Big I Virginia E-News
December 2020
Welcome
Agencies:    
Daniel Borinsky, PLLC                    Alexandria Dist 5
Heritage Ins Partners   Midlothian Dist 3
Wilson Timmons & Wallerstein Inc Henrico Dist 3
McEvoy Ins & Financial Svcs In Alexandria Dist 5
 
Associates:    
West Bend Mutual Ins Co West Bend, WI  
Summit Consulting Inc Gainesville, GA  
Pathpoint Ins Inc San Francisco, CA  
(Photo Source: Pexels.com.)
 
From the Desk of the President & CEO
Ok, 2020 has now become one of my least favorite years. It certainly started off on a bad foot with the passing of my father in the middle of the legislative session but frankly, I’m not sure how he would have handled the craziness of this year. So, blessing in disguise?  
(Photo Source: Pexels.com)
 
IIAV Member Resources
SwissRe/Westport’s recent change to allow a 5% premium credit for website reviews is a wonderful opportunity for your agency to take advantage of the savings.
 
If your agency is already receiving a current 2020 10% Risk Management premium credit you are now eligible to receive an additional 5% credit if you have a website review completed.
(Photo Source: Pixabay.com)
 

Merger and acquisition advisors have shared guidance to "take care of the team" as an important step to build agency value in 2020 and reduce the risk of brain drain and second tier leadership strength. This is challenging with an ongoing pandemic, remote working and the potential for another round of economic restrictions. However, the calendar provides an opportunity.

Research from both Gallup and The Best Places to Work studies reveals a strong linkage between gratitude, recognition and feedback with team engagement. Even more important is that higher engagement produces significantly better results on a variety of business indicators.

Your team has been through challenging and stressful times this year. Providing gratitude, recognition and feedback is a great step for improving team health and building a stronger, more engaged team. This not only can lead to improved business results, but also to a more valuable agency.

Next Steps: The start of the new year is a great time to double-down on gratitude and recognition on an ongoing basis. Be genuine and do it in a manner that the recipient will appreciate, but take care of the team to improve results and business valuation.

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

As the holiday season approaches, businesses must take a different approach to end-of-year celebrations. The most important part about holiday parties is the opportunity to say thanks! Your employees want to feel appreciated and valued.
 
In the following video, Claudia St. John, president of Affinity HR, shares a few of her favorite ideas for giving back to your employees and their families.
(Photo Source: Pexels.com)
 
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. 
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State & National News
A new Virginia law banning the use of cellphones while driving goes into effect Jan. 1, 2021, and Drive Smart Virginia is reminding motorists of the consequences of distracted driving.
 
The mandate was signed by Gov. Ralph Northam on July 8, making Virginia the 22nd state to ban the use of handheld devices while driving. The law now prohibits drivers from holding any personal communication devices while driving a moving vehicle on the state’s roadways.
(Photo Source: Pexels.com)
 
The Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire of Georgia has added a new Bulletin for your awareness. 
 
Georgia Non-Resident License Bulletin.
 
Recently the Georgia DOI transitioned their licensing contract to a new vendor. Many agents submitted the required citizenship affidavit via email to the previous vendor, however, our DOI does not have access to those email records.
(Photo Source: Pexels.com)
 
IIAV News
Monty Dise, with Asset Protection Group, has contributed $10,000 to IIAV’s Building Fund in memory of Bob Short who passed away in November 2015.
 
The Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia announced that Monty Dise with Asset Protection Group has donated $10,000 in memory of Bob Short to the IIAV Building Fund for 2020 placing Bob’s name on the IIAV Dwight L. Dillon Wall of Honor.
(Photo Source: Cliff Bruce Photography)
 
Wishing you and yours a wonderful and safe holiday season!
(Photo Source: Rebecca Arnold / Canva.com)
 
Press Releases
BRP Group, Inc., a rapidly growing independent insurance distribution firm delivering tailored insurance solutions, today announced that the Company has acquired all of the outstanding equity interests of Armfield, Harrison & Thomas, Inc., a brokerage and consulting firm offering property and casualty, employee benefits, retirement, personal and international services for a wide range of industries. The Company will own and operate AHT through its middle-market subsidiary and operating group.
(Photo Source: AHT.com)
 
INDUSTRY LEADER JOINS RICHMOND COMPANY TO ENHANCE TECHNOLOGICAL AND PRODUCT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS.
 
Richmond, Virginia … Mark Crutcher, CPCU, is joining the Society in a newly created position as Vice President, Innovation and Marketing.   Mark completed his undergraduate degree at Virginia Tech and his MBA at the University of Richmond.   He joins Mutual Assurance after two years at Safe Auto, where he worked as a Senior Product Manager, and eight years as Vice President of Marketing, Underwriting and Product Development for Lititz Mutual.
 
Education
Have you completed your required CE credits? Check your transcript HERE.
Need a few more credits? Here's what we have to offer:
 
12/15/2020Agents' Honor: Insurance With Ethics in Mind (#219782) | 9:00am-12:00pm | 3 VA Ethics
12/15/2020 - Ethics: Not What You Think and More Than You Thought (#220452) | 1:00pm-2:00pm | 1 VA Ethics
12/16/2020 - The Honorable Thing To Do (#217619) | 9:00am-12:00pm | 3 VA Ethics
12/16/2020 - More Than Politics: Your Agency and the 2020 Virginia General Assembly (#220690) | 1:00pm - 3:00pm | 2 VA Ethics
12/16/2020 - Common Problems Found in Agent Investigations (#216344) | 3:00pm-4:00pm | 1 VA Ethics
12/17/2020 - Insuring Motorized Toys - A Personal Lines Challenge (#220471) | 9:00am-10:00am | 1 VA P&C
 
(Photo Source: Pexels.com)
 
From the Desk of the Education Director
“In times of change, the learners inherit the earth. The learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.” –Eric Hoffer
 
As someone who loves to learn, this quote has always resonated with me. I have always believed that learning should be a lifelong process, one that we dive into with enthusiasm, curiosity and a sense of anticipation. 
 
But, given the year we’ve all experienced, this quote feels more relevant than ever. We’ve been walking a very strange road with challenges, uncertainty and new things at every turn.  We’ve had to turn on a dime, quickly doing things that not long ago we would have sworn we could never do, or we simply would have laughed off the possibility that we’d ever have to.
(Photo Source: Canva.com)