INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENTS OF SOUTH DAKOTA

JANUARY 2013

From: Jerry, Carolyn and Kayla

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1

2013 OFFICERSPRESIDENT

Kathy JohnsonFirst Western Insurance

Rapid City SD

PRESIDENT-ELECTGerrit Juffer

Juffer Inc.Wagner SD

VICE PRESIDENTSteve Walker

First Madison InsuranceMadison SD

SECRETARY-TREASURERAnnette Conway

Western Dakota InsurorsRapid City, SD

PAST PRESIDENTDale Heesch

Dakota Ins AgencyBaltic SD

IIABA STATE NAT’L DIRECTORGary Joyce

Howalt-McDowell Ins. Inc.Sioux Falls SD

2013 DIRECTORSDISTRICT # 1

Jesse KonoldKey Insurance Inc.

Mobridge, SD

DISTRICT # 5Janet Noteboom

The Insurance CenterWinner, SD

DISTRICT # 2Mindy Huntington

Fischer Rounds & Assoc.Watertown SD

DISTRICT # 6Pat Tollefson

Insurance PlusAberdeen SD

DISTRICT # 3Steve Walker

First Madison InsuranceMadison SD

DISTRICT # 7Annette Conway

Western Dakota InsurorsSturgis, SD

DISTRICT # 4Chad Dubisar

Boen & AssociatesSioux Falls SD

DISTRICT # 8Dan Maguire

Black Hills Agency IncRapid City SD

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTJerry Diamond

IIASDPierre SD

INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENTS OF SOUTH DAKOTA

AT UNITED FIRE GROUP . . .

Independent agents are the backbone of our insurance business. So, when you talk, we listen. Your requests have prompted us to provide real-time technologies for your convenience. We know you have better things to do with your time than perform tedious data entry. That’s why we’re using the latest technology to provide you with real-time access to your customers’ account information on ufgAgent.com.

Transformation Station and Transact Now™ make real-time inquiry available for:

• Policy • Billing • Claims • Loss runs

Renewals, endorsements, new business, cancellations, reinstate ments—automatically downloaded into your agency management system with updates downloaded nightly. Contact our United Fire marketing team at 800-828-2705 to learn more about these real-time technologies. Go ahead . . .we’re listening!

United Fire GroupCedar Rapids, Iowa www.ufgAgent.comFollow us on Facebook!

®

UNITED FIRE AGENT RON HAMMERBERG The Executive Corner

Jerry Diamond, Exec VP

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Agents Commission and the New Health Care System

Your Association has been spending many hours attempting to comprehend the new heath care system which takes effect January 1, 2014. Just when we think we are starting to understand it, another mandate comes down from Washington that changes a part of the program. Keeping track of the mandates is a fulltime job in itself. I have renewed my respect for our Division of Insurance for trying to put all of this together and being able to explain it to us. Hal Wick, a House Representative from Sioux Falls put it clearly, “It is like trying to present legislation on a moving target because of the weekly changes that come out of Washington”.

Your association has been working closely with the Health Insurance Agents of South Dakota to present a bill that will guarantee that agents are part of the new health care system and continue to be compensated equitably.Currently, the State of South Dakota statute does not adequately address the issue of compensation of agents both inside and outside of the Insurance Exchange. We have aligned ourselves with the Independent Health Insurance Agents to hire GSG Strategies to formulate a bill to address the agent’s compensation problem. GSG Strategies have also offered their services to act as lobbyist for the bill. Jason Glodt and Rob Skjonsberg have even been successful in soliciting Reid Holien (Chairman of the Senate Commerce and Energy Committee) to sponsor this bill. I have spoken to well over 25 legislators that are very much behind what we are trying to accomplish.

The third week in January, we will be sending out an email to all of the Association members with more information on this bill. By that time, a bill number will have been assigned and we will be asking all of you to support this bill by contacting your local legislators and asking them to vote for this bill.

This is going to be a very busy year at the Capital, not only for us but also the South Dakota Legislators. Watch your emails for our weekly Legislative Updates.

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E&O EDGE – Carolyn Hofer, E&O Administrator

Punt - Pass - Or Kick??? Football mania has arrived in many households and we see the teams huddle and strategize to reach the end zone. What strategy do you use in your Agency?Do you have a game plan? “Write every piece of business that walks in the door”! That was the motto back in the “good old days” when I worked on the agency side. Agents most often left the underwriting up to the carrier. If the Company would insure the risk – we wrote it! There wasn’t a lot of responsibility on the agent’s part. Homeowners policies were ordered via a weekly phone call with our primary carrier and followed up with a photo and the signedapplication which only asked for the basic information –square footage, type of construction, age, etc. I recall there was a very small area on the application where you drew the footprint of the home….not to scale, of course! Times have changed and along with that – the role of the agent has changed dramatically. We are now held to a much higher set of standards and required to have more knowledge of risk, exposure, coverage and know the potential needs of our clients. At the same time, technology has entered into the mix and our agencies now have a more direct effect on the end result and often the only review of our electronically submitted applications are done by the “underwriting expert system”– not a human eye. So, the question is – Are Insurance Agents “Professionals”? Polls tell us that the public does not particularly view agents as professionals…until claim time and then they try to convince a judge or jury that we are professionals because that creates a higher standard of care! So, where is this all leading to? When the client walks in the door and wants you to cover his new business venture that he is starting up in his garage where he will be manufacturing a cure-all drug for race horses – guaranteed to make them run faster and win more often – what are you going to say?Are you going to avoid looking directly at him and tell him you a need a few days to check with your carriers to see if you can write this – or are you going to look him straight in the eye and say, “You need to check with an agency that deals more with specialized coverage since I do not have a market that will properly protect you? And, you also need to move your homeowners coverage before you begin manufacturing your product as the policy you have with XYZ Company through this agency will not cover your detached structure while using it for business or anything that is stored inside. If you do decide to “Hail Mary” a pass out towards the End Zone and venture into the unknown, be sure to equip your team with the equipment that can get the job done right –

such as the Virtual Risk Consultant that will assist you in analyzing unfamiliar risks and develop questionnaires that will ask the right questions. You can even look for a specialty market in The Insurance Marketplace on Virtual Risk Consultant. For an overview of this product – go to www.iiaba.net/vrc.It is a steal for $250 – up to 15 users in your agency.Know Your Limitations and Your Specialties – Just like Aaron Rodgers or Peyton Manning - you need to know the limitations and specialties of your team and make sure you keep your eyes on the goal…which should be to run a profitable business with practices and procedures in place that keep you from getting caught up in an E&O claim.

Just remember that in the end – being successful at what you do can be determined by

Knowing When To Pass!

5

Division of InsuranceNews and Views

/ / / /

Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. and its affiliates, Mayfield Village, OH. Auto insurance prices and products are different when purchased directly from Progressive or through independent agents/brokers. Not available in all states. Market positions from Highline Data’s 2007 written premium data, NAIC 2008 market share data, and 2008 Millward Brown & Harris Interactive survey data. 10A00065.A11 (08/10)

Whether your customers drive it, ride it, or boat it. We can insure it.HELPING YOUR CUSTOMERS FIND THE RIGHT POLICY HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER. Partner with a leader. It’s no secret why drivers use independent agents. You offer quality service, and a convenience second to none. But Progressive can help too. Because Progressive is not only a leader in auto insurance, but also truck, boat, motorcycle and RV. Plus, drivers who switch to Progressive save an average of $550 on their auto insurance. So no matter what you’re helping your customers insure, together — we can help them insure it for less.

