Woodland Hills, Calif.-based Swett & Crawford Group, the nation’s oldest and largest wholesale brokerage firm, gained independence again after its parent company, Aon Corp., sold the firm to an investment group in late September. Insurance Journal Publisher Mark Wells recently sat down with David Hartoch, chairman of the board of Swett & Crawford, to discuss the new “independent” Swett & Crawford and its plans for future growth. Today, the 90-year-old company employs about 800 people in 37 offices in 30 states.
One of today’s biggest insurance trends is green insurance as businesses look at ways to become more sustainable and cut costs. According to underwriters, the regulatory environment for green is changing dramatically as well. For example, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is requiring publicly traded businesses now disclose their climate risks and what they’re [...]
Listen to agency owner Claudia McClain explain why even in today’s social media world success involves more than just putting up a Facebook Fan Page. Claudia explains how her agency has continued to grow and prosper even in this difficult economic time. Her secret – an agency culture built around strong customer service and a [...]
Commercial roofing, already complicated, is getting more so as new types and materials are being introduced. Kenneth R. Gilvary, a senior engineer with Dallas-based Haag Engineering, specializes in assessing roof losses for insurers. Gilvary says claims professionals need to keep up with how green technology, including vegetative rooftops, and new building standards are changing the [...]
Based in San Diego, Jack in the Box Inc. was founded in 1951 and is the first major fast-food chain that started as a drive-thru. Today, it has approximately 43,000 employees with more than 2,200 quick-serve restaurants in 18 states. In this episode, Jack in the Box deputy general counsel of 12 years, [...]
The Internet makes it easier to get into business but it also makes it easier to steal others’ ideas. The Web is also expanding the notion of what materials, images and designs need to be protected. Intellectual property attorney David Branfman advises agents on questions to ask clients about intellectual property exposures and warns about [...]
Moving companies face a number of exposures in their daily operations, including workers compensation, cargo, fleet and general liability. Priority Moving in San Diego, Calif. is no exception. A Wheaton Van Lines agent, Priority Moving has created a series of internal procedures, reinforced by a strong employee screening process and training program. Analytics software [...]
Inside IMCA Interview with Jennifer Presley at the 2005 Annual Meeting Communcation Roundup
Cash flow problems have nearly crippled mega-insurer American International Group in recent weeks, forcing the company to take an $85 billion loan from the federal government. Now, attention remains focused on how AIG’s problems will affect insurers in individual states. Recently, the top insurance regulators from Kentucky, Mississippi, Oregon, Arizona and Connecticut sat down with [...]
Every independent insurance agency wants to find and keep good talent, but how exactly do you do that? Thoits Insurance might have figured it out. The San Jose, Calif.-based company developed a formalized program about 14 years ago to train and develop recent college graduates’ skills. And the program has become such a positive experience [...]
October 30, 2007 at 7:37 am