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...>Privately owned retail agents, wholesalers, and MGAs can benefit by creating ...lationships on doing business with wholesalers and MGAs wanted to structure an...

...actical deployment. For agents, wholesalers, managing general agents (MGAs), a... Valuable for MGAs and wholesalers, but depends on structured data...

... run, this should be beneficial because it eliminates the "requirement" of sending out cancellation notices. The new form reinforces the need for agents using certs to follow these "best practices:" Best Practices to consider: Have a written procedure for the handling/issuance of certs. This should address all pertinent issues, including how to handle requests for adding additional insureds when the policy doesn't provide this coverage. Consider identifying a specific number of staff who can handle this responsibility, and make sure they receive the necessary training. Audit completed certificates periodically to ensure that they are done in accordance with established agency procedures. If you're issuing certificates on behalf of E&S carriers with which you have placed business, understand that unless you have an E&S license and are acting as the wholesaler, you are technically not the agent. Get approval from your E&S wholesaler to issue these. Many agents issue a "draft" and send it to the wholesaler for approval. This is acceptable. Issue the certificate from your system. This will ensure that the producer, named insured(s ), carrier, policy number(s ), policy dates, etc., are correct. If you still produce certificates manually, as your software is updated to the new ACORD 25 form, take advantage of technology – it's a great time saver that will help reduce (but not eliminate) the potential for mistakes. Use the Additional Insured column as much as possible to help tie additional insureds into the right coverage. Don't issue a certificate with additional coverages notes ...

... dealing with the E&S market, take these E&O precautions. Before you go to the Surplus Lines market, be sure to educate your staff on the uniqueness of this marketplace: Many E&SL carriers require their own apps. Don't get caught in a situation where you need to bind coverage and the carrier wont do so until they have their app. You'll need to complete affidavits to show that the standard market won't write your risk Since Surplus Lines is free of rate and form in most states, the forms might not be familiar. Make it a standard practice in your agency to review new policies and to compare them with the old forms. If you can't get comparable coverage, notify the client. Be sure to request a copy of the policy form from the wholesaler. Check the financial rating of the Surplus Lines carrier. If you're not sure, ask the wholesaler. Remember: there's no Guaranty Fund with Surplus Lines carriers. Exercise extreme caution! Here's an E&O claim that illustrates these issues: The claim against the agency was for failure to provide a client tavern owner with adequate Liability coverage. There was a fatal shooting at the tavern when a 14-year-old girl attempted an armed robbery. An intoxicated patron tried to disarm the girl, but was killed in the struggle. The patron's estate sued the tavern for failure to maintain safe premises. The agent submitted the lawsuit to the General Liability carrier, who denied the claim on the basis of an Assault and Battery exclusion. The agent gave notice to the Liquor Liability carrier, who also denied ...

...ort for registered reps through wholesalers. So mutual fund availability/suppo... Unlike mutual funds which provide wholesalers to support the sales activities...

...   L. 5 -- Auto Parts Wholesalers   M. 5 -- Air Conditioning & Refrigerator Wholesalers   N. 10 -- Fast Food Busin...

... companies, the business plan had to be comprehensive and make companies feel confident about doing business with me, ' she explains. I included demographics of the area where the agency would be located, description of the competition, marketing plans, and expected growth, among other things. A friend of Amy's suggested that she call the Professional Insurance Agents of New York (PIANY) to obtain E&O coverage for her new business. The very next day, I attended my first PIA meeting — a regional conference — bringing copies of my business plan to hand out, ' she recalls. What a jump-start that was for me. I met so many agents and company people that day. I was so green, ' Amy laughs. I met a company rep who asked if I was a wholesaler or retailer. I said, What's a wholesaler and what's a retailer? ' I never feel stupid asking questions, though; I keep asking until I understand. She says that most people — especially company underwriters — have been very helpful in providing guidance and information in these early years of her agency's operation. At this first PIANY event, Amy met the president of Associated Mutual, a regional company, who appointed her that day. I didn't quite know what to do. I asked him, Do I come to you? ' and he patiently answered, No, we come to you.' With this appointment under her belt, Amy was able to get appointments from other companies more easily. I'm so grateful that Associated Mutual gave me a chance, and it was a chance, ...

