Breaking News: Allstate to Exit Banking Business

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February 9, 2011 Breaking News Alert Allstate to Exit Banking Business The Allstate Corp., the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, is getting out of the banking business. Discover Bank, a division of Discover Financial Services, is purchasing the $1.1 billion deposits of Allstate Bank and the two have entered into to a multi-year distribution and marketing agreement. Read the full story Send to a Friend 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.

Facebook Firing and Hiring

Having trouble reading this email? View it as a webpage. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe instantly.   Facebook Firing: The Legal Challenges of Hiring, Firing and Managing Employees in the Social Media Era Wednesday, February 9, 2011 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. EST Live online training plus Q&A session There are significant challenges facing today's insurance organizations as they attempt to hire and manage a generation increasingly dependent on and addicted to social media. This seminar will help insurance organizations identify the legalities of using social media in the pre-hire process; and manage employees in the proper use of social media once they are hired. When you register, you get: Access to the live training on Wednesday, February 9 Question & Answer session with the instructor Recording of the webcast, so you can watch again Audio download of the webcast Presentation slides download Case law regarding employees' uses of social media that negatively impacts organizations is discussed as is the best way to manage and intervene with social policy infringements. Where the courts stand on the use of social media is changing daily. New court decisions expand rights in some instances while drawing clear "lines in the sand" in other cases. As your clients face social media liability, the knowledge you gain in this webinar will help you guide them toward a social media risk management approach that can reduce employment actions for them, as well as for your organization. Use code SOCIAL to save $25 on registration. * promotional code expires after 100 uses Students in this class will learn: To identify the significant challenges insurance organizations face in managing social media activity in the hiring and disciplinary process. To identify what agencies can do legally in pre-employment social media investigations for potential employees. The difficulties agency and carrier clients face in managing their in-house social media policies. How to develop a social media policy and develop and implement clear guidelines that work. Case law: Where the courts stand on what we can do and can't do with social media in the hiring or Disciplinary process. How to deal with infractions of social media policy. To provide general guidance to clients in managing their social media policies. Use code SOCIAL to save $25 on registration. * promotional code expires after 100 uses   Also This Week: Workers Comp Training Live call-in February 10 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?" When: Thursday, February 10 Cost: $109 Add to Cart 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, February 7, 2011

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February 7, 2011 Top 10 for the Past Week 1. After Games, 40% of Fans Have Booze on Board Feb 4, 2011 -- Eight percent of fans who agreed to be tested after attending professional football and baseball games were too drunk to legally drive, a new study finds, and 40 percent had booze in their bodies. The study has limitations: it does not disclose ... 2. Berkshire Hathaway Homestate to Provide Workers’ Comp Nationally Feb 3, 2011 -- The Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies (BHHC) now has the ability to provide workers' compensation coverage to their clients in every state that allows private insurers to compete for business.  Currently, BHHC has policies in force in 44 ... 3. Senate Democrats Block Repeal of Healthcare Law Feb 3, 2011 -- President Barack Obama's fellow Democrats in the U.S. Senate blocked a Republican bid Wednesday to repeal his healthcare overhaul, likely leaving the fate of the year-old law up to the federal courts. The Senate rejected the attempted repeal on a ... 4. Why Elderly Are Bad Drivers Feb 3, 2011 -- When elderly drivers get behind the wheel, they often confront the harrowing reality that they cannot easily see other cars, pedestrians, or cyclists moving around them. This frightening effect of aging, it turns out, is not necessarily a result of ... 5. Farmers Buys Naming Rights to New Los Angeles Stadium Feb 2, 2011 -- The Farmers Insurance Exchange has agreed to pay $700 million for the naming rights to the proposed downtown Los Angeles football stadium and event center, a deal backers say is a big step towards attracting an NFL team to the city. The stadium is ... 6. Predictive Modeling Improving Insurers’ Bottom Lines, Market Share Feb 2, 2011 -- Property/casualty insurance carriers currently utilizing predictive modeling continue to see their bottom lines improve and almost 4 out of 10 say it has helped them increase market share. For this and other reasons, predictive modeling also ... 7. Minnesota Man Imprisoned After Crash Sues Toyota Feb 2, 2011 -- Attorneys for Toyota Motor Corp. asked a federal judge this week to dismiss most of the claims filed by a Minnesota man who was incarcerated after a fatal crash involving a 1996 Camry, saying the automaker had no direct connection to events that put ... 8. Applied Systems Adds Data Protection, Email Verification Service Feb 1, 2011 -- Insurance agents and brokers can now legally prove who e-mailed what to whom and when. Applied Systems TAMOnline and VisionOnline agency management systems now include a service known as RPost Registered Email. RPost helps agents protect insureds' ... 9. Federal Judge in Florida Rules Healthcare Law Must Be Voided Jan 31, 2011 -- A federal judge in Florida struck down President Barack Obama's landmark healthcare overhaul as unconstitutional Monday in the biggest legal challenge yet to federal authority to enact the law. U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson ruled that the reform ... 10. Nearly 200 Animals Die in Upstate New York Barn Fire Jan 31, 2011 -- A woman who lost about 200 farm animals in an upstate New York barn fire blames the disaster on a propane heater she had set up to protect newborn and pregnant sheep and goats from subzero cold. Robin Dillenbeck, sitting with her mother at their ... Popular Videos Will Deficit Debate Affect Flood Insurance? Taxes? Fires, Explosions, Spills: EFI Finds the Cause Getting to the Root of 'Green' Construction Claims 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

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.

