In this issue:

Industry News Update
PIA Launches New Web Site
The Midland Company to Merge with Munich Re
2007 Agency Management and Profitability Conference
Update on Florida's No-Fault Auto Insurance Law: Reform Bill Signed by Governor, New Law Becomes Effective in January
Update on Changes to New York's Workers' Comp Requirements That May Affect Ohio Agents
Update on Liberty Mutual's Acquisition of Ohio Casualty Corporation
PIA's Company Relations Committee Visits Travelers Insurance Group
IMPACT Reaches Its Goal Early; IMPACT Contributor Receives Award from PIA's President  
Indiana Insurance and Ohio Casualty Free Safer Schools Seminar
Remember to Vote on November 6


Featured Benefits
Resource Library
Market Search
Sircon Producer Workbench
Rough Notes Agency OnLine
RHS Safety Consultants


Education Update
Reality CE Schedule
E&O Schedule
CIC Schedule
CISR Schedule

Industry News Update

PIA Launches New Web Site
Staying up-to-date on changing technology has become a necessity for the insurance industry as agents and carriers seek to better serve their clients. PIA recently demonstrated the same commitment to members by launching a new, more user-friendly Web site, www.ohiopia.com.

With the new, streamlined Web site design, every aspect of PIA is at your fingertips. A new search feature allows you to quickly locate the information you need from new and archived PIA publications. In addition, a drop-down list of commonly asked questions can direct you to the area of the site that will help you solve business challenges independent agents frequently face.

The new site is clearly organized by easy-to-navigate tabs, which lead you to various services PIA has to offer, from a complete list of member benefits and available insurance products to full schedules of continuing education opportunities. Additionally, the site highlights PIA's company relations efforts, by giving you, as a member, access to a schedule of future company visits. Summaries of past visits will also be included on the Web site soon.

The improved www.ohiopia.com serves as a portal for agents to connect to the resources necessary for success. Visit the site today to rediscover how PIA can help take your agency to the next level.

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2007 Agency Management and Profitability Conference
The 2007 PIA of Ohio Agency Management and Profitability Conference (AMPC) was held in Columbus on Oct. 4-5. The following awards were presented during the Annual Business Meeting Luncheon and Awards and Conferment Ceremony:

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Update on Florida's No-Fault Auto Insurance Law: Reform Bill Signed by Governor, New Law Becomes Effective in January
In last month's Quick Update, PIA informed you Florida's no-fault auto insurance law was set to expire on Oct. 1, despite the attempts of several groups who had been lobbying the state Legislature to enact an extension or a substitute for the law.

Recently, a personal injury protection (PIP) reform bill passed both the Florida House and Senate. The bill was approved by Gov. Crist last week. The new law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2008, and until then, there will be no mandatory PIP or no-fault coverage.

PIA of Florida has been working on this issue. During the hearings on the reform bill, PIA asked legislators the following questions, which may assist you in serving your clients in Florida. Please keep in mind that insurance statutes are always subject to interpretation by Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) and these answers only reflect a reasonable interpretation of how some of the legislative leaders see this matter.

Will insureds be able to remove PIP coverage between now and Jan. 1 from existing policies that expire after Jan. 1? Yes

Will the reporting requirement on mandatory insurance be reinstated immediately? Yes

If a policy without PIP expires after Jan. 1, will the companies be required to add it on Jan. 1 or at renewal? All policies, new and existing, will be required to meet the new requirements as of Jan. 1, 2008.

If the new PIP coverage is added to an existing policy, how will any additional premium be addressed? OIR says companies must notify their insureds by Nov. 15 to let them know of the new PIP coverage (and premium).

Will companies be required to lower the bodily injury, medical pay, and uninsured motorists rates they have raised as a result of the old PIP expiring? There is nothing in the bill that addresses that. All it says is PIP is back on Jan 1. OIR wouldn't answer that for PIA, but companies will have to file policy forms and rates and those will be subject to review.

PIA will provide more information on the PIP reform bill as it becomes available.