... happens if they don't want or intend to work for the new agency owner? A sale can disappear quickly if a buyer finds that not only will they lose employees, but that these people will enjoy free rein to compete against the new owners on the very book of business that's being purchased. If you're buying a book of business or an agency, make sure that the Employment Agreements, or at least the Non-Compete and Non-Piracy Clauses, are transferable. If there's any question about their transferability, make the acquisition or merger contingent on getting signed Employment Agreements with specific employees. An Employment Agreement protects both the employee (who is given specific duties and rights) and the agency. If an agency is being purchased or sold in an asset sale, this protection can become critical — we've seen wholesale departures that effectively ruined a transaction. If the sale involves stock, a strong Employment Agreement can provide a period of transition and stabilization that protects both buyer and seller. Either way, the new owner would be wise to re-negotiate a new Employment Agreement with pre-existing employees, using a legitimate form of consideration (thus avoiding any whiff of coercion) . The goal of the CompleteMarkets editor is to bring valuable content to the CompleteMarkets members. Providing content to insurance professionals to enhance their sales process, increase revenue streams, understand their clients and provide value to their agency. 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 ...

... x No Thanks Loading.. One Source Warehouse Stocks Only Drug-Free Employees 4/30/2013 by CompleteMarkets Editor This content has not been rated yet. ONE SOURCE WAREHOUSE STOCKS ONLY DRUG-FREE EMPLOYEES WORKING PARTNERS One Source Warehouse is a wholesale auto parts company in Houston, Texas, owned and operated by the Albee family. The Albees employ a total of 110 employees at the company's 10 locations. The work force is approximately 30% administrative and 70% drivers and warehouse personnel. About four years ago, the company was experiencing severe theft problems accompanied by high turnover among drivers and stockers. One driver worked for the company just one week before disappearing with one of the company's vans. Although neither driver nor van was ever seen again, the Albees learned from the man's wife that her husband had been involved in drugs. Although drivers were screened through reviews of their driving records, Shane Albee, vice president of the firm, became increasingly aware that more often than not, if there was a problem, drugs were involved. It was bad for the company, bad for the employees, bad for the customers.. We needed to do something about it, and we did. Mr. Albee contacted a drug testing laboratory which provided a consultant to help draft a company policy specifically addressing the needs of the company. After it was reviewed by a lawyer experienced in drug testing, the policy was announced and explained to all employees. Following a 30-day waiting period, during which time employees with substance abuse problems were encourage to seek assistance, the policy was put into effect. Employees were aware that ...

... state requires certificates to be filed and approved just like policy forms. For more information, check out our article ' Additional Insureds and Certificates. Courts have generally held that a certificate of insurance doesn't grant any contractual rights to the certificate holder. In United States Pipe & Foundry Co. v. United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co., 505 F.2d 88 (5th Cir. 1974), the court ruled that the certificate didn't grant contractual rights since there had been no exchange of consideration as required to effect a valid, enforceable contract. One wonders, though, if at some point a certificate holder might allege that the consideration provided was the granting, for example, of a construction contract in exchange for the certificate and assurance of coverage, cancellation notice, etc. In Lezak & Levy Wholesale Meats, Inc. v. Illinois Employees Insurance Co., 460 N.E.2d 475 (Ill. Ct. App. 1984), the court refused to permit the coverages implied on the certificate to supercede those actually provided under the insurance contract based on the fact that the certificate, according to its clear wording, was not part of the policy. The court made a similar ruling in Pekin Insurance Co. v. American Country Insurance Co., 572 N.E.2d 1112 (Ill. Ct. App. 1991) . However, where there's an implication that the certificate might be a part of the policy or controlling it, several courts have ruled in favor of the certificate holder. Such cases include White Motors Corp. v. Northland Ins. Co., 315 F. Supp. ...