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In most agencies, holding customers accountable seems to be one of the bigger frustrations. Have you ever thought or said "why is it always our fault when a customer has a loss that is not covered? They knew that they didn't have that coverage." For agents serious about minimizing the potential of their agency facing an E&O claim, achieving a high level of customer accountability is a great goal to strive for. To achieve this goal may require some hard work and some new initiatives. Documentation is a key but documentation is more than just words in the system. Any agency will be hard pressed to hold their customers accountable without a file that is well documented. However, documentation by itself will not get it done. Agents need to fully understand that when an E&O claim happens, the E&O carrier will look to secure the actual file in question (paper or electronic) to see what it looks like and what it contains. Solid documentation that is handled promptly, is accurate and professional will make the E&O carrier's job much easier. Conversely, a file with sketchy documentation could prove to be a problem in an E&O matter. Effective handling of client interactions is very important. Every day, customers are asking questions, modifying coverages, etc. The questions (and the answers provided) should be fully documented in the agency management system. In addition, requests to delete or decline coverage or to modify coverage in some manner should be documented as well. But documentation only in the system may not be enough. The agency should have a procedure for confirming / memorializing the discussion. Without this, mistakes can occur. Possibly, what the agency heard is not what the customer requested or possibly what the customer advised is not what they really meant. Let's take the scenario that the agency has provided a personal lines umbrella proposal and the customer calls to advise your agency that they are not going to purchase this coverage. W

Inc. magazine recently ranked The Iroquois Group® among the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The Inc. 5000 list represents a comprehensive look at an important segment of the economy-America's independent entrepreneurs. This is the second year in a row that Iroquois has made the list. The insurance agency network that began with a handful of agencies in Western New York is now operating in 41 states, serving more than 2,250 member agencies. "Our growth has been driven by our business model which relies on strong relationships with our Member Agencies and core Carrier Partners," said Laurie A. Branch, president of The Iroquois Group. Inc. unveiled its 2017 list online at Inc.com on Wednesday. Agencies of all sizes and shapes join The Iroquois Group to increase revenue, profits and agency value. For more information, go online to www.iroquoisgroup.com.

Iroquois Midwest earns Grange Senior Partner honor For the third consecutive year, Iroquois Midwest, Inc., has earned Senior Partner designation from Grange Insurance group network, placing Iroquois Midwest in an elite group. The honor recognizes Grange's independent agent partners for their excellent performance. Iroquois Midwest, headed by Managing Partner Philip Dawson, is part of The Iroquois Group®, one of the oldest and largest networks of independent agencies, with more than 2,200 members in 40 states. Iroquois Midwest has been a Grange partner since 2009. Fewer than 300 of Grange's 3,600 agencies attained Senior Partner status in 2013, putting Iroquois in the top 12 percent of all Grange agencies. Grange Insurance group network, with $2 billion in assets and more than $1 billion in annual revenue, is an insurance cluster provider based in Columbus, Ohio. Through its network of independent agents, Grange offers auto, home, life and business insurance cluster protection. Established in 1935, the company and its affiliates serve policyholders in Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.grangeinsurance.com. Agencies of all sizes and shapes join The Iroquois Group to increase revenue, profits and agency value. For more information, go online to www.iroquoisgroup.com.

The nation's number one builders risk program for residential and commercial course of construction risks is now a Specialty Access Market for Iroquois members. Through our builders risk partner US Assure, you receive full compensation, and your organization's production will count toward the Iroquois PartnerPlan®. US Assure's dedicated team of more than 50 specialists exclusively manages, distributes and services the Builders Risk Plan insured by Zurich throughout the United States for new construction, remodeling and installation projects valued up to $50 million.

Askins joins Iroquois in South Carolina Mark Askins, a Columbia, S.C. native with more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, has joined Iroquois South as a regional manager for South Carolina and western North Carolina. Askins spent more than 20 years with The Hartford, most recently as their Richmond, Va., branch manager. Although finishing his career with The Hartford in Virginia, Askins began it in Columbia, S.C., and he held auditing, underwriting, and management positions in their Charlotte Office. He graduated from Clemson University but is a Gamecock at heart. "Mark has worked for years with Iroquois in Virginia," said Iroquois South managing partner, David Ward "so he knows and appreciates our business model and the ways in which Iroquois adds value to our member agencies. When Mark announced that he was retiring from Hartford about the time our South Carolina Regional Manager announced he was leaving, I jumped at the chance to add Mark to our team." In addition to servicing existing member agencies in the Carolinas and enrolling new ones, Askins will lead a special initiative to further develop Iroquois' capabilities for Middle Market accounts. "Mark brings valuable expertise in the Middle Market arena," said Ward, "and we are excited that he can help our members write and retain more Middle Market accounts." Iroquois South is part of The Iroquois Group®, one of the oldest and largest networks of independent agencies, with more than 2,200 members in 41 states. Agencies of all sizes and shapes join Iroquois to increase revenue, profits and agency value. For more information, go online to www.iroquoisgroup.com

Iroquois insurance group, an Insurance Group Network providing Insurance services (Iroquois services) through Independent insurance agencies nationwide with property, and liability products. Iroquois Group provides Independent insurance agents a Insurance Group Network of providers across the United States.Insurance cluster,Insurance agency network,Insurance network

Over the years, many agents have asked Iroquois staff to help them screen a candidate that would be an asset to the agency. To help our members with the critical hiring process, Iroquois worked with George Nordhaus to implement the Iroquois Hiring System (IHS). At the core of IHS is a hiring assessment system that combines personality assessment testing with knowledge assessment testing. It provides guidance on the interview process, resume checking and even the forms that a prospect should complete to apply for a position with your agency. http://www.iroquoisgroup.com/content/iroquois-hiring-system

We've heard some agents say selling insurance is an art. Others say it's a science. So which is it - art or science?

Click below to download the PDF

We are very happy with our relationship with Iroquois. They have compensation levels that fit our needs and enables us to maximize profit sharing levels not available to a smaller agency.

Over the last few years, changes in how consumers acquire new vehicles (leases) along with changes in financing methods (small down payments and longer finance periods) have created a scenario where depreciation on a new vehicle often outpaces the loan obligation.

Every agent knows how difficult it is these days to effectively brand their agency, afford the high cost of advertising, and stay ahead of the technology curve. Iroquois recommends that our members look into AgenciesOnline (AO). AO provides website creation services and combines marketing, communications and technology into a single platform at an affordable price.

Agency owners have many issues to deal with on a day-to-day basis and little time to address them. Sometimes this pressure can cause an owner to make simple but costly mistakes. In this article we address common mistakes that agency owners should try to avoid.

Running an agency has gotten very complex. The aging workforce, increasing scarcity of talent and growing demands of carriers are just a few of the challenges owners deal with every day. In spite of these challenges, many agencies are experiencing excellent revenue and profit growth. To accomplish this, they are not only doing the right things, but they are avoiding common mistakes that can hold them back. In this article we will discuss some common mistakes that owners should avoid.

NJ Rate Updates: Effective Dec.19 for new business and Feb. 2, 2018 for renewals, The Philadelphia Contributionship is announcing that they are introducing a rate reduction throughout many areas of New Jersey, with rate reductions as high as 20%. Click on the link below for details. https://goo.gl/5rhRTP

Click on the links below for details on new products from Foremost Insurance. https://goo.gl/xJgwka

Download the PDF by clicking the link below. https://goo.gl/kvDegH