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Update on Changes to New York's Workers' Comp Requirements That May Affect Ohio Agents
The state of New York recently made changes to their workers' comp law, which could affect PIA members who offer workers' comp to their clients. Beginning on Sept. 9, New York's workers' compensation law  requires all out-of-state employers with employees working in New York to carry a full, statutory New York State (NYS) workers' compensation insurance policy. An employer has a full, statutory NYS workers' compensation insurance policy when New York is listed in Item 3A on the Information Page of the employer's workers' compensation insurance policy.

In response to the changes, PIA of New York (PIANY) expressed its concerns to the NYS Workers' Compensation Board, emphasizing the effect of the changes on out-of-state employers who have only incidental or unknown future/potential exposure in the state.

Recently, the Board announced that "it is currently reviewing this provision, along with the comments and concerns of its stakeholders, and seeking appropriate assistance to develop the rules implementing the section of the new law. However, if an out-of-state employer is getting a permit, license or contract from a government agency in NYS, that employer must fulfill requirements effective September 2007 under Workers' Compensation Law Section 57."

This announcement from the NYS Workers' Compensation Board, along with updates and additional information, can be found on the Board's Web site here. To assist you with this change, PIA of Connecticut (PIACT) has also created a sample letter that you may use to notify your clients about this change, available here.

Members with questions regarding this new requirement should contact the NYS Workers' Compensation Board's Bureau of Compliance at (866) 298-7830.

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Update on Liberty Mutual’s Acquisition of Ohio Casualty Corporation
Liberty Mutual Group’s acquisition of Ohio Casualty Corporation was finalized effective Aug. 24. Following the acquisition, an immediate realignment of geographic regions covered by Liberty Mutual’s Agency Markets eight agency companies has occurred. Ohio Casualty is now a regional company within Liberty Mutual Group’s Agency Markets business unit with an operating territory that includes Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. Indiana Insurance will now have an operating territory that includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

David Lancaster has been named president and chief executive officer of Indiana Insurance, and Michael Winner has been named president and chief executive officer of Ohio Casualty. Dan Carmichael, former president and chief executive of Ohio Casualty, will stay on with Liberty Mutual Agency Markets as an executive consultant to Gary Gregg, president of Liberty Mutual Agency Markets. Carmichael will help with implementation of the acquisition, business development efforts, technology and other areas, according to the company.

According to Gregg, Ohio Casualty's 3,400 agents will join with and not replace or be replaced by Liberty Mutual's existing 6,500 independent agents. This is possible because Ohio Casualty's strength in the Midwest and Atlantic regions largely complements the territories where Liberty Mutual Agency Markets regional carriers write. Ohio Casualty writes in 48 states but its $1.4 billion in business is concentrated in Midwest and Atlantic states including Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C. According to Gregg, there is "very little overlap" among agencies for the two companies - less than 15 percent by location.

PIA will provide more information as it becomes available.

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PIA's Company Relations Committee Visits Travelers Insurance Group
Members of PIA's Company Relations Committee met with senior-level executives from Travelers Insurance Group to discuss the top issues concerning member agents. As mentioned in prior issues of Quick Update, PIA's Company Relations Committee is conducting visits with carriers to enable members to express their concerns with company senior management and to get their view of the market.

Committee chairman Terry Kelso and committee members David Kotary and Paul Weglage met with Travelers' Regional Vice President Bruce Brizzi, Regional Sales Directors Nancy Tehan and Gary Rogers and Regional Financial Officer Lisa Pericelli.

In 2006, Travelers wrote $75 million in Ohio, which amounted to a 15 percent growth rate. For all products in Ohio, the overall resulting loss ratio was 61.7 percent. Travelers indicated they believe they have great opportunities in Ohio.

During the meeting, Travelers' executives noted they are looking to compete with direct writers and are open to discussing a partnership with PIA toward that effort. In Ohio, Travelers is also competing with Ohio regional carriers, but insist that they are a regional presence themselves. Their office in Cincinnati acts locally and is autonomous. They are a national company, but also have regional authority.

