IIAV NEWSLETTER
Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia
August 2017
 The House of Representatives passed a repeal/replace bill that they were confident would never see the light of day after the Senate reviewed the plan. Very brave and wasn’t worth the celebration at the White House that it received. Interesting to watch Majority Leader Paul Ryan now expressing that "we did our job, now the Senate needs to step up to the plate".
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/indexV2.asp?aid=453584&issueID=51949 to view the full article online. |
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WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today issued a warning that tax-related scams continue across the nation even though the tax filing season has ended for most taxpayers. People should remain on alert to new and emerging schemes involving the tax system that continue to claim victims.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/indexV2.asp?aid=453585&issueID=51949 to view the full article online. |
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In general, the Bureau is reviewing all admin letters to determine their relevance and to make sure links, contact information as well are updated. A few letters have been marked obsolete while others have been revised.
Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/pdf/AL_2002-01_rev_.pdf to view the full article online. |
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Members of the National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices (NAPSLO) and the American Association of Managing General Agents (AAMGA) have voted in favor of creating a unified, national group of E&S professionals that going forward will be known as the Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA), effective Aug. 1.
Visit http://www.propertycasualty360.com/2017/07/25/vote-official-napslo-aamga-will-merge-to-become-ws to view the full article online. |
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The academic year successfully concluded in May with a number of our graduates beginning their journey in the risk management and insurance industry.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/indexV2.asp?aid=453595&issueID=51949 to view the full article online. |
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Veterans of the United States Armed Forces and some active duty military and reservists now have a new incentive to become licensed insurance agents in Virginia. The State Corporation Commission's Bureau of Insurance recently received approval from the Virginia Department of Veterans Services State Approving Agency for Veterans Education and Training to provide licensure tests to veterans. This allows veterans who sit for certain Virginia insurance licensure examinations to be reimbursed under the GI Bill®. Virginia joins seven other states whose insurance licensing examinations are reimbursable under this federal program. "We are pleased to announce the availability of these reimbursements to our veterans and active duty military members, and encourage them to consider the many job opportunities in the insurance industry," said Virginia Insurance Commissioner Jaqueline K. Cunningham in a press release issued by the Virginia Bureau of Insurance. Veterans may now use their GI Bill®education benefits - available through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) – to pay the cost of approved licensing and certification tests, including insurance licensure examinations. Dependents of totally disabled veterans or veterans who died in service also can use this benefit under certain conditions. Up to $2,000 can be reimbursed under the GI Bill®for each insurance licensing examination. Reimbursements are paid directly to the veteran or other eligible person after they submit proof of payment to the VA.Other fees connected with obtaining a license, such as insurance license application processing fees or costs for classes to prepare for the insurance licensing exams, are not reimbursable under the GI Bill®. Veterans can be reimbursed under the GI Bill®regardless of the number of insurance agent licensing exams they take or the number of times they take an exam. Source: Virginia Bureau of Insurance NOTE: Veterans and their immediate family are allowed to take the IIAV Pre-licensing class for free. |
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While the landscape for life‐licensed producers and agencies has changed dramatically over the past decade, the motivations of your clients for purchasing coverage really haven’t. People still want and need life insurance, but there are fewer agents and advisors talking about it.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/indexV2.asp?aid=453777&issueID=51949 to view the full article online. |
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RICHMOND, VA. July 10, 2017- During its recently held annual meeting at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia, the Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia named Douglas B. Megill, of McLean Insurance Agency, Chairman of the Board of Directors. Megil is a third generation insurance agent in the Northern Virginia Area. Hunter Odom, of Suffolk Insurance Corporation was named Chair-Elect. Odom formerly held the position of First Vice Chair, now held by Dennis Winfree, of Horizon Insurance Services. Bruce Laderberg, of Bruce Laderberg Insurance Agency was names the new District 2 Director. For the past year, the IIAV Board of Directors has made great improvements, those improvements will continue with this new wave of leadership. "Doug has big plans for the association, including bring back committees and tasks forces initiatives," said Robert N. Bradshaw, Jr., MAM, President and CEO of IIAV. Bradshaw adds, "We are anticipating a great year for the Association." |
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Known by his friends and colleagues as Dick, Spiers’ insurance career began with Royal Insurance and then with Utica National Insurance specializing in management, underwriting, administration and marketing. Mr. Spiers has been a fixture within the industry sharing his vast insurance knowledge in the classroom. For over three decades he has taught seemingly everything from property/casualty pre-licensing to CPCU classes and served as an Adjunct Professor at both Virginia Commonwealth University and University of Richmond. For the past eleven years Spiers has frequently served as an instructor for IIAV teaching hundreds of students in a variety of continuing education and designation classes. "Dick has been a long-standing contributor to the industry and has probably helped more people in Virginia get licensed than he would care to count," exclaims Robert N. Bradshaw, Jr., MAM, president and CEO of IIAV. Bradshaw adds, "We are excited to have his ongoing participation in the Association." |
RICHMOND,
VA. July 7, 2017- During its recently
held annual meeting the Virginia Association of Insurance Agents honored
Richard M. Spiers, Jr., CPCU, CIC as Director Emeritus of its Board of
Directors. Spiers is a well-known and
respected pillar of the insurance industry.