INJURIES WITH MULTIPLE COVERAGE, A CLAIMS PUZZLEBy: Randy Moses

When there are two different insurance policies covering the same injury, claim-processing can become complicated depending upon the coverages involved and the nature of the injury. In some circumstances, one policy may pay to the exclusion of the other; in other circumstances, coordination of benefits may apply. Understanding how these coverages interrelate is key to helping insurance clients maximize their claim payments.

The rules, when both health and workers’ compensation policies apply, are relatively straightforward. If there is any dispute whether the injury is work-related and thus whether it is covered by workers’ compensation, the law is clear; the health insurer must pay first. If it is later determined to be covered under workers’ compensation insurance, the health insurer can seek recovery of the claims paid from the applicable workers’ compensation insurer.

Likewise, the process involved with two health insurers is prescribed by statute. . While the determination as to which health insurer is primary requires weaving through an arcane formula, it is generally well understood by health insurance claims personnel. It involves following a pecking order of determining which plan is primary, which is laid out in statute. In addition, the secondary carrier must credit any amount paid by the primary plan toward satisfaction of the insured’s deductible. Therefore, it is critical to ensure claims are submitted to each carrier that provides coverage.

However, the inter-relationship between automobile insurance and health insurance has not worked as well despite it being clear which plan is primary. Automobile medical payments coverage is always primary. However, due to a variety of factors, coverage under both policies is not always maximized.

There can be a variety of reasons why payments are not maximized. Some medical providers only submit claims to one of the applicable coverages. While there can be a variety of reasons for this, examples include the only insurance card being provided by the patient is for health insurance or the claim is paid in full by the automobile medical payments coverage. Another reason is few automobile insurers either through their claims department or their adjusters automatically file their claim payments with the applicable health insurer. Insureds, in such circumstances, are sometimes unaware they should file their claims to the other insurance company. Claims also may not be maximized when there can be a difference between the amount billed by the provider for automobile medical payments coverage and the network rate billed to the health insurer; this difference can result in extra out of pocket payments for the insured.

Agents can provide assistance in minimizing the claims problems for their clients by advising or assisting clients to ensure claims are filed with each of the applicable insurers.

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Kayla’s Technology Advice

8 Technology Resolutions for 2013

By: Kayla LongbrakeAdministrative Coordinator

GreatAmerican Crop.com

Other insurance companies can’t touch our iPAD app!

Our Crop agents can write, sign and submit coverage from the field. Can you?

Great American Insurance Group is an equal opportunity provider. 301 E. Fourth Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

The 2013 New Year is upon us. As is the tradition at this time to resolve to better ourselves, why not choose one or two pertaining directly to our technology and work habits? Here are some suggestions to refresh your technology routine.Stop using the same password for everything.“Hackers” are getting better at guessing your patterns, and we’re hearing about security breaches all too often. As Lifehacker points out, three things to keep in mind are: avoiding predictable patterns (pets, hobbies, etc), choose longer and more random strings of words (get help from this Xckd word generator), and choose something different for every site.Find a more efficient solution for that one task.You know the one I’m talking about. The one that’s eats up your time in your workday (meetings and checking email) or the processing on your computer (iTunes and Acrobat Reader, I’m looking at you).Check and understand your Facebook Privacy settings.Even Randi Zuckerberg, up and coming media mogul and the sister of Mark, doesn’t quite know what she is exposing her info to from her account. I know it can get confusing; just last week a coworker and I were literally unable to friend request each other because we each had our accounts locked up so tight. But also keep in mind the best privacy tip of all: if you don’t want people to see it, DON’T PUT IT ON THE INTERNET. At all. Ever. The Internet is forever.Think before you post.Social media drama is just pathetic. Don’t be that guy. Don’t use it as a crutch for boredom or social interaction. Even a text message is more personal than a social media post.Resolve to re-evaluate how much time you spend in front of a screen.Work computers, TV, smartphones, tablets, all demand our attention from the moment we wake up. There are two benefits from limiting your screen time. First, decrease the strain on your eyes. Eye strain from staring at screens all day can cause headaches and deteriorated vision. Second, save time by not constantly seeking a distraction. Technology should help you, not distract you.

Use a browser plugin such as StayFocusd to limit the time you spend on distracting websites. One of our staff members here at EE commented that he and his wife have deleted the Facebook app from their smartphones all together to reclaim precious family time from distraction. And speaking of family time, if you have kids, it’s even more important to make sure they aren’t spending a total of a year in front of screens by the time they are seven years old. Your iPad is not a babysitter.Learn something new or level up on a skill set.EE Tutorials and Webinars are an always-expanding resource to our members who are looking to advance their expertise in topics such as Cloud Computing, Excel VBA, MS Access, WordPress, and many more.Recycle old phones, cords, laptops, batteries etc.First, check out what can be donated. Schools in your area may be collecting old devices for recycling to raise money. Additionally, the EPA has an excellent site for helping you figure out how to recycle electronic devices and Call2Recycle also offers help finding a place to recycle your batteries.Stop texting and surfing the internet and using apps while driving.You know this one. Those heartbreaking PSAs from AT&T pretty much say it all. It really CAN wait. Challenge yourself by asking each time you reach for your phone in the car- Can this wait? But you don’t have to go completely dark from communication. There’s an app for that. DriveSafe.ly will read your text messages and emails to you while you’re driving and provides a customizable auto-reply.

Article By: Brittany Peloquin at Experts Exchange

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IIASD -- YOUNG AGENTS COUNCIL (YAC)

Young Agents are the lifeblood of our industry and IIASD wants to offer our state’s young agents the opportunity to develop closer relationships with fellow young agents throughout South Dakota. We want to keep you informed of changes in the industry and allow you an opportunity to be involved in making decisions that will affect your career and your future.

Who is a Young Agent? – Qualifications for the Young Agents Council are: •Forty (40) years of age or younger OR•Ten (10) years or less in the insurance industry

Young Agents Mission Statement –The Young Agents Council will promote involvement of young insurance agents in the Independent Insurance Agents of South Dakota, industry activities, the political process, and their local communities. The Young Agents Council will develop leadership qualities and act as a source of information to the insurance community.•To support right principals and sound practices of the business of insurance•To aid in the basic and continuing education of young agents in all aspects of the insurance business•To encourage, support, and assist young people to enter into the insurance field as independent agents•Develop programs to increase awareness of young agent involvement in the industry

What Do IIASD Young Agents Do?

Young Agents start the year out with their Young Agents Legislative Day in Pierre where they are involved in hosting an open house for all our SD Legislators at our Association Office and then spend the following day at the Division of Insurance, attending a caucus and committee meeting at the Capitol and sitting in on the House and Senate sessions. This event is coming up on January 23rd & 24th. All are welcome.

Legislative Conference in Washington, DC takes place in April. We usually have five or six Young Agents attend. Scholarships are available. There is a specific agenda for Young Agents and it is a great opportunity to learn more about our legislative process.

River Days/Walleye Classic – Two great events have been combined into one and turned over to Young Agents to organize! Scheduled for June 18th & 19th – be a part of organizing CE, trap-shoot, fishing and golfing. There is something for everyone.

