HIN 5th Edition 2021-2022

2021 - 2022

HIN

5TH EDITION

We pay your clients dividends.

YOU GET THE REWARDS. This summer, we sent $330 million in dividends to our policyholders — and they’ve got you to thank for it. We wouldn’t have it any other way. You see, at Texas Mutual, we know your relationship with your clients is vital to our success — and to yours. That’s why we take extra steps to make sure your clients get the best return on their workers’ comp investment. It’s just one of the ways we help you keep your clients happy and your agency strong.

Scan to learn more.

1

Dividends are based on performance, are not guaranteed and must comply with Texas Department of Insurance regulations.

HOUSTON INSURANCE NEWS COMMITEE SPOTLIGHT

WHAT WE DO: Organize and collect content for our bi-monthly digital magaKeep our membership up to date on current events and information in the industry Spotlight and promote our members Seek advertisers and support from the in-

Welcome

A committee who loves to share news, the HIN Committee publishes our bi-monthly digital newsletter with rich content aimed at informing our members of upcoming & past events, educational & legislative information, industry updates, acknowledgment of achievements of people in the industry along with articles relevant to current topics.

Make plans to join us at our next meeting. See you soon!

MEETING DETAILS

Bi-Monthly Wednesdays @ 5:30 PM Kirby Ice For more info contact Amy Weimer aweimer@hiallc.

2

2021 - 2022

HIN

5TH EDITION

CHARITY BOWL 21 - 30

JULY LUNCHEON 31

YIPS Flash 33

CONTENTS 02 04 06 10 13-15 17

3

COMMITTEE SPOTLIGHT EVENTS & EDUCATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MESSAGE UHD CPCU UPDATE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

20 34 35 39 43

AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT WHAT DO YOU SAY? Have YOU HEARD? IN MEMORIAM WHO HAS THE LAST WORD

EVENTS

1. September 29

September Legislative Luncheon

2. October 13 - 14

Fishin’ With a Mission Charity Cornhole 3.YIP’s October 20 Preview Party 4.Nutcracker November 9

5.November 10

November Industry Luncheon

6.December 1

Holiday Open House

Additional Insured th January 26

EDUCATION

4

COMMITTEES are what breaths life into our association. With 9 active committees there are at least 100 people actively serving the association with their unique skills. We are always looking to put your skills to use to further drive the association’s mission forward. No matter what your skills are, or what you are passionate about, we likely have something of interest to you. The end result is to better the industry we all serve. Join a Committee today and become part of the mission.

2021 - 2022 Charitable Projects/ Fire Prevention Chairman: Tasha Stolte Vice Chairman: Sarah Beck Education, I.T., CE Chairman: Michelle Dennis Vice Chairman: Katrina Masek Houston Insurance Day Chairman: Ashley Newton Vice Chairman: Nancy Euginio Legislative Chairman: Kyle Dean Vice Chairman: Mickie Comiskey IMPACT Chairman: Mickie Comiskey Membership Chairman: Jane Rhode Recreation Chairman: Amber Stevenson Vice Chairman: Carisa Cole Young Insurance Professionals Chairman: Derek Pierce Vice Chairman: Grant Pierce PR/Media Matters Chairman: Scott West Social Media Chairman: Daphne Clark Vice Chariman: Cassie Shanks Houston Insurance News Chairman: Amy Weimer Vice Chairman: Cassie Shanks

5

August 15, 2022

Greetings, I think they call these days “the dogs days of summer”! So, I looked up the definition and here is what I found: Definition of dog days 1 : the period between early July and early September when the hot sultry weather of summer usually occurs in the northern hemisphere. 2 : a period of stagnation or inactivity.

So, we are correct on one definition and not so much on the other. Yes, we are in the hot, sultry summer in Houston, but no, we are not stagnating or inactive! I know that many of you are getting children in school and working on next year’s budget!

Your friends here at IIAH really appreciate all the activity during this past summer. We had a record setting Annual Charity Bowling event, raising more money for charity then ever before!! Great job!!

