OKLAHOMA

VOICE
February 2015

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.

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

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.

Chapter 15 Eastern Oklahoma

Pres: Mike Gately 918-481-3277chapter15@ufaa.com

V. Pres: Glenn Johnson gjohnsonins@ymail.com

Sec: John Wiley jwiley1811@sbcglobal.net

Treas: Terry Wilson ufaa15editor@ufaa.com

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

Meeting Agenda From the President:

Vendor/Speaker- A-Best Heating & AC

Nat'l Sales Meeting Recap

UQI (Underwriting Quality Index)

AGM (Agency Growth Model)

Agent Ownership of Policies (Texas Bill)

Update from UFAA National

Extended Sales/Service program

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

Will Terminations of 2,800 Agents in 2013 be Repeated in 2015?

January 13, 2015 1:55 PM [UFAA Board] Farmers National Sales Week Meeting Northern Territory

I attended this year's [Northern Territory] Farmers Pow Wow. The highlights I took from it are that it was reported Farmers had 5 months of Auto Growth. (they didn't mention the 7 months of Auto decline.) In 2013, Farmers added roughly 1,800 agents and it was clarified the roughly 1,300 agents that left Farmers was a net loss. Meaning that actually over 2,800 agents left Farmers in 2013. Anonymous Northern Agent/UFAA Member
=======================================

Mid-Central Sales Meeting Jan. 16. 2014 Tulsa Notes: Mid Central includes AR. KS. MO. OK.
In 2014- Eight straight months of GWP growth; Four straight months of PIF growth.
M/C PIF trends as of 12/2013: -10,000 PIF Loss 12/2014: -2,000 PIF Loss
(PIF and agent loses are usually based on net losses = over & above NB written or agents recruited during the entire year. It's apparent that more agents left the agencies than entered as shown below in 2014)
M/C Agent Loss/Gain: 12/2013 -147 Agent Loss 12/2014 M/C Terr. +3 Agent gain Okla +2
Jeff Robinson Quote- "Just use one idea to help you grow in 2015." Simms, PFRs, Marketing Programs.
80% of Okla Agents Signed up for the marketing programs. (Did not state if all were voluntary. Okla Voice Nov. Agent Survey showed 39% signed up.) Agent income up in 2014 @ +5.6%
========================================

DMs Told to Improve their District AGM Scores

Although, UFAA is still waiting on confirmation and content of another event. We have reliable information that DMs were told they are expected to improve the AGM score averages in their districts even if they have to DARG lower performing (scoring) agents out of the business to pump up their AGM district average in 2015.

As one agent stated, the Agency Growth Model is a Super DARG program that monitors several aspects of agency activities and growth, even in a not so competitive world.
It is anticipated another agent monitoring and grading program that is currently active on dashboard concerning profitability, called Underwriting Quality Index (UQI), will also grade the agents along with AGM and Smart Office. These company actions and monitoring programs may erode your Independent Contractor status on a AAA contract into a quasi-company employee and you still pay your own taxes, benefits, office overhead and social security tax.
Robots all the same (action)

As usual, the agents remain quiet on these forced issues and just allow it to occur over time. One word allegedly used by the company was the DMs total control of the agency force. The word used by the company was- SUBJUGATE defined as-

1. To bring under complete control or subjection; conquer. 2. To make subservient; to enslave.

And that, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Farmers Agency Force just may be your robotic future going forward, as your signing on and off to dashboard is your daily punching of the corporate time card that also may become more closely monitored and graded; similar to the bogus calls from the company to monitor if your phone is answered or the proper recording announced, how may rings and how you or staff answered the phone. Subjugation may truly be in progress in 2015.

Click here to obtain an Oklahoma UFAA Membership App

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 ufaa15editor@ufaa.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.

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Google Poised to Enter U.S. Auto Insurance Market: Report Source: Insurance Journal Jan. 9, 2015

Giant search engine Google, which already offers auto insurance online in the United Kingdom, could soon be selling auto insurance online in the U.S.

