MODEL PARTNERSHIP PANEL REPORT An Agents Guide to Evaluating Company Appointments Workflow, Capabilities, and Requirements of Domestic Homeowner Carriers Technology / Agency Contracts / Underwriting Outsourcing / Compensation / Service The Florida Association of Insurance Agents PO BOX 12129 Tallahassee, FL 32317-2129 (850) 893-4155 / www.faia.com Copyright July, 2011
All rights reserved. part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the Florida Association of Insurance Agents. NOTE: FAIA is not involved in the business of giving legal advice. Whenever questions arise, agents are urged to seek the counsel of a competent attorney licensed in Florida and familiar with the Florida Insurance Code.
TABLE OF CONTENTS BACKGROUND, METHODOLOGY, PURPOSE 1 MODEL PARTNERSHIP PANEL 4 PAGE CARRIER SURVEY RESPONSES (ALPHA LISTING): American Integrity Insurance Company of Florida 5 ASI (American Strategic Insurance Corporation) 8 ASI Preferred ASI Assurance Avatar P&C Insurance Company 11 Bankers Insurance Group 14 First Community Insurance Co. Capitol Preferred Insurance Company 17 Cypress Property & Casualty Insurance 20 Federated National Insurance Company 23 Florida Family Insurance Company 26 Lakeview Insurance Florida Peninsula Insurance Company 29 Frontline Homeowners 32 First Protective Insurance Co. Fidelity Fire & Casualty Co. Gulfstream Property & Casualty Insurance Company 35 HomeWise Insurance Company 39 Prepared Insurance Company 42 Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (PURE) 45 Security First Insurance Company 48 Southern Oak Insurance Company 51 St. James Insurance Company 54 Sunshine State Insurance Company 57 TJ Jerger MGA/MUSA MGA 60 American Traditions Insurance Co. Modern USA Insurance Co. Tower Hill Insurance Group 63 Tower Hill Prime Insurance Tower Hill Preferred Insurance Tower Hill Select Insurance Omega Insurance Royal Palm Insurance United Property & Casualty Insurance Company 66 Universal Insurance Company of rth America 69 Universal Property & Casualty Insurance Company 72 FAIA MODEL AGENCY CONTRACT 75
Page 1 of 82 FAIA MODEL PARTNERSHIP PANEL REPORT Background, Methodology & Purpose BACKGROUND Most know Florida s homeowners market is poles apart from other lines and other states. One of the more challenging aspects of being an agent in a landscape dominated by domestic carriers and MGAs is the appointment decision making process and its many variables: What type of appointment, limited or regular? Citizens takeouts only or new business? Will the partnership produce a result satisfactory to the carrier, the agency, and ultimately...the agency s customers? Some may recall a time when agency appointment decisions were based on the three Cs: competitiveness, contract, and commissions: Is the product competitive from both a price and coverage standpoint? Is the company s contract acceptable? Are the commissions adequate to provide a reasonable profit? Before Florida s residential property market relied almost exclusively on mono-line domestics, there was also a fourth C, compatibility. From the standpoint of automation and workflow, was the company, generally, a good fit? For independent agents, such compatibility issues were dissected and improved through national projects such as Agency Company Organization for Research and Development (ACORD), Insurance Institute for Research (IIR), and the quest for Single Entry Multi-company Interface (SEMCI), and were jointly pursued by agent members of FAIA, IIABA, and large national and superregional carriers. During the 70s and 80s, FAIA lead the way with its Manifesto projects and functional cost studies, all designed to help lower costs for partners and improve independent agent competitiveness with direct writers. But, what about today? What about Florida? How does an agent know to accept or reject an appointment offer (or to seek one) based on three or four Cs if the true costs of the relationship are unknown? What good, for example, is a fair contract and a higher commission percentage if processing costs and workflow requirements are incompatible and so costly there s no profit left over? And, since consistency often drives profitability over the long-term, isn t it also important to know the degree to which company processing issues may assist or impede attainment of the agency s strategic goals?
Page 2 of 82 THE MODEL PARTNERSHIP PANEL Last year, FAIA s Board undertook a study to assist agents seeking or accepting offers of appointment with Florida s new breed of domestic carrier. A Model Partnership Panel of involved and technically savvy agents was formed to address the issues (see page 4 for panel participants). Ably assisted by independent consultant Al Diamond, owner of the Agency Consultant Group (ACG), and FAIA staffers past and present, the panel designed and distributed a survey on existing workflow issues and requirements of Florida s top domestic writers. This document is one of two resulting from the survey. We believe agents will find this piece to be most helpful as it is an alphabetical listing by carrier, including written comments for every question on the survey as answered by each carrier representative. A second document prepared by the ACG is also available online or by request and provides totals by category, percentage to model comparisons, and other helpful aggregate data analysis. METHODOLOGY The web-based survey was sent to the top domestic carriers (not including Citizens) writing homeowners through independent agents. Accuracy is paramount; so, after agent panelists assembled the original draft, it was screened and revised by a half-dozen carriers for accuracy and relevancy. An advanced hard copy was forwarded, enabling companies to better prepare accurate and complete answers on the final electronic version. Once completed, the answers were returned to each carrier for another review, final revision, and the opportunity to write in qualifying comments. The final data set was then reviewed by agents of each company and, to the extent possible, inconsistencies were resolved, results corrected, and totals recalibrated, again. The final report constitutes the most comprehensive survey of its kind ever conducted in Florida. PURPOSE AND USAGE So, what can agents (and companies) learn from these results? In addition to the original three Cs (competitiveness, contract, and commissions), agents can now find out prior to the appointment and in one central place whether policies can be rated online, whether the carrier participates in agency downloads for direct bill business, and how it handles direct deposit of commissions and ACH transactions. Does the carrier have a consumer portal and a find an agent section on its website? Can the agent process endorsements on the company website and, if so, which endorsements? An agency may know it will receive a 10 percent commission on new business, but is the commission paid on the gross premium? Do commissions differ by peril, territory, risk, size of agency, or other factors? Are commissions paid on an annualized basis or as earned? These issues matter. They can cost the agency many dollars by each year s end and certainly over the long-haul.
