Smart Choice Virginia Journal

Due to the current Covid-19  circumstances,  your Smart Choice Virginia Team has created a Blog that will provide timely updates and information.  We have received large amounts of news for many Carrier, Broker, and Vendor Partners.  To provide the most news quickly and easily available from all parties and sources, we have put all content on this one blog post. As time allows, content will be organized in Categories by Carrier Partners, Express Market Partners, Smart Start Programs, and Life & Financial.  Please bookmark this page for easy reference.

Smart Choice Provides CARES ACT RESOURCES

August 31, 2020

BREAKING NEWS

Welcome Cindy Arnold as our Smart Choice Virginia NEW Liberty Mutual Sales Manager!

Cindy Arnold, AU, CISR  Territory Manager
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Cindy.Arnold@LibertyMutual.com
Office: (717) 303-2250
Cell: (717) 261-7287

We are excited to announce that effective immediately, Cindy Arnold will be your new Liberty Mutual Business Insurance Territory Manager.   

Cindy started her career 24 years ago with General Accident and had held various positions in personal and commercial lines. After five years as a Liberty Mutual Sr Agency Interface Specialist assisting our agents with various technology applications, she advanced to a Commercial Lines Territory Manager. Now with 12 years Territory Manager experience, mostly in Pennsylvania, she is excited to help our Virginia agency partners continue to write business.

Cindy has her CISR and AU designations. In her spare time she enjoys golf, bowling, renovation projects and spending time with her family. Cindy and her husband have 5 children and their first grandchild is due in September, 2020.

Thank you for your partnership. Please feel free to reach out to Cindy or us with any questions.

Sincerely,

August 17, 2020

Email sent by David Wilson introducing new Express Market Partner CannGen Insurance 0n August 11, 2020.

BREAKING NEWS

State Directors & TM’s – New Express Market Partner à CannGen!  Our launch is set for Thursday August 13^th.  On this call we will discuss the CannGen 1) Product/Market Space 2) Appt. Process 3) Commissions

• CannGen provides a “Seed to Sale” coverage for Cannabis, CBD & Hemp.  They also have coverage in all 50 states. 
• Coverages include; WC Transportation MTC Property Crop GL Excess   www.canngenins.com
• Canngen would pay 14% package & auto / 10% work comp commissions to our agents.  The 14% is higher than base commission for agents accessing CannGen direct.  Nice selling point for Smart Choice!
• CannGen will also include our existing appointments under our main code, going forward.
• All Agents with the Smart Choice program will have the opportunity for an appointment!!
  • Smart Choice Group Appointment Process:   
    • CannGen Producer Agreement
    • Exhibit 1 – Networking Groups/Cluster Compensation
    • CannGen Profile Set Up Form
    • CannGen ACH Authorization Form
  • In addition, please also include: 
    • Errors & Omissions Cert
    • Agency and Producer Licenses
    • Copy of Voided Check for Commissions to be Deposited
    • W-9

TARGET CLASSES

• Cultivators
• Processors/Harvesters
• Manufacturers
• Wholesaler Distributors
• Transporters
• Dispensaries
• Retailers
• Non-Storefront Delivery
• Laboratories
• Lessor’s Risk (LRO)/Building Owners
• Ancillary Businesses

CannGen Program Highlights 

CannGen Agent Quick Start Guide

Get CannGen Appointment Forms

August 17, 2020

Email sent by Roger Gill for Smart Choice State Auto Appointed Agents on August 17, 2020.

BREAKING NEWS

Smart Choice Virginia Agents Appointed with State Auto,

I am excited to announce your new dedicated State Auto Personal & Small Commercial sales and marketing rep, Becki Caesar. Please take a moment to view her introduction video, the attached who to call contact list, and feel free to register for any of the training classes offered below.

Introduction of Becki Caesar: 

State Auto’s Dedicated Smart Choice Marketing Rep

Check out this video: https://share.vidyard.com/watch/EjmaGqs8eNmzrxa8CpQW5T?

 

 

State Auto Training Opportunities

• State Auto Fundamentals (40 min.)

• Introduction: Personal Lines Products (1 hr.)

• Introduction: Small Commercial Connect Products and Quoting Demo (45 min.)

• Introduction: Legacy Farm & Ranch (videos only, no registration required)
  
  • Legacy: CT, IL, KS, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, ND, PA, SD, TN, TX, VA, WV (Note: Coming soon to Connect Farm & Ranch)

• Introduction: Connect Farm & Ranch (videos only, no registration required)
  • Connect: AL, AR, AZ, GA, IA, IN, KY, MS, OH, OK, WI

Becki Caesar, MBA, CIC

Territory Manager

State Auto Insurance Companies

Phone: 6149174959

July 18, 2020

Email sent by Roger Gill for Smart Choice Liberty Mutual Appointed Agents on July 2020.

