Greetings!
Welcome to the latest issue of the Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma newsletter, your source for the latest insurance news in Oklahoma. The mission statement of the Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma, working in the public's best interest, through active member participation, is to be the unrelenting advocate of independent insurance agents and to fulfill the education, political, and business needs of its members.
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PROFOUND IMPACT ON THE REGIONAL FOOD BANK OF OKLAHOMA
FROM: Rodney W. Bivens, Executive Director of Regional Food Bank
It's difficult to describe the devastation so many Oklahomans experienced as a result of the violent tornadoes and subsequent flooding this spring.
Because you responded generously in the most critical hours, the Regional Food Bank was able to take immediate action to respond and help those in need.
Within a week, we leased additional warehouse space and set up a Disaster Relief Distribution Center in Moore. With the installation of coolers and freezers, we have been able to offer a greater variety of food, including fresh fruits and vegetables, in a client-choice shopping environment at the Moore site.
We also served 45 disaster-relief agencies throughout the five counties impacted by the storms, providing emergency supplies, water, food, personal hygiene items, paper products and more.
We've been humbled by the response from around the world and are grateful beyond words for the gifts that have arrived to provide long-term support as our neighbors begin rebuilding their lives. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. |
GOLFERS
Sign up today for Hypopanty Golf Redux. This tournament will be held at the beautiful Winter Creek Country Club in Blanchard on September 6th. Start your day with an energizing full breakfast beginning at 9:00 a.m., followed by a shotgun start at 10:00. Get your foursome together, and then sign up for either scramble or regular golf. Breakfast, range balls, green fees and cart included in registration. Click here and register today! |
TORNADO DAMAGE TOPS $1 BILLION
Insurance payments from the May tornado outbreak across central Oklahoma have now topped $1 billion.
"These numbers are staggering," said Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak. "We've topped $1 billion in payments and the rebuilding is just beginning. We expected to see these amounts and they continue to go up every week. This is a major catastrophe that's impacted thousands of Oklahomans. Some survivors are still dealing with insurance and rebuilding issues. We can't fix everything overnight, but we will be here for them until the last claim is paid."
Oklahomans have filed nearly 91,000 claims since May 19th, but some are still dealing with unresolved insurance claims, which is not uncommon three to four months after a large-scale disaster. |
ATTENTION KAIROS EXHIBITORS
Reserve your spot for Kairos - a conference for small or rural agencies. The Kairos trade show is scheduled for October 29 from 4-7 pm at the Marriott Hotel in Oklahoma City. More than half of the booths are already filled, so download an exhibitor kit and send it in today. |
KAIROS REGISTRATION
This year's conference kicks off on October 29th at the Marriott Hotel in Oklahoma City. We already have a great line-up of exhibitors and a fantastic mix of session topics. Remember to register for the Hobby Lobby tour that will be led by one of their risk managers on October 30th - get an inside look of their Oklahoma City facilities and learn about their risk management tools that help control costs.
Register online or download a registration form here. |
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Trusted Choice/IIABA News
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IMPORTANT NEWS FROM PROJECT CAP
Project CAP has heard your concerns and is taking a further look into the cost of leads generated through the consumer agent portal. From now until November 1st, all leads generated through the profile you have set up on CAP will be sent at no cost to you. Now is the time to get your profile completed - there is absolutely no cost to complete your profile and all leads are free until November 1st. The portal has been designed to help independent agents claim a share of the market from consumers shopping online. Complete your profile today at www.projectcapmarketing.com. Call Project CAP at 800-372-0070 with questions about setting up your profile. View this tutorial video for setting up your profile. |
LARGE WYO CARRIER TERMINATES FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM
Travelers exits WYO flood market, leaving agents with alternative options.
In light of Travelers' recent decision to exit the flood insurance marketplace, now is a good time to remind your members about Big "I"-endorsed provider Selective Flood. Selective Flood offers various advantages, including access to a dedicated underwriter and an enhanced quoting system designed specifically for agents, as well as exceptional customer service.
Big "I" Markets is very easy to use and you can roll your flood business from Travelers over to Big "I" Markets. |
THE RLI PERSONAL UMBRELLA POLICY
A smart source of protection for your CUSTOMERS.
$1, $2, $3 and $5 million limits available.
Excess Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage available.
Auto Limits as low as 100/300/50 available in most cases.
Your customers can keep their current Homeowners and Auto insurer.
No underlying carrier rating requirements.
Backed by a financially secure, A+ rated company.
Why not offer RLI's Personal Umbrella Policy to all your customers?
A smart idea for YOU.
Easy for the customer - Customers can sign and pay for their Personal Umbrella online.
Easy for you - Online rating and policy management system.
By making customers aware of this important extra layer of liability protection, you won't have to answer the E & O question - "If extra liability coverage was available, why didn't you offer it to your client before this accident?"
Customer retention levels are higher in agencies that provide additional liability protection found in a Personal Umbrella Policy. Why not enhance your clients' package of insurance coverages?
Today's legal environment calls for extra protection for almost all your clients. Quote Personal Umbrellas to current customers and also new Auto and Homeowners clients.
