On the Level features Jamie Deapo and Steve Ruchman bringing us the views of the two major P/C insurance agents’ associations, in alternate issues. Both Jamie and Steve are strong voices for the independent agent and dedicated advocates for the respective approaches of their associations.
Benjamin Franklin is credited with many things: For example, we all learn in grammar school that Franklin demonstrated lightning in a form of electricity and that, as an inventor, he created one of the first electricity generators. Another thing most people in our industry recognize is that he helped conceive and form the first mutual […]
A couple weeks ago, I participated in a meeting of the North Side Civic Association in Long Beach, Long Island. Located on the furthest west part of the outer barrier islands off the South Shore in Nassau County, readers may be familiar with Long Beach because of its iconic boardwalk, which was destroyed by Sandy […]
As I enter the end of my career I look at the young people I work with and I wonder what this business will be like for them. Insurance is the only real work I have known and all things considered it has been very good to me. I’m not sure this business will be […]
Now I know why God used a flood to purge the Earth in the Bible. As a professional agent who lives and works on Long Island, I can report that after two months, Sandy has made evident the good and bad of all humanity. First the good: I am proud to be part of an […]
Super Storm Sandy caused death and destruction over a wide area of the Eastern Seaboard. Lives were disrupted, some forever. As always happens when tragedy hits, those who were lucky enough to not be directly impacted come together to offer help and support to those affected. It was just that concern for those affected that […]
Long Island agents’ priorities have shifted. The storm that has devastated my friends and neighbors is a top priority. While much of the Insurance Advocate’s readership is in affected areas, I still want to share my observations and invite you to share yours with me. After the storm, we have had a minor earthquake, and […]
Note from Steve Ruchman: Readers of this column know its purpose is to voice the professional independent agents’ perspective on our industry. The following was written by PIA National President Andrew C. Harris. It’s absolutely salient and appropriate and I couldn’t have said it better myself, so I’m using this space to share his message […]
Certainly not into the insurance industry and definitely not into independent insurance agencies. What a surprise! What young 20 something college graduate wouldn’t want to go to work in an industry portrayed in TV commercials as two doofuses in light blue suits? What intelligent, young person with a great personality wouldn’t flock to an industry […]
Readers of this column may recall my affinity for locally owned book stores. I love shopping at and spending time in them; of course I love the products and the service and it makes me very happy to know that I am supporting a local merchant. Even as I’ve become a reader of digital books […]
Every day it becomes more and more evident to me that the Independent Agency System is at a critical junction. What happens going forward is dependent on the speed at which agencies can adjust to the changes in our business. Consumers have had a multi-million dollar plus annual brainwashing to convince them that insurance is […]
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