Industry News

President Donald Trump signed into law a $36.5 billion disaster aid bill that contains $16 billion in debt forgiveness for the National Flood Insurance Program. The relief package, which includes funds for recovery from hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, was approved by the House on October 12. The package, H.R. 2266, was passed in the Senate on October 24.

PIA issued a statement praising the NFIP debt forgiveness, which will allow the NFIP to continue to pay claims, as it had already reached its borrowing limit. PIA is continuing to work with Congress to provide a long-term reauthorization of the NFIP that recognizes the vital role independent insurance agents play in delivering the program to policyholders. Authorization for the flood insurance program is currently set to expire on December 8.

Halloween can be a fright when trick-or-treaters flock to your property. But taking reasonable steps to safeguard your home and having the right homeowners’ or renters’ insurance makes it easier to get into the spirit of things, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

READ: Share PIA’s Halloween Safety Tips with Your Clients

Your homeowners’ or renters’ policy provides financial protection for a number of disasters, whether they occur on Halloween or any other day of the year, but homeowners should take reasonable steps to prevent injury or property damage, as well as confirm that they have the right type of insurance.

Survey will provide unprecedented insight into agents’ needs.

Following the success of 2017’s Independent Agent Survey, National Underwriter Property & Casualty, in cooperation with the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) and Flaspöhler Research, will continue that partnership with a new survey.

Findings from the 2018 National Underwriter/PIA Independent Agent Survey will provide deep, revealing insight into the challenges, needs, and demographics of independent Property & Casualty insurance agents across the U.S.

Renowned intelligence firm Flaspöhler, with which National Underwriter has enjoyed a decade-long editorial relationship, has long conducted an annual study of agents on behalf of key P&C carriers, which use the results to help them best meet agent needs. Beginning this week, the expanded 2018 questionnaire — crafted by Flaspöhler, PIA, NU and P&C carriers — is being distributed to NU’s proprietary lists of independent agents nationwide as well as PIA’s national membership.

The results of this project will be shared in print and online as a data-rich cover feature of charts, graphs and editorial analysis in National Underwriter’s February print edition, as well as on PropertyCasualty360.com and in PIA’s member magazine, PIA Connection.

“We are proud to once again conduct this survey that is regarded as an authoritative benchmark and empowers independent agents to share with the entire P&C industry exactly what’s on their minds,” said Shawn Moynihan, National Underwriter’s Editor-in-Chief. “Our alliance with PIA in this effort will help us all gain broader perspective on the needs of the people who sell P&C products every day, and will help inform our editorial coverage going forward as we continue to serve them.”

“PIA is pleased to once again partner with National Underwriter and Flaspöhler in this groundbreaking survey, the size and scope of which provides our industry with the most comprehensive and accurate picture of what professional independent insurance agents need to best serve their P&C clients,” said PIA National Executive Vice President & CEO Mike Becker. “Independent agents are the preferred distribution system for P&C products. Results of this survey will help them stay on top.”

Independent agents can look for the e-mail invitation to the survey link beginning this week.

The National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) offered a tribute to PIA of New Hampshire National Director Donald “Don” Flanders, 82, who passed away on September 28, 2017. A member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives since 2000, Flanders was also a member of NCOIL representing PIA since 2003. In the most recent NCOIL Newsletter, NCOIL Leadership shared thoughts on the occasion of Don’s passing.

“Don was a diligent legislator who served multiple roles at NCOIL, including Vice Chair of the Audit Committee and multiple policy committees,” said Kentucky State Rep. Steve Riggs, NCOIL President. “He brought the insurance policy perspective from his state and we will miss him greatly.”

“Don was an astute gentleman and at the core of NCOIL for a very long time, and will be missed on both sides of the Connecticut river,” said Vermont State Rep. Bill Botzow, NCOIL Secretary.

“Rep. Flanders was a leader among the ranks of the nation’s insurance legislators, and he will be sorely missed,” said Commissioner Tom Considine, NCOIL CEO. “Additionally, Don was a man who ranked family as his top priority, something we at NCOIL respected tremendously. Our then-President asked Don to take on a more formal, permanent leadership role last year, but Don passed because he did not want to miss more time from his family. He was a good man who did great things.”

Longtime PIA of New Hampshire National Director Donald “Don” Haven Flanders, 82, passed away on Thursday, September 28, 2017, surrounded by his loving family.

Don joined PIA (then the National Association of Mutual Insurance Agents – NAMIA) in 1960, shortly after he graduated from Bentley College with a degree in accounting and started his insurance career at the Byse Agency in 1952. Don became owner of the Byse Agency Inc. of Laconia in 1976 and served as chairman of its board until his passing. He held the CIC, CPCU and CPIA designations.

Active as a PIA volunteer for well over half a century, he held nearly every volunteer position in the association. Don was a Board member of PIA National from 1988 until his passing, serving with distinction in numerous positions of responsibility.

A member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives since 2000, he was also a member of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) from 2003, and served on both until his death. He was also a member of the New Hampshire Reinsurance Facility board and a member of New Hampshire Auto Assigned Risk Plan board, both from 1982 until his passing.

