Dearborn National Group Benefits with BCBS IL

Dearborn National Group Benefits   Recently, Dearborn National held a seminar here at MIBS and discussed not only their products but also how employers and members can best use them.   Although Dental and Vision are easy to use, Term Life and Disability may be unfamiliar to your employer and employee.  How life insurance and disability insurance works with employees who may not be actively working was new information for me and I felt this was important for agents to know.  I have included this topic toward the end of this blog. Dearborn National is the ancillary carrier partnered with BCBS IL but their products can also be sold stand-alone without medical benefits.  Their products include: Life Insurance Short Term Disability Long Term Disability Vision Critical Illness Accident Contracted agents have access to the Producers Corner on the Dearborn National website where you can see your business and much more. Benefits that might be unique with Dearborn Life include: Dearborn Cares:  provides an advance payment of the life insurance benefit to help beneficiaries cover their immediate expenses without a death certificate.   The remaining balance will be paid after the [...]

News from the Travelers Webinar held March 20, 2018

If you missed the last Travelers Webinar, here are some points that were discussed. Personal Lines How to Handle Customer’s concerns regarding increasing premiums. Even though automobile premiums may be increasing, Travelers remains committed to mitigating the impact of industry trends with enhanced pricing, lower expenses and improved processes. Tips for discussing these trends with your customers: Let your clients know the current trends with auto premiums and why. People are buying more cars Distracted driving is increasing; drivers are texting and surfing the web Injury costs are rising Repair costs are rising Review your client's coverage to make sure all available discounts are taken. Remind them of Travelers' auto loyalty benefits such as incident leniency, youthful driver leniency and longevity credits which could be lost if they leave Travelers. MyTravelers Website for Insureds Travelers allows your insured’s access to their account through MyTravelers.  https://www.travelers.com/Login/#/ Report an auto, home or boat claim Pay your bill View your billing activity, payment details and policy information Locate a repair shop Enroll in one of our automatic payment plans Check the status of an existing claim View and [...]

Boating Season is About to Start

With winter slowly moving to spring, people start looking forward to warm weather and boating.   MIBS agents can assist their clients in finding the right coverage for that new boat with Safeco Insurance and Travelers. Watercraft Rating Categories spacer Safeco’s Watercraft Program Safeco’s Watercraft Program is open to most types of watercraft used for recreational purposes.  They offer a selection of coverages designed to provide protection to the insured operator and the watercraft. Program Advantages / Selling Tips:  Competitive Advantages Coverage for pets, personal property, and equipment such as water skis and marine electronics Standalone watercraft are accepted Agreed-value policy Eligible watercraft up to $300,000 and 40 feet Total price protection available for boats 2 years old and newer Roadside Assistance is available Emergency Assistance (on-water towing) Liability coverage only is available Towing and labor expenses Fuel spill and wreckage removal Optional fishing equipment coverage up to $20,000 Additional Interest/Marina Additional Insured is available spacer Safeco also offers the Captain’s Package Option for boats of all ages The Captain’s Package provides a valuable optional coverage. It can be added to new or existing policies for [...]

Streamline your BCBS IL group enrollment with DocuSign

BCBS IL and DocuSign   Imagine a world where all you need is your portable electronic device and you can complete the enrollment paperwork for a business to apply for a BCBS IL small group health plan.     Recently, BCBS IL presented the DocuSign enrollment tool to the staff at MIBS.   We were all impressed and played at being agents, sending out enrollment paperwork and filling it out too.  I was excited to see how easy and fast it actually was.   Each step of the process is designed to save time, increase accuracy of entered data and provide legible electronically signed documents to the group, the agent, and your MIBS CSR without printing forms, hand writing information, scanning or faxing. Ok, I know some of you will jump on this like, “Patty, tell me how!”   And there are those of my friends who will groan and sigh and say, “I can’t do that technology thing.”   Well, it really is not that hard. In an effort to make this as easy as possible, MIBS created a guide with step by step instructions on how to use Docusign.   You [...]

Don’t Forget About Humana for Group Benefits

Although BCBS IL still has the market share of business in Illinois, don’t forget to consider Humana as well.  This blog will discuss where Humana might fit your group’s specific needs. Recently, Humana came to MIBS to present Humana for 2018.   Key points that were covered include: Humana Dental and Vision still strong in today’s market (Check out the Humana Bundling Bonus at the end of the Dental Vision section) Humana’s Level Funded Product is strong and competitive (Check out the Humana Level Funded Premium Bonus at the end the Level Funded section) Humana’s CCN HMO network provides a workable solution to contain premium costs space space Humana Dental Next to medical costs, dental expenses can create a serious strain on an employee’s budget.   Groups offering dental not only assist the employee financially, but also increase the health of that employee as regular dental exams screen for many medical conditions increasing chances of early detection. Eligibility for Humana Dental Groups with 2-100 enrolled are eligible for dental coverage. Humana does not enforce contribution requirements for dental plans Participation requirements for employer sponsored is 50% participation after [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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