Other Events – Farm and Small Town Conference includes the Spring Crop update and other CE valuable to everyone – February 27th & 28th, 2013

IIASD Annual Convention & Trade Show – Come and have a great time – ask those who attended last year’s convention. We provide great entertainment, fellowship, education, motivation and throw in a few surprises. This year’s Convention will be at the Sioux Falls Ramkota on October 5th – 8th.

If you are not a part of this exciting group of young agents, contact us today to get your name on the list at klongbrake@iiasd.org or call 605-224-6234

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Registration Opens for Big ‘I’ Legislative ConferenceThe Annual Event will be held April 17-19, in Washington, D.C.

Planning your budget for 2013? Be sure to include funding to attend the Big “I” Legislative Conference, which will be held April 17-19, 2013, in Washington, D.C. This premier event for independent agents offers an opportunity for them to speak to their federal legislators with a unified voice.

Don’t miss it! Register for the event on the Big "I" website. Rooms for this meeting always sell out, so don’t delay in making guest room reservations. More programming details will be released in the coming months in IN&V State News.

“ Don’t let clients compromise on data compromise coverage.”

An incident of data compromise can have a negative impact on your clients’ credibility and profits. You can help protect them by adding EMC’s data compromise coverage to their insurance program. It’s just one of the many reasons policyholders Count on EMC®.

Tanya Wentzel, Des Moines Branch Marketing Manager

Omaha Branch: 800.338.9735 | Home Office: Des Moines, IA www.emcins.com© Copyright Employers Mutual Casualty Company 2013 All rights reserved

Cross-Sell Strategy #7DATA COMPROMISE COVERAGE

www. rascompanies . com1.800.732.1486Our Focus. Your Opportunity.SM

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Time is money and in today’s competitive marketplace RAS can help yougrow and retain your small work comp business. With these features, ourproduct is a simple and fast way to meet your small employer’s needs.

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According to MarketScout, rates were up for November 2012 compared to November 2011.

•Homeowners accounts valued at more than $1 million rose 5%, which is the largest monthly rate increase in over a decade. •Homeowners accounts valued at less than $1 million were up 4%. •Personal lines automobile and personal articles were up 3%.•Manufacturing and transportation were up 6%.•Property, excess liability, general liability and workers' compensation increased 5%.

According to Towers Watson, commercial insurance prices in aggregate increased by 6% during the third quarter of 2012, the seventh consecutive quarter that aggregate prices for all commercial lines rose. The largest price increases were in workers' compensation, EPL and commercial property.

RATES CONTINUE TO RISE

Insuring the Midlands Since 1891

Les Hileman, CPCU, AICVice President of Agencies

800-742-7433lhileman@fmne.com

PROVIDING INSURANCE FOR 97 YEARS:

Personal & Commercial Automobile

Farmowners/Ranchowners

Umbrella Liability

Homeowners & Mobilehome

Fire & Allied

Lines

Personal & General Liability

Contact Mel Juran 605-775-2636

Agent & Customer Service

Oriented

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR 2013

January 16th-20thExecutive Training & Meeting in

Palm Springs

January 23rd-24thBoard Meeting & Legislative Day

February 27th-28thFarm & Small Town/Spring Crop Seminar

Cedar Shores-Oacoma

April 16th-20thLegislative Conference

Washington, DC

June 3rd-6thE & O Seminars

Rapid City, Pierre, Aberdeen, Sioux Falls

June 18th-19thRiver Days/Walleye Classic

Pierre,SD

August 22ndFall Crop Seminar

Pierre, SD

October 6th-8thBoard Meeting & Annual Convention

Sioux Falls, SD

November 13th-14thBoard Retreat

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RELAX.WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK.

www.acuity.com

facebook.com/acuitywow

FOR ALLTHATMATTERS

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Northern States Agency, a Managing General Agency & Wholesale Broker for over 55 years, providing a wide range of commercial insurance:

General Liability Property Garage Commercial Auto Excess Auto Workers Compensation

Our underwriters average over 10 years experience with NSASame day or next day response on submissionsGreat Service, Great Products, Great People

2145 Ford Parkway, Suite 202 St. Paul, MN 55116

P: 800-328-0828 • F: 651-646-1971 www.nsa-mga.com

We are known for transportation, BUT… Did you know we have a FULL HOUSE?

Inland Marine & Cargo Umbrella & Excess Professional Liability Miscellaneous E & O Directors & Officers

Your TOTAL Solutions Provider

RELAX.WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK.

www.acuity.com

facebook.com/acuitywow

FOR ALLTHATMATTERS

P/C INSURERS’ PROFITS AND PROFITABILITY THROUGH NINE-MONTHS 2012 BOLSTER INDUSTRY’S ABILITY TO WITHSTAND HURRICANE SANDY

Prior to Hurricane Sandy, private U.S. property/casualty insurers’ net income after taxes grew to $27 billion in nine-months 2012 from $8.4 billion in nine-months 2011, with insurers’ overall profitability as measured by their annualized rate of return on average policyholders’ surplus climbing to 6.3 percent from 2 percent.

Insurers’ pretax operating income — the sum of net gains or losses on underwriting, net investment income, and miscellaneous other income — rose to $30.6 billion in nine-months 2012 from $3.7 billion in nine-months 2011.

Improvement in underwriting results drove the increases in insurers’ pretax operating income, net income after taxes, and overall rate of return, with net losses on underwriting dropping to $6.7 billion in nine-months 2012 from $34.7 billion in nine-months 2011. The combined ratio — a key measure of losses and other underwriting expenses per dollar of premium — improved to 100.9 percent for nine-months 2012 from 109.8 percent for nine-months 2011, according to ISO, a Verisk Analytics company (Nasdaq:VRSK), and the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI).

The improvement in underwriting results is largely attributable to a drop in net losses and loss adjustment expenses (LLAE) from catastrophes. ISO estimates that insurers’ net LLAE from catastrophes in nine-months 2012 totaled $16.7 billion, down from $35.1 billion in nine-months 2011. Those amounts exclude LLAE that emerged after insurers closed their books for each period, but do include late-emerging LLAE from events in prior periods.

Insurers’ net income after taxes also benefitted from a $0.3 billion increase in miscellaneous other income to $2.1 billion in nine-months 2012 from $1.8 billion in nine-months 2011.

The improvement in underwriting results and increase in miscellaneous other income were partially offset by a drop in net investment gains and higher taxes. Net investment gains — the sum of net investment income and realized capital gains (or losses) on investments — fell $4.1 billion to $38.1 billion in nine-months 2012 from $42.2 billion in nine-months 2011, as insurers’ federal and foreign income taxes rose $5.7 billion to $6.6 billion from $0.9 billion.Policyholders’ surplus — insurers’ net worth measured according to Statutory Accounting Principles — grew $29.7 billion to a record $583.5 billion at September 30, 2012, from $553.8 billion at year-end 2011, largely as a result of insurers’ $27 billion in net income after taxes.

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www.iiaba.net/Flood

Just a guppy

when it comes to selling flood?

Don’t be shy - Big “I” Flood is here to help.There’s a lot to understand when it comes to flood insurance. We admit it! From changing flood zones to determining the best level of protection for our client, there is a lot to navigate. So even though you’re a big fish when it comes to selling other coverages, flood can make you feel like a guppy! But don’t let this prevent you from offering flood coverage to your clients. We’re here to help you understand and sell flood.

