Weekly Reader Picks: Monday, January 17, 2011

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January 17, 2011 Top 10 for the Past Week 1. Report: California’s ‘Other Big One’ Could Cause $300B in Damages Jan 14, 2011 -- California could be subject to a powerful series of storms, capable of costing $300 billion in damages -- three times as much as a severe earthquake in the southern part of the state, according to a new report by the U.S. Geological Survey. The ... 2. Underwriting, Expense Discipline Needed in 2011, Say P/C CEOs Jan 14, 2011 -- The property/casualty insurance industry turned a corner and will show a profitable year for 2010, but underwriting discipline will be more important than ever in 2011, according to property/casualty chief executive officers. "2010 was an acceptable ... 3. Caution: Distressed Commercial Properties Jan 14, 2011 -- The American landscape is littered with partially built, financially distressed or bank owned properties. Whether they are towering condos, gleaming hotel resorts, urban mixed use or suburban office space, many of these are now seeking new ... 4. P/C Executives See Better Profitability in 2011 Jan 13, 2011 -- Leaders of the property/casualty insurance industry believe the worst of the financial crisis is over and that the new year will bring improved profitability. In fact, an overwhelming majority (94 percent) of P/C executives expect better ... 5. Oh, Deer! West Virginia Herd Costing Insurers $44 Million a Year Jan 13, 2011 -- West Virginia deer are causing excessive damage across the state and the Division of Natural Resources' plan to manage the herd is deficient in addressing the problem, says a legislative audit released this week. West Virginia has an estimated 1 ... 6. CNA Makes Changes to Commercial Insurance Team in Chicago Jan 12, 2011 -- CNA Financial Corp. announced it has expanded its Commercial Insurance management team. Pat O'Connor will join the global business insurer as senior vice president of its Mono-line Property unit, with oversight of the equipment breakdown ... 7. Companies Concerned About U.S. Consumer Complaint Sites Jan 12, 2011 -- The U.S. government is intensifying its use of consumer complaint websites with two new outlets for customer gripes that have trade groups for manufacturers and financial firms concerned about smear campaigns and lawsuits. The Consumer Product ... 8. The 2010 Insurance Fraud Hall of Shame Jan 12, 2011 -- Barbara Morris died in a house fire set by an insurance arsonist. Bob Harper bought a fake health policy after urgently needing a pacemaker. A homeless man received a pittance after being rammed by a motorist who bought bogus auto coverage from a ... 9. Chinese Drywall Makers Refusing to Compensate U.S. Homeowners Jan 11, 2011 -- The top U.S. product safety official said on Monday the agency has failed to persuade Chinese makers of defective drywall to compensate American homeowners, in a dispute that threatens to mar strained trade ties. The failure to persuade about 13 ... 10. As Small Business Shrinks, Small P/C Insurers Lose Jan 11, 2011 -- The property/casualty small business sector—those accounts with less than 50 employees—has shrunk substantially since 2007, and there has been a dramatic shift in market share among small, mid-sized and large insurers. The insurance ... Popular Videos 5 Branding Principles to Live By How to Help Insureds Find Housing After a Disaster Fires, Explosions, Spills: EFI Finds the Cause Subscriber Tools Send this to a friend Subscribe Unsubscribe Submit News Contact Us More Newsletters Choose Newsletters Daily Headlines Weekly Reader Picks Magazine Update Insurance Journal TV Classifieds Breaking News MyNewMarkets Daily Claims Daily Enter Your E-mail

