october 2009 national association of professional ... · association of professional insur-ance...

McCarran-Ferguson Under Threat in Congress page 3

Key Agent Issues in Congress...Agency Compliance: Protecting Your Laptops...PIA Steadfastly Supports State Regulation...Former Fed Chairman Volcker Advocates Modern Day Glass-Steagall Act...PIA’s National Award Winners Announced...New PIA National Officers Installed

October 2009 National Association of Professional Insurance Agents

PIA Expresses Concerns with Mammoth 1,990-page Healthcare Bill

page 16

From the President

2 September 2009www.pianet.com

Here’s a quick quiz. Which industry groups take this position?:

…the current regulatory structure is complex, but variety in regulatory perspective provides a ‘healthy check against any one regulator neglecting its duties.’

Was it PIA, arguing against a federal insurance regulator and in favor of state regulation? It could have been, but in this case it was not.

The groups making this robust argument against consolidating regulatory au-thority in one federal regulator are … The American Bankers Association (ABA) and the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA). Both groups sent a letter to Senate Banking Chairman Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), who is a leading pro-ponent of the single regulator concept for banks, urging him to maintain the system of multiple regulators at the federal and state level.

“A single regulator is only good when it is right,” the letter says. “When wrong, the outcome could be catastrophic.”

Translation: banks may think that a single federal regulator is an excellent idea for insurance companies and agents — but apply the same concept to them, and it’s a catastrophe.

The letter argues that a single agency would become bureaucratic and would be compelled to focus on the largest institutions, leaving smaller banks as second-class citizens; and says it would encourage state-chartered banks to switch charters and become national banks.

Of course, these are some of the same arguments PIA and others make against federal insurance regulation.

“Unlike any other country, we have a broad range of small, mid-size and large banks that meet different market needs,” the bankers’ letter to Sen. Dodd states. “We believe strongly that this diverse system would be greatly undermined by the creation of one, large regulatory agency.”

PIA feels the same way — about insurance.

The ABA’s opposition to a single banking regulator is in contrast to the support it has expressed in the past for an optional federal charter for insurers and agents, which of course would undermine state regulation of insurance in favor of a single federal regulator. In fact, the ABA issued a press release on April 2 of this year ar-guing that “Establishing a federal insurance regulator…will no doubt mean more choices for consumers, lower prices and stronger safeguards.”

So, some of the banking groups that support federal insurance regulation sud-denly start singing a different tune — the one that independent agents sing — when they find it to their advantage.

Webster’s dictionary defines hypocrisy as “a feigning to believe what one does not.” Something to keep in mind the next time bankers get up on their high horses and start preaching sermons about the benefits of federal regulation — for us, but not for them.

Jon D. SpaldingPresident

PresidentJon D. Spalding (MI)[email protected]

President-ElectBrian T. Marino, CIC (FL)[email protected]

Vice President/TreasurerFred Thomas, CIC (MT)[email protected]

Secretary/Assistant TreasurerThomas C. Adderhold, CIC (GA)[email protected]

Immediate Past PresidentKenneth R. Auerbach, Esq. (NJ)[email protected]

Executive Vice PresidentLen Brevik (PIA National)[email protected]

PIA National Image Committee ChairmanWayne Wehr (HI)[email protected]

Publisher/Editor-in-ChiefTed [email protected]

Managing Editor/AdvertisingAlexi [email protected]

Government/Regulatory Affairs Executive EditorPatricia A. Borowski, CPIW, [email protected]

Contributing EditorsMike BeckerDavid Eppstein

Production EditorLaurel Prucha [email protected]

PIA Connection is published ten times yearly by the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents.400 North Washington Street,Alexandria, Virginia 22314©2009 All rights reserved.

The information in this publication is gen-eral in nature and is not intended to serve as legal, accounting, financial, insurance, investment advisory or other professional advice as to any reader’s particular situ-ation. Users are encouraged to consult with competent legal, financial, insur-ance, investment advisory and or other professional advisors concerning specific matters before making any decisions and we disclaim any responsibility for any decisions or actions by readers.

All PIA members receive PIA Connec-tion at the member subscription rate of $12.00 per year.Non-member subscriptions available at $24.00 per year ppd. For additional information on any of the subjects addressed in this publica-tion, please access the PIA National website at www.pianet.com

The insurance industry’s limited antitrust exemption under the McCarran-Ferguson Act of 1945

is now under direct attack in Congress. The Health Insurance Industry Antitrust Enforcement Act of 2009 (H.R. 3596/S. 1681) would apply federal law expressly outlawing price fixing, bid rigging and market allocations to health and medical malpractice insurers. This, despite the fact that the limited antitrust exemptions af-forded under McCarran-Ferguson do not permit these activities, which are already illegal.

Unfortunately, the repeal of McCarran-Ferguson — either limited or complete — could endanger the proper function-ing of the insurance industry. And, there is no guarantee that a provision currently in the bill preserving the ability to share information about losses so that small in-surance companies can develop actuarial-ly sound rates will survive the bill drafting process. This would make it difficult or impossible for small to mid-size carriers to do business. Although this push is con-fined to health now, leading Democrats are pressing for full repeal of McCarran-Ferguson, including p/c.

On October 21, the House Judiciary Committee voted 20-9 to report out a health insurance bill which eliminates the anti-trust exemption for health and malpractice insurance carriers; however they would be permitted to work togeth-er compiling historical loss data. At the same time, Senate Democratic leaders an-nounced they would push an amendment into the health reform bill to do the same.

Push for RepealSenate Majority Leader Harry Reid has

been among the idea’s most prominent supporters, having testified in favor of this partial repeal of the McCarran-Ferguson Act at a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee that Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), chairs.

Christine Varney, who as assistant U.S. attorney general for the Department of Justice’s antitrust division is the adminis-tration’s highest antitrust official, testified

at a recent congressional hearing that the original reasons for the exemption don’t hold up. “There are strong indications that possible justifications for the broad insur-ance antitrust exemption in the McCa-rran-Ferguson Act when it was enacted in 1945 are no longer valid today,” she said.

With Sens. Reid and Leahy leading the charge, it is now more likely that this amendment will get added to the final Sen-ate health reform bill. Also, a few House members said it is possible that they will add it on the floor to the House bill.

President Obama added fuel to the fire during his weekly radio address on Oc-tober 17. Obama said health insurers are “rolling out the big guns” in a “last-ditch effort to stop reform.” He also said insur-ers are “earning [these] profits and bonus-es while enjoying a privileged exception from our antitrust laws — a matter that Congress is rightfully reviewing.”

