ODI Issues Bulletins That May Affect PIA Members

Nonresident Licensing
Bulletin 2008-1 immediately waives the requirement of a separate Ohio bond for nonresident surplus lines brokers who hold a surplus lines broker license in their home state. In addition, it also waives the requirement that nonresident business entity insurance license applicants register with the Ohio secretary of state as a condition to issuance of a nonresident insurance license. However, this change only affects insurance license requirements and does not necessarily eliminate the requirement that a nonresident business entity register with the secretary of state. ODI recommends that new nonresident business entity licensees contact the Ohio secretary of state regarding any other requirements that still exist to register their business with the Ohio secretary of state.

Click here to view the bulletin.

Long-Term Care Insurance
ODI also issued a bulletin regarding agent training, record keeping and education requirements concerning long-term care insurance.

In order for individuals to sell, solicit or negotiate long-term care insurance on or after Sept. 1, 2008, the individual must be authorized as an insurance agent for accident and health or life. In addition, a one-time training course that is no less than eight hours must be completed. Agents are also required to complete ongoing training that is no less than a four-hour course every 24-month compliance period thereafter. Training must consist of combined topics related to long-term care insurance, long-term care services and qualified state long-term care insurance partnership programs. The training requirements may be approved as continuing education courses.

Click here to view the bulletin.

PIA members with questions concerning these bulletins can contact PIA at (800) 555-1742.

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Sick Day Proposal Goes to General Assembly
Last year, PIA informed you about a proposal that is being pushed by a labor-led coalition to require employers with 25 or more employees to provide seven days of paid sick leave per year for full-time employees.

In January, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner certified that the coalition had gathered enough signatures to present the measure to the General Assembly. Should lawmakers fail to enact the bill exactly as written after four months, the coalition will have 90 days to collect additional signatures to place the issue on the fall 2008 ballot.

The coalition backing the measure, which is being fueled by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in Ohio, has the support of groups such as AARP. Nonetheless, the issue is facing strong resistance from the business community. Although the proposal only affects those employers with 25 or more employees, it is poorly written and leaves several questions unanswered, which will result in problems for employers. For instance, the proposal would prohibit employers from questioning the validity of sick time taken by employees...even if there is no notice provided. The proposal states that an employee should provide a seven day notice if he/she knows the need for sick time use is approaching (the Family Medical Leave Act currently requires longer), but it also allows for sick time to be taken without question immediately when needed...even for partial time (like an hour or two). Essentially, that means unscrupulous employees could get away with being chronically late by using the sick time allotment.

Currently, employers are not required to offer paid sick time under federal or state laws. Employers would not be permitted to reduce any existing benefits they offer employees in order to provide the mandated sick days.

A bill has not yet been introduced within the General Assembly. If the coalition gets the proposal on the November ballot, and voters approve the initiative, it would take effect in 30 days.

PIA would like to know how this proposal would affect your agency. If you would like to share your thoughts, PIA wants to hear from you. Please contact the PIA Public Affairs Team at (800) 555-1742 or by e-mail at publicaffairs@ohiopia.com.

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Do You Have the Knowledge to Meet All Your Clients' Needs?
In this fast-paced world, demands are changing - and that includes what your clients may think they get by turning to fast, available insurance service. In reality, they might need advice about a risk they didn't know they had. Identifying Clients Needs in Today's Insurance Environment will teach you the best techniques to properly identify, evaluate and meet your clients' insurance needs in today's insurance environment. Learn more about the variety of options for conducting thorough risk analysis, improving account development and retention, and enhancing customer relations through the effective use of automation. Distinguish yourself in a crowded field. Meeting your clients' particular needs not only retains your clients; it builds loyalty.

Course topics include: generational characteristics; evaluating the clients' needs; account development and retention; and structuring the insurance program.

Columbus
February 21

To register online, click on the class date above.
To download a registration form, click here.

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Nominate Your Choice for Outstanding Customer Service Representative of the Year
The National Alliance is now accepting nominations for the 2008 Outstanding Customer Service Representative of the Year (OCSRY) award. This award honors the CSR who has demonstrated the highest level of personal and professional achievement during the past 12 months. Download the brochure for more information and the nomination form. Please fax this form to Dee Dee Edwards at (614) 552-0115 or send it to her via e-mail at dedwards@ohiopia.com.

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Interested in Hosting a PIA Intern this Summer?
PIA is preparing for its third year of the summer internship program. The internship is designed to increase visibility of the independent agency system as a career opportunity for college students and young professionals. The internship consists of students spending half the program with a carrier and half with a PIA member agency to gain a well-rounded view of the insurance industry. There are a few openings remaining for agencies to host interns this summer. Is your agency interested? This year's program starts with intern orientation on May 28, and interns will be placed with agencies for five weeks - from July 7 through Aug. 7.

