INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENTS & BROKERS OF SUFFOLK COUNTY S UFFOLK Big Eye 2 0 1 2 M A R / A P R I S S U E the Don’t Miss the April Meeting Projectcap - The Game Changer Tuesday April 17, 2012 Visit www.suffolkagents.com 75% of Today’s Consumers Make Insurance Buying Decisions Online. If You’re Not Online You’re Not In The Game! This is the most important industry initiative ever undertaken to help independent agents & brokers take back market share. Project CAP offers a range of digital marketing packages supported by a consumer portal tied to the Trusted Choice® brand.
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I N D E P E N D E N T I N S U R A N C E A G E N T S & B R O K E R S O F S U F F O L K C O U N T Y
SUFFOLK Big Eye2 0 1 2 M A R / A P R I S S U E
the
Don’t Miss the April Meeting Projectcap - The Game Changer
Tuesday April 17, 2012Visit www.suffolkagents.com
75% of Today’s Consumers Make Insurance Buying Decisions Online.
If You’re Not Online You’re Not In The Game!
This is the most important industry initiative ever undertaken to help independent agents & brokers take back market share. Project CAP offers a range of digital marketing packages supported by a consumer portal tied
Go to www.iiabny.org and click on the ‘Events’ tab and ‘Annual Business Meeting’ for full details and registration form. Let’s all congratulate Tom on
May 10 for being chosen by his peers throughout the state to this prestigious position as head of the NY Big “I” association. Tom will make an excellent
spokesperson for all of us.
May 23 is the date for our annual installation dinner where David M. Borg will be installed as IIABSC president at the beautiful Harbor Club in
Huntington. This promises to be a memorable evening and we hope you will plan to join us. Invitations will be in the mail mid April and a detailed flyer
can be downloaded from on our website – www.suffolkagents.com
June 25 is the last event of the season when our annual golf outing will take place at the Port Jefferson County Club. This is a very popular outing
offering a spectacular golf course overlooking L.I. Sound and fabulous food. A real golfer’s paradise! Go to our website for details and to register.
As I mentioned in my first message as president we are seeking ideas and feed-back from our membership on programs and matters of interest to you.
Please feel free to contact me or any board member as we welcome your ideas.
If you have an interest in becoming more involved with your association please call me to discuss some opportunities. Thank you.
NextGen members David "Iron Man" Borg (right) and Jarrett "Killa Gorilla" Plafker (left) stepped in the ring March 5 for the ninth annual Long Island Celebrity Fight for Charity at Hilton Long
Island, Melville. Before stepping in the ring they held a fundraiser which earned over $2,000 for various charities.
Mark Your Calendar!IIABNY’s Annual Business Meeting
will be held onThursday May 10, 2012 at
Hyatt Regency in Hauppauge
Thomas J. Crowley, CPCU, CRM, CIC
of Maran Corporate Risk Associates, Inc in Southamptonwill be installed as Chair of the Board at a special cocktail reception
and dinner that evening! Please join us in congratulating Tom, a
past president of IIABSC, to this prominent position!
For details and to register, go to www.IIABNY.orgUnder the ‘Events’ tab, select Annual Business Meeting.
(DeWitt, New York, Mar. 21, 2012) — The Independent Insurance
Agents & Brokers of New York and the Council of Insurance Brokers of Greater New York today announced that they will not appeal a recent state
appellate court decision upholding a controversial regulation. The IIABNY board of directors made the decision at a conference call this week.
“We did all that we could to fight this misguided regulation,” said
IIABNY Chair of the Board Christopher A. Brassard. “The board has concluded that the likelihood of the New York Court of Appeals overturning
the decisions of the two lower courts is small. IIABNY spent all of 2009 negotiating with regulators on this issue and was able to achieve some positive changes. We spent the last two years arguing our case before trial and
appellate courts. Unfortunately, those arguments have been unsuccessful, and it is time for IIABNY to focus its energies and resources on helping its
members comply and on other issues that affect our members.”
