Category Archives: Business: Insurance

Press Releases from the Insurance world, What’s new, Popular, Trending and News Worthy. In the ever changing industry of Insurance.

AHT Insurance Acquired by BRP Group


We believe joining the BRP Group team presents a meaningful opportunity to take our growth to the next level, and we expect the combination will create considerable value long term

Armfield, Harrison & Thomas, Inc. (“AHT” or the “Company”), a brokerage and consulting firm offering property and casualty, employee benefits, retirement, personal and international services for a wide range of industries, has announced that is has entered into a partnership with BRP Group, Inc. (“BRP Group”) (NASDAQ: BRP), to become part of BRP Group’s middle-market operating group. BRP Group is a rapidly growing independent insurance distribution firm delivering tailored insurance solutions. AHT will be converted post-acquisition to a limited liability company with the name Armfield, Harrison & Thomas, LLC.

With annual revenues generated of approximately $52.3[1] million, excluding $5.5[2] million of pro forma annualized revenues associated with acquisitions recently completed by AHT, AHT (#65 in Business Insurance’s “Top 100” list of largest U.S. brokers) represents the largest new Partnership in BRP Group’s history and brings BRP Group’s total annualized revenues from 2020 announced partnerships to $172[3] million. AHT’s President and Chief Executive Officer David Schaefer will serve as a Regional President within BRP Group’s middle-market operating group.

With major offices in the Seattle, Washington D.C., New York and Boston metropolitan areas, AHT brings to BRP Group immediate middle-market scale in the Pacific Northwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast regions. AHT also brings deep specialization and expertise across a number of high-growth industry verticals, including Technology, Not-For-Profit, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Manufacturing and Construction, among others. Following this Partnership, AHT will maintain its brand and operate as “AHT – A Baldwin Risk Partner”.

“Partnering with AHT is exciting for BRP Group and dovetails with our long-term strategy of both rapid organic and Partnership growth. We expect the addition of AHT – one of the top independent middle-market firms in the country with an amazing roster of talent – to further accelerate our growth trajectory and provide us with immediate scale in new geographies,” said Trevor Baldwin, Chief Executive Officer of BRP Group. “AHT’s depth of expertise and industry focus are clear complements to our ongoing specialization efforts in middle-market, and the leadership team at AHT is aligned with our culture and ensuring that our clients always come first. We’re thrilled to welcome the AHT team to the BRP family, and with their addition, we have taken a major step toward further growing our platform across the U.S.”

“We’ve built a successful business and developed a sterling reputation thanks to our resolute focus on client-centric solutions. We believe joining the BRP Group team presents a meaningful opportunity to take our growth to the next level, and we expect the combination will create considerable value long term,” said David Schaefer, President and Chief Executive Officer of AHT. “We have a wealth of talented experts in their respective verticals who are laser-focused on their clients, and as a result, we have been able to maintain long-term relationships and consistently drive new business. By joining BRP Group, we will provide our clients and talent with significant new benefits from the wealth of tools and capabilities gained by coming on board the BRP platform. We are looking forward to a smooth transition, while providing our clients with the same level of service to which they are accustomed.”

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of all the hard work and dedication from the entire team and our employee shareholders to build AHT into one of the premier middle-market brokerage and consulting firms in the U.S.,” added Kate Armfield, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of AHT. “AHT’s level of professional service in the industry is incomparable, perfectly aligning us with BRP’s culture and the key to its ongoing success. We are all excited about the limitless opportunities that lie ahead for AHT and our talent as we partner with BRP Group to help create a force in middle-market brokerage and consulting.”

Reagan Consulting, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Reagan Securities, Inc. acted as financial advisor to AHT in the transaction.

[1] Calculated as revenue attributable to the acquired business for the most recent twelve-month period prior to acquisition by BRP Group based on Quality of Earnings Review. Excludes any unowned acquired revenue from acquisitions made by such acquired business in the last twelve months prior to the acquisition.

