Operations News

‘Sometimes You Just Have to Ask’

You don’t have to be Hispanic to join the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.” George Saenz Sr., founder of Cielo Vista Insurance Agency in El Paso, Texas, made that comment when I spoke to him while researching an article on how …

Business Moves

EPIC, VRT Insurance Services EPIC (Edgewood Partners Insurance Center) acquired all the assets of VRT Insurance Services Inc. VRT Insurance Services Inc. is owned by David Alvarado, its key producers and Belvedere Capital, a private equity firm based in San …

Operational Efficiency Should Be Priority No. 3 for Agency Managers

Managing an independent insurance agency in today’s economy and soft market forces agents to set priorities. Juan Andrade, executive vice-president for sales and distribution at The Hartford, who oversees his company’s agency management consulting arm, Business Management Group, previously identified …

Who’s Worth What?

Agency Salary Survey: Agencies Trim Payrolls and Raises Independent insurance agencies remain reliable employers even in these rocky economic times, but even they have to cut back occasionally. Whether due to efficiencies from technology, the lingering soft market, the continuing …

Texas Mutual Wins National Employee Wellness Award

Texas Mutual Insurance Company is one of 10 employers across the country that have won UnitedHealthcare’s Well Deserved Award. The award recognizes employers who demonstrate a commitment to improving their employees’ health. UnitedHealthcare provides health benefit plans and services to …

Assurance Agency in Illinois Promotes Klaras to President

Assurance Agency, Ltd., based in Schaumburg, Illinois, has promoted Dan Klaras from executive vice president to president. Klaras takes over for Anthony Chimino, who previously held the titles of both president and CEO. Chimino will continue to serve as Assurance’s …

Start-Up Stories: How New Agencies Are Competing

A Crop of Newly-Formed Agencies Is Defying the Hard Economy and Soft Market The independent insurance agency system is enjoying a resurgence. For years, the number of agencies in the country had been declining but that trend, while not reversed, …

Systematic Sales Strategy Should Be Priority No. 2 for Agency Managers

In this hard economy coupled with the soft market, most agencies expect sales and revenues to go down. Even the best performers feel the downward trend in premiums. According to Juan Andrade, executive vice-president for sales and distribution at The …

Start-Up Stories: How New Agencies Are Competing

A Crop of Newly-Formed Agencies Is Defying the Hard Economy and Soft Market The independent insurance agency system is enjoying a resurgence. For years, the number of agencies in the country had been declining but that trend, while not reversed, …

Systematic Sales Strategy Should Be Priority No. 2 for Agency Managers

In this hard economy coupled with the soft market, most agencies expect sales and revenues to go down. Even the best performers feel the downward trend in premiums. According to Juan Andrade, executive vice-president for sales and distribution at The …