Big “I” Flood provides:ACCESS - In, Above & Outside of the NFIP!EDUCATION - Classroom CE or the new Flood Learning Center on VUADVOCACY - Representation on Capitol Hill & NFIP advisory committees

Learn more at www.iiaba.net/Flood, or contact Big “I” Flood Program Manager Linda Mackey at linda.mackey@iiaba.net or (800) 221-7917. Let us explain how we operate in, above, and outside the NFIP!

U.S. PROFITS $23 BILLION FROM AIG BAILOUT

The Treasury Department is selling its remaining 16% of AIG common shares,

putting an end to the government’s 50-month ownership of the global insurer.

This sale will yield an estimated $7.6 billion, bringing the government a total profit of $23 billion from its crisis-era

bailout of the insurer.

WE CAN HELP your CustomErs INsurE ANytHING oN Four WHEELs,tWo WHEELs or No WHEELs At ALL.

THE ONE-STOP SHOP THAT SAVES YOUR CUSTOMERS AROUND $475 ON THEIR AUTO INSURANCE. Partner with a leader. It’s no secret why drivers use independent agents. You offer quality service, and a convenience second to none. But Progressive can help too. Because Progressive is

not only a leader in auto insurance, but also truck, boat, motorcycle and RV. Plus, drivers who switch to Progressive save an average of $475 on their auto insurance. So no matter what you’re helping your customers insure, together — we can help them insure it for less.

/ / / /

Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. and affiliates. Auto insurance prices and products are different when purchased directly from Progressive or through independent agents/brokers. Not available in all states. Market positions from 2011 Millward Brown & Harris Interactive survey data and Highline Data’s 2009 written premium data. 10A00065.B (01/10)

Commercial | Personal | Professional | Brokerage | Binding | Risk Management Services

P E R S O N A L I N S U R A N C E

When it comes to placing personal insurance for high-net-worth clients, your success is our success.

Grow your business by partnering with Burns & Wilcox. By working with our Elite Client Solutions team, you do not have to turn away clients: We have the products to cover all their needs. Our high-net-worth specialists have the expertise to create personalized solutions. Plus, our unrivaled access to markets allows us to create solutions with speed and diligence. Making personal insurance even more personal is what Burns & Wilcox does best as the largest independent wholesale broker.

Minneapolis, Minnesota | 612.564.1880 | toll free 800.328.1693fax 612.564.1881 | minneapolis.burnsandwilcox.com

32199_BURNS_MN1_IIASD_Personal_APPROVED.indd 1 1/10/13 10:11 AM

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“Insuring Homes, Farms, Businesses and Autos”

“A Personable Company Keeping You on Course’’

www.nstarco.com1-800-622-5230

Box 48 Cottonwood, Minnesota 56229

Rated “A+ Superior”

Offered Exclusively Through Independent Agents

Dues Deductibility:Dues to the Independent Insurance Agents of

South Dakota are not deductible as a charitable contribution but may be deductible as an ordinary

and necessary business expense.

For the Fiscal Year of 2012

77.71% is deductible as a business expense for your taxes.

22.29% is not deductible for taxes because that is the percentage that National uses for Lobbying.

If you have any questions please call 703-706-5456.

Commercial | Personal | Professional | Brokerage | Binding | Risk Management Services

P E R S O N A L I N S U R A N C E

When it comes to placing personal insurance for high-net-worth clients, your success is our success.

Grow your business by partnering with Burns & Wilcox. By working with our Elite Client Solutions team, you do not have to turn away clients: We have the products to cover all their needs. Our high-net-worth specialists have the expertise to create personalized solutions. Plus, our unrivaled access to markets allows us to create solutions with speed and diligence. Making personal insurance even more personal is what Burns & Wilcox does best as the largest independent wholesale broker.

Minneapolis, Minnesota | 612.564.1880 | toll free 800.328.1693fax 612.564.1881 | minneapolis.burnsandwilcox.com

32199_BURNS_MN1_IIASD_Personal_APPROVED.indd 1 1/10/13 10:11 AM

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Scobie Group 1501 42nd St, Suite 100

West Des Moines, IA 1-800-475-1000 www.fwins.com

Scobie Group 14748 West Center Rd, Suite 202

Omaha, NE 1-800-825-4855 www.fwins.com

Sentry Knows TruckingSentry understands trucking is your number one priority. That’s why we constantly review and enhance our coverages to provide you with the insurance protection you need.

Some of the important coverages we offer include:

• Unlimited towing coverage

• Pollution liability

• Unladen liability

• Enhanced deductible options

• Non-trucking liability

• Blanket additional insured endorsement

• Cargo pollution cleanup

• Accident travel coverage

• Workers’ compensation coverage

Learn more about the products and services Sentry provides. Call today.

Property and casualty coverages are underwritten by a member of the Sentry Insurance Group, Stevens Point, WI. For a complete listing of companies, visit sentry.com. Policies, coverages, benefits and discounts are not available in all states. See policy for complete coverage details.

688225 05/26/11

Ringwalt & Liesche

Tired of waiting for the market to change?

Send your submissions to: RL@nationalindemnity.comP: 800-708-7448 • F: 402-916-3333 • www.Ringwalt.com

At Ringwalt & Liesche, we’re not waiting around. We’re proud to be an agency that can offer stability regardless of market conditions. Check out our website at Ringwalt.com to learn more, or just give us a call - we’d love to hear from you! • Commercial Auto

• Garage Liability

• General Liability

• Commercial Property

• Workers’ Comp

• Motor Truck Cargo

• Prize Indemnification

18

Creeping P/C Insurance Premiums Yield Higher Customer Dissatisfaction: ACSI

Higher-than-average annual rate increases for personal lines coverages by property-casualty insurers are causing customer satisfaction levels to drop, according to the most recent American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) financial services satisfaction report, released today.

The report shows that overall customer satisfaction with property-casualty insurance and the industry in general fell 6 percent to a score of 78 out of a possible 100--the lowest rating in 5 years.

A big drop for smaller insurance companies, including AAA, Nationwide and Travelers, is responsible for much of the weakening customer satisfaction. The aggregate of smaller insurers plummeted 7 percent to 77, the lowest score in the property-casualty category.

On an individual basis, State Farm ranked highest, down only 1 percent to an ACSI score of 81. With a 3 percent gain, Progressive vaults into a tie with State Farm for the lead.

Three other insurers are tied at 79: GEICO, Farmers Group and Allstate. GEICO slipped 2 percent and Farmers Group remained unchanged. Allstate joins Progressive in bucking the industry downturn, with a slight 1 percent gain.

By: Laura Mazzuca Toops, PropertyCasualty360.com

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NEW MEMBERS CORNER:

Meet new members of our AssociationWe look forward to providing services to:

Associate Members:

Midwest Insurance Services, LLCAlexandria, SD

Principal- Doug Guericke

Join us in welcoming them to IIASD!

Not sure where to turn for Commercial Auto insurance?

Let the insurance experts at E&L show you the way.

