OKLAHOMA
    Oklahoma Waving Flag    
  VOICE
JANUARY 2015

 
NO JANUARY 2015 MEETING DUE TO NEW YEARS HOLIDAY
Next Chapter 15 Meeting will be Thur. Feb. 5th
11:30 AM. SHANGHAI AVENUE SUPER BUFFET 803 N. Aspen. Next to Arvest Bank @ S/E corner of S. 145 East Ave. (Aspen) & 71st St. (Kenosha)  Broken Arrow. OK.
NO JANUARY 2015 MEETING DUE TO NEW YEARS HOLIDAY
Chinese - Japanese - American Foods
   
Accepts all major credit cards.
  
Non-UFAA Members Welcome.


Check out the Chapter 15 Website ufaa15okla.com 
 

 
                      The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
First Ammendment

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. 
Logo

NOTICE TO: Mid-West Terrirory & District Offices:
The first Thursday of each month has been dedicated by Oklahoma UFAA Chapters 12 & 15 as OUR day to peacefully assemble and meet. Not even Congress can prohibit such peaceful actions.
We would request that State and District meetings NOT be held on the first Thursday of any month between the hours of 10:30AM and 2:30PM to avoid violation of this law.  Please mark your calendars accordingly. Thanks in advance. -Chapters 12 &15.

 

ufaa.hires.logo.15okla.jpg

NO JANUARY 2015 MEETING DUE TO NEW YEARS HOLIDAY

Join us Thursday, Feb. 5th at 11:30AM at the Shanghai Avenue Super Buffet 803 North Aspen S/E Corner of S. 145th East Ave & E. 71st St. next to Arvest Bank

                                   Agenda From the President: 


No meeting in January, 2015

NON-MEMBERS ARE WELCOME
 
 If you plan to join us for lunch, Please Arrive for Lunch Promptly @11:30
UFAA Meeting begins at Noon. 
==========
"I did not realize what UFAA was or what they could do, until I started attending chapter meetings & annual conventions sharing information with agents across the U.S." UFAA Member
Mouth Double speak

BREACH OF CONTRACT

In my humble opinion FGI may have committed "Breach of Contract" and "Fraud", against the Agency Force by fraudulently inducing agents to sign the new 2013 AAA (Agent's Appointment Agreement). The fraudulent inducement was perpetrated by promising the agency force that they could sell their agencies for more than one year's contract value and buy other Farmers agencies, if they would sign the new AAA.

It appears that FGI has all but rescinded the opportunities or severely restricted the additional agency purchase to the point that it is virtually impossible to buy or sell an agency. So the question is did FGI intentionally make false statements/promises to the agency force just to get them to sign the new AAA? If they did, the agents gave up a lot of rights for zero monetary consideration. In contract law there has to be consideration for inducement (usually monetary value) to sign a contract. If it was FGI's intention to make false statements to get the agency force to sign the new AAA, then under the law that is Fraud and breach of contract.

So, I have to ask, do you feel like you were lied to?

 

Here's another lie perpetrated on the agency force. Regardless of what you are told, you do not receive Contract Value when you leave Farmers. What you receive is one year's commission to not compete against Farmers. The courts have consistently held that if an insurance company wants to enforce a non-compete clause for one year they must pay the agent commission renewals for that one year. Logic being is that isn't fair that the insurance company keep your policies, the renewal commission and tell you that you can't compete for the business and pay you nothing. That is why you are paid one year's renewal commission, so that you don't compete against them and that is the language they use in court to enforce their language or AAA. In reality the agent should be paid two years renewal commissions, when the agent retires or leaves. That is one year's value of the book of the business and one year's non-compete commissions. And it is one reason FGI so tightly controls the value and process, because they do not want to set a precedent that agents could sell their book of business for a higher value.

Don't you just love the way you are valued?

 

National Board

United Farmers Agents Association
DM and Agent
Farmers Pressuring Agents on
Compliance/Expectations/AGM/Concession Issues

Here's some issues we are hearing about

 Yesterday, my newest of 10 DMs in 33 years, who has never been an agent or in management, walked into my business un-announced. 