New York Insurance Regulation 194, titled Producer Compensation Transparency, requires insurance producers to give their clients unrequested
information about how companies pay them. Should any client request more information about the producer’s compensation, the producer must then
provide detailed information about several things regarding the transaction. For example, he must disclose his earnings for the policy sold and the pay he
IIABNY, CIBGNY Say They Won’t Take Producer Compensation Disclosure Case To New York’s High Court
By Tim Dodge, IIABNY
would have received had the client chosen a different one. The New York Department of Financial Services (formerly known as the Department of
Insurance) argues agents and brokers may have incentives to recommend insurance companies that pay them better. This rule, the department claims,
makes consumers aware of that.
IIABNY (which in 2004 called on insurance agents and brokers to voluntarily disclose to their clients the existence and nature of all their
compensation) and CIBGNY have opposed required disclosures as a burden for producers and of little benefit to consumers. The two groups were part of
an industry effort throughout 2009 to convince the department to drop Regulation 194 or minimize its burdens on producers. After the department adopted the rule in early 2010, IIABNY and CIBGNY took legal action to
block implementation. A trial court upheld the regulation, and the two groups appealed last summer.
The New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division, Third Department heard oral arguments in the case last January. On March 8, the
five-justice panel unanimously affirmed the trial court’s decision. IIABNY’s and CIBGNY’s only further recourse was an appeal to New York’s highest court, the Court of Appeals. During its conference call this week, IIABNY’s
board of directors considered and rejected the idea of appealing to the high court.
“The board looked at the projected cost in terms of time and resources that an appeal would entail,” Brassard said, “and compared that to the probability that the court would rule in our favor. After a thorough discussion,
the board concluded that it would not be in the members’ best interest to continue.”
“Our opinion of Regulation 194 is unchanged,” Brassard added. “We support transparency and disclosure when the client wants it, but this regulation is burdensome and unnecessary. It places unprecedented obligations
on law-abiding insurance producers, and it provides no additional benefit to consumers. However, we must respect and abide by the court’s decision. We
are prepared to assist our members as they try to comply with the regulation, and we will put our best efforts toward other causes that are important to them.”
The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, Inc. has represented the common business interests of independent insurance
professionals since 1882. More than 1,750 agencies and their 13,000 plus employees currently rely on the DeWitt, New York-based not-for-profit trade association for legislative advocacy, continuing education and other means of
industry support. In addition, most IIABNY members proudly
identify themselves as Trusted Choice® agents and brokers, a
national consumer brand uniting more than 21,000 independent agencies across the
United States. For more information, go to
www.trustedchoice.com or www.iiabny.org.
Tim Dodge, AU, ARM, CPCUDirector of Research and Media
RelationsIndependent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, Inc.
5784 Widewaters Parkway, 1st Floor
Dewitt, NY 13214Phone: 800-962-7950 ext. 229800-851-8853 ext. 229 (direct)
Business owners continue to look for ways to contain and reduce expenses. Reducing workers’ compensation medical costs may be one
overlooked area. The National Council on Compensation Insurance reports that medical services represent 60 percent of workers’ compensation claim
costs. Historically, indemnity costs were the largest portion of claims.
To an extent, business owners can contain and reduce medical costs through prescription drug plans, medical provider networks and other
proactive cost-containment measures. However, a key driver to lower claim costs is the absence of workers’ compensation claims. In past columns, we
presented the business case for a zero injury workplace embedded within an organizational culture of safety and employee wellness.
A culture of safety and employee wellness is essential in sustaining a
zero-injury work environment. That said, employees filing bogus workers’ compensation claims can create enormous costs and challenging problems for
employers. Business owners must also take proactive measures to identify and aggressively dispute fraudulent claims. The key to Identifying them is consistent and ongoing communication with medical providers.
Containing and reducing workers’ comp medical costs is all about hiring the right employees. Drug screening, background checks, testing and accurate
Ask the Workers’ Comp Expert: Controlling Medical Costs
job descriptions help business owners avoid hiring employees with high claim risk potential.
PMC Insurance Group is IIABNY’s endorsed workers’ compensation specialist. Our insurance professionals have extensive experience helping
IIABNY members expand their marketing capabilities by providing workers’ compensation solutions for their clients. Give Bob Jones a call at (440) 313-5002.