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Maple Grove, MN 800-442-3168

Fargo, ND 800-284-0965

Madison, WI 888-249-6050

www.nwgf.com INSURANCE FOR: Homeowners Farmowners Modular Homeowners Personal Auto Farm Property Dwelling Property Mobile Homes Excess Liability Farm and Personal Liability Classic Vehicle Semi-Truck

OBITUARY

RANNY DUNCAN

November 23, 1943 - November 20, 2012

In high school, Ranny was named to the Black Hills Conference and All-State football teams. He also excelled in basketball and baseball. "If it was round and bounced, I played it," Ranny shared. It has been said that while Ranny enjoyed winning, he also had the insight to use losses as lessons in how to improve himself for the next challenge. He graduated from Custer High School in 1961, and continued to pursue his education at Black Hills Teacher's College. While there, he participated in football and baseball and was also named Most Representative Senior Male. Eventually he went on to earn a Master's Degree in Education.

Ranny spent his teaching and coaching career in Midland, Phillip and Spearfish. Many of Ranny's proudest moments as a coach were watching his players accomplish something new. While he celebrated many victories with his teams over the years, he also supported them through agonizing defeats. Win or lose, though...Coach Duncan never gave up on any of his players, and they never gave up on him. Ranny eventually left teaching and started a new career in real estate/insurance. His work with National Mutual Benefit; Richards, Sutfin, Green & Duncan; Baer's Insurance; Century 21 and First Western Insurance made him a successful businessman for over 30 years.

Ranny was very involved in his church and the community. Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, and the Spearfish Regional Hospital Advisory Board are just a few of the civic organizations he was proud to be a part of. Ranny was also instrumental in starting the Parents Who Care organization at the Spearfish High School.

Ranny Duncan, 68 of Spearfish, passed away on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at Spearfish Regional Hospital.

Ranny was born in Custer, SD, on November 23, 1943, to Harold Duncan and Dorothy (Parsons) Duncan. The youngest of five children, Ranny spent his childhood years on the playground playing any sport he could.

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The Division of Insurance is seeking an Assistant Director to ensure only financially sound insurance companies are permitted to operate in the State by monitoring financial condition and statutory compliance of insurers doing business in the State of South Dakota. The Assistant Director will also make recommendations to the Director of Insurance on remedial enforcement actions for marginal companies to protect policyholders against financial loss. The Assistant Director will interpret, enforce and provide technical advice relating to applicable statutes, rules and regulations. The successful incumbent will also supervise a small staff to include an Assistant Chief Examiner, Financial Statement Analysts and administrative staff. Required qualifications to apply are knowledge of GAAP and statutory accounting principles and practices, and knowledge of the insurance industry; must have the ability to evaluate data and reach conclusions and communicate results; must be able to understand and analyze insurance company financial statements and direct certified financial examiners in the conduct of comprehensive insurance company financial audits. CPA or CFE is preferred.

Location: Pierre, SDSalary Range: $65,000 negotiable depending on experience

Please send application materials to : Susan Isaacson 500 E Capitol Pierre, SD 57501

HELP WANTED: Assistant Director, Financial Solvency

Department of Labor and Regulation

Pre-Licensing Class Announcement

IIASD and A.D. Banker of the Dakotas Have Partnered

We are excited to announce that IIASD and A.D. Banker of the Dakota have partnered to provide insurance and securi-ties licensing preparation classes and materials at a 15% IIASD Member Discount. A.D. Banker offers Exam Prep classes each month in Sioux Falls and quarterly classes in Rapid City.

Class schedules are listed at: www.adbanker.com/dakotas

Self-study and online study options for Exam Prep are also available. Materials and classroom instruction have been very successful with an average of 95% of students taking their license exam passing on the first try!Sandy Kost is the Owner/Managing Director of A.D. Bank-ers of the Dakotas and has worked in the insurance and financial services industry since 1988. She has worked with insurance agents, investment reps, agencies and banks in SD, ND, NE, IA, MN and WI. She has provided training on various products and topics.To register for a class or to order materials, go to:www.adbanker.com/dakotasCall: 605-271-4440 or 877-317-3087. Be sure to use the IIASD Promo/Discount Code to receive your 15% Member Discount. Promo Code: 1594626

PO Box 89846 Sioux Falls, SD 57109-9846

P. 605.361.5705 or 866.440.1840E. beth.dobbs@insurancealt.com

WHOLESALE ACCESS toFirst Dakota Indemnity and Dakota Truck Underwriters,known as the Dakota Group. The DakotaGroup is the largest writers of workers’compenation business in South Dakotaand a leading writer in the Midwest.

Contractors

Healthcare

Hospitality

Manufacturing

Retail

providing workers’ compensation solutions

IIASD 2011 in color FINAL_Layout 1 10/27/2011 3:22 PM Page 1

22

Austin Mutual Insurance Company’s rich tradition and strong South Dakota presence set us apart from other property/casualty carriers.

As the newest affiliate of super regional The Main Street America Group, our two companies are committed to providing you with commercial and personal lines, as well as fidelity and surety bond, products that are competitive in the marketplace.

The Right Mix

Need More information? Call (800) 328-4628 or Visit www.msagroup.com

www.msagroup.com

23

STeAdY ANd True

No company understands the insurance needs of

truckers more than Truckers Insurance Associates

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Truckers Insurance has remained solely focused on

transportation industry insurance. So whether your

clients include a single owner-operator or a full-fledged

fleet, Truckers Insurance will deliver the right coverage at

the right price. Even more, as trucking specialists, we’re

ready to respond rapidly when needs arise. That’s service

you can count on. That’s putting know-how to work.

That’s Truckers Insurance. Call your Truckers Insurance

account manager at 800.652.9515 for a quote today. WE DELIVER MORE

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driven

New Branch Office in Rapid City, SD Bruce Eleeson John Keffeler

Milo Schindler, Auto Appr Ph: 605-791-5565

Assignments: claims@claimsassoc.com

We commit ourselves to providing you with the highest quality claims and case management services available in our industry. We appreciate your continued support and look forward to serving your needs. Please visit our website for a directory of our staff, services, and coverage area.

Jeff Jares, AIC AIM President

Adjusters

Nancy Almendinger SCLA SDWCS Jennifer Andrisen Selzler, Mgr. SCLA AIC CSRP SDWCS

Bill Blackman AIC Lynn Bren SCLA AIC Ron Burmood MBA AIC Kay Greve AIC, INS Dave Johnston SCLA Jerry Matthiesen AIC Chad Moore Wendi Peterson AIC Kimberly Rausch SDWCS Dave Sendelbach CPCU AIC Karl Weber SCLA AIC Tim Wieker SCLA AIC HCRI-R Amy Kvernmo Christopher W. Madsen J.D. Erin Williams SCLA Justine Frank WCLS

Case Managers Donna Passick RN CCM Kelly Rud RN BA LNCC Deb Whipple RN BA CCM Brenda Whiting RN CCM

Lori Schaefbauer RN BSN CCM

23

FRAUD CONVICTIONS

A San Antonio podiatrist must foot the bill for fleecing Medicare and Medicaid out of more than $300,000. Dr. Bhavesh Shah runs several clinics that billed for phantom diabetic shoes and inserts. They also billed for inserts and shoes that were not molded to patients’ feet and thus were not reimbursable. Shah instructed his biller Andrea Christina Iturrieta to routinely charge for three inserts per patient when he only provided one insert. The pair also falsely upcoded bills to increase their payouts, for instance, $82 wart removals were billed as $362 removals of a “foreign body.” Shah and Iturrieta each received five months of probation and must repay the stolen money.

