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Main Street Industry News - February 2022

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INSIDE The Great Resignation — 4.5 Million Quit or Changed Jobs in November » 7 Insurance Not Keeping Up with the Digital Experience » 13 Crisis in Manufacturing — Blue Collar Workers Shifting Careers » 27

February 2022 | Published Monthly


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Our promise is to be “Always alongside you.” Farmers Mutual’s coverages are supported by prompt, personalized service and unmatched financial strength. As the leading insurer of farms in Nebraska and South Dakota, our history of success is a reflection of the trust and loyalty we’ve earned from our policyholders and local agents. Contact: Andy Kraus, CPCU Vice President of Agencies akraus@fmne.com | 800.742.7433 fmne.com


Did you know that PIA’s company council, The PIA Partnership, has conducted nationwide research about the insurance buying preferences of small business owners? The research is encouraging because it found that small business owners strongly prefer independent insurance agents as they make choices in today’s online world. However, the results also serve as a wake-up call that agents must take steps to continue to demonstrate their value and also be more engaged online. PIA and the companies belonging to The PIA Partnership have created a public website that helps agents understand PIA’s findings. PIA members also have access to a private website containing a series of strategies and tools to help them stay ahead of online competition in commercial lines. To access the newest PIA Partnership project, Small Business Insurance & The Internet — The Voice of the Commercial Lines Customer. If you are not a PIA member and want to access all of the tools available through this program, contact us for a membership application or visit us online at www.pianational.org/header-utility-items/join/Join-PIA.

National Association of Professional Insurance Agents 400 N. Washington St., Alexandria, VA 22314-2353 www.pianet.com | membership@pianet.org | (703) 836-9340


The Great Resignation — 4.5 Million Quit or Changed Jobs in November | 7 The U.S. Department of Labor just released some fascinating statistics. In November of last year 4.5 million workers quit or changed jobs. That’s the highest number in the history of the department’s survey. MarshBerry — 2021 M&A Activity Sets Record | 8 MarshBerry tracks mergers and acquisitions. The company has finished compiling 2021’s results and says it set a record for the fifth straight year. All told, there were 798 transactions, a 12.2% increase over 2020’s 711. The IRS, COVID & Last Year’s Taxes — Expect Refund Delays | 11 COVID has the Internal Revenue Service chief, Charles Rettig and his staff, worried. At year end, the IRS usually has a few million returns to be processed. When 2020 ended, there were over 35 million. Insurance Not Keeping Up with the Digital Experience | 13 J.D. Power just released its 2021 U.S. Claims Digital Experience Study. It is not looking good for insurance. Wrapping Up 2021 — 4th Quarter P&C Rates | 14 MarketScout says property and casualty insurance rates rose in the fourth quarter of 2021. The average was 5.8%. Richard Kerr is MarketScout’s CEO and he said that’s down from the third quarter average of 6.8%. Cyber Insurance Premiums — The Industries with the Highest Premiums | 15 This is a no-brainer when you think about cyber attacks. The more personal information an industry has, the more likely they are to be attacked, and to have that personal information compromised.

prediction was pooh-poohed but it’s now looking quite accurate since the pandemic has no end in sight. More on the Great Resignation — Employers & Mental Health | 22 Over the last few months Weekly Industry News has done several stories on the Great Resignation and how people are changing jobs on an unprecedented scale. We’ve looked at why they’re leaving, why people stay with jobs, and what employers should look for to keep the people they have working for them. Crisis in Manufacturing — Blue Collar Workers Shifting Careers | 27 The pandemic’s beginning saw people laid off in droves. Many were brought back and many white collar workers were given permission to work from home. Some — instead of going back to their employer — moved on.

PIA NE IA EVENTS Upcoming Events Calendar 2022 | 30

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COVID — The 3rd Largest Insurance Catastrophe Loss | 16 Insurance analysis firm, Howden said so far COVID has cost insurers $44 billion. Two-years the company predicted losses of $100 billion or more. That

February 2022 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 4

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We appreciate your support in 2021 and wish you the very best for the new year.

