Insurance Agency

2008-12-31 Car Credit City opens fourth dealership in OFallon - Will Buss - Belleville News-Democrat

The new name (pronounced ee-ji-sure), means "protection, defense and backing. " The agency has 16,000 customers through its 11 offices in Illinois and Missouri. For more information, call the Swansea office at 233-6909 or go online to

www.bnd.com

P/One of the largest retailers of pre-owned vehicles in the St. Louis area has opened its fourth dealership in OFallon. - Will_buss

2008-12-31 Fire department receives high marks Lancaster Eagle Gazette

Jane Joos of Ault-Metz-Joos Insurance Agency in Lancaster said local home and business owners benefit from the citys low rating of 2 - on a scale of one to 10 - by the Insurance Service Office. It lowers their rates, which are among the best in Ohio thanks to the fire department, she said.

LANCASTER - Home and business owners can attribute their steady insurance rates in part to the Lancaster Fire Department.

www.lancastereaglegazette.com

LANCASTER - Home and business owners can attribute their steady insurance rates in part to the Lancaster Fire Department. - Local News Lancaster OH News local news headlines stories world news

2008-12-31 Insurance Agency Series: Protecting E and O Exposure - Smallwood Maikes Insurance Transformation, Shifting from Talk to Action

The purpose of Smallwood Maikes blog is create a dialogue around insurance transformation; launching a different perspective on linkage between strategy, process and technology choices and shifting the mindset from a technology driven approach with SOA and BPM to a business driven service-oriented thinking that creates agile and flexible new insurance business models. Look for a wide gambit of trends, research, case studies, and insights on making transformation a reality.

I grew up in the insurance industry and have experienced the shackles that ineffective business processes with misaligned monolithic technology solutions have placed on insurance companies. Today, I really do believe those shackles can finally be removed with the right alignment of strategy to process to systems, and, I want to be out front in making this happen. ". Deb Smallwood

www.ebizq.net

2008-12-31 Insurance Agency Series: Reducing Expenses And Controlling Costs - Smallwood Maikes Insurance Transformation, Shifting from Talk to Action

The purpose of Smallwood Maikes blog is create a dialogue around insurance transformation; launching a different perspective on linkage between strategy, process and technology choices and shifting the mindset from a technology driven approach with SOA and BPM to a business driven service-oriented thinking that creates agile and flexible new insurance business models. Look for a wide gambit of trends, research, case studies, and insights on making transformation a reality.

I grew up in the insurance industry and have experienced the shackles that ineffective business processes with misaligned monolithic technology solutions have placed on insurance companies. Today, I really do believe those shackles can finally be removed with the right alignment of strategy to process to systems, and, I want to be out front in making this happen. ". Deb Smallwood

www.ebizq.net

2008-12-31 Insurance Agency Series: IT Spend For Agencies - Smallwood Maikes Insurance Transformation, Shifting from Talk to Action

The average technology spend for an agency ranges 1. 9 pct. - 2. 9 pct. of net revenues (revenue minus broker commissions) ("A vision of the Future for Agency Technology" by the Agent Council for Technology (ACT)). This total spend includes core agency management system, networking and internet connectivity, scanning and imaging, infrastructure and replacement costs for hardware like PC computers and printers. Compared to other industries, this amount is very low. For example, on average, insurers are spending 3. 2 pct. - 3. 5 pct. of net written premium. Research shows that some of the market leaders are spending greater than 3. 5 pct. , driving competitive advantage implementing proprietary systems that are being pushed down on the agencies creating a gap to what the agencies really need.

www.ebizq.net

2008-12-30 Business digest: Colonial Bank workers help 150 area children The News-Press

Naples-based Insurance and Risk Management Services Inc. , an independent insurance agency and risk management organization with an office in Fort Myers, announced two changes to its staff.

Dawn Zettler has changed positions within the agency. Zettler will now serve the Lee County market as a risk manager in the Business Insurance Division.

Kevin Watts has joined the agency and will serve the Lee County market as a risk manager for the Employee Benefits Division.

news-press.com

Colonial Bank employees and customers joined forces to make the holiday season brighter by providing gifts to 150 children through the Childrens Home Society of Florida. - Business Southwest Florida Florida News local news headlines stories world news

2008-12-30 Safeco Insurance Foundation Donates usd. 15,000 To Connections to Success

An affiliate of First Bank, Adrian N. Baker and Co. is a nationwide insurance agency headquartered in St. Louis, Mo.

The Safeco Insurance Foundation was built upon the commitment of the companys founders to contribute to the health and vitality of the communities in which we live in work.

www.insurancejournal.com

2008-12-29 160,000 businesses fall behind in pension premium payments and rsaquo; Japan Today: Japan News and Discussion

The figure, the worst since the agency started the survey in 2000, accounts for about 10 pct. of business establishments which are involved in the pension insurance system. The number, however, may be larger as the survey was conducted before the recent rapid economic slump, stemming from the U. S. subprime loan fiasco.

Around 164,500 businesses had fallen behind in their premium payments for employee pensions as of the end of September, due partly to a downturn in earnings, a Social Insurance Agency survey showed Saturday.

www.japantoday.com

Around 164,500 businesses had fallen behind in their premium payments for employee pensions as of the end of September, due

2008-12-26 Tahlequah Daily Press - Accused thief scooped up in California

Most businesses were targeted between August and September, and the majority were insurance offices. Investigators say Shoopman is responsible for taking cash and other items from Sharpes department store, Catos, American Farmers and Ranchers Insurance, and Allstate Insurance Agency in Tahlequah; Tim Moss State Farm Agency in Claremore; John Sleeper Insurance, State Farm Insurance, and Shelter Insurance Co. in Wagoner County; Farmers Insurance Agency in Stilwell; and Mazzios Pizza and State Farm Insurance in Grove.

www.tahlequahdailypress.com

2008-12-26 Insurance Agency Series: Attracting New Generation While Preparing For Our Retiring Workforce - Smallwood Maikes Insurance Transformation, Shifting from Talk to Action

The purpose of Smallwood Maikes blog is create a dialogue around insurance transformation; launching a different perspective on linkage between strategy, process and technology choices and shifting the mindset from a technology driven approach with SOA and BPM to a business driven service-oriented thinking that creates agile and flexible new insurance business models. Look for a wide gambit of trends, research, case studies, and insights on making transformation a reality.

This demographic shift introduces a challenge but also creates an opportunity for changing the agency business model. Many agencies are embracing this opportunity and re-designing business models and workflows. Others, however, are waiting for their staff to retire before they implement automation. They do not want to force the existing workforce to adapt to new. In general, most agencies are trying to determine the best approach to take with a blended workforce since transformation and automation require investment, time and training.

www.ebizq.net