| An Independent Approach To Car Insurance
(NAPSI)-Many consumers are finding they can drive down the cost of car insurance-and the time it takes to select the right policy-by contacting an independent insurance agent or broker. Because they represent many different insurance companies, independent agents have the flexibility to review rates and coverage from competing carriers and get you the best deal. Plus, they can offer affordable protection for your home, business and other assets. So rather than spending hours gathering quotes from various companies, you can get it done with one simple call or visit to your independent agent or broker. If you're thinking of contacting an independent agent, here are a few things to consider: • What's your lifestyle? Many factors determine auto insurance rates, not just vehicle year, make and model.
Seven Insurance Issues For Merchants
When an ecommerce business begins to grow, new risks mount and site owners should examine insurance options. Finding an insurance agent who understands the challenges of online business has been tough for many e-business owners. Only recently have insurance options become available. Online businesses differ from their brick-and-mortar counterparts in ways that present unique challenges for insurance companies. "An ecommerce business owner has the challenge of facing all the traditional risks that any business faces, plus those unique to ecommerce," said Nancy Callahan, a vice president with AIG Insurance, which offers ecommerce coverage. Callahan says the traditional risks include protection for your property, your employees and those who do business with you.
Phillip Wasserman Announces California Life Insurance, Annuity and ...
SARASOTA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 8, 2007--Phillip Wasserman, recognized as a top authority on life insurance and annuities, has announced a special training session for insurance agents, financial planners, register investment advisors and other professionals to be held in Las Angeles, California on May 4, 5 and 6th 2007 at the Las Angeles airport Marriott hotel. Over 110 professionals have already signed up for this intense training to focus on the use of life insurance and annuities in aiding retirement income planning. A special focus will be on the recent surge in popularity of life settlements, and discussions on mortgages and reverse mortgages in aiding clients will be held. Phillip Wasserman is head of Phillip Roy Financial Services, a nationwide retirement income planning firm with over 500 affiliated representatives.
Messer to Lead National Alliance Business Development Team
Insurance education provider, The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research, has selected Beverly A. Messer as vice president, in charge of National Business Development for the not-for-profit organization. Messer began her insurance career in 1975 when she joined her family-owned insurance agency located in Northwest Indiana. Her responsibilities included all aspects of sales and agency operations. She has been honored twice as the Insurance Agent of the Year by the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana (IIAI), and is also an instructor for Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) institutes and Certified Insurance Service Representatives (CISR) courses. Source: The National Alliance .
Every day is a good day for a little agent appreciation
Now that you're wondering what the heck that's all about, I'll confess it doesn't actually exist and it's not likely to anytime soon. But I would like to take a few minutes to tell you why I'm proud to be an insurance agent and why my hat is off to all the agents out there who honor our profession by doing their job the way it needs to be done. My first point is that agents have little or nothing to do with how much you pay for insurance - that's a deal between the insurance companies and the state of Florida. However, agents can help you reduce your premiums by working with you to lower your covered risk and increase the risk you want to cover yourself. Agents also have nothing - absolutely nothing - to do with your insurance company canceling or nonrenewing your policy. The insurance company makes that decision.
Reagan's insurance measure stalls
- A wave of heated criticism Thursday helped stall a Bradenton lawmaker's "glitch bill" that would ease the deadlines for insurance companies to pay out claims to businesses. The measure, sponsored by Rep. Ron Reagan, R-Bradenton, first stirred controversy in the state House on Wednesday, when lawmakers argued that it undermined the massive insurance package created during January's special session. That legislation was designed to cut property insurance rates and ensure Floridians don't have to wait long to collect on claims. But under Reagan's proposal, insurance companies would not be forced to pay business claims within 90 days, which is how long the companies are given to act on homeowners' claims. Reagan, an insurance agent for 27 years, said he offered the bill as a means to smooth out technicalities in the original package.
Travelers Announces 2007 Personal Insurance Agent of the Year Awards
HARTFORD -- Tuesday Travelers presented its prestigious Agent of the Year Awards to 18 independent insurance agents who sell personal insurance products around the country. The ceremony took place at Travelers annual personal insurance leadership conference for its top independent agents and brokers in Naples, Fla. Recognized for their commitment to working with Travelers to achieve long-term profitable growth for their agency, the following individuals were named 2007 Agent of the Year for their respective region or business area:
Pam Stanley, Global Marine Insurance, Traverse City, Mich.
Jim Sim, Westland Insurance Brokers, San Diego, Calif.
Robert Luong, C & A Insurance Agency, Inc., New York, N.Y.
Thomas Lynch, Plastridge Agency, Delray Beach, Fla.
Rest home health-plan sales criticized
State investigators are looking into complaints that insurance agents switched memory-impaired residents of a Cary rest home from traditional Medicare to private Medicare plans, resulting in higher costs and fewer benefits for the residents. Such tactics might be on the rise across North Carolina and the nation. Insurance regulators and advocates for older people say they have seen increasing evidence of inappropriately aggressive sales tactics for "Medicare Advantage" programs, which are private insurance policies that are paid by Medicare. People who switch to private Medicare policies often have to change doctors and hospitals and can face higher payments - circumstances that might not be fully explained by unscrupulous brokers, according to a January report by the Medicare Rights Center and California Health Advocates.
Could solar cars be the answer to random pricing?
As I sat down to write this column I received a phone call. My State Farm insurance agent called to let me know that my auto insurance rates had gone down. After picking myself up off the floor I politely thanked her and started to think about pricing of items in general.
I'm typing this on a computer that cost me less than the word processor, a glorified typewriter for all intents and purposes; I bought when I started college back in the late '80s. Even the flat-screen monitor I stare at for hours on end went for $700 when first released two short years ago, yet I picked this one up a month ago for under $200.
I'm looking at a telephone that I just used to call Sweden for business. Sweden is included in my all-in-one long distance plan that sets me back roughly the cost of a couple of movie tickets and a large tub of popcorn.
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