Big I Virginia E-News - December 2021

IIAV Member Resources

You’re probably sick of hearing about the Great Resignation but listen up! Not only isn’t it going away, it is gaining momentum.

Consider the following statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor:

● 3% of the total U.S. workforce left their jobs in September. That is an astonishingly high number.

● As of November 5, there were 11.2 million job openings in the U.S. That is also a record.

● Education and health services lost more than 50,000 workers in September. Remember that these are essential workers.

● 300,000 women left the workforce in September.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/pdf/IIAV_2021_Year_End_Planning_Article_12.2021.pdf to view the full article online.

The Bad Guys Keep Getting Smarter. Stay Ahead of Them

The Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia convention and tradeshow was a great event, and A2C's Howard Latham enjoyed meeting many of the attendees and hearing their concerns regarding information security compliance, the recent tightening of state regulations, and heightened risks to your agencies. The presentations by Ron Berg, ACT executive director and Steve Robinson, national cyber practices leader of risk placement services, certainly confirmed the need for insurance agencies to protect their own house as well as helping their clients.

In the spirit of the season, Accelerate2Compliance is extending our special show pricing until Friday, December 31, 2021. In addition, we are adding the following special offer to members of IIAV:

If you subscribe to A2C’s Information Security solution by Friday, December 31, 2021, you will receive the IIAV special show pricing AND special pricing on Business Identity Fraud Remediation for your agency and Identity Theft Restoration Services for up to 25 of your employees (including yourself) provided by our partner LibertyID.

Email us at sales@accelerate2compliance.com, BEFORE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31 to learn more and experience a brief demo of the A2C solution.

The bad guys keep getting smarter. Stay ahead of them.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=705488&issueID=80063 to view the full article online.

State & National News

The Hill Newspaper Names Big ‘I’ Leaders Among Top D.C. Lobbyists

The Hill, a prominent political newspaper, has once again named Bob Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO, and Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president of external, industry and government affairs, among the top trade association lobbyists in Washington, D.C., this year.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=705471&issueID=80063 to view the full article online.

Virginia to Test Alcohol-Detection Technology for Commercial Vehicles

The Dept. of Motor Vehicles partnered with the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety and Schneider Trucking to conduct the first-ever trial of groundbreaking technology that could save thousands of lives.

This new technology will test blood-alcohol content for commercial vehicle drivers, and it will work in two ways: a breath-based system or a touch-based system.

Visit https://wset.com/news/local/virginia-to-trial-run-alcohol-detection-technology-for-commercial-vehicles-department-of-motor-vehicles-dmv-automotive-coalition-for-traffic-safety-schneider-trucking to view the full article online.

West Virginia No Longer Ranked Among ‘Judicial Hellholes’

For the first time in almost two decades, West Virginia is notably absent from the Judicial Hellholes^® report and rankings published annually by the American Tort Reform Foundation (ATRF). West Virginia was ranked as a Judicial Hellhole for 10 years and was on the report’s “Watch List” for the last seven years, but now appears in the report’s “Escaped List” in the 20th anniversary edition. ATRF credits recent legislative reforms for the state’s escape from the dregs as a Judicial Hellhole and even named the state legislature as a “Point of Light” in this year’s report.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=705501&issueID=80063 to view the full article online.

Health Agents Take Note:

New State Corporation Commission administrative letter related to balance billing.

Visit https://scc.virginia.gov/getattachment/0d032dd2-8cbf-4446-87b0-06db15cda57c/21-04.pdf to view the full article online.

IIAV News

A Message from Mike Funkhouser, State National Director and InsurPac Board of Trustees

As the Holidays approach, I tend to reflect on the things that I am thankful for — wonderful family and friends, the beautiful Commonwealth of Virginia where I’m blessed to live, and also an industry that has given me so much.

At this moment, your industry needs YOU! As you plan your holiday giving, I’m hoping that you will donate to InsurPac. There are many hidden monsters in the woods, from taxes and federal oversight of insurance, to flood reform and cyber, or something that hasn’t presented itself yet. Your donation supports the influence and clout the IIABA Government Affairs team wields when carrying OUR message to lawmakers. Did you know The Hill released its 2021 list of top lobbyists in Washington DC, and our IIABA Government Affairs team made the list as the only property and casualty agent and broker group recognized? The team can’t do what they do without YOU!