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Having trouble reading this email? View it as a webpage. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe instantly. Stories Sell! And You Want to Sell More, Right? In this two-part course you learn how to craft a marketing message that will quickly position your agency as the trusted advisor to which customers naturally gravitate. Are you able to communicate your quality and value to your prospects? What is the best way for you to communicate quality and value? Bill Whitley, a nationally recognized speaker and writer, answers this and other questions in his two-part series beginning Wednesday, January 19. Whitley is the author of several books focused on sells, including, "Art of the Rainmaker," "Story Selling in the Connected Economy" and "Eight Secrets of the Top Performing Agents," a book researched and written specifically for insurance agents. In this two-part course you learn how to craft a marketing message that will quickly position your agency as the trusted advisor to which customers naturally gravitate. Best of all, Whitley teaches you and your team how to effortlessly deliver this messaging to prospects. Homework: Following the first class, students will be asked to develop their unique client attraction story. These stories will be submitted to Bill for use as coaching tools during the second class. Special pricing until Monday, January 17: Regular price: $199 Special price to attend BOTH classes: $139 Regular Price: $199 BOTH classes: $139 Participants learn how to: Immediately position your agency as a trusted advisor and valuable risk manager Create a Client Attraction Conversation that is easy to deliver Develop a Client Attraction Story that effortlessly communicates your value Use these two powerful tools to create authentic enthusiasm about you and your value Transition from selling to helping and advising, the most powerful position in sales When you register, you also get: Access to each live class Question & Answer session after each class Recording of the webcast, so you won't miss any of the content Audio download of the webcast Presentation slides download Join us live, online: Part One: Wednesday, January 19 Part Two: Wednesday, January 26 Live classes start at 10:30AM Pacific / 1:30PM Eastern Instructions and reminders will be emailed to all registrants Special pricing until Monday, January 17: Regular price: $199 Special price to attend BOTH classes: $139 Regular Price: $199 BOTH classes: $139 Any Questions? If you need help or would like to submit a question to the instructors before the webcast, send an email to webcasts@insurancejournal.com. Unsubscribe | Send to a Friend | Contact Us Insurance Journal 3570 Camino del Rio North, Suite 200 San Diego, CA 92108 (800) 897-9965 Copyright © 2011 by Wells Publishing, Inc.

Live Workers' Comp Training, this week

There's still time to register for our live workers' comp training, presented by Chris Boggs.

This five-part course runs once a week for the next five weeks, starting this Thursday, Jan 13, 2011.

Each Thursday at 10:30AM Pacific / 1:30PM Eastern you'll join us live online.

Each class is followed by a live Q&A session with Chris Boggs.

All sessions will be recorded, so you'll be able to rewatch or relisten to any session.

Use code WCOMP for a $100 discount.
* promotional code expires after 50 uses or Jan 12, 2011

Check out what's included.

If you have any addition questions, please email webcasts@insurancejournal.com and we'll get back to you with an answer.

