1. Hard to Believe It’s Already November
2. Looking for Horror Health Insurance Stories – URGENT Attention Requested
3. Message From Commissioner Scott White
4. Are you one of the 29,163 VA agents who are not compliant?
5. Annual Young Agents’ Holiday Party

Now is the time to be thankful. Thankful for our staffs, thankful for our clients, thankful for our industry associates. Before we get too wrapped up in the holiday crush, take a few minutes to outline the reasons we have to truly be thankful.

Why Google’s Investment in Applied Systems is Good for All Agents and Brokers

I spent last week at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville, attending the AppliedNet 2018 user conference with about 4,000 other people. Because of some signals I picked up, I anticipated a significant announcement by Applied Systems. I wasn’t disappointed.

On behalf of Virginia Insurance Commissioner Scott White, here is some important information regarding the upcoming open enrollment period for 2019 individual health plans.

RICHMOND – The Virginia health insurance market for 2019 has improved for many individuals compared to their current 2018 plans. For Virginians to take full advantage of an improved competitive market, the Bureau of Insurance of the State Corporation Commission encourages them to update their marketplace account through the federal exchange during open enrollment from November 1 to December 15.

Van Wert, Ohio – The Central Insurance Companies have announced the election of Evan Purmort, CPCU, AU, AIAF, to Chief Marketing Officer, effective August 1, 2018, and Cindy Hurless, AIS, AINS, to Chief Operating Officer effective October 8, 2018.

IA&B is pleased to announce that the Millers Mutual Insurance Agency Agreement—identified on the contract as “Millers Capital Insurance Company Agency Agreement, Edition Date: September, 2018”—has earned the IA&B Seal of Approval in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. After having expressed an interest in the process, and after considerable review by and consultation with IA&B, Millers Mutual refined and amended its original contract, making changes to more precisely address and define independent agents’ rights and obligations.

It very much looks like legislation will be introduced at the upcoming legislature to address the issue of balance billing, at least to some extent. Anecdotally, we’ve heard some horror stories but we need to document them now prior to the session. If you or a client has dealt with the issue of balance billing, please send us the details—minus of course any personal private information—for our records. Please send to Bob Bradshaw.

Free webinar for members to learn about what ePayPolicy can do for your agency. ePayPolicy is the simplest way to collect insurance payments. It’s the only online payment solution designed by insurance professionals, for insurance professionals. You and your insureds will have peace of mind knowing payments can be processed in a safe, secure and convenient portal. The system enables you to accept all major credit cards and ACH. 

Q: In the northern States, this is the time when we get snowstorms. We have a new office network which enables access to the network remotely.  Some of our Customer Service Representatives live far away. There’s nothing about it in our handbook—can we let them work from home on an ad-hoc basis?

Rockingham Insurance, a mutual company headquartered in Virginia, today introduced Businessowners Elite, a new commercial lines product that provides businesses with property and casualty coverages.

Time is running out!

Do you have all your CE credits? 29,163 VA Agents have not (as of 10/17/18).
 
Have you paid your renewal fee? 20,406 VA Agents have not paid their renewal fee (as of 10/17/18).

Click Learn More to find out if you are compliant!

New Courses!

NLP has added two new courses to the existing curricula in your store! The pricing has not changed—a free, new course included in each bundle!