She told me that she was going to terminate me in 2015 as I will not tell her my succession plan (will not accept the privacy issue), wants me to paint the walls (they are all a light cream), no I did not sign the new contract nor am I platform, she told me I was belligerent and my signs were not up to date. I can conform, but painting of the walls when other agents have darker non-standard
colors vs yours truly.  The kicker to the above was a having a Farmers management employee (he had an appointment) listening to the entire conversation.  He has already helped in previous meetings.  He's an agents friend and said he will help me.  Keep you all posted!  
UFAA Member
   
My newest DM called me into his office recently for what I thought would be a "meet and greet".  He seemed like a nice guy, but he ambushed me with the DMM being there.  After a little chit chat, we got down to business, the DMM talking about production and he said I was going to have to improve or "we" would have to make a decision about your future.  I told him... " what's this "we" business, you got a turd in your pocket?" and then went on to talk about the contract, being "independent" and rates.  He said so now you're making excuses because of the rates?  Now that's funny.  I think a lot of it is they just want to rock your boat and see what shakes out.  UFAA Member      
Paul Davis voice ad wide
 






918-663-5848
Fire, Water, Storm Damage & Other Perils 
Full Service Mitigation and Reconstruction
        Click on our logo above to access our informative website
Board up Service             03/15
10344-B East 58th St Tulsa, OK 74146
UFAA Attorney Issues Letter to FGI Concerning
DM Threats to Oklahoma Agents
Breaking News
UFAA filed the Agency Growth Model (AGM) DRA Lawsuit filed in Dec, 2012, currently in deposition phase of FGI Management where we are learning what top management says compared to the actions of unauthorized conduct occurring down the chain at the Agency Force level as written by UFAA Attorney, Dirk Beamer letter to Christopher Maile, Farmers lead attorney.
Click link below to view letter  

 OKLAHOMA: BUSTED!
 

I have placed the UFAA Legal Notification Letter in a frame on my office wall and another copy under the glass on my desk and sent a copy to the DM.  Thanks UFAA!  Threatened Okie Agent  

 

You too can "Thank UFAA" for this important action in the spirit of "Agents Helping Agents"tm.  You may email the following: 

  

UFAA National Board- [email protected]  

 

We invite you to Join with UFAA by completing this membership application  

 

 

UFAA Needs Farmers Agents to get behind this effort and support this cause of mandatory production requirements and other mandates placed on you as an Independent Contractor. 

Please support and donate to the AGM DRA Fund

The donation form is in $5.00 units. 10 units = $50

 

Give Your Threatening DM a Six Month Holiday

4balls flashing (attention0 Oklahoma Statutes Citationized  4balls flashing (attention0
  Title 36. Insurance Section 1435.15 - Producer Acting as Agent 
Para. E  

E. It shall be unlawful for any insurer to discriminate among or between the insurance producers it has appointed. Any person or company convicted of violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by the imposition of a fine of not more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or imprisonment in the county jail for not less than six (6) months nor more than one (1) year, or be punished by both said fine and imprisonment.
Click here to obtain an Oklahoma UFAA Membership App
 
Agents Helping Agents.new

Click logo above to view the UFAA Website  



 


If you wish to
be excluded from future mailings please let us know by emailing us at [email protected] 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.

You're Fired
The Agent Appointment Agreements (AAA) have several reasons for agent Immediate Termination-
1. Death of Agent [or by the agent or company without cause upon 3 months written notice]
2.
Embezzlement of monies belonging to the Companies.
3. Switching insurance from the Companies to another carrier.
4. Abandonment of the Agency.
5. Conviction of a felony.
6. Willful misrepresentation that is material to the operation of the Agency.

The 2009 AAA added Reason #7. Conduct that is disparaging of or detrimental to the companies, including, without limitation, conduct determined by the companies to constitute and conflict of interest.

Yet, an 8th Reason lays outside all AAA contracts in a totally separate loan agreement with Farmers Insurance Group Federal Credit Union. This agent's story will bring you up to date on that termination issue-
ed
Can an Agent be Terminated with Zero Day Notice
 initiated by Farmers Insurance Group Federal Credit Union?