Someone told me it was because I was not there, and they may have a point!! Renee and Ayla do a wonderful job making sure that event is one of the most well attended and fun events of our year!

Speaking of our year, we are coming to the close of our 2021-2022 fiscal year. Thanks to all of you who made it a wonderful year as we were in full swing after the effects of COVID the year before. I look forward to even greater things and more participation in 2022-2023!!

A special word of thanks to our Board of Directors and Executive Committee for 2021-2022. Renee, Ayla, and I really appreciate all the time, effort and hard work that you gave the association during the year. Without your leadership, the IIAH would look very, very different! I would especially like to thank Darrell Wolfe for his three years of service on the board! Thanks to Chris Goff for your 8 years of service and as your role as Past President comes to an end. We really appreciate all that you have done to strengthen our organization. Thanks also to this years President, Jim Drew. Your leadership has been invaluable, and I look forward to your advice and council in your Immediate Past President role.

Hope to see everyone at our Industry luncheon on September 29th when we install the new officers and hear from the Texas Insurance Commissioner, Cassie Brown!

David Wuthrich IIAH Executive Director 6

ANNUAL SPONSORS Titanium Elite Sponsors

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Imperial PFS

Jason Nybakken

President

Burns & Wilcox, Ltd. CRC Group

Adam Harris

President Elect

Jason Knecht

Vice President

Platinum Partners for Excellence

Susan Zipperer

Treasurer

RT Specialty

Jesse Sanchez

Treasurer E lect

Texas Mutual Insurance

David Wuthrich

Executive Director

Jim Drew

Past President

Ryan Beavers

Sarah Beck

Kevin Comiskey

John Collado

Laurie Dempsey

Tom Fitzpatrick

Matt Leicht

Tony May

William Peachey

Wes Weatherred

UFG Insurance Company WSG Specialty Underwriters

Gold Patron Sponsors Chubb

CNA Insurance Companies Jencap | Delta General Agency A Division of Jencap

Travelers WRIGHT Flood

NEW MEMBERS New Agency: More Truck Insurance Solutions

New Affiliate:

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

STAFF David Wuthrich

Executive Director

Combined Agents of America, LLC

Renee Stager

Sr. Managing Director

EMC Brokerage

Ayla Benavides

Managing Director

Deb McRae

Advertising/Membership

Keystone Insurance Group

7700 San Felipe, Suite 310 Houston, Texas 77063 : www.iiah.org P: 832. 769.4666 F: 832.324.3503

8

What’s Been Happening in the UHD Insurance and Risk Management Center University of Houston-Downtown’s BBA in Insurance and Risk Management Scholarship Program The University of Houston-Downtown offers a fully online BBA in Insurance and Risk Management (IRM) that has been ranked #2 of the best insurance and risk management online programs by Online Schools Report. In addition to offering a solid and strong foundation in property and casualty insurance and risk management, the program also offers a robust scholarship program for IRM majors. Each new IRM major receives a $1,000 scholarship, when enrolled in an IRM course, and all other IRM majors receive scholarships based on GPA each fall and spring semester ranging from $500 to $1,000. This unique opportunity is only possible due to the financial support of the Texas Insurance Educational Foundation (TIEF), the IRM Council and other industry organizations. TIEF, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was founded in 2014 by insurance professionals Timothy Brady, Thomas Braniff, Kyle Dean and Matt Sasso with the mission of raising funds within the Houston Insurance industry and using them to develop new talent for the Houston property/casualty insurance industry through the support of insurance and risk management education. It has contributed over $500,000 to the programs since then. If you would like to contribute to the UHD IRM program, please contact Priscilla Oehlert at oehlertp@uhd.edu or if you would like to contribute to TIEF, please contact Wendall Braniff at wbraniff@braniff-law.com.

10

MISSION K-9 RESCUE To Rescue, Reunite, Re-Home, Rehabilitate and Repair any retired working dog that has served mankind in some capacity.