BREAKING NEWS

Wilson Shepherd, CICSr. Territory Manager – South Central Virginia
Mid-Atlantic Region, Business Insurance
Liberty Mutual Insurance   109 Stirling Court    Forest, VA 24551
Direct Dial: 434-525-2442     Fax:  603-430-1864

We are happy to announce that Wilson Shepherd has been assigned as the Liberty Mutual Territory manager for Smart Choice Virginia effective July 1, 2020. With more than three decades in the insurance industry, Wilson has been serving as a Field Territory manager in Virginia for many years.  Everyone that I have spoken to about Wilson says “He is one of the best TMs!”    He enjoys partnering with his clients by learning their challenges, then working together to find solutions and create wins!   We are excited that Liberty Mutual leadership has changed their Smart Choice agent support back to a field position; and we are especially thankful to have been given a TM with such great experience and knowledge with a proven track record of helping agents succeed with Liberty Mutual. 

This week we are developing a plan with Wilson and his Liberty Mutual Team to provide extra-ordinary support services to our Virginia agents.  Please reach out to Wilson for any of your LM commercial needs.  Other than helping his agents,  you’ll likely find Wilson engaged in one of the following: 

• Cheering on the ‘Hoos, where his daughter, Carson, is a rising 2nd year.
• Tossing the football with his son, soon to be third grader, Sam.
•  On the golf course with his favorite partners, his wife and father-in-law.
•  Firing up the grill on his very favorite place, Wilson’s backyard deck.

Wilson brings great Third Quarter Incentives from Liberty Mutual on Top of our Exclusive 3% Bonus for the Year:

July 18, 2020

Email sent by Oliver Trevieso for Smart Start Specialty Commercial Brokerage on April 8, 2020.

BREAKING NEWS

We are very excited to share some new offerings in Smart Start!!!

• Farm – Nationwide, State Auto, Liberty Mutual
• Middle Market – Excluding Construction and Contractors – Multiple Carriers
• Non-Profit – Guide One
• Large Church – Guide One
• Municipalities – We have multiple Markets for this – Please have agents contact the Smart Start Department for submissions.
• Public and Private Schools K-12 – We have multiple Markets for this
• Banks and Financial Institutions

We will be marketing this to the agents directly but wanted you all to know that this will be programmed into the Smart Start Business Center ASAP. It may take about a week but they can transact today if they have this business. Most of this business will not be written in carrier Sales Centers, so either Lynn Depasquale or Joey Duggins will handle it depending on the program. The important thing is that we drive agents to the portal to generate the lead and we will take it from there.

Joey Duggins
Smart Start Specialty Commercial Brokerage
888-264-3388   x3085
jduggins@smartchoiceagents.com

Oliver Travieso
Vice President
Commercial Insurance
Mobile:  704-996-7721
otravieso@smartchoiceagents.com

July 8, 2020

Email sent by Ashley Wingate for Mercury Insurance on July 8, 2020.

BREAKING NEWS

Mercury Advantage

Mercury Advantage Update 07082020

There’s never been a better time to be a Mercury agent – we recently rolled out some amazing improvements that will help you write more business than ever. It started with the release of our point of sale interface: AgentCenter! We’ve heard from agents across the country that it’s the easiest system they’ve ever used; which means you have more time to devote to writing new business and servicing your customers.  We’ve followed that up with a re-vamped Private Passenger Auto program for Virginia that will make it easier than ever to write and retain Mercury business. Take a look below to learn more.

Mercury Advantage for Virginia: Key Highlights

• New Business 5-year Accident Free Discount
• Offers a larger discount for super clean risks
• Larger Continuous Insurance Discount – Now up to 16%
• Provides a larger discount for insureds with longer continuous coverage; expanded from 5+ years to 10+ years • Larger Advanced Quote Discount
• Up to 14% Paid-In-Full Discount or Annual Two Pay Discount
• New Insight Score (used in addition to credit scores for more accurate pricing)
• Improved rates on the following segments:
o Up to 14% discount for Packaged Policyholders (especially HO3)
o Credit buckets A – B
o Lower and mid Bodily Injury and Property Damage limits
o Single car and single driver risks
• Recently introduced Live Chat Option (“talk” with an Underwriter from your screen)

Tip: Be sure to bridge from your multi-rater on every risk, to ensure you’re seeing our best rates.  Contact your Mercury Marketing Representative with any questions.

July 2, 2020

Email sent by Liberty Mutual on July 2, 2020.

BREAKING NEWS

Help your WC clients navigate
challenging times with Your Way Pay™

Real-time premium calculations based on actual payroll can help free up your clients’ cash flow when they need it most – always important, but especially in times like these. That’s why we want to make sure you’re consistently recommending Your Way Pay¹ – Liberty Mutual Insurance’s convenient pay-as-you-go billing option for workers compensation policies issued in eCLIQ^®.

How we’re helping you promote Your Way Pay:

• New sell sheet for you to share with prospects and clients
• New policy stuffer for all eCLIQ WC renewal policies, directing policyholders to contact you if they’d like to switch their billing method to Your Way Pay
• Enhanced Your Way Pay consumer website outlining features and benefits
• Additional resources to help you explain the benefits of Your Way Pay and get your clients set up

We remain committed to supporting you and your clients during these difficult times – and Your Way Pay is one more way we can do this.  So the next time you quote or renew a WC policy, be sure to
recommend Your Way Pay.