Ask the Workers’ Comp Expert: Controlling Medical Costs con’t
Golf, Cocktails & Buffet Dinner - $295.00 per personCocktails and Buffet Dinner only -$95.00 per person
Golf Includes: greens fees (18 holes), electric cart, lunch, cocktails, open bar all evening and a buffet dinner including deluxe seafood.
Prizes include winners of longest drive, hole-in-one, and nearest the pin. Numerous prize drawings throughout the evening.
Proper golf attire required. Metal golf spikes not permitted. Reservations on a ‘first come’ basis & must include your credit card or check payable to IIABSC Golf. 48-hour
cancellation notice to receive refund.
Directions to Port Jefferson Country Club at Harbor Hills - Tel: 631-473-1440 From the LIE: Exit #63 (County Rd 83, aka North Ocean Ave) make a left onto County Rd 83 - proceed North to Rte 112. Make a left onto Rte 112. Take Rte 112 to the end (Port Jefferson Harbor). Turn right at blinking light (E. Broadway). Take E. Broadway through a stop sign and make left turn at top of hill onto Cliff Rd (through gates). Take Cliff Rd to Old Homestead Rd turn right. Take Old Homestead Rd to the end and turn left onto Winston Drive. Drive to the end – and you have arrived at the club.
Register On Line @ www.suffolkagents.com / Click on ‘Meetings & Events’
.............................................................……………………………......................................................Mail In Registration: I am enclosing a check in the amount of $ ________________ for ______players, payable to IIABSC.
! ! ! ! ___ EVENT PACKAGE SPONSORSHIP - $2500.00Includes: Cocktail & Dinner Sponsorship, Golf Hole Sponsorship, a full day of golf for a foursome including dinner. An Event Table during
cocktails and dinner to distribute promotional materials, and speak with attendees about your program.
+ a full day of golf for one person including dinner. Value $825.00 (a 15% discount!)
___ HOLE-IN-ONE SPONSORS - $350.00(A special sign will be prominently displayed at the hole)
___ COCKTAIL & DINNER SPONSORS - $395.00 each!! ___ BEVERAGE STATIONS - $350.00 each Sponsors will be listed on a sign displayed during cocktails A sign will be displayed at the beverage station all dayand the buffet Add $60 for dinner for one individual at each station
___ GRAND PRIZE SPONSOR - $350.00 (1 only) ! ! ___ DRIVING RANGE SPONSORS - $350.00 eachYour photo with the Grand Prize winner will be in ‘SUFFOLK BIG EYE’ A special sign will be displayed at the driving range(Includes sign)
___ NEAREST THE PIN SPONSORS - $350.00 each! ! ___ GOLF “TEE” SPONSORS - $225.00 eachYour name will appear on a sign at the putting green. Your name will appear on an individual sign posted at tee
____ LUNCH SPONSORS- $250.00 eachYour name will appear on a sign as a lunch sponsor.
DOOR PRIZES (including golf balls for the players) Even if you choose not to sponsor, we would appreciate a gift.
Add your name or business card to the prize for acknowledgement.
Please select a sponsorship & send below contract with your check payable to IIABSC Golf to:
Jeanne Abatelli * 150 Dartmouth Drive * Hicksville, NY 11801
.............................................................……………………………......................................................I am enclosing a check for $ ________________ for the ______________________________________sponsorship.
Your name: _____________________________Company: ______________________________________________
The following seminar will be held at Swiss Re in NYC (location TBA)
5/23/12 E&O LIVE ……………………………………....(half day-am)6/06/12 E&O Video ……………………………………….(half day-am)
For a complete schedule and registration form, log on to www.iiaany.org. Go to the ‘Education’ link and click ‘Ed Calendar. For more information, call IIABNY’s Education Department at 1-800-962-7950.
Communications Committee Aaron Stein (Chair), Joanne Bentivegna, David H.
Borg, Eric Keiffert and Jeanne Abatelli.
Sub-Committees Public Relations
Speakers Bureau
Suffolk Big Eye
Technology & Web site
Downstate Representatives Earl Eaton and Rich de la Sota.