PIA will continue to keep you updated as these meetings continue throughout the year. If you are interested in being an appointed agent with Travelers Insurance Group, PIA’s Business Link, a market-assistance program that introduces agents and carriers to each other can help you. To learn more about Business Link, call PIA's Resource Center at (800) 555-1742.

Keep in mind that PIA of Ohio's new Web site has a page solely dedicated to company relations efforts, which includes access to a schedule of future company visits and will soon include summaries of past visits. To visit the company relations Web page, click here.

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IMPACT Reaches Its Fundraising Goal Early
IMPACT reached its 2007 fundraising goal of raising $23,000 on Sept. 27, with a full quarter still remaining this year. PIA would like to thank those members who have contributed to IMPACT. To date, IMPACT has raised $23,060. To view a current list of 2007 contributors, click here. If you have not yet given to IMPACT, you can mail a personal check to PIA made payable to IMPACT or call Carolyn Mowrey at (800) 555-1742 to make your contribution over the phone. Please remember that corporate contributions are prohibited by law.

IMPACT Contributor Receives Award from PIA's President
During PIA's recent Agency Management and Profitability Conference (AMPC), a special presidential citation was awarded to IMPACT contributor Rob Rapp during the Annual Business Meeting Luncheon and Awards and Conferment Ceremony.

Presidential citations are awarded to recognize PIA members for exemplary efforts that have a positive impact on all of us. Rob, of Homestead Insurance Agency in Brunswick, was nominated for his outstanding commitment to independent agents by encouraging support of IMPACT. Throughout the year, he has encouraged all of his employees to give to IMPACT, because he believes it is through active participation that we all can play a part in shaping and improving our own destinies. Eleven of Homestead Insurance Agency's 12 employees contributed to IMPACT. Rob was not able to attend to accept the award, so his son Brandon, who is also an IMPACT contributor, accepted the award on his behalf.

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Indiana Insurance and Ohio Casualty Free Safer Schools Seminar
Indiana Insurance and Ohio Casualty are jointly presenting a free Safer Schools Seminar on Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at The Ohio State University's Fawcett Center in Columbus, Ohio. Your clients who are superintendents, principals, business managers, school resource officers and teachers who oversee building and child safety issues within a school or district may be interested in attending.

The seminar will feature two key presentations: (1) Prevent and Mitigate Educator Sexual Misconduct, delivered by Steve Munro, Manager, Loss Prevention, Liberty Mutual Agency Markets and (2) Prevent School Weapons, delivered by Michael Dorn, Founder and Executive Director of Safe Havens International, Inc.

For more details or to register, contact Stacey Dulin at (800) 562-2424 or stacey.dulin@indiana-ins.com.

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Remember to Vote on November 6
This General Election, Ohio voters will elect mayors, members of city and village councils, judges and clerks of municipal courts, township trustees, fiscal officers and local school board members. In addition, voters may be faced with ballot issues. We encourage you to learn about the candidates and their plans to make an informed decision about who offers the best leadership for your area. Issues such as accident response fees are determined by your local leaders, and with many entities in Ohio turning to these fee proposals in an effort to generate revenue, it is important that you take the time to vote to support the election of sensible leaders who will reject bad proposals like this. Also, local leaders often run for higher offices in the future, so it is important to pay attention now. Support your business and your industry simply by going to the polls on Nov. 6 to cast your vote.

Identification Required to Vote
State law requires all voters to show identification at the polling place. Acceptable forms of ID are: bank statements, utility bills, paychecks or any government-issued document showing your current address. You may also use your Ohio driver's license or Ohio photo ID - even it if shows a previous address. For additional information about the identification requirement, click here.

For additional information about voting in Ohio's General Election, click here to view the secretary of state's Voter Information Guide.

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Featured Benefits

Resource Library
PIA's Resource Library consists of hundreds of books, audio cassettes and videos from well-known industry professionals, as well as sample contracts, an agency procedures manual, a disaster planning manual and a host of articles and checklists to help your agency grow and prosper. PIA Resource Library materials cover topics such as: agency management; automation; errors and omissions; marketing; policy forms and coverage; hiring; compensation; sales skills; customer service and more. PIA members can borrow these materials for up to 30 days, FREE OF CHARGE! Call PIA's Resource Center today at (800) 555-1742 for more information.