Possessing an undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and
an MBA from the University of Richmond, Spiers also earned the Chartered
Property Casualty Underwriter designation as well as that of Certified
Insurance Counselor.|
An event you want your young agent to attend. And registration is now open.
If your young agent isn't with us in Norfolk, not only are they missing out, but your agency is missing a huge opportunity. Our presenters, simply put, are amazing. Chris Langille and Erin Nutting both have proven track records of success and they are so excited to bring what they know to your team. You'll want to make this a priority for the young agent you work with! Be known as the agency who believes the path to success is through constant learning and growth.
And yes - we have sponsorship opportunities available! Contact Carter Lyons for more information! |
 In partnership with Virginia Bankers Association, Virginia Society of CPAs, and Virginia Financial Planners Association! (And they’re all free to attend!)
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/indexV2.asp?aid=453609&issueID=51949 to view the full article online. |
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Lunch and Burn – Join us on September 13 for a lunch & learn event unlike any other. We’re teaming up with Alfa Alliance and Henrico County Fire Department to bring you Vehicle Fire and Fraud – Oh My!
The best part? We’ll be taking a close look at fraud as it relates to vehicle fire because we’ll be witnessing a live burn. Space is limited, so register now – we expect this to sell out! The $30 registration fee includes the educational session, continuing education, as well as lunch.  Also – a special thanks to Amerisafe for their sponsorship of this event! |
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This annual event is back - and we want you to join us on September 13! We’ll be at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. (yes, that's right after the lunch and learn event to minimize time out of the office). 100 percent of the proceeds from this evening (including a raffle!) will benefit The Huntington's Disease Society of America, a cause that is very near and dear to us at IIAV. Register here and we’ll see you there! |
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"The more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know." ~Albert Einstein
Learning matters; and for a much more important reason than the 16 or 24 hours required for you to maintain your license (although that is important!). Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/indexV2.asp?aid=453617&issueID=51949 to view the full article online. |
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Thanks to a partnership between IIAV and Insurance Journal’s Academy of Insurance, all 200 On Demand and Upcoming Live Academy of Insurance webinars are available to you at 25 percent off. Use discount code IIAV at checkout.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/indexV2.asp?aid=453618&issueID=51949 to view the full article online. |
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Small businesses are being targeted by cyber thieves at an alarming rate. We would encourage you to speak at business groups on this trend and explain cyber insurance to these businesses. To help you in these discussions we have a SAMPLE speech for you to give on Cyber insurance. We've made presentations to the Richmond BBB and a business organization in Roanoke on this issue. If you would like a copy of this speech please let me know. It’s FREE to IIAV members. For a copy of the speech, email me at RBradshaw@iiavl.com. Bob Bradshaw - IIAV President & CEO |
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As we all know, our beloved industry gets a pretty bad rap sometimes. And, as we all know, there's so much more good that comes from the industry that people just aren't aware of. And then there's this article from Forbes. It's a definite pat on the back to the industry as a whole, but there are some great takeaways for you from a fellow insurance professional who just happens to also be an independent agent. Trust us - give it a read. |
Many employers are increasing their employees’ health insurance deductibles, co-pays, and out-of-pocket maximums in order to keep health insurance premiums affordable. Employees are looking for ways to close these financial gaps. A new BenefitsPro survey found that 83 percent of workers with healthcare coverage would enroll in a voluntary benefits program without expecting their employer to pay for it. Please reach out to me and learn more about the coverage gap protection and tax advantages of voluntary employee benefits! Questions? Contact: Monty Dise, President Asset Protection Group, Inc.
804-423-7700
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 How to Update Your Website with Interactive Clickable Coverage InformationEducating prospects and customers on the insurance coverages they need can be difficult. Visit https://steveanderson.com/2017/07/06/how-to-update-your-website-with-interactive-clickable-coverage-information/?& to view the full article online. |
 The following concise list of questions is not comprehensive, but includes examples of subjects for which a self-audit is helpful. Please note that self-audits should be made and discussed, in person if possible, agency-wide to be most effective.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/indexV2.asp?aid=453583&issueID=51949 to view the full article online. |
