Business Insurance articles from August 2003

Business Insurance archives from August 2003

Perspective: Progressive brokers must do more for their clientele; Online benefits assistance and human resources services among the offerings.(Agent/Broker Topics: Marketing Strategies)
August 4, 2003... Byline: Andrew Ceccon If there are winners in the health care cost crisis, it would appear that insurance brokers are certainly on that team. Brokers generally are making more money than ever before, based on the commissions earned...

European, U.S. approaches to flood losses diverge.(Spotlight: Catastrophe Management)
August 4, 2003... Byline: NEIL HODGE and RODD ZOLKOS As recent years have shown in both Europe and the United States, flood losses can be catastrophic, but there are steps risk managers can take to reduce their exposures. However, efforts to promote...

Errors & omissions.(News)(Correction Notice)
August 4, 2003... * Because it did not report all eligible income, Brown & Brown Inc.'s 2002 brokerage revenues were incorrect in the July 21 ranking of the world's largest insurance brokers. Brown & Brown did not include $2,945,000 in interest income on funds...

Insurers credit states with 'reasonable' regulation; Most credit scoring laws now in place follow provisions of NCOIL model act.(Agent/Broker Topics: Marketing Strategies)
August 4, 2003... Byline: RODD ZOLKOS Of the 19 states that have enacted laws this year dealing with the use of credit information in underwriting, most have followed guidelines considered reasonable by the insurance industry, according to the National...

Compensation now a marketing tool; 82% of agencies offer incentive plans: Survey.(Agent/Broker Topics: Marketing Strategies)
August 4, 2003... Byline: YVONNE TEEMS In an effort to control expenses, more insurance agencies are shifting compensation for managers from fixed pay to variable pay, said Suzy Hammett, vp of the Business Management Group. Of the 400 agencies and...

Between the Lines; A book, but not one of business.(News)(Charles Blazek, vp of operations for Global Insurance Network Inc., published his first novel, "Passages)
August 4, 2003... Byline: Compiled by Joanne Wojcik Charles Blazek, vp of operations for Miami-based Global Insurance Network Inc., has published his first novel, "Passages.'' Classified as "new age science fiction,'' the esoteric book is a radical...

Directory deadline approaches.(News)
August 4, 2003... Business Insurance will publish both the online Directory of Surplus Lines Insurers and the online Directory of Insurance Wholesalers in conjunction with the Sept. 8 issue. This issue will include a Spotlight report on surplus lines and...

Med mal rate hikes blamed on big losses; GAO report hailed.(News)
August 4, 2003... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN WASHINGTON-Proponents of medical malpractice liability reform are pointing to a new government report as further evidence of the justness of their cause. The report-released by the General Accounting Office last...

New premier takes office in Bermuda; Insurance market changes unlikely.(News)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD HAMILTON, Bermuda-A change in Bermuda's leadership is not expected to affect the island's insurance marketplace. Jennifer M. Smith stepped down as Bermuda's premier last week after losing the support of some...

London market skeptical of U.S. regulator's offer.(International)
August 4, 2003... Byline: NEIL HODGE LONDON-Insurers in London have given a lukewarm reception to a U.S. regulator's plan that would allow insurers to avoid strict U.S. collateral funding requirements. Although London insurers say they appreciate the...

Generation Y presents marketing challenges; IMCA/LCA Annual Meeting.(Agent/Broker Topics: Marketing Strategies)
August 4, 2003... Byline: Rodd Zolkos To market effectively to Generation Y, the generation of young people now in their late teens, companies must recognize significant differences between that group and Baby Boomers and even Generation X, according to one...

Jargon can make marketing efforts miss the mark; IMCA/LCA Annual Meeting.(Agent/Broker Topics: Marketing Strategies)
August 4, 2003... Byline: Rodd Zolkos Insurance marketers should avoid the use of industry jargon in their materials, two communications experts said. Jargon is exclusive, hides meaning and makes readers work harder to understand what's been written....

Communications improvement highlighted.(Agent/Broker Topics: Marketing Strategies)(insurance industry communications conference)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... This year's annual conference of the Insurance Marketing Communications Assn., held jointly with the Life Communicators Assn., drew approximately 225 attendees to Chicago June 21 to 24. The theme of this year's conference was "Make Your...