Rescue – Any and all CWDs and MWDs as well as any other working dog that may need our help. Mission K9 Rescue is committed to saving them and giving them the retirement they deserve; whether it be bringing them back from overseas or rescuing them out of a poor environment stateside.

Reunite – Any retired working dog that has a handler that wants him, and has proven that they are the right home (handlers always get first preference) Mission K9 Rescue will see to it that the dog is transported to the handler.

Re-Home – Any retired working dog that does not have a designated handler, Mission K9 Rescue will work to find the perfect loving home for the dog.

Rehabilitate – Often retired working dogs have been in situations that can cause them severe anxiety and stress. Many retire with issues such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. These dogs need time with us to decompress and reintegrate into society. Mission K9 Rescue works with these dogs in order to get make the suitable for adoption.

Repair – Working dogs train like professional athletes their entire career. Often times when they retire, they have extensive medical issues that can become quite costly. Since they don’t receive retirement benefits, Mission K9 Rescue provides much needed funding to assist handlers/ and or adopters with medical bills.

One of our charitable benefactors

11

DONATE TODAY Show your support by contributing a donation today.

12

Houston Chapter August 2022-September 2022

CPCU Social June

Houston Chapter CPCU hosted a Social on June 16th at Kirby Ice Hous at I 10 and Gessner. Members, New Designees and their guests enjoyed free drinks, food and great camaraderie. The Chapter is planning another fun social event for mid-December, when Houston temperatures may allow outdoor socializing! Keep tuned for more details!

Cristine Perez and Mark Totolas

President Kevin and Jana Boykin

Judith Smalls, Emily Haluska, Zenz Evans, Jana Boykin and Mary Sutter

Reginald McCalister and Celine Camarillo

Houston Chapter Treasurer Melvinn Brown, Past President Judith Smalls, Secretary Emily Haluska, and President Kevin Boykin

CPCU UPCOMING EVENTS AUGUST

13

Marilyn Davis College of Business Insurance and Risk Management Center The University of Houston-Downtown offers a BBA degree in insurance and risk management that includes five of the eight courses required for the CPCU designation. Contact Insurance and Risk Management Center Director Priscilla Oehlert at 713-226-5522 or oehlertp@uhd.edu to learn more about the program. Interested candidates can also learn about scholarships available to all new IRM students or register online at Info Sessions: Tuesday 8/9 2:00 pm Thursday 8/18 7:00 pm

Jason Jimenez, Shyield Cyber Risk “You are the Weakest Link” Wed. 8/17/22 @ 11:30 am Luncheon Meeting Houston Racquet Club 10709 Memorial Drive Register: https://houston.cpcusociety.org

SEPTEMBER Kim Waller, Korn Ferry Organizational Strategy and DEI Wed. 9/21/22 @ 3-6 pm Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres Houston Racquet Club 10709 Memorial Drive Register: https://houston.cpcusociety.org

The Wednesday, September 21 monthly meeting will offer something a little different. This Joint meeting, hosted by the Atlanta, GA chapter, will include the Houston and Dallas, TX chapters and feature dynamic and sought-after speaker Kim Waller with Korn Ferry, who is an Organizational Strategy and DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) specialist. Due to time zone differences, the Houston meeting will be from 3:00-6:00 pm (please note the different time than usual!) and include a 4:00 live presentation from Atlanta, which members can attend virtually at the Houston Racquet Club, and will include a pre-presentation social featuring cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Continuing education credit is being applied for with TDI.

OCTOBER

CHAPTER CONFERMENT The Houston Chapter’s local Conferment Ceremony in October will recognize those dedicated professionals who met the rigorous academic, ethics and professional practice requirements to merit invitations to join the Society

by June 15th. We will also recognize those companies that encourage and support insurance professionals to attain the knowledge and expertise to earn the CPCU designation and continue to expand their insurance education by joining the local Houston Chapter and providing financial and intangible resources to support to their employees. The Houston Chapter recognizes these companies that support their employees’ long-term careers within the company with awards including Best Overall CPCU Partner, Greatest Number of New Houston Chapter Members, and Greatest Number of New Designees.