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Market Search
Now you can stop spending precious time searching for coverage for your hard-to-place risks. PIA offers a unique timesaving service which can help you find suitable markets. We can access listings to give you the latest market information available so you can actually sell the coverage instead of just looking for it. To get started, call PIA's Resource Center at (800) 555-1742.

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Sircon Producer Workbench
By using Sircon for all your agency licensing needs, you can save up to 70 percent over your current costs. Sircon will help you with license applications for resident and non-resident producers and agencies, real-time producer letters of certification, producer license renewal requests, producer name and address changes, continuing education transcripts, find your license number and check your status with a state.

PIA members receive a 15 percent discount on all Sircon's licensing and compliance services. Learn more about Sircon's Producer Workbench and get started today!

This benefit is offered through The Ohio PIA Service Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Professional Insurance Agents Association of Ohio, Inc.

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Rough Notes Agency OnLine
New subscriptions for The Rough Notes Agency OnLine suite of products are available to PIA members at a $400 annual discount with guaranteed renewal at the same rate for three years. The regular list price for The Agency OnLine package is $1,699 with an annual renewal rate of $750.

The Agency OnLine is a risk evaluation and sales tool that integrates 10 Rough Notes products into an easy-to-use Web-based format. Learn more about The Agency OnLine.

To take advantage of this offer, contact The Rough Notes Company directly at (800) 428-4384, ask for their OnLine Subscription Department, identify yourself as a PIA member and have your member ID number ready.

Forget your Ohio member ID number? Contact PIA's Resource Center at (800) 555-1742.

This benefit is offered through The Ohio PIA Service Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Professional Insurance Agents Association of Ohio, Inc.

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RHS Safety Consultants
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 business continually achieves peak performance levels and maximizes profitability. Their approach is to design risk management programs that interdependently work with your existing or developing systems to help you ultimately achieve your business goals. They do not design programs that get in the way of your 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 overall organization and then design, implement and manage an effective strategy to help you gain a competitive edge.

At no cost to you, one of their consultants will visit your facility, review your loss history and discuss your 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.

This benefit is offered through The Ohio PIA Service Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Professional Insurance Agents Association of Ohio, Inc.

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Education Update

   Upcoming Reality CE Classes



Commercial Lines: Separating Fact from Fiction
This intermediate-level seminar will analyze coverage issues encountered when writing commercial property, business income, business auto and CGL coverages and endorsements.

About the instructor:
Keith Wilts, CIC, CPCU, a nationally-known instructor, conducts more than 160 training classes across the United States every year. He is a member of the National Faculty for the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors and is on the National Faculty for Advanced Coverage Seminars.

"Mr. Wilts was entertaining and very knowledgeable. I appreciated his sense of humor in a very technical subject." - February Reality CE Commercial Lines attendee

Cleveland
October 23

Registration Fee: $99 PIA member/$109 non-member
CE Credit: Six hours (exam not required for CE credit)

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

Registration Fee: $79 member/$99 non-member per class
*Attend both seminars above and save $10!
Cost for both seminars is $148 for members/$188 non-member
CE Credit: Four hours per class (exam not required for CE credit)

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

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Registration Fee: $69 for PIA 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 the brochure and registration form, click here.

These seminars are sponsored by Utica Mutual Insurance Company.

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Upcoming CIC Institutes      




Cincinnati
Personal Lines
November 14-16

Columbus
Commercial Property
December 5-7

Registration Fee: $390 per person for regular institutes (add $20 if you need OH CE)
CE Credit: 20 hours for each institute (exam not required for CE credit)
Level: Advanced-level course

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

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Upcoming CISR Classes



Cincinnati
Advanced Learning*
October 23

Cleveland
Commercial Casualty
November 8

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

*William T. Hold Advanced Learning Seminars are for CISR designation holders only.
** Approved for E&O credit. Contact PIA at (800) 555-1742 for details.

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

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