Weekly Reader Picks: Monday, July 23, 2012

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July 23, 2012 Top 10 for the Past Week 1. Why Workers’ Compensation Leads in E&O Claims Jul 16, 2012 -- Every year, errors and omissions (E&O) claims arising out of the placement of workers' compensation account for approximately 10 percent of all claims. Many of those workers' comp claims are well in excess of ... 2. Cancelling London Olympics Would Cost over $4.9 Billion: Munich Re Jul 16, 2012 -- Cancelling the London Olympics due, for example, to a security threat would result in damages of more than €4 billion ($4.9 billion), Andrew Duxbury, underwriting manager at Munich Re, told a German newspaper. "This ... 3. Va. Boy Sets Up Lemonade Stand to Help Pay Neighbor’s $500 Deductible Jul 19, 2012 -- An 8-year-old Springfield boy who set up a lemonade stand to help his neighbors rebuild their home after it was damaged by a recent storm has surpassed his goal. The Washington Post reports that Johnny Karlinchak has ... 4. GM’s OnStar Car Owners Now Able to Rent Out Their Vehicles Jul 17, 2012 -- General Motors is joining the sharing economy. General Motors announced that its OnStar subscribers can now rent out their idle vehicles through the RelayRides car sharing service, leveraging OnStar connectivity already ... 5. Travelers Reports More Rate Gains, Seeks Higher Homeowners Deductibles Jul 20, 2012 -- The Travelers Companies, which reported its second-quarter results yesterday, said renewal rates are continuing to trend up across its business segments. Company executives emphasized, however, that rate hikes are a ... 6. Police: Naked Man Crashes Through Texas Mall Jul 19, 2012 -- Police say a naked man crashed a pickup truck into a Dallas mall, then drove over a few kiosks before stopping to try on clothes. Dallas police were called to the Southwest Center Mall around 7:30 a.m. on July 13. ... 7. Tennessee Court Says Killer Can Keep Insurance Money Jul 20, 2012 -- A Tennessee appeals court has reluctantly ruled that a Johnson City man convicted of killing his wife in a bathtub for the insurance money can keep $200,000 in life insurance proceeds. The Knoxville News Sentinel ... 8. Worst Midwest Drought Since 1956 Expanding North, West Jul 17, 2012 -- An expanding U.S. drought, now deemed the worst since 1956, dealt another blow to the corn crop, with conditions deteriorating for a second straight week in the world's top exporter of the grain, U.S. government data ... 9. Progressive Expands Commercial Auto Offerings, Introduces New Coverage Jul 19, 2012 -- Progressive Insurance has expanded its commercial auto product with updated offerings and programs. The latest commercial package brings more coverage options and introduces a customer loyalty program. Highlights of the ... 10. Houston-Area Rain Floods Homes, May End Drought Jul 16, 2012 -- Historic rainfall levels that drenched the Houston area last week flooded dozens of homes and caused widespread street flooding, but the rain also is likely to result in the end of drought conditions in Southeast Texas, ... Popular Videos Agency Capitalizes on Obamacare Agency Prepares for Benefits Growth 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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Weak Employees Make a Weak Agency

New training from Insurance Journal's Academy of Insurance. Register today! Having trouble reading this email? View it as a webpage. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe instantly. Weak Employees Make a Weak Agency Search "Improving Employee Morale" online and thousands of hits will emerge on boosting, improving and maintaining a positive work environment. Now search "Improving Insurance Agency Employee Morale" and you'll find little applicable information. Building strength within your agency is so much more subjective and interpersonal than just maximizing productivity. If you're going to take a hard look at improving your agency's employee morale or maintaining an already positive work environment, then you should do so through the lens of specific, insurance related topics. This class takes a look at the unique characteristics of an insurance agency's working environment. Click Here to Register Class members can expect to take away: An outline of the classic themes involving workplace morale: defining what morale is, what factors can jeopardize agency strength and when to recognize the warning signs of decreasing employee happiness Discussion on agency positions that are susceptible to morale issues and ways to approach each employee base differently How to create a proactive plan with subtle or radical changes to the agency's culture; knowing the goals of those changes and how to assess the impact 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, July 25th 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 July 24th) Have questions or need help? Send an email to webcasts@insurancejournal.com or call Barbara at 800-897-9965 x166. Date: Wednesday, July 25th Time: 1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT Duration: 1 Hour Price: Save $40 until July 24th! Register today for just $89! Click Here to Register Instructor: Mary Newgard Senior Search Consultant at Capstone Search Group. More Great Training: JUL 26: Five Court Cases You Need to Know by Name - Students completing this webinar gain an understanding of how the historical cases continue to affect the way insurance coverage is interpreted today. AUG 1: How to Develop Program Business Within Your Agency (2 Part Series) - One of the best ways to grow your agency is by entering into a "Program" business model. Learn the three major steps required to build a successful program business model. AUG 2: Commercial Auto Class - During this webinar we'll look at a few of the most common mistakes made when writing a BAP - and how to resolve these issues. AUG 7: Producer Performance Development Program (8 Sessions) - This program is designed for newer producers and will re-energize experienced producers who have lost the edge in developing new business. AUG 8: Understanding E&O Coverage - Join us for a breakdown of the E&O policy form and learn how to properly insure your client's exposures. 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 © 2012 by Wells Media Group, Inc.