Page 3 of 82 Again, for the carriers surveyed, it s all here in one place. AGENCY APPOINTMENT CONTRACTS One of the more challenging areas for a survey of this type is agency contracts. Contract wording is, by nature, subject to interpretation and should always be reviewed, prior to signing, by a licensed and qualified member of the Florida Bar. This survey attempts to help lift the agent burden in this regard by asking questions related to prime contract issues, such as ownership of expirations, cancellation provisions, and indemnity and hold harmless clauses. While the answers should be helpful, keep in mind that contract language is not only subject to individual interpretation but also can differ by agency or be changed with little notice. Enforceability is yet another important contract issue, often affected by relevant case law and requiring expert analysis and advice. Contract issues dealing with post-termination solicitation of business by the carrier are often controversial and best avoided by a thorough review of language prior to signing the contract. To assist with this and the entire contract-review process, this report includes FAIA s Model Agency Contract. You ll find recommended language on ownership of expirations and post-termination communications by the carrier in Section XII, A. Remember, the contract is only a model, and is not widely used or recommended for every situation. While we know of no company that has adopted it in total, every agent can reduce post-cancellation trauma by using it as a guide prior to signing. FAIA members should feel free to provide it to outside counsel as a means to reduce legal fees as well. THE FUTURE When these survey answers are shared with an agent prior to an appointment, the partnership is built around realistic expectations not surprise and recrimination. If all four Cs are satisfactory instead of just the usual three, a more enduring and mutually profitable relationship is created for both partners, ultimately serving Florida consumers with a more cost effective distribution channel. Carriers should know FAIA isn t making judgments or deciding who s right or wrong, better or worse. That s for agents to decide, individually, once they have the information to do so. Our task is providing information agents need to make good decisions something companies should want them to have. The results will be improved and refined over time and will necessarily reflect the changing nature of the agent/company partnership, a partnership we hope will improve, in part, because such a survey was conducted in the first place. Carriers who were not asked to participate, but would like to, should contact FAIA for more information.
Page 4 of 82 FAIA s Model Partnership Panel FAIA expresses its heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the agents who unselfishly volunteered their time and expertise to design and carry this project through to fruition: John L. Gardner, AAI (Chairman) Lee County Insurance Agency, Inc. N Ft. Myers, FL Robert S. Ludwig, AIC Ludwig-Walpole Company, Inc. Sarasota, FL Richard R. Combs, CIC, API, AAM Coopers, Simms, Nelson, Mosely, Inc. Winter Park, FL David C. Miller, LUTCF Brightway Insurance, Inc. Jacksonville, FL Robert W. rberg, AAI Arden Insurance Associates, Inc. Lantana, FL SPECIAL CONSULTANTS & STAFF: Al Diamond, Owner Agency Consulting Group Scott Johnson, AAI, CAE, President Johnson Strategies LLC Dave Newell, Industry Relationship Manager Florida Association of Insurance Agents
CARRIER SURVEY RESPONSES (Alpha Listing) NOTE: The survey answers appear here exactly as they were provided to FAIA and then verified by the carrier. FAIA recognizes the possibility of disagreement with a carrier's answer(s) or interpretation of its written comments. While FAIA is willing to amend an individual carrier response or entire response sheet to insure absolute accuracy, such can only be done when the discrepancy in question is verified and agreed to by both parties. For information contact Dave Newell at: dnewell@faia.com
Page 5 of 82 American Integrity Insurance Company of Florida 7650 W Courtney Campbell Causeway, Ste 1200 Tampa, FL 33607 (813) 880-7000 Florida Domestic Homeowners Carrier (please insert carrier's name 1 in space below): 2 Can policies be rated on-line? 3 Does the carrier participate in agency downloads? American Integrity Insurance Company of Florida 4 Does the carrier participate in direct bill commission download? Does the carrier participate in direct deposit of commissions and 5 ACH transactions? 6 Is direct deposit of commissions required? 7 Is ACH of premium payment required? 8 Does the carrier have a consumer portal? 9 Is the customer portal view only? 10 Can a consumer self-rate a policy in the portal? 11 Can consumers transact change requests through the portal? 12 Can consumers download declarations from the portal? 13 Can consumers process payments through the portal? 14 Does the company website have a Find An Agent section? 15 Can an agent process all endorsements on the company website? 16 If not, can an agent process premium bearing endorsements? 17 If not, can an agent process non-premium bearing endorsements? 18 Does the agent get confirmation of endorsements? 19 Can an agent print a new declaration page in real time? 20 Can an agent access payment history on line in real time? 21 How can a claim be filed? (select all that apply) Online by the agent? Online by the consumer? By email? By phone? By fax? When an agent calls regarding a claim, is he speaking to a Company 22 Employee? 23 Does the company participate in claims download? 24 Does the company use an MGA for claims? 25 Who is the Company MGA? 26 Is the MGA wholly owned by the company? 27 Does the MGA use outsourced services? 28 Does the Company use an MGA for functions other than claims? 29 Who is the Company MGA? 30 Is the MGA wholly owned by the company? 31 Does the MGA use outsourced services? 32 Is your policy processing done in-house or through a wholly owned MGA subsidiary? In-House Wholly Owned 33 Does the company do Underwriting in-house, either by the company or its owned MGA? American Integrity Claims Service American Integrity MGA