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TOP STORIES

THE GREAT RESIGNATION 4.5 MILLION QUIT OR CHANGED JOBS IN NOVEMBER The U.S. Department of Labor just released some fascinating statistics. In November of last year 4.5 million workers quit or changed jobs. That’s the highest number in the history of the department’s survey. November was the fourth time in 2021 that quitting or job changing set a record. The other three were April, August and September. On top of all that quitting and changing is another part of the report that says there are 10.6 million jobs sitting empty and in need of someone to do that work. Economists say some 20 million workers lost their jobs in the Spring of 2020 when the pandemic hit. When things started to thaw, a lot of those workers refused to return to work. That led to the imbalance we see now and it has given workers a lot more salary and benefit leverage than they’ve had before. Julia Pollak of ZipRecruiter said this is a very, very tight labor market. “This is the tightest labor market ever,” she said. “These are not quits from the labor force but quits from lower-paying jobs to higherpaying jobs, from less prestigious jobs to better, more prestigious jobs, from less flexible jobs to more flexible jobs.”

Retail and restaurant employers have experienced the most trouble filling jobs.

Breaking it down a bit: • Close to 7% of restaurant and bar workers quit in November • 4.4% of retail workers bagged their jobs Other companies are struggling, too. It’s led to companies competing against each other with higher wages, better benefits and cash bonuses for going to work for them. Source: The Washington Post

February 2022 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 7


TOP STORIES

MARSHBERRY 2021 M&A ACTIVITY SETS RECORD MarshBerry tracks mergers and acquisitions. The company has finished compiling 2021’s results and says it set a record for the fifth straight year. All told, there were 798 transactions, a 12.2% increase over 2020’s 711. Private capital-backed buyers did 591 of the 798 transactions. That’s 74.1% of them. Since 2018 these buyers have seen an average annual growth of about 14.8%. MarshBerry says that means they’re continuing to expand their influence and presence in the marketplace. “Buyers and investors are continuing to push their way into the marketplace. It is a very favorable seller’s market because there is still more demand than there is quality supply,” the company’s report said.

up more than 11% year over year from 2020 to 2021. Others making purchases include independent agencies. They did 100 deals, or 12.5% of the total count. That’s down from an average of 23.2% in the past. Looking at 2022, MarshBerry says purchasing will continue to be quite active but it probably won’t set another record. “While the 2022 deal count will not necessarily eclipse the 2021 total, activity will likely remain at the 2019/2020 levels with somewhere between 650-750 announced transactions,” MarshBerry said. Source: Business Insurance

Demand by these buyers and investors is pushing up prices. Valuations by the end of 2020 were over 10-times the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. It ends up being a 12.9% jump over the upfront proceeds sellers got in 2020. The total maximum purchase price has gone February 2022 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 8


THE HARTFORD’S FLOOD PROGRAM

PIA MEMBERS - ACCESS THE TOOLS, TECHNOLOGY AND SUPPORT YOU NEED TO GROW YOUR FLOOD BUSINESS The Hartford and PIA have joined together to make it easier for PIA member agents to provide their clients with flood coverage through The Hartford. The program is available to PIA members and their policyholders in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. HELPING YOU MARKET • On demand training • Webinars • Marketing materials and newsletter • Dedicated Flood Sales Executive • Access to Transfer Consultant – we make moving your flood business to The Hartford easy • Access to Training Consultant – we help you build flood expertise ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY FOR EASE OF DOING BUSINESS • Flood zone determinations • SEMCAT and Vertafore integrated flood quote technology • Electronic application submission • Assistance in obtaining elevation certificates • Technological upgrades due to legislative changes MEASURING YOUR SUCCESS • Claims reporting • Policy database download and maintenance • Electronic movement of premium and commission funds • Increased revenue with competitive commissions • Reports on demand • Repetitive loss review

THE PIA ADVANTAGE When you participate in PIA National’s official flood insurance program from The Hartford, you have the power of PIA behind you. PIA’s dedicated staff is ready to help if you need assistance. And, you’ll have access to The Hartford’s Flood Insurance Marketing Support Center. CONTACT US For more information about The Hartford’s Flood Insurance program for PIA agents, contact your local Flood Sales Executive: Michele Battis Phone: 704-972-5918 Email: Michele.Battis@thehartford.com

LEARN MORE AT PIANET.COM/HARTFORDFLOODINSURANCE.