Two New Jersey chiropractors were handed seven-year sentences in state prison for taking cash kickbacks for referring auto-crash patients to providers for other services in order to make bogus claims, the state AG announced. Christopher Montana and Fernando Barrese owned three chiropractic clinics, including one in Jersey City. They referred about 100 patients for $500 each. By making patient referrals for cash, they violated New Jersey’s anti-runner law. Montana and Barese must also repay 15 insurers $200,000 total. One of their office managers and a patient recruiter still face trial. Acting insurance-fraud prosecutor Ronald Chillemi’s office played a lead role in the case.

FRAUD CHARGES

A suspected insurance arson seemed more like an aerial bombing after wrecking much of an Indianapolis neighborhood and killing two people. Thirty-three houses were destroyed and 90 damaged overall, costing $4 million. Two neighbors were killed. Monserrate Shirley and her boyfriend Mark Leonard allegedly removed both a valve in the gas fireplace and a gas regulator to fill up the house with the deadly gas. They rigged a microwave oven, which was set to start with a timer, to trigger the blaze, prosecutors charge. The source of the blast was easy to discover. The microwave’s door had blown off and was found on the other side of rubble.

Shirley owed $63,000 in credit-card debt and had declared bankruptcy, prosecutors say. She had also taken out a $65,000 second mortgage. Leonard had allegedly lost thousands of dollars in a casino trip just weeks before the blaze. He and his brother Bob also asked an employee of the local gas company about propane and natural gas, officials allege. And Shirley had conveniently boarded her cat Snowball at the time. They said they were at a casino during the fire, but casino video allegedly contradicted how long they said they stayed, prosecutors allege. The threesome faces murder, arson and other charges. Prosecutors are also considering the death penalty.

Postal worker Mark Leung’s suspected comp con is sliding downhill after skidding on a mogul, federal prosecutors say. He received more than $160,000 in federal comp money after claiming a work-related injury. The South Lake Tahoe, California, man never returned to fulltime work, and regularly had his medical providers confirm that he could not work. But Leung actually had a yearly ski pass to Heavenly Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe. He skied there at least 40 days per ski season, prosecutors charge. Video also allegedly caught Leung performing arduous physical tasks several times. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.

Why American West Insurance?• Local company with over 60

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25

Trusted Choice® Disaster Relief Fund Provides Aid in Wake of Sandy.

As families and businesses in the Northeast begin the clean-up and recovery process from Superstorm Sandy this week, the Trusted Choice® Disaster Relief Fund is

there to help.

The fund, established by the IIAA Educational Foundation, distributes cash

grants to victims and surviving family members of natural disasters to help provide

for their immediate or ongoing financial needs when other resources aren’t available.

It is also used to fill a gap until other funding sources can be accessed and to

provide insurance agents with supplies and resources to aid victims and surviving family members in their communities.

Congress Passes $9.7 Billion in Additional NFIP Funding

House Finance Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling announces intent to move toward privatization

Last Friday, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate both passed legislation increasing the borrowing authority of the National Flood Insurance Program by $9.7 billion. The increase in borrowing authority was needed in order to pay the enormous number of flood claims expected from Superstorm Sandy. President Barack Obama quickly signed the measure into law.

Some experts had estimated that damage from Sandy may generate as many as 139,000 flood insurance claims, but those same estimates showed that existing funding available to the program would only be able to pay about 12,000 of those claims.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency informed Congress that, absent an increase in borrowing authority, the NFIP would likely exhaust available resources to pay claims this week. Congress’ action in response to FEMA’s update should ensure that all Sandy-related flood claims are paid.

The $9.7 billion in additional borrowing authority means that, by the time all the Sandy-related claims are paid out over the next several months, the NFIP will likely be in debt nearly $30 billion. Though this debt is almost exclusively a result of two massive storms--Hurricane Katrina, which in 2005 led to the NFIP being in debt approximately $20 billion, and now Sandy--there will certainly be numerous inquiries by Congress in 2013 to attempt to reduce potential taxpayer burden from the NFIP.

Discussions on Capitol Hill are already underway. During last week’s consideration of the NFIP borrowing authority legislation, newly installed House Financial Services Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) said on the House floor: “As Chairman of the Financial Services Committee, I wish to inform all members in this Congress, our committee will take up legislation to transition to a private, innovative, competitive, sustainable flood insurance market. One that serves the needs of all of our countrymen, but ends the unsustainable taxpayer bailouts once and for all.”

25

34

Agency Strategies to Send & Receive Personal Data Securely

By Jeff Yates, ACT Executive Director

The Internet and mobility revolutions have enabled agents and their clients to live in an electronic world where the parties can work and communicate with each other from anywhere, opening up wonderful new opportunities for agencies to reach out to new consumers and provide their clients with enhanced services and responsiveness. These developments, however, have multiplied the security risks that agencies must manage in order to protect their clients’ personal data.

It is no wonder then that E&O underwriters extending coverage for data breach to agencies increasingly are asking their applicants whether they encrypt or use other protective measures to safeguard this client personal data when it is being transmitted. This article explores approaches agencies can take to protect personal data in transit and then references a number of resources to assist agencies. EncryptionA common question agents ask is: “what is encryption?” When you think of encryption consider those codes the military employs to keep conversations unintelligible to the enemy. You can find many definitions of encryption on the Internet, but I like this simple one from Microsoft: •Encryption is a way to enhance the security of a message or file by scrambling the contents so that it can be read only by someone who has the right encryption key to unscramble it. For example, if you purchase something from a website, the information for the transaction (such as your address, phone number, and credit card number) is usually encrypted to help keep it safe. Use encryption when you want a strong level of protection for your information.

Requiring a strong password to gain access to your system is an important security procedure, but it is not the same as encrypting the data within the system.

Personal DataWhat are the types of “personal data” that are most sensitive and need to be encrypted when transmitted? The definition of “personal data” can vary by state and is contained in the state data breach notification and privacy laws, as well as in various federal laws, such as HIPAA (PHI – Protected Health Information).

Insurers, too, might employ various definitions of “personal data” in their policies, so it is incumbent upon the agency to be familiar with not only the specific laws but also the coverage definitions that apply to the agency. Note also that the applicable state law is based upon the residency of the individual whose personal data is being protected, not the location of the agency. This is an important consideration for both agencies writing business in multiple states and agencies writing policies that cover individuals who reside in multiple states.

With all of the above caveats, the most commonly mentioned types of non-public, individually identifiable “personal data” covered in the laws are those such as: social security numbers, driver’s license numbers and other government issued ids, debit and credit card numbers and pins, bank and financial account numbers, and protected health information (PHI under HIPAA). While often not mentioned in state laws, other particularly sensitive personal data that should be protected includes information commonly used for security verification (mother’s maiden name, date & place of birth, etc.) or sensitive insurance information (such as jewelry schedules).

It is important for agencies to know what types of personal information they collect, where it is retained and who has access to it. They then need to decide whether they really need to keep this sensitive information. For example, many agencies no longer retain copies of bank checks and are careful only to pass along credit card numbers to carriers, but not to retain them, so that they do not become subject to the comprehensive PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliance requirements. These agencies are also extremely careful to shred this personal data as soon as it is no longer needed.