¹ Your Way Pay, powered by SmartPay, is not available for risks in HI, OH, ND, WA or WY.

July 1, 2020

Email sent by Smart Choice for Travelers on July 1, 2020.

BREAKING NEWS

The Travelers Cash Pyramid
is
BACK
and
Better than Ever

We are giving away $50,000
to the top 25
New Personal Auto PIF producing agencies
Contest runs July 1 – September 30

Wait!

There is more big news.
Top 10 Agencies for the month of July will win an additional $1,000
Top 10 Agencies for the month of August will win an additional $1,000

* Minimum 10 Auto PIF to qualify
*Agency Renewal Retention above 75%
*All Contest Award winners need to be in good standing with Smart Choice and Travelers at time of payment
*Any NB PIF ties will be settled based on largest NB Premium
*All Contest Award Dollars will be paid at the end of the Contest Period
*Not valid for Smart Start

June 30, 2020

Email sent by Roger Gill on July 1, 2020.

BREAKING NEWS

WELCOME Wilson Shepherd, our new Liberty Mutual Territory Manager for Smart Choice Virginia.

We are happy to announce that Wilson Shepherd has been assigned as the Liberty Mutual Territory manager for Smart Choice Virginia effective July 1, 2020. With more than three decades in the insurance industry, Wilson has been serving as a Field Territory manager in Virginia for many years.  Everyone that I have spoken to about Wilson says “He is one of the best TMs!”    He enjoys partnering with his clients by learning their challenges, then working together to find solutions and create wins!   We are excited that Liberty Mutual leadership has changed their Smart Choice agent support back to a field position; and we are especially thankful to have been given a TM with such great experience and knowledge with a proven track record of helping agents succeed with Liberty Mutual. 

This week we are developing a plan with Wilson and his Liberty Mutual Team to provide extra-ordinary support services to our Virginia agents.  Please reach out to Wilson for any of your LM commercial needs.  Other than helping his agents,  you’ll likely find Wilson engaged in one of the following: 

• Cheering on the ‘Hoos, where his daughter, Carson, is a rising 2nd year.
• Tossing the football with his son, soon to be third grader, Sam.
•  On the golf course with his favorite partners, his wife and father-in-law.
•  Firing up the grill on his very favorite place, Wilson’s backyard deck.

Wilson brings great Third Quarter Incentives from Liberty Mutual on Top of our Exclusive 3% Bonus for the Year:

Liberty Mutual is open for Smart Choice  appointments in Virginia for qualified agents who have 3 years of commercial experience with a proven production record.  

Please contact me if you are interested in an appointment or with any questions.

June 26, 2020

BREAKING NEWS

Summary of Email from David Wilson on June 26, 2020 to SC Territory Managers.

For Agents with a Dovetail appointment: MetLife CL via Dovetail will start non-renewing policies on 7/1/2020.  Agents who accessed MetLife CL via Smart Start Commercial will be contacted by Lynn and her team.

• Policies beginning with BP are BOP, and those beginning with CA are Auto.
• For monoline CL Auto, we have a couple options with NatGen.  I hope you have been appointing your agents with these partners!
• There will probably be some price shock, as MetLife CA was underpriced in most markets.

Agents should review all of their MetLife CL policies and plan to rewrite them.

Roger Gill

June 24, 2020

BREAKING NEWS

Email from Jason Hamstra, Vice President,  Smart Start Personal Lines  June 24, 2020

We have partnered with Kelly Klee to bring AIG, Chubb, and Openly to SSPL in all States with the exception of CA and FL for High Net Worth clients.  This is a gap that we have been working hard to close!  Below is the link agents can access to submit risks until the link is built into the website and a formal announcement goes out to all sub-agents (coming very soon).  This will be pass through business, meaning SSPL will not touch the submissions.  The form will require they enter/submit the risk information (package preferred) to Kelly Klee directly.  In the event we receive a referral into SSPL we will redirect the sub-agent to this link.

https://beta.commissions.smartchoiceagents.com/kelly-klee-quote-form

We are very excited to being this opportunity to you and your sub-agents!

Thanks!

Jason Hamstra

Vice President,  Smart Start Personal Lines
Office Phone:  888-264-3388, ext 3081
Fax: (336) 217-4665

jhamstra@smartchoiceagents.com

June 06, 2020

BREAKING NEWS

Email from Mark Gozdecki, Dairyland Account Executive – National Accounts  May 29, 2020

1. Motorcycle Incentive –
   1. All Smart Choice Agents are eligible for our Cycle Cash for Apps Campaign – which runs from May 18^th – July 31^st.
   2. Details are below –

1. An Update on Dairyland’s Customer Care Team – I have said this before and will say it again – we will stack our Customer Care and Claims Team to anyone in the Industry!

Mark Gozdecki
Dairland Account Executive – National Accounts

317-201-0452

mark.gozdecki@sentry.com

Dairyland Insurance

1800 Deming Way, Suite 400
Middleton, WI 53562

dairylandinsurance.com

June 06, 2020

BREAKING NEWS

Email from Michael Maslowski, Hagerty National Account Executive 

In collaboration with Smart Choice, Hagerty will be announcing a promotion on June 1st.