Thank you,

Josh Carlson
Insurance Journal Academy of Insurance
http://www.IJAcademy.com

Weekly Reader Picks: Monday, January 10, 2011

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January 10, 2011 Top 10 for the Past Week 1. Year-End Storms Cloud P/C Insurers' Profit Picture NATIONAL Jan 5, 2011 -- U.S. property insurers like Travelers Cos. Inc. and Chubb Corp. were expecting a relatively mild fourth quarter for catastrophe losses, but a series of punishing storms across the country in December may have blown away those estimates. That could add more reason for ... 2. Top Workers' Compensation News in 2010 NATIONAL Jan 4, 2011 -- Soft market conditions with unabated price competition and a slow economy with reduced payrolls continued to affect commercial liens including the the workers' compensation industry in 2010, as they did in 2009. Robert Hartwig, president of the Insurance Information ... 3. Toyota Says Subrogation By 7 Insurers for Acceleration Claims Is Meritless NATIONAL Jan 4, 2011 -- Seven automobile insurance firms have followed Allstate Insurance Co. in suing Toyota Motor Corp. to recover money they paid in claims for car crashes blamed on unintended acceleration of Toyota vehicles. The 4. Six Keys to Harleysville's Turnaround EAST Dec 31, 2010 -- Six years ago, Harleysville Group was in need of a big change. The Pennsylvania-based insurer had just come out of the worst performing year in its history. That's when newly appointed CEO Michael Browne — who declared the company's performance in 2003 was "totally ... 5. Hub International Acquires Four Western Companies WEST Jan 4, 2011 -- Chicago-based Hub International Ltd. (Hub), an insurance brokerage firm, has announced several acquisitions. It has acquired the shares of Hall-Conway-Jackson Inc. and the assets of Cascade Insurance Group Inc., Bothell, Washington-based insurance brokerage and employee ... 6. California Approves Homeowners Underinsurance Regulations WEST Dec 31, 2010 -- California's Office of Administrative Law (OAL) has approved regulations designed to combat underinsurance and may require insurance agents and brokers to complete additional training. The regulations will take effect June 27, 2011. The Standards and Training for ... 7. House Republicans Aim to Repeal Healthcare Law NATIONAL Jan 4, 2011 -- Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives plan to pass a bill next week to repeal President Barack Obama's overhaul of the U.S. healthcare system, a senior party aide said Monday, but the effort is widely expected to fail in the Senate. The new Congress will ... 8. Test Your 2010 Insurance News IQ: 25 Questions NATIONAL Dec 31, 2010 -- Are you an insurance news hound? Test your insurance news IQ and find out. The following questions and answers (at bottom of the page-- don't cheat!) were developed based on news stories published by InsuranceJournal.com in 2010. Good luck! 1. During the year, Congres 9. Texas Insurance Commissioner Geeslin to Step Down TEXAS / SOUTH CENTRAL Jan 5, 2011 -- Texas Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin has announced that he will not seek another term as head of the Texas Department of Insurance. His term ends Feb. 1, 2011. Geeslin has been with TD 10. Cruise Ship Wins $24 Million in Florida Suit Against Rolls-Royce SOUTHEAST Jan 7, 2011 -- A jury has awarded $24 million to Carnival Corp. in its lawsuit against Rolls-Royce PLC involving claims of a faulty propulsion system aboard the luxury liner Queen Mary 2. The jury verdict came after a two-week federal trial. A Carnival spokesman said jurors awarded $16 ... Popular Videos Brand Camp Explores New Ways to Connect with Customers and Peers 5 Branding Principles to Live By Happy Holidays from the Wells Publishing team! Subscriber Tools Send this to a friend Subscribe Unsubscribe Submit News Contact Us More Newsletters Choose Newsletters Daily Headlines Weekly Reader Picks Magazine Update Insurance Journal TV Classifieds Breaking News MyNewMarkets Daily Claims Daily Enter Your E-mail Most E-mailed > Hub International Acquires Four Western Companies EAST -- Jan 4, 2011 > Top Workers' Compensation News in 2010 TEXAS / SOUTH CENTRAL -- Jan 4, 2011 > Wholesale Brokerage R-T Specialty Opens Dallas, Texas Office EAST -- Jan 7, 2011 > Alliant Acquires T&H Group NATIONAL -- Jan 4, 2011 > Six Keys to Harleysville's Turnaround WEST -- Dec 31, 2010 Most Printed > Top Workers' Compensation News in 2010 WEST -- Jan 4, 2011 > Personal Internet Use Becoming Part of Employee Record NATIONAL -- Dec 9, 2010 > Six Keys to Harleysville's Turnaround NATIONAL -- Dec 31, 2010 > California Approves Homeowners Underinsurance Regulations EAST -- Dec 31, 2010 > Year-End Storms Cloud P/C Insurers' Profit Picture NATIONAL -- Jan 5, 2011

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Expires Today: Special Pricing on Work Comp Training

Don't forget, today is the last day to get in on our special 24 hour pricing for the 5-course Workers' Comp training series!

With the busy new year, and returning to a full workload (we know the feeling!), the 24-hour deadline is too soon for some of you. So we're extending the special pricing thru the *end of today*.

Here's the overview of the upcoming series and what's included with your registration.

A number of questions have come in about our new 5-part Workers Comp training series.

To answer some of these questions.

- All live classes begin at 1:30PM Eastern / 10:30AM Pacific.
- We'll send you a reminder email before each live class.
- We record all of the live training and Q&A sessions, so you will have access to rewatch or relisten so you won't miss any of the content.
- You can share one registration with others in the same office.
- Each live training is approximately one hour.

If you have any addition questions, please email webcasts@insurancejournal.com and we'll get back to you with an answer.

Thank you,
Josh

Insurance Journal Academy of Insurance
http://www.IJAcademy.com

Do people call you a Workers' Comp Expert?

