Articles by Andrea Wells

Andrea Wells is vice president of content for Wells Media Group Inc., overseeing coverage for its multiple print and digital platforms. She is a veteran insurance journalist with more than 20 years’ experience covering the property/casualty industry. She has won several awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), including awards for original research for her work on Insurance Journal’s annual salary survey of retail insurance agencies and its annual survey of young insurance agents. She can be reached at: awells@wellsmedia.com.

How Businesses Can Protect Against Black Friday Litigation

Black Friday can be a great day for both retailers and consumers but the crowds and hysteria surrounding the kick-off to the holiday shopping season lead to at least a handful of injuries every year. In 2011, more than 20 …

Building Momentum in the Construction Market

After four years of one of the most challenging construction markets, construction insurance experts are beginning to see signs of a slow recovery with some of their contractor and builder accounts. The current opportunities are in apartment buildings, energy facilities, …

What’s Ahead in Agency E&O

Competition, Hard Market, Healthcare Effects and More E&O Suits by Carriers Firmer insurance prices and an upward trend in agency revenues are signs of good times for most independent agencies. These same trends, however, are reflected in today’s insurance market …

Mobile Producers

Every independent agent wants to know what the next big thing will be to help grow their agency into the future. Well, for some, the future is now and agencies that follow technology’s lead today will be the ones on …

Slow and Steady: Optimism Good for Surplus Lines Market in 2012

Despite catastrophic events in 2011, low investment yields and competitive pressures, surplus lines specialists — especially market leaders — generated healthy operating profits and returns on both revenue and surplus. And once again, the surplus lines sector outpaced the results …

Slow and Steady: Surplus Lines Industry Reverses Downward Trend; Optimism Good for 2012

Despite catastrophic events in 2011, low investment yields and competitive pressures, surplus lines specialists — especially market leaders — generated healthy operating profits and returns on both revenue and surplus. And once again, the surplus lines sector outpaced the results …

Best Agency to Work For: South Central

This year six agencies in all received top honors as a Best Agency to Work For. The Best Agencies to Work For in 2012 include: Bryan Insurance Agency, Graham, Texas; Meyer & Cook Insurance, Walnut Grove, California; Walker Myers Insurance …

Best Agency to Work For: Overall

This year six agencies in all received top honors as a Best Agency to Work For. The Best Agencies to Work For in 2012 include: Bryan Insurance Agency, Graham, Texas; Meyer & Cook Insurance, Walnut Grove, California; Walker Myers Insurance …

Best Agency to Work For – South Central

Right People, Right Fit Makes a Great Place Austin, TexasWalker Myers Insurance Starting a new business in a healthy economy is a challenge. Starting a new business — and succeeding — in a difficult economy is next to impossible. Yet …

Best Agency to Work For – Overall

Small Town Values Creates Strong Ties Graham, TexasBryan Insurance Agency Together everybody achieves more — that’s the motto of Bryan Insurance Agency in Graham, Texas, the Overall Best Agency to Work For in Insurance Journal‘s 2012 nationwide survey. In a …