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Calendar of events: |
June 5-7
PIANJ/PIANY Annual Conference
Harrah’s Resort & Casino | Atlantic City |
June 5
NJYIP Annual Business Meeting/Board of Directors Meeting/Strategic Planning Meeting
Harrah’s Resort & Casino | Atlantic City
June 7
NJYIP Fun Run to benefit Special Olympics NJ
Harrah’s Resort & Casino | Atlantic City
July 21
Summer Reception
Rooney's Oceanfront Restaurant| Long Branch |
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Were you there: |
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“Be Ridiculously Amazing” Education Session
2016 March Mayhem Winter Reception |
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Welcome new members |
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Michael Edwards
NIP Group
Woodbridge
Bill Freitag
Cumberland Insurance Group
Bridgeton
Brett Herskowitz
Jimcor Agencies
Montvale, N.J. |
Daniel Quitt
Markel Corp.
Red Bank
Marshall Sitren
Dirus Inc.
Neptune |
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Sponsor spotlight: |
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The premier trade association for the insurance industry, PIANJ is dedicated to building the future for insurance agents everywhere. Offering member benefits including advocacy, networking, continuing-education and resources such as the Industry Resource Center, members should always Think PIA first. In addition, PIANJ offers Creative Services to help agents grow their business. PIANJ is affiliated with PIA National. If you are interested in becoming a PIANJ member, click here or call (800) 424-4244.
Formerly Consolidated Insurance Agents, ANE is in the midst of expansion into states outside of New Jersey. The company was founded in 2009 with just seven members, but has since grown to have more than 40 independent insurance agencies in its membership. By partnering with existing carriers and companies, ANE is able to offer new products and services for its members, including, but not limited to, payroll services, workers’ compensation and a commercial general liability excess surplus and lines program. For a small administrative fee, members can have a stronger influence with carriers. To contact Agency Network Exchange, click here or call (609) 923-5280.
AFLAC is more than just a duck, it is your safety net. If one of your employees has an emergency and needs more insurance than what you can cover, AFLAC is there. It is completely voluntary and paid for by employee contributions, so it doesn’t cost your business a dime. Its fast claim processing allows for quick payments to the insured, allowing them to focus on recovery and less on financial hardship. AFLAC has so many other benefits for your employees, take advantage of them today! To find out more about AFLAC, call Beth Frederickson, AFLAC/BethEllenFrederickson LLC, “Aflac Independent Agent” at (973) 447-4267 or email beth_frederickson@us.aflac.com.
Whether clients' insurance needs are professional or personal, the Cumberland Insurance Group can help. With hundreds of professional agents represented, Cumberland has a local independent agent near your clients. In its 168th year of operation, Cumberland today protects more than 130,000 policyholders with quality products and services. It holds an "A-" (Excellent) financial rating from the A.M. Best Co., the insurance industry's leading rating organization, based on its ability to meet the obligations and needs of its policyholders. It serves New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. For more information on Cumberland Insurance Group click here or call (800) 232-6992.
Since 1969, D’Agostino Agency Insurance has provided insurance products and services. It represents several companies in the industry that have “A+” (superior) and “A” (excellent) ratings throughout New Jersey. Although it specializes in personal lines, the agency has grown and also offers policies in commercial lines, life and health and risk-management services. To contact D’Agostino Agency Insurance, click here or call (609) 561-8404.
Each county in New Jersey is represented by at least one agency with which G&G does business to ensure G&G writes business with a geographically diverse population. G&G has committed and prided itself on its personalized service, for both its agency force and its insureds. This is most exemplified by its handling of renewal business, providing quotes before the expiration date and writing policies before the inception date. G&G is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service, coupled with superior technology infrastructure and a level of competence that is second to none. To learn more about G&G Underwriters, click here, or call (609) 219-9100.
One of the oldest and most experienced insurance companies in New Jersey, Franklin Mutual Insurance Co. is the largest mutual insurance company headquartered in New Jersey. It is not a large conglomerate, because being smaller means it can offer clients the personal service they need and desire. In 1879, FMI started out as the Franklin Farmers Mutual Fire Assurance Association in Franklin Township, N.J. Today, out of its home office in Branchville, it sells its products in New Jersey exclusively through professional independent agents. A.M. Best Co. gives it a financial rating of "A+" (Superior) IX. For over 10 years as continued event sponsor for the NJYIP Fun Run to benefit Special Olympics New Jersey, FMI has raised over $125,000 through sponsorship alone. Furthermore, the FMI team raises funds throughout the year, consistently making it one of the top fundraising teams of the NJYIP Fun Run. For more information on Franklin Mutual Insurance Co. click here or call (973) 948-3120. |
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Did you know? |
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It’s the ‘Buy Button’ initiative or should we say ‘bind’ button
What’s the concept of the Buy Button? This industry-wide initiative led by PIA National is about working to educate agents and carriers alike on how technology can assist them in offering their online customers the opportunity to bind coverage, especially when their offices are closed. This concept does not remove the personal counseling that professional, independent insurance agents and brokers offer their customers, but it’s another demographic they can use to service their client’s insurance needs.
