PERSONAL LINES INSURANCE MODULES

1. Questions Most Frequently Asked by Personal Lines Clients

A four hour course consisting of 12 questions that appear simple on the surface, but whose answers are far from simple and require a depth of knowledge on the part of the agent to give actual and factual advice to the client. This course explores the questions and the varied considerations that must be addressed in each situation. Some of the timely topics include coverage for rental cars and insuring the home business..

2. Homeowners Insurance - the 2000 Edition

A four hour course which reviews in depth the ISO Homeowners policy coverage form with special emphasis on changes that appear in the current ISO policy form. New definitions and selected endorsements are discussed.

3. Homeowners Endorsements - Tailoring The Policy to Fit the Client's Needs

This four hour course provides an in-depth review of the endorsements available under the ISO Homeowners program. Emphasis is placed on the practical application and value of the endorsements. For ease in understanding, endorsements are organized as they apply to four main policy coverage sections - Dwelling, Other structures, Personal Property, and Liability. Endorsements relating to business activities and property are grouped and discussed as a unit.

4. Homeowners Insurance

A complete and thorough review of homeowners coverage works through eligibility and product design as well as the distinctions made in the six common policy forms. The discussion centers on the basic coverage, including common exclusions, and then reviews enhancements as provided by various endorsements and extensions. 6 hours.

5. Personal Automobile Insurance

A four-hour review of the Personal Automobile policy, including a discussion of eligibility. Emphasis is placed on the definition of "insured"

6. Personal Auto Policy - Endorsements

Used as a companion to the above, or as a separate two to four hour program, this course deals with the endorsements available within the personal auto program to tailor the policy to fit specific client needs. Special attention is given to ownership. vehicles and equipment not covered by the standard, unendorsed policy.

7. Miscellaneous Personal Insurance Coverages - Covering the Exclusions

This four hour course briefly reviews the limitations and exclusions found in the standard ISO homeowners and automobile insurance policies. It then briefly explores the alternative products and markets available to the insurance agent to protect these exposure areas. Topics and products explored include: Mobile Home Coverage, Personal Articles Floaters, Watercraft Insurance, Aviation Insurance, Motorcycle and Miscellaneous Vehicle coverage, Travel trailer and Motorhome coverage.

8. The Personal Excess and Surplus Lines Market

The Excess and Surplus lines market has long been used for hard-to-place commercial lines of insurance. Its entry into the personal arena is relatively recent. This two to four hour course explores the nature and regulation of the surplus lines market, including necessary agency procedures that must be observed when using an alternative marketplace. Products for the hard-to-place, unusual risks as well as innovative niche products are then explored.

9. Insuring Things We Ride

The dictionary defines "vehicle" as any device in, upon or by which a person may be transported. Modern times has witnessed an explosion in the types of vehicles that we use for serious travel and not so serious pleasure. This course explores the insurance issues created by this abundance of vehicles and the policies especially designed to insure the risk associated with their ownership and operation. 4 hours.

10. Risk Management for the Personal Lines Insured

This four hour course presents the risk management concept through the eyes of the personal lines insurance agent with a focus on the various needs of the personal insurance client. The course covers basic risk management concepts and then relates them to specific personal property and liability exposures.

11. Exploring the Myths and Mysteries of Flood Insurance

A thorough review of the National Flood Insurance Program presented by agents for agents and lenders to address concerns with the language and coverage afforded by the flood policy. This course will include an update of the most current flood insurance policy language and program changes, including lender requirements, simplification and zone determination. The E & O potential inherent in specialized definitions and coverage concepts, along with other trips and traps of the National Flood Program will be discussed. A must course for any insurance person who deals with the National Flood Insurance Program. 4-6-8 hours.

12. Insuring Residential Property

This six-hour seminar is designed for realtors, lenders and insurance agents alike. The discussion will focus on insurance issues facing the owner of residential property, including lender requirements for flood insurance, mortgagee clauses, and restrictive market conditions. The seminar will review a variety of personal residential insurance products including homeowners policies for single family residences, renters and condominium unitowners; the dwelling policy and its applications, including coverage in the FAIR plan and mobile homeowners insurance. A brief review of the National Flood Program's dwelling coverage form will be included.

13. Personal Lines Risk Management and Coverage School

This two-day school emphasizes practical knowledge. The risk management principles are reviewed and applied to the personal insured. The focus is on ways to use coverage information in the day-to-day dealings with clients and prospects. Physical tools, such as exposure surveys, coverage outlines and underwriting questionnaires are introduced as learning aids and provided for later use on the job. Coverage issues beyond the basic automobile and homeowners policy forms are discussed, including customizing endorsements available within the Auto and Homeowners programs, personal watercraft, aircraft, mobile homes, recreational vehicles and personal umbrella. Emphasis is placed on communicating with the client to understand client activities and concerns, discover loss exposures and present the benefits of the appropriate products. Case studies and risk management exercises are included for reinforcement of the information.

14. Personal Lines Risk Management and Coverage Seminar

This fast-paced one-day alternative to the two day format emphasizes the practical use of the risk management process for the personal lines client. The review of basic residential and auto coverage as well as the review of other alternative personal coverages is considerably abbreviated. Technical coverage concentration is primarily tailored toward eliminating gaps in coverage for various client exposures. In addition, the course contains only one case study.

15. Covering the Home Business Exposure

This 4 hour course reviews the boom in home business exposures for personal insureds. The discussion ranges from the in-home office of the occasional telecommuter to the full-time home workplace. Common property, liability and automobile exposures are discussed, including limitations in the standard personal lines products. Various endorsements available to address some of the exposures are reviewed, and alternative markets for coverage are discussed.

16. Personal Excess Insurance

This session is a two-hour format that reviews the need for and benefits of a personal Excess/Umbrella liability policy. Common policy conditions are reviewed, including underlying requirements and defense cost issues. Desirable coverage areas are explored.

17. Personal Aviation Insurance

There is absolutely no truth to the rumor that private pilots have a death wish! The chance of an accident or fatality in a small aircraft is statistically less than the same fate while riding in an automobile. Flight hours in small aircraft have increased to a current high of nearly 28 million hours per year. Agents are losing out on some substantial business by ignoring an area of personal insurance that creates significant premiums. This course discusses resources for aviation coverage and reviews the information necessary to work with insureds and carriers to place this coverage. 2 hours.

18. The Future Is Now: Insuring Tomorrow with Today's Personal Lines Products

The evolution of today's insurance products takes its roots in the 1950's with the homeowners and personal auto policies. Life was different then. As we move into the next millennium these products will undergo continual enhancement. The American family is changing, the way they work and live is changing, their needs and expectations are changing. This 2-3 hour presentation, originally developed as a convention topic, is a fast paced look at how needs and the products to meet them are changing. This topic can be expanded to a four hour segment.

We are also approved instructors for personal lines topics in the CIC, and CISR professional development programs.