To host an intern, agencies are responsible for an intern salary fee of $2,000. PIA can bill the agency on a bi-weekly basis, or the agency can pay the full $2,000 fee at the start of the program.

For more information, contact Vicki Rich, PIA Internship Task Force Staff Liaison, at Vicki@ohiopia.com or (800) 555-1742, ext.1501.

Contact us today to let us know your interest!

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Featured Benefits


PIA Members Have Access to a Variety of Insurance Plans Available Through Unimerica Insurance Company 

To get started with any of these products, contact the plan administrator at (800) 336-4759 or visit their Web site at www.piatrust.com.

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MarketSource
MarketSource provides agents with access to more carriers and markets, allowing agents to meet the ever-growing volume requirements of their lead carriers while still having access to other markets. MarketSource has negotiated with regional, national and specialty carriers so that participating insurance agents are able to write business at full commission, requiring no fees.

MarketSource is owned by agents. Because MarketSource investors are independent agents, they have a direct stake in its success. This interest in providing quality submissions and business provides carriers with the assurance that MarketSource will represent a win-win for their companies: quality business, improved efficiency and more access to more companies.

For more information on how you can participate, call PIA at (800) 555-1742 or visit www.marketsourceagents.com.

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RHS Safety Consultants for Your Clients Enrolled in PIA's Group Rating Program 
PIA members with clients who are currently enrolled in PIA's Workers' Compensation Group Rating Program can offer this valuable service to their WC clients, offered by RHS Solutions, a subsidiary of CMI/Sedgwick CMS. Survival in today's marketplace requires businesses to perform at top efficiency. RHS Solutions' systems approach includes a comprehensive range of convenient consulting services, which help ensure that your clients' businesses continually achieve peak performance levels and maximize profitability. Their approach is to design risk management programs that interdependently work with your clients existing or developing systems to help them ultimately achieve their business goals. They do not design programs that get in the way of your clients' business purpose.

RHS Solutions offers an extensive array of services in the areas of:
• Loss Control
• Safety Management
• Workers' Compensation Cost Control
• Program Analysis and Development
• Drug-Free Workplace
• Human Resources
• Regulatory Compliance

Their mission is to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses and reduce accident-related costs, absenteeism and turnover while increasing productivity and improving employee morale. RHS consultants will review your clients' overall organization and then design, implement and manage an effective strategy to help them gain a competitive edge.

At no cost to you, one of their safety consultants will visit your clients' facilities, review their loss history and discuss their needs and methods to get on the path to a safer and more profitable workplace.

For more information, please contact Pat Nichols toll-free at (888) 264-2635, ext. 3083 or visit www.rhssolutions.com.

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The above benefits are offered through The Ohio PIA Service Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Professional Insurance Agents Association of Ohio, Inc.

Education Update

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Upcoming E&O Classes


E&O for CSRs: Meeting the Challenge
Learn how to uncover and handle E&O loss exposures in today's technical and fast-paced business environment. In addition to discussing the E&O exposure, this seminar will discuss the reason E&O claims occur, proper documentation, outlining positive practices to minimize errors and omission claims and reducing coverage gaps in the insured's insurance program. This course isn't only for CSRs - agency principals and producers can benefit from this program as well.

About the instructor:
Mark Reilly, CPCU, CIC, CRM, has been in the insurance business for more than 25 years. A highly-regarded instructor for PIA, he earned PIA's 2006 Jack V. Hedges Educator of the Year award. He has taught subjects ranging from commercial lines to management issues such as planning; mergers and acquisitions and organization and workflows.

Cleveland
April 9

Registration Fee: $69 for members/$79 for non-members
CE Credit: Four hours (exam not required for CE credit)
Level: Intermediate-level course

To register online, click on the class date above.
To download a registration form, click here.

This seminar is sponsored by Utica Mutual Insurance Company.


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Upcoming CISR Classes

Registration Fee: $155 per person (add $8 if you need OH CE)
CE Credit: Eight hours for each class (exam not required for CE credit)
Level: Intermediate-level course

To register online, click on the class date above.
To download a registration form, click here.

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Upcoming CIC Institutes       

To register online, click on the class date above.
To download a registration form, click here.

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Upcoming Pre-Licensing Classes


Columbus
Feb. 21-23 and Feb. 28-March 1

Registration Fee: $249 per PIA member/$274 per non-member
CE Credit: There is no CE credit for agent licensing classes
Level: Introductory-level course

To register online, click on the class date above.
To download a registration form, click here.