Page 6 of 82 34 Does the company do Policy Service in-house, either by the company or its owned MGA? 35 Does the company pay commission on gross premium for all agents? (not including assessment, fees and taxes) 36 Does the company pay commission to all agents on non-wind premium? 37 Does the company pay commissions based, in part, on geographic location of risk? 38 Does the company pay commissions based on geographic location of agency? 39 Does the company download Direct Bill Commissions? 40 Does the company pay commissions as earned? 41 Does the company pay commissions annualized? 42 Does the company have any form of bonus or contingency compensation beyond commission? 43 Does the company sell only through independent insurance agencies? 44 Does the company write direct (sell direct to the consumer) for any portion of its business? 45 Does the Agency contract circumvent the corporate veil by holding individuals personally liable for wrong doing? 46 47 Does the agency contract contain language dealing with either indemnification or hold-harmless agreements between the parties? Is the indemnity or hold harmless clause one-way (favors only one party) or two-way (favors both parties depending on fault)? One-Way Two-Way Does the agency contract recognize complete ownership and 48 control of expirations by the agent? Is the ownership of expirations restricted to the term of the 49 contract? Does cancellation or termination of an agency affect ownership of 50 expirations? 51 How long is the notice period for termination with cause? 52 How long is the notice period for termination without cause? 53 Does the company have a records retention requirement? 54 Does the company permit electronic records retention? 55 Does the company require underwriting inspections of any type prior to issuing a policy (i.e. 4-point, sinkhole, wind mitigation)? 56 How are inspections performed? (select all that apply) By the carrier? By the agency? By a third party? 57 Are 4-point photos required at submission? Does the company require sinkhole inspections prior to providing 58 coverage for sinkholes? 59 Are Wind Mitigation Inspections required? 60 Are wind mitigation re-inspections required if the initial inspection is done by an inspector acceptable to the company? 61 Are applications uploaded to the company website? Immediate upon cancellation, suspension or revocation of Agent's License 45 Days
Page 7 of 82 62 Does the company require the agent to maintain client records? 63 How long must records be retained? 64 Does the company permit the agent to maintain paperless records? 65 Carrier practices vary regarding the application of premium credits (i.e wind mitigation) with the agents ability to bind. Some, for example, may allow a quote including wind mitigation credit, but don't allow binding without an inspection. Do you allow agents to bind policies with all discounts applied? Seven Years 66 If so, what forms are required to do so? (new Mit form, old mit form, company inspection, prior dec page, etc.) 67 What is the time allowed for document submission after binding? 68 Do you subscribe or are you compatible with an agency rating system? 69 Do you have a single website for rating and for servicing existing policies? 70 Does your system generate proof of website request (evidence of the request)? 71 Does every contracted agent have on-line capabilities to transact business? 72 Is your website encrypted? 73 Do you allow AOR s? 74 How long before renewal do you require AOR? 75 Can payments be uploaded? 76 How can payments be uploaded? (select all that apply) From Insured Checking Account? From Insured Credit Card? From Agency Account? 77 Are Dec pages and pol docs physically mailed? 78 Are Dec pages and policy documents e-mailed? 79 If e-mailed, is a PDF attached? 80 Does the e-mail contain a link to a website where the document can be obtained? 81 Is the e-mail simply a notification that a change was made? 10 Days 60 Days 82 Is the agent required to pull documents and dec pages from the carrier site daily? Are declarations and policy changes sent to the agency in batches 83 or are declarations and policy changes sent to the agent individually? Batches? Individually? 84 Does the agent have a choice of batch or individually sent declarations? 85 Is customer copy sent directly to customer or only to the agent for delivery to the client? Directly to the customer? Only to the agent? 86 How many days are quotes valid? 87 How far in advance can a quote be bound? 88 Does individual risk profitability weigh into whether you write a policy? 89 Do you have assigned underwriters for an agency? 10 Days 60 Days
