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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

Finally the EMV cards will hit the U.S. markets this fall but in reality this is no big achievement as the EMV's are probably going to double up the trouble.

Having a Perpetuation Plan for your agency is like having a personal Last Will & Testament. Everyone knows they should have one but many people put off creating one to avoid having to make difficult or complex decisions, or because they simply don't want to think about when they won't be around. Just as dying without a will leaves one's family in jeopardy, not properly preparing for the perpetuation of your agency leaves your fellow employees in jeopardy AND it puts YOUR RETIREMENT in jeopardy as well.

Some key employees who want ownership will never be given an opportunity to become owners regardless of what they do. This is because some owners are set on holding on to 100% ownership until they sell it all to a third party or die. Fortunately those cases are in the minority and most key employees have a reasonable chance of gaining ownership if they understand potential issues, consider human nature, are patient and consistently do the right things to get them closer to their objective. In this article we will provide advice to key employees about what they need to do to become owners.

If you are interested in what you've seen so far about Iroquois and are interested in perhaps joining our insurance agency network, then fill in the blanks on this simple form. Our representative in your area will contact you to start a conversation that we hope will ultimately make your agency more successful.

Associated Risk Managers of Illinois (ARM) and The Iroquois Group Inc® of Allegany, N.Y., announced on March 28 a joint marketing agreement that allows ARM members in Illinois access to Iroquois insurance group carriers, benefits and services. "ARM has always been about finding unique ways to help our members increase their access to the insurance marketplace and boost their revenue. We looked at a number of possible partners and selected Iroquois to move forward with" says Gary Semmer, a principal at the Esser Hayes Group and President of ARM of Illinois. The Iroquois effort in Illinois will be headed by regional manager Christian Rebello. "Adding 28 new ARM members in one transaction will significantly grow and add quality to our book of business in Illinois. We have met with the ARM membership throughout the past year and we are very excited about this new relationship," said Rebello. ARM of Illinois joins ARM groups in New Jersey, North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia in working with The Iroquois Group.

A traveler without a map or route guidance will simply wander. The same is true for an agency without a business plan. In this TOOLS article we will discuss how to develop a strategic business plan

Do you 'throw away' too many referrals? A producer I was working with was ecstatic one hot summer day because he had just obtained 10 referrals from a client. I was excited too and the producer was going to begin working those new referrals right away. Well, in tracking the success of those 10 referrals, only one got written. Is that good or just normal? Let's just say, both of us felt it should have been better. So, analyzing what took place led to the following results: * 2 were not reachable; the producer never connected with the decision-maker. * 2 were messy businesses that the producer realized would be declined if submitted * 3 had strong to severe loss issues * 1 failed to provide all the needed information * 1 was presented, but not sold * 1 was sold Could this one out of 10 scenario have been prevented? That is what we took it upon ourselves to evaluate. The first evaluation made was really there were only three the producer was either able to, or wanted to, quote. So, of that group, he was really one for three. But, what about the rest of the referrals - the ones not quoted? Preventable? In our analysis, many of those were preventable so that you wouldn't end up with 70 percent being "thrown away." The two that the producer was unable to reach were determined to be a problem based on the "introduction" he got from his client to those two prospects. (Note: You do ask to be introduced, don't you, when you obtain a referral?) The person calling their customer (our prospect) from the business was not someone known to them and thus, the call carried little weight. It was not a powerful introduction; it wasn't even a lukewarm introduction, so it was not surprising the producer couldn't get an appointment following that call. The five that were either messy businesses or had heavy losses weren't quality businesses. Was that the luck of the draw and he just accepted that when he asked for referrals, or could

Today merchant accounts are available for a number of financial situations including bankruptcy. Covered under the spectrum of a high risk account, bankruptcy is special type of risk which a regular merchant account provider will not approve.

Today merchant accounts are available for a number of financial situations including bankruptcy. Covered under the spectrum of a high risk account, bankruptcy is special type of risk which a regular merchant account provider will not approve.

There are certain times in life when you feel completely stressed out and tensed. Most of the times, the reason behind the same is the unavailability of adequate money that will support your needs. If...

1 year loans no credit check offer funds to those who have bad financial status in the past. These cash schemes will assist you with the ample funds for 1 year. You have an option of paying back in easy installments within 1 year.

We provide third party options to businesses that are not willing to have their own merchant accounts.

Where about the danger of cancer is rising and it is approximately figure that 0.5 million citizen will die in this deadly disease then it is really much highly appreciable step taken by the USA government through Centers for Medicaid Services (CMS) that for a rapid review and making finalize the public health insurance

A high chargeback merchant account will hinder the growth and business potential unless offset by online reliable payment processing capabilities.

High risk merchant accounts can be difficult to understand and choose, but a few points that you can always keep in mind, will help you do better.