NOVEMBER Hayden Stokes Racino, Blackmon Mooring BMS Cat Recovering from a Catastrophic Event Houston Racquet Club Wed. 11/16/22 @ 11:30 am Register: https://houston.cpcusociety.org

DECEMBER The board and committee chairs are planning a fun social event for mid-December to culminate the year and celebrate the opportunity to interact socially with colleagues and friends post-COVID. Stay tuned for details!

Please follow the chapter on: Instagram: @HoustonCPCUSociety Twitter: @HoustonCPCU LinkedIn: Houston CPCU Society Chapter Facebook: Houston CPCU Society

If you are a Houston-area CPCU or designee, and wish to learn more about our educational programs and courses, community outreach, and other activities, please contact Vicki Treadville at Vicki.Treadville@cfins.com

14

2022 CPCU HOUSTON CHAPTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Kevin Boykin, CPCU Petrochemical Broker Willis Tower Watson Kevin.Boykin30@gmail.com 832-765-1810

PRESIDENT ELECT Emily Haluska, MBA, CPCU, Are, RPLU Director of Underwriting Capstone Associated Services ehaluska@CapstoneAssociated. com 713-800-0550; 381

SECRETARY Vicki Treadville, CPCU, AU, AINS, CRIS Underwriter, Energy Crum & Forster Vicki.Treadville@cfins.com 713-954-8142

TREASURER Melvinn Brown, CPCU, CPRIA, ARM, AIC, API, AIS, ACS State Business Manager American Family Insurance Melvinn.Brown@amfam.com 608-243-6500; 46547

PAST PRESIDENT Judith Smalls, CPCU, CIFI, AIC Senior Special Investigator USAA JudithSmallsCPCU@gmail.com 346-339-3561

DIRECTOR AT LARGE Brandon Yarbrough, CPCU, AIC, API, AINS, AIM Sales and Client Services AMICA Mutual Insurance Co. byarbrough@amica.com 800-532-6422; 65503

DIRECTOR AT LARGE Terrence Steele, CPCU, AIC Claims Representative Texas Farm Bureau tsteele@txfb-ins.com 713-254-1388

NATIONAL REGIONAL DIRECTOR Bradley K. Harmes, CPCU Retired bharmes@gmail.com 713-502-6392

2022 CPCU HOUSTON CHAPTER COMMITTEE CHAIRS

15

CONFERMENT CHAIR Emily Haluska, MBA, CPCU, Are RPLU Director of Underwriting Capstone Associated Services,Ltd. ehaluska@CapstoneAssociated.com 713-800-0550; 381 MEMBERSHIP CO-CHAIR Vicki Treadville, CPCU, AU, AINS, CRIS Underwriter, Energy Crum & Forster Vicki.Treadville@cfins.com 713-954-8142

EDUCATION CHAIR Mary Sutter, CPCU, ARM, AAI, AIS, AINS Insurance Manager Fidelis Realty Partners Marysutter007@msn.com 713-419-0965

GOOD WORKS CHAIR Michelle Dyer, CPCU mmd7311@gmail.com 713-410-9058

MEMBERSHIP CO-CHAIR Kim Larson, CPCU Executive Underwriter Crum & Forster Kim.Larson@cfins.com 713-954-8828

NEW DESIGNEES Tawnya Witcher, CPCU, AINS, AIC, API, AIM Account Manger AMICA Mutual Insurance Company twitcher@amica.com 800-532-6422; 65512

PUBLICITY CHAIR Wendall Braniff, J.D. Partner Braniff Attorneys wbraniff@icloud.com 512-924-2216

SOCIAL MEDIA CHAIR Troy Calfee, CPCU, CISR Underwriter AmRisc Group Calfee_Troy@yahoo.com 832-584-7271

WEBMASTER Teri Pruett, CPCU, AU, API, AINS, ANFI Asst. Business Process Supervisor AMICA Mutual Insurance Co. tpruett@amica.com 888-887-9310; 65523

16

Jim Drew

jdrew@bmbinc.com 713-880-7100

It has been a wonderful year for me, I have had the opportunity to work with a great Board and Executive Committee.