Page 8 of 82 ASI (American Strategic Insurance Corporation) 805 Executive Center Dr W, Ste 300 St. Petersburg, FL 33702 (727) 782-8765 1 Florida Domestic Homeowners Carrier (please insert carrier's name in space below): 2 Can policies be rated on-line? 3 Does the carrier participate in agency downloads? American Strategic Insurance Corp., ASI Preferred, ASI Assurance 4 Does the carrier participate in direct bill commission download? Does the carrier participate in direct deposit of commissions and 5 ACH transactions? 6 Is direct deposit of commissions required? 7 Is ACH of premium payment required? 8 Does the carrier have a consumer portal? 9 Is the customer portal view only? 10 Can a consumer self-rate a policy in the portal? 11 Can consumers transact change requests through the portal? 12 Can consumers download declarations from the portal? 13 Can consumers process payments through the portal? 14 Does the company website have a Find An Agent section? 15 Can an agent process all endorsements on the company website? 16 If not, can an agent process premium bearing endorsements? 17 If not, can an agent process non-premium bearing endorsements? 18 Does the agent get confirmation of endorsements? 19 Can an agent print a new declaration page in real time? 20 Can an agent access payment history on line in real time? 21 How can a claim be filed? (select all that apply) Online by the agent? Online by the consumer? By email? By phone? By fax? When an agent calls regarding a claim, is he speaking to a Company 22 Employee? 23 Does the company participate in claims download? 24 Does the company use an MGA for claims? 25 Who is the Company MGA? 26 Is the MGA wholly owned by the company? 27 Does the MGA use outsourced services? 28 Does the Company use an MGA for functions other than claims? 29 Who is the Company MGA? 30 Is the MGA wholly owned by the company? 31 Does the MGA use outsourced services? 32 Is your policy processing done in-house or through a wholly owned MGA subsidiary? In-House Wholly Owned 33 Does the company do Underwriting in-house, either by the company or its owned MGA? ASI Underwriters ASI Underwriters
Page 9 of 82 34 35 Questions: Does the company do Policy Service in-house, either by the company or its owned MGA? Does the company pay commission on gross premium for all agents? (not including assessment, fees and taxes) 36 Does the company pay commission to all agents on non-wind premium? 37 Does the company pay commissions based, in part, on geographic location of risk? 38 Does the company pay commissions based on geographic location of agency? 39 Does the company download Direct Bill Commissions? 40 Does the company pay commissions as earned? 41 Does the company pay commissions annualized? 42 Does the company have any form of bonus or contingency compensation beyond commission? 43 Does the company sell only through independent insurance agencies? 44 Does the company write direct (sell direct to the consumer) for any portion of its business? 45 Does the Agency contract circumvent the corporate veil by holding individuals personally liable for wrong doing? Response Comments 46 47 Does the agency contract contain language dealing with either indemnification or hold-harmless agreements between the parties? Is the indemnity or hold harmless clause one-way (favors only one party) or two-way (favors both parties depending on fault)? One-Way Two-Way 48 Does the agency contract recognize complete ownership and control of expirations by the agent? 49 Is the ownership of expirations restricted to the term of the contract? 50 Does cancellation or termination of an agency affect ownership of expirations? 51 How long is the notice period for termination with cause? 52 How long is the notice period for termination without cause? 53 Does the company have a records retention requirement? 54 Does the company permit electronic records retention? 55 Does the company require underwriting inspections of any type prior to issuing a policy (i.e. 4-point, sinkhole, wind mitigation)? 56 How are inspections performed? (select all that apply) By the carrier? By the agency? By a third party? 57 Are 4-point photos required at submission? Does the company require sinkhole inspections prior to providing 58 coverage for sinkholes? 59 Are Wind Mitigation Inspections required? 60 Are wind mitigation re-inspections required if the initial inspection is done by an inspector acceptable to the company? 61 Are applications uploaded to the company website? 62 Does the company require the agent to maintain client records? Varies Varies
Page 10 of 82 Longer than 5 years after policy 63 How long must records be retained? expires 64 Does the company permit the agent to maintain paperless records? 65 Carrier practices vary regarding the application of premium credits (i.e wind mitigation) with the agents ability to bind. Some, for example, may allow a quote including wind mitigation credit, but don't allow binding without an inspection. Do you allow agents to bind policies with all discounts applied? 66 If so, what forms are required to do so? (new Mit form, old mit form, company inspection, prior dec page, etc.) 67 What is the time allowed for document submission after binding? 68 Do you subscribe or are you compatible with an agency rating system? 69 Do you have a single website for rating and for servicing existing policies? 70 Does your system generate proof of website request (evidence of the request)? 71 Does every contracted agent have on-line capabilities to transact business? 72 Is your website encrypted? 73 Do you allow AOR s? 74 How long before renewal do you require AOR? 75 Can payments be uploaded? 76 How can payments be uploaded? (select all that apply) From Insured Checking Account? From Insured Credit Card? From Agency Account? 77 Are Dec pages and pol docs physically mailed? 78 Are Dec pages and policy documents e-mailed? 79 If e-mailed, is a PDF attached? 80 Does the e-mail contain a link to a website where the document can be obtained? 81 Is the e-mail simply a notification that a change was made? 82 Is the agent required to pull documents and dec pages from the carrier site daily? Are declarations and policy changes sent to the agency in batches 83 or are declarations and policy changes sent to the agent individually? Batches? Individually? 84 Does the agent have a choice of batch or individually sent declarations? 85 Is customer copy sent directly to customer or only to the agent for delivery to the client? Directly to the customer? Only to the agent? 86 How many days are quotes valid? 87 How far in advance can a quote be bound? 88 Does individual risk profitability weigh into whether you write a policy? 89 Do you have assigned underwriters for an agency? 60 60