Don was an active PIA Board member until his death, most recently representing PIA of New Hampshire during the recent PIA National Board and committee meetings in Minneapolis, Minnesota Sept. 13-16, 2017.

“Don was a genuine gentleman,” said PIA National President-elect Keith Savino. “I am honored to have been able to work with him on a national level for about 15 years. PIA was only one portion of the life of a very giving man. His presence was always welcome, his opinions professional and respected. He was someone to admire, a truly great man.”

“My heart aches to hear this news,” said past PIA National President Donna Pile. “Don was such an integral part of PIA when I was serving. Blessings to his family as he passes the torch to the next generation. He will be well remembered in our hearts at PIA.”

PIA National incoming President-elect and insurance technology leader Keith Savino has received an award from AUGIE, the Associations & User Groups Information Exchange. Savino, along with former ACORD board member Andy Fogarty, were both were recognized for their efforts in the creation of AUGIE many years ago, and their uninterrupted support of the industry group.

The award was presented by Jim Armitage current chair of AUGIE, and Mike Skeele current vice chair (and Past PIA of New York President).

Savino is a current AUGIE Executive Council Board Member, representing PIA National. PIA has been an active participant in this important industry group since its inception, and is the driver of the Buy Button campaign, which AUGIE supports.

As part of PIA’s ongoing partnership with The Hartford’s flood insurance program, we are proud to provide PIA members with the latest Flood Agent eNewsletter produced by The Hartford for its flood insurance agents.

In addition to The Hartford’s eNewsletters, PIA members visiting PIA’s Flood Insurance Marketing Support Center can download flyers to help their personal lines and commercial lines clients prepare for floods, deal with the aftermath of flooding, prepare for a visit by an adjuster and better understand the NFIP remapping process.

PIA thanks The Hartford for making these excellent materials available to all PIA members, regardless of their participation in PIA’s flood insurance program with The Hartford.

PIA members who want to earn great flood insurance commissions while working with a top-flight Write-Your-Own flood insurance company should consider the PIA/Hartford flood insurance program. To learn more visit www.pianet.com/hartfordfloodinsurance or contact Joseph M. Surowiecki, Jr. of The Hartford at 860-547-5006 or joseph.surowiecki@thehartford.com.

Many small business owners may not think they need cyber liability coverage, but small businesses are extremely vulnerable to security threats. That’s why PIA is excited to announce a cyber insurance program that responds to the most common threats facing small and mid-sized businesses.

After evaluating carriers, PIA partnered with ABA Insurance Services and selected Great American E&S Insurance Company (rated A+ by A.M. Best) as the premier carrier for the PIA cyber insurance program.

The policy covers risks such as social engineering, funds transfer fraud, ransomware, network interruption, data breach, network security, and media liability. Coverage is now available to agents through their local PIA affiliate producers using a simplified, slot-rated quoting process. The policy premium is significantly discounted from those rates found in the standard market and includes enhancements not typically offered by competitors.

Later in the fall, PIA members will be able to sell the coverage to their clients as well.

To learn more about cyber insurance coverage contact your local PIA Affiliate or if you are an agent in CO, DE, IL, MA, OK, PA, RI, SD, WV or Guam click here.

PIA has named Auto-Owners Insurance Company as the recipient of its prestigious 2017 Company Award of Excellence. The presentation was made on September 15, 2017 at a gala ceremony held in conjunction with PIA’s Board of Directors meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“Auto-Owners is highly deserving of this, our association’s highest company honor,” said PIA National President Gary Blackwell, in presenting the award. “For independent agents, Auto-Owners is a true partner. Many of us have placed Auto-Owners Insurance high among the carriers we represent. There are many good reasons for this: Financial strength and stability. Excellent service. Superior products. Unparalleled quality. And ease of doing business.”

The PIA National Company Award of Excellence honors a company for its commitment to PIA, to the American Agency System and to furthering the interests of professional insurance agents by creating a better business environment.

“We are honored and humbly accept this award on behalf of the associates of Auto-Owners that make such awards possible,” said Chairman & CEO Jeff Harrold, who along with Mary Pierce, senior vice president, marketing & sales, was on hand for the presentation.

“In our 101-year history, we have marketed exclusively through the independent agency system and see no reason to change. Like the PIA, whose focus is on enhancing the capabilities and skills of their members, we have found the better we serve our agents, the mutually stronger we become.”

On Friday Sept. 8, the U.S. House followed action the previous day by the Senate, approving a short-term extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The temporary extension of the NFIP—which was to expire on Sept. 30—was part of a deal brokered by President Trump that included a three-month agreement to fund the federal government and lift the debt ceiling until Dec. 8, along with a $15.3 billion hurricane aid package.

After the House vote, PIA issued a statement praising the NFIP extension.

“We view this short-term extension as a chance for Congress to provide taxpayers with the financial stability such a program requires by passing an essential long-term reauthorization of the NFIP. It has become apparent during this historic hurricane season that far too few homeowners have flood insurance, a situation that must be changed,” said PIA National Vice President of Government Relations Jon Gentile.

Our statement also noted PIA remains opposed to a flood legislative package that passed out of the House Financial Services Committee earlier this year, because it would lower the reimbursement rate paid to NFIP carriers, who reimburse independent agents who sell the policies from that rate.