Reducing E&O exposures is an important goal of every agent and broker. One important way to focus on lowering your risk of an E&O claim is through continuous education. Agents and brokers have to take courses to maintain their license, but some of those education hours can be spent learning more about reducing E&O exposures.   Continuous Education Plays Key Role in Reducing E&O Exposures While it may not be possible to completely remove your exposure to E&O losses, you can reduce your risk by promoting a culture of continuous improvement and ongoing education at your a ..read more

Personalized marketing trends are here to stay. That means adapting your communications and style to suit your different consumer segments — and this is particularly important when selling insurance products. Learn creative ways to market to Gen-X, which has the second highest purchasing power in the US after Baby Boomers.   How to Market Insurance Products to Gen-X Gen-X is made up of individuals born between 1965 and 1980, which means they are 44-59 years old in 2024. This group has the second highest purchasing power following the Baby Boomers. This group is influential, so it is impor ..read more

The 2024 wildfire season is here, with April 1 – October 1 designated as the wildfire season in California. Residents and business owners can still take precautions to prepare for the season — and agents can help their policyholders manage their risks throughout the year. Learn what the 2024 wildfire season may look like in this blog.   The 2024 Wildfire Season Outlook While wildfires are possible any time of year, peak season in California is usually July – October when dry winds blow across the state and the brush is dry from summertime droughts. The wildfire season can last a little lo ..read more

If you live or service policyholders who live in an area affected by hurricanes you already know the importance of preparation. And the off-season is a good time to focus on preparing for the upcoming change in weather. Read on to learn hurricane preparation tips to share with your policyholders so they can prepare for storms during the off-season.   Hurricane Preparation Tips for the Off-Season It is better to prepare for the start of hurricane season before it begins. Sometimes early season storms strike with little warning and can cause damage to homes and businesses. Homeowners and bu ..read more

California Agents: Take Action Now! California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara recently introduced regulations to require complete rate applications. The regulation would make the current insurance availability crisis worse, and it never actually defines what a “complete” rate application is.  It would open insurers up to an unlimited number of questions from CDI analysts, enabling them to ask for information that does not pertain to that specific rate application. This regulation will discourage insurers from increasing their appetite for new business, precisely at the time that agen ..read more

When implementing a change at your agency, you need to first consider whether your employees are prepared for it. A culture change can be a challenge, but it is worth investing your time and resources once you have decided to shift the dynamics at your agency. Learn how to drive culture change at your agency with these five steps.   Five Steps to Organizational Culture Change Organizational change can be challenging for many reasons. Sometimes people are reluctant to change the way they have always done things, especially when the old ways have been successful. Other people fear change si ..read more

Talent is the single most important ingredient to the success of an insurance agency. Finding ways to recruit, train, and retain top talent is critical to increasing growth by implementing skilled employees at every level. Here are some of the things you can do to help you and your business attract, onboard, train, and retain top talent. Whether you are a broker, an insurance agent, or work in the office providing administrative support to insurance agents and brokers, these strategies will work for you.   1. Recruit Top Talent by Crafting Compelling Job Descriptions First, compelling job ..read more

By: Charles Goldblum, CFA, CFP Hurley Capital, LLC   In our work with business owners and CEOs, we have found them to be savvy managers of their business taxable income. They focus on growth, efficiency, and tax minimization. Yet, when it comes to their personal finances, they often overlook analogous strategies that could boost their net worth. This shortfall is especially relevant when entrepreneurs look to sell their business. The transaction size is large, and small-percentage benefits can often mean meaningful dollars. Here are some comparisons and recommendations: TAX ..read more

The California Department of Insurance (Department) recently unveiled proposed amendments to require “complete property and casualty rate applications.”  As producers remain wholly without adequate market access with which to serve California consumers, we are left to wonder if the Department truly understands the significant consumer harm resulting from inadequate home and auto insurance market access.  These new proposed regulations are separate and apart from regulations the Department should be urgently promulgating to increase insurer appetite, by permitting the expensing of rei ..read more

The Power of South Coast Surety as Your Bond Broker Selling surety bonds doesn’t have to be complicated, especially when you have the expertise of South Coast Surety by your side. We specialize exclusively in surety bonding, and this dedication sets us apart because we have no interest in other insurance policies. With decades of experience, we offer unparalleled knowledge and mature, nurtured relationships with dozens of surety markets, ensuring the process is smooth and optimized for your success. No Competition, Specialized Focus One of the distinct advantages of choosing South Coast Surety ..read more