If you’re an independent insurance agent, today’s clients—like those of, well, any service provider—expect handcrafted personalized solutions tailored to their specific needs—whether it’s their industry, niche or unique circumstances. The best thing about this...
Important carrier updates: Market withdrawals and insolvency impact
Amid growing concerns about the financial health and stability of the insurance marketplace, the personal-lines sector has experienced significant disruption, driven by carrier withdrawals and a rise in insolvencies. These developments are further constricting an...
Join PIANJ’s E&O and hard market panel
In today’s challenging insurance landscape, managing errors-and-omissions risk is crucial. The hard market has brought with it unprecedented operational challenges—from staffing shortages, to shifting carrier appetites—and insurance agents must adapt quickly to avoid...
Inflation, construction, and homeowners insurance
All homeowners should brace themselves for sticker shock next time their homeowners policy is up for renewal. Inflation’s effects on the construction industry and the broader economy extend to premiums charged on insurance policies. While it may cost more now, the...
When carriers withdraw from a market
The hard market has been a recurring topic of conversation over the last several months as something impacting insurance producers nationwide significantly. Diving further into the topic, the recent pattern of carrier withdrawals from various markets has become rather...
From PIANY President Gary Slavin, re: Adirondack, AmGuard leaving markets
Dear PIANY members, I’m writing to you to discuss the recent announcements from Adirondack Insurance Exchange and AmGuard Insurance Co., regarding their decisions to withdrawal from specific insurance marketplaces. When the announcement was made, an email was sent to...
There and back again: An E&S journey
In the 2023 E&S edition of PIA Magazine, I wrote about the perils and pitfalls that insurance producers face when placing business in the nonadmitted—or excess & surplus lines—marketplace through the lens of Lord of the Rings. [EDITOR’S NOTE: You can access...
‘Bridge Over Troubled Waters:’ An immersive course preview on navigating the hard market
Imagine yourself steering through the tumultuous waves of today’s insurance market. As an insurance producer, you’re not just managing risks; you’re navigating a sea of change characterized by escalating prices, tightening underwriting standards and reduced...
Building loyal customers and agency growth
In the fiercely competitive world of insurance—where every customer represents a hard-won victory—the cost of acquiring new clients looms significantly higher than retaining existing ones. Shockingly, research reveals that in any industry it can be up to five times...
Carrier do’s and don’ts: Commission cuts
To anyone who works in the insurance industry, it is clear that the marketplace is going through a period of transition. The increasing occurrence of severe weather, growing interest rates, and increasing replacement cost are a few of the drivers that are creating...