Page 11 of 82 Avatar Property & Casualty Insurance Company 1408 N Westshore Blvd, Ste 805 Tampa, FL 33607 (813) 514-0333 Avatar Property & Casualty Insurance Company Florida Domestic Homeowners Carrier (please insert carrier's name 1 in space below): 2 Can policies be rated on-line? 3 Does the carrier participate in agency downloads? 4 Does the carrier participate in direct bill commission download? Does the carrier participate in direct deposit of commissions and 5 ACH transactions? 6 Is direct deposit of commissions required? 7 Is ACH of premium payment required? 8 Does the carrier have a consumer portal? 9 Is the customer portal view only? 10 Can a consumer self-rate a policy in the portal? 11 Can consumers transact change requests through the portal? 12 Can consumers download declarations from the portal? 13 Can consumers process payments through the portal? 14 Does the company website have a Find An Agent section? 15 Can an agent process all endorsements on the company website? 16 If not, can an agent process premium bearing endorsements? 17 If not, can an agent process non-premium bearing endorsements? 18 Does the agent get confirmation of endorsements? 19 Can an agent print a new declaration page in real time? 20 Can an agent access payment history on line in real time? 21 How can a claim be filed? (select all that apply) Online by the agent? Online by the consumer? By email? By phone? By fax? When an agent calls regarding a claim, is he speaking to a Company 22 Employee? 23 Does the company participate in claims download? 24 Does the company use an MGA for claims? 25 Who is the Company MGA? 26 Is the MGA wholly owned by the company? 27 Does the MGA use outsourced services? 28 Does the Company use an MGA for functions other than claims? 29 Who is the Company MGA? 30 Is the MGA wholly owned by the company? 31 Does the MGA use outsourced services? 32 Is your policy processing done in-house or through a wholly owned MGA subsidiary? In-House Wholly Owned 33 Does the company do Underwriting in-house, either by the company or its owned MGA?
Page 12 of 82 34 Does the company do Policy Service in-house, either by the company or its owned MGA? 35 Does the company pay commission on gross premium for all agents? (not including assessment, fees and taxes) 36 Does the company pay commission to all agents on non-wind premium? 37 Does the company pay commissions based, in part, on geographic location of risk? 38 Does the company pay commissions based on geographic location of agency? 39 Does the company download Direct Bill Commissions? 40 Does the company pay commissions as earned? 41 Does the company pay commissions annualized? 42 Does the company have any form of bonus or contingency compensation beyond commission? 43 Does the company sell only through independent insurance agencies? 44 Does the company write direct (sell direct to the consumer) for any portion of its business? 45 Does the Agency contract circumvent the corporate veil by holding individuals personally liable for wrong doing? 46 47 Does the agency contract contain language dealing with either indemnification or hold-harmless agreements between the parties? Is the indemnity or hold harmless clause one-way (favors only one party) or two-way (favors both parties depending on fault)? One-Way Two-Way 48 Does the agency contract recognize complete ownership and control of expirations by the agent? 49 Is the ownership of expirations restricted to the term of the contract? 50 Does cancellation or termination of an agency affect ownership of expirations? 51 How long is the notice period for termination with cause? 52 How long is the notice period for termination without cause? 10 Days 10 Days 53 Does the company have a records retention requirement? 54 Does the company permit electronic records retention? 55 Does the company require underwriting inspections of any type prior to issuing a policy (i.e. 4-point, sinkhole, wind mitigation)? 56 How are inspections performed? (select all that apply) By the carrier? By the agency? By a third party? 57 Are 4-point photos required at submission? Does the company require sinkhole inspections prior to providing 58 coverage for sinkholes? 59 Are Wind Mitigation Inspections required? 60 Are wind mitigation re-inspections required if the initial inspection is done by an inspector acceptable to the company? 61 Are applications uploaded to the company website? 62 Does the company require the agent to maintain client records?
Page 13 of 82 Questions: 63 How long must records be retained? Response 5 Years Comments 64 Does the company permit the agent to maintain paperless records? 65 66 Carrier practices vary regarding the application of premium credits (i.e wind mitigation) with the agents ability to bind. Some, for example, may allow a quote including wind mitigation credit, but don't allow binding without an inspection. Do you allow agents to bind policies with all discounts applied? If so, what forms are required to do so? (new Mit form, old mit form, company inspection, prior dec page, etc.) Wind mit, prior insurance, alarm certificates and driver license (55+ credit) 67 What is the time allowed for document submission after binding? 68 Do you subscribe or are you compatible with an agency rating system? 69 Do you have a single website for rating and for servicing existing policies? 70 Does your system generate proof of website request (evidence of the request)? 71 Does every contracted agent have on-line capabilities to transact business? 