The best part has been working with Renee, Ayla, and David. Their work is outstanding and the quality is exceptional. They have been working on the IIAH behalf to make our association the best.

They have pivoted to in person events flawlessly. One of the events was Charity Bowl 2023 which raised $10,000 for charities. With your support of our association you are making our industry, our community and our charities better. I encourage you to get involved with your association by volunteering on committees, joining the Board, or attending the events. Your career will be better for it.

17

I would like to thank our past president Chris Goff for his commitment to the IIAH. I would like to thank David Wuthrich, Renee Stager and Ayla Benavides for making my term so enjoyable. I would like to thank the Board, the Executive Committee, the Committee Chairs, the members of the committees, and all the volunteers that make the IIAH so outstanding. Thank you for the opportunity to be President of such a great organization. I know Jason Nybakken will do a great job as our new President of your association.

Jim Drew

IIAH President 2021-2022

TAKE POLL

AFFILIATE SPOTLIGHT Combined Agents of America (CAA) is celebrating 25 years of strengthening independent agencies!

CAA is a privately held aggregator with over 70 agency partners across eight states. We work to achieve profitable growth for our members through key partnerships with insurance companies and vendors. We are a Top 10 agency partnership as ranked by Insurance Journal, and our agency members represent over $200 million in total P&C revenue.

Not only is CAA among the leading insurance networks with many of the top-rated insurance companies in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Colorado, Iowa, and South Dakota it is also one of the fastest growing. This growth has stemmed from the great lengths we take to strengthen and enhance our relationships with insurance companies and our members. All of this is accomplished while maintaining independence and helping grow each agency’s bottom line.

“We’re very proud of the relationships we’ve been able to build with our members and carrier partners,” says A.J. Lovitt, CEO of CAA. “These great relationships are really the key to our success. That’s why we have strict guidelines for both our prospective members and the carriers with which we partner.”

For more information, please visit combinedagents.com or contact Jane Rohde, Vice President of Member Engagement for CAA, at jane@combinedagents.com

20

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in our Annual Charity Bowling Tournament. We were able to raise over 15k for our beneficiaries thanks to everyone who made a donation and played in our tournament. We even had the pleasure of having all three of our beneficiaries participate and meet our members! Our 2022-2023 benefactors are The Brookwood Community, Mission K9 Rescue and Texas Association of First Responders. We greatly appreciate your continued support and cannot wait for next year! Save the date for July 08, 2023.

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors that help make this event possible:

21

22

23

25

26

27

29

July Luncheon The IIAH July Industry Luncheon was held on July 21st at Maggiano’s Little Italy. Welcoming everyone was IIAH President-Elect Jason Nybakken of IBC Insurance Agency. Jason thanked our Titanium Elite and Platinum Partners for Excellence, and the Gold Patron sponsors who provide continued support to all IIAH events. Jason presented a token of appreciation to Gregg Porter, Flood Territory Manager, Select Insurance Company of America, for instructing the afternoon continuing education seminar, NFIP Then and Now. IIAH Immediate Past President, Chris Goff, Brown & Brown | HARCO offered the invocation.

Pascal Ray, the Managing Partner of Puma Risk, LLC, addressed IIAH members with his presentation Energy Insurance Market Update. Pascal has over 35 years of specialized MGA Underwriting programs and exclusive products on behalf of domestic American, Lloyds, London, European and Bermudian insurers. He gave members a concise overview of the six key considerations to the current market conditions, Covid 19, Inflation, Cost of Capital, the War in Ukraine, ESG, and Insurer and Reinsurer Exit. Pascal closed with a promise to share more updates in the coming New Year.

Be sure to join us on September 29th at Maggiano’s Little Italy with the Texas Department of Insurance Commissioner, Cassie Brown as the keynote speaker.