Google Compare Auto Insurance Services Inc., its online auto insurance shopper, has been licensed to sell insurance in at least 26 states and is working with several insurers including Dairyland, MetLife and Mercury Insurance, Forester Research's Ellen Carney reported in her blog this week.

They're licensed to business in more than half the states. Along with California, the entity is licensed to do business in at least Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, New Jersey, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. There may be more in process.

Read the Full story Here.

Recent Legal Case Developments: UFAA vs. FGI & Exchanges

As noted in prior updates, UFAA's case against FGI and the Exchanges has been gaining steam over the past several months. UFAA has gone on the offensive, deposing several key individuals within FGI, while continuing to pursue other discovery avenues. However, the defendants are now attempting some offensive maneuvers of their own, with FGI and the Exchanges each filing motions seeking to have UFAA's lawsuit dismissed in its entirety. UFAA will have an opportunity to respond to these motions, and a hearing will ultimately be held in March.

In short, FGI argues that because it is not listed in the Agent Appointment Agreements as a party, it cannot be held liable for any breaches of that agreement (notwithstanding our allegations that FGI has directed much, if not all, of the wrongful actions against agents).

The Exchanges' motion sets forth separate arguments. First, they claim that UFAA should not be permitted to pursue this action on behalf of its members because of the sheer number of individual agents who have suffered harm from the defendants' conduct; thus, they assert that each member should be required to pursue the case individually. This is a favorite argument of FGI, because they know that it would not be practical for each and every member agent to individually sue the defendants. It is, of course, ironic that the defendants' own wrongful actions that have created the need for such widespread relief.

The Exchanges also take issue with the substance of all four of UFAA's claims. Notwithstanding various documents provided by UFAA to evidence the defendants' wrongful actions, the Exchanges maintain that UFAA still has not introduced enough evidence to proceed to trial. In addition, they employ a series of very technical arguments - possibly, in hopes of "muddying the waters" and taking the attention off the real issues in this case.

UFAA is prepared for this challenge and will continue to fight for the rights of its member agents. Additional updates will be provided in the coming weeks and months.

This lawsuit is for the benefit of all agents and legal expenses are mounting. Please consider making a contribution to the UFAA AGM DRA Legal Fund to protect your future business and income. You may donate at this link. (donations are $5 per # you place on form. (10=$50)

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Farmers files 16th fraud lawsuit in New York since entering state in 2011

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Farmers Insurance Exchange and its affiliates (collectively "Farmers") have filed a lawsuit in

the state Supreme Court of New York against more than six New York no-fault medical providers seeking damages of approximately $360,000, in addition to punitive damages and the invalidity of any pending or future claims. The lawsuit alleges an illegal fee splitting scheme with unlicensed professionals, which may have resulted in planned courses of unnecessary treatment and testing for the purpose of profit.

Independent Agents See Carriers' Online Sales As Major Threat:

Accenture Survey January 11, 2015 Ins Journal

New Business vs. Retention

The survey indicates that agents place a higher priority on keeping and servicing existing customers than on finding new business. When asked to rate the most critical operational competencies, agents put "retaining customers" at the top of the list, followed by "servicing customers;" while "attracting new customers" was ranked only third.

In ranking the value of information available to them, the agents placed the highest value on insights into existing customers, while ranking qualified lead lists last. Read the article here

Pulse of the Agents POLL

Bethel Collision Center of Broken Arrow, OK.

BBB Rated A+

View our Website here

02/15

Pulse of the Agent Poll Results from last issue.

Another state UFAA Member called an Okla member saying company reps cited the states of AZ, OH & OK had a 50% increase in auto sales with new Smart Auto. Is that statement correct? So, we polled the Okla Agents-
Has your auto production with the new Smart Auto Policy increased by 50%?

YES, perhaps, even more than 50% 0%

Auto policies increased but not near 50% 0%

Seems about the same in this agency 27%

They are still going out the door faster than coming in 73%

More Earthquakes in Oklahoma in 2014 than in Past 30 Years
5X more quakes than in 2013

Officials say Oklahoma had more earthquakes last year than in the past 30 years.

