The softening market is going to last for a while, says Chris Treanor, president and CEO of Mercator Risk Services, a national wholesale insurance broker established in January 2006. Treanor believes players in the surplus lines insurance industry will need to be looking at strategies for riding out softening market conditions for the next three to five years. In an interview with Insurance Journal’s Stephanie Jones, Treanor explains his company’s approach to maintaining profitability and discusses the impact of private equity on the surplus lines business, which he views as positive.
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 [...]
National Big “I” CEO Bob Rusbuldt and David VanDelinder of the Independent Insurance Agents
With over 600 courses and 24/7 access online, Vale Training Solutions provides quality instructors to anyone desiring improved job skills or a change of careers. In this interview with Claims Journal, Vale Training Solutions president Jon McCreath explains the qualifications for his school, the advantages of online training, and what he thinks about the current [...]
Part 1: Game Plan Vs. Spitzer
In Part 1 of a 3-part interview with Insurance