We've Moved!

We're blogging over at Linda's website now, which has been updated!  You can find us at http://lindafaulkner.com/blog.

Does YOUR auto policy pay for a rental car?

Here are some facts about auto insurance losses in the United States:





http://www.freefoto.com/


• Approximately 1 in 8 drivers will be involved in an accident in a given year (National Safety Council);
• Nationwide in 2005, 2 cars were stolen every minute (Better Business Bureau);
• Speed is one of the most common factors causing car wrecks (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration);
• The highest incidence of claim frequency and severity among vehicles of model year 2007, 2008, and 2009 occurred with very large luxury sport utility vehicles (Highway Loss Data Institute);
• Only 75% of all costs related to car accidents are covered by insurance (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety);
• After an accident, the average car is in the repair shop for nearly 2 weeks; and
• Nationwide, 19% of all motor vehicles involved in accidents are uninsured (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).

So let me ask you this: if you can't drive your car after it's been involved in a wreck--or struck by a tree, or stolen, or vandalized--what are you going to do? Hitchhike to work? Take a cab? Inconvenience friends and/or family? Rent a car?

If you rent a car, who's going to pay for it--you or your insurance company?

On average, the annual cost to buy rental reimbursement coverage on your auto policy is less than the cost to rent a car for two days.

Want to know more? Just ask!

What Does a Course Developer Do?

People have often asked me what it's like to develop and write insurance courses.  Specifically, what do I do and how do I do it.  Of course, their eyebrows are raised when they ask the question, skeptical of my answer even before they hear it.

Not only do they believe insurance is a dry and boring subject, they believe insurance professionals--especially those who research and write the dry, boring, insurance subject matter--are the most mundane of characters.  I'm sure they regret asking their question immediately after the words cross their lips.

In an effort to avoid being dry and boring, and to make a long story short, I'll eliminate words and share three pictures.  This is a prefect example of my day writing dry, boring insurance content.  We all know a picture is worth 1,000 words--so here's my story:

Chapter One:



Mr. Murphy, my writing assistant, hard at work.

Chapter Two:

Mr. Murphy's response to my less than enthusastic opinion of his suggestion for scintillating insurance content. Personally, I find the topic of mice far less gripping than insurance regulations in the state of Delaware...

 Chapter 3

Mr. Murphy, pouting, after his content ideas were nixed.



Why Insurers are Concerned About Certain Dog Breeds

I just read a couple of articles about why homeowner insurers are so concerned about certain breeds of dogs.  In 2007, the insurance industry paid over $350,000,000 in dog bite claims; in 2010, that figure was over $400,000,000!

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published a report about facts and statistics between 1979 and 1998.  Based on dog bite fatalities during the report period, according to an article in PropertyCasualty360.com, the CDC claims the following are:

1. Pit bulls - 66 fatalities;
2. Rottweilers - 39 fatalities (Pit bulls and Rotties accounted for 60% of the fatalities);
3. German Shepherds - 17 fatalities;
4. Husky-type - 15 fatalities;
5. Malamutes - 12 fatalities;
6. Doberman Pinschers - 9 fatalities; and
7. Chow Chows - 7 fatalities.

I'm not disputing the statistics gathered by the CDC but I can personally state that during my lifetime, I've owned 7 dogs on the list (Huskies, German Shepherds, and Rotties) and none of them ever bit anyone.

On the other hand, all the dogs on the list are large dogs - I've seen studies that show Cocker Spaniels bite more than any other breed of dog, however, given their size, they're less apt to cause fatalities than the larger dogs.  More than half the states have enacted legislation concerning dogs and dog bites; many of them make dog owners strictly liable for dogs that are defined as vicious.

I don't suppose we can argue with the fact that over 4,700,000 people received dog bites in 2010. What's your take on the situation?

Schedule of Events

We've been conducting an increasing number of training seminars and webinars recently, most notably the "Enabling CSR Success" series of webinars in partnership with the Hanover Insurance Group. Click here to see our list of upcoming events.

This series of webinars was designed espeically for both Commercial Lines and Personal Lines CSRs of agencies representing the Hanover Insurance Group, although all insurance professionals should find them helpful and beneficial.

Session 1, Take Back Your Time!, was held on Friday, September 23rd (1:00 p.m. for CL CSRs and 2:30 p.m. for PL CSRs).  Session 2, E & O: Avoiding a Bad Situation, will be held on Wednesday, October 19th (1:00 p.m. for CL CSRs and 2:30 p.m. for PL CSRs). Session 3, Striking a Delicate Balance: Managing Customer, Agency, and Carrier Interests will be held on Thursday, November 17th (1:00 p.m. for CL CSRs and 2:30 p.m. for PL CSRs).