Hagerty Contest June 1 — September 30  Win $$$   Get The Details

The Contest contains incentives for Smart Choice Agents, State Directors and Territory Managers that support the winning agents.

In addition to the Contest, a Hagerty Basics training video exclusively for Smart Choice will be distributed as well. You can review the training video by clicking Hagerty Training.

If you have agents who are not yet appointed with Hagerty, please have the agent complete this Hagerty Smart Choice Agent Appointment Form and send it to agenthelp@hagerty.com

Michael Maslowski
Hagerty National Account Executive
mobile: +1.779.227.9519 office: +1.231.941.7477
hagerty.com | mmaslowski@hagerty.com

May 07, 2020

BREAKING NEWS

Burns & Wilcox Brokerage  (EXPRESS  Broad Risk Brokerage–E&S and Standard Markets–pays agents directly)

 From David Wilson  email sent May 6, 2020

Burns & Wilcox / Client Services has a new leader, Danielle Alessandrini.  Danielle is an existing Burns employee and has been integral part of building the Client Services Team.  Please see her contact info below.

Clients Services focuses 90% on Personal Lines.  Provides access to High Net Worth, Personal Article Floater, Hard to place Homeowners, Power Sports Etc…  Agents can call an UW & determine if coverage is available before submitting quote!

Send your Client Services enrollment packet and submissions/questions to quote@burns-wilcox.com / 1.855.PL.QUOTE  Burns & Wilcox Client Services & 2019 INFO    Get Appointed

1. Get Your Burns & Wilcox Free Agency Branded Sales Materials
2. Burns & Wilcox Commercial Solutions  

Burns & Wilcox Brokerage  (EXPRESS  Broad Risk Brokerage–E&S and Standard Markets–pays agents directly)    Get Appointed

1. Get Your Burns & Wilcox Free Agency Branded Sales Materials
2. Burns & Wilcox Commercial Solutions     Burns & Wilcox Client Services & 2019 INFO

Please keep in mind that they will hold the agency appointment paperwork and process appointment upon receipt of our first bind request together.

Contact:

Danielle Alessandrini, Underwriting Director for Personal Insurance
BURNS & WILCOX
30833 Northwestern Hwy | Farmington Hills, MI 48334

 T:   (248) 539-6042 
DRAlessandrini@burns-wilcox.com

www.burnsandwilcox.com 

May 05, 2020

BREAKING NEWS

CE Authority CL & PL Education Courses

Discounted for Smart Choice Agents at only $29.95 per year.

Smart Choice®  has partnered with CE Authority to provide CE Courses and Training Courses for our agents at a very low cost.  For only $29.95 per year,  agents get access to over 200 courses (for Training and Education)  and can complete their CE requirements.  

 CE Authority   $29 a year for a Library of Insurance Courses and Complete CE Requirements!  Sign up now!   

CE Authority Commercial Training Courses (Yellow Highlighted Required for agents new to commercial production)

An Overview of Business Insurance (eLIBI)
Commercial Property Insurance (eLICMP)
General Liability – A Comprehensive Overview
Commercial P&C Insurance Coverages (385)
The Complete Business Owners Package (383)
Commercial Coverages, Exclusions and Perils (192)
A Guide to Commercial Automobile Coverage and Claims (174)
Inland Marine Insurance (eLIIMI)
Workers Compensation (eLIWC)
Contractual Liability Surrounding the Additional Insured (184)
Recommending Endorsements to Complete the Commercial Property Insurance Package (227)
Executive, Director and Officer Liability
Umbrella and Other Excess Coverage (203)
Forms of Business Ownership (eLIFBO)

OTHER CE AUTHORITY COURSES FOR ADDITIONAL COMMERCIAL TRAINING

Business Income Insurance (202) 
Construction Insurance Bonding and Liens
General Liability – A Comprehensive Overview
Workers’ Compensation for Leased and Temporary Employees (478)
Professional Liability Insurance – The Claims Process (356)
Claims Made Versus Occurrence Policies (248)
Commercial Crime Coverage (199)
Risk Management in the Property and Casualty Industry (197)
Understanding Insurance Litigation (209)
Workers’ Compensation Adjuster (464)
Protection Nonpublic Information (180)

CE Authority Personal Lines Courses

Overview of Personal Lines P&C Insurance Coverages (386)
Personal Auto Insurance Basics (eLIPAB)
Personal Property and Liability Coverage (363)
Personal Umbrella Policy (eLIPUP)
Property and Casualty Concepts (eLIPCC)
Standard Fire Policy (eLISFP)
An Extensive Guide to Miscellaneous Personal Lines Coverages (392)
Auto Insurance Trends (481)
Comprehensive Personal Liability Policy (eLICPL)

May 05, 2020

BREAKING NEWS

Narragansett Bay Coastal & Inland Property Insurance

Below are Highlight of our new Express Carrier Partner for Coastal & Inland Property 

1. NBIC is a Demotech Rated “A” Carrier
   1. We use approximately thirteen AM Best Rated A- or better carriers to establish a Reinsurance Strategy for wind, hurricane and other catastrophes.
   2. We have a strong claims department.  We will be using our vendors until enough business in established to support filling field personnel.
2. NBIC is “admitted” in Virginia  Learn More 
   1. We have approximately $105 million in surplus to pay day to day claims.
3. NBIC is about $355 Million in DWP
   1. We are owned by Heritage Insurance in FL with about $655 Million in DWP.  In total, we are a $1 billion in revenue carrier.
4. Enterprise Footprint for you to review.  Learn More 
   1. NBIC (northeast product and guidelines)
   2. Heritage (southern product with different coastal guidelines)
   3. Zephyr (wind product in Hawaii)
5.  Market Share document to reference:   Learn More 
   1. Our state strategies are to capture 3% of market share, mostly on the coastal communities where our product is unique.  We have rates for all of Virginia in PC 1-9 exposures.
   2. Notice the large national carriers we compete with for market share.
6. In Virginia   Learn More 
   1. Internet based quoting.  Three screens to generate a rate.
   2. Partners will create a relationship with a dedicated Virginia Underwriter- Stephanie Barrows.
   3. Property Products (… NBIC does not offer Auto solutions)   
      1.     HO3 available today. 
      2.     Expect HO6 in the coming weeks.
      3.     DP3 slated to arrive 3rd Quarter 2020.

GET APPOINTED:  NBIC Smart Choice Agent Appointment Forms  SEND ALL FORMS to RGILL@SmartChoiceAgents.com

Here is a list of items needed:     

• Completed NBIC- SmartChoice VA Branch Appointment Form (form must be typed; handwritten forms not accepted)
• Attach Virginia- Agency License (include NPN#)
• Attach Virginia- Producer Licenses (only require one producer with NPN# quoting & binding policies on behalf of NBIC)
• Attach Agency Commission Deposit Form (include voided check)
• Attach W-9 Form

May 05, 2020

BREAKING NEWS

Foremost is paying a 5% bonus on Specialty Lines from May 4 to September 4, 2020.    Learn More

April 30, 2020

BREAKING NEWS

A new Smart Choice Customer Support Document has been released:

Smart Choice Agent Support FAQ and GUIDE

April 29, 2020

BREAKING NEWS

American Modern, Grayson Carrol Wythe, and NBIC are now available in Virginia for mono line Homes, Dwellings, Condos, and more.  NBIC specializes in COASTAL PROPERTY! GCW specializes in rural properties and will write PC10s with a wood stove and small churches.  More info coming soon and will be added to the Smart Choice Virginia website under agent news.

Roger Gill

April 29, 2020

 From Roger Gill email sent April 29, 2020

Smart Choice Virginia Agents with a Nationwide PL Appointment:

BREAKING NEWS

 Agencies who writes 75 New Nationwide Auto policies between May 1 – Aug 31 will earn $7,500! 

Please see attachment from Nationwide (Driving Forward Together Incentive Bonus)for the specific incentive rules.  This incentive bonus will be paid in full directly to agents with no split.  

Make sure that your agency in on TRACK to Meet the Annual Nationwide Production Commitment of $40,000 New PL Business.

Also Attached are the April and May Nationwide Training schedules to help!   NW April – May Training Schedule

Please let me know, if I may be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Roger Gill

April 14, 2020

Bill Stephenson
Account Executive National Accounts | MetLife Auto & Home

Subject:  MetLife Covid-19 Activities.   Sent by email from Ashley Wingate 04/14/2020.

I’ve been asked if we are doing anything to package all of the great things MetLife continues to do for its agents, customers, employees and the community a whole amid this pandemic. I’ve compiled below a few of the great things MetLife has done over the last month and hyperlinked them with any appropriate press release on our site. I’m going to see if we can get a graphic made detailing all of this. We are exploring having a video created as well. Please keep in mind a notice will be sent directly to your agents, and to customers, detailing the 15% credit announcement when it is available. It is my understanding that some of the FAQ’s are still being ironed out.

Below are some of the great things MetLife has done during this pandemic:

• Active MetLife Auto customers who are paid to date will receive a 15% credit for April and May based on their monthly premiums. More here.

• To help small businesses weather the economic fall-out and immediate challenges of COVID-19, MetLife is offering several resources to both small business owners and their employees. More here.

• MetLife will offer free housing at the Intercontinental Times Square for nurses, doctors and other medical workers effective immediately. More here.

• MetLife Foundation is committing $25 million to the global response to COVID-19 in support of communities impacted by the pandemic. The grant funding from MetLife Foundation will span all regions where MetLife operates, and will address both short- and longer-term relief efforts. More here.

• MetLife Foundation has committed to donating $1 million to food banks across the U.S. to help them deal with increased demand for their services as a result of coronavirus. More here.

• We recently donated 1,000 face masks to the New York State Department of Health. MetLife’s facilities team is meeting daily to manage all aspects of the company’s preparedness program, including its own inventory of supplies. Based on its review, and after accounting for supplies to stock our sites and equip our staff, the team identified 4,000 additional face masks, 1,000 bottles of hand sanitizer and 1,000 canisters of disinfecting wipes that will be donated. Another 16,000 face masks, currently on order, have also been earmarked for donation.