Further, if the agency decides it must keep particular sensitive personal data, it should limit access to it to only those employees who need to see it, to maximum extent possible. This is particularly true for Protected Health Information. Finally, the agency should be careful to make sure that this personal data is kept off of PCs, mobile devices, thumb drives, where there is a significant risk of loss or theft.

27

Send your resumes to:

Dakota Community InsurancePO Box 907

Huron, SD 57350

HELP WANTED

WANTED TO BUY:

Small to medium size Agency in or around Sioux Falls

Please send all confidential inquiries to :

Independent Insurance Agents of South Dakota

PO Box 327Pierre, SD 57501

Dakotaland Community Insurance in Huron, SD has an insurance agent

opening. Experience and Property/Casualty, Life and Health license preferred

but will train the right person. Full benefits included with full time

employment.

FIELD REP WANTED:North Star Mutual Insurance Company of Cottonwood, MN has an opening for a Field Representative in the NE South Dakota area. Excellent benefit package available.

See our website at www.nstarco.com for more information. An application needs to be received in order to be considered for this position.

One can be obtained from our website or by calling our Human Resources Department at 507-423-6262.

North Star Mutual Insurance Company, 269 Barstad Rd So, Cottonwood, MN 56229

Continued from Page 26PCs & Mobile DevicesUsers of PCs and mobile devices should be trained to remove any emails with personal data that may be received on these devices, as soon as they are read. In addition, the agency should audit to make sure any PCs and mobile devices that can access agency applications are password protected. Further, the agency should implement software that can wipe all of the data off of these devices should they be lost or stolen, restoring them to their original manufacturer’s state.

Secure EmailEmail is the first major area where agencies need to begin to encrypt their communications to carriers and clients when personal data is included. Some prominent examples of emails likely to include personal data include: sending insurance applications to carriers for a quote or to clients to complete or to sign, and sending insurance policies to clients.

With respect to emails between agencies and carriers (and general agents), ACT recommends that TLS secure email be implemented wherever possible. TLS (Transport Layer Security) is an open standard that once implemented between an agency and a carrier (both parties must have TLS implemented), all of the emails between the partners go securely in a manner that is transparent to the end users. In other words, the agent or carrier underwriter does not have to go to a proprietary website to pick up each email (which many underwriters will not do and is inefficient for agency employees to do). TLS is a great solution for business partners where there are frequent email communications going back and forth.

Many agencies can implement TLS if they have email servers or hosted solutions that offer TLS. We recommend that the initial TLS set up be handled by the agency’s technology person, who should also verify that the TLS is working properly with each carrier and general agent. You will find a number of resources that explain TLS secure email more thoroughly on the ACT website (see “ACT Resources” below), including a list of carriers which have advised us that they have TLS available.

Unfortunately, most agency clients will not have TLS capability and therefore, TLS is not a solution for communications with them. This will require the agency to implement a proprietary email solution as well for these clients. When the agent sends a secure email to the client using one of these proprietary solutions, the client accesses it on the email vendor’s secure website.

The secure email tool also enables the client to send a secure email back to the agent, which is very helpful when the client is being asked to complete a D&O application, for example. Fortunately, there are a number of vendors which can help agencies with both TLS hosted emails and proprietary emails, as well as to provide many other useful tools. (Two examples of such vendors are AppRiver and RPost.)

Real TimeToday email is used heavily to convey applications and other information between agencies and carriers and general agents, particularly in commercial lines. It is important to note, however, that Real Time offers a more efficient and secure method to handle these communications, where the communications are automatically encrypted and kept within the agency’s and carrier’s management systems.

Agencies are heavily using Real Time for personal lines and we need to increase the usage in commercial lines. Many agencies and carriers are already using Real Time to submit commercial lines applications and make quote requests for small commercial business, and some have started to use their real-time functionality to make mid-commercial submissions.

In addition, there is great potential for the industry to use Activity Notifications to communicate other types of messages directly between the parties’ systems (such as the need for more underwriting information), without having to manage a morass of emails in employees’ mailboxes.

We urge agencies and carriers to continue to push the use of Real Time within their organizations and with their business partners, particularly for commercial lines transactions and communications. Real Time is the workflow of the future for commercial lines, as well as personal lines. Email is not.

Continued from Page 28

Agency WebsitesIt is also critical that agencies provide secure website connections for consumers when they ask the consumer to provide personal data on the website – to receive a quote, for example. The website should create a secure “https” tunnel before the consumer can fill out any form that asks for personal data, just as you would experience when purchasing something online or banking online.

In addition, if the agency provides a “non-https” protected free-form text field which the consumer can use to contact the agency and make requests, there is some risk the consumer will enter private, personal data. Therefore, it is a best practice to take one of the following steps with regard to this free-form text field: (1) to secure it, (2) change it to specified fields that ask only for basic contact information, such as name, phone number, email, address, or (3) include a note with the free-form text field that it is not secure and should not be used to provide any private personal data.

If the agency provides clients with the capability to access their insurance information or documents online, the website should create an “https” connection before any information can be accessed. Once again, agents should work with their website provider to help them with the technical aspects of creating this secure website capability.

Some agency E&O providers also require the agency to post a privacy statement on its website(s), if there is an option for the consumer to submit personal data through the website. It is important that the agency customize its privacy statement to track the agency’s particular data collection, usage, sharing, and protection practices with regard to data collected through its website(s). Honda’s financial services website privacy statement provides a good example of the types of information that are typically included in such statements.

ACT ResourcesThis article has covered a few of the areas agencies must manage when protecting the security of their clients’ and employees’ personal data. ACT has developed several resources for agencies to review as they establish and implement their agency’s comprehensive information security program. All of these resources are included on the Security & Privacy page of the ACT website.

These resources include a prototype agency information security policy which agencies can use as a template to build their own customized policy or as a checklist of security issues they should address.For more on TLS secure email, the ACT Security & Planning page includes articles, FAQs, a recorded webinar and a list of carriers which have implemented TLS. For more on securing your website and managing potential E&O exposures arising from the website, see the article “Don’t Get Caught in the Web.”

ACT’s Security & Privacy page also includes sample website disclaimers, a recorded briefing on HIPAA-HITECH requirements for “Business Associates,” and additional articles focusing on: the E&O and security risks arising from the use of social media, precautions to take when using free, public Wi-Fi sites, and how to manage the “Bring Your Own Device” trend where employees are using their personal devices to access business applications.

Jeff Yates is Executive Director of the Agents Council for Technology (ACT) which is part of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. Jeff can be reached here. ACT’s website is www.iiaba.net/act. This article reflects the views of the author and should not be construed as an official statement by ACT.

Healthcare Reform in Action Speaker: Randy Moses, Assistant Director of Regulation and Staff South Dakota Legislative Update-

Speaker: Randy Moses, Assistant Director of Regulation Spring Crop Insurance Update- (State & Federal)

Instructor: Doug Hagel and Cynthia Cruea Risk Management Agency Farm Coverage & Crop E &O Instructor: Bob Fulwider, Owner of Fulwider Agency, West Branch, Iowa

Payment must be received with registration. Send form in with payment or you can also go to www.iiasd.org and register online.