The Hartford® is The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including issuing companies, Hartford Fire Insurance Company, Hartford Insurance Company of the Midwest and Hartford Underwriters Insurance Company. Its headquarters is in Hartford, CT. All policies are written subject to the National Flood Insurance Program. Please note that this product is available in most states. Features and credits may vary by state. For simplicity, this brochure does not include all the features, exclusions and limitations of the policy. For full information, The Hartford suggests that you read your policy or consult with your independent agent. On all losses and claims, policy terms apply. All information and representations herein are as of March 2018 PLA245-1 © March 2018 The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved.


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TOP STORIES

THE IRS, COVID & LAST YEAR’S TAXES Expect Refund Delays

COVID has the Internal Revenue Service chief, Charles Rettig and his staff, worried. At year end, the IRS usually has a few million returns to be processed. When 2020 ended, there were over 35 million. While the IRS won’t say how many of that 35 million got processed after year’s end, we do know it’s going to be awhile before last year’s returns are completely done. That bodes bad for this year’s submissions. Though we don’t need to tell you this, good journalistic practices say we must. Here’s what’s happened. COVID hit taxpayers and tax preparers hard last year so they got behind.

February 2022 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 11


TOP STORIES The Treasury also blames years of budget cuts for staffing problems. Add the loss of employees from those who got sick from the pandemic’s different forms of the virus, and you have an agency that’s really struggling.

pushing Congress to increase funding. It’s part of Biden’s Build Back Better agenda. As you know, Build Back is on hold for now because of political party bickering and a Democrat — Sen. Joe Manchin — who has held up the bill.

If you’re one of the people wondering what happened to your return, or that of your business, good luck reaching the IRS. The watchdog group, National Taxpayer Advocate said just 9% of calls are answered and only 3% have been answered on the 1040 support line.

Mark Everson who headed the IRS under George W. Bush disagrees and says funding isn’t the problem. Everson said the nonresponse of the IRS is mostly pandemic caused. “They went down early and hard from the pandemic and they’ve never really fully recovered. For both taxpayers and regular practitioners, the inability to get through on the phones is very frustrating,” he said.

Just as bad — or maybe even worse — many of the in-person centers operated by the IRS closed because of the pandemic. John Koskinen — who headed the IRS under Barack Obama — says Republicans forced budget cuts that led to a 25% cut in staff.

Source: The Washington Post Photo by Kelly Sikkema

“By definition, no matter how much more efficient you are, you can’t lose 25 percent of the workforce and assume you can do the same volume of work,” Koskinen said. “It’s a problem across the board — information technology; revenue agents; people answering the phones. The fact the filing season has gone so well over the last three years is an amazing tribute to the capacity of the workforce, but if you keep underfunding the place it’s not a question of whether it will have a major problem — it’s a question of when.” To help the IRS, the Biden administration is

February 2022 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 12


TOP STORIES

INSURANCE NOT KEEPING UP WITH THE DIGITAL EXPERIENCE J.D. Power just released its 2021 U.S. Claims Digital Experience Study. It is not looking good for insurance. The second annual study checked in with 3,000 customers doing home or auto insurance and who have filed claims in the last 12 months. J.D. Power looked at digital channels and the claims process, and how they worked on websites and phone apps. It also asked questions about updates and enhancements. J.D. Power spokesman, Martin Ellingsworth found that only 40% of those who have filed claims have done so with a claims estimator online. And just 47% made their claim on a website.

The Bottom-Line: Customers aren’t satisfied. “The insurance claims process has not really evolved beyond the launch of digital photo estimation three years ago,” Ellingsworth said. “It’s no secret the industry has been investing heavily in back-end technology such as straightthrough processing, which should help set the stage for faster, more personalized digital claims management tools. But right now, there is still a great deal of room for improvement in these functions. It is also critical to note that

February 2022 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 13


TOP STORIES satisfaction is highest when claimants have options to interact via the channel they choose and not feel forced into a one-size-fits-all experience.” A high percentage of claimants — 49% — are using the phone to file a claim and Ellingsworth says that’s what is dragging down the satisfaction percentages.

v On a 1,000-point basis, the overall customer satisfaction with phone claims is 861 v The video chat got the highest satisfaction score at 882 v However, only 26% of claimants have used video to file v Digital claims management tools are only helpful to 35% of those filing v Digital reporting is satisfying just 40% of the time

When it comes to satisfaction, baby boomers are the least satisfied of the groups surveyed. Source: Digital Insurance