Scholarship Rich de la Sota (Chair)
Legislation/InsurPac Joe Gundermann (Chair), John Stype, Tom Crowley,
Don Hester and Jeff Rehm
Coastal Task Force Legislative committee and Jim Sutton
Meetings & Programs David M. Borg (Chair) + Communications Committee
plus Jim Karras and Pat Calvert.
Meeting Reservations Jeanne Abatelli
NextGen David H. Borg and Mickey Romeo (co-chairs)
Disaster Preparedness Task Force John Mulvey and Mike Romeo.
Advertising & Sponsor Sales Jeanne Abatelli.
2012 Golf Outing David M. Borg and Joe Gundermann (Co-chairs)
2012 Installation Earl Eaton, David M. Borg, Jeanne Abatelli and Pat Calvert.
3 CE credits
(All Licenses) NYPO-100001 NYCR-236001
Explore the Value of Membership…
www.iiabny.org
New course approval number so you can disregard the rule about not taking a course
more than one time to satisfy the NYSID requirement
I N D E P E N D E N T I N S U R A N C E A G E N T S & B R O K E R S O F N E W Y O R K , I N C .
2012 IIABNY Errors &Omissions Video Seminar
About the Program In this program, Jim Keidel and Chris Weldon will review trends and answer questions regarding the frequency and types of claims, development in NY law affecting agents and brokers and special E&O concerns of specific types of insurance.
The entire video seminar will be broadcast live from NY Network Studios in Albany. This three hour video seminar will be instructed by Jim Keidel and Chris Weldon of the law firm KWC. It will be offered at 15 different locations across New York State simultaneously. At various times during the program, Jim Keidel and Chris Weldon will answer questions faxed in from attendees at the 15 locations.
General Information We invite all registrants to advise us of any disability and any requests for accommodation to that disability. Please contact IIABNY’s Education Department at 1-800-962-7950. Full and half-day programs will have morning and/or afternoon refreshments. Lunch is not provided.
Registration Information Member: $85 (each registrant) Non-member: $139 (each) Registration: 8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m. Workshop: 9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Fee will increase $10 for registering “at the door.”
Full payment must be received prior to admittance! Photo I. D. must be presented at registration!
Instructors: Well-known and respected E&O attorneys, Jim Keidel and Chris Weldon will bring their own vast experiences in representing and defending our members in IIABNY’s errors and omissions program.
Continuing Education 2012 IIABNY Errors & Omission Video Seminar has been approved for 3 CE credits applicable to All Licenses. IMPORTANT: You must register at least two weeks prior to the seminar to receive your CE certificate on site. Please be on time for the seminar. Continuing Education rules will not allow CE credit to be awarded to anyone arriving after the start of the program.
**Because most of the videoconferences will be held at SUNY college campuses throughout New York, extra time should be allowed for accessing the proper parking lot and building.
The following are minimum requirements. You are encouraged to send as many of your office staff as is practicable.
How to Qualify for the Credit Swiss Re/Westport IIABNY members whose E&O coverage is written by Swiss Re/Westport Insurance Corp. through IAAC can qualify for a 10% premium reduction if they meet the following criteria:
Agency Size Who Must Attend* 1 1 Active Agency Principal 2 - 7 1 Active Agency Principal
1 Producer (commercial or personal)* 8 - 20 1 Active Agency Principal
1 Producer (commercial or personal)* 1 CSR (commercial or personal)*
21 - 50 1 Active Agency Principal 1 Office Manager or Supervisor 1 Producer (commercial or personal)* 1 CSR (commercial or personal)*
51+ 1 Active Agency Principal 1 Office Manager or Supervisor 1 Producer (commercial or personal)* 2 CSR (commercial or personal)*
*Additional Seminar Options for Producer & CSRs Only: x ACSR 4-Errors & Omissions Lost Control x Essentials for CSRs-Understanding & Avoiding
Potential E&O Issues Multiple offices – The attendance requirements apply to total agency staff of all offices.
Fireman’s Fund IIABNY members whose E&O coverage is written by Fireman’s Fund through IAAC can qualify for a 10% reduction on their 2013 renewal if they meet the attendance criteria above Or qualify for 7.5% reduction if they choose to send 20% of management to a designated loss control seminar in 2012. Management includes Office Managers, Agency Principals or Supervisors.