Payment must be sent with this form. (Checks payable to IIASD)

Payment: Check Enclosed; or VISA MasterCard American Express

Card No. ______________________________________________Card Verification No.______ Exp. Date _______

Billing Address ________________________________________________________________________________

Cardholder Name_____________________________ Signature __________________________________________ Independent Insurance Agents of South Dakota, PO Box 327, Pierre, SD 57501

Phone 605-224-6234; Fax 605-224-6235

2013 FARM & SMALL TOWN AGENTS CONFERENCE NAME/NAMES: __________________________________________________________________________________ AGENCY/CO (if any): ______________________________________PHONE # _____________________________ ADDRESS:____________________________________________CITY & ZIP: _______________________________

Choose one of the following:

_____$75 IIASD Member/Company Registration _____$50 Crop Seminar Only

_____$150 Non-member Registration _____$50 Crop Seminar with Banquet

FARM & SMALL TOWN AGENTS CONFERENCE

2013 SPRING CROP INSURANCE UPDATE CEDAR SHORES RESORT- OACOMA/CHAMBERLAIN

February 27-28, 2013 4 Seminars Offering Continuing Education Credits

Call 605-234-6376 for reservations and let them know you are with the IIASD.

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 27 (PLEASE CIRCLE WHICH CLASS YOU ARE ATTENDING)

Registration 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Health Care &

Legislation 4 hrs L & H CEC (pend)

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Healthcare Reform in Action Legislative Update How Will Healthcare Reform Impact Agents?

Spring Crop Update

4 hrs Crop CEC (pend)

1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Overview of RMA Initiatives and Procedural Updates Crop E & O

Fun & Fellowship 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Hospitality Room

Banquet 7:00 p.m. THURSDAY FEBRUARY 28

Breakfast 7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. Breakfast Buffet

Farm Coverage 4 hrs P&C CEC (pend)

8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Luncheon 12:00 p.m. Noon Luncheon

How to Have Your Best Year EverBy: John Chapin

By the time you read this we’re more than a month into 2013, one twelfth of the year is already gone. How’s it going so far? How are you doing with your New Year’s Resolutions if you made any? Are you on track to achieve your personal and professional goals this year? If you’re not on track, these ideas will get you on track and caught up. If you are on track, these ideas can help you achieve your goals even faster and go even further. Five Keys to a Highly Successful 2013 1) Why do you want to have your best year ever?Before you take on any endeavor, you have to know why you’re doing it. This one factor will determine whether or not you are successful. What are you capable of if you set your mind to it? Pretty much anything, right? So in order to wake up every day driven and motivated to do what must be done in order to achieve your goals and dreams, you must have powerful reasons for doing so. Find your WHY in positive reasons for achieving your goals and negative consequences if you don’t. The start of all great achievement is a burning desire in your heart and soul that simply must be fulfilled. 2) Have goals and a plan.You’ve heard it a million times but this is still the biggest factor that the most successful people on the planet attribute their success to, so, if you haven’t done this yet, DO IT! The top 3% of people on the planet have goals, a plan for their achievement, and they work on those goals every day. They are worth more in financial terms than the other 97% combined. You don’t need a huge list of goals in each area of life with elaborate plans for their achievement, in fact, the simpler you can make it, the better. At a minimum, pick one major professional goal and one major personal goal, put a simple, straight-forward plan together, and take action on both goals daily. 3) Do what you must do. Now that you know why you want to have your best year ever and you have goals and a plan, it’s time to get to work. Not tomorrow, not later today… NOW! The most successful people are people of action. They don’t put things off and they rarely hesitate once they have decided upon a goal. You must work on your goals every day whether you feel like it or not. You must work on your goals when you’re tired, sick, and beaten down. Should you rest occasionally? Yes. Should you take a vacation and have balance in your life? Yes. But assuming you have the burning desire necessary to achieve your goals and dreams, you will pick yourself up in the most tiring and difficult times and press on. Anything worth acquiring in life usually requires that we work hard, get uncomfortable, and face some fears. Also, contrary to popular belief, WILL POWER DOES WORK. It’s simple, you’re either going to eat that donut or you’re not based upon a simple decision that your parents, the economy, or your relationships have nothing to do with. Speaking of that, I give you point #4…

Continued from Page 30

4) Stop making excuses and giving up control of your life.Over the years I’ve heard every excuse as to why people don’t achieve their goals. I’ve heard reasons related to health, emotions, past traumas and negative events. People blame the economy, other people, and bad breaks growing up. I have two words of advice: Stop it! Assuming you are reading this right now and comprehend it, you have no excuses.

Once you hit the age of 25 you are responsible for where you are in life. While a 13 year old can blame his or her parents, and a couple other outside factors for their present position in life, anyone 25 or older can go no further than the mirror. The faster you “get” that you determine your outcome, not the economy, your parents, or your boss, the quicker you will grab control of your life and live it on your terms. If you continue to blame others and outside circumstances, you will be a victim and the things you don’t want will continue to show up. You are responsible, you are in control, and you decide where you end up.

5) Follow Winston Churchill’s advice.You remember his advice, right? “Never, never, never give up.” Another saying is, “Quitters never win and winners never quit.” If you hang in there long enough, you’ll make it. Life is simply a game of deciding what you want, developing a plan to get it, taking daily action on that plan, seeing what works and what doesn’t, and adjusting your approach until you get to your destination. Even a ship is of course 99.9% of the trip. The captain simply continues to get feedback and course corrects until the ship lands safely in harbor. You can do, be, and have anything you want, but it’s going to take hard work and sacrifice. The question isn’t can you have your best year ever, the questions are: Are you willing to put in the time, effort, energy and money that’s necessary? Are you willing to give up the excuses and other crutches and pay the price for success?

QUOTE OF THE MONTH:

– Dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think

you can accomplish anything if you’re willing to pay the price. –

By: Vince Lombardi

BIG “I” APPLAUDS CONGRESS FOR PASSAGE OF INCREASE OF NFIP BORROWING AUTHORITY

In wake of Sandy, increase is essential to consumers.

WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 4, 2013 — The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) praised Congress for acting to increase the borrowing authority of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) by $9.7 billion to ensure that the current funds are not exhausted next week. The increase in borrowing authority is needed by the NFIP in order to pay the enormous number of flood claims expected from Superstorm Sandy. Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted in favor of the effort through a process called “suspension of the rules” which requires two-thirds approval of the House. The Senate voted by “unanimous consent” on the same measure. Both chambers passed the measure and President Barack Obama is expected to sign it shortly. “The Big ‘I’ commends Congress for today’s action on flood insurance which ensures that flood insurance claims are paid promptly, so homeowners and small businesses can begin recovering from the horrible damage inflicted by Sandy,” says Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “Both the House and Senate should be commended for today’s action that will protect homeowners and small businesses.” After a multi-year lobbying effort by the Big “I” and others, the “Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act of 2012,” was signed into law late last year. The new law extended the NFIP for five years and made needed reforms to the program. The association continues to be on the forefront of this issue and was a strong advocate for provisions in the bill that put the program on more solid financial footing. “Some experts estimate that damage from Sandy could generate as many as 139,000 claims, but without an increase in the borrowing authority only about 12,000 of these can be covered from existing funds,” said Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president of government affairs. “In fact, FEMA itself recently acknowledged it could run out of money as early as next week. The Big ‘I’ strongly supports raising the NFIP borrowing authority in order to ensure that NFIP policyholders who had the prudence to purchase protection and have been paying their premiums receive the claims payment they are due.”

POWER IN PARTNERS January 2013

DIAMONDProgressive Insurance Co.

PLATINUMFarmers Mutual of NebraskaRisk Administration Services

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