I encourage you to visit MetLife’s LinkedIn Page and share articles about this great news on your own social channels directly from there: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metlife/.

You can also view the customer facing COVID-19 Reponses page here: https://www.metlife.com/covid-19-update-ceo-faq/

And the agent facing COVID-10 response page here: https://producers.metlife.com/category/alerts/covid-19-updates/

Bill Stephenson CPCU,CIC |Account Executive National Accounts | MetLife Auto & Home | 400 Red Brook Blvd, Ste 300, Owings Mills MD 21117 |C.602-363-5181| F 866-382-7806 |wstephenson@metlife.com
Personal Lines  |  Business Insurance |  Life Insurance  |  MetLife GA^SM

April 14, 2020

Carol Drake
Smart Choice VP Corporate Strategy

Subject: Main Street has just announced that they will be issuing a 20% premium credit to all Business Owner’s Policy program and Contractors for the months of April and May 2020 for all policies in force as of March 31.  From Email sent out on April 14, 2020 by Carol Drake.

Main Street has just announced that they will be issuing a 20% premium credit to all Business Owner’s Policy program and Contractors for the months of April and May 2020 for all policies in force as of March 31.

Please see the below documents for details.

MSA-COVID-19-CL-Premium-Relief-Agent-Notice_BOP_Contractors

MSA_CL-Premium-Relief-Policyholder-Information-Letter-for-Agent-Notice

MSA-Chris-Listau_Memo-to-Agents_CL-Premium-Relief

Carol Drake

VP, Corporate Strategy
O: 888.264.3388 ext 3490
M: 614.601.8307

April 10, 2020

Valued Auto Member, Nationwide has helped our members through challenging times for 94 years, and together, we’ll get through this one. To get relief in your hands quickly and simply during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are offering a one-time premium refund of $50 per policy for personal auto policies active as of March 31, 2020. You don’t need to do anything. Refunds will automatically be credited to your most recent method of payment (for example, automatic withdrawal, credit card, personal check) within the next 30 days, subject to regulatory approval. We are offering this rapid relief at a time when many drivers are making the right choice to stay off the road and remain home to help “flatten the curve.” Learn what other steps Nationwide has taken to protect our customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re looking for additional ways to save money on your auto insurance, talk to your local agent to learn more about SmartRide. Not all products are currently available in all states. We wish you good health, and thank you for trusting us to protect what matters most to you.

April 13, 2020

Online and Over Exposed: How to Reduce your Cyber Risk While Increasing Privacy from Home

April 17, 2020 at 2:00 PM

You’re invited to join Burns & Wilcox for a webinar on Friday, April 17, that will discuss how you, your children, and your clients can learn and work from home safely, securely, and more privately.

The 60-minute conversation will include:
How criminals use your publicly available information Practical tips for increasing your family’s and your client’s digital privacy How to spot the latest cyber scams How COVID-19 and the remote workforce could impact cyber insurance coverage.

Presented by:

David Derigiotis, CIPP/US, CIPM
Corporate Senior Vice President
National Professional Liability Practice Leader
Burns & Wilcox

April 10, 2020

Robert N. Bradshaw, Jr., MAM | President & CEO

Independent Insurance Agents Association of Virginia

Subject:  Business Operation Coverage and State Legislators  From Email sent out on April 7, 2020 by Robert Bradshaw

No doubt you’ve heard about the President’s statement on Business Interruption Insurance.  We heard it too.  Please know that our national association is contacting the administration as we speak and is working on coordinating a response with the heads of government affairs for insurance company trade associations.

It’s very likely you will hear from clients.

As you all know, virtually every BI policy excludes pandemics/virus’s. Forcing the industry to cover losses they never charged for would be a catastrophe for our industry:

• Closure losses just for the small businesses with 100 or fewer employees has increased from $255 billion to $431 billion per month.
• The national estimate rises to about $900 billion per month if the threshold is raised to 500 employees.
• In contrast, the P&C industry’s total surplus – which exists to pay covered automobile, home, and business losses – is only $812.2 billion (as of 9/30/2019).
• Industry estimates are that only 40% of all businesses had any form of business interruption coverage, and only 30% of small businesses have it.  So, even if such a proposal were to pass, it would only benefit a minority of businesses affected by the pandemic and mandated closures.
• Recent legislative proposals in other states – with retroactive applications – are likely unconstitutional.

While our national association is working to address this issue nationally, IIAV will be implementing an aggressive PR campaign to get our message out.

Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions.

Robert N. Bradshaw, Jr., MAM | President & CEO

This email was sent on behalf of Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia (IIAV) located at 8600 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23294.

April 8, 2020

COVID-19 Update

To Our U.S. Agents and Brokers:

We know that many of our customers are doing their part to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by staying at home. That means many of them are driving fewer miles, resulting in a decrease in auto claims.

With that in mind, we have launched the Stay-at-Home Auto Premium Credit Program, which will automatically give U.S. personal auto insurance customers a 15% credit on their April and May premiums. It’s our way of supporting our customers, and we hope it helps ease some of the financial burden many are experiencing. Please note that these credits will have no impact on the base commission associated with the policy.

We will continue to assess the program as more information comes to light about the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the driving environment and auto claims.

Customers who pay by monthly installments will receive the automatic credit on future bills. Customers who have already paid their billing account in full will receive a direct payment. We are working with regulators to obtain all the necessary approvals.

Answers to questions that customers may have about this program can be found here.

Separately, we continue to provide auto coverage for customers across the country whose job responsibilities now include using their personal vehicles to make food, grocery, pharmacy and medical supply deliveries. (This does not apply to those who are working for transportation network companies.)

The Stay-at-Home Auto Premium Credit Program is among several initiatives we have launched to provide relief during this challenging time. These include suspending cancellation and nonrenewal of coverage through May 15 – there will be no interest, late fees or penalties charged during this time. We are also accelerating more than $100 million of commission payments to eligible agents and brokers. And we have pledged $5 million to COVID-19 relief efforts to assist families and communities across North America, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

We appreciate your partnership and hope you stay healthy and safe.

Be well,

Michael Klein
Executive Vice President and President, Personal Insurance

Loree Toedman
Vice President, Field Sales, Personal Insurance

April 8, 2020

NOTE:  As of April 2, 2020 Safeco had  reduced Auto Rates in Virginia 8%!

Taking care of our customers, employees and agents is a top priority for Safeco. We recognize the uncertainty and financial challenges many of our joint customers are facing as the nation bands together to slow the spread of the coronavirus. To help Safeco customers, we have taken the following actions:

Personal Auto Customer Relief Refund   Fewer drivers are on the road, which means fewer accidents. With this in mind, we are announcing our Personal Auto Customer Relief Refund, which will return approximately $250 million to our Liberty Mutual personal lines and Safeco auto customers. Here’s how it works:

Personal auto insurance customers will receive a 15% refund of two months of their annual auto premium as of April 7, 2020, pending regulatory approval.  The refunds will begin in April and will be issued either by check or in the manner the customer made their most recent payment.

The payments will happen automatically. Customers do not need to call Safeco to receive the refund.  Safeco agent commissions WILL NOT be affected by this 15% customer refund.

 Payment flexibility options

Late fee charges have been automatically stopped and cancellations due to non-payment have been temporarily paused for personal auto and home customers from March 23 through at least May 22, 2020.

We continue to work with individual customers to extend payment dates if needed and provide personalized support.   Delivery coverage expansion for auto policies

All personal auto policies have been expanded to cover customers who use their personal vehicles to deliver food and medicine.  Standard Safeco personal auto policies typically exclude such coverage.

This additional protection is in effect for all personal auto policies in all states for losses occurring from March 16 to May 22, 2020, and reported by July 1, 2020.

For more information on all of the information above, customers can visit www.Safeco.com/Covid-19.

The well-being and support of our customers, agents and employees remains our primary concern during this critical time. I really appreciate the work you are doing to support our shared customers, and I thank you for your continued partnership.

April 7, 2020

Rusty Perry
Smart Choice Express Markets

Subject:  Smart Choice Express Markets NEW CARRIER (American Modern) for Personal Lines in Virginia.  From Email sent out on April 7, 2020 by Rusty Perry

American Modern Now Available in Virginia!

I wanted to follow up with some key information on commission, training webinars and product guides.   From Mobile to Dwelling Fire, to Modular to Condos to Boats, Yachts, Motorcycles, ATVs, and more–American Modern is ready!

• 15% new / 12% renewal commission on ALL products — Agents receive 100% Commissions – No Split!
• LAUNCHING next Monday April 13^th!
• Appointment LINK   Click HERE for American Modern Appt. Link  
• Webinar training schedule   Click HERE for webinar registration

Please see the below attachments to learn more!

American Modern Home Products

About American Modern – Learn More

American Modern All Products

April 7, 2020

Oliver Travieso
VP Smart Choice Commercial

Subject:  Smart Start Commercial Municipalities and Private Schools Expansion from Email sent out on April 7, 2020 by Oliver Travieso

We currently can write Municipalities and Private Schools through Smart Start. Lynn Depasquale will be the lead on this so submissions can be sent to her. We will open municipalities in the Business Center as well.  The important aspect of these transactions is that the agent provide the proper data for us to transact with the Underwriter. We cannot submit an account to an underwriter without ALL of the information for a submission.

The pieces of info needed are:

Full ACORD apps
5 yr loss runs
Target Premium
Current Carrier Info
Potentially a Supplemental App

Carriers we will be working with are Travelers and Liberty Mutual in all states.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Lynn or Oliver Travieso on these industry segments.

Oliver Travieso
Vice President
Commercial Insurance

Mobile:  704-996-7721
otravieso@smartchoiceagents.com

April 3, 2020

Oliver Travieso
VP Smart Choice Commercial

Subject:  Smart Start Commercial NON PROFIT Expansion from Email sent out on April 3, 2020 by Oliver Travieso

We can now write Non-Profits and larger Church Business through Joey Duggins out of the home office with Guide One.

We historically have seen a lot of this business in Smart Start and have turned them away so we are super excited to get this program going. This is a space that Guide One is extremely competitive in.