72 Is your website encrypted? 73 Do you allow AOR s? 74 How long before renewal do you require AOR? 75 Can payments be uploaded? 76 How can payments be uploaded? (select all that apply) From Insured Checking Account? From Insured Credit Card? From Agency Account? 77 Are Dec pages and pol docs physically mailed? 78 Are Dec pages and policy documents e-mailed? 79 If e-mailed, is a PDF attached? 80 Does the e-mail contain a link to a website where the document can be obtained? 81 Is the e-mail simply a notification that a change was made? 30 Days 82 Is the agent required to pull documents and dec pages from the carrier site daily? Are declarations and policy changes sent to the agency in batches 83 or are declarations and policy changes sent to the agent individually? Batches? Individually? 84 Does the agent have a choice of batch or individually sent declarations? 85 Is customer copy sent directly to customer or only to the agent for delivery to the client? Directly to the customer? Only to the agent? 86 How many days are quotes valid? 87 How far in advance can a quote be bound? 88 Does individual risk profitability weigh into whether you write a policy? 89 Do you have assigned underwriters for an agency? 30 Days 30 Days
Page 14 of 82 Bankers Underwriters, Inc. PO Box 15707 St. Petersburg, FL 33733-5707 (727) 823-4000 1 Florida Domestic Homeowners Carrier (please insert carrier's name in space below): Bankers Insurance Company, First Community Insurance Company 2 Can policies be rated on-line? 3 Does the carrier participate in agency downloads? 4 Does the carrier participate in direct bill commission download? Does the carrier participate in direct deposit of commissions and 5 ACH transactions? 6 Is direct deposit of commissions required? 7 Is ACH of premium payment required? 8 Does the carrier have a consumer portal? 9 Is the customer portal view only? 10 Can a consumer self-rate a policy in the portal? 11 Can consumers transact change requests through the portal? 12 Can consumers download declarations from the portal? 13 Can consumers process payments through the portal? 14 Does the company website have a Find An Agent section? 15 Can an agent process all endorsements on the company website? 16 If not, can an agent process premium bearing endorsements? 17 If not, can an agent process non-premium bearing endorsements? 18 Does the agent get confirmation of endorsements? 19 Can an agent print a new declaration page in real time? 20 Can an agent access payment history on line in real time? 21 How can a claim be filed? (select all that apply) Online by the agent? Online by the consumer? By email? By phone? By fax? 22 When an agent calls regarding a claim, is he speaking to a Company Employee? 23 Does the company participate in claims download? 24 Does the company use an MGA for claims? 25 Who is the Company MGA? 26 Is the MGA wholly owned by the company? 27 Does the MGA use outsourced services? 28 Does the Company use an MGA for functions other than claims? 29 Who is the Company MGA? 30 Is the MGA wholly owned by the company? 31 Does the MGA use outsourced services? 32 Is your policy processing done in-house or through a wholly owned MGA subsidiary? In-House Wholly Owned 33 Does the company do Underwriting in-house, either by the company or its owned MGA?
Page 15 of 82 34 Does the company do Policy Service in-house, either by the company or its owned MGA? 35 Does the company pay commission on gross premium for all agents? (not including assessment, fees and taxes) 36 Does the company pay commission to all agents on non-wind premium? 37 Does the company pay commissions based, in part, on geographic location of risk? 38 Does the company pay commissions based on geographic location of agency? 39 Does the company download Direct Bill Commissions? 40 Does the company pay commissions as earned? 41 Does the company pay commissions annualized? 42 Does the company have any form of bonus or contingency compensation beyond commission? 43 Does the company sell only through independent insurance agencies? 44 Does the company write direct (sell direct to the consumer) for any portion of its business? 45 Does the Agency contract circumvent the corporate veil by holding individuals personally liable for wrong doing? 46 47 Does the agency contract contain language dealing with either indemnification or hold-harmless agreements between the parties? Is the indemnity or hold harmless clause one-way (favors only one party) or two-way (favors both parties depending on fault)? One-Way Two-Way 48 Does the agency contract recognize complete ownership and control of expirations by the agent? 49 Is the ownership of expirations restricted to the term of the contract? 50 Does cancellation or termination of an agency affect ownership of expirations? 51 How long is the notice period for termination with cause? 52 How long is the notice period for termination without cause? notice with cause 60 days without cause 53 Does the company have a records retention requirement? 54 Does the company permit electronic records retention? 55 Does the company require underwriting inspections of any type prior to issuing a policy (i.e. 4-point, sinkhole, wind mitigation)? 56 How are inspections performed? (select all that apply) By the carrier? By the agency? By a third party? 57 Are 4-point photos required at submission? Does the company require sinkhole inspections prior to providing 58 coverage for sinkholes? 59 Are Wind Mitigation Inspections required? 60 Are wind mitigation re-inspections required if the initial inspection is done by an inspector acceptable to the company? 61 Are applications uploaded to the company website? 62 Does the company require the agent to maintain client records?