Having trouble reading this email? View it as a webpage. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe instantly. To start off the new year, the Academy of Insurance has something extra-special for you: an information-packed series covering the fundamentals of workers' comp that you (and your co-workers) need to know. Join us and discover the "moving parts" that make the workers' compensation policy work. When are independent contractors considered employees? What injuries are compensable? Should you add another state to the WC policy? Do you understand and can you explain the experience modification worksheet? This five-part series provides you with the answers. Statutes, common law, contracts and the human element all work together or in necessary conflict with each other to allow or push the workers' compensation machine to produce the result it was designed for - a safety net for workers injured on the job. This five-part webinar series provides an in depth study on these "moving parts" that make the workers' compensation policy work. Check out what's included in this 5-week training program! Free Workers' Comp Book (a $49.95 value): When you register for this class you receive a free download of the book, "The Insurance Professional's Practical Guide to Workers' Compensation: From History through Audit." Special pricing for the next 24 hours Free work comp book download w/order, Choose any single session for $109, or get all 5 sessions (a $595 value) for just $349. Regular Price: $498 Today Only: $349 When you register, you also get: Access to each live class Question & Answer session after each class Recording of the webcast, so you won't miss any of the content Audio download of the webcast Presentation slides download Live call-in January 13 Session 1: The Course and Scope Rule and its Gray Areas - Including a Discussion of Compensable Occupational Disease For an injury to be compensable it must "arise out of and be in the course and scope" of the worker's employment. "Course and scope" is not always black and white; there is sometimes a bit of gray area. This session will illuminate some of the gray areas and guide the participant through some interpretations of "course and scope." Live call-in January 20 Session 2: Employees, Independent Contractors, General Contractors and Contractual Risk Transfer in Work Comp Who qualifies as an "employee?" The answer can depend on statute, contract and the facts surrounding the relationship between the worker and the individual or entity making use of the worker's services. Session 2 dissects employee/employer relationships to avoid surprises following a loss or at audit. Student Feedback: "What a wonderful class you just presented. You are a wealth of knowledge, on point, concise and have great examples to share. You made it easy to understand the material. I sincerely enjoyed listening to you and actually feel like I am walking away with the knowledge that I signed up for. I hope to take additional classes from you in the future." Live call-in January 27 Session 3: When to Add Additional States - Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Problems Potential coverage limit gaps or the complete loss of coverage are possible when employees work in states in which the employer has no specific location. To avoid these gaps or the loss of coverage requires recognition of the problems and knowledge of the available solutions. This session highlights the problems, focuses on the solutions and provides guidelines and rules that should be followed in deciding to name a state. Live call-in February 3 Session 4: The Surprising Importance of Employers' Liability Protection Employers' Liability protection is often overlooked or just plain ignored by many agents and brokers. The gaps filled by this coverage are too important to act carelessly when planning this protection. This session provides a new appreciation for the importance of employers' liability protection. Live call-in February 10 Session 5: How to Read, Understand and Explain the Experience Modification Worksheet Learn the who, what, when, why and how of experience modification. Who is eligible for or required to have an experience modification factor? What is an experience modification factor and why are they used? And the major question, "How are experience mods calculated?" Student Feedback: "From what I have listened in on - about 3 hours or so is FANTASTIC." Meet the Instructor: Christopher J. Boggs, CPCU, ARM, ALCM, LPCS, AAI, APA, CWCA, CRIS, AINS is the Director of the Academy of Insurance at Insurance Journal. Chris has a unique ability to break things down and make complex insurance issues easy to understand. Chris has authored three books, "Property and Casualty Insurance Concepts Simplified", "Business Income Insurance Demystified", and "The Practical Guide to Workers' Compensation" (these books are available here). Special pricing for the next 24 hours! Free work comp book download w/order, Choose any single session for $109, or get all 5 sessions (a $595 value) for just $349. Regular Price: $498 Today Only: $349 Any Questions? If you need help or would like to submit a question to the instructors before the webcast, send an email to webcasts@insurancejournal.com. Unsubscribe | Send to a Friend | Contact Us Insurance Journal 3570 Camino del Rio North, Suite 200 San Diego, CA 92108 (800) 897-9965 Copyright © 2011 by Wells Publishing, Inc.