WRAPPING UP 2021 4TH QUARTER P&C RATES

MarketScout says property and casualty insurance rates rose in the fourth quarter of 2021. The average was 5.8%. Richard Kerr is MarketScout’s CEO and he said that’s down from the third quarter average of 6.8%. “The fourth quarter 2021 reflects moderation in rate increases,” Kerr said. “However, when comparing rates for the entirety of 2021, rates did increase from +5.6% in 2020 to +6.6% in 2021.” Some lines — however — saw skyrocketing rates. “The composite national personal lines market continues to steadily adjust rates as necessary without year-overyear massive rate increases,” Kerr said. “However, for CAT exposed properties, rate increases can be dramatic; as much as 25%-40% in areas such as the wildfire corridors of California or southern portions of Florida. Umbrella/excess lines had the highest increase at 11%. That’s followed by D&O at 10.3% and commercial property’s 8.3%. Other lines seeing increases of 5% or more are business interruption, general liability, commercial auto, professional liability and employment practice liability. Sources: Business Insurance and PropertyCasualty360.com

February 2022 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 14


TOP STORIES

CYBER INSURANCE

PREMIUMS

The Industries with the Highest Premiums

TOP-10 LIST 1. Payment processing: Average annual cyber insurance premium: $2,440 2. Financial services (other): Average annual cyber insurance premium: $2,429 3. Investment services: Average annual cyber insurance premium: $2,280 4. Law firms: Average annual cyber insurance premium: $2,269 5. Insurance: Average annual cyber insurance premium: $2,235

This is a no-brainer when you think about cyber attacks. The more personal information an industry has, the more likely they are to be attacked, and to have that personal information compromised.

6. Pharmaceuticals: Average annual cyber insurance premium: $,2,226

AdvisorSmith took a look at cyber premium costs for a number of industries. It’s all about risk and the company broke down those risks:

8. Oil and gas: Average annual cyber insurance premium: $,2,131

• Rapid growth in exposure without adequate risk controls • Growing sophistication of cyber criminals • The cascading effects of cyber risks

7. Gaming: Average annual cyber insurance premium: $2,139

9. E-Commerce: Average annual cyber insurance premium: $2,097 10. Telecommunications: Average annual cyber insurance premium: $,2,044

• A lack of geographic or commercial boundaries According to AdvisorSmith, insurance — no surprise— has the fifth highest cyber insurance rates.

Source: PropertyCasualty360.com

February 2022 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 15


TOP STORIES

COVID

The 3rd Largest Insurance Catastrophe Loss

Insurance analysis firm, Howden said so far COVID has cost insurers $44 billion. Two-years the company predicted losses of $100 billion or more. That prediction was poohpoohed but it’s now looking quite accurate since the pandemic has no end in sight. That makes COVID is the third largest cost to insurers of all time. Only losses from Hurricane Katrina 9/11 rank higher. Source: Reuters and Business Insurance

February 2022 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 16


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PIA’s Member Benefits Keep Growing In 2021, PIA helped agents get back to business by creating programs to bridge physical divides and assist agents in navigating the digital landscape. The one thing we know is digital relationships aren’t going anywhere, and we can always improve on the way we connect in cyberspace.

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Practical information and resources to develop and grow customer relationships online Be Independent Campaign A social media campaign agents can use to educate the insurance-buying public about the value of working with an independent insurance agent over a direct writer

2021 PIA ADVOCACY VICTORIES

FLOOD

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Extension PIA successfully advocated for the NFIP’s extension in advance of each of its 2021 expiration dates.

Defeat of Harmful Provisions of Late 2021 Reconciliation Package As originally proposed, the second 2021 reconciliation package would have hindered the businesses of independent agents. The PIA advocacy team successfully defeated proposals like: • A provision that would have permitted federal oversight of state workers’ compensation programs. • A proposal that would have imposed a broad new tax information reporting regime on small businesses. • A proposal that would have raised individual and corporate taxes and increased the capital gains tax. • A provision that would have repealed the 20-percent tax deduction for qualified business income of qualifying pass-through businesses (S corporations), which was established by the 2017 tax reform law. Advocacy on COVID-19 Related Issues PIA successfully advocated for public policies that provided relief to small businesses struggling due to COVID-19, including: • Creation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and its second-loan draw opportunity, the establishment of a streamlined loan forgiveness process for some PPP borrowers, and the protection of PPP borrowers from a surprise tax on their loan proceeds. • Protection of businesses against the retroactive rewriting of existing agreements to impose extracontractual liability on those businesses for losses resulting from business interruptions. • Leadership of agent community in the development of policy solutions to protect businesses from future pandemic losses.

