June 2023 PIANC News
From the Chairman's Desk
Hello from DC!
Just got back from an amazing trip to our nation's capital to advocate for the insurance industry to our NC delegation. It was a great time meeting with fellow agents from around the country and learning how different issues effect different parts of the country.
We arrived in DC just in time for a luncheon put on by PIA National for the attendees. We were able to socialize with a group of agents from Utah and discuss different insurance topics of mutual interest. Once we finished lunch, a presentation was made as to the topics that we should discuss with the representatives and senators at our meetings the next day. The PIA National lead lobbyist gave the presentation on topics such as the NFIP, Crop Insurance and lobbying against the National Insurance Office. There were several other topics, but these seemed to be the focus that they wanted us to discuss. After the advocacy meetings, a social was held in the hotels for all of the visitors to get acquainted.
After the social we were able to meet up with the delegation from VA for dinner. We enjoyed talking shop and discussing how our two states could work together to further PIA’s influence in NC and VA.
The next morning, there was breakfast with agents and then the trip to the Russell Building to meet with Senator Budd’s office. We met with Mr. Castella with Senator Budd’s staff for about an hour discussing our different issues concerning the flood program and the insurance office bills. We also got into the banking crisis for a short time.
After our meeting with Senator Budd’s office, we were off to the House Financial Committee to meet with their staffers to discuss some of the same issues. We actually met up with Ariel Rivera from Puerto Rico, who knows an awful lot about the flood program, and he is serving on the National PIA Board. We had a very robust discussion of the flood program and reauthorizing it for at least another year, but we would prefer a longer term renewal. We also discussed not having a direct to consumer option on the flood program because of all of the complexities involved with flood insurance, especially on the coast.
After the meetings on the Hill we settled in for a late lunch at Bullfeathers, followed by a reception and speech at the Capital Hill Club. At the reception we heard from Senator Kevin Cramer from North Dakota, and we were able to trade stories and experiences from our visits on the Hill. All in all, it was a very compact and exciting trip. If nothing else, it was definitely eye opening to see how our PAC dollars are put to good use advocating for all of our interests.
Sincerely,
North Carolina PIA Chairman, Dean Wooten
Dean Wooten
PIANC Chair
Scenes from 2023 PIA Advocacy Day
From the Executive's Desk
It’s hard to believe but in just 90 days, I will be retired after 45 years in the insurance business. Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday that I was a college graduate looking for a job. What I didn’t know is that job would turn into a career, a wonderful career.
From an underwriter trainee with The Hartford in New Orleans in 1978 to the PIA Association Executive in Richmond in 2023, it’s been a heck of a ride. In between there were 13 stops along the way including Honolulu, Chicago, Keene (NH), Utica (NY), Davenport (IA) and Charlotte to name a few. I made a lot of friends and saw a lot of the United States. I met my wife and raised my children. Our lifestyle was provided by the insurance industry.
So the question that I still can’t answer is “what’s next?”. My wife says that I have to “retire to” something not “from something”. But what is that thing? It might be golf, although my game is pretty lame. It could be gardening, but what would I do in the winter? I have three best friends to hang out with at home, although those 4-legged friends primarily sleep and eat all day. I could do some volunteer work. That would be my chance to give back. Maybe!
I’m going to ponder this question for a few more months. I’ll let you know before I leave.
In the meantime, come on out to our annual convention at Benton Convention Center on August 16 and 17th. I’d love to see you.
Kevin Kowar, CIC, AU
PIAVADC Association Executive
Floodplain Education
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a Federal program, established by Congress in 1968, that allows property owners to purchase federally-backed flood insurance within communities that participate in the program. In return for this insurance protection, participating communities implement floodplain measures to reduce flood risks to the new development. Through this program, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and participating communities are able to reduce future flood losses.
See additional information at the links below. You will also find a list of map information services that the Guilford County Planning and Development Department provides. All inquiries can be directed to Brent Gatlin, Floodplain Administrator at 336-641-3753.
Guilford County will assist in finding the following information:
- Whether the property is in an SFHA
- The community number
- The panel number and suffix
- The date of the FIRM’s index (cover panel)
- The FIRM zone e.g., A, C, X, V, AE, A2, AO etc.