Unique public facilities require more creative loss control efforts.(Spotlight: Catastrophe Management)
August 4, 2003... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN Big buildings mean big catastrophe management challenges. That's particularly true if the big buildings in question happen to be public venues. For stadiums, shopping malls, casinos and other places where many...

Products & Services; Program organizes crisis response plans.(News)
August 4, 2003... NEW YORK-Bowman Specialty Services L.L.C. has introduced a new program that helps organizations create detailed crisis response plans. The New York-based unit of E.G. Bowman Co. Inc. developed the crisis management program to address the...

IRS addresses uncertainties on reporting, benefit eligibility.(News)
August 4, 2003... Byline: JERRY GEISEL WASHINGTON-What employer would file a benefit plan report with the government when the report is no longer required? Apparently, many employers would-and did-according to the Internal Revenue Service. Last year,...

GAO report shows need for reform.(Opinions)(report on medical malpractice insurance costs)(Brief Article)
August 4, 2003... SOMETIMES, WHAT'S LEFT UNSAID in a report can be as important as the report's stated findings. We think that's the case with the General Accounting Office's recent report on medical malpractice insurance costs. As we report on Page 1, the...

World Updates; JLT posts gains in first half.(International)(Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group PLC)(U.K. pollution fines increase in 2002)(Converium profits jump for half)(S&P downgrades Swiss Re to AA)(AXA revenues rise on rate increases)
August 4, 2003... Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group P.L.C. recorded revenues of [pounds sterling]216.1 million ($356.6 million) in the first six months of 2003, an 11% increase over the prior-year period. The London-based broker said its profits grew 20%, to [pounds...

Awards honor communications successes; IMCA/LCA Annual Meeting.(Agent/Broker Topics: Marketing Strategies)(Insurance Marketing Communications association/Life Communicators Association awards)
August 4, 2003... Byline: Rodd Zolkos The Insurance Marketing Communications Assn. presented a variety of annual awards at its 2003 conference in Chicago, held jointly with the Life Communicators Assn. The IMCA also presented its annual Golden Torch...

Training and testing vital to success of cat response plans.(Spotlight: Catastrophe Management)
August 4, 2003... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK When a water main broke in one of Convergys' leased facilities early one morning last year, the facilities manager was on vacation, but the security guard at the site knew exactly what to do. As a result of prior...

Keeping risks from breaking organizations' supply chains; Complex exposure.(Spotlight: Catastrophe Management)
August 4, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD Risk managers must do more to protect their supply chain exposures than just make sure business partners have insurance coverage. With the prevalence of just-in-time inventory, uncertainties posed by the risks...

Insurers slow to use power of branding; Brand equity can be worth billions for company.(Agent/Broker Topics: Marketing Strategies)
August 4, 2003... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS While some policyholders may have found that it pays to get MetLife, and others found themselves in good hands with Allstate, the insurance industry, in general, has not embraced the full potential of branding, some...

U.K. rail operator loses coverage fight; Series of slowdowns, repairs not one occurrence.(International)
August 4, 2003... Byline: CAROLYN ALDRED LONDON-A systemwide series of track inspections, repairs and speed restrictions undertaken by Britain's railway companies following a October 2000 rail crash in Hatfield, England, does not qualify as a single...

New parent for Kemper Services; Claims specialist retains key execs, staff.(News)
August 4, 2003... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS LONG GROVE, Ill.-Despite months of financial difficulties that led Kemper Insurance Cos. to shut down or sell off much of its commercial insurance operations, a buyout firm sees plenty of value left in the...

Editorial: COSO enterprise risk tool welcomed.(Committee of Sponsoring Organizations)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
August 4, 2003... RECENT EFFORTS TO BRING some clarity to the phrase "enterprise risk management'' should be welcomed. As we report on page 3, the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations has released a draft framework to help risk managers build enterprise...

Framework offers guidance on ERM; Project aims to help risk managers.(National Commission on Fraudulent Financial Reporting)
August 4, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD Risk managers may soon have some guidance in establishing enterprise risk management programs as a years-long project nears completion. The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations has released a draft of its...

Hub makes bid for Near North; Proposed deal would expand Hub International's reach in the West.(News)
August 4, 2003... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS CHICAGO-Hub International Ltd.'s proposed acquisition of substantially all of Near North National Group's brokerage operations will further expand Hub's presence as a U.S.-based broker while bringing some stability to...

Former Lloyd's of London Chairman Sax Riley dies.(International)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
August 4, 2003... Byline: Sarah Veysey LONDON-Saxon Riley, former chairman of Lloyd's of London, died July 25 at age 64. The cause of Mr. Riley's death was not disclosed. He began his career with Cornhill Insurance Co. in 1955. He was named chief...

South Dakota revs up for biker rally risks.(News)(63rd Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally)
August 4, 2003... Byline: RODD ZOLKOS STURGIS, S.D.-From across the United States and even beyond, they'll descend by the hundreds of thousands on a tiny South Dakota city this week, forming a community that cuts across class lines and income brackets. ...

Church risk group suing Marsh, reinsurer; Suit charges broker with fraud on parts of ministries' liability program.(News)
August 4, 2003... Byline: DOUGLAS McLEOD KANSAS CITY, Mo.-A 1,000-member church risk purchasing group is suing Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc., alleging the broker misled it about aspects of its liability insurance program and wrongly induced it to post a $6.7...

Bahrain planning to allow captives.(International)
August 4, 2003... Byline: NEIL HODGE MANAMA, Bahrain-The Bahrain Monetary Agency is developing rules that would allow companies to set up captive insurers, which would make it the first Middle East captive domicile. Anwar Al Sadah, director of financial...

House floats plan to cut flood losses.(News)
August 4, 2003... Byline: Paul Winston Flood me once, shame on you; flood me four times, shame on me. That is essentially the philosophy behind new federal legislation that would begin to actuarially adjust (i.e., raise steeply) rates for policyholders...

Ruling eases health plans' ability to move ERISA suits.(Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974)
August 4, 2003... Byline: DAVE LENCKUS Self-funded health plans as well as health insurers have a better chance of moving subrogation disputes out of state courts and into federal courts as a result of three federal appellate court rulings, according to...

IBM to appeal ruling of age bias in its cash balance pension plan.(News)
August 4, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL PRINCE EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill.-IBM Corp. will appeal a federal court ruling that its cash balance pension plan discriminates against older employees. Judge G. Patrick Murphy of the U.S. District Court for the Southern...

Late News; Senators seek changes in asbestos bill.(CIGNA examines future of retirement business)(Asbestos claims limited by arbitrator)(Liability coverage costs still soaring: RIMS)(COBRA coverage extended for Bethlehem workers)(Pennsylvania regulators appeal Legion ruling)(Princeton Insurance halts med mal writings)(ACE first-half profits more than double)(Second quarter gains fuel XL first-half results)(Rate hikes boost PacifiCare earnings)(Net income up sharply at USI)(Chubb Corp. posts first-half growth)
August 4, 2003... Five Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee are seeking changes in an asbestos liability reform bill approved by the committee last month. The bill would replace the current litigation-based system for compensating victims of...

Editorial: IBM ruling not a landmark.(Opinions)(Federal district court rules that IBM Corp.'s pension plan discriminated against older employees)
August 11, 2003... A''LANDMARK''? That is how some opponents of cash balance pension plans describe a recent federal district court decision in which the judge ruled that IBM Corp.'s plan discriminated against older employees. While there are a number of...

High costs prompt some plans to seek savings by splitting pills.(News)
August 11, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL PRINCE As prescription drug costs continue to escalate, some health plans are looking to have participants split higher-dosage pills as a way to save money. But while some employers encourage this practice as a way to...

Treaty would standardize air crash compensation.(News)
August 11, 2003... Byline: DAVE LENCKUS WASHINGTON-A standard worldwide system for compensating victims and their families for injuries and deaths resulting from crashes of international passenger jet flights could be just two months away following the U.S....

Better management of work comp risks focus of BI event.(News)
August 11, 2003... Byline: MEG FLETCHER BOSTON-Sharing innovative ideas to better manage workers compensation and disability claims is all the more important to employers during hard market conditions. The upcoming Business Insurance Workers Compensation...

A blueprint for change? Health cover tax credit enters key phase.(News)
August 11, 2003... Byline: JERRY GEISEL WASHINGTON-A small federal program that subsidizes the cost of health insurance premiums for certain workers and retirees could serve as a blueprint for significantly reducing the ranks of the nation's 40 million...

Drive yourself to distraction.(News)
August 11, 2003... Byline: Paul Winston I consider myself a decent driver. I've never been in an accident that was my fault. What I really excel at, though, is managing to do five different things while driving my car. Steering with my knees, I can swap...

World Updates; Netherlands forms terrorism reinsurer.(International)(Other news is also noted)
August 11, 2003... Dutch insurers and the country's government have set up a reinsurer of last resort to cover terrorism risks in the Netherlands. The new company, Netherlands Reinsurance Co. for Losses from Terrorism, will cover losses above an industrywide...

Czech insurers form aviation pool to lower costs; High cost of reinsurance cited.(International)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... Byline: LUBOMIR SEDLAK PRAGUE-A group of Czech insurers are forming an aviation insurance pool in an effort to curb high reinsurance costs. Currently, four insurers are working on a co-operation agreement for the pool, which would...

Insurance companies not liable for fraudulent pension sales, court rules.(International)(Lloyds TSB General Insurance Holdings Ltd. and others vs. Lloyds Bank Group Insurance Co. Ltd.)
August 11, 2003... Byline: CAROLYN ALDRED LONDON-Pension companies cannot aggregate the settlements of negligence claims against them related to the pension sales scandals of the late 1980s and 1990s, the United Kingdom's highest court has ruled. The...

U.S. multinationals likely to volunteer info on violations of corruption laws.(News)
August 11, 2003... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS ST. PAUL, Minn.-In a spirit of wider disclosure to minimize the risk of regulatory or shareholder actions, more U.S. multinationals are expected to voluntary disclose potential violations of federal anticorruption...

Ratification late, welcome.(Opinions)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... WE ARE DISAPPOINTED that the U.S. Senate took so long to ratify a global treaty on airline liability for passengers injured or killed aboard international flights. The treaty is important, because it is designed to minimize litigation over...

Act has safety, health, environmental import.(Perspectives)(Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 )
August 11, 2003... Byline: James Kendrick The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is much more than a "sweeping accounting measure,'' hence the 92-year-old American Society of Safety Engineers recently developed and distributed a technical report on the new law to...

Online insurance calculators figure into decision-making.(Benefits Management)
August 11, 2003... Byline: ALLISON REYNOLDS More employers and insurers are offering online tools to help employees make the most of their life insurance and disability benefit choices. Determining the correct amounts of coverage during enrollment can...

Errors & omissions.(Corrections)
August 11, 2003... * The name of the author of an Aug. 4 letter to the editor was misspelled and his company's name was not in its preferred style. The author is Henry L. Good and the company is Rohm and Haas.

Time for debate on the use of debate.(Commentary)(Medical malpractice reform bill)
August 11, 2003... Byline: Mark A. Hofmann Earlier this year, a certain House of Representatives committee began debating the merits of a medical malpractice reform bill. But "debate'' is too kind a word, for debate implies a certain amount of reasoned...

More U.S. employers seen adding benefits for domestic partners.(News)
August 11, 2003... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD Greater recognition of work force diversity, competitive pressures and basic concerns about fairness are all factors encouraging more employers to extend benefits to employees' same-sex domestic partners. Many...

Employees benefit from online enrollment.(Benefits Management)
August 11, 2003... Byline: YVONNE TEEMS Brown Brothers Harriman Co., which is always looking for ways to become more efficient and to boost the bottom line, found that an online benefits enrollment system helps it do just that. "Before, we killed about...

Online benefits enrollment brings efficiency, savings.(Benefits Management)
August 11, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL PRINCE More employers these days are allowing their employees to pick, click and enroll. Recent years have seen a steady increase in the number of employers using Internet-based systems to enroll their employees in...

Benefits administration changes create staffing issues.(Benefits Management)
August 11, 2003... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS Employers that have spent millions of dollars on new technology to automate and streamline various benefit administration functions may not be getting the full return from that investment. Many employers-whether...

High court rulings worthy of employer attention.(Perspectives)(Supreme Court rulings on workplace issues )
August 11, 2003... Byline: Gerald L. Maatman Jr. Supreme Court rulings on workplace issues were a mixed bag for employers during the high court's term that ended last month. Four of the high court's decisions interpreted major federal statutes governing...

Worker health and safety concerns heat up in summer; Risk managers take precautions to avoid heat risks.(News)
August 11, 2003... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK When the temperature rises during the hot summer months, workers who spend most of the day working outdoors or in facilities without air conditioning face a greater risk of injury and sometimes death, occupational...