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TOP STORIES

MORE ON THE GREAT RESIGNATION EMPLOYERS & MENTAL HEALTH

Over the last few months Weekly Industry News has done several stories on the Great Resignation and how people are changing jobs on an unprecedented scale. We’ve looked at why they’re leaving, why people stay with jobs, and what employers should look for to keep the people they have working for them. Mental health is one of the main themes we’ve run across in most of our stories. According to a survey done by Uprise Health titled, Are you Listening? What Employees Expect from Employers for Mental Health

February 2022 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 22


TOP STORIES Support, mental health issues are primary in the decision to leave a company and the primary reason to stay. The conclusion of the survey of 1,100 workers is this: employers prioritizing the wellbeing of their employees will have more success keeping people than their other businesses. They’ll also do better in recruiting for open positions.

More information from the survey: •

56% say they thought about leaving their jobs during the pandemic

•

25% of that group said their mental health was the reason

•

78% say their mental health has been impacted by the pandemic

These are issues we’ve seen before in other surveys so most of you won’t find those statistics all that surprising. Here’s how the 78% claim their mental health was compromised by the pandemic: •

43% felt overloaded with work

•

39% were frustrated with company leadership and coworkers

•

28% say they were not recognized for the hard work they put in

Dr. Jay Spence is a clinical psychologist at Uprise Health. He said what separates employers people want to leave from those able to keep workers, is attention on mental health from human resources departments.

Their focus was improving mental health at work. Those taking the survey liked that their current employers are doing to help them with their mental health: •

83% say their workplace has been supportive of their mental health

•

60% say they are comfortable talking with supervisors about their mental health

Spence said this effort has — apparently — paid off. “Compared to a year ago, there has been a significant increase in these numbers, meaning the efforts that have gone into making workplaces less stigmatized against mental health is starting to pay off,” he said. Spence noted those employing a more sophisticated look at employee mental health, and how it can impact the retention of employees, have been more successful. He also pointed out that these efforts have worked best with younger workers — those in the 18 to 29 year old range. A third of them have changed jobs in the last half year. Pandemic related stress is the reason they gave for leaving. “You attract Gen Z through mental health policies and practices,” Spence said. “They’re not as worried about the stigma because it has become more normalized in their conversations. Their expectation is to treat mental health the same as a physical illness.” Source: Insurance Business America

February 2022 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 23


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TOP STORIES

February 2022 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 26


TOP STORIES

CRISIS IN MANUFACTURING

Blue Collar Workers Shifting Careers The pandemic’s beginning saw people laid off in droves. Many were brought back and many white collar workers were given permission to work from home. Some — instead of going back to their employer — moved on. They’re still moving on says a study from the Oliver Wyman Forum. And now — the forum report says — blue collar workers are wanting the same kind of flexibility as their white collar friends. “Despite being front and center during the spread of Covid-19, the well-being of bluecollar workers took a back seat,” the report said. “Most clocked hours in person — putting themselves and their loved ones at risk — while they watched their white-collar counterparts migrate to comfortable and safe remote setups, with their jobs and pay protected.” What blue collar businesses can’t do is match the scale of flexibility that white collar jobs offer. Small steps are working but not as well. So blue collar businesses are struggling to fill the vacant jobs of workers who’ve moved on. The Federal Reserve says manufacturing companies are way short of being full staffed “Applicants are trickling in,” one company said. “Not fast enough to satisfy current demand.”

