Simply put, I just can’t imagine what over 50 inches of rain looks like. I believe we got 18 inches of rain within 45 minutes in Richmond for Hurricane Gaston. And I thought that was a lot.

I also wonder what coverage in Virginia there would be if we got over 50 inches of rain. Would our house be underwater? Would our office be underwater? I would think not, but really?

On April 13, 2017, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final ruling in an effort to reduce adverse selection, improve the risk pool and promote stability in the individual insurance market for 2018. CMS has ruled to cut drastically the open enrollment period for the individual marketplace. The 2018 individual open enrollment period is currently scheduled to run from November 1, 2017, through December 15, 2017, for a January 1, 2018, effective date. Please contact me with any questions.

Monty Dise, President
Asset Protection Group, Inc.
mdise@apgroupinc.com
804-423-7700

The New LinkedIn Windows Desktop App

Over the last month, Microsoft has been rolling out access to the new Microsoft LinkedIn app for Windows 10.

This new LinkedIn Windows desktop app includes some of the integrations promised when Microsoft completed its $26.2 billion purchase of LinkedIn last year.

September 12, 2017, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

A FREE business forum via WebEx webinar system

Please join us to learn about IRS tax tools for business owners, how to get accreditation by the Better Business Bureau, resources from the Small Business Administration and tips on how to protect yourself from tax identity theft from the IRS Criminal Investigation Division.

Q: We decided to keep our business open on Labor Day. Do I have to pay a premium for employees who are scheduled to work?

WASHINGTON ― The Internal Revenue Service has issued a warning about possible fake charity scams emerging due to Hurricane Harvey and encouraged taxpayers to seek out recognized charitable groups for their donations.

RICHMOND – Storm activity is picking up in the tropics as we approach peak Atlantic hurricane season. The Virginia State Corporation Commission’s (SCC) Bureau of Insurance (Bureau) reminds Virginians to remain vigilant and act now to protect their property from loss.

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big "I") released a statement on September 1, 2017, regarding the Department of Labor overtime pay ruling. 

Make-A-Wish® Greater Virginia is honored to be Willow Oaks Country Club’s chosen charity partner for 2017-2018. As part of the partnership, a golf tournament followed by a cocktail reception and silent auction will be held on October 20, 2017. Event revenue will support Make-A-Wish’s mission of granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Please contact Allie Carter at acarter@va.wish.org or (804) 217-9474 with questions.

PIA of VA/DC announced a change in their membership business model starting January 1, 2018. As a result, we have heard from a few members with questions about PIA’s new dues and membership proposal. We thought we would share answers with everyone to the best of our knowledge.

Join us on September 13 for a lunch & learn event unlike any other. We’re teaming up with Alfa Alliance and Henrico County Fire Department to bring you "Vehicle Fire & Fraud – Oh My!"

The best part? We’ll be taking a close look at fraud as it relates to vehicle fire, because we’ll be witnessing a live burn.

Seats are filling up, so register now – we expect this to sell out! The $30 registration fee includes the educational session, continuing education, as well as lunch.

Also – a special thanks to Amerisafe for their sponsorship of this event!

This annual event is back – and we want you to join us on September 13! We’ll be at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (yes, that’s right after the lunch & learn event to minimize time out of the office).

One hundred percent of the proceeds from this evening (including a raffle!) will benefit The Huntington’s Disease Society of America, a cause that is very near and dear to us at IIAV.

RSVP here and we’ll see you there!

An event you want your young agent to attend: Registration is now open.

If your young agent isn’t with us in Norfolk, not only are they missing out, but your agency is missing a huge opportunity.

Our presenters, simply put, are amazing. Chris Langille and Erin Nutting both have proven track records of success and they are so excited to bring what they know to your team.

You’ll want to make this a priority for the young agent you work with! Be known as the agency who believes the path to success is through constant learning and growth.

And yes – we have sponsorship opportunities available! Contact Carter Lyons for more information.

“Change is the end result of all true learning.” - Leo Buscaglia

Change can be frightening, but when its change for the better, embrace it! Learn more with IIAV Education and change yourself and your agency for the better.

Take a look at our calendar, including the highlighted classes below. Strive for true learning – change is just around the corner for you, your agency and your clients. Embrace it.

This is a priority for every agency leadership team. Finding the talent is difficult, training the new hire is achievable and then the challenge is ongoing – growing and retaining your agency’s team members.

Thanks to a partnership between IIAV and Insurance Journal’s Academy of Insurance, all 200+ On Demand and Upcoming Live Academy of Insurance webinars are available to you at 25 percent off. Use discount code IIAV at checkout.

We’ll be traveling around the Commonwealth giving you the chance to complete 8 hours of CE. As first half of the biennium comes to a close, check this major item off your list! You’ll thank yourself later!

Research suggests millennials are twice as likely to purchase, service and modify their insurance online or through other electronic methods such as texting, instant messaging or social media. These new technologies are great service tools, but they may also impact your duty — and therefore exposure — as an insurance agent. How does the potential for an errors and omissions claim increase with this shift from traditional in-person agent relationships to a more virtual marketplace?