AGENCY-COMPANY RELATIONS: STAND BY ME by Brenda French What do your companies want and how can you give it to them? In working with your companies, the first quest...

Mike called. As soon as I heard his voice, I knew that, like Austin Powers, he had his mojo back. Mike was on fire with enthusiasm,...

Claims professionals have become aware of the increasing use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to re-solve insurance claims disputes.

About 95% of all cases are now resolved without a judge and jury. Insurance companies, once ready to battle most of their cases, are now immersed in a cost-conscious and cost-cutting business environment. Law firms also are feeling the impact of inflation and face the need of obtaining capital quickly. Clients also feel this need and press attorneys for quick action.

ALTERNATIVE WORK SCHEDULES: TRY FLEXTIME by Judith Newman Innovative work schedules that depart from the traditional five-day, 'nine-to-five' variety have been around now for over 20...

ANNIVERSARY LETTER Dear (Customer Name), CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY IN YOUR NEW HOME! As a new homeowner, I bet you've had your hands full this past year. Moving, organizing, deco...

ARE GUARANTY FUNDS THE ANSWER? by Curtis Pearsall Agents should be aware of several issues (some old, some new) about Guaranty Funds, what theyll cover, and what they wont...

ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE? IT'S HERE! by Paul Bronow Consolidation within our industry is going much faster than we anticipated a few short years ago. The number of players is shrinki...

ARE YOUR HOMEOWNERS ACCOUNTS INSURED TO VALUE? by Curtis Pearsall Youve decided to add a family room to your house with big bay windows, and French doors opening onto a back garden. Y...

I recently read four news items that relate to how consumers perceive Life insurance:
Insurance companies are “horrible” at getting people to understand what they’re talking about.
Surveys show that insurers are at, or near, the bottom of simplicity ratings.
More than 60% of people who own Life insurance have no idea what they own or how it works; and 29% said that although they need more insurance, no one has asked them about it.
More than one in four (26%) of Americans prefer to buy Life insurance through the internet, mail, or over the phone.

FRAUDBUSTERS: ASK A LICENSED PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR Part 3 Q: I'm currently working on a case that has several named defendants. Recently, I received a telephone call from an investigator who h...