Economists say blue collar businesses are behind the eight-ball in pay, in child care facility offerings and early retirement benefits. So a lot of their workers are rethinking their careers and are trying to move into the white collar community and into something with more benefits and flexibility. Researcher and economist said there was a huge migration of blue collar workers out of manufacturing and construction businesses in 2020. The U.S. Census Bureau said in the three months from September to November of last year, somewhere between 6.5% and 8.4% of blue collar workers from construction, transportation and production changed jobs and went into white collar professions. The Oliver Wyman Forum study says most of those job changers went into IT industries. That includes cyber security and sales. Most said they quit their blue collar jobs because they wanted more flexible hours and better benefits. That is leading manufacturing, construction and other industries to rethink salaries, benefits, etc. Time will tell if they are successful or not. Source: Insurance Journal

February 2022 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 27


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PIA NE IA EVENTS

Events Calendar 2022 For information and to register Click Here or call (402) 392-1611. Date

Class/Webinar

Where

When

February 10, 2022

CISR Live Webinar: Life & Health

Live Webinar

Live Webinar: 8:00AM - 4:00PM

February 10, 2022

Homeowners In Real Life: Tales of Claims & Coverage

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

February 10, 2022

Is This Stuff For Real? Understanding & Insuring Emerging Risks

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

February 15, 2022

That’s Personal: Home & Auto Exposures Your Insured Doesn’t Share (and Why That’s Bad)

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

February 15, 2022

Flood Insurance, FEMA, and the NFIP

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

February 17, 2022

CPIA Advanced: Insurance Implications of Cyber Security

Live Webinar

Webinar: 8:30AM - 4:15PM

February 17, 2022

Planting the Seed: Agent Strategies to Get and Keep Agribusiness Insureds

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

February 17, 2022

Chris Amrhein’s “Adventures in Aging”: Social Security & Other Retirement Income Solutions

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

February 22, 2022

Certificates of Insurance and the Coverage Issues that Go With Them

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

February 22, 2022

Lurking: Surprises In the Contractor’s CGL Policy & Endorsements to Watch Out For

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

February 23, 2022

An Hour with Cathy: Additional Insured Endorsements for Contractors

NE/IA

Webinar: 1:00PM - 2:00PM

February 24, 2022

The Evolution of Ethics in Insurance

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

February 24, 2022

Contracts Agents Should Read

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

February 24 - 25, 2022 CIC: Agency Management Institute

Omaha

Omaha Marriott Hotel Omaha, NE

February 24 - 25, 2022 CIC Live Webinar: Agency Management Institute

Omaha

**Hybrid Webinar

March 2, 2022

An Hour with Cathy: Insurance Issues for the Commercial Tenant

NE/IA

Webinar: 1 :00PM - 2:00PM

March 3 - 4, 2022

Ruble: Graduate Seminar (IA)

West Des Moines

The Rewind Hotel by Hilton - Des Moines, IA

February 2022 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 30


PIA NE IA EVENTS

March 3 - 4, 2022

Ruble: Graduate Seminar (IA)

West Des Moines

**Hybrid Webinar

March 3, 2022

Personal Lines Clients and Their New Normal

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

March 8, 2022

CISR Live Webinar: Agency Operations

Live Webinar

Live Webinar: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

March 9, 2022

An Hour with Corey: Liars: How to Spot Fraud & What the Agent Can Do About It

NE/IA

Webinar: 1:00PM - 2:00PM

March 10, 2022

CPIA 1 ONLINE COURSE: Position for Success

Live Webinar

Webinar: 8:30AM - 4:15PM

March 22, 2022

Employment Practices Liability - A Coverage No Business Can Afford to Be Without

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

March 22, 2022

Nailed It: Understanding Insurance Requirements in Construction Contracts

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

March 23, 2022

CISR Live Webinar: Commercial Casualty 1

Live Webinar

Live Webinar: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

March 24, 2022

Personal Lines Coverage Concerns: Annoying But Important

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

March 29, 2022

Why Insurance to Value and Liability Limits are Always Wrong (and How to Fix That)

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

March 29, 2022

Chris Amrhein’s “Adventures in Aging”: Medicare and Other Retirement Healthcare Solutions

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

March 30, 2022

An Hour with Nicole: Personal Umbrella Issues & Answers

NE/IA

Webinar: 1:00PM - 2:00PM

March 31, 2022

Autos, Garages, and Dealers Oh My! Knowing the Difference

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

March 31, 2022

Commercial Property - Direct vs. Indirect Damage

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

April 5, 2022

Flood Insurance, FEMA, and the NFIP

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

April 5, 2022

Personal & Commercial Lines Endorsements: Some Good, Some That Really Stink

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

April 7, 2022

CISR Live Webinar: Elements of Risk Management Live Webinar

Webinar: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

April 7, 2022

Homeowners In Real Life: Tales of Claims & Coverage

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

April 12, 2022

Cyber - Evolution, Exposures, Incidents & Insurance

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

April 12, 2022

Chris Amrhein’s “Adventures in Aging”: Social Security & Other Retirement Income Solutions

