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So far Patty has created 30 blog entries.

CNA – Technology Business – the Hottest Market Right Now

CNA and Your Technology Business CNA recently presented a Webinar discussing their Technology Business coverages and it was exciting!  Since technology is the present and future of almost all aspects of life, this market will only continue to develop and grow offering an expanding need for commercial coverages to those businesses working in the Technology field. CNA is setting their coverage apart from the competitors in this market: Technology companies often provide more than one product or service, so CNA covers multiple products with one professional policy that covers all operations. Offers General Liability as well as E&O coverage for the Tech Industry No Exclusion for delay in delivery No support or maintenance exclusion – Hardware and software have support and maintenance lives. Customers don’t always upgrade to latest versions before support or maintenance stops. No exclusion for unauthorized access and use No exclusion for mechanical or electrical failure How to Find Prospects Chicago is now becoming known as the next area for new tech startups so try looking for new businesses as well as established businesses. When searching for prospects on the internet, try using the following [...]

2018-10-30T14:12:32-05:00Patty's Perspective, Property & Casualty|
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New for Encompass Homeowners Insurance

For new homeowner's policies, Encompass is using a new Enhanced Homeowners Rating system which may provide more competitive rates without changing or limiting coverage. Encompass leverages a customer's auto variables and property characteristics, including the number of stories in the home, the age of the roof, the roof style and the roof composition.  Roof coverage, especially, is a critical part of Encompass Homeowners Insurance. What to ask about the roof: How old is your roof What is your roof material What is your roof sytle (see below) Encompass offers 3 levels of coverage tailored to meet your customer's needs. Different levels of features can be found starting with the Special Level, Deluxe Level and the richest, the Elite Level of coverage. Features include:  Property location limit Additional living expenses reimbursed if home is uninhabitable Water backup damage coverage Homeowners Association extension Jewelry and fur coverage Brochure below. Click here for Encompass Product Levels Brochure Additional coverages available with Encompass  Scheduled Personal Property - provides increased limits for a specific item that typically has high value and has been appraised, such as an engagement ring [...]

2018-12-28T16:49:18-06:00Marketing & Sales Ideas, Patty's Perspective, Property & Casualty|
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BCBSIL Required Individual Under 65 SEP Training

Do Not Lose Commission Opportunities for New 2018 Individual Business.  Complete SEP Training now! BCBS IL will pay commissions on new individual under 65 policies submitted during the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if agents complete their 2018 SEP training by Feb. 15, 2018. Writing producers/subproducers selling any policy as a result of an SEP must complete BCBSIL-sponsored annual SEP training and affirm completion no later than Feb. 15, 2018 Below is the link to the SEP Training which will have instructions at the end on how to affirm completion which is found on Blue Access for Producers. Click here for BCBSIL 2018 SEP Training 2018 SEP Training is available until Feb. 15, 2018 and must be completed by this date. For currently contracted agents, once you have completed the training, log into Blue Access for Producers under your writing agent producer number (not the Agency producer number), and click on the Producers Services tab (shown with red underline). The screen below will appear. Click on the SEP Training Affirmation link (shown with red underline) and click submit.   You will receive a confirmation number when [...]

2018-10-30T14:10:47-05:00Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Medical, Patty's Perspective|
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Group Health Insurance for 2018

Here is What is New for Group Health in 2018 With a large percentage of health groups renewing 1/1/2018, I thought it would be good to talk about Group Health Insurance for 2018.   With a little preparation, agents can assist their current group health accounts as well as place new group business during this upcoming busy season. Group Health Goals Assist current group health plans to make plan changes to stay with BCBS IL for a 1/1/2018 effective date. Place new BCBS IL group health business Find those businesses who wish to place group health during the Group Open Enrollment Period 2018 Group Changes BCBS discontinued all 2017 group plans and now offers different 2018 plans.  Groups renewing in 2018 will notice these plan changes in their renewal.  You can click on the links below to see the 2018 product charts. Click Here for the 2018 (1-50) Product Overview Click here for the 2018 (51-150) Product Overview If your group has had plan changes for their 1/1/2018 renewal, remember that the group is required to provide the SBCs for any [...]

2018-10-30T14:10:07-05:00Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Medical, Patty's Perspective|
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Safeco Insurance, Things to Know

Safeco Insurance Company has been protecting families since 1923 and will continue to be there into the future.  Safeco is backed by the financial strength of Liberty Mutual insurance, who is ranked on the Fortune 100 list of the largest U.S. corporations. With a comprehensive range of insurance coverage and expert advice from your local independent agent, Midwest Insurance Brokerage Service Inc., Safeco makes it simple to protect what’s important to your clients. Unlike many insurance companies, Safeco has the ability to write monoline policies for Home, Auto, Dwelling Fire, Motorcycle, Watercraft, and RV. Safeco offers multiple coverage levels and options for home, auto, Watercraft, RV, Motorcycles and Pets! Safeco Personal Auto Product Safeco’s basic personal auto product includes added features as well as low cost endorsements with additional benefits. Safeco's Basic Auto plan includes: Deductible waived if insured has a collision with an existing Safeco or Liberty Mutual Customer Flexibility to choose between a 6 month or an annual auto policy. Additional savings when combining home and auto Endorsements that can be added to the Basic Auto coverage: Optimum Package Plan This is a top of the [...]

