Agency Operations

Niche Perfect

The number of small Best Practices agencies that report industry or product specialties has increased by 58% since 2010, and while larger agencies of all size categories have been dabbling in niches for decades, their niche revenues have also increased ov

Risky Business

At face value, purchasing agency E&O coverage directly from one of your appointed carriers seems like a good deal. But serving your customers and defending your agency from E&O claims are two very separate things.

Agency Profile: Independent Spirit Soaring

After merging with like-minded strategic partner The Baldwin Resource Group, local agency The Partners Group went a step further in 2011 when it became a founding agency in Collaboration Centric Solutions.

Declaration of Independents

After three decades in insurance, Scott West—a native Texan, agency owner and cattle rancher—feels strongly that insurance companies serving the independent channel should communicate their goals more effectively with the agency force.

Fault Lines

Is it your fault? The main tort claim against an agency or agent involves some form of negligence. In order for a claimant to “win” a negligence case against you or your agency, he must prove several elements: duty, breach, causation, legal causation (pro

Agency Profile: Zap the Gap

Overcoming generation gaps is among the rewarding results of a rebranding initiative at this family-owned independent agency northeast of Pittsburgh.

Declaration of Independents

Three years ago, at 22, Cameron (Cam) Winterburn became principal of a little independent agency in his native Tennessee when he became the exit strategy for two retiring owners. Today, he is building his agency without an established producer providing a

Tales of the Crop

Over the past several years, the Big “I” Professional Liability Program and Swiss Re Corporate Solutions have seen an uptick in E&O claims related to crop insurance likely driven by the far-reaching droughts of 2012. But it’s never too early to review E&O

Encourage an Ethical Agency Culture

Statistics indicate that 42% of the time, someone “tipping off” an employer is the No. 1 way companies maintain ethics and prevent fraud. Most are amazed that the numbers are so high. But we often fail to realize that the person committing an ethical blun

Operation Organic

According to a survey of 125 firms conducted by Reagan Consulting, median organic revenue growth for mid-size and large independent agencies reached 6.9% in the second quarter of 2013, compared to 5.5% for the same period in 2012. The 2013 rate is the hig

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