VU Resources

Should the Agency Receptionist Be Licensed?

An agency receptionist transfers phone calls, takes messages, opens mail, directs clients to CSRs, and accepts direct bill payments from clients. She allegedly does not discuss coverage with clients. Does…

Employee recruitment concept with claw picking a new team member. 3D Rendering.

40 Hours and I’m an Insurance Agent

In my state, a manicurist has to complete 600 hours of classroom and supervised work experience to get licensed. An insurance agent? Put in 40 hours and you could be…

Creative thinking ideas and innovation concept. Rocket light bulb flying on background. 3d render illustration

Are Insurance Agents “Professionals”?

Are insurance agents “professionals”? Is an insurance agent considered as skilled in his or her discipline as a doctor, lawyer, architect, engineer, etc.? Professionals are held to a higher standard…

E&O Angles

We all know how important E&O loss control is within the agency. However, most agents don’t attend a formal E&O loss control seminar more than once every couple of years,…

Crossing wooden rings with spheres on blue background. Modern abstract art with geometric shapes. 3d rendering.

Should Agents Send Certificates to Insurers?

An insurer recently sent its agency force a “Good News!” bulletin advising that it was no longer necessary to send it copies of most certificates of insurance. The bulletin also…

White Drone with Photo Camera on a yellow background. 3d Rendering

E&O Loss Prevention Primer

With the series of disasters the past few years, from Western mudslides and wildfire toGulf Coast hurricanes to flooding in New England, we have seen an unprecedented increase in the…

E&O and the Hard Market

Errors and omissions are something we should all focus on all the time. However, in a hard market, E&O claims have a tendency to rise in both frequency and severity…

Top 3 Ways to Minimize E&O Claims

Recently our faculty was asked to identify the Top 3 ways to minimize E&O claims. In this article, we’ll provide their responses, along with an article from our E&O carrier…

Agency Web Site E&O Exposures

Agency websites have become a core component of the marketing strategy for many independent agencies, but they also may present errors and omissions exposures that must be managed. This article…

E&O Caveat #1: Never Assume!

Having taught agent E&O seminars since 1988, one of the most common sources of E&O claims involves failure to communicate. In this article, we’ll examine a serious breakdown in communications…