions, and access a wealth of resources, along with a high-level Pocket Guide.   It is critical that your agency understand the data breach laws of Nebraska as well as any other state where you do business - and the Guide provides solid information sources.  Another good risk management tool is IIAN's exclusive cyber liability program designed specifically for independent insurance agencies - more information.  
Make 2015 The Year You Go!


For 108 years Nebraska's independent insurance agents have gathered annually at IIAN's convention, to make valuable connections, deepen their knowledge base, and have fun!  And this year, the convention has a new two-day format packed with 13 learning options, a Mardi Gras 55-booth trade fair, reception and Awards Dinner, plus a pre-convention bonus day featuring
golf for scholarships at Eagle Hills, E&O loss control seminar, and the President's Hospitality Suite!
     A team of top experts will be there to help you learn how to communicate effectively with five generations of agency staff and increase sales, win the online war for the modern insurance buyer,use your AMS more effectively, and learn the latest coverages, endorsements, and risk management strategies.  And you can earn up to 19 CEU's*!  Be sure to register by September 22 for "early-bird" discount!

 * Approval by Nebraska Insurance Dept. pending 
IIAN Nominating Committee Finalizes Slate
IIAN's Nominating Committee, chaired by IIAN Past President Dee Sykora of Omaha, has finalized its slate of candidates for the 2015-16 association year:  President - Mike Jones, David City; Vice President - Krae Dutoit, Grand Island; Secretary Treasurer - Greg Zimmer, Lincoln; Director (2 Open Positions) - Mindy Dealy, Ogallala; Peggy McDonald, McCook; Lori Ruzicka, Omaha; Derek Wright, Omaha.
Officers and Directors will be elected at the annual member meeting on October 14, 2015 at the Embassy Suites in La Vista, during IIAN's 108th Annual Convention, and by absentee ballot prior to the meeting.
20th Annual Jacupke Memorial Golf Tournament Moves To Papillion - Oct 13
Contest At Eagle Hills Course Raises Funds For Foundation Scholarships - Followed By 108th Annual IIAN Convention



Due to construction at Lochland Country Club in Hastings, the IIAN Foundation's annual golf fundraiser will be held at Eagle Hills golf course in Papillion on October 13, in conjunction with IIAN's 108th Annual Convention.   Tom Greco and Mike Glaser are tournament co-chairs for the 20th anniversary of the annual golf outing, which benefits the Foundation's scholarship programs for Nebraska students majoring in business. Over $81,000 in scholarships has been awarded to date!  See all the details.
Click here to register online by October 2, 2015.
Annual Convention sponsors and exhibitors can also register and sponsor a hole here: Annual Convention Sponsor/Exhibitor Registration
Independent Contractors Are Now Employees?
Big "I" Analyzes DOL's Worker Classification Memo
Shortly after the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) moved to expand the availability of overtime pay in July, the DOL has taken another action that is concerning to independent insurance agencies and their business clients.   As has been widely reported, the DOL's Wage and Hour Division issued an Administrator's Interpretation (AI) which states that most workers qualify as employees under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act - even when they agree to the independent contractor designation, receive 1099's and exercise substantial control over their work.  The AI states that if a person's work is integral to the business, the workers is most likely an employee.  Read the AI.
    According to Big "I" legal counsel, the AI will have an immediate impact by guiding DOL investigations and enforcement actions and may serve as an impetus for plaintiffs to pursue more misclassification claims.  If the courts adopt the DOL's interpretations, businesses that are determined tohave misclassified their workers may face wide-ranging fines.  More on Big "I" analysis of DOL memo.
 
Nebraska Members Appointed to National Big "I" Posts
Lisko Will Serve On For-Profit Board, Anderson Will Serve On National Crop  Insurance Task Force
Two IIAN members have been appointed to serve on national committees by IIABA Chairman-Elect Randy Lanoix, effective September 1.  Mark Lisko of Omaha, who also represents Nebraska on the IIABA board of directors, will serve on the IIAA Membership Services board, which oversees national-level member programs.
   Lanoix also re-appointed Todd Anderson, York, to IIABA's Crop Insurance Task Force, which works to pro-actively advocate the role of independent insurance agents in the Federal Crop Insurance Program. The Task Force meets regularly with company leaders, and conducts an annual face-to-face meeting with top Risk Management Agency officials.  Anderson currently chairs IIAN's new Nebraska Crop Insurance Task Force, which had its first meeting in July to develop input for the IIABA task force. 
Nebraska's Haley Thiele Wins Trusted Choice (R) Big "I" National Championship Tournament