Industry Groups OpposeThis bill would endanger Main Street

carriers and the agencies that represent them. PIA National has joined together with eight other insurance industry orga-nizations to strongly oppose this bill.

The push behind this bill accelerated after an industry group issued a study on a healthcare reform bill, on the eve of a vote on it. America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) released the study that it commissioned on the day before the Sen-ate Finance Committee was to vote on its version of healthcare reform. The study predicted big increases in health insurance premiums if the bill passed.

The release of the study may have been a tactical miscalculation. While the study exposed some critical weaknesses in the Finance Committee’s bill, it was widely perceived as a bare-knuckle threat by health insurers to raise premiums if leg-islation passes that is not to their liking. The resulting firestorm is what ignited the push to repeal McCarran-Ferguson.

As a result, the insurance industry’s limited antitrust exemption — in effect since 1945 — could now become collat-eral damage in the healthcare debate.

Insurers’ Antitrust Exemption Threatened by Congressional Action

October 2009 3www.pianet.com

Several issues that are key to professional insurance agents are now being debated in Congress.

Legislation is currently being considered that would repeal the industry’s limited antitrust exemption under the McCarran-Ferguson Act of 1945, as it applies to health and medical malpractice insurance.

At the same time, an amendment to healthcare reform bills that guarantees that agents will be allowed to sell policies offered through health insurance exchanges has been included in several legislative proposals.

In addition, as this is being written, the authorization for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is set to expire.

As a result, PIA initiated a three-pronged nationwide Grassroots Action Alert, encouraging members to contact their lawmakers and deliver the following messages:

• PIAmembersopposeH.R. 3596 and S. 1681, which would repeal certain provisions of the McCarran-Ferguson Act.

• Extendtheauthorizationfor the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

• Includeinsuranceagentsin healthcare reform legislation.

Key Agent Issues in Congress

The new president of the National Association of Professional Insur-ance Agents (PIA) says the asso-

ciation will continue to oppose federal regulation of insurance and supports the current system of state-based regulation.

Jon D. Spalding of Perry, Michigan made the remarks during a speech marking the start of his one-year term as leader of the agents association. Spalding assumed office during a PIA board meeting held October 4, 2009 in San Diego, California.

“Our association’s two main priorities today affect each and every one of us: the proposed reform of our health care system and the regulation of our industry,” said Spalding. “On the health care issue, we are steadfast in our view that if Congress does pass something, it should be based on common sense and agents must be in-cluded. Consumers must not be denied

access to the advice of licensed, profes-sional, independent insurance agents in any reform plan devised by Congress.”

Spalding added that PIA will remain steadfast in support of state regulation of insurance, opposing efforts to shift insur-ance regulation to the federal government.

“Congress is debating proposals that would lay the groundwork for the federal regulation of our industry,” Spalding said. “Our position is clear: the PIA opposes the federal regulation of insurance and supports state regulation, period.”

The newly-installed PIA National pres-ident pledged that the agents association will continue to be an activist, grassroots organization that aggressively advocates for the interests of professional insurance agents, particularly in Congress.

“Our association is in the forefront of the issues that affect us every day, representing

our interests in Washington, D.C.,” Spal-ding said. “PIA’s grassroots advocacy ex-tends throughout the country. Our mem-bers meet with their elected representatives on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and we also engage our lawmakers back home. In August, we completed PIA’s fourth an-nual Political Involvement and Advocacy Month, our slogan for which is ‘Capitol Hill in Your Backyard.’”

“Put simply, we support elected offi-cials who support the business interests of the professional insurance agents in their districts,” he said.

Spalding’s inauguration as president of PIA marks the first time in the association’s history that a father, then his son, have led the organization. Past President Robert M. Spalding, Sr. administered the oath of of-fice to his son Jon, 14 years after he had assumed the same office in 1995.

PIA National Officers for 2009-2010 Installed

San Diego, CA — The new national officers of PIA were installed during

PIA National’s October 4, 2009 Board of Directors meeting held in San Diego, California. Each of the officers serve one-year terms that began on that date.

Jon D. Spalding of Perry, Michigan became President; Kenneth R. Auerbach, Esq. of Eatontown, New Jersey became Immediate Past President; Brian T. Marino, CIC, of Fort Lauder-dale, Florida became President-elect; Fred Thomas, CIC, of Stevensville, Montana became Vice President/Treasur-er; and Thomas C. Adderhold, CIC, of Duluth, Georgia became Secretary/Assistant Treasurer.

In remarks following his inauguration, PIA National President Jon Spalding said PIA provides crucial advocacy for all of its members to enhance their ability to suc-ceed.

“Our association is in the forefront of the issues that affect us every day, repre-senting our interests in Washington, D.C. and around the nation,” said Spalding. “We will continue to advocate to protect and defend our members and their liveli-hoods. In addition, we must develop innovative products and services that generate revenue for our members and affiliates — that’s a win-win for all of us.”

Spalding Sr. Administers Oath to Jon Spalding

The inauguration of Jon D. Spalding as president of PIA marks the first time in the association’s history that a father,

then his son, have led the organization. Past President Robert M. Spalding, Sr. adminis-tered the oath of office to his son Jon, 14 years after he had assumed the same office. “When I left the chair here in San Diego in 1996, I never in my wildest imagination believed that I would be coming back to this city and in-stalling my son as your president,” said Robert Spalding, Sr. “It’s a great privilege.”

“As a fourth generation owner of our agency, history plays a large part in my life,” said Jon Spalding. “The year I was elected, we made history. My father, who served as na-tional president in 1995 and 1996, and I be-came the first father-son tandem to hold this office. That year we also had the great privi-lege to elect our first female president, Donna Pile. At that time, PIA also reached another milestone in our association, our 75th anni-versary. I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of that, as well.”

PIA National President Spalding Says No to Federal Regulation of InsuranceOn Healthcare, Agents Must Be Included in Common Sense Reform


PIA National Officers for 2009-2010 Installed. From left to right: Fred Thomas, CIC, Stevensville, Montana, Vice President/Treasurer; Kenneth R. Auerbach, Esq. of Eatontown, New Jersey, Past President; Jon D. Spalding, Perry, Michigan, President; Brian T. Marino, CIC, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, President-elect; Thomas C. Adderhold, CIC, Duluth, GA, Secretary/Assistant Treasurer

AmTrust North AmericaAn AmTrust Financial Company

more than

An amendment stripping oversight of insurance has been included in a federal bill that would establish

a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency. The bill (H.R. 3126) was passed 39-29 by the House Financial Services Committee on October 22. Companion legislation has yet to be introduced in the Senate.