Page 16 of 82 63 How long must records be retained? 5 Years 64 Does the company permit the agent to maintain paperless records? 65 66 Carrier practices vary regarding the application of premium credits (i.e wind mitigation) with the agents ability to bind. Some, for example, may allow a quote including wind mitigation credit, but don't allow binding without an inspection. Do you allow agents to bind policies with all discounts applied? If so, what forms are required to do so? (new Mit form, old mit form, company inspection, prior dec page, etc.) 67 What is the time allowed for document submission after binding? 68 Do you subscribe or are you compatible with an agency rating system? 69 Do you have a single website for rating and for servicing existing policies? 70 Does your system generate proof of website request (evidence of the request)? 71 Does every contracted agent have on-line capabilities to transact business? 72 Is your website encrypted? 73 Do you allow AOR s? 74 How long before renewal do you require AOR? 75 Can payments be uploaded? 76 How can payments be uploaded? (select all that apply) From Insured Checking Account? From Insured Credit Card? From Agency Account? 77 Are Dec pages and pol docs physically mailed? 78 Are Dec pages and policy documents e-mailed? 79 If e-mailed, is a PDF attached? 80 Does the e-mail contain a link to a website where the document can be obtained? 81 Is the e-mail simply a notification that a change was made? Is the agent required to pull documents and dec pages from the 82 carrier site daily? Are declarations and policy changes sent to the agency in batches 83 or are declarations and policy changes sent to the agent individually? Batches? Individually? Does the agent have a choice of batch or individually sent 84 declarations? Is customer copy sent directly to customer or only to the agent for 85 delivery to the client? Directly to the customer? Only to the agent? 86 How many days are quotes valid? 87 How far in advance can a quote be bound? Does individual risk profitability weigh into whether you write a 88 policy? 89 Do you have assigned underwriters for an agency? New Wind Mit Form; appraisal if not using our RCE 30 Days Any time BEFORE the renewal is processed We send decs and policy changes in batches or individually and the agent does have a choice 60 Days 60 Days
Page 17 of 82 Capitol Preferred Insurance Company PO Box 15339 Tallahassee, FL 32317 (850) 521-0742 Florida Domestic Homeowners Carrier (please insert carrier's name 1 in space below): 2 Can policies be rated on-line? 3 Does the carrier participate in agency downloads? Capitol Preferred Insurance Company 4 Does the carrier participate in direct bill commission download? Does the carrier participate in direct deposit of commissions and 5 ACH transactions? 6 Is direct deposit of commissions required? 7 Is ACH of premium payment required? 8 Does the carrier have a consumer portal? 9 Is the customer portal view only? 10 Can a consumer self-rate a policy in the portal? 11 Can consumers transact change requests through the portal? 12 Can consumers download declarations from the portal? 13 Can consumers process payments through the portal? 14 Does the company website have a Find An Agent section? 15 Can an agent process all endorsements on the company website? 16 If not, can an agent process premium bearing endorsements? 17 If not, can an agent process non-premium bearing endorsements? 18 Does the agent get confirmation of endorsements? 19 Can an agent print a new declaration page in real time? 20 Can an agent access payment history on line in real time? 21 How can a claim be filed? (select all that apply) Online by the agent? Online by the consumer? By email? By phone? By fax? When an agent calls regarding a claim, is he speaking to a Company 22 Employee? 23 Does the company participate in claims download? 24 Does the company use an MGA for claims? 25 Who is the Company MGA? 26 Is the MGA wholly owned by the company? 27 Does the MGA use outsourced services? 28 Does the Company use an MGA for functions other than claims? 29 Who is the Company MGA? 30 Is the MGA wholly owned by the company? 31 Does the MGA use outsourced services? 32 Is your policy processing done in-house or through a wholly owned MGA subsidiary? In-House Wholly Owned 33 Does the company do Underwriting in-house, either by the company or its owned MGA? Preferred Managing Agency Preferred Managing Agency
Page 18 of 82 34 Does the company do Policy Service in-house, either by the company or its owned MGA? 35 Does the company pay commission on gross premium for all agents? (not including assessment, fees and taxes) 36 Does the company pay commission to all agents on non-wind premium? 37 Does the company pay commissions based, in part, on geographic location of risk? 38 Does the company pay commissions based on geographic location of agency? 39 Does the company download Direct Bill Commissions? 40 Does the company pay commissions as earned? 41 Does the company pay commissions annualized? 42 Does the company have any form of bonus or contingency compensation beyond commission? 43 Does the company sell only through independent insurance agencies? 44 Does the company write direct (sell direct to the consumer) for any portion of its business? 45 Does the Agency contract circumvent the corporate veil by holding individuals personally liable for wrong doing? 46 47 Does the agency contract contain language dealing with either indemnification or hold-harmless agreements between the parties? Is the indemnity or hold harmless clause one-way (favors only one party) or two-way (favors both parties depending on fault)? One-Way Two-Way 48 Does the agency contract recognize complete ownership and control of expirations by the agent? 49 Is the ownership of expirations restricted to the term of the contract? 50 Does cancellation or termination of an agency affect ownership of expirations? 51 How long is the notice period for termination with cause? 52 How long is the notice period for termination without cause? 53 Does the company have a records retention requirement? 54 Does the company permit electronic records retention? 55 Does the company require underwriting inspections of any type prior to issuing a policy (i.e. 4-point, sinkhole, wind mitigation)? 56 How are inspections performed? (select all that apply) By the carrier? By the agency? By a third party? 57 Are 4-point photos required at submission? Does the company require sinkhole inspections prior to providing 58 coverage for sinkholes? 59 Are Wind Mitigation Inspections required? 60 Are wind mitigation re-inspections required if the initial inspection is done by an inspector acceptable to the company? 61 Are applications uploaded to the company website? 62 Does the company require the agent to maintain client records? Immediate 30 Days
