Agency Operations

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

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

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

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

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

Agents who do not normally secure boat coverage are at an increased risk for malpractice claims—obtaining coverage for boats is much different than insuring an automobile. In fact, an uncovered boat claim can quickly become a costly nightmare for any insu

New Big “I” Chairman Tom Minkler believes independent agents need to tread new ground in order to thrive. And for him, that’s nothing new.

As I packed up my office on October 26, 2012, I felt confident and prepared. Sandy was looming offshore and the forecast did not look good, but we had been through hurricanes before. I quickly learned that I was still not prepared.

At the heart of America’s longest-running game show “The Price is Right®” is a deceptively simple question: “What’s it worth?” If the answer was easy, the show would not have lasted 41 years. And a similar but far less entertaining contest rages among a v

It doesn’t seem possible my term as your chairman is winding down. The time has gone by so fast—but we have accomplished a lot of things that make us a better association than we were almost one year ago.