Farmers Insurance Group said it would continue to renew homeowners policies in Texas for the next 30 days while the company has ongoing discussions with regulators over it’s possible withdrawal from the state.

ISO declares the storms that swept across the eastern United States on November 10 & 11, 2002, a catastrophe.  These storms spawned more than 45 tornadoes.

Restaurant chain Applebee’s International Inc. formed a captive insurer domiciled in Vermont that will provide franchisees with worker’s compensation and general liability coverage.

Although the number of auto accidents are down since 1980, a new study by the Insurance Research Council has found the number of auto injury claims going up.

13th         Deadline for Regional Awards

14th         Dawn Jones’ Wedding

20th         IW of SW MS Christmas Party

21st         First Day of Winter

24th         Christmas Eve

25th         Christmas Day

25-26th   NAIW National Closed

31st         New Year’s Eve

1st           New Year’s Day

14th         National Clean Off Your Desk Day

16th         IW of SW MS Monthly Business Meeting

21st         National Hugging Day

14th         Valentine’s Day
 
 

By:  Ruth E. Phillips
      Education Chairman

With today’s insurance marketplace, continuing education is very important.  Agents are required to take CE classes in order to maintain their license.  But CSRs should be aware of all the changing rules and requirements and a CE class is an excellent way to keep current.

There are several different ways to earn CE hours.  Both the Big “I” and PIA offer continuing education classes.  The National Alliance offers CE classes through three of its programs: the CIC, CISR, and CRM classes.

Often employers will reimburse their employees for the cost of CE classes.  Employers know that knowledgeable employees are an asset.  Employees that continue their education show a high degree of professionalism.  Designations that are earned by taking classes show a dedication to the insurance field.  If employers do not reimburse their employees, there are several different scholarships available.

The NAIW Education Foundation provides professional scholarships to its dues paid members.  These scholarships can be used toward a college class or any professional class.  To apply, go to www.naiw.org and once there follow the links to the Education Foundation.  Download the professional scholarship form, fill it out, and mail it in with the required paperwork.

NAIW and the Societies of Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) and Certified Insurance Representatives (CISR) jointly sponsor several scholarships.  These scholarships are available to NAIW dues paid members only.  There are CIC scholarships, CIC update scholarships, CISR scholarships, CISR update scholarships, and CISR online scholarships.  To apply, download the form from NAIW’s webpage, fill it out, and mail it in.  Unlike other scholarships, this one does not require an essay.

Marketscout.com awards CISR scholarships.  Their application is completed on line and no essay is required.  To apply, go to www.marketscout.com and click on the link for the free scholarship application.

The Society of CIC awards scholarships for its CIC program.  To apply, download the form from www.scic.com and mail it in.

If you want to continue your professional education do not let a lack of funds stop you.
 

My mom makes a wonderful chocolate cake.  I borrowed her recipe to make myself a cake.  Being the health conscious person I am, I used skim milk and reduced fat butter and low fat frosting.  My cake tasted nothing like my mom’s.  When I mentioned this to her, she told me, “You get out what you put in.”  Our membership in NAIW follows the same principle; we get out what we put in.

If we attend a few monthly meetings and maybe go to a state meeting, our “cake” is going to be very dull.  But if we participate then our cake goes from dull to delicious.  There are several different ways that you can participate in NAIW.

The first place to start is at the local level.  Sign up to serve on a committee.  Attend events that are sponsored by your local association.  Often there are several ways to earn CE hours through your local association.  Participate in the local Communicate with Confidence Speak Off.  If you don’t want to go to these events alone, bring someone from your office.  Not only are you getting more from your membership by being an active member, you are networking with other people in your community.

Once you are comfortable on the local level, advance to the state, regional, and national levels.  If you need encouragement, talk to your local president and state director.  If they can’t help you contact your region vice president.  You are the only person who decides what you get out of your NAIW membership.  Take ownership, be an active member and get the most out of your membership!