Weekly Reader Picks: Monday, August 15, 2011

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August 15, 2011 Top 10 for the Past Week 1. S&P Takes Action on Insurance Groups Following U.S. Sovereign Downgrade Aug 8, 2011 -- Standard & Poor's Ratings Services lowered its long-term sovereign credit rating on the United States of America to 'AA+' and assigned a negative outlook on Aug. 5, and as a result the rating agency also took action on 10 U.S.-based insurance ... 2. Agents Say Insurers Out of Touch with Needs of Small Businesses Aug 11, 2011 -- Insurance agents and brokers think that their insurance carriers may be out of touch with what the small business segment needs. For one, carriers have been busy coming out with new products and coverage enhancements for small businesses, but agents ... 3. Diabetes Drug Maker Facing Hundreds of Lawsuits Aug 9, 2011 -- The maker of the world's best-selling diabetes drug is facing hundreds of lawsuits and likely a big sales drop as suspicion grows that taking the pill for more than a year raises the risk of bladder cancer. In June, Takeda Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. ... 4. Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in U.S. Aug 3, 2011 -- Two Honda models top the list of U.S. thieves' favorite vehicles. The National Insurance Crime Bureau examined vehicle theft data submitted by law enforcement to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and determined the vehicle make, model, ... 5. Dad of Girl Electrocuted on Monsanto-Farm in Ill. Files Suit Aug 8, 2011 -- The father of a northwestern Illinois girl who was electrocuted while removing tassels from corn filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company that hired his daughter. Brian Kendall's lawsuit against St. Louis-based Monsanto Corp. says his ... 6. Are Bounce Houses Too Difficult a Risk? Aug 10, 2011 -- In the last two months alone the media has reported at least 10 bounce house or inflatable amusement rides nationwide that were toppled by wind or collapsed under weight of too many kids. The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission continues to ... 7. AIG Sues BofA for $10 Billion, Alleges ‘Massive Mortgage Fraud’ Aug 8, 2011 -- Insurer American International Group (AIG) is suing Bank of America Corp. to recover more than $10 billion of losses from a "massive fraud'' on mortgage debt, deepening the morass of litigation faced by the largest U.S. bank. AIG is still largely ... 8. Why Wall Street Likes Reinsurance Business Aug 9, 2011 -- Warren Buffett's entry into the bidding for Transatlantic Holdings is drawing fresh attention to the reinsurance industry, which specializes in writing insurance for insurers in a way that frees up those companies to take on more risk. With cheap ... 9. West Virginia Jury Awards $91.5 Million in Nursing Home Death Aug 9, 2011 -- A jury in Kanawha County, West Virginia has awarded $91.5 million in damages to the family of an 87-year-old woman who died after her stay at a Charleston nursing home. The jury ruled  that Heartland of Charleston failed to feed and care for ... 10. Insurance Captives’ Profitability Soars; Dividends Way Up: A.M. Best Aug 8, 2011 -- Profitability soared by 49 percent and policyholder dividends were up 73 percent for  captive insurance entities followed by rating analysts at A.M. Best in 2010. According to an A.M. Best special report, captives' underwriting income increased as ... Popular Videos Brokering the Hot Cyber Liability Market How Natural Catastrophes Impact the Reinsurance Industry 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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Your Employees Want to Know What You Think

Having trouble reading this email? View it as a webpage. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe instantly. New Training this Wednesday, August 17: Using Feedback to Motivate Employee Performance No one is perfect - we all make mistakes. When mistakes happen, what is the best way to proactively promote the "right" behavior to your employees? How can you deliver correction so that your employees appreciate your feedback, rather than feel punished? Specific skills are required to effectively change an employee's behavior. When your employee understands and agrees with the reasons behind the need to change their behavior, the more likely the behavior change will last. This webinar gives you the tools necessary to allow you feel more comfortable giving feedback, help your employees learn from their mistakes and continually improve their performance. Click Here to Register What you will learn in this webinar: How to set the stage for positive interaction. When to deliver feedback. How to bring about change in behavior. How to turn a mistake into a helpful learning experience. How to motivate continued improving performance. When you register, you get: Access to the live webinar Video and Audio recordings, so you can watch or listen again Question & Answer session with the instructor Audio download of the webcast Presentation slides download Join us this Wednesday, August 17th for this one-hour training webinar. (PLUS, all registrants will receive video and audio recordings of the webinar, so you can listen/watch again at your convenience.) Space is limited! Click Here to Reserve Your Spot! Regularly priced at $129.00, just $89 when you register today! (special pricing expires August 16th) Have questions or need help? Send an email to webcasts@insurancejournal.com or call Barbara at 800-897-9965 x120. Date: Wednesday, August 17th Time: 1:30pm EDT / 10:30am PDT Duration: 1 Hour Price: Save $40 until August 16th! Register today for just $89! Click Here to Register Instructor: Marsha Egan Celebrated keynoter, facilitator, author and ICF-certified workplace productivity coach. More Great Training Coming Soon: AUG 18: Do You Know EPLI? - Learn the basic information and features necessary to understand EPLI as well as the requirements necessary for underwriting this line of insurance. AUG 24: Scared by Construction Bonds? You Should Be! (2-Part Series) - This two-part seminar presents a wide-ranging examination of bond-related issues connected to the construction industry, beginning with a basic review of how bonds work, how they differ from liability insurance, and the basic terminology of bonding. AUG 25: Top Ten Things Agents do Everyday - But Shouldn't - If you've even wanted to turn potential E&O from mere CYA to ROI - or simply wish you could turn everyday chaos into potential growth, this session is for you. AUG 31: Avoiding The Top 5 Mistakes Made When Hiring Producers - Learn ways to correct the most common mistakes agencies make when hiring sales executives. The key is to make your own plan, define what makes a "good" producer, hire and avoid repeating the bad habits of old. SEP 8: Top 7 CGL Coverage Questions - At the conclusion of this session, participants will have a better understanding of the underwriting thought process. By anticipating underwriters' questions and concerns in advance, you will be in a much better position to properly and quickly address the coverage needs of your clients. Send to a Friend | Contact Us | Subscribe | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy Insurance Journal 3570 Camino del Rio North, Suite 200 San Diego, CA 92108 (800) 897-9965 Copyright © 2011 by Wells Publishing, Inc.

Don't Go In Without a D&O Option

Having trouble reading this email? View it as a webpage. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe instantly. What EVERY Agent Needs to Know about D&O Directors & Officers Liability has changed drastically over the last 15 to 20 years from basically an unknown exposure or area of insurance to today being one of the most visible liability exposures to the corporate executive as well as the actual corporation. This course will teach you how insurance companies and retail brokers are focusing on D&O liability coverage as a profitable business strategy and as an entree to a clients highest level executives. Click Here to Register What you will learn in this webinar: The complexity of the forms What is covered Why it is needed SOX Exposures for Publically traded Companies 19 Coverage issues to look for Side A individual coverage needs When you register, you get: Access to the live webinar Video and Audio recordings, so you can watch or listen again Question & Answer session with the instructor Audio download of the webcast Presentation slides download Join us this Thursday, August 11th for this one-hour training webinar. (PLUS, all registrants will receive video and audio recordings of the webinar, so you can listen/watch again at your convenience.) Space is limited! Click Here to Reserve Your Spot! Regularly priced at $129.00, just $89 when you register today! (special pricing expires August 10th) Have questions or need help? Send an email to webcasts@insurancejournal.com or call Barbara at 800-897-9965 x120. Date: Thursday, August 11th Time: 1:30pm EDT / 10:30am PDT Duration: 1 Hour Price: Save $40 until August 10th! Register today for just $89! Click Here to Register Instructor: Fred Fisher Agency executive, industry leader and widely published author. More Great Training Coming Soon: AUG 10: Learn How to Use Social Media to Improve Your Search Rankings - Social Media is becoming a powerful tool to help your Web site and business get visibility within search engine results pages. AUG 17: Using Feedback to Motivate Performance - This webinar gives you the tools necessary to allow you feel more comfortable giving feedback, help your employees learn from their mistakes and continually improve their performance. AUG 18: Do You Know EPLI? - Learn the basic information and features necessary to understand EPLI as well as the requirements necessary for underwriting this line of insurance. AUG 24: Scared by Construction Bonds? You Should Be! (2-Part Series) - This two-part seminar presents a wide-ranging examination of bond-related issues connected to the construction industry, beginning with a basic review of how bonds work, how they differ from liability insurance, and the basic terminology of bonding. AUG 25: Top Ten Things Agents do Everyday - But Shouldn't - If you've even wanted to turn potential E&O from mere CYA to ROI - or simply wish you could turn everyday chaos into potential growth, this session is for you. AUG 31: Avoiding The Top 5 Mistakes Made When Hiring Producers - Learn ways to correct the most common mistakes agencies make when hiring sales executives. The key is to make your own plan, define what makes a "good" producer, hire and avoid repeating the bad habits of old. Send to a Friend | Contact Us | Subscribe | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy Insurance Journal 3570 Camino del Rio North, Suite 200 San Diego, CA 92108 (800) 897-9965 Copyright © 2011 by Wells Publishing, Inc.

What do You Really Gain from Social Media?

