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...cts first; service provided by unauthorized repair people will void some warra...stress injuries (RSIs) due to heavy computer use. Although you have no legal o...

... : 9. Conduct a monthly security audit on your PBX system. Check authorization codes. 10. Consider buying a PBX protection package. It can help you monitor potentially fraudulent activity, such as repeated searches for a dial tone, and can limit your liability for unauthorized calls. You may be eligible for a discount on toll-fraud insurance if you have a PBX security package. Peter van Aartrijk Jr., CIC, is vice president for communications with the Independent Insurance Agents of America. This article was excerpted from In ACORD Magazine ... that telephone fraud in the United States costs businesses and residences as much as $4 billion per year. Whether you're installing a new phone system or just want to take full advantage of your present system, you should protect your agency from costly phone fraud. While computer hackers may break into telephone systems for thrills, other criminals make a living at it. These lawbreakers often sell their services to retailers' who offer stolen phone-access numbers to drug traffickers or illegal immigrants. This underground service can translate into expensive calls to far-off destinations ... carriers provide users with 24-hour toll fraud monitoring, training, and liability limits. Experts recommend these basic proactive measures to protect your agency against phone fraud: 1. Adopt a prevention program. Use the security measures that your system provides. Change passwords and/or access codes frequently. 2. Most thieves are interested in making international calls, so block calls to countries where your organization isn't involved. That means no one- from the president on down to the cleaning crew-can make the calls. With this option, hackers might ...

...d can limit your liability for unauthorized calls. You may be eligible for a d...

...information and using it in an unauthorized manner to the agency’s detriment. ...ility and/or Professional Liability coverage? Does the insured need contingent Business Interruption coverage? Stay Vigilant! Although the con...

... Make only those repairs necessary to prevent further damage to your home or business. This must include covering breaks in a roof, wall, or windows with plywood, canvas, or other waterproof material. Do not have permanent repairs made without first consulting your agent. Unauthorized repairs may not be reimbursed. 3. Wait for an insurance adjuster to arrive to appraise your damage. Following a catastrophe, insurance companies schedule adjusters so that the most serious losses get priority treatment. Those policyholders are the most in need. 4. Keep ... from home freezers thawing, even though this coverage is not included in most homeowners policies. This caused some ill will on the part of policyholders whose companies refused to pay for food spoilage. We were grateful that all of our policy information was not entered in our computer, since we were without power for several days and couldn't find a generator to put our computer back in business. Even if we had had a generator, it would have been difficult to obtain gasoline for it, since few service stations were operating prior to ... return of electrical power. Our staff was accustomed to completing the ACORD forms manually, and coverage information was easily accessible from our files. As of February, we had processed 1,977 homeowners claims, 11 percent of which had not been resolved. We feel this is a pretty good record, considering the situation. On the whole, our clients were pleased with the way claims were settled. Each agency should have a disaster plan. We didn't but fashioned one quickly. It would be difficult to design a plan that ...

...t first consulting your agent. Unauthorized repairs may not be reimbursed. 3.... and coverage information was easily accessible from our files. As of Februar...

... an insurance agency mail campaign. A good rule of thumb is to select prospects similar to present insureds. The usual arrangement is to purchase one-time use of a mailing list in the form of mailing labels or magnetic tape. (These lists have a built-in safeguard against unauthorized repeat-usage - dummy names and addresses that send your mailing to the company owning the list.) Buying the rights to a second mailing can be a good investment in proper follow-up. If an agency is using a geographical list, make certain the list reflects updated ... or fewer. Indenting important paragraphs increases the response rate. Underlining key words can be effective if not overdone. Color can be used to highlight key words or phrases, but the impact is lost if used too many times. Format is important. Letters typed by computer or word processing equipment work better than printed sheets but cost more. A separate letter and brochure are more effective than incorporating the sales message into the brochure. Postscripts (P.S.) increase response. Type should be large and readable, double-spaced, and with ... , sales force, internal strengths, and resources. Get a program off the ground by starting with present customers. Then add on or cross-sell these customers via a direct- marketing program - and expand. Concentrate. Login or Register (for FREE) to gain access to thousands of other great articles. Need more reasons to join? Need insurance for you, your business or your family? Get quality appointments - Save yourself a whole lot of time & money when you use our directory of carriers, wholesalers and service providers ...

...e a built-in safeguard against unauthorized repeat-usage - dummy names and add...rmat is important. Letters typed by computer or word processing equipment work...