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

April 13, 2022

CPIA 2 ONLINE COURSE: Implement for Success

Live Webinar

Webinar: 8:30AM - 4:15PM

April 13, 2022

An Hour with Corey: Valuation Issues with Custom Cars & Tricked-Out Trucks

NE/IA

Webinar: 1:00PM - 2:00PM

February 2022 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 31


PIA NE IA EVENTS

April 19, 2022

That’s Personal: Home & Auto Exposures Your Insured Doesn’t Share (and Why That’s Bad)

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

April 19, 2022

Ethics: Essentials for the Insurance Producer

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

April 20-21, 2022

CIC Live Webinar: Insurance Company Operations Institute

Lincoln

**Hybrid Webinar

April 20-21, 2022

CIC: Insurance Company Operations Institute

Lincoln

Marriott Couryard Haymarket

April 20, 2022

An Hour with Cathy: Three Commercial Property Insurance Problems and How to Fix Them

NE/IA

Webinar: 1:00PM - 2:00PM

April 21, 2022

"How/Where the %^* Will I Live?" Insurance Solutions for the Long-Term

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

April 26, 2022

CISR Live Webinar: Insuring Personal Residential Property

Live Webinar

Live Webinar: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

May 4, 2022

An Hour with Corey: Liars: How to Spot Fraud & What the Agent Can Do About It

NE/IA

Webinar: 1:00PM - 2:00PM

May 5, 2022

CISR Live Webinar: William T. Hold: Advanced Learning Seminar

Live Webinar

Live Webinar: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

May 5, 2022

Commercial Property - Direct vs. Indirect Damage

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

May 10, 2022

Personal Lines Coverage Concerns: Annoying But Important

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

May 10, 2022

Employment Practices Liability NE/IA A Coverage No Business Can Afford to Be Without

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

May 12, 2022

CPIA 3 ONLINE COURSE: Sustain Success

Live Webinar

Webinar: 8:30AM - 4:15PM

May 12, 2022

Leadership and Liability: Insuring Executive Risk

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

May 17, 2022

Lurking: Surprises In the Contractor’s CGL Policy & Endorsements to Watch Out For

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

May 17, 2022

Chris Amrhein’s “Adventures in Aging”: Medicare and Other Retirement Healthcare Solutions

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

May 18, 2022

An Hour with Cathy: Truly Awful CGL Endorsements

NE/IA

Webinar: 1:00PM - 2:00PM

May 18-19, 2022

CIC: Personal Lines Institute

West Des Moines

The Rewind Hotel by Hilton - Des Moines, IA

May 18-19, 2022

CIC Live Webinar: Personal Lines Institute

West Des Moines

**Hybrid Webinar

May 19, 2022

Growing Good Insurance: Using Property & Liability Endorsements to Fortify Farm Risks

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

May 19, 2022

Personal Lines Clients and Their New Normal

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

May 24, 2022

Certificates and Additional Insureds: What Did You Do to Deserve This?!

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

February 2022 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 32


PIA NE IA EVENTS

May 24, 2022

The Evolution of Ethics in Insurance

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

May 25, 2022

CISR Live Webinar: Commercial Casualty 2

Live Webinar

Live Webinar: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

May 25, 2022

An Hour with Nicole: Homeowners Loss Settlement Issues

NE/IA

Webinar: 1:00PM - 2:00PM

May 26, 2022

Commercial Insurance Coverages, Court Cases & Chaos

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

June 14, 2022

CISR: Personal Lines Miscellaneous

Davenport

TBA

June 14, 2022

Planting the Seed: Agent Strategies to Get and Keep Agribusiness Insureds

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

June 14, 2022

That’s Personal: Home & Auto Exposures Your Insured Doesn’t Share (and Why That’s Bad)

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

June 15, 2022

An Hour with Cathy: Additional Insured Endorsements for Contractors

NE/IA

Webinar: 1:00PM - 2:00PM

June 16, 2022

Is This Stuff For Real? Understanding & Insuring Emerging Risks

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

June 21, 2022

Chris Amrhein’s “Adventures in Aging”: Social Security & Other Retirement Income Solutions

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

June 22, 2022

An Hour with Nicole: Personal Umbrella Issues & Answers

NE/IA

Webinar: 1:00PM - 2:00PM

June 22-23, 2022

CIC Live Webinar: Life & Health Institute

Live Webinar

Live Webinar

June 23, 2022

Flood Insurance, FEMA, and the NFIP

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

June 23, 2022

Homeowners In Real Life: Tales of Claims & Coverage

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

June 28, 2022

What the Heck Happened to Life Insurance?!

