Just some thoughts
The legislature is over and I’m trying to get reacclimated to the office and what’s going on. We conducted our first legislative update class at the VCU Risc Conference and included a couple of videos you’ll truly love…or…. The class – “It’s just politics – 2018” will provide 2 hours of CE in ethics and is scheduled throughout the state and by webinar. Go to www.iiav.com and look for the education calendar.
And have you signed up to attend the convention? We’ll have one of the best keynote speakers I’ve ever heard in over 30 years of working with associations. Register at www.iiav.com
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I saw an article recently that Roy Wright – CEO of the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program – spoke in Florida and he commented that you should forget the flood maps….and look at your driver’s license instead. If your license says “Florida” you need flood insurance. I could say the same thing for Virginia. While it’s been some years ago, I still remember camping in the Shenandoah when hurricane Camille came through and you’ve never seen such flooding in the Western part of the state. Many non-flood plain areas have low insurance rates and are well worth it. Still silly to think that you need to not only offer it but make sure your clients sign a statement to you that it was offered….and they didn’t want it. Speaking of which...are you still selling earthquake insurance? My aunt calls me every year when she renews her policy and she lives just outside of San Francisco.
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We get letters and emails…looking to buy IIAV. There must be a frenzy of companies and agencies looking to buy. I love the ones that say that they have researched us online or by other methods and believe that there is an “appropriate” synergy among organizations and that they would be willing to explore buying us. A recent letter reads, “We have a client that has hired us to help them acquire a P&C agency in your area….as a beachhead for them to break into the local market.” They are a “leading M&A firm for independent insurance agencies and brokerages.” Do they REALLY want to buy us – a non-profit organization? Have they REALLY done their research? I’m tempted to list these companies on our website and alert you that these firms apparently DON’T do their research first.
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Don’t forget 2018 is a CE year so visit our website – www.iiav.com – and look at our new offered classes, coming to a location near you or via webinar. Carter and the Education Committee have worked hard to prepare some interesting and new classes.
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Oh and by the way, please see our legal announcement in this issue regarding the “annual meeting of the association”.
Thanks again for everyone who commented and reached out on our legislative efforts during the General Assembly session. If you’re interested in serving on the IIAV Legislative Committee, please let me know. This is a hard-working group but they deal with completely fascinating issues. Let me know if you’re interested.
Hoping you’re ready for Spring and I’ll see you at a CE class soon.
Bob Bradshaw – IIAV President & CEO
Rbradshaw@iiav.com
Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia