Big I Virginia E-News
February 2020
Welcome
Agencies:  
VillaView District 5
Elbridge G Coles Ins Agency District 4
   
Associates:  
HomeTech Derwood, MD
Old Republic Surety Co Charlotte, NC
Stillwater Ins Services Jacksonville, FL
Aspera Ins Services Richmond, VA
IIAV Member Resources

Health insurance costs continue to rise and employers continue to look for ways to provide great benefits, at a reasonable cost, in order to retain and attract quality employees. AP Group and BeneFinder are excited to launch our health care consortium plan once it gets through the Bureau of Insurance review process.  We are also excited to launch our Human Capital Management program and Payroll services as well.  Please contact us with any questions.

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

Do you enjoy going to real estate open house events or home shows to see the latest value-adding trends in home improvement? It’s a popular pastime, based on HGTV show ratings. Even if you don’t intend to sell your home anytime soon, discovering new ideas to increase your home’s value can be fun, even lucrative later.

The same concept can apply to a business. Think like a potential buyer. What actions can you take to increase agency value? If you could buy your agency now, would you? Would you pay a premium for what you see in the agency, or would you be asking for discounts?

Action item to consider; take time to work “on” your business by identifying three significant gaps in your agency success and value story and put together an action plan to fill the gaps.

David J. Dillon, Principal
Watney Insights Group, Inc. 
ddillon@watneyinsights.com
703-648-0584
703-785-9440

  

The Perils of Using Internet Explorer as Your Default Browser

When Microsoft released Windows 10 nearly four years ago, it included a new updated and modern browser called Edge. While Internet Explorer lived on due to some underlying code in Windows and for compatibility with legacy business websites, Microsoft no longer provides updates for Internet Explorer when new web standards are released.

That’s a problem for the insurance industry.

Way too many insurance companies and technology vendors require the use of Internet Explorer to make their websites and web platforms fully functional.

Microsoft has tried some different ways to push businesses to improve their older web apps but, unfortunately, IT administrators have naturally taken the easy route of continuing to rely on Internet Explorer and its various compatibility modes.

A recent article posted on the Microsoft Tech Community site authored by Chris Jackson highlights Microsoft’s concern about how business is continuing to rely upon Internet Explorer.

“Internet Explorer is a compatibility solution,” warns Jackson, rather than a browser that businesses should be using every day for all web browsing activity. “We’re not supporting new web standards for it and, while many sites work fine, developers by and large just aren’t testing for Internet Explorer these days. They’re testing on modern browsers.”

The Security You Need. The Name You Trust.
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies®
Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies are rated A+ “Superior” by A.M. Best (as of July 26, 2023) and backed by the financial strength of our ultimate parent, Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.  In Virginia, we offer a full product suite for your commercial clients that includes a Businessowner’s Policy (with typical limits up to $20 million; $50 million for select classes), Commercial Auto, Commercial Umbrella, Professional Liability, and Workers’ Compensation.  “Pay-as-you-go” billing options are also featured. 
Learn More
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State & National News
  
I am pleased to announce the promotion of Diana Fulton to the role of Territory Sales Director (TSD), effective February 3, reporting directly to me. Diana joined Hanover Personal Lines in April of 2009 as the Territory Sales Manager for the Richmond to Tidewater region, working with some of our largest Agency partners to build market share. Prior to this role, Diana spent two years as a Surety Bond Underwriter with Hanover, evolving through the Future Leaders Program.
 
Towne Insurance, a premier independent insurance agency, announced new executive leadership positions and promotions to support the rapid growth of the company.