What Current Insurance Merger and Acquisition Activities Tell Us

New training from Insurance Journal's Academy of Insurance. Register today! Having trouble reading this email? View it as a webpage. Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe instantly. Stay Ahead of The Curve and Learn More about Mergers & Acquisitions What trends can we derive from year-end 2011 and the first six months of 2012 insurance M&A activity statistics? What do those mergers and acquisitions tell us about the industry and what effects might we expect from that activity? For insurance carriers and brokers, the observable deal metrics tell quite a story. Join us as Ron Fry, Senior Vice President at Sherman & Company, an insurance focused M&A advisory firm, discusses different elements of the Mergers & Acquisitions process including financing activity and the ability of the capital markets to support large transactions. This session concentrates on a number of deals, metrics, and segments common to the industry to analyze the most prevalent trends. Click Here to Register Students taking this class learn: What near-term activity to expect in the markets The year-to-date 2012 mergers and acquisitions indices How to translate deal metrics into expected valuations Growth opportunities and macroeconomic pressures and their effect on deal flow and pricing 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, July 19th 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 July 18th) Have questions or need help? Send an email to webcasts@insurancejournal.com or call Barbara at 800-897-9965 x166. Date: Thursday, July 19th Time: 1:30pm ET / 10:30am PT Duration: 1 Hour Price: Save $40 until July 18th! Register today for just $89! Click Here to Register Instructor: Ron Fry Military veteran, financial executive, and experienced insurance investment banker. More Great Training: TOMORROW: Managing Workers' Compensation Injuries - When an injury occurs at work, the actions taken by management or co-workers can have a significant impact on the outcome of the claim. Join us as Stacey talks about ways to ensure a smooth claims process. JUL 25: Building Strength within Your Agency - If you're going to take a hard look at improving your agency's employee morale or maintaining an already positive work environment, then you should do so through the lens of specific, insurance related topics. JUL 26: Five Court Cases You Need to Know by Name - Students completing this webinar gain an understanding of how the historical cases continue to affect the way insurance coverage is interpreted today. AUG 1: How to Develop Program Business Within Your Agency (2 Part Series) - One of the best ways to grow your agency is by entering into a "Program" business model. Learn the three major steps required to build a successful program business model. AUG 2: Commercial Auto Class - During this webinar we'll look at a few of the most common mistakes made when writing a BAP - and how to resolve these issues. AUG 7: Producer Performance Development Program (8 Sessions) - This program is designed for newer producers and will re-energize experienced producers who have lost the edge in developing new business. 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 © 2012 by Wells Media Group, Inc.

Weekly Reader Picks: Monday, July 16, 2012

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July 16, 2012 Top 10 for the Past Week 1. Driving History Seen as Predictor of Individual’s Lifespan Jul 11, 2012 -- It appears that bad drivers live shorter lives than good drivers and not just because they get in accidents. The same motor vehicle driving records already widely used to help determine how much a consumer pays for car ... 2. The Future of Producer Compensation Jul 5, 2012 -- It is a fact that many people with the title "producer" don't produce. They service and they accept what comes to them, but they do not produce. It is also a fact that companies are going to find a way to minimize ... 3. Allstate Dropping 10,000 South Carolina Homeowners Policies Jul 12, 2012 -- Allstate is dropping about 10,000 South Carolina home insurance customers. The company is dropping customers who don't also carry Allstate auto coverage, have older homes and have homes insured for less than $220,000. ... 4. President Obama Signs Flood Insurance Reform Bill Jul 9, 2012 -- President Barack Obama has signed the "Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2012" into law. The law extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for five years and makes reforms to ... 5. Liberty Mutual, CNA Are Among Big Winners at 2012 IMCA Showcase Awards Jul 11, 2012 -- The Insurance Marketing and Communications Association (IMCA) held its annual awards ceremony last month in Denver. The awards were presented to a range of insurance organizations in categories including advertising, ... 6. Massachusetts Businessman Fights AT&T Over $1M Phone Bill Jul 10, 2012 -- A U.S. businessman is engaged in a legal battle with AT&T Inc. over what he calls a fraudulent million-dollar phone bill. Michael Smith, of Ipswich, Massachusetts, says in 2009 someone hacked into his small ... 7. Florida Property Owner to Pay $1 Million Wrongful Death Claim Jul 11, 2012 -- The family of a woman killed in a drug-related shooting will receive $1 million from the property owner for a wrongful death claim. The Florida Times Union reported that 19-year-old Danielle Melton's twin toddlers are ... 8. Tropical Storm Creates New Beach on Alabama Coast Jul 11, 2012 -- Within the span of a week, the Gulf built a beach in front of most of the rock wall used to close Katrina Cut. The wall was constructed in 2010 using money provided by BP during the oil spill. The goal was to close a ... 9. New License Rules Test Georgia Drivers’ Patience Jul 9, 2012 -- A new requirement for those seeking to get or renew a Georgia driver's license caused long lines and frustration in its first week of implementation. By 7:30 a.m. Friday, hundreds of people had lined up at the ... 10. Chubb, Willis Executives Join Aon Risk Solutions in New York Jul 11, 2012 -- Aon Risk Solutions, the global risk management business of Aon plc, recently hired Edward Reilly and Joseph Russo as senior vice presidents in the construction services group.Both Reilly and Russo are based in Aon's New ... 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 © 2012 by Wells Media Group, Inc.