2020-06-10T15:30:28-05:00Patty's Perspective, Property & Casualty|
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The Path of Most Resistance – Keep Going

There is an amazing group of people who make the decision to start their own business or accept a job that is paid exclusively by commissions.  There is no guaranteed income, only the possibility that if they work smart and hard, they have an unlimited potential to earn income.  Who in their right mind would take this path?   Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2015, 10.1 % of all U.S. workers were self-employed and in that group belongs that crazy person with a job title of insurance producer.  Whether they work as an independent agent or work for a company or agency, they accept a job that compensates them only when they place business.  And to add to the craziness, the insurance producer works in an industry heavily regulated by the government resulting in unpredictable changes. Wow!  How does an agent continue down a career path that has so many stops?   Increasing premiums Decreasing commissions Open enrollment Constantly changing products and rules Cyber security Economic downturns Government regulations I would first like to say how much I respect that person who accepts a career where they [...]

2018-10-30T14:07:42-05:00Marketing & Sales Ideas, Patty's Perspective|
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Ax&7*df4x@1> What are you asking?

What are you asking?   Most people are normally very good communicators when face to face with another, however, in today’s business world, communication now goes through multiple electronic devices including email, text, instant message, and more.  These methods normally involve the written word and are more permanent as they are a written record.  This can be very useful to both the sender and receiver as they are a resource to search for conversations from the past, removing the need to try to remember everything.  On the other hand, be aware that this written record is also a reflection of you as a professional.  Improving your written communication skills will enhance your image and also make you more credible in your client’s eyes.   Open enrollment is fast approaching when everyone’s time is stretched thin trying to handle the increased volume of work.  This is when those excellent communication skills can come in really handy.   Asking your question and providing all the necessary information with the question can result in faster turn-around time for your answer. During this very busy time, please be aware that your MIBS customer service [...]

2017-10-19T15:32:39-05:00Marketing & Sales Ideas|
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What Sales Opportunities Do You Have with CNA?

Who is CNA? Founded in 1897, CNA is the 8th largest U.S. commercial and casualty insurance company, with approximately 6,500 employees serving businesses and professionals in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia. Financial Strength Ratings M. Best: A (Excellent) Standard & Poor’s: A (Strong) Moody’s: A3 (Good), with all rating outlooks stable. In addition to their broad appetite for business risks, CNA focuses on construction, manufacturing, technology, healthcare, professional services, financial institutions, real estate and small business. The breadth of their product portfolio enables CNA to provide customized insurance solutions that anticipate and address our customers’ risks. Claim and risk control excellence. CNA services will help you better understand your risks, reduce loss costs, restore your operations and increase productivity. CNA’s Risk Control specialists were the first in the industry to be awarded the UL Recognized Risk Engineer professional designation.   Appetites CNA is Most Successful In Technology Life Sciences Architects & Engineers If you have a business that you are not certain will be considered by CNA, send an email with the business name, brief description of the business and website address to:  commercial@midwestga.com for a quick [...]

2018-10-30T14:06:40-05:00Patty's Perspective, Property & Casualty|
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Medicare for 2019

Baby boomers will continue to become eligible for Medicare in 2019 making Medicare products a great product to sell. Although MIBS only works with BCBS IL for Medicare products, selling them provides decent commissions and excellent retention. BCBS IL’s Medicare Products are available to Medicare A & B enrolled clients and include: Medicare Supplement Plans - guaranteed to issue and no certification required Part D Prescription Plans - requires annual certification MAPD Plan (Medicare Advantage) - requires annual certification MACRA Confusion? In April 2015, the Medicare Access & CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) was signed into law. There has been confusion around what this means for Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans F and C. Some Medicare beneficiaries currently covered with Plan F or C are concerned that these plans will no longer be available after 2020.  Here is the scoop: Medicare Beneficiaries who currently have a Plan F or Plan C policy will be able to continue to keep and/or renew their plans even after Jan. 1, 2020. In a sense, they are grandfathered and are able to keep their plans as long as they continue to pay [...]

2019-05-23T01:35:37-05:00Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Medical, Patty's Perspective|
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Travel with Confidence with GeoBlue

GeoBlue Travel Insurance is Now Available MIBS agents can now offer GeoBlue International Medical Coverage to your clients traveling outside of the U.S. With GeoBlue, expatriates, business and leisure travelers can trust that care is available to them no matter the town, country or time zone.  Through an elite network of providers, innovative mobile and online tools, and a high touch approach to customer service, GeoBlue provides peace of mind to members anywhere in the world. Why do you need GeoBlue? The U.S. is one of the few countries that does not require payment before receiving medical care. Travelers needing medical care outside of the US could be subject to Full cost of medical care which is required to be paid prior to service Full cost of emergency medical transportation Insurance coverage from US has very limited coverage out of the country. Repatriation – In the event of death in a foreign country Difficulty getting through the red tape of moving the body back home Customs negotiations Costs associated with transportation of the body In the event of illness or accident, dealing with language barriers and procedures Difficulty [...]

2018-10-30T14:05:07-05:00Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, Medical, Patty's Perspective|
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