VU Resources

Over and over again we encounter agencies for whom claims is and entry-level position, one combined with other clerical functions or relegated to a secondary responsibility for people who have…

Sometimes when an insurer encounters financial problems (real or perceived), cut-through endorsements may be issued. A cut-through endorsement is usually attached to insurance policies of the primary carrier by both…

I constantly discover huge accounting errors, legal problems, and operational issues in agencies, all courtesy of professional advisors like CPAs and attorneys. Part of the problem is these advisors do…

Several excellent studies have shown that a key cause of so many loan defaults has nothing to do with the economy or with the people taking out the loans. The…

In this article, agency consultant Chris Burand explores the myth of “bigger is better.” While, in general, growth is essential for agencies to retain markets and profitability, Chris demonstrates why…

Do you believe there has been an industry shift towards short-term profits at the expense of long-term stability and service? I am writing a book on the subject, and want…

An aggregator, according to our definition, is an entity that “clusters” distribution entities together to achieve economies of scale, without assuming the autonomy or ownership from the individual owners. Consolidators…

Defining what is great customer service can be difficult. However, before we can provide, or even define, great customers service, it’s probably more important that we recognize bad customer service.…

We occasionally get “Ask an Expert” questions from agency owners interested in improving the customer service skills of their CSRs, producers and others. In this short article, I’ll take a…

If you’ve ever stayed at a Ritz-Carlton hotel, I’m betting that the experience was outstanding. How can they do it so much better than most hotel chains? Yes, you do…