The Professional Insurance Agents of Wisconsin will present an education program for CSRs on personal auto at three locations this month: February 22--in Madison; February 23--in Wausau; and February 24--in Brookfield. At each location the program will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with an optional exam given from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The course instructor, Todd Davis, CIC of The Davis Agency in Peoria, Illinois, will cover:
* the Personal Auto Policy and its major endorsement
* how the Personal Auto Policy responds to owned, borrowed or rented autos
* the Personal Umbrella Policy
* Who is an insured
* Tips for avoiding E&O exposures
* Current state-specific information.
The fee for the one-day program is $120, which includes instruction, study materials, exam, breaks and lunch.
For further information, or to register, call the PIAW: (608) 274-8188.
Company news
General Casualty wins award from Chicago agents
The Chicago Board of Underwriters named General Casualty Insurance Companies "Commercial Lines Company of the Year." Representatives from General Casualty's Freeport, Illinois, office accepted the award at the Board's annual meeting in Chicago.
General Casualty's 396 independent agencies in Illinois wrote $129 million in premiums in 1998. Total premiums written by General Casualty's 1,700 agents in its 12 midwestern states of operation are approximately $600 million.
General Casualty is a member of the Winterthur Swiss Insurance Group.
Illinois
Chicago MGA heads surplus lines organization
Timothy M. Pedersen, president of Travis-Pedersen and Associates, Inc., of Chicago, is serving as president of the National Association of Surplus Lines Offices (NAPSLO). Pedersen has spent almost 20 years in wholesale brokerages, and, along with others, founded Travis-Pedersen in 1983. He also serves as chairman of Alaskan General Insurance Agency, a wholesale brokerage firm in Anchorage, Alaska.
Pedersen joined the NAPSLO board of directors in 1993 and served as chair of the Member Benefits and Public Relations committees before being elected a NAPSLO officer in 1997.
Agency/bank deal provides consumers with auto, HO quotes
Marquette National Bank, which has 18 Chicago locations, is offering auto and homeowners insurance quotes through The Gee Insurance Agency. Quotes from several companies will be provided via an Internet-based system developed by Consumers First of St. Louis.
When a customer wishes to take advantage of an insurance quote, the coverage will be placed through The Gee Insurance Agency.
Indiana
Mark Gray honored by CPCU Society
Mark Gray, a former CPCU chapter president and a partner in the Indianapolis law firm of Kightlinger & Gray, was named the national CPCU Society Standard Setter for January. Gray earned his CPCU designation in 1952, the same year that he became the chief lobbyist for the American Insurance Association before the Indiana General Assembly.
For more than 40 years Gray advised citizen legislators on insurance regulation issues. Most recently he advocated for what was ultimately passed as Indiana's version of tort reform. Last year the Central Indiana chapter established an award in his name.
Wisconsin
IIAW plans annual convention
The Independent Insurance Agents of Wisconsin will hold its annual convention May 10-11 in Green Bay. The all-inclusive registration fee is $119, and a CSR Day package is offered for $30.
The meeting will include exhibit booths, an opening general session, workshops, meals and a closing party at the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
For more information contact the IIAW: (800) 362-7441 or (608) 256-4429.
State Farm lowers auto rates
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company reduced its overall auto rate level by 3.0% in Wisconsin, effective October 1, 1999. At the time of the rate cut that meant that the company had lowered its auto rates by 9.2% in nine months.
State Farm also introduced a 5% discount for new customers and qualifying policyholders who have been with the company less than three years.
To be eligible, all drivers in the household must have had no accidents or traffic violations for the last five years and must have been licensed for at least three years. The discount applies to liability, medical payments and collision coverages.
State Farm is the second largest auto insurer in Wisconsin. *
©COPYRIGHT: The Rough Notes Magazine, 2000