- The base flood elevation (the depth in AO Zones) where shown on the FIRM
- The elevation datum used on the FIRM, if other than the NGVD
- Floodway data
- The approximate depth of flooding
- Any historical information about the property that we may have
- Any information about streams and wetlands on the property
2023 Golf Tournament Update
Thanks to all who came out to support Victory Junction on Tuesday, April 25 at Bryan Park in Browns Summit, NC.
Congratulations to the winners:
- Closest to the Pin, Hole 3: John Broyles - Standard Premium Finance
- Closest to the Pin, Hole 5: Joey Perkins, Helsabeck-Hall Insurance Agency
- Closest to the Pin, Hole 11: David Moore - D. Moore Sales
- Closest to the pin, Hole 17: Heath Bowers - Carolina Restoration Services of NC
- Flight 1: Rob Clarke, Matt Deitz, Heath Bowers, Nathan Presnal
- Flight 2: Matt Littlejohn, Tyler Windham, Ray Beaird, Rob Wiggins
Industry News
Select the title for the full article.
2023 Annual Trade Show and Convention Exhibitor Booth Registration is Open
- Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem
- Host Hotel: The Winston-Salem Marriott
- 50 Booths will be available and sold on a first come, first choice basis.
- Payment must be received to complete booth reservation.
Schedule Overview:
- Tuesday, 8/15/2023, 4-6pm: Setup
- Wednesday, 8/16/2023, 7:30am-1:30pm: Trade Fair open breakfast through lunch.
- Thursday, 8/17/2023, 7:30-8:30am: Optional Exhibitor Time
- Wednesday, 8/16/2023, after 2pm OR Thursday, 8/17/2023, 7:30-8:30am: Breakdown
Attendee Registration
2023 PIANC Trade Fair & Convention August 16, 17 Benton Convention Center 301 W 5th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
|
Partnering to Help NC Agents
Welcome New and Renewing Members and Partners
New Action Partner
- SynergyComp – Silver
Renewing Action Partners
- SIA of NC – Platinum
- National General, an Allstate company – Silver
Renewing Auxiliary Members
- Heritage Property & Casualty
- Carolina Farmers Mutual Insurance
New Agency Members
- Wade S. Dunbar Agency
- Holland & Company, LLC
- Wes Connor Agency, Inc.
- Deep River Insurance
Renewing Agency Members
- Compass Insurance Agency
Advertise with PIANC
Postings are free for PIA members.
From PIA National
PIA Partners with Ascend
From billing to premium financing to distribution of commissions and carrier payables -- PIA and Ascend have you covered!
Free to Use - No Subscription Fees: let your customers decide how they want to pay - Credit/Debit Card, ACH, Wire
One-Click Premium Financing: automatically built into the checkout experience without any extra back and forth.
Instant Commissions: receive your commissions in 24 hours.
Simplify Carrier Payables: minimize time spent figuring out commissions and carrier payments.
Full Transparency: get notified when clients pay and markets are funded.
Introducing Winning@Customer Retention
Demonstrating the value of working with an agency is key. That’s where Winning@Customer Retention comes in. It's a new program from the PIA Partnership designed to help agencies improve customer service and retention. We’ve pulled together resources to help track client retention rates, segment, and communicate with customers.
The program puts spotlight on technology and solutions that play a big part in improving customer communications, referrals, and enabling agencies to select the right solutions and be proactive. Winning@Customer Retention includes a mix of online materials and tools and in-person and virtual sessions and events.
In the event of cyber business interruption, insurance covers loss and costs in excess of normal operating expenses required to maintain the business and restore operations.
PIA National is happy to introduce the PIA 401(k) Program. It is a turn-key, low-cost solution for agency owners and their employees and performs over 90% of administrative tasks by becoming your retirement department support team.
The PIA 401(k) Plan provides what employees want and what independent agents need to deliver it, in an efficient and cost-effective way.
In an increasingly virtual world, it’s critical that you know how to build relationships online. That’s why PIA National has launched its latest member benefit, The Agent Experience.
"We’ve built this tool to expand your views about building relationships in a virtual world—and to provide access to resources that will help."
2023 Course Schedules
Select the graphic or button to learn more and register.
CPIA
E&O
Ethics
”What's another word for thesaurus?"
Steven Wright