Please note – These requirements must be met on an annual basis. Attending previous E&O seminars will not qualify an agency for the 2013 premium reduction.
Buffalo – May 15, 2012 Holiday Inn Amherst, 1881 Niagara Falls Blvd
Syracuse – May 16, 2012 Holiday Inn, 441 Electronics Pkwy.
Hauppauge – May 22, 2012 Hyatt Regency, 1717 Motor Pkwy.
NYC – May 23, 2012 Swiss Re America, 55 East 52nd Street
*Armonk – May 24, 2012 Swiss Re America, 175 King Street *Limited seating. PM option 1-4:45pm
4 CE credits NYCR-236000 NYPO-100001 (All Licenses)
Explore the Value of Membership… www.iiabny.org
New course approval number so you can disregard the rule about not taking a course more than one time to satisfy the
NYSID requirement
Dates & Locations
I n d e p e n d e n t I n s u r a n c e A g e n t s & B r o k e r s o f N e w Y o r k , I n c .
2012 IIABNY E&O Seminar LIVE
About the Program Jim Keidel and Chris Weldon will bring their own vast experiences in representing and defending our members in IIABNY’s errors and omissions program by reviewing trends and answering questions regarding the frequency and types of claims, development in NY law affecting agents and brokers and special concerns regarding specific types of insurance.
How to Qualify for Renewal Credit IIABNY members whose E&O coverage is written by Swiss Re/Westport Insurance Corp. through IAAC can qualify for a 10% premium reduction if they meet the following criteria: Agency Size Who Must Attend* 1 1 Active Agency Principal
2 - 7 1 Active Agency Principal 1 Producer (commercial or personal)*
8 - 20 1 Active Agency Principal 1 Producer (commercial or personal)* 1 CSR (commercial or personal)*
21 - 50 1 Active Agency Principal 1 Office Mgr or Supervisor 1 Producer (commercial or personal)* 1 CSR (commercial or personal)*
51+ 1 Active Agency Principal 1 Office Manager or Supervisor 1 Producer (commercial or personal)* 2 CSR (commercial or personal)*
Multiple offices – The attendance requirements apply to total staff of all offices. Fireman’s Fund IIABNY members whose E&O coverage is written by Fireman’s Fund through IAAC can qualify for a 10% reduction on their 2012 renewal if they meet the attendance criteria above Or qualify for 7.5% reduction if they choose to send 20% of management to a designated loss control seminar in 2011. Management includes Office Managers, Agency Principals or Supervisors.
The above are minimum requirements. You are encouraged to send as many of your office staff as is practicable.
Registration Information Member Discount: $150 (each registrant) Non-member: $185 (each registrant) Fee will increase $10 for registering “at the door.” Registration: 8:00 a.m. Workshop runs: 8:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Morning refreshments will be served. See below for info regarding a free luncheon.
General Information We invite all registrants to advise us of any disability and any requests for accommodation to that disability. Please contact IIABNY’s Education Department at 1-800-962-7950.
Photo I.D. must be presented at registration! Continuing Education 2012 E&O… has been approved for 4 CE credits applicable to All Licenses. IMPORTANT: You must register at least two weeks prior to the seminar to receive your CE certificate on site. Please be on time for the seminar. Continuing Education rules will not allow CE credit to be awarded to anyone arriving more than 10 minutes after the start of the program.
Registration Form (Please photocopy for additional names) LIVEO12
Name (please indicate if changed) E-mail Workshop date/location
NYS License Number(s)
Agency (please indicate if changed)
Agency Street Address City, State, Zip
Phone Fax # of registrants
Return to: Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York, Inc. 5784 Widewaters Pkwy., 1st Floor, Dewitt, NY 13214 Phone: (800) 962-7950, Fax: (888) 432-0510 E-mail: [email protected]
CANCELLATION POLICY: Full credit toward another seminar will be allowed for cancellation requests received at least 3 business days before a seminar. Any cancellation request received less than 3 business days prior to the seminar will receive a 50% credit. Cancellation requests received on or after the date of the seminar will NOT be eligible for credit. ALL CANCELLATION REQUESTS MUST BE IN WRITING.
