IIA--new personal lines insurance program
The Insurance Institute of America (IIA) has introduced a new designation program for personal insurance specialists, Associate in Personal Insurance--API. This is the first program developed by IIA that provides in-depth information and an associate designation for people working in a personal lines environment.
The program consists of four courses and national examinations: API 28 and API 29, two new courses developed for the API program. INS 21 (Property and Liability Insurance Principles) and INS 22 (Personal Insurance) are already available from IIA's most popular offering, the Program in General Insurance.
The API 28 course and text, Personal Insurance: Underwriting and Marketing Practices, is divided into three segments that cover the following topics: the product delivery process between the insurer and the customer, personal liability and auto exposures and coverages, and personal property exposures and coverages. The first exam will be given on May 5, 1997, and each May and December thereafter.
The text for the new API course, Personal Insurance: Services, Management, and Issues, will be published in July 1997. The first exam will be given on December 9, 1997, and each December and May thereafter.
The API study materials are being published in a new format that is similar to one being used in two other IIA courses and may eventually be adopted in others. The textbooks and course guides for API 28 and API 29 will be published in three-ring binders. The pages are larger and have more white space than most Institute texts, so students can more easily make notes in them. Students also can put class notes and other pertinent materials in the binder with the text and course guide and retain them as a reference.
For more information about the API program or to order study materials for API 28, INS 21, or INS 22, call: 800-644-2101; fax: (610) 640-9576; e-mail: cserv@cpcuiia.org.
Training course to explain new annuity products
Pictorial Inc. has released its new Equity-Indexed Annuities, a comprehensive training course that helps agents and other sales representatives understand and explain these new annuity products to clients.
Using clear explanations, examples and comparisons/contrasts, this course distinguishes EIAs from other types of annuities and from indexed mutual funds. It defines the key terms required to understand how EIAs work and covers all of the basic EIA designs, describing how index increases are measured under each one. Students learn how the performance of each EIA design is affected by various equity market scenarios. Equity-Indexed Annuities shows representatives how to evaluate liquidity considerations in light of client circumstances and how withdrawals can impact performance.
Graphs and tables aid comprehension and summarize important points. Agents and representatives can test understanding each step of the way with unit review quizzes.
The price of the course is $24.95; quantity discounts are available. Each course comes with a standard final exam and optional answer key. Grading and Certification Service is also available for an additional fee if life insurance CE credits are desired.
To order, call: 800-428-4215, dept. 1020A; or write to Pictorial Inc., Department 1020A, 8081 Zionsville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46268-1678.
Panasonic's four-screen electronic whiteboard
Panasonic Office Products Company (POPC) announced a completely new electronic whiteboard incorporating four separate writing screens. The Panaboard KX-B730 allows the user to continue a presentation without having to erase any existing material.
Designed as the next step in electronic whiteboard technology, the KX-B730 is sized to meet the varying needs of today's office environments. With its 2'10" (H) x 4'7" (W) writing surface, the KX-B730 is suitable for almost any office presentation.
As with all Panaboard products, the KX-B730 prints an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of thermal paper of whatever is written or drawn on the screen. Large charts and graphs can be taped to the whiteboard and printed. Panaboard products offer multi-copy capability--up to nine copies can be made at the push of a button. With a new optional printer interface, a laser printer can be connected directly to the whiteboard for plain paper output.
The Panaboard product line features a modular design for easy installation. The writing surface and control panel are now two separate pieces, making the unit light and easy to maneuver when mounting on a wall or attaching a portable stand.
The KX-B730 offers a number of user-friendly features, such as the control panel's front load design which makes replacing thermal paper simple. An automatic paper cutter is included for convenient distribution of multiple copies. Also standard is the Contrast Control, which adjusts the exposure to a light or dark setting, and a forward/reverse advance key that brings the next image or previous image in view.
Panaboard options are:
* Printer Interface--For output on plain paper, a separate PCL4 or PCL5-compatible printer can be connected to the KX-B730 using the optional printer interface board ($199.00).
* PC Interface--Images from the Panaboard can be transferred to a PC in TIFF or BMP formats. The user then can fax, e-mail or import the images into a graphics program. Information can be networked or even sent via modem during a conference meeting. The accompanying software is compatible with Windows 3.1™ or Windows 95™.
* Stand or Wall Mount--Panaboards can be set up on a stand (with locking casters) for mobile presentations or fixed on a wall in a permanent environment, such as a conference room.
* Ruler Kit--Enables vertical or horizontal straight lines to be drawn on the Panaboard.
The Panaboard KX-B730 is available nationwide through authorized Panasonic dealers at a suggested retail price of $2,395. All Panaboard products include colored markers, erasers and a starter roll of thermal paper.
"You're in the chips" business gift
"You're In The Chips" chocolate chip cookies are the perfect gift for the man or woman who has everything. The gallon container is decorated with representations of various national currencies and comes with a slotted-lid so that after the "chips" are gone, it may be refilled with hard currency.
These items are part of the line of existing and new gifts that the Apple Cookie & Chocolate Company in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, is offering business customers. The company specializes in providing business gifts that are unique and relevant, as well as delicious. They are appropriate for holiday gifts or other special occasions.
Most gifts may be personalized with the gift-giving company's name and address. With generous volume discounts ranging from 14% to 47%, the gifts also are cost-effective.
To receive a free 30-page catalog, call: 800-223-9886; fax: 412-825-3554; e-mail: applecookie@usaor.net.
New ACSR Self-Study Program
The Independent Insurance Agents of America (IIAA) has unveiled its new ACSR Self-Study Program to provide industry professionals with an alternative method of earning an Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR) designation.
In states where these programs are not available, ACSR self-study courses provide customer service personnel with an opportunity to successfully earn a designation. Agencies are required only to purchase educational materials; industry professionals work at their own pace from home or office.
Students wanting to earn a personal lines designation must complete a minimum of five modules and pass exams from the three personal lines technical modules and the core modules. Commercial lines designation candidates must complete a minimum of six modules and pass exams for the four commercial lines technical modules and two core modules. Insurance professionals choosing to obtain both designations need to complete the core modules only once.
IIAA recommends that persons who want to earn an ACSR designation have at least one year of insurance experience. An ACSR must take six hours of continuing education annually to maintain the designation.
For additional information about CSR training in your state, contact your local IIAA state association.
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