Independent Eastern Shore agency retains its Big I ‘elite’ status

Atlantic/Smith, Cropper & Deeley, an independent insurance agency in Willards, Md., retained its status as part of an elite group of independent insurance agencies around the United States participating in the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America “Best Practices” Study Group.  Read Story

(HealthDay News) — Americans with frequent bouts of mental distress are more likely to lack health insurance than those with frequent physical distress, a new study says.

Fla. agency owner, CSR arrested over boat insurance policies

A Charlotte County, Fla., insurance agency owner and a customer service representative were arrested for allegedly selling unauthorized boat insurance policies to more than 20 people in the state.  Read Story

18 state groups collect Big I Excellence in Insurance Education Awards

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big I) recently recognized 18 independent insurance agent associations with Excellence in Insurance Education Awards at its education convocation in Minneapolis, Minn.  Read Story

LANSING, Mich. — A Republican-led state House committee has approved a proposal that would change Michigan’s auto insurance coverage requirements for people injured in accidents.

MLB sues insurer to find who leaked baseball teams’ financial data

Amid its playoffs, Major League Baseball filed suit in New York to find out from a London-based global insurer how several MLB teams' confidential financial information was leaked to two media sources.  Read Story

In this era of harder-to-reach prospects – especially among the affluent and wealthy – Social Prospecting has become the business-building model of choice for many successful advisors/agents. To my mind, Social Prospecting, quite simply, is the use of social environments to identify, meet, and grow relationships with qualified prospects. For over 16 years, I’ve been teaching financial professionals how to build a thriving referral-based business. Not only is this an effective marketing strategy, it’s also a lot of fun.  Read Story

Republicans introduce bill to end congressional death gratuities

Seven Republican congress members introduced a bill (H.R. 3127) that would prohibit the payment of death gratuities to the surviving heirs of deceased members of Congress.  Read Story

A&O’s life portfolio sold after principals’ fraud leads to bankruptcy

New York, N.Y.-based life settlement broker sold A&O’s remaining life insurance portfolio for $4.84 million after the company filed for bankruptcy.  Read Story

White Mountains Re is rebranded, reorganized as Siruis Group

White Mountains Insurance Group completed a reorganization and rebranding of its global reinsurance business as the Sirius Group.  Read Story