Three new regional presidents were announced to manage and support our growing regions. Jamie Fuqua has been promoted to regional president of Hampton Roads. Fuqua previously served as chief marketing officer and has been the driving force in the agency’s underwriter relationships. Joe Harrow has been promoted to regional president of Richmond and Williamsburg. Harrow joined Towne Insurance in 2018 after his company, Middle Peninsula Insurance, merged with Towne Insurance. Jim Clement has been promoted to regional president of North Carolina. Clement previously served as regional president of Central North Carolina, where he was responsible for overall growth and performance.
RT Specialty - Richmond
ICW Group
IIAV News
  
35 years ago, Linda Loving walked through the doors at IIAV to begin what would be an exceptional tenure and an influence that would be felt across the profession.
 
Since February 4, 1985, Linda has served independent agents with distinction and we are all better for it.  Not only does the depth of her knowledge of insurance exceed that of most, but her attention to detail, her willingness to do whatever possible to help others, and her ability to be so incredibly thorough in all that she does are just a few of the traits that make her so remarkable.  Her achievements are numerous – from designations she has earned, to awards and honors she has received –all while serving agents across the Commonwealth and even the nation.  As Danny Mitchell so aptly stated, “She is the seam on the football in our office.  She is what holds everything together.”
  
Obituary for Harry T. Gladding, Jr.
 
By the time you read this I hopefully will be flying my plane, riding my motorcycle, diving in the beautiful waters in Heaven or playing fetch with Gretchen and Heidi. I have lived a wonderful life. Of course, it has not always been a bed of roses, but I must say it has been great for most of my life. For 47 years I had been married to my wife, co-pilot, scuba diving partner, nurse and best friend – Dorothy. We have traveled the world and made so many friendships and memories. My children – can’t say enough about them. I have 3 great children – Roy and Tilden Gladding and Allison Cook. All are married to wonderful spouses – Brenda, Sandy and Drew. I leave behind to continue my legacy 5 wonderful grandchildren. The oldest and only grand-daughter Mallory who is married to Rich Bell, 4 grandsons – Walker, Brent and Lee Gladding and Jonathan Cook. I cannot forget my many nieces and nephews, my special “adopted Irish daughter” – Bernie Michaelides who Dorothy and I met on a cruise and my other “special son” who had always been there to help me – Earl Garnett. Friends – too many to name! One special one from my fire department days – Tallie Davis. A true friend in so many ways. Enjoyed my visits during the past weeks from Tom, Joe, Butch and Jimmy – and too many others to name. Oh - the stories that we shared!
Q: With the impeachment behind us, and as we approach the presidential election, we’ve noticed employees engaging in very heated conversations about politics. Given how polarizing these conversations can be, can I prohibit employees from talking about politics at work?
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Internal Revenue Service has launched a new and improved Tax Withholding Estimator, designed to help workers target the refund they want by having the right amount of federal income tax taken out of their pay.

The Tax Withholding Estimator, now available on IRS.gov, incorporates the changes from the redesigned Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate, that employees can fill out and give to their employers this year.
Upcoming Events
 
nav·i·gate (ˈnavəˌɡāt)
verb - plan and direct the route or course

We can all be certain of one thing – that the future is unknown.  From moment to moment, our future is unfolding in countless ways and we never really know what lays ahead.  

The ability to predict is drastically improved when we have access to information, tools, and resources.
And that’s exactly what we will do for you.

For two days in June, you have the opportunity to learn from the best and we hope you will take full advantage. 
 
Penn National Insurance
Education
IIAV is committed to be Virgina's leading insurance CE provider and we have new content planned for you in 2020! We will continue to provide courses for all agency staff no matter your experience level. Designation course are back in full force with the MLIS being taught in the classroom this year. 
 
Check out all the 2020 has to offer here! Click learn more to see what's coming up for the first of the year.
From the Desk of the Director of Membership and Marketing
  
Returning phone calls used to be a professional courtesy that was heavily ingrained in proper business etiquette. Somewhere in the fast-paced world of information and technology, to which we have all been exposed, returning phone calls has become the exception rather than the rule.
 
As a busy business professional, it is virtually impossible to be available for every telephone call that comes into your office. It is inevitable that a caller is going to get your voice mail occasionally. What’s more important is will you return the call?