[2] Based on Quality of Earnings Review

[3] Represents the aggregate revenues of Partners acquired during 2020, for the most recent trailing twelve-month period prior to acquisition by BRP Group, in each case, at the time the due diligence was concluded based on a Quality of Earnings Review and not an audit.

ABOUT ARMFIELD, HARRISON & THOMAS, INC.

AHT is a brokerage and consulting firm offering property and casualty, employee benefits, retirement, personal and international services for a wide range of industries – boasting national recognition for our specialty practices in areas including Technology, Life Sciences, Manufacturing, Government Contracting, International Development Organizations, Management Liability and Nonprofits. For more information about AHT, please visit https://www.ahtins.com/.

ABOUT BRP GROUP, INC.

BRP Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: BRP) is a rapidly growing independent insurance distribution firm delivering tailored insurance and risk management insights and solutions that give our clients the peace of mind to pursue their purpose, passion and dreams.  We are innovating the industry by taking a holistic and tailored approach to risk management, insurance and employee benefits, and support our clients, Colleagues, Insurance Company Partners and communities through the deployment of vanguard resources and capital to drive our growth.  BRP represents over 500,000 clients across the United States and internationally. For more information, please visit http://www.baldwinriskpartners.com.

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain various “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which represent BRP Group’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events. Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical facts and may include statements that address future operating, financial or business performance or BRP Group’s strategies or expectations, including about this Partnership. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “may”, “might”, “will”, “should”, “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimates”, “predicts”, “projects”, “potential”, “outlook” or “continue”, or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by these statements.

Factors that could cause actual results or performance to differ from the expectations expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those described under the caption “Risk Factors” in BRP Group’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, BRP Group’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2020, and BRP Group’s other filings with the SEC, which are available free of charge on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at: http://www.sec.gov, including those risks and other factors relevant to BRP Group’s integration of this Partnership, matters assessed in BRP Group’s due diligence, risks related to the disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to this Partnership, the business, financial condition and results of operations of BRP Group or this Partner, or both, and factors related to the potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on BRP Group’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated. All forward-looking statements and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to BRP Group or to persons acting on behalf of BRP Group are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to these risks and uncertainties. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and BRP Group does not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable law.

CONTACTS:

INVESTOR RELATIONS

Investor Relations

(813) 259-8032 | IR@baldwinriskpartners.com

PRESS – BRP

Rachel Carr, Marketing Director

Baldwin Risk Partners

(813) 418-5166 | Rachel.Carr@baldwinriskpartners.com

PRESS – AHT

Jennifer Junda, Director of Marketing and Communications

AHT Insurance

(703) 554-6284 | JJunda@ahtins.com

How Much Auto Insurance Coverage Is Recommended To Buy?


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“When looking to buy new coverage for their vehicle, drivers should consider some essential things before making a decision. Things like how much coverage they need, deductible, and coverage limits are important”, said Russell Rabichev, CEO of IMC

Compare-autoinsurance.org has launched a new blog post that presents a guide that can help drivers get the best car insurance policy.

For more info and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/how-much-car-insurance-do-you-really-need/

Drivers who moved to a new state, or have recently bought a new vehicle, are probably searching for a car insurance policy. Every single driver has different coverage needs, budgets, and options available to them. To understand how much coverage they need, drivers should analyze their current situation, weigh their options, and then make an educated decision.

Before getting an insurance quote, drivers should follow the next steps:


  •     List the coverage they have, want, and need. Knowing what is already insured will help the driver in the process of getting new insurance. Without going through this step, drivers might be tempted to pick up the cheapest offer, possibly wasting good money.
  •     Learn about the coverage limits. When buying liability coverage, drivers can see them listed as 100/300/50. This is one of the more common auto insurance policy structures and is also the limit that most insurers currently recommend for liability coverage. The first two numbers represent bodily injury liability coverage and the third represents property damage liability coverage. This means that the insurance policy of a driver involved in an at-fault accident will pay up to $100,000 in injuries per person, $300,000 in injuries per accident, and $50,000 in property damage per accident.
  •     Consider dropping coverage for older vehicles. Drivers of newer vehicles should not have more coverage on their older vehicles. Older vehicles are more likely to breakdown, have lesser safety features, cost more to repair, and are easier to steal. They also worth less, and in many cases keeping collision coverage doesn’t make sense. However, to protect their vehicles from theft, some owners purchase comprehensive coverage.
  •     Consider adding family members to the policy. Anyone who lives under the same roof as the policyholder is eligible to be part of the family plan. When covering an entire family under one policy, the policyholder is eligible for multiple discounts. Also, if there is more than one vehicle in the household, the policyholder can get a discount for insuring multiple cars. Furthermore, the auto insurance policy can be combined with other policies such as homeowner’s insurance, health insurance, boat insurance, and more.
  •     Consider the deductible limits. The deductible is the amount of money the policyholders need to pay before the insurance kicks-in. When buying an insurance policy, drivers should determine how much they can pay for the deductible. To keep car insurance costs to a minimum, drivers can choose the highest deductible. Premiums decrease as the deductible increases.


For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/

Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc.

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NFP’s Growth, Culture Recognized in 2020 Industry Rankings


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“This recognition validates that we’re focused on the right things and that our efforts to grow in key areas continue to be effective,” said Doug Hammond, chairman and CEO of NFP.

NFP, a leading insurance broker and consultant providing corporate benefits, property and casualty (P&C), retirement, and individual solutions, finished 2020 with recognition from Business Insurance, Best’s Review and Insurance Journal as part of their annual industry rankings.

NFP was named to the following lists:

  • Business Insurance ranked NFP the fifth best place to work in insurance in the large employer category (up from eighth), fifth largest benefits broker by global revenue, sixth largest US-based privately owned brokers and 13th largest broker of US business.
  • Best’s Review ranked NFP the 12th largest global insurance broker (up from 13th).
  • Insurance Journal ranked NFP the ninth largest commercial lines agency by P&C commercial lines revenue (up from tenth) and tenth largest P&C agency.


“This recognition validates that we’re focused on the right things and that our efforts to grow in key areas continue to be effective,” said Doug Hammond, chairman and CEO of NFP. “We’re proud to be both a growing business delivering specialized expertise and solutions to our clients and a sought after employer as a top place to work in insurance. Our commitment to our employees, our clients and our communities is the driving force behind our rankings and we remain motivated to learn, refine and improve.”

“Recognition is a pillar of our people-first culture, so being named to these industry lists means a lot to our company,” said Mary Steed, chief people officer at NFP. “We appreciate the national recognition, as well as the regional acknowledgements we receive from local communities. Our focus will always be on investing in people, creating opportunities for personal and professional growth, and elevating well-being for colleagues, clients and communities.”

About NFP

NFP is a leading insurance broker and consultant providing specialized property and casualty, corporate benefits, retirement, and individual solutions through its licensed subsidiaries and affiliates. NFP enables client success through the expertise of over 5,700 global employees, investments in innovative technologies, and enduring relationships with highly rated insurers, vendors, and financial institutions. NFP is the 5th largest benefits broker by global revenue, 5th best place to work in insurance and 6th largest US-based privately owned broker (Business Insurance); 9th commercial lines agency by P&C commercial lines revenue and 10th largest property and casualty agency (Insurance Journal); and 12th largest global insurance broker (Best’s Review).

Visit NFP.com to discover how NFP empowers clients to meet their goals.

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Alera Group Acquires Lighthouse Group


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Lighthouse Group, an exciting addition to Alera Group, was born out of a strategic merger between two Michigan firms. Since that time, they have completed 40 acquisitions in their 25 year history and now serve clients in more than 20 verticals.

Alera Group, a leading insurance firm, has acquired Lighthouse Group, effective December 1, 2020.