31

If you haven’t given to IMPACT, you should think about doing so – Every dollar helps! IMPACT is YOUR voice to help YOU in your career!

During the 2019 and 2021 sessions, legislators filed a flurry of bills relating to how local governments and businesses operate in preparation for, during, and after major weather events. The 2019 session was the first time the Texas Legislature met following Hurricane Harvey and the February 2021 deep-freeze happened during the 2021 regular session.

Several bills became law because of those two major weather events, including these two insurance-related bills: Senate Bill 442, from the 2019 session, mandates that insurance policies that cover residential or commercial property which do not include flood coverage, clearly state that the policy does not cover damages or loss due to a flood. This helps consumers for obvious reasons and also agents from E&O claims.

The next session, the Texas Legislature added protections for people who rent rather than own. House Bill 531 deals less with insurance, but none-the-less protects consumers. The new law mandates that landlords disclose to potential tenants if a property is in the 100-year floodplain and/or has flooded in the previous five years.

32

Our YIP’s F.L.A.S.H on August 11th had a wonderful turnout!

Our industry professionals gathered at Saint Arnolds Beer Garden for networking and drinks before enjoying a night of gambling & great company at the Annual IICF Casino Night. Thank you to everyone who came out to our event.

We look forward to seeing you in October for the 3rd annual Charity Cornhole tournament.

33

“Have Have you ever won a contest or award?”

YOU E V HA

Pete Hamel of Houston Receives 2022 Drex Foreman Award

HEARD? AUSTIN, TX — The Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) is proud to announce that Pete Hamel, founder of Hamel Insurance Agency in Houston, was named the 2022 Drex Foreman Award winner at IIAT’s annual awards ceremony and business meeting. The ceremony took place on June 24, during IIAT’s INSURCON, at the JW Marriot Hill Country San Antonio. Named after Drex Foreman, who served as the chief executive director of IIAT for more than 30 years, the Drex Foreman Award is the highest honor IIAT bestows annually to an individual who has contributed greatly to the independent agency system.

Hamel started in the insurance business more than 60 years ago as a second-generation insurance professional selling life insurance during the summers in college. After graduating, he began a full-time insurance career and started his own boutique agency in the early eighties and was also on the board for several years as the treasurer. For the past 30 years, Hamel served on the board of the Texas Automobile Insurance Plan Association, filling one of the two agent seats.

During his tenure, TAIPA was depopulated from hundreds of thousands of policies down to a few thousand.

35

As a child, Pete’s daughter, Mary Ellen Hamel, Senior VP of Sales at AMERISAFE, remembers going with her dad on weekends and holidays to help insureds protect their homes and businesses when tragedy hit. “We boarded up buildings, set up barrel fires to keep nursery plants from freezing - you name it. He was an agent 24/7. He didn’t just sell insurance, he was their advisor and their support system in their time of need,” she said.

In 2000, Hamel merged his agency, which gave him more time to do what he does best: counsel insureds on how to protect their personal and business assets. “My father has been dedicated to the industry for over 60 years. It was not until his cancer diagnosis, and the unexpected sale of his book of business this past winter, that he had to retire,” said Mary Ellen Hamel. “I am glad he is now getting to spend more time at our property driving his tractor and mule. But he misses not having the day-to-day interaction, counseling his insureds and talking with his industry peers. It is who he was and will always be. It’s in his blood as it is in mine,” she said.

I’m Tonya Dickerson, stepping in today to introduce myself, as your new Travelers Sales Executive (Marketing Rep) for Business Insurance.

I’ll be your new point of contact for Travelers Business Insurance. I’m excited and looking forward to working with each of you, and wanted to make sure you, at least, had my contact information. As I begin making my rounds introducing myself to your agency formally, I look forward to learning more about you and your agency. Feel free to contact me at TJDICKER@Travelers.com or 214-570-6023.

TAKE POLL

36

37

IN MEMORIAM

Dan Burton October 6, 1955 - August 7, 2022 October 6, 1955 - August 7, 2022 Dan Burton, 66, died on Sunday, the 7th of August 2022. It was an unexpected, but peaceful end to a highly productive life of commitment. Dan will always be remembered as a loving husband, a dedicated father, a special friend to many, and a trusted business partner.

