Endless Resources in the Virtual University

Easter is upon us, and with it, time with family and friends is on our minds. Nanette and I have had a bit of a break and now are beginning the spring convention season with our own state convention in Norman, Okla., on April 3–5. We were excited to host vice-chair Dave Walker to a fun and education-filled conference.

This month, I am proud to feature in this column the Virtual University and its inner workings. Madelyn Flannagan has been the leader of the VU for many years. My great friend, Mike Donohoe, immediate past chairman of the Big “I,” has devoted so much of his time over the years working with Madelyn and the VU. So, here is my take on it all…

The Virtual University, also known as the VU, is one of the best resources the Big “I” has to offer members and subscribers. It includes access to insurance, business and technology articles, full sample ISO forms, white papers and information on issues affecting today’s insurance marketplace. When you’re running an agency, questions come to mind daily. The VU has all of your answers for:

• Agency Management: How much should I pay my producers?

• Commercial Lines: Do businesses need to buy UM coverage?

• Life-Health: What can I do for my clients when prescription coverage is not great?

• Personal Lines: How does the “where you reside” HO coverage issue work?

The VU is chock-full of resources to answer all of these questions and more. It’s the kind of benefit of Big “I” membership that makes you wonder why all independent agents wouldn’t join. In fact, it’s such a great commodity that folks in our industry who are ineligible for Big “I” membership can actually purchase an annual VU subscription (and many do!).

One of the best features of the VU is the Ask an Expert service, free to members. If at any point in your day-to-day work in your agency you encounter a coverage question—which we all know can happen regularly—all you have to do is submit your question to the VU’s experts. Within 24 hours, you are guaranteed to get an email reply from at least one, if not several, of the VU’s experts. Bill Wilson had done a fabulous job leading the Ask an Expert service for many years. Thank you so much, Bill.

The VU faculty are industry professionals from across the country who specialize in coverages, technology and agency management. They are truly well-rounded experts who are dedicated to their service to the VU—and to you, as Big “I” members. Whether your question is about if a client’s restaurant should be considered a BYOB establishment or if the 1991 ISO HO-3 covers roommates living together, the VU’s experts have got you covered.

Another invaluable VU resource is the biweekly enewsletter, VUpoint. Each issue of VUpoint includes articles on personal lines coverages, commercial lines coverages, agency management, sales and marketing, customer service and technology and the Internet. It’s an amazing resource that all agents should be receiving and reading through twice a month. It will keep you up-to-speed on issues other agents are having.

Take a few moments today to check out independentagent.com/vu. On the left hand side of the screen, you’ll see a dark gray menu that includes links to the Ask an Expert service, agency management information, resources for all lines of insurance and the VUpoint newsletter archives. In addition, you’ll be able to read the bios for all of the VU faculty members across the country.

And I am proud to particularly recognize Madelyn Flannagan, vice president of agent development, education and research at the Big “I.” Madelyn has done such a tremendous job for the overall education department, but in particular with her work for the VU. It would not be the incredible resource it is today if it weren’t for her dedication and hard-working nature.

The Virtual University is yet another benefit of your membership in the Big “I.” Thanks to each of you for being a member of this great association, as well as your state association! Let me remind you of our mission statement, which I take very seriously: “To provide our members with a sustainable competitive advantage.”

I am so proud to serve you, the members. Thank you for allowing me to represent you!