The U.S. Geological Survey says 567 earthquakes with magnitudes of 3.0 or greater were registered in Oklahoma, making it the most seismically active state in the nation, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.

The 2014 total is five times greater than those recorded in Oklahoma in 2013. Seismologists say it's unclear whether the increase in the number of earthquakes is a trend that will continue into 2015.

The Tulsa World reports that the rise in quakes has raised suspicion whether hydraulic fracturing, an oil and gas drilling method also known as "fracking," is responsible for the uptick.

Farmers Insurance Enters Rideshare
(Taxi) Insurance Market in Colorado

Farmers announced the introduction of the company's first Rideshare Coverage endorsement in the state of Colorado. Farmers spoke with rideshare industry leaders to develop a product specifically designed to provide drivers with the insurance coverage specified in Colorado's new ridesharing law. Part of the new law includes a provision requiring rideshare drivers to maintain insurance coverage for the period when a driver is logged into a Transportation Network Company application and available to provide rides for a fee but has not yet accepted a request from a passenger. Available beginning Feb. 16th, the new Rideshare Coverage endorsement will be offered to new customers and existing customers alike. Rideshare Coverage endorsement will add, on average, an additional 25-percent to a customer's premium. PRnewswire 1.15.15

What's the chances of two X-Farmers Agents being

State Insurance Commissioner in bordering states?
Allen Kerr Appointed as Arkansas Insurance Commissioner

Ark. Ins. Comm Allen Kerr

With yellow tie, Okla. Ins. Comm. John Doak, former Farmers Agent shown with UFAA Chapter 15 Delegates at 2011 Vegas Convention

Newly elected Gov. Hutchinson said Wednesday that state Rep. Allen Kerr, R-Little Rock, will serve as insurance commissioner when the governor-elect takes office January 13, 2015. Kerr has been a Farmers Insurance agent for more than 30 years and along with his wife owns the Allen Kerr Agency in the Little Rock area. He has spent six years in the state legislature and because of term limits sat out the recent election cycle. He began his political career when he was elected to the 15-member Pulaski County Quorum Court. 12.18.14 IJ
Allen was a captive agent with Farmers Insurance for 31 years and has recently became an independent agent with access to many choices to offer his clients.

Shortly after graduation, John Doak opened his own branch of the Farmers Insurance Agency in Tulsa. As the business began to grow, he hired other agents to meet the needs of Tulsa-area consumers. Over the course of six years, he received numerous awards and commendations for his success, including being named Farmers' third Top Life Insurance Salesman in the nation.

Digital destiny: What your agency needs to do right now to become more competitive

Those using old agency management systems definitely need to upgrade, says Brian S. Cohen, an operating partner with Altamont Capital Partners in Palo Alto, Calif., and the former head of sales and distribution and chief marketing officer at Farmers Insurance Group. Read more here

Trades needed for any disaster including ice, tornado, strong winds, flood and earthquake, or just when a client needs a referral for a repair.

Fewest Tornadoes on Record in Oklahoma in 2014

January 4, 2015 IJ

Just 16 tornadoes touched down in Oklahoma in 2014, which the National Weather Service says is the fewest on record.

Oklahoma state climatologist Gary McManus says a combination of factors led to the relative lack of tornadoes, The Oklahoman reported.

The first five months of the year were among the driest on record, and tornado outbreaks are not common during dry conditions because there are few thunderstorms to produce them, McManus said. When rain did come, it tended to be from warm air masses that brought moisture but little severe weather.

"There really wasn't a lot of severe weather at all in 2014," McManus said.

The year's strongest tornado was an EF2 on April 27 that cut an 11-mile path through Ottawa County and Cherokee County, Kansas. One person died in Quapaw, and at least five businesses and 15 homes were destroyed. Dozens more buildings, including the city's fire station, sustained damage.