Please donate what you can at the link below, and note that this cannot be a corporate donation. All donations must be individual in nature. Any amount is greatly appreciated.

https://www.independentagent.com/GovernmentAffairs/InsurPac/default.aspx

Many thanks, and I wish you and your family the best during the Holiday season and 2022.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=705513&issueID=80063 to view the full article online.

IIAV's Staff Celebrate the Holiday Season

IIAV's staff took time to gather earlier this month in celebration of the holiday season. They enjoyed a wonderful holiday meal, told stories of holidays past and shared lots of laughs over the abudance of coffee presses and wine given in the office gift exchange! Coffee and wine popular — who would've guessed?

From everyone at IIAV HQ — we wish you and yours a safe, healthy and happy holiday season and a properous New Year!

– Bob, Linda, Joe, Teri, Bonnie W, Melanie, Susie, Vera, Bonnie J., Don, Debbi and Nicole

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=705918&issueID=80063 to view the full article online.

IIABA's Best Practices

The opportunity to be a part of the IIABA's Best Practices process and become a Best Practices Agency is now open. Since 1993, the Best Practices Study has examined top-performing agencies across the country. For these agencies, inclusion provides the prestigious status of "Best Practices Agency" and opens the doors to many benefits. This opportunity only takes place once every three years.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=705526&issueID=80063 to view the full article online.

Upcoming Events

Visit https://independentinsagentsofva.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/vP36313p?mode=Attendee to view the full article online.

2022 Economic Forecast

Richmond BizSense announced the 2022 Richmond Economic Forecast, presented by PNC.

Join us on Wednesday, Jan. 12 for this two-part regional economic outlook event. The first segment will feature a panel of local CEOs and business owners and their view of the year to come. That will be followed by a discussion with several regional economists.

Visit https://richmondbizsense.com/events/2022-economic-forecast/ to view the full article online.

Press Releases

Vertafore's Sircon for Carriers Selected for Inaugural PropertyCasualty360 Insurance Innovator Award

Vertafore^® announced its Sircon^® for Carriers solution has been recognized with a 2021 PropertyCasualty360 Insurance Innovator Award in the technology innovation category.

The first program of its kind from PropertyCasualty360 — the leading source of property and casualty (P&C) insurance news, trends, and resources for insurance agents and brokers — the Insurance Innovator Awards honor companies, people, programs and practices that are helping to modernize and humanize the P&C insurance business.

Visit https://curated.tncontentexchange.com/partners/pr_newswire/subject/awards/vertafores-sircon-for-carriers-selected-for-inaugural-propertycasualty360-insurance-innovator-award/article_2a75eb25-8a98-533e-8cf7-e290f6160573.html to view the full article online.

Central Insurance Announces New Marketing Manager for Virginia and Maryland

The Central Insurance Companies have announced Joe Wood has accepted the position of marketing manager for the states of Virginia and Maryland.

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

Who's Making News

31st Annual Richmond Valor Awards

The Richmond area Retail Merchants Association hosted the 31st Annual Valor Awards on December 2, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

The 2021 Valor Awards honored both the 2020 and 2021 recipients — area first responders who have been recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty. Through this event, local businesses and the community can share their thanks with all area first responders and their families for their sacrifice of service.

One of the 2021 recipients of a Valor Award is the husband of IIAV Director of Communications, Nicole McAllister. Lt.. Ian McAllister, a two time recipient of a Valor Award, risked his own personal safety during a structure fire in Janurary of 2021, along with three of his fellow officers.

We are proud to have him as part of our IIAV family. Thank you to all first responders for their service to our communities!

Visit https://richmond.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/its-humbling-retail-merchants-association-honors-first-responders-at-31st-annual-valor-awards/article_7d35db6a-44b1-591a-895a-3e019302be86.html to view the full article online.