Page 19 of 82 63 How long must records be retained? 5 Years 64 Does the company permit the agent to maintain paperless records? 65 66 Carrier practices vary regarding the application of premium credits (i.e wind mitigation) with the agents ability to bind. Some, for example, may allow a quote including wind mitigation credit, but don't allow binding without an inspection. Do you allow agents to bind policies with all discounts applied? If so, what forms are required to do so? (new Mit form, old mit form, company inspection, prior dec page, etc.) 67 What is the time allowed for document submission after binding? 68 Do you subscribe or are you compatible with an agency rating system? 69 Do you have a single website for rating and for servicing existing policies? 70 Does your system generate proof of website request (evidence of the request)? 71 Does every contracted agent have on-line capabilities to transact business? 72 Is your website encrypted? 73 Do you allow AOR s? 74 How long before renewal do you require AOR? 75 Can payments be uploaded? 76 How can payments be uploaded? (select all that apply) From Insured Checking Account? From Insured Credit Card? From Agency Account? 77 Are Dec pages and pol docs physically mailed? 78 Are Dec pages and policy documents e-mailed? 79 If e-mailed, is a PDF attached? 80 Does the e-mail contain a link to a website where the document can be obtained? 81 Is the e-mail simply a notification that a change was made? Is the agent required to pull documents and dec pages from the 82 carrier site daily? Are declarations and policy changes sent to the agency in batches 83 or are declarations and policy changes sent to the agent individually? Batches? Individually? Does the agent have a choice of batch or individually sent 84 declarations? Is customer copy sent directly to customer or only to the agent for 85 delivery to the client? Directly to the customer? Only to the agent? 86 How many days are quotes valid? The latest approved OIR Wind Mitigation Form 5 Days Before Renewal Date Quotes can be made 120 days into the future. Valid as long as a rate change has not been implemented. 87 How far in advance can a quote be bound? 88 Does individual risk profitability weigh into whether you write a policy? 89 Do you have assigned underwriters for an agency? 120 Days
Cypress P & C Insurance Co. 13901 Sutton Park Drive South, #A-310 Jacksonville, FL 32224 (877) 560-5224 Florida Domestic Homeowners Carrier (please insert carrier's name 1 in space below): 2 Can policies be rated on-line? 3 Does the carrier participate in agency downloads? 4 Does the carrier participate in direct bill commission download? Cypress P & C Ins. Co t Yet, in planning stage 5 Does the carrier participate in direct deposit of commissions and ACH transactions? Direct deposit - not yet, in planning stage; ACH transactions - yes 6 Is direct deposit of commissions required? 7 Is ACH of premium payment required? 8 Does the carrier have a consumer portal? 9 Is the customer portal view only? 10 Can a consumer self-rate a policy in the portal? 11 Can consumers transact change requests through the portal? 12 Can consumers download declarations from the portal? 13 Can consumers process payments through the portal? 14 Does the company website have a Find An Agent section? N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A t Yet, in planning stage 15 Can an agent process all endorsements on the company website? 16 If not, can an agent process premium bearing endorsements? N/A phone or web 17 If not, can an agent process non-premium bearing endorsements? 18 Does the agent get confirmation of endorsements? 19 Can an agent print a new declaration page in real time? 20 Can an agent access payment history on line in real time? 21 How can a claim be filed? (select all that apply) Online by the agent? Online by the consumer? By email? By phone? By fax? When an agent calls regarding a claim, is he speaking to a Company 22 Employee? 23 Does the company participate in claims download? 24 Does the company use an MGA for claims? 25 Who is the Company MGA? 26 Is the MGA wholly owned by the company? 27 Does the MGA use outsourced services? 28 Does the Company use an MGA for functions other than claims? 29 Who is the Company MGA? 30 Is the MGA wholly owned by the company? 31 Does the MGA use outsourced services? Is your policy processing done in-house or through a wholly owned 32 MGA subsidiary? In-House Wholly Owned N/A N/A Phone or Web Service First Insurance Group, LLC Service First Insurance Group, LLC
33 Does the company do Underwriting in-house, either by the company or its owned MGA? 34 Does the company do Policy Service in-house, either by the company or its owned MGA? t Currently 35 Does the company pay commission on gross premium for all agents? (not including assessment, fees and taxes) 36 Does the company pay commission to all agents on non-wind premium? 37 Does the company pay commissions based, in part, on geographic location of risk? 38 Does the company pay commissions based on geographic location of agency? 39 Does the company download Direct Bill Commissions? 40 Does the company pay commissions as earned? 41 Does the company pay commissions annualized? 42 Does the company have any form of bonus or contingency compensation beyond commission? 43 Does the company sell only through independent insurance agencies? 44 Does the company write direct (sell direct to the consumer) for any portion of its business? 45 Does the Agency contract circumvent the corporate veil by holding individuals personally liable for wrong doing? 46 47 Does the agency contract contain language dealing with either indemnification or hold-harmless agreements between the parties? Is the indemnity or hold harmless clause one-way (favors only one party) or two-way (favors both parties depending on fault)? One-Way Two-Way 48 Does the agency contract recognize complete ownership and control of expirations by the agent? 49 Is the ownership of expirations restricted to the term of the contract? 50 Does cancellation or termination of an agency affect ownership of expirations? 51 How long is the notice period for termination with cause? 52 How long is the notice period for termination without cause? 53 Does the company have a records retention requirement? 54 Does the company permit electronic records retention?, so as long as agency obligations are met in full Immediately 30 Days, subject to prior approval and agreement 55 Does the company require underwriting inspections of any type prior to issuing a policy (i.e. 4-point, sinkhole, wind mitigation)? 56 How are inspections performed? (select all that apply) By the carrier? By the agency? By a third party? 57 Are 4-point photos required at submission? Does the company require sinkhole inspections prior to providing 58 coverage for sinkholes? 59 Are Wind Mitigation Inspections required? 60 Are wind mitigation re-inspections required if the initial inspection is done by an inspector acceptable to the company? 61 Are applications uploaded to the company website? 62 Does the company require the agent to maintain client records?