If your insurance agency represents the Hanover Insurance Group, and you'd like to receive an invitation to any of these webinars, or more information, just email us at info@faulknereducation.com.

Thanks!

ISO's May 2011 update to the Homeowner Program

I've just begun the process of reviewing the changes brought about by ISO's 2011 revisions to its homeowner program.

So far, I like the fact that they changed the language about motorized vehicles used "solely" to service an insured's residence. The new language is much better for the insured.

What are your thoughts?

CE Marathon Update

It is with regret that I cancelled our CE Marathon earlier today.  It was scheduled for the week of July 25, 2011 and, unfortunately, registration was not sufficient to hold the event.

At this time, we do not have any insurance CE seminars scheduled in Montana for the remainder of 2011. I'lll post updates about our seminar schedule as they change.

I appreciate the loyalty and support of my Missoula clients and welcome your communications at linda@faulknereducation.com.

- Linda

Writing About Insurance

I've always been a writer. I never thought I'd spend more of my time writing about insurance than anything else.

But that's what I'm doing these days.

After spending 36 years working in the insurance industry, I've found myself doing the thing I enjoy most (writing) while focusing on something I know well and enjoy very much (insurance).

I presented a CE course  at the NAIW convention in Las Vegas last week. I developed and wrote the course and I was asked by NAIW to also provide them with the introduction the facilitator would read when introducing me. When I called myself a "self-proclaimed insurance junkie" I was being serious. The audience, however, laughed. (I guess that's because most people don't find insurance the least bit interesting, let alone fascinating.)

If you like insurance--really like it, why don't you write about it? Submit articles to insurance publications, start a blog, send out newsletters to your clients.

Let me tell you, there's plenty of room out there for people who know their stuff and can write. The world of insurance is extensive and none of us knows everything. Your perspective may be just what a number of other insurance professionals need to hear to facilitate a better understanding or appreciation of a particular type of insurance--or our industry in general.

Here are links to some insurance publications:

• Rough Notes: http://www.roughnotes.com/RN2011/RNmagazine.html
• Insurance Journal: http://www.insurancejournal.com/
• National Underwritiers Magazines: http://www.nationalunderwriter.com/servlet/the-template/magazines/Page
• Risk and Insurance: http://www.riskandinsurance.com/

Then again, you can always try writing insurance courses--which is largely what I do. Many national, regional, and local insurance education and pre-licensing firms are looking for quality writers who know about insurance. Check them out!

What Should I Wear to the Bellagio?

I'm heading out to the 70th Annual NAIW convention--it'll be my first time visiting Las Vegas; it will not be my first time teaching insurance CE!

For a list of the convention's event list (including yours truly, presenter of a 2-hour insurance CE course on Rental Reimbursement coverage), click here.

I have one very important question to all you folks out there: what should I wear to dinner at the Bellagio?  A client is being kind enough to entertain me and I want to look my best.

2011 CE MARATHON SCHEDULE now available

As promised, our 2011 CE Marathon schedule now appears on our website at: http://faulknereducation.com/, along with links to our online registration form and a downloadable PDF registration form.

We'll be offering 30 hours of insurance continuing education from July 25th to July 28th at the Best Western Grant Creek Inn in Missoula.

2011 CE Marathon

We are in the process of scheduling our CE Marathon in Missoula for 2011. We're in the process of making arrangements and expect to have them complete by mid-April.

Once we have the date/location finalized, we'll post info here and on our website at http://faulknereducation.com/.

Faulkner's Taking the Mystery Out of Business lauded by the University of Montana's School of Business

Yes, Clueless is a dangerous place to be! That’s why regardless of whether someone is a budding entrepreneur, a new graduate just getting started, or an experienced professional, Linda’s book is a must read! For those who haven’t run a business or managed people, it might save their career or their business. For those who’ve already been at it for a while, it’s a gentle reminder of important concepts and good business practices. Her customer service stories and principles are outstanding illustrations of what to do and not do.



The way Linda writes makes reading her book enjoyable and memorable – which makes it very useful as well. Her examples help make it real for newbies so they don’t have to learn the hard way and gently reminds veteran business managers, as well. Linda’s book really is an arsenal of tools and resources to help managers and their businesses succeed. I can see myself referring back to the book regularly--I’ve been at this a while!


- Janel Queen, Director of Career Advanacement, School of Business, University of Montana

Hiatus for Seminars & Workshops - Otherwise, Business as Usual

Family matters require my attention for the next couple of months, so we're temporarily suspending our insurance CE seminars and career development workshops.

We will continue to offer online insurance CE courses and insurance pre-licensing courses, as well as our contract writing services.

Feel free to check in with me via e-mail with your questions and comments!

- Linda

January CE Seminars and Career Development Workshops

Beginning in February 2011, personal and family issues require Linda Faulkner to be in Massachusetts for at least three to six months. As a result, we have removed all insurance continuing education seminars and career development workshops from our 2011 schedule beginning on February 1, 2011. We will continue to offer insurance continuing education and pre-licensing courses online, as well as our contract writing services.

During the month of January 2011, we will hold insurance CE seminars in Kalispell, and Missoula and two career development workshops in Missoula. We will also be happy to conduct in-house events you'd like to schedule during the months of December and January.

January Insurance CE Seminars in Kalispell:

• January 19 - 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Liability Insurance
• January 19 - 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Ethics for Insurance Professionals - NEW!!
• January 20 - 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Avoiding E & O Pitfalls - NEW!!
• January 20 - 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. 2009 Montana Insurance Legislative Changes
• January 20 - 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Insurance Tidbits

January Insurance CE Seminars in Missoula:

• January 25 - 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Ethics for Insurance Professionals - NEW!!
• January 25 - 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Introduction to Commercial Lines
• January 26 - 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Avoiding E & O Pitfalls - NEW!!
• January 26 - 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. Health Insurance Basics (including updates about Health Care Reform)
• January 26 - 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 2009 Montana Insurance Legislative Changes

January Career Development Workshops in Missoula:

• January 27 - 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Business Resources: Who and Where are They?
• January 27 - 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. The Right Mental Attitude
• January 27 - 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. All About Networking

For more information visit us online at:  http://www.faulknereducation.com/

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Driving in Bad Weather

Over the years, I've handled insurance claims for many clients who've had the misfortune to be involved in a car accident.

I ran across this article on Confused.com, titled Tips for Driving on Ice. You might want to check it out!

Release Date of Linda's Book Moved Forward

We just received word that Taking the Mystery Out of Business will be available in December 2010 instead of January 2011!


It's included in the catalog of Linda's publsiher and now appears on their website. If you'd like to pre-order via their website rather than waiting until later in December to purchase it from your favorite bookstore or on Amazon or Smashwords, click here.

The Kindle and iPad versions will be available a few weeks after the print and eBooks.

Client Privacy

Insurance agents and adjusters are considered "financial institutions" by the GLBA if they possess nonpublic personal information belonging to consumers.  HIPAA requires insurance agents and adjusters who possess consumers' "personal health information" to protect and safeguard it.

Are YOU protecting your clients' protected information?  http://bit.ly/dCCOn4

Taking the Mystery Out of Business: 9 Fundamentals For Professional Success will be released in January 2011.  It will be available for purchase from your favorite book store, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, Smashwords, and from my website.

The world of business is like a mystery novel: filled with suspense and torturous twists and turns. One minute you think you've solved the puzzle and the next minute people are shooting at you from all sides.

Whether you're a business owner, a newcomer to the world of business, or an experienced professional who wants to brush up on your business acumen, Taking the Mystery Out of Business provides you with valuable resources, new insights into old topics, and a map for plotting out your journey as you navigate the waters of the business world.

As an entrepreneur and the founder of four businesses, Linda Faulkner knows all about what it takes to make it in the world of business. She's discovered that professional suicide is caused more by a lack of awareness than any other factor, hence her motto: Clueless is a dangerous place to be.

People in Billings are Terrific!

Just spent eight terrific hours with folks in Billings, Montana talking about insurance.  More specifically, talking about insurance to help them earn the CE credits they need to renew their insurance producer and adjuster licenses.

Thanks to the people who helped make the event so wonderful (and possible!):  Melissa Thompson, Carol Daniel, and Kevin Zoldowski!

I had such a good turnout that I'll we'll be returning to Billings in September 2011 - and probably to offer 11 or 12 hours of CE instead of 8 hours.

Thank you, Billings insurance professionals.

Events in September

We're offering insurance CE seminars in Missoula and Billings this month, and a Career Development workshop in Missoula.

Insurance CE - Billings - September 13

• 8am - 12pm - Liaiblity Insurance
• 1pm - 4pm - Avoiding E & O Claims
• 4:15pm - 5;15pm - 2009 MT Insurance Legislative Changes

Career Development workshop - Missoula - September 16

• Marketing Yourself
• 4:00 - 6:00pm in our conference room
• Refreshments served; handouts provided
• Cost $25 per person
• If you attend this workshop and a future workshop, the cost is $45 for both
• If you attend this workshop and 2 future workshops, the cost is $60 for three

Insurance CE - Missoula - September 29 and 30

• September 29
• 11am - 12pm - 2009 MT Insurance Legislative Changes
• 1pm - 5pm - Workers' Compensation or General Liability?
• September 30
• 8am - 12pm - Introduction to Commercial Lines
• 1pm - 5pm - Life Insurance Basics