Dan was born on the 6th of October 1955, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Delmar Lee Burton and Glenna Lou Branstetter Burton. Shortly after birth, Dan’s family moved to the San Francisco Bay area.

Dan graduated from Carlmont High School where he played football. Dan spent his college years in Utah at Snow College and Utah State University pursuing his degree in Anthropology and skiing every free moment. After graduation from Utah State, Dan returned to San Francisco where he followed his father’s footsteps into the insurance industry and had a highly successful career as an insurance executive. Dan started his career with Fireman’s Fund writing surety bonds for the wine makers of Napa Valley.

The growing demand for surety bonds in the energy industry brought Dan to Texas where he worked with several insurance firms including AON and Alliant.

Dan had very recently been recruited as Executive Vice President of Lockton’s surety practice.

It was through his work in the insurance industry that Dan met the love of his life, Katy Brock, whom he married in 1993. Dan was an exceptional husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and friend.

Every person he met was enveloped in his love and wisdom. In addition to his immediate family, Dan leaves behind an extraordinary and much loved group of extended family members.

In addition to his 40+ year career in the insurance industry, Dan was a longtime member of West University United Methodist Church and Brae Burn Country Club.

Dan cherished his time on the golf course, enjoyed fine wine and tequila, the best of all foods, and listening to diverse genres of music from the Grateful Dead to Frank Sinatra. During his travels around the world for business and pleasure, Dan touched people with his genuine warmth and kind spirit.

Dan was preceded in death by his father, Delmar Lee Burton, in 2021; his mother, Glenna Lou Branstetter Burton, in 2006; and his sister, Deborah Lee Burton, in 2018. He is survived by his dear wife, Katy Brock Burton; sons, Spencer Wood Burton, and Kendall Brock Carew and his wife Mallory Maxon Carew; and his grandchildren, Carolyn Edwards Carew and Henry Brock Carew.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation for the extraordinary care from the doctors, nurses, and staff at Houston Methodist Hospital.

Too Little, Too Late July 19, 2022 | E&O Insurance News Full coverage.” Does that phrase sound familiar? It should because we’ve heard it said by claimants in errors & omissions claim after errors & omissions claim. Why does the insured have inadequate limits? Because you assured them—incorrectly, it turns out— that they had “full coverage.”

To make matters worse, you never mentioned a thing about coinsurance or replacement cost, which is how—they solemnly explain to the jury—they wound up with a severely uninsured loss.

Over the past decade, Marshall & Swift/Boeckh estimate that some 60% of residential homes are undervalued by roughly 1520%--and that was before the recent explosion in construction costs caused by supply chain issues, hurricanes, the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. You’ve of course heard that the current rate of inflation may be as much as 8% on an annual basis but the cost to repair or rebuild a damaged property, residential or commercial, is up by about 15%.

Consider the implications of the number of underinsured properties in the context of your business. The odds are, many of your customers were already underinsured by their own choice but, even if their policy limits were exactly where they needed to be a year ago, inflation has put even those sensible customers at risk of incurring a coinsurance penalty.

If you’re like the vast majority of agents, you have a lot of customers concentrated in a relatively small geographic region. What if it gets hit by a wildfire, hurricane, tornado, derecho or severe rainstorm? You could wind up with dozens of

claims involving customers whose limits are not enough to repair or rebuild their property.

Sadly, given the number of customers who have claims each year and the likelihood that inflationary pressures have rendered their limits inadequate, it won’t take a catastrophe to have claimants—and their attorneys— lined up at your door.

There is, however, a silver lining to this ominous, dark cloud. In ordinary times, if you asked a customer if they would like a quote with higher limits, their inevitable response would be, “Why?” And in ordinary times, your sensible reply—that it makes good sense to reassess limits periodically to ensure that the property is insured to value—would have often been met with a shrug or “Maybe next year…”

This year is different and these are not ordinary times. Plus, inflation is very much in the news these days, so your suggestion that it is time to revisit limits and your explanation is much more likely to be heard.