Having trouble reading this email? View it as a webpage. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe instantly. Learn How to Use Social Media to Improve Your Search Rankings In 2011, Social Media is becoming a more and more powerful tool to help your Web site and business get visibility within search engine results pages. Microsoft's "Bing" search engine now even includes social signals in personalized search results, allowing searchers to see those pages/sites that their community or network has recommended. This session will go over the main social media players that can have impact on how you rank within search engines for terms related to your business (either topically or geographically or both). Beyond discovering the value of Twitter and Facebook, we will cover answers to how Blogs and Video Sharing sites can also help, as well as exploring the value of ratings and reviews and if/when they can be incorporated into search result calculations. Click Here to Register What you will learn in this webinar: How to understand the social media landscape How search engines use social media How to optimize your social media efforts for search When you register, you get: Access to the live webinar Video and Audio recordings, so you can watch or listen again Question & Answer session with the instructor Audio download of the webcast Presentation slides download Join us this Wednesday, August 10th for this one-hour training webinar. (PLUS, all registrants will receive video and audio recordings of the webinar, so you can listen/watch again at your convenience.) Space is limited! Click Here to Reserve Your Spot! Regularly priced at $129.00, just $89 when you register today! (special pricing expires August 9th) Have questions or need help? Send an email to webcasts@insurancejournal.com or call Barbara at 800-897-9965 x120. Date: Wednesday, August 10th Time: 1:30pm EDT / 10:30am PDT Duration: 1 Hour Price: Save $40 until August 9th! Register today for just $89! Click Here to Register Instructor: Chris Dixon Boggs Search engine optimization and marketing specialist. More Great Training Coming Soon: AUG 11: What EVERY Agent Needs to Know about D&O - Learn how insurance companies and retail brokers are focusing on D&O liability Coverage as a profitable business strategy and as an entree to a clients highest level executives. AUG 17: Using Feedback to Motivate Performance - This webinar gives you the tools necessary to allow you feel more comfortable giving feedback, help your employees learn from their mistakes and continually improve their performance. AUG 18: Do You Know EPLI? - Learn the basic information and features necessary to understand EPLI as well as the requirements necessary for underwriting this line of insurance. AUG 24: Scared by Construction Bonds? You Should Be! (2-Part Series) - This two-part seminar presents a wide-ranging examination of bond-related issues connected to the construction industry, beginning with a basic review of how bonds work, how they differ from liability insurance, and the basic terminology of bonding. AUG 25: Top Ten Things Agents do Everyday - But Shouldn't - If you've even wanted to turn potential E&O from mere CYA to ROI - or simply wish you could turn everyday chaos into potential growth, this session is for you. Send to a Friend | Contact Us | Subscribe | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy 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, August 8, 2011

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August 8, 2011 Top 10 for the Past Week 1. Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles in U.S. Aug 3, 2011 -- Two Honda models top the list of U.S. thieves' favorite vehicles. The National Insurance Crime Bureau examined vehicle theft data submitted by law enforcement to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and determined the vehicle make, model, ... 2. How Debt Ceiling Politics Impact P/C Insurance Industry Aug 1, 2011 -- As they watched Congress struggle to put a debt deal in place by Aug. 2, U.S. insurers worried about their companies' portfolios, short- and long-term interest rates and a decline in equity markets. The leading concern among insurers in the July 28 ... 3. Two Big Southern California Agencies Merge Aug 1, 2011 -- Two independent insurance brokers announced today they are joining forces to become one of the largest insurance brokerages in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The August 1st agreement combines Northridge Insurance Agency (NIA) in the San Fernando ... 4. Atlantic Hurricane Forecast Revised Aug 4, 2011 -- Federal storm watchers issued an updated 2011 Atlantic hurricane season outlook today, raising the number of expected named storms from its pre-season outlook issued in May. Forecasters  at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ... 5. Florida Nudists Injured in Water Scooter Crash Jul 29, 2011 -- Authorities say two people were injured when their water scooter hit a sea wall near Cypress Cove Nudist Resort in Kissimmee. An Osceola County Fire Rescue spokeswoman said the crash happened just before 8 p.m. Sunday. A man and a woman, both 62, ... 6. General Re, AIG Executives’ Convictions Tossed; New Trial Ordered Aug 2, 2011 -- Four former executives at Berkshire Hathaway Inc.'s General Re Corp. unit and one at American International Group Inc. won the reversal of their convictions over a reinsurance transaction that prosecutors said fraudulently boosted AIG's loss ... 7. Montana Supreme Court Rules in Aluminum Baseball Bat Case Aug 1, 2011 -- The Montana Supreme Court has awarded $850,000 to the family of a 18-year-old pitcher who was killed by a baseball hit off an aluminum bat. The aluminum baseball bat was not designed defectively, but the manufacturer should have had warnings about ... 8. Judge Allows Army Veteran to Sue Rumsfeld for Damages Over Torture Aug 5, 2011 -- A judge is allowing an Army veteran who says he was imprisoned unjustly and tortured by the U.S. military in Iraq to sue former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld personally for damages. The veteran's identity is withheld in court filings, but he ... 9. Florida Governor Suggests Making PIP Coverage Optional for Drivers Aug 2, 2011 -- Florida drivers should have the option to forgo purchasing what is now mandatory auto personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, says Gov. Rick Scott. Following the failure of lawmakers this year to reform the state's no-fault auto law, Scott has ... 10. California Man Arrested for Faking Death Aug 3, 2011 -- A Southern California man and his wife were arrested Monday on suspicion of faking the man's death in 2004 so their family could receive life insurance and other death benefits, authorities said. Authorities received a tip that the man, Lucio ... Popular Videos How New NRRA Regulations and California's AB315 Will Change the Surplus Lines Industry Brokering the Hot Cyber Liability 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

