Big I Virginia E-News

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=859390&issueID=106054 to view the full article online.

Thank You to Our 2024 Partners for Their Outstanding Support!

On behalf of IIAV, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and recognition to our valued partners for their outstanding support throughout 2024. Their commitment to our mission has been instrumental in helping us provide our members with resources, education, and advocacy.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=859377&issueID=106054 to view the full article online.

IIAV Member Resources

Nominate Outstanding Agencies for the 2025 Big 'I' Best Practices Study

Do you know an agency that exemplifies excellence in growth, retention, and professionalism? The Big “I” is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Best Practices Study. This is your chance to recognize agencies that stand out for their business success, dedication to professional development, effective use of technology, and strong reputations in their communities. Help us showcase the best in the industry by submitting your nomination today!

Visit https://www.independentagent.com/Updates/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=4497 to view the full article online.

Free Trusted Choice Website Tool

In today's digital age, having a website that is properly functioning and capturing traffic is vital to continual growth. But how can one be certain the visitors to the website are clicking on the desired links or accessing the correct pages? Are there errors that are causing visitors to leave and explore other competitor sites? A slow-loading website can cause visitors to lose interest quickly. Trusted Choice recently announced a FREE tool designed to help answer those questions.

Visit https://trustedchoice.independentagent.com/programs-services/digital-performance-hub/ to view the full article online.

Your Business is Our Business ®

Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies are rated A+ “Superior” by A.M. Best (as of July 2024) and backed by the financial strength of our ultimate parent, Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. In Virginia, we offer a full product suite for your commercial clients that includes a Businessowner’s Policy, Commercial Auto, Commercial Umbrella, Professional Liability, and Workers’ Compensation. “Pay-as-you-go” billing options are also featured.

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State & National News

Virginia Approves 12% Loss Cost Decrease for Workers’ Compensation

Virginia has approved a 12.0% loss cost decrease in the workers’ compensation voluntary market along with rate decreases in the assigned risk market, effective April 1, 2025.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=859379&issueID=106054 to view the full article online.

Symington Named Top Lobbyist by The Hill Newspaper

The Hill, a prominent Washington, D.C.-based political newspaper, has once again named Charles Symington, Big “I" president & CEO, among the top trade association lobbyists in the nation's capital this year.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=859404&issueID=106054 to view the full article online.

Food For Thought

Agency Predictions for the Upcoming Year

By Carey Wallace, AgencyFocus

Looking ahead to 2025, our AgencyFocus team put together some of our predictions for what agencies should be expecting in the upcoming year based on trends in data we have seen this year. Good news for almost everyone — we believe the market will begin to soften.

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Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=859501&issueID=106054 to view the full article online.

Understanding and Complying with the Virginia Statute Banning Covenants Not to Compete with Low-Wage Employees

By Mell Tull

Post-employment restrictive covenants, such as confidentiality, non-solicitation, and non-competition covenants, are important tools used by insurance agencies to protect their legitimate business interests. The landscape of laws and regulations governing the use of non-competes and other restrictive covenants in the employment context is complex and continuously evolving. Earlier this year, a court blocked the FTC’s nationwide ban on most noncompete agreements.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/pdf/Dec_VirginiaStatuteBanningNoncompetes.pdf to view the full article online.

National Flood Insurance Program Webinars

Do you have lingering questions about flood insurance? Want to expand your knowledge of flood and fill in some gaps? The NFIP's new Frequently Asked Questions webinar addresses the top questions the NFIP hears from agents and others attending NFIP courses.
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Visit https://agents.floodsmart.gov/agent-training to view the full article online.

Local Presence. Regional Strength.

Penn National Insurance is small enough to provide personal, caring interactions, but large enough to serve you and your policyholders with the same sophistication and product offering of the largest carriers. We back our promise to help people feel secure and make life better when bad things happen with our strong financial position, and we remain committed to distributing our products and services through independent agencies.

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Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia