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.
Why would someone choose you to handle their insurance protection? What makes you better than all the other providers out there? Do you really know what your customers think about you and your agency? Do you have any idea what consumers are looking for in an insurance provider? Why choose you, has come up a […]
There are a few tenants of modern life that everyone should know and heed. Among them: Change your digital passwords regularly; never hitch a ride with a stranger (unless you know the Uber driver is fully insured); and don’t believe everything you see on the Internet. It’s amazing what you find there. So many websites […]
I read an article this week about a young consumer (in his early twenties) looking to buy a car, register and insure it. As luck would have it he intended to get a premium indication on a Friday afternoon and planned to buy the car over the weekend. The premium indication was to be based […]
Anyone who knows me knows that my grandsons are the joy of my life. I spend as much time as I can with them—I go to their school events; enjoy having them visit at home; and I try to make as many games as I can to watch them play soccer. They are quite good. […]
It should come as no surprise to anyone that finding, training and retaining quality employees is a huge issue and a top priority in many independent insurance agencies. The effect of the Baby Boomer generation retiring from active participation in agencies is creating a real problem for agency owners and managers to solve. Most of […]
The insurance business is changing. Many insurance consumers have been programmed to believe all insurance coverage is the same and there is no need for the professional services of an insurance agent in the buying process. Unfortunately we all know this isn’t true and shudder to think of what might happen to the unsuspecting consumer […]
I’ve always seen Spring as the season of rebirth. As I write this article, I’m sit- ting at home: The tulips are about four inches above the ground and I’m watching the same birds come back and attempt to nest in the automatic awning over my deck, where they have been for the last two […]
There’s a show on the Food Channel called Restaurant Impossible that I enjoy watching. If you’re not familiar, English Chef Robert Irvine takes two days and $10,000 to turn around failing restau- rants. His team is headed by two other peo- ple, his builder and his interior designer. On his first visit to these establishments […]
I’m often asked how I come up with ideas to write my column. Many ideas come from friends and fellow agents who share stories in casual conversation, or an agent will reach out to me because they have an idea that they think others would be interested in reading about. As the time between each […]
Readers of The Advocate surely are familiar with MetroRAP, the Professional Insurance Agents of New York State’s (PIANY) regional aware- ness program for New York City and the surrounding areas. The event has a history spanning three decades and it usually kicks off PIANY’s extensive events calendar each year. Since 2001, it has been held […]
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