November 2022 PIANC News
From the President's Desk
I would like to introduce myself. My name is Dean Wooten, PIANC President. I've been in the insurance industry over 30 years and own my own independent agency with 4 locations serving Statesville, Winston Salem and Harmony. I have been married for 34 years this coming March and have 2 children - a son 25 and daughter 22. I can't believe how time has flown. I'm so blessed
In 2013, I joined the PIA board. Over the years, we have endured challenges and grown into an association of which we can be proud. I want to take the time to thank everyone on the current board, recent retired board members and our past president, Keith Hayes. Keith did an exceptional job and his shoes will be hard to fill.
As we finish 2022, we can look back and agree it has been a challenge. That's what make us strong. I tell people all the time in the insurance world, the one consistent is that it will change. Despite the recent challenges, I'm looking forward to what 2023 has in store.
I can say as the president of the PIA, we are working hard for you. We’re looking for ways to help you do business, as well as to preserve our industry and livelihood. We are working with our members, legislators and companies to find ways to grow, develop and ensure that our best days are still ahead.
We are already planning next year's convention. It will be back at the Benton Convention Center in Winston Salem next August 16-17th. It will be bigger and better than before with a guest speaker, CE classes and breakout sessions, as well as more company vendors. Our goal is to help you grow whether you are an agent, producer or owner.
We continue to partner with Utica for E&O. If you haven't received a quote from Utica for your E&O, don't miss out. Get a quote from Lisa at LisaF@pianc.net and see the difference.
We want to grow our PAC {Political Action Committee} and consequently, our influence. PIA has a national PAC which supports legislators that support what is important to our industry and livelihood. A big fight, that many don't know is going on in DC, is in regards to who controls the insurance industry. Do you want all insurance matters to be handled by a Federal Insurance Office (FIO) or by the North Carolina DOI? PIA is opposed to the FIO and is working diligently to repeal it.
Is there anything that comes out of DC, where they control 100%, that ever works efficiently? Your PAC contributions help us fight for you. This is just one of the many examples why you should support PIA. We are also looking into starting a NC PAC so that we can support legislators who support our causes right here in North Carolina.
I'm asking for all PIA members to join the fight. Go to the website www.pianc.net and contribute to the National PIA PAC. Also, if you know other agents, or agency owners that are not PIANC members, go to our website and see all the benefits [there are too many to list] and join.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to serving as President but more importantly, serving you.
Dean Wooten, LUTCF, LILI
PIANC President
PIA National and AIMS Society/CPIA Join Forces
On October 17, PIA National announced a strategic partnership in which AIMS Society will partner under the PIA umbrella to expand program offerings for the benefit of independent insurance agents and the entire insurance industry.
A formal agreement was signed by both PIA National and AIMS Society and approved by members.
2023 Course Schedules Available
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CPIA
E&O
Ethics
Industry News
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PIA Partners with Breeze
PIA is excited to partner with Breeze to help members sell disability insurance. With instant quotes, an online application process, and case management done for you, Breeze makes it easy to earn competitive commissions and grow revenue by offering top-rated disability insurance to clients.
PIA is hosting an informational webinar on Tuesday, November 1 from 2-3pm EST.
West Bend Mutual Announces Rob Jacques Promotion to President
"Rob has the support of an excellent group of officers and leaders at West Bend. He's a strong advocate of our company's culture."
Advertise with PIANC
Towne Insurance Receives Prestigious Industry Award
Towne Insurance Agency is honored to accept the 2022 Pinnacle Award from Applied Systems. As Applied’s highest honor, the Pinnacle Awards recognize partnerships with Applied Systems and celebrate innovative use of technology in driving digital transformation, business success, and partnership in creating a connected insurance experience.
Postings are free for PIA members.
From PIA National
Cyber Security Question of the Month:
What is website media liability?
Website media liability includes a variety of publishing acts, including:
- defamation;
- libel;
- slander;
- disparagement;
- invasion of privacy;
- plagiarism,
- copyright infringement;
and some forms of advertising injury for all of the material distributed on company websites and social media accounts.
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."
“As far as I'm concerned, 'whom' is a word that was invented to make everyone sound like a butler.”
Calvin Trillin