Needless to say, your offer of a quote with higher limits should be made in writing and you need to follow up to close the loop. If your customer still insists upon sticking with their current limits despite your explanation, that’s their decision to make. Just be sure you document it.

If they express interest? Do not offer to assess the replacement cost of their property yourself— not unless you have serious training that qualifies you to make such an assessment, especially considering rapidly escalating prices. Ideally, their current property

carrier will be willing to make that calculation. If not, be prepared to suggest a local professional resource, such as an appraiser or construction company, that can offer an expert opinion about the replacement cost of the property.

If the expense scares them off, suggest fallback options like an estimator program that calculates replacement cost based on location, square footage, construction type and a variety of other factors that your customer— not you—should provide. The insured is the best person to provide this data and we have seen many E&O claims resulting from errors made when inputting key variables like square footage.

Once your customer has arrived at the correct value, obtain written quotes based on that figure.

If the carrier has an available replacement guard endorsement, offer that, too. Again, document your customer’s response, and if it is a “yes,” get the new limit in place immediately. Remember: Too little, too late is no good for anyone.

Yes, this does sound like a lot of work but bear in mind that many of these efforts will result in higher commissions for you as a benefit of helping your customer. Still not convinced? Count the number of property policies written through your agency, then determine what the deductible is on your E&O policy—and the aggregate, if you’re lucky enough to have one.

The real question isn’t whether you can afford to make the effort required to contact all these customers; it’s whether you can afford not to.

When strength and stability matters…

We can get you there!

RSI INTERNATIONAL, INC. Managing General Agency

Arlington • St. Louis

Toll Free: 800.275.2084

www.rsimga.com Property | Liability | Contractors | Environmental Inland Marine | Garage | Professional | Homeowners

RSI International, Inc. | 1250 East Copeland Rd. | Arlington, TX 76011 | 800.275.2084

42

WHO HAS

Matt Leicht Where do you work?

Craig & Leicht What sound do you love?

The crack of a wooden baseball bat hitting a homerun (when it’s an Astro of course).

If you could paint a picture of any scenery you’ve seen before, what would you paint?

St. Thomas in US Virgin Islands What was the first thing you bought with your own money?

Probably candy but the first thing I remember saving for was a boom box.

If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?

Mid 30’s. You’re a full-fledged adult but your body isn’t falling apart yet.

What did you do growing up that got you into trouble?

I hated homework and so I was always getting in trouble for not turning it in.

What is something you learned in the last week?

If you rent a convertible while traveling, pack lite!

THE LAST WORD

Weirdest thing you have ever eaten?

The other day I had dish that was “garnished” with fried crickets. They didn’t taste like much.

What is your pet peeve in traffic?

The person who drives all the way past the line of cars getting on the freeway and cuts in at the last second.

Do you have any hidden talents?

Not really What is your favorite flavor of jellybeans?

I think every jellybean I have eaten the last decade was specifically designed to taste bad, so I have no idea.

What is your LEAST favorite electronic device?

Definitely my iphone. It’s my favorite and least favorite all at the same time.

What is the longest car trip you have ever taken?

When I was about 12 we a took a two-week car trip with my uncle visiting pretty much every battle field between Texas and Washington D.C. Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?

Only if they are ok with the gluten.

Ninjas or pirates?

Pirates What was your favorite childhood television program?

Gilligan’s Island Are you a collector of anything?

My wife and I pick up your typical tourist magnet everywhere we go.

ADVERTISER INDEX 01

TEXAS MUTUAL

07

IMPERIAL PFS

09

UFG INSURANCE

10

STROMAN CONSULTING

16

ZENITH INSURANCE

38

MCCLELLAND & HINE

42

RSI INTERNATIONAL

44

BUSINESS CARD ADS

ADVERTISE WITH US! Deb McRae 713-412-0794

debmcrae@aol.com