Payment Method
� Check (made payable to IIABNY, Inc.) � American Express � MasterCard � Visa � Corporate card � Personal card (check one)
Amount of check $ _______________ Amount of charge $ _______________
Card # __________________________________________
Expiration Date ___________________________________
________________________________________________ Name on Card (please print)
Authorized Signature
*Additional Seminar Options for Producer & CSRs Only:
x ACSR 4 – Errors & Omissions Lost Control
*These seminars are sponsored by Swiss Re Corporate Solutions.
“Don’t Take Yourself So Seriously”by Yvonne Conte
March 27, 2012
Door Prize Drawing Winners
INSURANCE COMPANIES & MARKETS
Excise Bond Underwriters John L. Comeau 15 Maiden Lane, Suite 800 New York, NY 10038 Tel: 212-363-2950 Fax: 212-425-2539
Magna Carta Companies Wanda Napolitano 1 Park Avenue New York, NY 10016 Toll Free: 1-888-ONE PARK Phone: 212-591-9500 Fax: 212-591-9621
NIF Group Michael Orlando, Nancy Williams 30 Park Avenue Manhasset, NY 11030 Phone: 516-365-7440Fax: 516-496-7356 Email: [email protected] www.nifgroup.com
Quaker Special Risk Camille Windler226 5th Avenue, 4th Flr.New York, NY 10001 Phone: 516 428 0716. Fax: 732-223-9072 Email: [email protected] Botwinick Eatontown, NJ Toll Free: 800-447-4180 Email: [email protected]
INSURANCE SERVICES
Pryor Personnel Agency Patricia Pryor Bonica 147 Old Country Road Hicksville, NY 11801 Phone: 516-935-0100 Fax: 516-931-7842Email: [email protected]
RESTORATION SERVICES
Belfor Property Restoration Gary J. Alexander 60 Raynor Ave. Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 Phones: 631-471-3131 x121 Fax: 631-471-2905
Complex CoveragePhilip Ginexi Jr.7 High Street, Suite 408Huntington NY 11743 Phone: 631-547-5959 Fax: 631-547-5005Email: [email protected]
Great American Restoration Services, Inc.David Pinto2623 N. Jerusalem Rd.East Meadow, NY 11554Phone: 516-783-5053Fax: 516-783-5054Email: [email protected]
Harleysville GroupTracy Benison120 Front StreetWorcester MA 01608Phone: 800-225-7387Fax: 617-899-5937 Email: [email protected]
Kingstone Insurance Company John Reiersen, CPCU15 Joys Lane Kingston, NY 12401 Phone: 845-340-8366 Fax: 845-340-8393
March Meeting Sponsor
Complex Coverage Management
Great American Restoration
Harleysville Group
Kingstone Insurance Company
New Empire Group
NIF Group Inc.
PMC Insurance
Pryor Personnel Agency Inc.
Quaker Special Risk
Total Restoration Inc.
Please remember these companies support our association, please help support them whenever possible!
New Empire Group214 W Park AvenueLong Beach, NY 11561Phone: 866-431-8100Fax: 516-431-5351
NIF Group Michael Orlando, Nancy Williams 30 Park Avenue Manhasset, NY 11030 Phone: 516-365-7440Fax: 516-496-7356 Email: [email protected] www.nifgroup.com
PMC Insurance GroupRobert Jones50 Cabot Street PO Box 920179 Needham, MA 02492-0002 Phone: 1-877-PMC-COMP, (781)-449-7744 Fax: (781)-449-7889 Email: [email protected]
Pryor Personnel Agency Patricia Pryor Bonica 147 Old Country Road Hicksville, NY 11801 Phone: 516-935-0100 Fax: 516-931-7842Email: [email protected]
Quaker Special Risk Camille Windler226 5th Avenue, 4th Flr.New York, NY 10001 Phone: 516 428 0716. Fax: 732-223-9072 Email: [email protected] Botwinick Eatontown, NJ Toll Free: 800-447-4180 Email: [email protected]
Total RestorationDennis Lombardi285 Post AvenueWestbury NY 11590Phone: 516-333-5333Fax: 516-333-5489Email: [email protected]