PIANJ National Director Keith A. Savino, CPIA, and CEO Mike Becker were interviewed recently by ACORD’s Bill Hartnett at ACORD headquarters in Pearl River, N.Y., about the concept of agents offering purchasing and binding capability on their websites. The Buy Button initiative, spearheaded by PIA, is being likened to earlier milestones in technology development in the insurance industry. Keep up to date on this issue in your PIA publications, including an article in the April edition of PIA magazine.
Some advantages of the Buy Button:
- empowers the agent to bind a policy 24/7, whether at the office or off site, during operating hours or after hours;
- helps you reach prospects and create a point-of-sale opportunity; in the office, on the phone, online, at the prospect’s location, etc.;
- enables producers and account executives to approach new business face-to-face: in your agency; at your clients’ office; via phone or email; and
- allows agencies to cross sell to existing customers who access your agency’s customer portal.
Technology Info Central
The “Buy Button” initiative is just one of the many technology-related topics available to PIA members through its member-exclusive Technology Info Central tool kit. Get cutting edge technology news, commercial download resources, results of our PIA Technology Surveys, vendor contacts, Real Time information and technology-related resource materials. You also have access to our two technology consultants: Steve Anderson, CIC, and Jason Hoeppner, CIC.
To access PIA’s Technology Info Central, click here. |
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News |
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PIA comments on millennial hiring on NPR
The insurance industry has a lot of open positions, and it's scrambling to fill them. It's targeting millennials, but many simply don't consider insurance as a potential career—or think it's boring. More ...
N.J.'s certificates of insurance law in effect
Gov. Chris Christie signed S-3270, PIANJ’s top-priority certificates of insurance legislation, on Jan. 11, 2016. The new law, P.L.2015, c.195, took effect April 10, 2016, and addresses inappropriate, and now illegal, requests often made by insureds or lenders of insurance agents. More ...
Bill would make texting while walking illegal
General Assembly member Pamela Lampitt (D) would ban walking while texting and bar pedestrians on public roads from using electronic communication devices that are not hands-free. Violators would face fines of up to $50, 15 days imprisonment or both, which is the same penalty as jaywalking. More ...
NJYIP and PIANJ participate at PIA National FLS
Representatives from PIANJ and NJYIP attended the Federal Legislative Summit last week in Washington, D.C. During their time on Capitol Hill, PIA representatives talked with their legislators about health care and flood insurance. More ...
PIANJ/PIANY Annual Conference in Atlantic City, including the YIP Fun Run
The biggest insurance show in the Northeast is at a brand new location for 2016—Harrahs’ Resort and Casino in Atlantic City. June 5-7. The YIP Fun Run will take place, as always on Tuesday morning, continuing the tradition of friendly competition between NY-YIP and NJYIP to benefit Special Olympics. Registration is now open, see details here.
PIA National Names Ryan Von Haden 2016 Young Insurance Professional of the Year
Ryan Von Haden, partner and vice president of business accounts with TRICOR insurance in Madison, Wis., has been named the 2016 PIA National Young Insurance Professional of the Year. The award was presented April 8, 2016, by PIA National. More ...
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Annual sponsors
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Diamond
Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey
Cumberland Insurance Group
G&G Underwriters
Platinum
Franklin Mutual Insurance Co.
Silver
AFLAC/Beth Ellen Frederickson LLC
ANE, Agency Network Exchange
D’Agostino Agency Insurance
Donald F. LaPenna Associates
Farmers Mutual of Salem
Farmers of Flemington
Herbert L. Jamison & Co.
Jimcor Agencies
Markel Northeast
Progressive Insurance
Western World Insurance
Bronze
E&K Agency
The Barclay Group
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The information in this newsletter is meant as a guideline only. There is nothing in this newsletter that alters the coverage or interpretation of any specific policy. Because some statements are generalizations, and because different companies’ policies contain slight differences, please refer toyour specific policy. Call our office before making any judgments or decisions
concerning your particular situation and coverage that may, or may not, apply.
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