Haley Thiele of Wahoo, Nebraska, and Wells Padgett of Wichita, Kansas, won the girls and boys divisions, respectively, at the 47th annual Trusted Choice® Big "I" National Championship in Hutchinson, Kansas.  The tournament featured 159 players from 41 states, British Columbia and Ontario with girls and boys under the age of 19 and was played at the Prairie Dunes Country Club. 
   The girls division was played at a course rating of 77.1 and 5,686 yards, while the boys played the course at a 75.5 course rating and 6,818 yards.  Thiele's final round of five-over-par 75 resulted in her four day total of 287 for the tournament, to claim the girls' division title and the Mayerstein Trophy. Padgett's final round of five-over-par 75 resulted in his four day total of 285 for the tournament, to claim the boys' division title and the Robert Trent Jones Trophy.
   Each summer more than 2,500 junior boys and girls nationally vie to earn a place in the final tournament.
Congratulations Haley! 
Auto Losses Rising - Carriers Plan To Raise Rates
Carriers have reported rising auto losses and their plans to raise rates, according to Insurance Journal.
  • GEICO had a 99 combined ratio for the 2nd quarter and has reported that claims frequencies and average claims severities in the first 6 months of 2015 increased, so are implementing rate increases.
  • Allstate's auto combined ratio deteriorated by 6 points from to 101.4 due to higher auto claims frequency/severity, and plans to increase rates along with tightening underwriting.
Best Apps For Agents
The National Underwriter recently published an article with their list of 20 apps that will help agents stay organized and on-top of your many duties as an insurance agent and small business owner. 
In This Issue
IIAN Board Nominees
Jacupke Golf Tournament
DOL Independent Contractor Memo
IIAN Members Appointed To National Posts
Nebraska's Thiele Wins National Golf Championship
Auto Losses Rising
Best Apps For Agents
Annual Awards Nominations Due Sept 10
IIAN Receives Top Education Award
August Free CE - A Solid "10"
New ISO HO Endorsements
 The New Big "I" Blog 



Association Happenings & Things You Need To Know - Weekly Update From IIAN's Staff

Liz gives you practical tips on making your agency team great!

By Jeremiah Gudding
There is a lot of weight placed on the goals your agency sets with carrier partners and it can benefit your agency if you take the time to put together a well thought out plan on how to achieve your goals.  Jeremiah gives you a road map.

Nancy gives you the ins and outs on how to use IIAN's affordable live webinars to bring the nation's top insurance instructors to you!

By Carol McClelland
Carol takes a look back at IIAN's successes in the Nebraska legislature, and a look forward at a new way to be involved in a meaningful and time-efficient way.
IIAN Annual Awards Nomination Deadline September 10

Each year IIAN recognizes the contributions of outstanding individuals who have given service and support to the Independent Agency System in Nebraska. This year's awards will be presented during the 108th Annual Convention, October 13-15, at the Embassy Suites in La Vista, Nebraska. Please take a few minutes to nominate your choices in the following categories: 
Five Star Company of the Year, Company Representative of the Year, Young Agent of the Year, Spirit of Nebraska Award, and Trusted Choice® Agency of the Year.

IIAN Receives Top Education Award
We are excited to announce that for the second year in a row, IIAN has been recognized with the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America's top education award:  the Excellence in Insurance Education Diamond Award.  Nancy Robeson, IIAN's Director of Operations in charge of education programming, will be accepting the award at IIABA's annual Education Convocation this fall.

150 Attend August IIAN Members Only CE Series

IIAN's Free CE seminar series August 25, 26, and 27 in Grand Island, Norfolk, and Mahonoey State Park near Ashland, was presented by insurance guru John Dismukes, CPCU, CIC.   Over 150 members learned about ordinance or law coverages; property valuation problems; care, custody and control exclusions; how to fix who is not covered by a commercial auto policy, and the latest on covering drones, transportation net work and other "sharing economy" exposures, along with an update on the legal and ethical responsibilities of insurance agents.  Attendees rated John's presentation a solid "10 - Excellent"!
New ISO Homeowners Endorsements

Do you have homeowners clients that might unexpectedly be confined to nursing homes, relocate for work and leave homes unoccupied, rented on a short-term basis or occupied by a relative? Clients facing foreclosures?  What about a client purchasing a home for a relative? Or an insured who sells and allows the buyer to move in days before closing? Any insured homes unoccupied due to renovations or remodeling?  
 
These situations represent times when adjusters have denied otherwise covered claims that arose during periods of non-residency by the named insured.  ISO has introduced two HO endorsements: 
  • HO 06 48 10 15 establishes that if residency by "you" exists on the effective date of the policy, but a non-residency situation arises at a later date, coverage will continue until the policy expiration date, subject to traditional existing vacancy exclusions or other governing policy terms.
  • HO 06 49 10 15 completely removes any perceived residency requirement from the Coverages A and B insuring agreement for a period of time specified on the endorsement.
The IIABA Virtual University recently presented a one-hour webinar about this change that is available to Big "I" member agents for free. Click here to view the webinar.  

IIAN Partners of the Month - Thank You! 
August                                    September





Their support enables IIAN to present affordable, high-quality member programs.
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IIAN's E-Bulletin is a monthly newsletter that provides IIAN members with insurance industry and association news. In addition to delivering timely news and information, this newsletter communicates relevant information about valuable products and services that could enhance your agency's ability to succeed in the industry's competitive environment. If you wish to be removed from our e-mail list, e-mail webmaster@biginebraska.org.