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.
There are plenty of people ready to write off the independent agent as a dinosaur headed for extinction but nothing can be further from the truth. If forced to admit it all these naysayers know that independent agents have one overpowering secret and that is the human touch they provide. It’s no secret that the […]
Our business is changing. Unless you have been living under a rock you know that already. Change in and of itself is not good or bad. Instead, good or bad is determined by the results of that change. Insurance consumers want speed and simplicity in purchasing and handling their insurance needs. They also want to […]
What is insurtech? It’s a recently created name for a growing class of apps, software and insurance startups that use cutting edge technology to quickly and efficiently provide insurance, customer service and customer engagement. If you think insurtech is the answer to writing insurance you’re sadly mistaken. Insurtech is merely a tool to make the […]
About 15 years ago, the Professional Insurance Agents of New York State received a call from Phil Gusman, who at that time was the editor of the Insurance Advocate, requesting I write a column for the publication. I was eager to do it. Some people told me this wouldn’t last two months … And here […]
I can’t think of a more important advertising campaign for all independent agents to share in than informing consumers of the dangers of choosing insurance protection on what is cheap and fast. I believe that we owe a duty to the public to bring to their attention the serious possibility they will be uninsured or […]
There’s an abundance of quotes about the inevitability of change; against resisting change; and most appropriately about the value of change. The place I’ve heard most of them are at PIA. The organization is always at the forefront of our industry, and the visionaries who have led the organization call repeatedly for agents to be […]
I visit many agency websites as part of my daily routine. Candidly I would have to say there are very few that are inviting to the consumer looking for information and possibly an agent to help them with their insurance protection. The worst are those that say very little and many times haven’t been updated […]
Being a producer has changed dramatically and I believe for the good. In years past when competition was limited the preferred method for getting clients was cold calling, either by phone or in person. The key was to find out when the prospect’s policy renewed and getting some agreement to review their protection for issues […]
υThe U.S. Labor Department issued a press release this month that’s getting a lot of attention: It said the Bureau of Labor statistics recorded a leveling off of hires and separations for the month of June, 2018. While employment openings seemed to have slowed down, unemployment is up slightly. The reason for this, experts say, […]
Do what you do for the right reason and ask for referrals I always get my continuing education while attending PIA events. I can collect several credits over a single day, while taking advantage of the excellent networking and trade shows on which PIA has built a reputation in the northeast. And, importantly, I always […]
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