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

June 28, 2022

Certificates of Insurance and the Coverage Issues that Go With Them

NE/IA

Webinar: 12:00PM - 3:00PM

June 30, 2022

CISR Live Webinar: Agency Operations

Live Webinar

Live Webinar: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

June 30, 2022

Nailed It: Understanding Insurance Requirements in Construction Contracts

NE/IA

Webinar: 8:00AM - 11:00AM

July 7, 2022

CISR: Commercial Casualty 1

Des Moines, IA

TBA

July 12-13, 2022

CIC: Commercial Multiline Institute

West Des Moines

The Rewind Hotel by Hilton - Des Moines, IA

July 12-13, 2022

CIC Live Webinar: Commercial Multiline Institute

West Des Moines

**Hybrid Webinar

July 26, 2022

CISR: Insuring Personal Auto Exposures

Des Moines, IA

Des Moines

August 11, 2022

CPIA 1 ONLINE COURSE: Position for Success

Live Webinar

Webinar: 8:30AM - 4:15PM

August 18, 2022

CISR Live Webinar: Elements of Risk Management Live Webinar

Live Webinar: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

February 2022 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 33


PIA NE IA EVENTS

August 23 - 24, 2022

CIC Live Webinar: Commercial Casualty Institute

Live Webinar

Live Webinar: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

September 8, 2022

CPIA 2 ONLINE COURSE: Implement for Success

Live Webinar

Webinar: 8:30AM - 4:15PM

September 13-14, 2022 Ruble Live Webinar: Graduate Seminar (NE)

Omaha

**Hybrid Webinar

September 13-14, 2022 Ruble: Graduate Seminar (NE)

Omaha

Omaha Marriott Hotel Omaha, NE

September 20, 2022

CISR Live Webinar: Insuring Personal Residential Property

Live Webinar

Live Webinar: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

September 29, 2022

CISR Live Webinar: Insuring Commercial Property

Live Webinar

Live Webinar: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

October 5, 2022

CPIA 3 ONLINE COURSE: Sustain Success

Live Webinar

Webinar: 8:30AM - 4:15PM

October 13, 2022

CISR Live Webinar: Commercial Casualty 2

Live Webinar

Live Webinar: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

October 20-21, 2022

CIC: Commercial Property Institute

West Des Moines

The Rewind Hotel by Hilton - Des Moines, IA

October 20-21, 2022

CIC Live Webinar: Commercial Property Institute

West Des Moines

**Hybrid Webinar

October 27, 2022

CISR Live Webinar: Personal Lines Miscellaneous

Live Webinar

Live Webinar: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

November 9-10, 2022

CIC Live Webinar: Insurance Company Operations Institute

Live Webinar

Live Webinar

November 15, 2022

CISR Live Webinar: Commercial Casualty 1

Live Webinar

Live Webinar: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

December 13, 2022

CISR Live Webinar: Agency Operations

Live Webinar

Live Webinar: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

February 2022 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 34


Technology is changing the way insurance agents do business - and RCIS offers advanced mobile capabilities, e-signature services, FarmMaps mapping service, SM

daily claims updates, robust quoting tools for DRP, LRP and LGM livestock products and much more. Each tool is designed to make it easier to serve your policyholders. Whether you’re in the field, in your truck or working from home, RCIS is right there with you.

We’ve Got This To become an agent representing RCIS, contact an RCIS Business Development Representative or visit https://www.rcis.com/home/pages/agent/join-us today.

RCIS is a registered trade name of Rural Community Insurance Company. RCIC is an equal opportunity provider. © 2021 Rural Community Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

February 2022 | Main Street Industry News | www.pianeia.com | 35


Is your agency ready for a better

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