CCIIO to fix broker tracking, commission issue on federal health exchange

According to an agency official at the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, the organization is addressing an issue that currently is preventing agents and brokers from identifying themselves and receive commissions for their work on the federally facilitated marketplace. The fix should be in place by Nov. 15. More …  

FEMA updates April 2015 changes

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued Bulletin W-14055 to provide additional guidance and clarifications to the Oct. 1, 2014 Bulletin W-14053 with regard to the changes that the National Flood Insurance Program will implement effective April 1, 2015. The procedures described below for Property Newly Mapped into the Special Flood Hazard Area, in accordance with the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, are intended to clarify the eligibility criteria and describe how this "Newly Mapped" procedure applies in the first year of eligibility.  

National General on agents’ concerns about merger with Tower

PIA participated at a meeting in which National General Insurance Co. addressed its recent merger with Tower Insurance. Topics discussed at the meeting ranged from commissions to technology platforms to in-shoring work. National General stressed it is a much stronger company and that the transition of policies from Tower will be as seamless as possible. As to the commission structure, which everyone was concerned about, National General reiterated the fact that there will be no change to the current commission structures. National General is holding meetings across the United States, including Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and New Hampshire.  

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Pandemic coverage

Recent events and coverage on the Ebola outbreak may raise the question: Is there any type of insurance available that covers a business in the event of a widespread pandemic? A. When we start talking about outbreaks or pandemics, the first thought should be about the safety of the employees. A great resource is at flu.gov/pandemic/. Secondly, we will want to look at the business interruption coverage. Business interruption coverage is designed to protect businesses from losses that they may suffer unexpectedly due to unavoidable interruptions in their daily operations. Typical business income and extra expense coverage is triggered by damage to property at the insured’s premises by a covered peril, not the threat of disease. In order to trigger civil authority coverage, there must be damage to property located no more than a mile from the insured’s premises caused by a covered peril. For a comprehensive answer to this question, click here. For more information on facts and perspectives on the current Ebola outbreak, click here and here. To access our entire Ask PIA library of frequently asked questions and expert answers by PIA’s technical staff, click here.   

PIA members receive discount on online CE courses

Looking for online education courses? Think PIA first. PIACT has partnered with CEU.com—a provider of online continuing-education courses—to offer PIA members a 35 percent discount on online insurance CE courses. To take advantage of this discount, PIA members must access CEU.com via the pia.org website, by clicking the "Education" tab and then clicking "Online from CEU.com (off-site)" link under "Insurance licensing."  

Winter personal-lines newsletters are available for your clients

Now is the time to order your winter issue of Insights and Updates to send to your clients. This newsletter is perfect for your personal-lines clients and features the following topics: the risks of ride sharing; how to prevent ice dams; heating your home with a fireplace vs. traditional gas; the liability of sledding on private property; and travel during the busy holiday traffic. This newsletter, in which you also can include your agency’s privacy notice, can be personalized and sent through PIA Creative Services. For more information, contact dcramer@pia.org or call (800) 424-4244.  

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Webinar on social media and smartphones

Agents are reaching a digital tipping point and must accelerate, take control of and link their efforts in social media and mobile technology to stay competitive. Join PIA National and social media/insurance marketing guru Tom Wetzel for a free PIA-member webinar, Taking Control of Social Media and the Smartphone, Monday, Oct. 27, 2014, at 2 p.m. This webinar will help agents: leverage the power of the smartphone in your agency’s social media; understand how carriers’ strategies affect your agency; understand the effect that carrier apps have on your clients and your agency; learn the keys to successful social media content; and walk away with immediate action steps and best practices. For more information, or to register, click here.  

Life, health and long-term disability

Your agency is a priority to PIA ... let us do your shopping. PIA aims to reduce your premiums and customize your employee benefits. Let us take care of your group medical, group term life insurance, group long-term disability and group dental. Take advantage of PIA Members’ Choice employee benefit programs. Get your no-obligation quote today. Call (800) 424-4244 or click here.  

Upcoming PIACT Webinars

PIACT will offer the following Webinars in the next few months: Are You Linked In? What it Can Do for You and Your Agency (Friday, Nov. 14, from 10-11 a.m., CTCE: N/A); Exploring the Personal Umbrella/Excess Policy (Friday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., CTCE: 3 PC); Ethics—Something Worth Pursuing (Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., CTCE: 3 LRE); and Top Ten Commercial Lines Endorsements (Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 10-11 a.m., CTCE: 1 PC). ^{^FF^UM}—This course has been approved for E&O loss-prevention credit by Fireman’s Fund and Utica Mutual. Call the PIA E&O Department for details at (800) 424-4244. For more information or to register, click here.  

Everything’s wet—it must be a flood, right?

Just because something’s wet, doesn’t mean it’s a flood. There seems to be genuine confusion as to what is covered under a standard flood insurance policy and the standard homeowners policy. PIA offers a tool kit that explains the coverage difference between the two policies. To obtain your copy, access QS90733 in PIA’s QuickSource library.  

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