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Recognizing Professional Liability Exposures

Having trouble reading this email? View it as a webpage. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe instantly. How to Match Professional Liability Coverage to Your Insured's Exposures Insureds seek professional liability coverage for varied reasons. Some insureds may not know what they need and the agent must determine what type of coverage will accomplish the insured's objective. Once the student masters the lexicon and concepts of Professional Liability, he or she will be able to translate the insured's needs into identification of the appropriate line of business, as well as the policy language that will provide the desired coverage. Click Here to Register What you will learn in this webinar: Determine what types of claims the insured is seeking to cover Determine what type of coverage is needed to cover such claims Identify trouble areas in proposed terms Negotiate needed amendments to terms to ensure proper coverage is placed When you register, you get: Access to the live webinar Video and Audio recordings, so you can watch or listen again Question & Answer session with the instructor Audio download of the webcast Presentation slides download Join us this Thursday, August 4th for this one-hour training webinar. (PLUS, all registrants will receive video and audio recordings of the webinar, so you can listen/watch again at your convenience.) Space is limited! Click Here to Reserve Your Spot! Regularly priced at $129.00, just $89 when you register today! (special pricing expires August 3rd) Have questions or need help? Send an email to webcasts@insurancejournal.com or call Barbara at 800-897-9965 x120. Date: Thursday, August 4th Time: 1:30pm EDT / 10:30am PDT Duration: 1 Hour Price: Save $40 until August 3rd! Register today for just $89! Click Here to Register Instructor: Chris Christian, CIC, RPLU Industry leader and experienced broker, specializing in professional liability. More Great Training Coming Soon: Popular AUG 3: Developing Producer Compensation & Agency Perpetuation Plans - Through this course, agency owners, sales managers, and financial officers will begin to see how vital the concept of compensation analysis is to the success of its company. AUG 10: Using Social Media to Help Your Search Engine Exposure Grow - This session will go over the main social media players that can have impact on how you rank within search engines for terms related to your business (either topically or geographically or both). AUG 11: What EVERY Agent Needs to Know about D&O - Learn how insurance companies and retail brokers are focusing on D&O liability Coverage as a profitable business strategy and as an entree to a clients highest level executives. AUG 17: Using Feedback to Motivate Performance - This webinar gives you the tools necessary to allow you feel more comfortable giving feedback, help your employees learn from their mistakes and continually improve their performance. AUG 18: Do You Know EPLI? - Learn the basic information and features necessary to understand EPLI as well as the requirements necessary for underwriting this line of insurance. AUG 24: Scared by Construction Bonds? You Should Be! (2-Part Series) - This two-part seminar presents a wide-ranging examination of bond-related issues connected to the construction industry, beginning with a basic review of how bonds work, how they differ from liability insurance, and the basic terminology of bonding. Send to a Friend | Contact Us | Subscribe | Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy Insurance Journal 3570 Camino del Rio North, Suite 200 San Diego, CA 92108 (800) 897-9965 Copyright © 2011 by Wells Publishing, Inc.

Breaking News: General Re, AIG Executives' Convictions Tossed; New Trial Ordered

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August 2, 2011 Breaking News Alert General Re, AIG Executives’ Convictions Tossed; New Trial Ordered Read the full story Four former executives at Berkshire Hathaway Inc.'s General Re Corp. unit and one at American International Group Inc. won the reversal of their convictions over a reinsurance transaction that prosecutors said fraudulently boosted AIG's loss reserves. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York ordered on Monday a new trial for all five defendants, including former General Re Chief Executive Ronald Ferguson, citing errors by the presiding judge at their closely-watched 2008 trial. 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.