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.
Do you know where I am writing this article from? I could be writing it from my office at IIABNY. Maybe I’m doing it from my home office. I like to spend time at Starbucks drinking coffee and writing, so maybe it was written there. I love visiting Vermont, so for all you know I’m […]
How 2017 is flying by us! I feel like I just finished my last column and the first quarter of the year is almost over. I hate to say it, but my last column in the Advocate warned you this was coming: On Feb. 17, Gov. Cuomo announced that New York is the first state […]
Strange title? Not really. This article isn’t for everybody. If you don’t realize your business is in jeopardy or don’t care, this article isn’t for you. If you don’t see any reason to change the way you have been operating for the past 10 years, this article isn’t for you. If you think social media […]
The independent agency system is under attack. New competitors fueled by technology and oblivious to the protection needs of the consumer are trying to take over the personal and small-to-medium business market. We see it happening, we’re concerned, but we just aren’t moving quick enough to deal with the threat. Both independent agents and the […]
Over the years, I’ve written a lot about how independent agents are burdened more and more by business expenses we just didn’t used to have. Some of these costs can be attributed directly to insurance company cost-transferring: things like reductions in commission and profit sharing; front-line underwriting; loss control and even printing policies ourselves, rather […]
I’m astounded by the lack of response by independent agents to the significant increase in competition for their clients. Not responding is a mistake. The competition is growing daily and it is no longer isolated to personal auto insurance or even just personal lines. This new competition is after small-to-medium commercial accounts as well as […]
Last month, I received a call at my house (Yes, my wife and I still maintain our house phone.). When I answered the phone, the person on the other end said, “Grandpa, this is John.” (I’ve changed his name for his privacy.) “John?” I responded. “It doesn’t sound like you.” My grandson, John, is a […]
While developing information for a producer mentoring and sales program, I realized prospecting is totally different today than it was when I was an independent agent. Like many things in our world today it’s changed because of technology. Even more importantly it’s changed because consumer attitudes and buying practices are different. Even many traditional baby […]
October is a busy month in our industry and particularly at PIA of New York. It comes right after the association’s annual change of administration, and the newly inducted president hardly has a chance to get comfortable with his new title before he begins touring the state on behalf of our members. I remember when […]
By now you’ve probably heard of Lemonade, the so-called “peer-to-peer” insurance company offering home, condo and renter’s insurance in New York. It rolled out recently, touting itself as a new brand of insurance company designed to take the typical insurance company and turn it into a new hybrid that is highly automated, competitively priced and […]
A Beacon International Group, Ltd. Member