“The passage of this amendment elimi-nating insurance from the jurisdiction of a proposed new federal agency is good news for carriers, agents and consumers,” said PIA National President Jon Spald-ing. “It is also another indication that in the marketplace of ideas on Capitol Hill, our position that the federal government should not interfere in the business of in-surance or co-opt our state regulators is continuing to be persuasive.”

The amendment excepting the business of insurance from the bill was offered by Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.). The adopted amendment addressed the definition of “financial activity” and specified that it should not include the business of insur-ance. In her public statements, the con-gresswoman recognized the importance of state regulation of insurance and that an

additional federal regulatory layer would provide no benefit to consumers.

The amendment struck the mention of mortgage, title and credit insurers and redefined the exclusion for the business of insurance. It eliminated any writing of insurance or the “activities relating to the writing of insurance or the reinsuring of risks” conducted by insurance employees. The four-page amendment, championed on the other side of the aisle by Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.) also inserted a specific exclusion for those regulated by state in-surance regulators.

“NAMIC commends Reps. Moore and Paulsen for their work to prevent an unnecessarily duplicative and costly regulatory scheme that would ultimately hurt the very consumers the legislation is meant to protect,” said Jimi Grande, se-nior vice president of federal and politi-cal affairs for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies.

The change is in keeping with the stated goals of the committee to exempt property/casualty insurance from the Consumer Financial Protection Agency Act, H.R. 3126. The amendment was ap-proved unanimously by a voice vote.

Illinois Insurance Director Michael McRaith predicts that an optional federal charter for insurers won’t hap-

pen. Speaking in Chicago October 23 to the annual conference of the National African-American Insurance Association (NAAIA), McRaith said “State insurance regulation is under attack, but an optional federal charter won’t happen.”

McRaith, who chairs the NAIC’s property-casualty insurance committee, compared the push by many large insur-ers for optional federal chartering to the credit card companies’ efforts to pass the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2005.

McRaith noted that insurance is too

unique and personal to be lumped in with other financial products — a fact recog-nized as far back as the Roosevelt admin-istration. Even the regulation-minded Roosevelt administration “never touched insurance,” recognizing it as a local prod-uct, sold as an interstate transaction, and not traded on any public exchange, McRaith said.

The 1945 passage of the McCarran-Ferguson Act, permitting state regulation of insurance and granting insurance an antitrust exemption, further solidified in-surance as a product best regulated at the state level, he said.

Insurance Exempted From Consumer Financial Protection Agency

OFC Won’t Happen, Illinois Regulator Says


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Admitted and “A” Rated

Former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker wants the nation’s banks to be prohibited from owning and trading risky securities. He is proposing that commercial banking

be separated from investment operations. To achieve that goal, Congress would have to enact a modern-day version of the 1933 Glass-Steagall Act, which mandated separation.

Volcker was chairman of the Fed from 1979 to 1987, and he currently serves as head of President Obama’s Economic Recov-ery Advisory Board, which makes him the administration’s most prominent outside economic adviser. The problem for Volcker is he doesn’t seem to have great influence within the administra-tion. At age 82, he is dealing with Treasury officials who are young enough to be his grandchildren. More importantly, they are vet-erans of investment banks. The administration has said it will not separate commercial banking from investment operations.

Volcker’s proposal would roll back the nation’s commercial banks to an earlier era, when they were restricted to commercial banking and prohibited from engaging in risky Wall Street activi-ties. The Obama team, in contrast, would let the giants survive, but would regulate them extensively, so they could not get them-selves and the nation into trouble again.

“The banks are there to serve the public,” Volcker said in an interview with The New York Times. “And that is what they should concentrate on. These other activities create conflicts of interest. They create risks, and if you try to control the risks with supervi-sion, that just creates friction and difficulties” and ultimately fails. Volcker wants to break up the financial giants, which have been getting even bigger since the federal government bailed them out.

Under Volcker’s plan, commercial banks would take deposits, manage the nation’s payments system, make standard loans and even trade securities for their customers — just not for themselves. The government, in return, would rescue banks that fail. On the other side, investment houses would be free to buy and sell securi-ties for their own accounts, borrowing to leverage these trades and thus multiplying the profits, and the risks.

Being separated from banks, the investment houses would no longer have access to federally insured deposits to finance trading. If one failed, the government would supervise an orderly liquida-tion. None would be “too big to fail.”

The remarks by Volcker were echoed in a recent speech by Bank of England Governor Mervyn King. “The massive support extend-ed to the banking sector around the world, while necessary to avert economic disaster, has created possibly the biggest moral hazard in history,” King said in a speech in Scotland. “The ‘too important to fail’ problem is too important to ignore. Never in the field of financial endeavor has so much money been owed by so few to so many. And, one might add, so far with little real reform.”

“People say I’m old-fashioned and banks can no longer be sep-arated from nonbank activity,” Volker said in the interview, ac-knowledging criticism that he is nostalgic for an earlier era.

“That argument,” he added ruefully, “brought us to where we are today.”

Former Fed Chairman Volcker: Separate Banking, SecuritiesBut Treasury Department, Dominated by Former Investment Bankers, Disagrees


“Never in the field of financial endeavor has so much money been owed by so few to so many.”

—Bank of England Governor Mervyn King

“People say I’m old-fashioned and banks can no longer be separated from nonbank activity. That argument brought us to where we are today.”

—former Fed Chairman Paul Volcker

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10 October 2009www.pianet.com

Ohio Mutual Insurance Group is the recipient of the pres-tigious PIA National 2009 Company Award of Excel-lence.

“When it comes to excellence, Ohio Mutual Insurance Group has earned the respect of professional independent insurance agents in many ways,” said PIA National President Kenneth R. Auerbach, Esq. “Ohio Mutual’s commitment to independent agents and the American Agency System is reflected in its many actions to support a vital and ongoing business partnership and in agent satisfaction.”

The award was presented October 3, 2009 during a ceremony in San Diego, California held in conjunction with a national PIA board of directors meeting. The annual PIA National Company Award of Excellence honors companies for their commitment to PIA, to the American Agency System, and to furthering the inter-ests of professional insurance agents by creating a better business environment.

“As a values-driven organization, Ohio Mutual states in its Guiding Principles that the company is ‘steadfastly committed to the Independent Agency System recognizing our independent agents as our business partners.’ That pledge has always been backed up by actions, which is why in the last two PIA of Ohio Insurance Company Satisfaction Surveys, Ohio Mutual has been rated as one of the top three companies operating in the state,” Auerbach said.

Auerbach added that Ohio Mutual is an industry leader when it comes to perpetuation and strongly supports efforts to bring top-notch professionals to insurance careers through its support of the PIA Internship Program in Ohio.

“The list could go on and on about the values of excellence that Ohio Mutual represents,” said PIA National Director Daniel M. Henery, CIC, CRM. “Perhaps it’s best to sum it up with this: We see in Ohio Mutual a company that truly perpetuates the agency system — and a company that agents respect.”

“A successful organization always has two great resources: its people and its partners, and Ohio Mutual would not be the com-pany it is today without the benefit of either resource,” said Jim Kennedy, Ohio Mutual Insurance Group President and Chief Executive Officer. “I’m grateful that our associates, our policy-holders, and most of all, our agent partners chose to partner with Ohio Mutual and make it the company it is today. Ohio Mutual Insurance Group recognizes the significance of this award, and we pledge to continue to operate our company and partner with our agents in a manner that is worthy of this great honor.”

Ohio Mutual Insurance Group, founded in 1901 and based in Bucyrus, Ohio, partners with nearly 300 independent agen-cies to distribute quality property and casualty insurance products throughout Ohio, Connecticut, Indiana, and Rhode Island. Ad-ditional company information is available at www.omig.com.

Ohio Mutual Named PIA National 2009 Company of the Year

Congratulations!

Ohio Mutual Insurance Group President and Chief Executive Officer James J. Kennedy, left, and PIA National President Kenneth R. Auerbach, Esq. shortly after Ohio Mutual Insurance Group was presented with the 2009 PIA National Company Award of Excellence.

Three Great PIA Member Benefits from The PIA Partnership

• Reaching Gen Y• Practical Guide to Successful Planning• Perpetuation Central

www.pianet.com/ThePartnership

The National Association of Pro-fessional Insurance Agents has named Sheldon M. Palefsky,

CIC, of Columbia Insurance Group as its 2009 Company Representative of the Year. The award was presented October 3, 2009 during a ceremony in San Diego, California held in conjunction with a na-tional PIA board of directors meeting.

“Our winner brings a special perspec-tive to his responsibilities,” said PIA Na-tional incoming President-elect Brian T. Marino, who presented the award. “He

was an independent agent before becom-ing a company representative. Sheldon Palefsky has raised the bar for all market-ing representatives, demonstrating the highest degree of professionalism and dedication to the success of independent insurance agents.”

Palefsky is Branch Marketing Manager for the Atlanta branch office of Columbia Insurance Group.

“We are very proud of Sheldon. He first impressed us as an agent and has

PIA National Names Sheldon Palefsky 2009 Company Representative of the Year


E mpower Insurance Group MGA, Inc. has been honored with a PIA

National 2009 Managing General Agen-cy of the Year award.

“Empower Insurance Group MGA, demonstrates its commitment to the American Agency System in many ways,” said incoming PIA National Pres-ident Jon Spalding during a presentation ceremony held October 3, 2009 in San Diego, California.

“Empower is totally committed to the agency system, and does not offer any programs that compete directly with in-

dependent agents,” Spalding said. “Em-power demonstrates its commitment to independent insurance agents in many ways. Empower offers continuing edu-cation, business development seminars and consulting on marketing and adver-tising to its agent base at no charge to the agent.”

The annual award recognizes out-standing achievement in furthering the interests of agents, a commitment to the agency system and successful efforts to create a better business environment for professional insurance agents. This is

Empower Insurance Group Receives PIA National 2009 MGA Award

PIA National has named Southern Insurance Underwriters, Inc. as a recipient of its 2009 Managing

General Agency of the Year Award.“Southern Insurance Underwriters

has partnered with PIA of Georgia for over 40 years, for the exclusive benefit of the independent insurance agent,” said PIA National President-elect Jon Spal-ding during the presentation ceremony for the award on October 3, 2009 in San Diego, California. “Southern Insurance Underwriters always goes the extra mile to support its independent agent part-

ners. For example, SIU is a charter mem-ber of the award-winning PIA Branding Program and has voluntarily placed ad-vertising supporting the program.”

The annual award recognizes out-standing achievement in furthering the interests of agents, a commitment to the agency system and successful efforts to create a better business environment for professional insurance agents.

“Being recognized as PIA National’s 2009 MGA of the Year is one of the high-est honors we have ever experienced,”

Southern Insurance Underwriters Honored With PIA National 2009 MGA Award

Continued on page 17



Southern Insurance Underwriters Named 2009 PIA National Managing General Agency of the Year. Shown here are SIU President Wesley C. Duesenberg, Jr., second from right, and SIU Vice President of Operations Tripp Duesenberg, sec-ond from left, with PIA of Georgia Executive Vice President Jerry Duke, far left, and PIA National President Kenneth R. Auerbach, Esq., far right.

2009 PIA National Company Representative of the Year Sheldon Palefsky of Columbia Insur-ance Group (center) accepts the award from incoming PIA National President Jon Spalding (left) and outgoing PIA National President Ken-neth R. Auerbach, Esq., (right).

Don Owens, president of Empower Insurance Group MGA, the 2009 PIA National Managing General Agency of the Year, center, with PIA National President Kenneth R. Auerbach, Esq., left, and PIA National President-elect Jon Spald-ing, right.

Perspective


It was Friday afternoon and time to go home for the weekend…or so I thought! It was a good week until I got

the call from one of my field agents to tell me that he had lost his laptop.

Now what do I do? No one can tell me what was on the laptop other than our agents always have client data and criti-cal business information about my busi-ness. I place a call to my attorney and he gives me the bad news. I have to notify the state’s Attorney General and could be facing fines, penalties and paying for cred-it monitoring services for all my clients. Worse yet, I have to notify all my clients that my company has exposed their per-sonal data. I wonder how many will bring their business elsewhere?

While this may not actually have hap-pened to you yet, the odds are good that it will. It’s a fact of life, laptops get lost or stolen and many laptops contain com-pany confidential information and/or pri-vate information of customers. According to an FBI/Ponemon Institute study, about one laptop in five is either lost or stolen each year and over 40% of all data secu-rity incidents are caused by laptops being lost or stolen.

In an effort to protect their residents from the consequences of having their personal information revealed, 46 U.S.

states have enacted laws covering security-related incidents. Most of the laws require companies to notify the state’s Attorney General and anyone whose data is, or may be, compromised, as a result of the incident and what the company plans to do about it. You would have to provide your detailed plan for ensuring that con-fidential information is adequately pro-tected and for notifying those affected by the potential release of their information. In some cases you would be additionally required to provide credit monitoring ser-vices for these people for up to one year.

So what do you do about it? Fortu-nately, this scenario can have a reasonably happy ending. PIA, in conjunction with its technology partner MobileSecure have made available to PIA members a solution that provides a mechanism for tracking laptops and the files that are on them. In the event a laptop is lost or stolen, all you would have to do is make a quick call to lock it down and then check your email to get a full listing of the files that were on the machine. Maybe you could enjoy the weekend after all.

So, how well prepared are you if a laptop is lost or stolen? Would your company know what its exposure was? Do you know, at all times, what files con-taining company confidential, or worse

customer confidential information, are on each laptop in your extended office and remote work location environment? To fully understand the exposure and the accompanying risk, companies need to monitor what files are on laptops outside the office and in the event that they fall

into unauthorized hands, they need to make sure that access to the content is minimized.

The impact of security incidents of this nature on a small business could be catastrophic. Not only would the expense related to reporting and credit monitoring be a negative financial burden (estimated by Ponemon Institute to be roughly $150 per person whose personal information may have been revealed) but the effect on your reputation could severely impact fu-ture business.

Large companies have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to implement data security monitoring and compliance sys-tems, but these have typically been out of reach to small and mid-size businesses.

You Lost Your Laptop?!!

Alexi Papandon Assistant Vice President, Communications National Association of Professional Insurance Agents

“What do you mean your laptop is gone?”I yelled into the phone. This was rapidly followed by,

“Where were you?” and “What information was on the laptop?” The answer “I’m not sure.”


1 laptop in 5 is either lost or stolen each year.

Over 40% of all data security incidents are caused by lost or stolen laptops.

Sustained SUCCESS...It’s a Beautiful Thing.

For the second year in a row, Empower Insurance Group MGA, Inc. is honored

to be named PIA’s Managing General Agency of the Year. Our agents and

associates are the reason we stand strong... THANK YOU !

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October 2009 15www.pianet.comwww.pianet.com

MobileSecure’s Laptop Protective Services™ (LPS) provide a means to manage and understand your data security risk as it relates to company laptops. It is a comprehensive, highly secure, fully-managed service that is easy to use. LPS is also cost effective. For $60 per year per laptop you can have the peace-of-mind that many Fortune 500 companies have enjoyed for many years but at a cost of multiple hundred thousands of dollars.

At the same time, LPS is easy to implement…all you need is an internet connection, credit card and a phone number and to follow a simple three step process. Once installed, the entire ser-vice is managed by MobileSecure. You do not have to provide any IT resources for either setup or ongoing operation. To get started, simply visit www.pianet.com/LaptopProtectiveServices.

Of course, there are some other scenarios that you might have come across (or would like to prevent occurring in your com-pany).

One of your employees resigns… One of your best agents de-cides to resign and go to work for a competitor. You know that he has your company’s book of business for the territory on his laptop in the normal course of business and you don’t want him to take the information to your competitor.

With LPS, as soon as you find out that personnel are leaving, for whatever reason, you can easily turn off their access to the laptop and thereby restrict access to the data. You would also be able to see where the laptop was last used and have a complete list of the files that were on it at the time.

Control sensitive information… You are trying to find out which personnel have seen the contents of a certain file. Maybe it was inadvertently emailed out, or sent out with incorrect in-

formation. With LPS, you can locate which devices contain that file and the person that is listed as the primary user of the device, allowing you to take control of the situation and mitigate any negative effects.

Laptops represent a significant ongoing risk… There is a sig-nificant risk associated with the continued use of laptops but we all recognize that they are highly productive tools and that usage is only going to increase as we move to a more mobile workforce. Isn’t it worth a small investment to protect your company, its reputation and your customers? Understanding your risk expo-sure and having an actionable plan in the event of a data security incident can go a long way to protecting all those hours you have poured into building your business.

For more information on this new PIA member benefit, please visit the Laptop Protective Services web page on PIA National’s website at www.pianet.com/LaptopProtectiveServices.

Continued from page 13

You Lost Your Laptop?

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The healthcare bill unveiled on October 28 by Democrats in the House has several areas of concern to PIA members.

“Although we are still combing through the 1,990-page bill — which it has been noted is longer than ‘War and Peace’ — PIA has already spotted a few provisions that are of concern,” said PIA National Director of Federal Affairs Mike Becker.

PIA issued a statement outlining our concerns, among them:

Agent Provision, Role of SBAWhile we are heartened that a provision allowing insurance

agents and brokers under state law to participate in providing coverage to individuals and employers in qualified health plans offered through insurance exchanges was included, we are con-cerned with language added under a subsection entitled “Assis-tance for Small Employers” that designates the Small Business Administration (SBA) to design a program for small businesses.

This provision mandates that the SBA set up what is, in es-sence, a “navigators” program. SBA is required to provide edu-cational activities to small businesses, along with distribution of information and “enrollment and plan selection assistance for employers” for health plans available under the Health Insurance Exchange. In short, the SBA would be required to perform the functions of an insurance agency or brokerage for small groups of under 100. Professional, independent insurance agents and bro-kers already perform all of the services for consumers that the bill would require the SBA to provide.

As the debate on healthcare reform continues in Congress, PIA is again reminding lawmakers that consumers must not be denied access to the advice of licensed, professional, independent insur-ance agents in any reform plan devised by Congress.

PIA will continue to focus its efforts on assuring that language enabling consumers to utilize the services of their professional insurance agents remains included and intact as the legislative process continues.

Repeal of McCarran-Ferguson for Health, Med-Mal

A provision repealing the McCarran-Ferguson Act as it applies to health insurance and medical malpractice insurance is unnec-essary. Although this section provides an exclusion for compiling and disseminating historical loss data, this still does not amelio-rate our concern that this provision adds nothing to the bill. In fact, the bill states that its exemption to McCarran-Ferguson is to guarantee against “price fixing, market allocation or monopoliza-tion…” — all of which are already illegal under state law and have never been permitted under McCarran-Ferguson.

Cost of the Reforms“PIA is also concerned about the cost of this bill,” said PIA

National Executive Vice President & CEO Leonard C. Brevik. “The estimated price tag of the House healthcare bill is $894 bil-lion. That’s real money. We’ve added trillions to our national debt, which will eventually have to be paid. The question that needs to be asked more often in Congress is: ‘Can we afford it?’

PIA Expresses Concerns with House Healthcare Reform Bill

House Healthcare Bill Longer Than ‘War and Peace’

At 1,990 pages, the House healthcare reform bill is longer than “War and Peace” and many other lengthy books:

•War and Peace: 1,296 pages

•American Constitutional Law by Lawrence Tribe: 1,470 pages

•The2010U.S. News Ultimate College Guide: 1,768 pages

•Democratichealthcarebill:1,990pages

On the day it was released, House Assistant to the Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Chris Van Hollen, told reporters that members will get just 72 hours to read the initial bill and then another 72 to read a changed version, before it goes to the House floor for a vote.

For the latest on issues affecting Professional Insurance Agents visit

www.pianet.com


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the second year that Empower Insurance Group has received PIA’s Managing Gen-eral Agency of the Year Award.

“I cannot speak highly enough of Em-power,” said Randy Templeton, past PIA national director and current treasurer of PIA in Texas. “I was proud and honored to submit their nomination.”

“We consider it an incredible honor to be recognized by the PIA for the second year

in a row,” said Empower Insurance Group President Don Owens. “We will continue to dedicate ourselves to serving our inde-pendent agent base that is responsible for our success.”

Empower Insurance Group MGA, Inc. is based in Fort Worth, Texas and serves agents in Texas, Missouri and Colorado. Empower’s web address is www.empowerins.com.

PIA members can add the PIA logo to their websites and other promotional materials. Download PIA’s logo at www.pianet.com/pialogos


Empower Wins MGA Award


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PIA of Nebraska/Iowa, 920 South 107th Avenue, Suite 305, Omaha, NE 68114PHONE: (402) 392-1611 • FAX: (402) 392-2228e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.pianeia.comNEw HAMPSHIREPIA of New Hampshire, P.O. Box 997, Glenmont NY 12077-0997PHONE: (800) 424-4244 • FAX: (518) 434-2342e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piaonline.orgNEw JERSEYPIA New Jersey, P.O. Box 997, Glenmont NY 12077-0997PHONE: (800) 424-4244 • FAX: (518) 434-2342e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piaonline.orgNEw YORkPIA New York, P.O. Box 997, Glenmont NY 12077-0997PHONE: (800) 424-4244 • FAX: (518) 434-2342e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piaonline.orgNORTH CAROLINAPIANC, PO Box B, Henderson, NC 27536PHONE: (877) 401-6822 • (877) 98PIANC • FAX: (877) 499-2849e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piaofnc.comNORTH DAkOTAPIA of North Dakota1211 Memorial Hwy Holiday Park Office #6, Bismarck, ND 58504-5213PHONE: (701) 223-5025 • (800) 733-1050 ND&MN onlyFAX: (701) 223-9456 • e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piand.comOHIOPIA of Ohio, Inc., 600 Cross Pointe Road, Gahanna, OH 43230PHONE: (614) 552-8000 • (800) 555-1742 • FAX: (614) 552-0115e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.ohiopia.comOkLAHOMAPIA of Oklahoma, P.O. Box 12921, Oklahoma City, OK 73157PHONE: (405) 942-1119 • FAX: (405) 943-4380e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piaok.comOREGON/IDAHOPIA of Oregon/Idaho, 3205 Northeast 78th Street, #104, Vancouver, WA 98665PHONE: (503) 287-7570 • FAX: (360) 571-7600e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piawest.comPENNSYLVANIAInsurance Agents & Brokers of Pennsylvania P.O. Box 2023, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-0763PHONE: (717) 795-9100 • FAX: (717) 795-8347e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.iabgroup.comPUERTO RICO & CARIbbEANPIA of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean IncPO Box 192389, San Juan, PR 00919-2389PHONE: (787) 792-7849 • FAX: (787) 792-4745e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piaofpr.comRHODE ISLANDPHONE: (703) 836-9340 • FAX: (703) 836-1279e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.pianet.comSOUTH CAROLINAPIA of South Carolina, PO Box 21367, Columbia, SC 29221-1367PHONE: (803) 772-0557 • (888) 742-6372 • FAX: (803) 772-0846e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piasc.netSOUTH DAkOTAPHONE: (703) 836-9340 • FAX: (703) 836-1279e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.pianet.comTENNESSEEPIA of Tennessee Inc, 504 Autumn Springs Court Suite A-2, Franklin, TN 37067PHONE: (615) 771-1177 • FAX: (615) 771-3456e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piatn.comTEXASTexas Insurance Professionals, P. O. Box 90908, Austin, TX 78709-0908PHONE: (512) 301-0226 • FAX: (512) 301-0265e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piatx.orgUTAHUtah Association of Independent Insurance Agents4885 S. 900 E., Suite 302, Salt Lake City, UT 84117PHONE: (801) 269-1200 • FAX: (801) 269-1265e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.uaiia.orgVERMONTVermont Insurance Agents Association, P.O. Box 1387, Montpelier, VT 05601PHONE: (802) 229-5884 • FAX: (802) 223-0868e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.viaa.orgVIRGINIA/DCPIA Assn of Virginia & DC, 8751 Park Central Dr., Ste 140, Richmond, VA 23227PHONE: (804) 264-2582 • FAX: (804) 266-1075e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piavadc.comwASHINGTON/ALASkAPIA of WA/AK, 3205 Northeast 78th Street, #104, Vancouver, WA 98665PHONE: (360) 571-7100 • FAX: (360) 571-7600e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piawest.comwEST VIRGINIAPHONE: (703) 836-9340 • FAX: (703) 836-1279e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.pianet.comwISCONSINPIA of Wisconsin, Inc., 6401 Odana Road, Madison, WI 53719-1126PHONE: (608) 274-8188 • (800) 261-7429 • FAX: (608) 274-8195e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piaw.orgwYOMINGAssoc. of Wyoming Ins. Agents, PO Box 799, Sundance, WY 82729-0799PHONE: (307) 283-2052 • FAX: (775) 796-3122e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.awia.com

affilia

tesALAbAMA

PIA of Alabama, 3805 Crestwood Pkwy NW #140, Duluth, GA 30096PHONE: (770) 921-7585 • FAX: (770) 921-7590e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piaga.comARkANSASPIA of Arkansas Inc., 10025 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205PHONE: (501) 225-1645 • FAX: (501) 225-2550e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piaar.comCA/NV/AZ/NMPIA Group, 3205 Northeast 78th St #104, Vancouver, WA 98665PHONE: (888) 246-4466 • FAX: (360) 571-7600e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piawest.comCOLORADOPHONE: (703) 836-9340 • FAX: (703) 836-1279e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.pianet.comCONNECTICUTPIA of Connecticut, P.O. Box 997, Glenmont, NY 12077-0997PHONE: (800) 424-4244 • FAX: (518) 434-2342e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piaonline.orgDELAwAREInsurance Agents & Brokers of DelawareP.O. Box 2023, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-0763PHONE: (717) 795-9100 • FAX: (717) 795-8347e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.iabgroup.comFLORIDAPIA of Florida, Inc., 1390 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, FL 32312-1766PHONE: (850) 893-8245 • (800) 277-1171 FL only • FAX: (850) 893-8316e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piafl.orgGEORGIAThe PIA of Georgia, Inc., 3805 Crestwood Pkwy NW #140, Duluth, GA 30096PHONE: (770) 921-7585 • FAX: (770) 921-7590e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piaga.comHAwAIIPIA of Hawaii, 146 Hekili St # 201A, Kailua, HI 96734-2835PHONE: (808) 261-9460 • FAX: (808) 262-5355e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piahawaii.comILLINOISPHONE: (703) 836-9340 • FAX: (703) 836-1279e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.pianet.comINDIANAPIA of Indiana, 600 Cross Pointe Road, Gahanna, OH 43230PHONE: (614) 552-8000 • (800) 555-9742 • FAX: (614) 552-0115e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.indianapia.comkANSASKansas Association of PIA103 SE 10th Ave., Topeka, KS 66612PHONE: (785) 232-4143 • FAX: (785) 232-0272e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.KansasPIA.orgkENTUCkYPIA of Kentucky, P.O. Box 4205, Frankfort, KY 40604-4205PHONE: (502) 875-3888 • FAX: (502) 227-0839e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piaky.orgLOUISIANAPIA of Louisiana Inc., 8064 Summa Avenue, Suite C, Baton Rouge, LA 70809PHONE: (225) 766-7770 • (800) 349-3434 LA only • FAX: (225) 766-1601e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piaoflouisiana.comMAINEMaine Insurance Agents Association, 432 Western Avenue, Augusta, ME 04330PHONE: (207) 623-1875 • FAX: (207) 626-0275e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.maineagents.comMARYLANDInsurance Agents & Brokers of Maryland P.O. Box 2023, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-0763PHONE: (717) 795-9100 • FAX: (717) 795-8347e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.iabgroup.comMASSACHUSETTSPHONE: (703) 836-9340 • FAX: (703) 836-1279e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.pianet.comMICHIGANThe Association of PIA, 4550 Cascade Road SE, Suite 205-B, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-3697PHONE: (616) 454-4461 • FAX: (616) 454-4491e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.mipia.comMINNESOTAPIA of Minnesota, 3600 Holly Lane N. #90, Plymouth, MN 55447PHONE: (763) 694-7070 • FAX: (800) 546-3428e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piamn.comMISSISSIPPIPIA Association of Mississippi, 4 River Bend Place, #115, Jackson, MS 39232PHONE: (601) 936-6474 • FAX: (601) 936-6477 • (800) 898-0136 MS onlye-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piams.comMISSOURIMissouri Association of Insurance AgentsP.O. Box 1785, Jefferson City, MO 65102-1785PHONE: 573-893-4301 • FAX: 573-893-3708e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.missouriagent.orgMONTANAPIA of Montana, 3205 NE 78th St Ste 104, Vancouver, WA 98665-0697PHONE: (888) 246-4466 • FAX: (360) 571-7600e-mail: [email protected] • Web Site: www.piawest.com

said Wesley C. Duesenberg, Jr., President of Southern Insurance Underwriters. “Our appreciation of and involvement with PIA in Georgia, Alabama and Florida has been rewarding and we look forward to continu-ing to serve the agents in any way possible. We are truly humbled and thankful to PIA National for this very prestigious award and we will continue to live up to the expecta-tions that this award represents.”

SIU has been underwriting insurance independently as a family owned business for over 45 successful years. Recognized as one of the most innovative managing gen-eral agencies in America, SIU is a leader in service and new technologies. Wes Duesen-berg, Jr. is the recipient of the Vincent Do-nahue Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor awarded by the American Association of Managing General Agencies (AAMGA).

“The relationship between SIU and the PIA of Georgia exemplifies the kind of partnership SIU has with independent insurance agents — long standing, strong, success-oriented and built on mutual re-spect,” said PIA of Georgia Executive Vice President Jerry Duke. “The members of PIA in Georgia and throughout the coun-try are pleased to bestow this honor on such a stalwart supporter of the agency distribu-tion system.”

brought the same caring attitude and in-tegrity with him as a member of our team,” said Robert J. Wagner, Chairman and CEO of Columbia Insurance Group.

The criteria used to select the PIA Na-tional Company Representative of the Year includes professional experience, assistance given to agents, technical knowledge and demonstrated awareness of industry prob-lems and market conditions. Their contribu-tions to the industry through participation in PIA and other insurance organizations are also considered, as are their contribu-tions to serving the public and their com-munity.


SIU Receives MGA Award


Palefsky Award Winner


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tes

what would happen if your income suddenly stopped due to an illness or injury?

How would you manage if you were still unable to work after six months or a year? If you’re married your

family would have to rely on your spouse’s income for all the household bills, food and medical expenses. If you’re single you’d be entirely dependent on your savings or on assistance from others. Programs like Social Security may kick in but only if you meet their rigorous standards of disability. There’s a way to avoid this scenario. Disability insurance can help replace some or all of your income in the event you’re unable to work due to illness or injury.

Causes of disability can be anything from heart disease or cancer to complications from pregnancy or even back prob-lems, and no one is completely immune. In any given year, one out of every eight people will become disabled. To put that in perspective, only one car in 70 will be in a serious car accident.

One home in 88 will have a house fire. One person in 106 will die. Yet few people would consider going without homeowners, automobile or life insurance. Disability insurance is coverage you can’t afford to do without.

As a PIA member serving Main Street America, you and your employees have access to a high-quality, competitively priced long-term disability plan through the PIA Services Group In-surance Fund. With no medical underwriting necessary and additional flexible options available, each participant can easily customize a plan to suit their own specific needs.

For costs, complete details of the coverage, and for more information about the PIA Trust Long Term Disability In-come Insurance Plan, please contact your local PIA Affili-ate or call the Plan Administrator, Lockton Risk Services, at (800) 336-4759. Additional information is also available on-line at www.piatrust.com. All statistics courtesy of www.efmoody.com/insurance/disabilitysta-tistics.html

Long-Term Disability Insurance

Visit the PIA Main Street Store at www.PIANET.com or use the information below to act now.

Visit www.PIANET.com for additional Member benefits including the PIA branding Program, Reaching Gen Y, Guide to Successful Planning, Perpetuation Central, Agency Agreement Review Service, PIA logos and more.

Insurance Productsn Errors and Omissions InsuranceSolid E&O protection built around your unique needs. (800) 742-6900 Ext. 348n Penn National Insurance Agent’s Umbrella ProgramComprehensive and affordable excess insurance protection includes E&O and Business Liability coverage with available endorsements for EPL and Personal Coverage. Call your local PIA affiliate or (800) 742-6900 Ext. 348n The Insurance On-line Network (ION)Easy-to-use, on-line, multi-carrier, term life quoting system. www.PIANET.com/IONn Agency Revenue ToolsEmployee worksite marketing using your appointed markets at regular commission rates. (703) 518-1353n Catastrophe Major MedicalThe $2,000,000 Catastrophe Major Medi-cal Insurance Plan picks up where your basic coverage leaves off! (800) 503-9230; https://www.personal-plans.com/pian warranty SolutionsMarket a proven vehicle service contract program to auto dealerships. (800) 782-9753.n Hartford Flood InsuranceEasy enrollment process, competitive commissions, advanced Internet services, plus a variety of programs and surplus lines. Call (860) 757-1984.n Unimerica ProductsBasic, Voluntary and Dependent Term Life; Long Term Disability; Short Term Disability;

ADD; Hospital Indemnity (800) 336-4759; www.piatrust.com

Financial Servicesn bank of America Financial ProductsPersonal and business credit cards. www.pianet.com/BankofAmerica

“PIA Plus” Products/Discountsn PIA Logo wear & GearShirts, jackets, mugs and more with the PIA Main Street Logo featuring PIA’s new tagline, Local Agents Serving Main Street America.SM www.pianet.com/PIAOnlineStoren On-Line CE and Skills CoursesAvailable to agents in participating states at www.PIANET.com/Education For other educational programming, including designation programs, please contact your local PIA affiliate.n Alamo Car RentalGet unlimited mileage and up to 20% off already low retail rates. 1-800-GO-ALAMO (1-800-462-5266) (I.D. # 93140)n Central Licensing bureauSave time and money by using CLB for all your agency licensing needs. (501) 664-8044n Consumer brochuresAnswer clients’ questions with profession-al brochures from PIA. (703) 518-1381.n Free SubscriptionPIA members, receive a free subscription to Rough Notes magazine at www.pianet.com/FreeSubscriptions

n Laptop Protective ServicesCustomer data at risk on laptops? Manage data security and understand your compliance risk. www.pianet.com/LaptopProtectiveServicesn Mines Press Calendar ProductsPersonalized calendars at member only prices. (800) 447-6788n Omnia Employee ProfilingSkills and personality testing. Contact Sean Neumeyer at (800) 525-7117 Ext. 1242.n Online Data backup & RecoveryBackup critical files to a secure, remote location through Courtesy Computers, the insurance agency specialists. www.pianet.com/courtesyn Rough Notes Agency OnLineHelps identify risk exposures and provides detailed coverage analysis. Avail. to PIA members for $400 annually (reg. $1,699). Call 800-428-4384. Use your PIA member ID# above name on mailing label.n Sircon’s Producer workbenchMeet your licensing and renewal needs quickly and easily on the web. PIA member-only 15% discount. Visit www.PIANET.com/Sirconn United Parcel ServiceReceive reduced rates on many popular overnight and 2nd day air shipping op-tions. Call (800) 325-7000 or your local UPS representative and mention “Bid Code #CP990007896.”

Help Build Your Family’s Financial Future With

PIA Trust Insurance Plans

INSURANCE PLANS DESIGNED WITH LOCAL AGENTS IN MIND

As a PIA Member* serving

Main Street America, you and

your employees have access

to a variety of high-quality,

competitively priced

insurance plans.

Plans available include:

Long Term Disability Short Term Disability Business Overhead Expense Accidental Death & Dismemberment

Basic Term Life** Voluntary Term Life Dependent Term Life Hospital Indemnity

PIA SERVICES GROUPINSURANCE FUND

For additional information, contact your local PIA Affiliate or call the Plan Administrator at 1-800-336-4759.

Information also available on-line at www.piatrust.com.*PIA National membership, when required, must be current at all times.

**Only available if 100% employer paid and if the employer and 100% of the employees enroll. No medical underwriting necessary up to guaranteed issue limits.

Policies or provisions may vary or be unavailable in some states. Policies have exclusions or limitations which may affect any benefits payable.Underwritten by Unimerica Insurance Company, Portland, ME. Administered by Lockton Risk Services.

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MERRIFIELD, VA

400 N. Washington StreetAlexandria, VA 22314

Do you know where your confidential information is on

laptops outside the office?You should…it’s the LAW

Laptop Protective Services provides a highly secure and easy-to-install, fully-managed service for agencies to:

• Monitor laptops in your organization • Remotely identify files on your laptops to understand your potential data

exposure risk• Remotely lock down your laptops• Use your laptop location history and file audit reports as compliance and

audit tools.

Lost and stolen devices, such as laptops, are the leading cause of unauthorized disclosure of confidential and sensitive information. With 1 in 5 laptops lost or stolen isn’t it time you were protected?

To learn more about this service - and to register your laptop online - please visit

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If you or one of your employees lost a laptop, would you know the extent of

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How do you comply with new data security regulations, enacted in 46 states, for

safeguarding customers’ personal information?

october 2009 national association of professional ... · association of professional insur-ance...

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