The Surprising Importance of Employers' Liability

Having trouble reading this email? View it as a webpage. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe instantly. Thursday, February 3, 2011 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. EST The Surprising Importance of Employers' Liability Protection - One-hour of training and Q&A w/Chris Boggs - Live presenation online, and recorded for access later - Share access with others in your office 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. When: Thursday, February 3 Time: 1:30pm Eastern (10:30am Pacific) Cost: $109 just $84 when you use code WCOMP25 Register Now 40 spots left - Reserve Your Seat Today! Use code WCOMP25 for a $25 discount. * promotional code expires February 2, 2011 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." Meet the Instructor Chris Boggs, Director of Education Insurance Journal Academy of Insurance 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). More Workers Comp Training Live call-in February 10 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?" When: Next Thursday, February 10 Cost: $109 Add to Cart 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.

Breaking News: Federal Judge Rules Federal Healthcare Law Must Be Voided

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January 31, 2011 Breaking News Alert Federal Judge in Florida Rules Federal Healthcare Law Must Be Voided A judge in Florida Monday became the second U.S. judge to declare President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law unconstitutional, in the biggest legal challenge yet to federal authority to enact the law. Read the full story Send to a Friend 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.

Do Your Clients Thank You?

Having trouble reading this email? View it as a webpage. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe instantly. Bill Whitley, Speaker, Consultant, Author of Art of the Rainmaker In two days - Reserve your seat today. Wednesday, February 2, 2011 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. EST Increase Sales by Learning How to Ask the Right Questions - One-hour of training and Q&A w/Bill Whitley - Live online training, plus access to archive afterward - Share access with others in your office Students in this class learn: A more valuable discovery conversation. How to make their products easier to understand. How to help clients self-select products that solve their biggest needs. Reserve Your Seat Today! Use code HOWTOASK for $25 off registration * promotional code expires after 100 uses or Feb 1 Your ability to ask the questions that uncover client needs is the most important part of the sales cycle. If you do this well, your customer will truly thank you. During this class, Bill Whitley will teach you how to create a simple, visual diagram called "Your World." This diagram guides you through the questions necessary to uncover needs, educate customers and arrive at the logical next step with any prospect or client. Register today - access to the live online class When you register, you also get: Access to the live class on Wednesday, February 2 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 Reserve Your Seat Today! 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 31, 2011

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January 31, 2011 Top 10 for the Past Week 1. What Did One Car Say to the Other Car? Jan 27, 2011 -- "Hey, Honda Civic, my friend, stay in your lane. This is a friendly message from the Ford Focus to your right." "Well hello there, Ms. Lexus. How about letting up on the gas a bit? It's dark and the roads are icy and, heck, what's the rush? This ... 2. Courts Allowing Private Facebook Posts As Evidence in Lawsuits Jan 27, 2011 -- It's the latest litigation tactic in the online age: U.S. lawyers are trying to mine the private zones of Facebook and other social-media sites for photos, comments, status updates and other tidbits that might contradict what their opponents are ... 3. Iowa Football Players Hospitalized After Strenuous Workouts Jan 27, 2011 -- The University of Iowa says 12 football players have been hospitalized for symptoms likely related to offseason workouts. The school has declined to release the names of the players being treated. It said in a statement that the players were taken ... 4. What the Financial Crisis Commission Concluded About AIG’s Failure Jan 27, 2011 -- The taxpayer bailout of giant American International Group (AIG) became necessary largely because of AIG's poor risk management of its financial products and because  deregulation of over-the-counter derivatives, including credit default swaps, let ... 5. P/C Insurers Like Some of Obama’s State of Union Promises Jan 27, 2011 -- Property/casualty insurers found things to like in President Obama's State of the Union speech that was largely focused on the economy and business. Medical malpractice reform, regulatory review, and trade agreements— these issues in particular ... 6. National Underwriter, Summit Media File for Bankruptcy Jan 26, 2011 -- Summit Business Media and its affiliates including The National Underwriter insurance publisher have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to address more than $250 million in debt and unsecured claims. The company said that it had already worked out an ... 7. Severed Finger Points Way to Suspected Arsonist in Florida Jan 26, 2011 -- A piece of a severed finger inside a glove led police near Titusvillle, Fla. to a suspected arsonist. Investigators found the finger near the door of a burning home along North Dixie Highway latst Friday night. They checked local hospitals and found ... 8. New Jersey Man Gets 4 Years for $20M Insurance Scam Jan 26, 2011 -- A former partner in a New Jersey-based insurance firm is going to prison for four years for his role in a $20 million loan scheme. Gavin Gatta's company, Smith Gatta Gelok, assisted businesses in buying commercial insurance. Gatta admitted that he ... 9. Insurers Form Florida Lobby Group to Change Personal Lines Jan 25, 2011 -- Some of Florida's largest insurance companies have banded together and formed the Personal Lines Insurance Federation of Florida to lobby for changes in the state's regulatory environment in an effort to spur growth in the personal lines market. ... 10. Travelers Sees Insurance Business Improving Jan 25, 2011 -- Travelers Companies Inc. posted a higher-than-expected quarterly profit and the largest publicly traded U.S. property insurer said there were early signs businesses were finally willing to spend more on insurance. Despite deep-seated pessimism about ... Popular Videos How November Elections Changed Insurance Power in Washington Fires, Explosions, Spills: EFI Finds the Cause Industry Can Count on Slow Economic Recovery in 2011 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

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.