As the story was told, an agent in another state apparently did all the company programs and remodeled the office to become Smart Office compliant and went into debt via the Farmers Federal Insurance Group Credit Union (FIGFCU) to accomplish all the expectations\requirements.

In the past, Farmers had removed wind coverage from the homeowners policies sold in that state and agents were allowed to write a stand alone wind policy through an outside broker at much higher costs to the client. With higher costs of the H/O policies and wind policies, clients began to seek other companies. The PIF in the state took a critical hit and agent income plummeted.
The agent filed bankruptcy and the court notified all creditors. Allegedly, FIGFCU sent a representative to the court hearing and attempted to have the agent sign an immediate mutual contract cancellation. The agent refused.

According to the agent, following the conclusion of the bankruptcy, all was going fine and FIGFCU was being paid monthly via folio deduction until recently when no FIGFCU folio deduction was made by the company. The agent was told there was an oversight. Allegedly, the DM and DMM showed up at the agent's office handing a zero day AAA contract termination effective immediately to the 15 year agent.

Reason #8 for Immediate Termination? Loan Default!
Read what the FIGFCU loan agreement states. 

UFAA has heard stories over time where agents were advised of their termination by 1-800-Net User when the agents called because they could not sign on to Dashboard. Ouch!
Message from the President
Ladies & Gentlemen,
I received quite a few texts, emails and phone conversations from a multitude of individuals this weekend concerning the myriad of issues effecting UFAA, the E&O program and the agency force in general. In talking to Dirk [our UFAA Council]  this morning, one of the greatest frustration issues that we have in common is that we receive so many emails and phone calls from agents complaining about issues, but never wanting anyone to know they informed UFAA and they do not want to be involved in the problem or resolution. In order to address these issues, especially to escalate to the court system the court requires complainants. I am not suggesting that we change the system so that we don't receive complaints/grievances/information from the agency force, but at some point, in order to prove our case with a judge, the judge requires someone with moral fortitude to grow a back bone.
Tom Schrader  President
United Farmers Agents Association

 

Bethel Collision Center of Broken Arrow, OK.
BBB Rated A+
Bethel Collision Center.jpg
View our Website here
02/15
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. 
computer. moving finger on mouseAds are hot links to our advertisers websites. Click any ad for more details.  
ads rotated for 01/15 issue.
  
Has Smart Auto Increased Oklahoma Auto Production by 50%?
Does Farmers only Boast about HALF the story?

A UFAA Member from another state, called an agent, he knows in Okla., and asked, "Is the following story true?"

"Two home office project people met with the UFAA Member's district along with 2 from Ohio claiming the New Smart Auto Production for 3 states of AZ, OH & OK has increased by a whopping 50%."

The Okla Agent answered "YES," as he
Arrow.moving.up
Is Oklahoma  Auto PIF Gaining?
wrote 2 autos in Nov. 2013 compared to 3 in Nov. 2014, if you can call that any sizable increase. However, the Okla Agent continued, "On the other side of that coin, I lost 6 auto in Nov 2013 and 9 in 2014 which is also a 50% increase, but not near equal to the 50% gain on Smart Auto sales."  True Math!

 

PULSE of the Agents Poll  4balls flashing (attention0  

We now repair auto electric Windows
Call  for Board up Service 24/7

Robinson Glass ad
Click to check out our website   08/15
      T
ulsa                    Broken Arrow
918/664-7904           918/258-7578
Pulse of the Agent Poll Results from last issue.   (no polls last month) 
UFAA Chapter 15 Officer Election Results from Dec 6th Meeting
These members were elected as chapter officers for 2015 by acclimation by show of hands.
Mike Gately- President
Glenn Johnson- 1st VP
Terry Wilson- 2nd VP & Editor- Okla. Voice
John Wiley- Secretary/Treasurer
 Those elected will also serve as delegates to the 2015 UFAA National Convention.
Top 50 Apps for Independent Agents
Mobility technology is changing the way the insurance industry operates. But when it comes to working on the go, nothing is as important as mobile device applications. But what apps do independent agents use most? What apps are the most useful in business and personal life? Insurance Journal asked these questions to several industry experts and polled readers via Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to find the top apps for independent agents today.
Here's the top apps used by agents
Farmers Insurance Set to Enter Connecticut in January

In 2012, Farmers opened operations in Georgia and Maryland, and added the New York market in 2013. Connecticut will become the 35th state in which it provides insurance through its exclusive agent distribution system when it begins operations in 2015.

