Big I Virginia E-News

From the Desk of the President & CEO

The election is over and I don’t know of anyone who will miss the political ads on TV or the radio, or the Internet. Truly, Joe and I work with many of these people and while we don’t always agree with our political leaders, most are really not as bad as they are portrayed. That said, you do have to wonder about the sanity of someone who would subject themselves and their family to such abuse for a “part time” job. I’ll take many at their word in that all they want to do is help the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=588893&issueID=63650 to view the full article online.

IIAV Member Resources

Health Care Corner: Tips by Monty Dise

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=588894&issueID=63650 to view the full article online.

Tech Tip by Steve Anderson

How to Maximize Google Alerts

I continue to be surprised by how little agency staff — especially producers — use Google Alerts.

Using Google Alerts is like having a personal virtual research assistant spending 100 percent of their time searching the web to find news, comments and articles based on keywords and phrases you select. The advantage of this personal assistant is that it doesn’t get tired, nor does it forget to do a search.

Visit https://steveanderson.com/2019/10/24/how-to-maximize-google-alerts/ to view the full article online.

The Security You Need. The Name You Trust.

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

SCC Urges Virginians to Do Their Homework When Shopping for Health Insurance

RICHMOND – Many Virginians will soon shop for coverage during the open enrollment period for the 2020 health insurance marketplace under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA). The open enrollment period runs from Nov. 1 – Dec. 15, 2019. After this date, consumers may only buy ACA plans if special enrollment conditions apply to them. So don’t miss your chance to purchase the coverage you need.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=588908&issueID=63650 to view the full article online.

Fall 2019 Big "I" Insider News

Check out this video from Big I National featuring the work that independent agents are doing all over the country and Whitnee Dillard talking about the Level Up Summit in New Orleans this January.

Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh1C1OYYGYY to view the full article online.

IIAV News

Big "I" Members Receive ACORD Forms

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big "I") and ACORD are launching a brand new Big "I" member benefit. Starting Jan. 1, 2020, Big I members with annual P&C gross revenue of less than $50 million will receive a complimentary license to use ACORD forms.

On Jan. 1, 2020, ACORD will begin charging all users of ACORD forms a fee, including agents, brokers, and carriers. Currently, most agents access ACORD forms via their agency management systems. The Big I negotiated an agreement with ACORD and the association will pay ACORD an annual fee for use of the forms.

Your agency does NOT have to pay the fee to ACORD, and you will experience no change in your workflow or use of ACORD forms beginning on Jan. 1, 2020, with the exception of an initial, and then annual, validation to confirm Big "I" membership. This will be executed in a simple clickthrough acceptance.

Independent agencies and brokerages that do not belong to the Big "I" national association, will have to pay fees to ACORD or join the Big "I" to take advantage of this benefit and so much more!

Visit https://www.independentagent.com/ACT/Pages/efficient/Workflow/big-i-members-recieve-acord-forms.aspx to view the full article online.

New Risk Management Credit Compliance Available to Westport Clients

Effective Jan. 1, 2020, new risk management (formerly loss control) credit compliance and credit options will be available to Westport clients.

The main change is the credit will remain on your account for two years instead of three. Click "Learn More" to see all the changes coming.

Visit https://www.iiav.com/Education/SiteAssets/Pages/EandO/default/EO%20Flier%20-%20Virginia.pdf to view the full article online.

Would You Like to Participate?

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=588964&issueID=63650 to view the full article online.

Big "I" Leader Named to Federal Reserve Board Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) is proud to announce that Angela Ripley, Government Affairs Committee chair, has been named to the Federal Reserve Board’s Insurance Policy Advisory Committee (IPAC).

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=588929&issueID=63650 to view the full article online.

Education

MLIS Desgination to Be Taught by Former Lt. Governor

What is MLIS?

Management Liability Insurance Specialist

Why MLIS?

Whether it's the result of an intentional malicious action or an honest mistake, it is possible that every business will at some point have to deal with a lawsuit as a result of its business actions.

In order to prevent a claim from causing devastating financial and reputational failure, every business should have the right insurance coverage. While there are two main policies that cover claims of negligence or improper conduct leading to losses, Directors & Officers (D&O) and Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurancethey are absolutely not interchangeable.

Visit https://www.iiav.com/Education/Pages/Designations/MLIS/default.aspx to view the full article online.

Education You Can Count On

IIAV strives to provide quality education for you and your team. Take a look at what courses are coming up that could benefit not only you but your clients as well.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/via-nwl/pdf/Nov_Ed_courses.pdf to view the full article online.

Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia