Big I Virginia E-News

From the Desk of the President & CEO

Why not make an investment in YOUR future success?

Why not make an investment in YOUR future success and/or make an investment in the success of everyone in your agency? It’s not too late to register for the IIAV Convention and Trade Show on June 24-25 in Virginia Beach. You will not find better speakers – industry or otherwise – this year and each will provide information that will help you succeed. Plus the opportunity to network with your industry peers – both on the agency and company side – is unprecedented.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=564034&issueID=63645 to view the full article online.

IIAV Member Resources

Health Care Corner: Tips by Monty Dise

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=564037&issueID=63645 to view the full article online.

Tech Tip: By Steve Anderson

Why Your Office Needs a Password Management Solution

How to effectively manage all passwords for all agency employees continues to be a source of questions. I have written a couple of times over the last ten years about potential solutions.

I think it’s time again to remind everyone of the importance of controlling nefarious access to the wide variety of platforms every agency uses every day.

Visit https://steveanderson.com/2019/05/23/why-your-office-needs-a-password-management-solution/ to view the full article online.

The Security You Need. The Name You Trust.

Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies are rated A+ “Superior” by A.M. Best (as of 4/20/2021) 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 (with typical limits up to $20 million; $50 million for select classes), Commercial Auto, Commercial Umbrella, Professional Liability, and Workers’ Compensation. “Pay-as-you-go” billing options are also featured.

Learn more

State & National News

ACORD and the Big 'I' Announce Partnership to Develop Digital Standards in Support of Independent Agent Community

PEARL RIVER, N.Y., May 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- ACORD, the global standards-setting body for the insurance industry, today announced that it will be aligning its efforts to develop new Digital Standards for efficient data exchange with members of the independent agent distribution channel via a partnership with the Agents Council for Technology (ACT).

The ACORD Digital Standards will complement existing ACORD standardized forms and electronic messages, enabling streamlined data exchange capabilities which are optimized not only for mobile devices, but also the "Internet of Things," distributed ledger technology, and other emerging technologies. ACT, a Big "I" program, will provide an additional forum for independent agents and other ACT members to participate in the development of the ACORD Standards.

Visit https://www.acord.org/news-detail/2019/05/15/acord-and-the-big-i-announce-partnership-to-develop-digital-standards-in-support-of-independent-agent-community to view the full article online.

Distracted Drivers an Increasing Threat to First Responders

New research shows that many drivers are profoundly distracted by their phones when they're going past first responders working crashes on the roadways. New research from the National Safety Council found 71% of drivers admitted to taking photos and texting while driving by emergency workers; that's nearly triple the 24% who admitted to doing it under normal driving conditions.

Visit https://www.cbsnews.com/news/distracted-drivers-an-increasing-threat-to-first-responders/ to view the full article online.

Free Policy Locator Tool Helps Virginians Secure More Than $15.7 Million in Lost Benefits

RICHMOND – The State Corporation Commission’s (SCC) Bureau of Insurance encourages Virginians in search of lost or misplaced life insurance policies and annuity contracts to use the free Life Insurance Policy Locator offered by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=564047&issueID=63645 to view the full article online.

IIAV News

IIAV Annual Meeting Date – June 23 – Virginia Beach

The Annual Meeting for IIAV has been designated June 23 at 1:00 pm during the regularly scheduled IIAV Board of Directors meeting. During this meeting the slate of officers and directors for the FY 2019/20 year will be recorded. Member agencies will receive electronic ballots in mid-June. All members are invited to attend the Annual Meeting, but we ask that you RSVP Bob Bradshaw – IIAV President & CEO and Secretary for the Corporation at Rbradshaw@iiav.com – if you plan to attend. The Convention itself will honor and recognize the current chairman – Hunter Odom – and welcome our incoming chairman – Dennis Winfree. At this point, there are no anticipated Bylaw amendments proposed for the association.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=564036&issueID=63645 to view the full article online.

SCC’s Bureau of Insurance Encourages Virginians to Prepare Now for Hurricane Season

RICHMOND – The Atlantic hurricane season has not yet begun and already we have had our first named storm for 2019. The State Corporation Commission’s (SCC) Bureau of Insurance encourages Virginians to review your insurance policies now to make sure you have the coverage you need if a hurricane or other disaster strikes.

Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30 each year. Once a hurricane develops in the Atlantic, it will be difficult to find an insurance company willing to write related coverage until the storm threat passes.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=564049&issueID=63645 to view the full article online.

The Myth of Agency Multiples

Whenever agency principals get together, the topic of agency valuations is sure to come up. Someone will start talking about an agency that sold at an unbelievably high multiple. Pretty soon, everyone’s nodding their head and saying there’s a killing to be made selling your agency.

Visit https://www.insurancejournal.com/magazines/mag-closingquote/2019/02/18/517664.htm to view the full article online.

Affinity HR Group Q&A

Q: We are considering putting in place a revised work-week policy for the summer months. Do we need to revise our handbook to do so?

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=564035&issueID=63645 to view the full article online.

Upcoming Events

It's Not Too Late to Register!

The IIAV Convention & Exposition is right around the corner. We could not be more excited to see you at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront June 23-25, 2019. This event is planned just for you! From the speakers to the CE credits, right down to extra time on the beach. Do yourself a favor and register today, if you haven't already. Let's LEAD THE WAY!

Visit https://www.iiav.com/Events/Pages/IIAVConvention/default.aspx to view the full article online.

Education

Splash Into Summer Learning

Check out what IIAV Education has to offer this summer! School may be out but it is the perfect time to knock out some of your required CE credits. See the full calendar at www.iiav.com/education.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/pdf/June_11_AAI_82B.pdf to view the full article online.

ePayPolicy Webinar

With consumers loving convenience more than ever, agents and brokers are looking for an easy and secure way to collect digital payments without eroding their bottom line.

That’s where ePayPolicy comes in. Created by insurance experts for the independent insurance industry, they provide the simplest way to accept card and ACH payments, while passing the transaction fees onto the payer. With their user-friendly design and PCI level 1 certification, ePayPolicy makes it easy for IIAV to select them as our preferred digital payment processing partner.

Visit https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1534689932790929421 to view the full article online.

Instant Training Plans!

Our members have shared their best practices. This is how they maximize their budget and build a flexible and proven training plan.

We have instant training solutions for easy access. Let us help you create a training plan that fits your budget.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=564071&issueID=63645 to view the full article online.

Big I Virginia E-News

Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia