Markets

Independent agent Marty Clark spends ample time getting to know his customers’ business operations because, when offering general liability coverage, “it’s not OK to assume you know their risks,” he says.

Fleet managers around the U.S. are doing everything they can to get a handle on costs and technological developments in the trucking sector. As your agency looks ahead to 2020, here are two trends to discuss with your trucking insureds.

E-commerce is the driving force behind groundbreaking technological trends in the trucking industry, which is likely to become the leading transportation sector when it comes to autonomous vehicles.

As a trucking insurance specialist, independent agent Toni Jones cites challenges from rising premiums to a lack of qualified drivers. “These types of accounts can be notoriously difficult to place,” she says.

Independent agent Mary Pursell has observed major changes in the EPLI market. “Originally, EPLI policies covered sexual harassment, discrimination and wrongful termination,” she says. “Now, coverage definitions are expanding.”

Independent agent Jon Erickson invests a lot of time in educating his clients about ways to avoid workplace injuries. “Workers compensation costs can be controlled with risk management more than other lines of insurance,” he says.

When selling professional liability, independent agent Jerry Nelson stresses the importance of understanding the policy forms to “be able to clearly tie in the need to a specific professional discipline,” he says. “You really have to combine the client se

Independent agent Heather Brummels is noticing that a lot of baby boomers are moving their homeowners insurance away from captive agents. “Many of these folks are starting to shop around to find equivalent and sometimes better coverage for a lower premium

Despite living in a state where there are no dram shop laws, independent agent Roger Cole always offers his clients liquor liability coverage “because there’s always that anomaly that can take place within the law,” he says. “It’s our job to convince them

When offering BOPs to commercial clients, independent agent Chris Laniauskas says it’s crucial “to be able to ask the right questions to ascertain whether a BOP will fit them or not, as well as identify other coverages they may need that a BOP may not pro