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...servicing operation for smaller Commercial and Personal Lines business must be...hether it’ll eventually turn out to be the best thing for the banks, the agency principals, their customers, and their employees remains to be proven.

...pite the ongoing soft market in Commercial lines, the average insurance agency...e Carol Hammes, principal of The Middleton Group, was one of the Independent A...

... a local bank, Van Den Huevel & Fountain looked for a bank with the same culture and attention to detail they had always maintained. The agency's success to date is hard to measure because of the briefness of the relationship, but a mix of Personal, small Commercial, and Life insurance policies have been sold so far. As far as the future is concerned, we see the [bank and agency] relationship as a growing part of the agency's business, ' said Rhea Fountain III, president of the agency. John ... realize that selling P/C insurance requires serious marketing. Banks also need to be aware that P/C insurance products are very different from traditional bank products and services that focus on money management and asset accumulation. THE AGENT PERSPECTIVE For years, independent agents fought hard to maintain a barrier between agents and banks. The U.S. Supreme Court's Barnett Bank decision in 1996, however, changed all that. Even the independent agent associations no longer oppose the involvement of banks in the insurance process. Several independent agents I've spoken to ... , it's important that all state and federal regulators be involved in this process. The ultimate goal, after all, is to protect consumers while creating a marketplace environment that allows agents, companies, and insureds to benefit from insurance transactions. Why partner in the first place? Because of their contacts with private and business clients, banks often are involved with their customers at the point at which insurance decisions are required. This provides banks with the opportunity to be at the right place at the right time for selling P/C ...

... That makes reporting quality a commercial property rather than an administrat...rs and still wins business. It simply stopped being the thing that determines whether an MGA has capacity to quote with next year, and that order...

...p, but a mix of Personal, small Commercial, and Life insurance policies have b...r this union is made in heaven remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Insurance agents and banks need to make the best of the situation, beca...

...ke excuses for themselves? In both hard and soft markets, do they complain tha...nside out. Ask your employees, your customers, and your companies for help. Wh...

...he company honors the claim. In a hard market, companies will non-renew previ...provide great opportunities. Just go into it with the awareness that the game ...

...d heavily with the medium-sized commercial accounts so sought after in today's... attack the small- to medium-sized commercial account. It is, indeed, an attra...

... , wholesalers and service providers. Negotiate lucrative contracts with carriers and wholesalers. Net result. More revenue for your agency! Clients & Prospects will research you, your co-workers and your agency here. The most comprehensive online insurance industry reference library for - Personal Lines Professionals Commercial Lines Professionals Life/Health & Benefits Professionals Online newsletters and content that you can use for your clients and social media efforts. Ability to attach leads and clients to your specific market searches, with e-mail alerts for all the market, articles, blogs and people ... you heard some grumbling from your clients that, when you're not around, no one from your office seems to know them? Have your salespeople RIP'd (Retired In Place)? Do you make excuses for them? Do they make excuses for themselves? In both hard and soft markets, do they complain that they don't have time to sell because of market conditions? Is your management spotty? Do you know what needs to be done, start programs, then lose interest and sort of peter out? Knowing this, are ... stellar" as we boast? Does it take too long for our CSRs to return calls? Have you heard some grumbling from your clients that, when you're not around, no one from your office seems to know them? Have your salespeople RIP'd (Retired In Place)? Do you make excuses for them? Do they make excuses for themselves? In both hard and soft markets, do they complain that they don't have time to sell because of market conditions? Is your management spotty? Do you know what needs to ...

... , wholesalers and service providers. Negotiate lucrative contracts with carriers and wholesalers. Net result. More revenue for your agency! Clients & Prospects will research you, your co-workers and your agency here. The most comprehensive online insurance industry reference library for - Personal Lines Professionals Commercial Lines Professionals Life/Health & Benefits Professionals Online newsletters and content that you can use for your clients and social media efforts. Ability to attach leads and clients to your specific market searches, with e-mail alerts for all the market, articles, blogs and people ... customers and stand behind them with agency accommodations' when the need arises. This typically involves customers who secure inadequate coverage, then complain when the company doesn't cover a claim. To position the agent favorably with the customer, the company honors the claim. In a hard market, companies will non-renew previously acceptable books of business due to changes in renewal guidelines. For those who meet the tougher guidelines, prices will certainly go up. New business is harder to place, especially if there's a Property exposure. Companies that provided agency ... previously will review contracts and underwriting/binding guidelines to determine whether agencies overstepped their authority. Do you think that one of your markets might sue you over a contractual issue? You'd better believe it, because it's happening. What can you do about it? Here are some helpful hints: Recognize that conditions have changed. The frequency of E&O claims during the past 20 years reveals that market conditions will play a significant role in Agents' E&O . Educate your staff. Let them know that they can't overstep ...