    

Farmers said that, to date, the company's eastern expansion efforts have resulted in the placement of approximately 800 new Agency Owners spread across  the five new states that have generated approximately 250 million in additional premium for Farmers.  

 

"In 2015 alone, we are looking to add 30 new Agency Owners in Connecticut with additional appointments in the succeeding years," said Hackling.  IJ 12/12/2014 

 


SMART AUTO QUOTING HINT!  Not quite competitive on quoting a rewrite or new business auto?  Re-quote with 500/500/500 limits of liability. You might be surprised.  Okie Agent
=========================================================================
Farmers Insurance Unveils New Incentives to Help Talented Individuals Become Farmers Agency Owners
Start Up Bonuses and Other Financial Support among New Incentives Designed to Assist Qualified Candidates Ready to Become Agency Owners.
==========================================================================
Nebraska Supreme Court: Woman bitten by dog has no claim

OMAHA 12.19.2014 (AP) - The Nebraska Supreme Court says a woman who had part of her lower lip bitten off by a dog she was watching has no right to seek payment of medical expenses from dog owner's home insurance company.

Jennifer Van Kleek of Omaha agreed in July 2011 to care for the dog of friends without pay while they were on vacation. She filed a claim with Farmers Insurance Exchange, the friends' homeowner's insurance provider, after being bitten.

Farmers denied her claim, saying that because she was caring for the dog, she was legally responsible for it and therefore considered an "insured" under the homeowner's policy. That policy excludes coverage for bodily injury to any insured.

On Friday, the state's high court upheld a Douglas County District Court's dismissal of her claim.


Farmers Drops in Rankings from #6 to #7
Direct Writer USAA gaining strong growth

As predicted in earlier issues of the Oklahoma Voice, Farmers and USAA swapped ranking positions in the 3rd Quarter 2014. Farmers has consistently dropped in the rankings for 3 years running, from #5 in 2012, to #6 in 2013, to #7 in 2014 during the rein of Farmer's CEO Jeff Dailey.
GEICO pushed Allstate out of the #2 ranking in 2013 placing 2 direct writers, GEICO and Progressive
in the top 5 as USAA pushed Farmers out of the top 6 company rankings in 2014.
   Based on Direct Premiums Written, It now appears that USAA will replace Liberty Mutual for the #5 spot in the rankings in the near future placing 3 Direct Writers in the top 5 companies.

USAA only wrote a select group of current and X-military personnel back to 1992. However, in 2012, USAA now writes ALL current and past military personnel qualifying their immediate families regardless of dates of military service.
USAA is always mentioned in the top spot service rankings of J D Power satisfaction rankings, although not included in the line item rankings report based on their writings of selected military groups, not the general public.

 
 Farmers is the only company in those shown above to have negative premium changes in 2013 and 2014
Moore Tordado pic
Trades needed for any disaster including ice, tornado, strong winds, flood and earthquake, or just when a client needs a referral for a repair.

                                                new1flashing

This space is reserved for advertisers that desire to post a line ad in the Oklahoma Voice. We are attempting to build an emergency responder listing to assist agents with referrals in times of disaster. We are seeking paid advertising from the following trades-
          State Registered Roofers,
 Licensed Plumbers,
   Fencing Contractors
      Guttering Contractors
           Tree Trimming & Removal
      Licensed Electricians
              Debris Removal & Hauling
 
If you have a client doing an honest business in the above trades or other trades that would be in demand following a disaster please contact Terry Wilson, Oklahoma Voice Editor. Their ad would appear similar to this-
11/15
Fitzgerald Roofing, Inc. 4806 E. 37th Place Tulsa, OK 74135 Phone 918 271-7171
BBB Rating A+ Reg. Lic.# 0290  Also Car Ports & Patio Covers see more on FaceBook      
 