With eight locations throughout Michigan, Lighthouse Group is a Midwest leader in employee benefits and property & casualty insurance solutions. Lighthouse Group was born out of a strategic merger between two local firms. Since that time, they have completed 40 acquisitions in their 25 year history. The firm now serves clients in more than 20 verticals, including specialties in construction, manufacturing and retail. Their extensive team of experts deliver industry-leading, tailored solutions that meet the needs of clients throughout the country.

“Lighthouse Group, led by Tom Helmstetter, is an exciting addition to Alera Group, we are thrilled to welcome the entire team to Alera Group,” said Alan Levitz, CEO of Alera Group. “There is a very natural cultural fit between our two collaborative organizations and an opportunity for Lighthouse to leverage Alera’s national platform for the benefit of their clients.”

“We believe that our new partnership with Alera Group will open avenues for growth like never before, both for our clients and our firm,” said Tom Helmstetter, Managing Partner of Lighthouse. “Together, we will join Alera Group’s national resources with our personalized local services to increase our solution and product offerings. We are proud to join Alera Group and look forward to our collaborative future together.”

The Lighthouse Group team will continue serving clients in their existing roles, supported by Alera Group’s national resources and team. MarshBerry Capital, Inc. acted as exclusive financial advisor to Lighthouse in the transaction.

About Alera Group

Based in Deerfield, IL, Alera Group’s over 2,000 employees serve thousands of clients nationally in employee benefits, property and casualty, retirement services and wealth management. Alera Group is the 11th largest privately held firm in the country. For more information, visit http://www.aleragroup.com or follow Alera Group on Twitter: @AleraGroupUS.

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Gainesville Financial Advisor Chosen 2020 National Social Security Advisor of the Year


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Beau Henderson of RichLife Advisors, LLC

There are more than 500 possible ways to claim Social Security… More than 90 percent of workers today don’t claim optimally and can lose around $100,000 over the course of their retirement.

The National Social Security Association in Cincinnati has selected Beau Henderson, CEO of RichLife Advisors, LLC of Gainesville, Ga., as its National Social Security Advisor (NSSA®) Advisor of the Year.

The award was announced by Marc Kiner, board member of the National Social Security Association.

Kiner is partner at Premier Social Security Consulting of Cincinnati, which teaches the NSSA Social Security education courses to professional advisors across the nation.

“Beau has shown himself to be a dedicated advocate for Social Security education in his community and the surrounding area,” said Kiner. “He and his company have conducted more than 200 Social Security information seminars around Gainesville, including Hall, Gwinnett, Forsyth, and Fulton counties. He uses media, podcasts and social media effectively to help workers and soon-to-be retirees learn how to secure a more comfortable retirement by maximizing their Social Security income.”

The NSSA program is the nation’s only accredited Social Security education certificate program. Accreditation is provided by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) in Washington, D.C. The NSSA Advisor certificate is awarded to professional advisors who take the NSSA course and pass an assessment.

Henderson is the founder of RichLife Advisors, a financial advisor firm focused on retirement planning. He and his five employees have reached an estimated 3,000 clients over the past 20 years to help them improve their relationships with money and plan for a successful retirement that includes six components: maximizing income, including Social Security; optimizing assets for long-term growth; paying less in taxes; healthcare planning; protecting people and things they care about most; and helping them “live out their unique definition of a RichLife in retirement,” according to its website.

“Our philosophy is education first,” said Henderson. “We teach people how to realize their retirement goals by making the best decisions possible. If we teach people, they become much more capable about their money, which cuts down on regret and fear. With the right strategy, your retirement will be successful.”

Henderson was 23 years old and a graduate student in psychology when his father died of lung cancer at the age of 49. He helped his mother navigate difficult financial decisions as their family grieved, which led him to embrace a financial advising career as a way to help others and make a profound difference in their lives.

Henderson said the NSSA Advisor of the Year Award reinforces his company’s commitment to client education. “We’re grateful to be acknowledged for our commitment to financial education, including Social Security education,” he said.