Contact Cindy Munden at 405-840-4426 or cindy@iiaok.com for more information! |
AGENTS AND BROKERS MAY BEGIN ONLINE TRAINING IMMEDIATELY
Online training courses and other important registration materials are now available for agents and brokers who will be assisting employers in the new federally-facilitated SHOP Exchanges (Marketplaces). Agents and brokers will play a critical role in helping qualified employers and employees enroll in coverage through the Small Business Health Options Programs (SHOPs).
Once an agent or broker registers online, the system will automatically assign the required training curriculum depending on whether the agent or broker will be working with the federally-facilitated Individual Marketplaces or SHOP Marketplaces (or both). Agents and brokers working exclusively in SHOPs are required to read and accept the electronic SHOP Marketplace Agreement and are strongly encouraged (although not required) to complete online training.
The second part of the registration process will be available at the end of August, when agents and brokers will be able to complete an identity verification process online and obtain an active federally-facilitated Marketplace user ID, which will be essential for the agent or broker to receive compensation from an insurer.*
*Note: Agents and brokers who assist qualified small employers in enrolling through a federally-facilitated SHOP are not required to obtain a user ID. Instead, the SHOP application will include a field in which the employer or agent/broker can enter a user ID (if applicable) and/or the agent's or broker's national producer number (NPN). This information will be transmitted to the qualified health plan issuer selected by the employer as part of the group enrollment.
Additional resources for agents and brokers related to the Marketplaces are available from the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight |
CISR DYNAMICS OF SERVICE
The Dynamics of Service Program is designed for all agency personnel - from agency principals to receptionists. This program provides essential information needed to survive future competition for an agency's clients. This course integrates proven techniques for effectively serving customers. This national curriculum encompasses five key areas:
Traits of successful customer service representatives
Understanding basic customer needs
Building rapport and influence with customers and insurance carriers
Development of skills in listening and communication; and
Refining service skills for sales organizations.
This class will be in Tulsa on August 28th and qualifies for 8 hours of CE including 1 hour of ethics and 1 hour of legislative credit. |
CRM CONTROL OF RISK
CRM is returning to Tulsa September 11-14. Risk control is a core aspect of risk management. This course will make you proficient in all the risk control essentials, including safety, alternative dispute resolution, employment practices liability, and crisis management.
This course is approved for 20 hours of CE in Oklahoma which includes 2 hours of ethics and 1 hour of legislative credit. Click here for more information or to register. |
CISR PERSONAL RESIDENTIAL
This course gives you the expertise you need to guide your customers through the often complex and confusing process of purchasing homeowners insurance-making decisions that insure their valuable assets.
This class will be in Tulsa on September 18th and in Oklahoma City on September 19th.
This course is approved for 8 hours of CE in Oklahoma, including 2 hours of ethics and 1 hour of legislative credit. |
E&O Risk Management - Meeting the Challenge of Change
This course is for anyone in your agency and all experience levels. Everyone walks away from this course with ideas and notes on things you hadn't thought about to help prevent Errors and Omissions in our agency. Hurry and sign up today-it could save you money. Email Lyra@iiaok.com to see if you qualify for the discount.
This course is approved for 6 hours of CE in Oklahoma including 3 hours of ethics.
How to qualify for the Westport/SwissRe 10% Credit*
An insured who obtains their professional liability coverage for insurance producers through the Independent Insurance Agents of Oklahoma sponsored program will earn a 10% credit on their total annual premium, if they attend an approved loss control seminar and have a three-year claim-free history. This credit will apply to the annual premium due as of the next policy anniversary date or policy inception date and, depending on continued loss free experience, will continue for two additional consecutive policy years after attending the seminar, for a total of three policy periods.
*You must have a three-year claim-free history to receive this credit.
Please click here to see the seminar requirements for agency personnel that needs to attend for credit.
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VIDEO WEBINAR-
NO TEST REQUIRED FOR CE
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Diamond National Security Fire & Casualty Company
Mid-Continent Casualty/Mid-Continent Group
Mercury Insurance Group
Union Standard Insurance Group
Comp Risk Management
Independent Insurance Agents Association of OKC
IIAO Eagle Agency Platinum
One General Agency
Specialty Insurance Managers of Oklahoma
Imperial PFS
Central Insurance Companies
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Travelers Insurance
Midlands Management Corporation
Bituminous Insurance
EMC Insurance Companies
Progressive Gold
Taber Brokerage Services
Patriot National Underwriters, Inc./Old Glory Insurance Company Silver
Columbia Insurance Group
Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
M.J. Kelly Company
National American Insurance Company
CNA Insurance
Safeco Insurance
The Hartford
State Auto Insurance Companies
Union Mutual Insurance Company
The Hanover Insurance Group Bronze
Swett & Crawford of Texas, Inc.
Triangle Insurance Company
Farmers Alliance Insurance Companies
Cornerstone National Insurance Company
Graham-Rogers Inc.
Equity Insurance Company
Risk Placement Services
Westphalen Insurance Services
Republic Group of Insurance Companies
Acton, Inc.
Bailey Special Risks, Inc.
Amerisafe |
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Calling all CIC's and CRM's
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