And, website link, if applicable. The ad cost is $120.00 annually. Acceptable company logos are $30 extra depending on size and acceptable format. The ads would run for 12 months in our Oklahoma Voice Newsletter. Editor

 Oklahoma Continuing Education
Source: OID website 04.21.2013

All resident agents/producers, CSRs and adjusters are required to complete continuing education biennial. The requirements are as follows:

Resident Producers (Excluding Title producers)

are required to have 24 hours of continuing education, including three hours ethics and two hours of legislative updates.  

 

  • Producers that sell, solicit, or negotiate Medicare Advantage or Part D Products or Plans are required to take a 4 hour Medicare Renewal course each renewal period.
  • Producers that sell, solicit or negotiate Long Term Care insurance must take a 4 hour Long Term Care Partnership course each renewal period after the initial 8 hour Long Term Care Partnership course was taken.
  • Producers that sell, solicit, or negotiate Annuity products are required to take a one time 4 hour course on Annuity products.

CSRs are required to have 13 hours of continuing education, including three hours of ethics and two hours of legislative updates.

Resident Adjusters are required to have 24 hours of continuing education including three hours of ethics and two hours of legislative updates.

Are you age 65 and been a licensed agent for 20+ years? you may qualify for the free Okla. CE Mentoring Course worth 24 hrs credit hours and takes 10 minutes to complete.  See CE Mentor letter HERE by Commissioner John Doak.  This became availble in 2011.

No documentation required. Just sign off on the simple OID form and return it prior to your renewal date.   

Komando Header  
By Kim Komando: Tech News

 

Microsoft's monthly Update Tuesday is here and it includes some critical fixes for Windows, Internet Explorer and Office you need to install right away. Overall, there are seven updates that fix more than 20 flaws. Several of those flaws could let hackers take over your computer through Windows, Internet Explorer or specially made Word files.

Not to be outdone, Adobe released major updates for Reader and, most importantly, Flash. The Flash update fixes six critical problems that could let hackers take over your computer through your browser. Adobe says that hackers are already targeting one of those flaws.

 


Oklahoma Voice has reprint rights. Copyright 1995-2015 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.
Red River Roofing logo transparent Check out our website
 Edmond 405-330-0025
Tulsa 918-270-2888
Factory Certified Contractor.  Please visit our Edmond & Tulsa Showrooms  At Red River Roofing, our goal is to provide you the proper information to make the best roofing decisions. Should you have any concerns, questions, or comments, do not hesitate to contact our offices.
Residential & Commercial
Roof Repair & Replacement. www.redriverroofing.com     [email protected]          05/15


Ok Ins Dept Logo
From the Oklahoma Insurance Department
The following "Final Orders" are from the OID public information legal section of the OID website. These violations and penalties are shown here to ONLY warn, inform and educate you on Okla. Insurance Laws.

Rate and Form Filings 2014
Click link heading above. Then, scroll to bottom of page and click [month] 2014. Then, scroll the entire document for rate & form filings for all companies in alpha order.

As we [the OID] work to help you comply, we will vigorously enforce 59 O.S. � 1310 (A) (21) which relates to failure to notify of change of address.  ADDRESS CHANGE:

Okla Ins Dept: Change of address or name more than 30 days after the change occurred shall be no less than a $100 fine.  

The Oklahoma Insurance Department encourages all licensees to update their mailing personal and business addresses and email addresses as often as possible. This feature is available free of charge by visiting the SBS website
Check out the UFAA Chapter 15 Home Page with more Farmers, industry news, member benefit information, newsletter archives, including breaking news too late or too large to publish above.
  
See our Home Page link for more info on the United Farmers Agents Assn.
Just click the  Home Page Link >> Here <<
 
UPDATED: Latest Okla. Company Comparison Rate Charts- Auto &  Home:


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

 

UFAA LAbel

             

       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    

Click logo above to access the Oklahoma Membership app.
 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 and 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.