Big I Virginia E-News

IIAV Member Resources

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=606289&issueID=70930 to view the full article online.

Tech Tip by Steve Anderson

What You Can Learn from Jeff Bezos – The Anderson Risk Growth Assessment

The response to my book The Bezos Letters: 14 Principles to Grow Your Business Like Amazon continues to be very gratifying. In addition to being on the Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller lists, the book is now published in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, India and Russia. It will be available in an additional eight countries in the next few months. The Bezos Letters was also included on Forbes Top 20 Books You Need to Read to Crush 2020.

Visit https://steveanderson.com/2020/01/09/the-top-10-techtips-of-2019/https://steveanderson.com/2020/02/20/what-you-can-learn-from-jeff-bezos-the-anderson-risk-growth-assessment/ 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 July 26, 2023) 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.

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State & National News

Brantley Saunders Named Director of Marketing for Jackson Sumner & Associates

Boone, N.C. – Jackson Sumner & Associates (JSA) announced the recent promotion of Brantley Saunders to director of marketing for the company. Saunders is a South Carolina native who studied Marketing and Theatre at College of Charleston and has 10-plus years of experience in the insurance industry in various capacities, including E&S underwriting. She also has a background in creative and technology fields. She has served the past eight months as the JSA Marketing Representative for South Carolina.

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

Insureds in Niche Industries Struggle in 'Challenging' Hard Market

Global insurance pricing is climbing, with all three major product lines (property, casualty, and financial and professional) reporting rate increases in Marsh’s latest Global Insurance Market Index. In fact, as of September 2019, the broker has reported eight quarters of global insurance price increases in a row.

Visit https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/breaking-news/insureds-in-niche-industries-struggle-in-challenging-hard-market-215863.aspx to view the full article online.

Region Launches Pedestrian Safety Message

‘Commonsense precautions’ urged to protect motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists

As vehicle crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists continue to occur with alarming frequency, law enforcement agencies in the Richmond region and other partners are urging travelers to take simple precautions and to avoid distractions, such as mobile phones and headphones.

Visit https://www.henricocitizen.com/articles/region-launches-pedestrian-safety-message/ to view the full article online.

IIAV News

Introducing FREE Marketing Material

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=606286&issueID=70930 to view the full article online.

RLI Personal Umbrella Policy: Luck is in the Air

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=606318&issueID=70930 to view the full article online.

Coronavirus and Insurance

We are starting to receive coverage questions on Coronavirus. The Big I’s Chris Boggs is providing some excellent information on the Virtual University site. Please see below. Also below is some information put together on this topic by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Please contact Chris and the VU’s “Ask an Expert” if you have additional questions.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=606465&issueID=70930 to view the full article online.

Trustpoint Celebrates 150 Years

The history of Lunsford: A Trustpoint Company is just one factor in its success as a service business
that has helped citizens in the mid-Atlantic region for 150 years. Established in 1870, it is the first and oldest insurance agency in Roanoke. Lunsford offers commercial, personal, life and health policies. Chairman Emeritus, Roy Bucher, said that his firm advocates for its clients by “trying to get them the broadest possible coverage with the broadest services available at the most economical price.”

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

Why Agencies Should Focus on Cash Flow

By David W. Tralka

In the great debate over agency valuation, words like “revenue,” “income” and “profit” get tossed around a lot. On the golf course or at industry meetings, owners speak in whispers about the big ones — the agencies that have sold at seemingly impossible multiples. The question is: Multiples of what? What’s the value driver?

Visit https://www.iamagazine.com/strategies/read/2020/02/05/why-agencies-should-focus-on-cash-flow to view the full article online.

Affinity HR Group Q&A

Q: A few of my employees have shown up sick for work. I really appreciate their dedication, but I’d rather they not come to work sick and get the rest of us sick. Can I send them home and require that they use their sick leave?

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=606285&issueID=70930 to view the full article online.

Upcoming Events

Have You Heard?

We SOLD OUT the 2020 Resource & Solution Center in record time! That means over 76 carriers and vendors are eager to meet, network and help you navigate the future of your agency. Not only will you meet with these incredible professionals but you will hear from keynote speaker Kirk Lippold, Commander USS Cole, learn about emerging agency technology and a number of other relevant and exciting topics. Join us June 24-26, 2020, at the BRAND NEW Marriott Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

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

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=606449&issueID=70930 to view the full article online.

Education

Have You Seen What We Have to Offer?

IIAV is committed to being Virgina's leading insurance CE provider and we have new content planned for you in 2020! We will continue to provide courses for all agency staff no matter your experience level. Designation courses are back in full force with the MLIS being taught in the classroom this year.

Check out all that 2020 has to offer here! Click learn more to see what's coming up for the first of the year.

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

From the Desk of the Chief Operation Officer

Reflecting on Past Changes and Anticipating New Ones

Recently, I celebrated my 35th year with the IIAV. Any time you reach a milestone in life, you tend to look back and reflect. As I was reading the many heartwarming congratulatory messages I received, my mind began to drift back through time and I took a retrospective look at my career in the insurance industry.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=606284&issueID=70930 to view the full article online.

Big I Virginia E-News

Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia