1/23/2020 Agents Confidential: Session Updates, New IMS Markets, and more

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FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF INSURANCE AGENTS

for your eyes only

JANUARY 23, 2020 | VOLUME LXIX, ISSUE 9

Demotech Déjà Vu?

FAIA President &CEO Jeff Grady

Today, more than 75 percent of Florida’s private residential propertyinsurance is underwritten by a domestic, Demotech-rated carrier…allof which, up until now, have been awarded at least an “A” rating. Through a recent letter, Demotech effectively warned state leadersthat it plans to downgrade as many as 17 of the Florida propertyinsurers it rates and reviews, UNLESS some drastic measures aretaken soon. Some in the industry wonder whether they might haveseen this act before, i.e., Demotech issues a ratings downgradewarning and takes no real action.

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An update to the evolving Insurance Journal story aboutDemotech, referenced in Jeff Grady's blog, above.

ADVOCACY

1/23/2020 Agents Confidential: Session Updates, New IMS Markets, and more

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New: Weekly Session Video UpdatesThis year, we're making weekly videos to keep FAIA members up to date on what'shappening during the Legislative Session. Check out our first video to hear fromSenior Vice President of Public Affairs Kyle Ulrich about what happened during thefirst week of session and what we're watching going into week two. Each week we'llrelease new videos on our Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube pages.

WATCH

Marijuana Banking Bill

Currently, cannabis businesses are operating on a cash basis due to the lack of access tofinancial services. In September 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the SAFEBanking Act of 2019. The Act eliminates the prohibition of providing financial services toentities dealing in marijuana-related products. Additionally, the bill has specific languageprotecting agents.

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MARKET ACCESS

1/23/2020 Agents Confidential: Session Updates, New IMS Markets, and more

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New Markets through IMSFAIA Member Services is pleased to offer FAIA members exclusive access to two newflood products from NatGen Flood AND the addition of Travelers, both throughIndependent Market Solutions (IMS). NatGen Flood will offer two webinars tointroduce their products and answer questions.

Register for the NatGen Flood January 28 webinarRegister for the NatGen Flood January 30 webinar

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It's not to late to join fellow agents and FAIA's Public Affairs team and represent yourindustry during the 2020 Legislative Session.

REGISTER

1/23/2020 Agents Confidential: Session Updates, New IMS Markets, and more

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IN MEMORIAM

Johnson Whilden Blackwell, Jr.We extend our condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Johnson WhildenBlackwell, Jr., who died on Jan. 10, 2020. A native of Tennessee, Whilden moved toPanama City in 1957. He graduated from the University of Florida with a degree inMarketing in 1967. Whilden’s insurance career started at the Continental InsuranceCompany in Jacksonville; in 1972, he founded the Blackwell Insurance Agency in PanamaCity. As much as he lived for solving insurance issues for others, he loved his family,holding fish fries for his friends, jazz, fishing, and tubing. He lived life to the fullest, andwill be missed. Read more about his life in the Panama City News Herald.

NEW MEMBERS

AGENCY MEMBERS

Professional Insurance Consulting Services: Daytona BeachBrian Taylor Insurance: Panama City BeachSouthern Integrity Insurance, LLC: Port St. LucieUnited Badges Insurance Services, LLC: TallahasseeFoundation Rock Insurance Group, LLC: Tampa

HEADLINES

MEMBER NEWS

Acentria Insurance, Destin: announced the promotions of Kendall McEachern tochairman, Kevin Mason to CEO, and Mary Lawless to president and COO.Brightway Insurance, Inc., Jacksonville: named to the “Franchise 500” list byEntrepreneur Magazine.Brown & Brown of Florida, Inc., Daytona Beach: named by the DaytonaBeach News-Journal’s Volusia/Flagler Business Report as the No. 1 2019 “BestPlaces to Work” ranking of employers in Volusia and Flagler counties. Also,appointed P. Barrett Brown as an executive vice president and president of thecompany’s retail business.

1/23/2020 Agents Confidential: Session Updates, New IMS Markets, and more

https://faia.informz.net/informzdataservice/onlineversion/ind/bWFpbGluZ2luc3RhbmNlaWQ9Nzc3MzI0NCZzdWJzY3JpYmVyaWQ9ODA4MjM2ODUz 5/6

Strategic Insurance Services, Clearwater: recently launchedInsuranceSideHustling.com, an insurance sales and training platform.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Chubb, Ltd.: named Suresh Krishnan as COO for its Accident and Health businessin the U.S. and Canada.Coastal Insurance Underwriters, Inc.: acquired the assets of CybercomInternational Corp.HCI Group: entered into a preliminary agreement to acquire the insurance policiesof Anchor Property & Casualty Co.IIABA: named Chris Boggs executive director of risk management and education.Also named Mark Wolf as president of Big “I” Advantage, IIAA AgencyAdministrative Services, IIAA Membership Services, and Big “I” Reinsurance Co.NCCI: named Donna Glenn as its new chief actuary.Philadelphia Insurance Companies: named Bob O’Leary as chairman,appointed John Doyle as a co-chief underwriting officer, and promoted Cory Davis,Kimberly Hamilton, and Brent Skiles to senior vice president.QBE North America: appointed Tom Fitzgerald president of Specialty &Commercial.Starr Insurance Companies: appointed Kathleen Murphy as regional vicepresident, Southeast region.Weston Insurance Company: entered into a preliminary agreement to acquirethe insurance policies of Anchor Specialty Insurance Co.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FAIA EVENTS

Feb. 4–5, 2020: Capitol Days; DoubleTree by Hilton, Tallahassee.March 26–27, 2020: Young Agents Sales & Leadership Conference; WyndhamBonnet Creek Resort, Orlando.June 10–12, 2020: 116th Annual Convention and Educational Symposium; GaylordPalms Resort, Orlando.

LOCAL BOARD EVENTS

Jan. 23, 2020: IIA of Palm Beach County, New Year CE Class and Happy Hour Event;Hilton Palm Beach Airport Hotel, West Palm Beach.Jan. 29, 2020: IIA of Broward County, January Networking and Axe Throwing;Chops & Hops, Ft. Lauderdale.Feb. 18, 2020: Pinellas AIA, Skeet Shooting; Skyway Trap & Skeet Club, St.Petersburg.

1/23/2020 Agents Confidential: Session Updates, New IMS Markets, and more

https://faia.informz.net/informzdataservice/onlineversion/ind/bWFpbGluZ2luc3RhbmNlaWQ9Nzc3MzI0NCZzdWJzY3JpYmVyaWQ9ODA4MjM2ODUz 6/6

Feb. 19, 2020: Lee County AIIA, February Lunch Meeting; Cypress Lake CountryClub, Ft. Myers.Feb. 20, 2020: IIA of Broward County, February Networking Meeting; TBA.

YOUNG AGENT EVENTS

Feb. 3–5, 2020: YAC Political Summit; DoubleTree by Hilton, Tallahassee.March 26–27, 2020: Young Agents Sales & Leadership Conference; Wyndham GrandOrlando Resort, Orlando.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

Feb. 1, 2020: Trusted Choice sponsors Make-A-Wish Walk at Markham Park,Sunrise.Feb. 8, 2020: Trusted Choice sponsors Make-A-Wish Walk at Julian B. LaneRiverfront Park, Tampa.Feb. 17–18, 2020: Customer Connect by Angela Adams Consulting; Hyatt RegencyOrlando International Airport, Orlando.March 12, 2020: Trusted Choice sponsors Make-A-Wish Walk at Lake Eola Park,Orlando.April 4, 2020: Trusted Choice sponsors Make-A-Wish Walk at Zoo Miami, Miami.May 9, 2020: Trusted Choice sponsors Make-A-Wish Walk at Jacksonville Zoo &Botanical Gardens, Jacksonville.May 13–15, 2020: IIABA Legislative Conference; Hyatt Regency Washington onCapitol Hill, Washington, D.C.May 31–June 2, 2020: Agency Nation Elevate Conference; Renaissance Hotel,Nashville.

A publication of the Florida Association of Insurance AgentsPO Box 12129, Tallahassee, FL 32317-2129850-893-4155 | Visit us online

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