We need our readers to assist us in developing an Emergency
Responder Listing in times of disaster or need
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 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 sent to Farmers Agents across the state. Editor

Oklahoma Continuing Education

Source: OID website UPDATED: 01/09/2015

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

Requirements and Renewal Guidelines

All resident agent producers, Title producers, CSRs and adjusters are required to complete continuing education biennially prior to license renewal.

RENEWAL GUIDELINES -

CE providers are required to report course completions (electronically) within 10 business days of course completion. The transcript must show CE COMPLIANT, at least 3 business days before the licensee will be allowed to process their renewal application online. Best Practice: CE should be completed at least 30 days prior to the license expiration date to allow ample time for the CE provider to report the credit. This will also allow time for the licensee to process their renewal prior to expiration.

CE REQUIREMENTS BY LICENSE TYPE

Effective January 1, 2015 a new CE course for earthquake will be required for licensees' holding a PROPERTY line of authority. Refer to the appropriate license type below for details.

Resident Producers (excluding Title producers) are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education. The 24 hours should consist of 3 hours of ethics, 2 hours of legislative update and 19 hours of producer general. A licensee holding a property line of authority is required to complete a 1 hour earthquake course, which will be counted as part of the 19 hour general requirement.

Additional Selling CE Requirements (counts toward 19 hours of producer general credit):

Producers that sell, solicit, or negotiate long term care insurance must take the initial 8 hour long term care partnership course prior to offering this type of product and complete a 4 hour long term care partnership course each renewal cycle thereafter. http://okltcpartnership.org/)
Producers that sell, solicit, or negotiate Annuity products are required to take a onetime 4 hour course on Annuity products.

Customer Service Representative (CSR)

is required to complete 13 hours of continuing education. The 13 hours should consist of 3 hours of ethics, 2 hours of legislative updates and 8 hours of producer general. A licensee holding a property line of authority is required to complete a 1 hour earthquake course, which will be counted as part of the 8 hour general requirement.

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 with short form on page 2. This became available in 2011.

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

By Kim Komando: Tech News

5 details Facebook asks for that you shouldn't give

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.

KimKomando.com

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Fire, Water, Storm Damage & Other Perils

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Property Hail Claims in the United States: 2000-2013 provides a detailed look at U.S. insurer hail claims
experience over the past 14 years. According to data from Verisk's A-PLUSTM property database, U.S. insurers paid almost 9 million claims for hail losses, totaling more than $54 billion from 2000 through 2013.
Most of those losses came in recent years. In fact, almost 70 percent occurred during the past six years. But the trend is not just a function of the higher number of claims. The average claim severity during the past six years, 2008 through 2013, was 65 percent higher than it was from 2000 through 2007.

Top Ten States for increased Hail Claims Severity from 2000-2013

The recent increase in average hail claim severity is primarily attributable to the dramatic increase
in the cost to repair roofs. According to data from Xactware's Industry Trend Reports, both material
and labor costs associated with roof repairs have grown significantly in recent years.

Roofing materials are up 35 percent, and roofing labor costs are up more than 60 percent nationally
since January 2005. This compares with a 27 percent increase in overall materials costs* and a
29 percent increase in overall labor costs** during the same time period. Part of the increase in
roofing materials costs can be attributed to increases in crude oil prices, which play a large part in the manufacture of petroleum-based asphalt shingles. Another key factor is the increase in hail activity, which creates a demand surge.
Demand surge is common after a catastrophe or series of catastrophes that puts a strain on the availability of materials and skilled labor. Demand surge is particularly acute in the case of labor costs. In fact, our research finds a 100 percent increase in roofing labor costs compared with overall labor costs. Additionally, we found it can take many years before higher costs caused by demand surge retreat to pre-catastrophe levels.

Hail Loss Severity in Top Ten States in Millions of Dollars 2000-2013
For the complete report on this subject click here

This is

a great free report to have in the agency to explain why rate increases occur.
You can order this report at the click here link above. You have to put in your name and occupation but, I discovered any ole name will do- ed

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.

OID Producer, Adjuster, CSR Information Page

OID Notices to Producers:

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.

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:

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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

Click logo above to access the Oklahoma Membership app.

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.