Weekly Reader Picks: Monday, January 3, 2011

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January 3, 2011 Top 10 for the Past Week 1. Report: Some Insurers 'Low-Balling' Auto Insurance Claims for Bodily Injury NATIONAL Dec 29, 2010 -- Some insurance companies that use computerized systems to process their claims are making unfair, "low-ball" claims offers to people injured in automobile accidents, according to a consumer advocacy group. The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is warning Americans ... 2. Allstate Sues Bank of America Over Countrywide Mortgage Losses NATIONAL Dec 28, 2010 -- Allstate Corp. has sued Bank of America Corp., its Countrywide lending unit and 17 other defendants for allegedly misrepresenting the risks on more than $700 million of mortgage securities it bought from Countrywide. Allstate, the largest publicly traded U.S. home and ... 3. Top 5 Things Affecting Excess & Surplus Market in 2011 NATIONAL Dec 30, 2010 -- It has been a challenging few years for those in the excess and surplus (E&S) lines insurance market. An endless soft market, extreme competition from the standard markets, and a bad economy left wholesale and retail agents scrambling to retain business. Established ... 4. New Year's Day Top Working Holiday for Car Thieves NATIONAL Dec 28, 2010 -- While Americans are enjoying the holidays and most have time off from work, holidays are just another day at the shop for vehicle thieves. New Year's Day was once again the leading holiday for reported vehicle thefts in 2009, while Christmas Day repeated as the holiday ... 5. Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty in Fatal Staged Accident EAST Dec 28, 2010 -- A former Lawrence, Massachusetts man who participated in a staged car crash that took the life of a 65-year-old grandmother has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter. Prose 6. Maine Reporter Sues Ski Area over Accident EAST Dec 29, 2010 -- A newspaper reporter is suing a Maine ski area two years after breaking her back while riding inside a giant ball down a ski trail for a story. Rebekah Metzler, of Brunswick, worked for the Sun Journal of Lewiston in June 2008 when the Lost Valley ski area in Auburn ... 7. 2010's Top Insurance Stories in the West WEST Dec 23, 2010 -- In 2009, independent insurance agents and brokers faced a "perfect storm" with the economic downturn, premiums at a fraction of what they used to be, and unemployment and home foreclosure rates up, said Kevin Baker of San Jose, Calif.-based Suhr Risk Services Inc. and ... 8. Mistrial Ruled After Arkansas Doctor Accused of Malpractice Treats Juror TEXAS / SOUTH CENTRAL Dec 28, 2010 -- An Arkansas medical malpractice lawsuit ended in mistrial in federal court in Jonesboro when the doctor being sued treated an ill juror in the courtroom in front of other jurors. The Jonesboro Sun reported that the juror became ill during opening statements of the ... 9. New York City Ponders Benefits of Pay As You Drive Insurance EAST Dec 28, 2010 -- New York City is considering whether pay-as-you-drive auto insurance could reduce congestion and pollution in the Big Apple. The city's department of transportation has issued a request for expressions of in 10. Six Keys to Harleysville's Turnaround EAST Dec 31, 2010 -- Six years ago, Harleysville Group was in need of a big change. The Pennsylvania-based insurer had just come out of the worst performing year in its history. That's when newly appointed CEO Michael Browne — who declared the company's performance in 2003 was "totally ... Popular Videos Brand Camp Explores New Ways to Connect with Customers and Peers Happy Holidays from the Wells Publishing team! Lexington Focuses on New Products, Creativity, to Get Through Soft Market Subscriber Tools Send this to a friend Subscribe Unsubscribe Submit News Contact Us More Newsletters Choose Newsletters Daily Headlines Weekly Reader Picks Magazine Update Insurance Journal TV Classifieds Breaking News MyNewMarkets Daily Claims Daily Enter Your E-mail Most E-mailed > Report: Some Insurers 'Low-Balling' Auto Insurance Claims for Bodily Injury NATIONAL -- Dec 29, 2010 > Top 5 Things Affecting Excess & Surplus Market in 2011 NATIONAL -- Dec 30, 2010 > Houston International Insurance Sells Southwest Risk to GCP Capital NATIONAL -- Dec 29, 2010 > Reinsurance Renewal Rates On the Decline, Reports Claim WEST -- Dec 30, 2010 > Wood Gutmann & Bogart Acquires Barlocker Insurance Services TEXAS / SOUTH CENTRAL -- Dec 29, 2010 Most Printed > Report: Some Insurers 'Low-Balling' Auto Insurance Claims for Bodily Injury NATIONAL -- Dec 29, 2010 > How to Fix Nation's Flood Insurance Program NATIONAL -- Dec 30, 2010 > Top 5 Things Affecting Excess & Surplus Market in 2011 NATIONAL -- Dec 30, 2010 > Six Keys to Harleysville's Turnaround NATIONAL -- Dec 31, 2010 > Reinsurance Renewal Rates On the Decline, Reports Claim EAST -- Dec 30, 2010 Subscribe | Unsubscribe | Send to a Friend | Contact Us Insurance Journal 3570 Camino del Rio North, Suite 200 San Diego, CA 92108 (800) 897-9965 Copyright © 2011 by Wells Publishing, Inc.