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FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE AGENTS

for your eyes only

 MAY 18, 2018 | VOLUME LXVII, ISSUE 14

ADVOCACY

Defense prevails in website accessibility caseTaking meaningful steps to bring your website into compliance withthe Americans with Disabilities Act might provide a valid legal defenseto businesses faced with a website accessibility lawsuit. That’s thetakeaway from a recent court case highlighted in Laura’s Legal Brief ofthe Week.

EDUCATION

Pot and guns: An insurance perspective 

Say one of your clients is a commercial building owner who leasesspace to a medical marijuana dispensary. You might wonder if

accepting commission is legal, given cannabis is still illegal at thefederal level. Maybe you insure a sporting goods store that sellsfirearms and worry you’ll be unfairly branded one way or another.These hot-button issues have Keith Jones asking lots coverage (andphilosophical) questions.

Read more

An insurance agent’s job is to recommend coverage, sowhy aren’t more of them doing so?

David Thompson is no longer shocked when agents admit they onlyquote apples to apples. “Customers only buy on price,” they claim,begging the question: “How do you know if you never quote bettercoverage?” It’s an agent’s duty to provide customers the best coverageoptions available, especially when the customer’s current policy isinferior.

Learn more

Insurance education legends team up for commerciallines coverage­gaps class 

Chris Amrhein and Bill Wilson have joined forces to produce a new three-hourwebinar, “Finding and Fixing Commercial Lines Coverage Gaps” on May 30 from 1:00 to4:00 p.m. EST.

Learn more and register

2018 TROPICAL STORM SEASON

Time to revisit (or develop) agency cat plan A major hurricane is every insurance person’snightmare, not only for the destruction and harm itwill inflict, but also for the crushing workload itwill bring in the weeks and months afterward. An agency can better serve its staff and clients bydeveloping a sound, workable, agency plan. And wecan help! Visit our website for loads of referencematerial, including: Agency Catastrophe Guide: this recentlyoverhauled planning document is designed to helpagents prepare their businesses for a hurricane andrespond to customers afterward. 

Agent­to­consumer tools: infographics and articles to share on social media or post tohelp agents better educate the customers they serve. Volunteer opportunities: When the storms come, will you need help—or be able tofind it? Consider joining FAIA’s Buddy System or Individual Volunteer Network.

Brush up on hurricane coverage before storms blow in FAIA Instructor Jeff Odom’s debuts a new one-hour webinar May 25 that looks at howthe ISO homeowners policy responds to issues dealing with hurricanes. Topics includehurricane deductibles, power surges, wind-driven rain, and trees.

Register

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Vicki Chism, now retired from the Key Agency, is the recipient of the 2018 Irma Award,which recognizes those who make it possible for principals, CSRs, and producers to best

serve their policyholders. Congratulations, Vicki!

Network, learn, grow at FAIA’s Convention 

FAIA’s Convention is the place to be, writes FAIA Chairman DougWiles, whether you’re promoting your agency, expanding your carrierappointments, or enhancing your professional knowledge. If youhaven’t yet registered, read The Chairman's Blog for a few goodreasons to attend…you might just change your mind!

Register

Slate set for FAIA’s 2018–2019 Board of Directors FAIA’s Nominating Committee is pleased to announce the following agents for leadershippositions and seats on the board: Brendan T. Lynch, AIP, AAI, The Plastridge Agency,Inc., Palm Beach Gardens, chair-elect; Dan R. Alexander, CIC, ThompsonBaker Agency,Inc., St. Augustine, vice chairman; Randall Iten, Randall Iten Agency, Inc., Davie,director; Robert W. Lloyd, CIC, CPCU, Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc., Daytona Beach,director; and Sarah Joy Washburn­Carfora, AIP, Wilson, Washburn & ForsterInsurance, Miami, director. The election will be held during Saturday’s Coffee and Connectat FAIA’s Convention.

NEW MEMBERS

AGENCY MEMBERS

All 4 One Insurance: MiamiAngie Finley Financial, LLC: OcalaBreakthrough Insurance Group, Inc.: NaplesInsurance Risk Specialists, LLC: TampaNovel Insurance, LLC: New Port RicheyPrime­One Insurance Corp.: IndialanticTop Notch Insurance: Port St. LucieVanderbilt Insurance & Risk Management, LLC: NaplesWorth Insurance Services, LLC: Palm Beach Gardens

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Dual North America: NaplesIdealTraits: Lake Orion, MIMackinaw Underwriters, Inc.: Brighton, MISucceed (a KPA Company): Malvern, PA

HEADLINES

MEMBER NEWS

AssuredPartners, Inc., Lake Mary: promoted Joe Guercio to the new position ofexecutive vice president of Operations.Demont Insurance Agency & Financial Services, Tallahassee: was recentlyfeatured in Tallahassee Magazine.The Villages Insurance Partners, LLC, The Villages: ranked sixth on AutoOwners Insurance’s 2017 Lakeland Top Ten Property & Casualty Production LeadersList.

INDUSTRY NEWS

AmWINS Group, Inc.: announced COO Scott M. Purviance has succeeded M.Steven DeCarlo as CEO.

Chubb: launched a proprietary online Cyber Risk Index.InsureSign: partnered with HawkSoft’s agency management system to offer anintegrated e-signature service.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FAIA EVENTS

June 13–16, 2018: 114th Anniversary Convention and Educational Symposium;Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, Orlando.August 8–10, 2018: Summer Leadership Conference; The Henderson Resort, Destin.March 19–20, 2019: Capitol Days; Tallahassee.

LOCAL BOARD EVENTS

May 17, 2018: IIA of Northeast Florida May Lunch and Learn; Mimi’s Cafe,Jacksonville.May 17, 2018: IIA of South Florida Big I Day; Topgolf, Miami Gardens.May 17, 2018: PAIA Hurricane Update; Bascom’s Chop House, Clearwater.

YOUNG AGENT EVENTS

June 13, 2018: YAC Golf Tournament benefiting Folds of Honor; Rosen Shingle CreekGolf Club, Orlando.January 22–23, 2019: Young Agents Council Sales & Leadership Conference; TampaMarriott Waterside.March 18–20, 2019: YAC Political Summit; Tallahassee.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

June 24–26, 2018: Agency Nation Elevate Conference; Hilton Cleveland Downtown,Cleveland, OH.August 19–22, 2018: Workers' Compensation Institute Annual Conference; OrlandoWorld Center Marriott, Orlando.

A publication of the Florida Association of Insurance AgentsPO Box 12129, Tallahassee, FL 32317-2129850-893-4155 | Visit us online

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted inany form or by any means-electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise-without the priorwritten permission of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents. FAIA does not give legal advice. Agents areurged to seek the counsel of a licensed Florida attorney familiar with the Florida Insurance Code.