Welcome to the Young Agent's Advocate, an electronic newsletter published by the Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois. If you are a young agent (under the age of 40), we invite you to join our young agents mailing list. Simply send an e-mail to Shannon Churchill that includes your name and agency, and we'll add you to our database.

2007 Young Agents Midwest Conference - Last Chance to Register
For the fifth year, the Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota Associations have joined together to sponsor the 2007 Midwest Conference. This exciting and educational event, designed for newer insurance professionals and their families, will be held June 28-30 at the Kalahari Resort & Conference Center in the Wisconsin Dells. The site is the home of the largest indoor water park in the United States.  Earn up to 11 continuing education hours (Illinois license) for attending the following sessions:

E&O Loss Prevention-Todd Davis, Peoria, IL - This program will target the most common mistakes made by agents and service personnel that lead to client lawsuits against the agency.  Legal principles of agent liability, reducing the uncertainty of coverage, client and insurer responsibilities and model procedures to adopt to reduce errors will be examined. This course does not count towards a discount on your E&O.

Ethics for the Insurance Professional – Michael Jones, Atlanta, GA – This session will examine ethical behavior in our business. He will examine ethics as it applies to underwriting, claims, scoring and advertising. He will also discuss the concepts of immediate motivation/behavior vs. underlying motivation/behavior.

Insuring Internet & Technology Risks – Larry Harb, Okemos, MI – During this course participants will gain a basic understanding with regards to risk managing this new type of Internet and technology (network) insurance policy, how this exposure is created and who needs this coverage. Participants will also be introduced to the basics of the Internet and how it has changed the traditional insurance policy. Participants will also learn first-hand about the underwriting process used to rate these risks. We’ll examine the policies from multiple carriers to better understand these new exposures and the coverage that is available.

Selling Coverage/Not Price – Chris Amrhein, Lorton, VA – This session will explore how newer producers and service personnel can distance themselves from the average insurance person and make their mark by providing risk management and value-added services. We’ll show participants how value, rather than price, should be the determining factor in the insurance buying decision. Young agents have a particularly challenging time establishing credibility and earning the trust so vital in creating a solid client base, and Chris will provide invaluable tips to overcome these obstacles.

Social activities include two fabulous dinner events and a special performance of the Rick Wilcox Grand Illusion Magic Show. Don’t miss this wonderful family getaway!  For more information click here.

Continuing Education for National Flood Insurance Program – URGENT!
Effective immediately, the Illinois Division of Insurance, through Company Bulletin # 2007-02, has requested insurance companies to notify their contracted producers that in order to sell flood insurance policies under the National Flood Insurance Program, all producers will have to complete three hours of approved continuing education. The DOI did not set an effective date. Therefore, according to the DOI, you will need to complete the new course before you sell a new flood policy. Courses completed prior to the bulletin will not count.

          Producers will NOT receive notification of this requirement from the Division of Insurance. Insurance Companies are required to provide compliance to the Division.

          To view the entire DOI bulletin, visit http://www.idfpr.com/DOI/Producer/FloodInsuranceBulletin.PDF

          The PIIAI has scheduled two sets of flood programs to help accommodate the new requirements. The schedule is as follows:
          June 13 – Des Plains – Crowne Plaza Hotel, Rosemont
          June 14 – Oak Brook – Oak Brook Hills Marriott
          June 19 – Fairview Heights – Four Points Sheraton
          June 20 – Springfield – PIIAI Office
          June 21 – Kankakee – Hilton Garden Inn
          October 30 – Rockford – Clock Tower Resort
          October 31 – Orland Park – The Horton Group
          November 1 – Naperville/Lisle – Hyatt Lisle

          There is limited seating in all of these programs. We encourage you to visit our website (www.piiai.org/education) and complete a registration form today.  The flood program is approved for 3 hours of CE credits. We are also hosting a Fair Plan Seminar in conjunction with the Flood Seminars. The Fair Plan program is also approved for 3 hours of CE credits. If you have any questions, please visit our website for complete details.

1st Annual Young Agents Pro-Am Golf Outing

The PIIAI Young Agents Network is hosting a Pro-Am Golf Outing on Tuesday, August 7th at Prairie Landing Golf Club in West Chicago. Foursomes will compete in an 18-hole scramble with a 1p.m. shotgun start. After golf join the young agents for dinner with special guest speaker Phil Lackman, who will update attendees on current state and future outlook of the insurance industry. This event will provide young agents in Illinois with the opportunity to interact with carrier representatives on a more personal, informal level while competing in a friendly tournament environment. For more details, click here. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for those interested, click here or contact Shannon Churchill (800) 628-6436 ext. 3004, schurchill@piiai.org for more information.

Young Agent of the Year Nominations Being Accepted

Do you know an Outstanding Young Agent who has demonstrated service to the insurance industry, professional trade associations, and community in a manner that would be considered exceptional for a person of his or her age?  If so, they could be the PIIAI’s next Young Agent of the Year. This annual award recognizes the achievements of young agents in Illinois and will be presented during the PIIAI Annual Convention, October 3-5, 5007, at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield, Illinois. For more information, click here.

PIIAI Accepting College Scholarship Applications

The Young Agents Network, in conjunction with PIIAI, is sponsoring four college sponsorships: G.A. Mavon Memorial Scholarship ($1,000 per semester), Roy & Harriet Robinson Scholarship ($500 per semester), Keith Payne Memorial Scholarship ($500 per semester), and Independent Insurance Agents of Kane County Scholarship ($500 per year). To be eligible, students must be a resident of Illinois (IIAKC recipient must be a resident of Kane County); have junior or senior status in college; be in a business degree program with an interest in insurance; be a full-time student; write a brief essay; and have a letter of recommendation from a PIIAI sponsor (current member in good standing or retired member). This is an excellent program to offer to clients and/or agency personnel with college-bound children. Deadline for submission is July 1, 2007. Click here for more information and to print a copy of the scholarship application.

Do You Need Some Help with Your Summer Workload?
The Interns are ready! Sign your agency up today to participate in the Summer Internship Program. Details available at http://www.piiai.org/internship/. The candidates come from some of the top universities in the state. They are all ready to work for the summer and are awaiting your contact. If you have questions about the program please contact Shannon Churchill at (800) 628-6436 ext. 3004, or schurchill@piiai.org.

For more information on upcoming classes, visit the PIIAI Education Center.

Thank you to our Young Agents Sponsors! 
Their financial contributions have enabled PIIAI to offer activities to young agents at substantial cost savings.
AAA Insurance, Allstate/Deerbrook/Encompass Insurance, Arlington/Roe & Company, Inc., Badger Mutual Ins. Company, Consumers Insurance Company, Drive Insurance from Progressive, General Casualty Co., Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co., The Hanover Insurance Group, IMT Insurance Company, Insight Insurance Services, Inc., Interstate Risk Placement Inc., Iowa Mutual Insurance Company, Mercury Insurance Group, Ohio Casualty Group, Pekin Insurance, Rain & Hail, LLC, Rockford Mutual Insurance Company, Roush Insurance Services, Inc., W.A. Schickedanz Agency Inc., Society Insurance, Standard Mutual Insurance Company, United Fire Group, West Bend Mutual Insurance Co., Westfield Insurance Companies, J M Wilson, Zurich Small Business in Indiana