Florida Association of Insurance Agents

IN THIS ISSUE:

Are you in dire need of FAIA's fantastic E&O course to get the ten percent E&O premium credit, earn four hours of CE credit, and/or just attend a quality class but just don't have enough time in the work day to get it in? If so, we have the perfect solution for you. We are calling it, "E&O After Hours!" (It has a nice ring, doesn't it?)

By special request, Dawn Korzen, FAIA's lead E&O instructor this year, will bring four hours of E&O to your computer on Monday, November 1, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.(ET). Dawn will be at the FAIA "satellite office" (her house) in Orlando while at FAIA's main office in Tallahassee, David Thompson (well-known "insurance nerd" and BBQ hound) will assist Dawn with the technology requirements and will also provide "color commentary" for the class.

Since it will be after hours, all those office distractions like phone calls, interruptions from co-workers, and emails won't be there to pester you so, you'll be able to devote 100 percent of your attention to the class!

Order a sandwich for delivery, fire up the class, and learn from the best! The evening is divided into two separate two-hour webinars and you can attend one or both. Separate registration is required for each class and each person.

To register, please select one of the following links:

E&O (Part 1) 101A: Top 10 Things Not to Say WEBINAR

E&O (Part 2) 101B: You Gotta Nip It In the Bud WEBINAR

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FAIA, along with eight other IIABA-affiliated state associations, has formed the Agents & Brokers Education Network (ABEN) featuring live video and audio with FAIA instructors. Up until now, FAIA webinars have consisted of agents (you) watching PowerPoint presentations on your computer monitor and listening to an instructor. Now, thanks to ABEN and FAIA's new webcasting studio, you'll have all the benefits of onsite classes without leaving your office (or home) at the more modest price of webinars.

FAIA literally founded insurance agent training more than 70 years ago and we continue to build on our reputation of providing the highest quality product in an ever-changing insurance landscape. ABEN was formed with eight other IIABA-affiliated state associations in California, Illinois, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas in order to offer the best education possible with the best instructors possible. ABEN webcasts offer FAIA members even more opportunities to obtain quality, professional training, while also earning continuing education credits, through webcasts that are interactive with the instructor and your fellow students. Course materials, charts, and graphs, and certificates are all available for download.

So, be a part of history and experience insurance training and education by way of FAIA/ABEN webcasting right on your computer. Have questions? Contact FAIA's Education Department or email FAIA Director of Education Tom Ashley at tashley@faia.com.

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We are doing it again folks: free breakfast at FAIA's office, a free two-hour CE course, the chance to win one of several door prizes, and more. Oh yeah, did we mention it's FREE?

In September, we had a room full of folks when FSU played BYU and, with the rivalry between the Noles and the Gators, our next class will surely be even bigger. Mark your calendars now for November 27, for the big game of "Noles vs. Gators!"

Our staff will cook and serve breakfast starting at 8:30a.m. From 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. I'll be doing a special CE class, written just for a football weekend titled, "Don't Fumble These Coverages." The subjects will include a plethora of issues surrounding kids, college, and football.

Plus, we have BREAKING NEWS: The Atlantic Coast Conference has given the OK for a football referee to attend, so you'll be able to speak with him before and after class. It will be your chance to speak one-on-one with the referee and ask those questions you always wanted to ask. Just remember, no yelling at the referee!

It's our way of saying, "Thanks for your membership." Space is limited, so sign up now. Plan to come by for breakfast and quality education and still have plenty of time for your personal tailgate party!

Click here to register.

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Management help, including sample job descriptions, training manuals, office organization, and hiring practices, is available on FAIA's website. Just click on the "Ops in a Box" logo on the left. While you're there, check out all the topics and learn how to run your agency better! This section is frequently updated as we discover new and better information. Remember, you'll need to log in; this valuable resource is for FAIA members only!

What's better than FREE? How about a FREE webinar! For those of you who subscribe to the FIRL (Florida Insurance Research Library), we say THANK YOU!

For those of you who don't know what the FIRL is, we say now you have no excuses. We are now offering four chances to take our FREE FIRL tutorial before the end of the year. This is a perfect time for those of you who have always wanted to know more about the FIRL to learn in one of the best learning environments—wherever you and a computer are located.

The FREE FIRL tutorials will be offered on the following dates:

December 6, 2010, 2:00–2:30 p.m. (eastern)
December 7, 2010, 10:00–10:30 a.m. (eastern)
December 8, 2010, 2:00–2:30 p.m. (eastern)
December 9, 2010, 10:00–10:30 a.m. (eastern)

I look forward to having you attend one of the webinars this December. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at jodom@faia.com.

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How can the movie The Dirty Dozen possibly have anything to do with condominium insurance? Believe it or not, I think it does; and to prove the point, check out a post I made in my blog a while back by clicking here.

Condominium property insurance can be a complicated issue, but by keeping a few simple points in mind the issue becomes a lot easier to understand. By having a good grip on the "Dirty Dozen" statutory exclusions, you'll be able to separate what the master policy covers and what it does not cover just as easily as The Dirty Dozen soldiers accomplished their mission!

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by Melissa Champany, CCSR, API

Last month, YAC members from around the country converged on San Francisco for IIABA's Young Agents Leadership Institute to discuss how to engage the next generation in the independent agency system. Opportunities abound for those adept at time management and who are willing to learn the ropes. Today's YAC members face the same issues of agency management and personnel, but it's an oh-so-different technology-driven society with new avenues emerging through social media, computer access, and security.

Those who were able to attend heard messages from carriers and gained their perspective on agency/company relations. Our keynote speaker, Bodine Balasco, spoke about using the generative creative process and how creativity is a necessity in the business world. Others delved into the current marketing landscape, including Facebook and YouTube in their presentation. Knowing that most weren't able to attend, I've placed copies of my notes and handouts in the YAC Community Library. Feel free to download and review them.

While you're in the Community, be sure to check out the YAC Calendar for events happening around the state. We've posted a few new zone and local board events we're sure you won't want to miss.

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DISCLAIMER All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents.

NOTE: FAIA is not in the business of giving legal advice. Whenever questions arise, agents are urged to seek the counsel of a competent attorney licensed in Florida and familiar with the Florida Insurance Code.

Please note that all coverage analysis done by FAIA is based on standard ISO forms. Many carriers in Florida file their own forms with the OIR, some of which are derivations of ISO and some that are unique. It is imperative that you carefully read your carriers' forms to make an informed decision about coverage questions.