Henderson is the author of 10 books, including The RichLife: Ten Investments for True Wealth; The RoadMap to a RichLife: Success with Life, Relationships, and Money; Customized Social Security; and 12 Steps to a Successful Retirement. He is a podcast enthusiast and studio owner of North Georgia Business Radio X.

“There are more than 500 possible ways to claim Social Security,” said Jim Blair, Premier partner and a Social Security expert. “The best decision on when and how to claim goes back to your unique situation, which we call ‘Situational Social Security.’ More than 90 percent of workers today don’t claim optimally and can lose around $100,000 over the course of their retirement.”

Premier teaches professional advisors the ins and outs of the Social Security system so they can in turn show their clients how to optimize Social Security income.

There are an estimated 76 million baby boomers in the U.S. today, which is about 20 percent of the nation’s population. Ten thousand boomers reach the full retirement age of 65 each day nationwide.

Blair is a 35-year veteran of the Social Security Administration and a recognized Social Security expert. He is regularly interviewed by national media on Social Security issues.

The National Social Security Association has awarded certificates to more than 2,500 advisors nationwide since 2013. NSSA Advisor certificate training is offered during the pandemic via webinar training, where students participate in a live, one-day program with an NSSA instructor.

They can also opt for a 19-module, video-based, on-demand course taught by NSSA instructors.

On-demand students can complete workshop lectures and activities on their own time.

NSSA certificate holders receive ongoing Social Security support and education resources throughout the year. Ongoing support includes questions answered and monthly webinars. The webinars help NSSA certificate holders maintain Social Security knowledge and keep up to date.

Once pandemic concerns are lifted, NSSA training will be offered again in live classroom settings and for private groups in cities across the nation.

For more information on RichLife Advisors, LLC., visit https://richlifeadvisors.com or call (770) 249-7424.

For more information about the NSSA Advisor® certificate program, visit https://www.nationalsocialsecurityassociation.com or call Kiner at (513) 247-0526.

#     #     #

Contact: Marc Kiner

Email: mkiner@mypremierplan.com

Phone: (513) 247-0526

About Premier Social Security Consulting:

Premier Social Security Consulting, LLC of Cincinnati educates professional advisors nationwide on the national Social Security program so they can counsel their clients on how to maximize Social Security income. Premier partners Marc Kiner and Jim Blair teach the NSSA certificate program.

About the National Social Security Advisor program:

Marc Kiner and Jim Blair are partners at Premier Social Security Consulting of Cincinnati, which teaches the National Social Security Advisor (NSSA) certificate program. NSSA is the nation’s only accredited Social Security education certificate program.

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Independent broker dealer recruiter Jon Henschen Publishes Guest Post On Michael Kitces’ Nerds Eye View, “Why Broker-Dealer Forgivable Notes Aren’t (Really) Forgiven”


A fiduciary-friendly movement amongst broker-dealers is bringing light to the less transparent costs that some BDs add to the equation, making it feasible for advisors considering a change in platform to effectively assess the true net cost of the platform for their business and their clients.

In his November 23, 2020, guest blog post on Michael Kitces’ Nerds Eye View, independent broker-dealer recruiter Jon Henschen discusses the history and mechanics of forgivable notes. He addresses ethical concerns they raise for advisors and their clients, and how the industry’s evolving landscape encourages broker-dealers to reconsider their incentive structures and advisors to consider whether forgivable note recruiting bonuses are worth their long-term consequences to clients.

Henschen opens his discussion by reviewing the early days of insurance broker-dealer recruiting efforts, when insurance broker-dealers would incentivize their brokers into the company’s proprietary products, paying higher commissions on them, setting percentage requirements for their proprietary products (e.g., 30% of all production must be in company product), and excluding competing products from the available product shelf.

These first-generation forgivable notes evolved away from proprietary products to general production. Today, they are typically structured as a percentage of a broker’s 12-month trailing gross dealer concession (GDC), and are considered by some advisors to be a required part of the job offer.

Henschen’s post then delves into the details, exploring standard forgivable note percentages and recruiting bonuses, required production levels during the note period and consequences should the advisor leave the firm prior to the end of the note period. He discusses how the use of the forgivable note continues to expand, and how industry leaders such as LPL base the forgivable note amount on profitability rather than production.

Henschen also looks at the primary profit centers of broker dealers today that serve to recover the cost of providing forgivable note recruiting bonuses, such as brokerage account transaction charges, revenue sharing from product vendors, markup on third-party money managers, proprietary advisory platforms and other profit centers.

The analysis then covers the emergence of “fiduciary-friendly” broker dealer firms that reject the “recruiting bonus/markup game” that enables the broker dealer to recover costs through these added layers that ultimately are passed on to the client. Henschen then details the types of incentives these fiduciary friendly firms offer and provides a direct comparison of upfront recruiting bonuses at traditional versus fiduciary-friendly broker dealers, with the bottom line cost to clients, which reveals a dramatic difference.

Closing, Henschen looks at how the recent implementation of no ticket charges on stocks and ETFs at Schwab and IWS (Fidelity Institutional) has introduced a new competitive dynamic to the broker-dealer marketplace, and shares a perspective from a fiduciary-friendly broker dealer.

Jon Henschen is founder of Henschen & Associates, an independent broker-dealer recruiting firm located in Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota. With more than 20 years of industry experience, Jon is a staunch advocate for independent financial advisors, and is widely sought after by both reps and broker dealers for his expertise and advice on independent broker dealer topics. He is frequently published and quoted in a variety of industry sources, including WealthManagement.com, ThinkAdvisor, Investment Advisor Magazine, Wealth Management Magazine, Financial Advisor IQ, Financial Advisor Magazine, Investment News and others.

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Costs for Auto Physical Damage Insurance Claims Outpacing Inflation


Auto Damage Claims Grow Faster Than Inflation from 2010-2018

As vehicle technology continues to evolve, understanding the cost drivers behind auto physical damage claims will be important in addressing issues in auto insurance availability and affordability.

A new study from the Insurance Research Council (IRC) finds that the average payment for auto physical damage insurance claims increased at more than double the rate of inflation from 2010 through 2018. The study, which examines patterns in private passenger comprehensive, collision, and physical damage liability insurance claims, found that average claim payments increased 3.7 percent annualized during the study period, while the overall Consumer Price Index (CPI), as well as the CPI for motor vehicle maintenance and repair, grew 1.8 percent annualized. The study also finds that while the average age of the private passenger auto fleet has increased, growth in the claim costs for newer vehicles has been particularly rapid, fueled by the increasing cost of replacing parts in more advanced vehicle technology.

Some of the other findings from the study include:

  • Total losses have become more common and more expensive.
  • Catastrophe claims accounted for about one in five dollars paid for comprehensive claims.
  • Deductibles and policy limits have not kept pace with the growth in payments.
  • Physical damage claims have become less likely to have associated injury claims.
  • The rate of attorney involvement is lower in physical damage claims than in auto injury claims.
  • For most aspects of physical damage claims, there are significant differences among states.

“Damage to vehicles accounts for a growing share of the costs of paying auto insurance claims,” said David Corum, CPCU, vice president of the IRC. “As vehicle technology continues to evolve, an understanding of the cost drivers behind auto physical damage claims will be important in addressing issues in auto insurance availability and affordability.”

The report, Patterns in Auto Physical Damage Insurance Claims, presents findings from a collection of more than 220,000 claims closed with payment under the three principal private passenger auto physical damage coverages in claim years 2010, 2014, and 2018. Participating insurers accounted for more than half of the private passenger auto insurance market. For more information on the study’s methodology and findings, contact David Corum at (484) 831-9046 or by email at IRC@TheInstitutes.org.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: The Insurance Research Council (IRC) is a division of The Institutes, the leading provider of risk management and insurance knowledge solutions. The Institutes offer professional and associate designations, including the CPCU® program, along with introductory, foundation, and leadership programs; online and continuing education courses; custom solutions; assessment tools; and industry consortia. The IRC provides timely and reliable research to all parties involved in public policy issues affecting insurance companies and their customers. The IRC does not lobby or advocate legislative positions. It is supported by leading property-casualty insurance organizations.

CPCU is a registered trademark of The Institutes. All rights reserved

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FMG Suite Announces Strategic Acquisition of Twenty Over Ten


FMG Suite Logo

FMG Suite Logo

We’re impressed with what Twenty Over Ten has built in a relatively short time and we look forward to integrating our solutions to deliver the products and services we know are most sought after today by financial professionals, RIAs, and independent broker-dealers.

FMG Suite, a SaaS company specializing in marketing software and services for financial advisors and insurance agents, today announced it has completed the acquisition of Twenty Over Ten, a company delivering a SaaS-based digital marketing platform for financial professionals.

“We’re impressed with what Twenty Over Ten has built in a relatively short time and we look forward to integrating our solutions to deliver the products and services we know are most sought after today by financial professionals, RIAs, and independent broker-dealers,” said Scott White, FMG Suite CEO. “This acquisition is a strategic investment in the future of our platform––websites that generate leads, personalized automations, and fully customizable content,” he added.

Known industry-wide for its innovative marketing strategies and solutions, Twenty Over Ten’s talented team of designers, developers, and marketers will be retained by FMG Suite. Together, the companies will pool their resources to offer financial advisors the most modern lead-generation and marketing solutions with award-winning client service.

“When we launched Twenty Over Ten, we had a simple desire to make beautiful professional websites for an industry that desperately needed it,” said Ryan Russell, Twenty Over Ten Co-Founder. “Four short years later, we have a large and growing community of engaged advisors and we take seriously our responsibility to continue to develop innovative solutions that redefine marketing in our industry. FMG Suite is a great next chapter in our story because the team shares our vision to give financial professionals the very best user experience and marketing tools to grow their businesses,” he added.

Twenty Over Ten will continue to operate its business as usual until plans are announced to integrate the companies’ best-of-breed solutions to better serve the industry. Every effort will be made to minimize business disruptions, and clients of both entities will benefit from combined capabilities, content, and campaigns to improve interactions with their investor clients at every stage.

“At Advisor Group, we pride ourselves on partnering with the best to deliver the highest value services and solutions to our advisors. Today we partner with both FMG Suite and Twenty Over Ten,” said Advisor Group CMO Susan Theder. “We can’t wait to see the level of innovation that will come from this pairing, as they combine their talents to deliver the next generation of advisor marketing solutions.”

With this agreement, FMG Suite will acquire Twenty Over Ten’s customer base, reinforcing its leading market share position. The sixth acquisition in four years, the purchase agreement represents a continuation of FMG Suite’s expansion strategy.

About FMG Suite

FMG Suite powers an all-in-one marketing platform that helps financial advisors and insurance agents attract new leads, stay connected with clients, and grow their businesses. Rated first in market share and customer satisfaction in the 2019 and 2020 T3 Software Survey Report, FMG Suite helps its customers develop comprehensive marketing strategies and automate their most effective marketing tactics. FMG Suite is headquartered in San Diego, CA with satellite offices across the United States.

About Twenty Over Ten

Twenty Over Ten is a leading SaaS company whose mission is to help professionals in regulated industries redefine their marketing efforts. Twenty Over Ten offers a family of agile marketing products, Lead Pilot, Website Engine and Providence, all which give companies the marketing tools they need to scale. The company is headquartered in State College, PA. For more information, please visit twentyoverten.com.

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easyMedicare.com Advises Medicare Beneficiaries About the End of Open Enrollment


“Reviewing your coverage options during the Medicare Annual Election Period is critical to ensuring you receive the benefits and savings you deserve every year,” says Anthony P. Solazzo, CEO of e-TeleQuote.

easyMedicare.com (https://www.easyMedicare.com), an affiliate of e-TeleQuote Insurance, Inc., encourages Medicare beneficiaries to take advantage of the Medicare Annual Election Period to secure their coverage for 2021.

The Medicare Annual Election Period (also called Open Enrollment) occurs every year from October 15 to December 7 and provides an opportunity for people to enroll in or change Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plans. These plans, also called Part C and Part D Plans, can provide additional coverage and benefits on top of Medicare Parts A and B (Original Medicare). Enrollment in these plans is only available due to special circumstances outside of this yearly enrollment period.

“Reviewing your coverage options during the Medicare Annual Election Period is critical to ensuring you receive the benefits and savings you deserve every year,” says Anthony P. Solazzo, CEO of e-TeleQuote. “We’re proud to help tens of thousands of Americans find their Medicare plans during this period each year.”

easyMedicare.com offers no-cost consultations with their licensed insurance agents over the phone, and also provides self-serve online comparison and enrollment through its Online Enrollment Portal. easyMedicare.com serves beneficiaries across the United States and multiple languages.

Medicare beneficiaries can take advantage of extended hours to receive their complimentary consultations before the Medicare Annual Election Period is over. This includes licensed agents being available for consultations on both Saturday and Sunday until the Medicare Annual Election Period is over.

This year’s Medicare Annual Election Period has once again been a period of record growth for the company. e-TeleQuote is on pace to see an increase of approximately 50% in enrollments compared to the same period last year and an increase of over 300% compared to the same period in 2018.

About e-TeleQuote and easyMedicare.com

e-TeleQuote Insurance, Inc., the owner and operator of easyMedicare.com, is an independent digital insurance marketplace providing individuals the ability to purchase Medicare insurance from the comfort of their homes. The company diligently researches available plan options from multiple insurance carriers, helping people choose a plan that best suits their needs. e-TeleQuote provides personal consultation through experienced licensed Medicare advisors who suggest plan coverage options based on an individual’s particular needs. The company has proudly served tens of thousands of people across the United States.

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The Main Demographic Factors That Influence Car Insurance Rates


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“When determining the risk profile of a person, insurance companies use all info available. Insurers rely on official statistics to determine how likely is for a client to file a claim”, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company.

Demographic factors play a crucial role in determining a person’s risk profile. Insurance companies use various statistical data to predict how likely is a person to be involved in an accident and to file a claim. The most important demographic factors used by insurers are:

  • Age. This is one of the most important rating factors. Teen drivers, below the age of 25, are considered high-risk drivers due to their lack of experience behind the wheel. Senior citizens, over 70, are also considered high-risk. Age-related medical issues, hearing and sight which start to deteriorate and prescription drugs are the main reasons why seniors are risky drivers and policyholders. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that drivers ages 30 to 69 are much less likely to be involved in accidents.
  • Gender. Statistical data shows that teen males are more likely to cause accidents than teen females of the same age. Things change in the case of senior drivers. Older females are more likely to be involved in minor accidents than their male counterparts.
  • Marital status. According to a study done by The National Institutes of Health, drivers who were never married or divorced have a significantly higher rate of motor vehicle crash injuries than drivers who were married. Married people are considered more responsible drivers, especially since they transport their spouses with them. Getting married is really beneficial for men, from a financial point of view. A male driver with a clean driving record who marries will get his rates nearly halved.
  • Occupation. Auto insurance companies correlate a person’s risk of accident and their profession, and they can adjust the premiums accordingly. For example, delivery drivers and journalists are on the road constantly and thus are more likely to be in an accident, whereas airline pilots often just drive between the airport and home, and don’t spend much time on the road. Others, such as police officers, paramedics and insurance underwriters are seen to be more careful than the average driver and receive better rates.
  • The area where the policyholder lives. This is actually a more complex factor. Numerous details regarding the ZIP code will be analyzed. Besides the state’s minimum, other elements like car theft rates, the cost to repair a car, road conditions, unemployment rate, and population density will affect the costs.

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