Guide One will take a look at this provided all coverage lines equal $10,000+ in premium and the loss history has been good. Please note, they will only offer Workers Compensation in their education niche if they have had prior experience.

Acord apps with FEIN and Year business started
Property apps should have year of updates for best terms and pricing
Completed supplemental apps (attached)
Child/Youth Safety Policies and Procedures to Prevent Sexual misconduct if asking for a $1M SM limit
5-year loss runs
Need by date
Target premium
Try and work these 3+ weeks out

Please see marketing materials and applications needed for Non-Profits below.

Guide One Non Profit Supplement Application

Guide One Fillable Non Profit Application

Guide One Non Profit Agent Training

Guide One FaithGuard Church App Supplement

Please note that Guide One has very slow turnaround times, so if an agent brings you a Church or Non-Profit account, please make sure you set the expectation with the agent that this does take some time and that it is not something that requires a rush. We are working 3 weeks out from the effective dates on these risks. We are working with Guide One to sharpen this workflow to make it quicker and more efficient, however it will take some time.

REMEMBER!!!  We cannot submit accounts to the underwriter unless we have all of the information needed so that we provide Guide One with solid opportunities. Please help Joey in collecting that data when she asks for it.

April 3, 2020

Oliver Travieso
VP Smart Choice Commercial

Subject:  Smart Start Commercial Farm Coverage Expansion from Email sent out on April 3, 2020 by Oliver Travieso

We are now writing Farm in Smart Start!

The markets we are currently working with are Liberty Mutual (eligible states attached) and Nationwide. We will likely fold in State Auto once we get an understanding of what our flow looks like, but all signs point to Farm being a rather large industry segment for Smart Start.

We have already sent a marketing piece out regarding Nationwide Farm in Smart Start and received a high volume of submissions. We will be also loading the classes and carriers eligible for Farm in the business center so that the agents can generate leads. We want to drive the agents to the Business Center because Liberty Mutual will eventually be able to use their Sales Center to sell Farm in most states.

Below are the Farm appetites for Liberty and Nationwide. Nationwide’s appetite is much broader than Liberty and their geography is much broader also. There is a map of eligible states for Liberty.

Liberty Mutual eCliq State Available for SSCL

Liberty Mutual Farm Appetite for SSCL

Nationwide Farm Application for Smart Start Commercial

Nationwide Farm Appetite for Smart Start Commercial

If agents want to submit direct for Nationwide, they can send Apps and loss runs to Joey Duggins in our Smart Start Department:

Joey Duggins
Smart Start Commercial Lines
888-264-3388   x3085
jduggins@smartchoiceagents.com

April 2, 2020

Andrew Caldwell
Smart Choice President

Subject:  Smart Choice Info on the CARES ACT  from Email sent out on April 2, 2020 by Andrew Caldwell

At Smart Choice, we are committed to being a resource for our agency partners. As such, we wanted to help you navigate the government’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act which goes into effect tomorrow, April 3, 2020. We hope to shed some light on this historic legislation and what it means for you as a small business owner. The primary benefits of this bill for small businesses, including insurance agencies, are: Emergency grants to cover immediate operating costs Loan forgiveness for money borrowed to keep employees on payroll Cover payments for things like mortgages While these are the basics of the bill, there are a number of additional details involved in each of these relief efforts, which is why we have created a CARES Act Knowledge Base page on our website for your reference. Thank you so much for your partnership, and let us know if we can be of assistance during this unprecedented and challenging time. Sincerely, Andrew Caldwell Smart Choice President 888-264-3388

March 27, 2020

Main Street America

Main Street America Issues Guidance for Personal Auto Insureds Providing Temporary Food Delivery Service

The Main Street America Group recognizes the unique burden being placed on individuals, families and businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this difficult time, we understand that in order to sustain operations, some businesses are considering food delivery by their employees. Although  coverage for food delivery is currently excluded in our Personal Lines contract, please know that we will temporarily waive enforcement of the Business Use exclusions to provide applicable coverage
for claims involving food delivery by our insureds in their listed Private Passenger Auto. This temporary expansion of coverage is different than a state mandate. State mandates supersede any
of Main Street America’s temporary actions.

For losses occurring between Monday, March 23, 2020 through Monday, April 20, 2020  temporary coverage is extended under the following conditions:

• Enforcement of the Personal Auto policy Business Use exclusion is waived if a loss occurs
while an eligible, listed operator is delivering food with their personal vehicle for their
employer.
• Please note that Transportation Network Coverage (i.e., Uber, Lyft, GrubHub, etc.) continues
to be excluded under the contract.
• This waiver does not apply if the listed operator or the employer has other valid and
collectible insurance which covers the loss.
• A waiver will not be provided for temporary replacement vehicles (i.e., rental cars, any
borrowed vehicles, etc.).
• Upon a claim report, a claims investigation will determine coverage; an investigation could
include verification of pay stubs or hours worked.

Please note it is not our intent to provide full-time or permanent Business Use coverage for food  delivery, but we are taking this position to help our valued insureds in this time of need. We will re-evaluate our position as this situation evolves.

If you have any questions, please contact your Main Street America personal lines underwriter or field representative.

MORE COMING SOON — HOUR BY HOUR