Technology a big help in educating consumers; Web info key.(Benefits Management)
August 11, 2003... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD A better-educated health care consumer is a better consumer. With that in mind, a more and more employers are using the Web to provide health information to their employees to help them make sensible choices and...

More brokers can be named in U.K. suit; Asbestos maker seeks to sue brokers if coverage is voided.(International)
August 11, 2003... Byline: CAROLYN ALDRED LONDON-Affiliates of a broker involved in placing a disputed reinsurance policy can be named as defendants in the coverage litigation if the cedent also relied on their services when placing the risk, a British...

Buyers seek med mal options; American Society for Healthcare Risk Management.(News)
August 11, 2003... Byline: MEG FLETCHER CHICAGO-The hard market for medical malpractice liability insurance is prompting many health care providers and hospitals to explore alternative approaches to funding the risk. But nearly all risk financing...

Comings & Goings.(News)(ACE Ltd. names Roger Gillett as president of its new ACE Risk Management International unit)
August 11, 2003... Insurers: Hamilton, Bermuda-based ACE Ltd. has named Roger Gillett as president of its new ACE Risk Management International unit. Previously, Mr. Gillett was executive vp, business development for ACE Bermuda. The St. Paul Cos. Inc....

Kansas Supreme Court blocks Anthem bid to buy Blues plan.(News)(Proposed acquisition of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas is blocked)(Brief Article)
August 11, 2003... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS TOPEKA, Kan.-The Kansas Supreme Court has blocked Anthem Inc.'s proposed acquisition of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas, ruling that the state's insurance commissioner acted appropriately when she rejected the plan...

AD&D endorsements cover risk of commuter accidents.(News)(CIGNA Corp is rolling commuter coverage out nationwide)
August 11, 2003... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS Workers have enough distractions during their daily commutes without having to worry about whether they and their families are adequately protected in the event of an accident. Employers seeking to allay such...

Late News; Trenwick to file for bankruptcy protection.(Other news is noted)
August 11, 2003... Trenwick Group Ltd. and certain subsidiaries will file for bankruptcy protection in the United States and the equivalent in several other countries after failing to meet an Aug. 1 deadline for repayment of $75 million in senior notes, the...

High court rulings worthy of employer attention.(Perspectives)(Column)
August 11, 2003... Byline: Gerald L. Maatman Jr. ***** Correction: Due to an editing error, a biography of Perspective author Gerald L. Maatman Jr. in the Aug. 11 issue misidentified his law firm. Mr. Maatman is a partner in the Chicago law firm Seyfarth...

Employers preparing for threats in Indonesia; Focus on security.(Spotlight: Asian Market Report)
August 18, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD Multinational companies and gathering spots for Westerners in Indonesia are seen as the main targets of terrorism in the country and are on guard against further attacks. The car bombing of the JW Marriott...

Most risk pools thriving, but challenges lie ahead.(News)
August 18, 2003... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK PARK CITY, Utah-Although public entity pools are in better shape financially than the overall insurance industry, that could change if they are forced to dip into surplus because of higher retentions and to bolster...

AIG exec counsels patience in opening new markets.(Spotlight: Asian Market Report)(Interview)
August 18, 2003... Charles Bouloux is president of the Pacific Rim region of American International Underwriters, a unit of American International Group Inc. For several years, he ran AIG's operations in India, and, for the past two years, he has worked in China....

Marketing conference draws 225 to Chicago.(Insurer Topics: Marketing Strategies)(Insurance Marketing Communications Association conference)(Brief Article)
August 18, 2003... This year's annual conference of the Insurance Marketing Communications Assn., held jointly with the Life Communicators Assn., drew approximately 225 attendees to Chicago June 21 to 24. The theme of this year's conference was "Make Your...

Australian employers push for creation of federal workers compensation system.(International)
August 18, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD CANBERRA, Australia-Employers in Australia are pushing for creation of a national system that would bring consistency to workers compensation regulation. Dismayed with the patchwork of regulatory approaches...

Captives can benefit from financial ratings; Vermont Captive Insurance Assn. Annual Conference.(News)
August 18, 2003... Byline: RODD ZOLKOS BURLINGTON, Vt.-The independent, objective assessment that comes with obtaining a financial strength rating can provide a variety of benefits to a captive insurance company. In some cases, a rating might address a...

Drug plan is wake-up call.(Opinions)
August 18, 2003... HOW LONG CAN it go on? We are referring to the growing number of Americans who are getting prescription drugs filled in Canadian pharmacies and saving anywhere from 20% to 70% compared to what they would pay in the United States. As we...

Sarbanes-Oxley may set governance standards; Vermont Captive Insurance Assn. Annual Conference.(News)
August 18, 2003... Byline: RODD ZOLKOS BURLINGTON, Vt.-The broad corporate governance reforms enacted by Congress last year will have an impact on captive insurers owned by publicly traded companies and those owned by private firms, according to several...

Higher rates, lower costs fuel managed care profits; More rate hikes seen for 2004.(News)
August 18, 2003... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD Many managed care companies are seeing stellar results, and that success is not coming entirely from raising prices. Although hefty rate increases continued in the first half, lower-than-expected medical costs...

Editorial: Health coverage tax credit has potential.(Opinions)(Editorial)
August 18, 2003... What is the best way to ensure that all Americans have access to health insurance coverage? While we don't have the answer to that question, we do believe that an approach now being taken for those who have lost their jobs or pension plan...

Industry bullish on Asia as market barriers lower.(Spotlight: Asian Market Report)
August 18, 2003... Byline: MEG FLETCHER Although progress is being made in opening Asian insurance markets to nonlocal insurers and brokers, those insurance providers still face some barriers that restrict their ability to operate in the Pacific Rim. The...

Between the Lines; Art imitates life.(News)
August 18, 2003... Byline: Compiled by Joanne Wojcik Is truth really stranger than fiction? Maybe it depends on how close a writer is to his subject. A film about insurance fraud written and directed by the son of a former risk manager is getting rave...

TRIA offers opportunities for captives; Vermont Captive Insurance Assn. Annual Conference.(News)
August 18, 2003... Byline: RODD ZOLKOS BURLINGTON, Vt.-The federal Terrorism Risk Insurance Act raises a number of issues for captive insurance companies and their parents but provides some opportunities as well, according to several captive experts. ...

Formations in Vermont on record pace in 2003.(News)
August 18, 2003... BURLINGTON, Vt.-The Vermont Captive Insurance Assn.'s annual conference drew more than 1,000 attendees from 40 states and eight countries to Burlington, Vt., Aug. 5-7. The meeting came with the state on pace for another record year of...

Deutsche Bank sues insurers over 9/11 loss.(News)
August 18, 2003... Byline: DOUGLAS McLEOD NEW YORK-Deutsche Bank A.G. has gone to court to force two insurers to pay their shares of a total-loss claim on an office building heavily damaged in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The bank filed suit in...

Marketing to Generation Y requires new approach; IMCA/LCA Annual Meeting.(Insurer Topics: Marketing Strategies)
August 18, 2003... Byline: Rodd Zolkos To market effectively to Generation Y, the generation of young people now in their late teens, companies must recognize significant differences between that group and Baby Boomers and even Generation X, according to one...

Out with the jargon and in with the 'plain English'; IMCA/LCA Annual Meeting.(Insurer Topics: Marketing Strategies)
August 18, 2003... Byline: RODD ZOLKOS Insurance marketers should avoid the use of industry jargon in their materials, two communications experts said. Jargon is exclusive, hides meaning and makes readers work harder to understand what's been written....

Tapping into the full potential of branding; Industry just now understanding the benefits of a strong brand campaign.(Insurer Topics: Marketing Strategies)
August 18, 2003... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS While some policyholders may have found that it pays to get MetLife, and others found themselves in good hands with Allstate, the insurance industry, in general, has not embraced the full potential of branding, some...

IMCA awards recognize outstanding marketing; IMCA/LCA Annual Meeting.(Insurer Topics: Marketing Strategies)
August 18, 2003... Byline: Rodd Zolkos The Insurance Marketing Communications Assn. presented a variety of annual awards at its 2003 conference in Chicago, held jointly with the Life Communicators Assn. The IMCA also presented its annual Golden Torch...

Agencies turn to incentives to help control costs; 82% offer managers performance-based compensation.(Insurer Topics: Marketing Strategies)
August 18, 2003... Byline: YVONNE TEEMS In an effort to control expenses, more insurance agencies are shifting compensation for managers from fixed pay to variable pay, said Suzy Hammett, vp of the Business Management Group. Of the 400 agencies and...