MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

Tampa, FL (October 1, 2020) - IVANS®, a division of Applied Systems®, and the ISU Insurance Agency Network announced today ISU’s selection of IVANS Markets to support ISU’s proprietary Commercial Lines Placement Advisor™ (ISU CLPA) technology platform.

“The ISU CLPA’s convenience combined with IVANS Markets speed and accuracy of real-time delivery of property and casualty insurance placement transaction information gives ISU Members a Unique Competitive Advantage™ in satisfying the clients need to consistently receive the best value for its premium dollar while maximizing revenue for the ISU Member Agent utilizing ISU’s preferred partner carriers and wholesaler brokers,” according to T J Ryan III, Chief Executive of ISU Group.

“Prior to IVANS Markets, there was no automated way for our agents to search a consolidated list of insurers with appetite for a specific risk in a specific geographic area,” said Dan McCarthy, chief operating officer, ISU Insurance Agency Network. “IVANS Markets will provide an easy-to-use appetite search tool on each user’s desktop, eliminating traditional search practices such as word-of-mouth or printed appetite guides and allowing our agents to quickly find the right markets for their clients’ specific risks.”

IVANS Markets provides an online search tool that enables agents to instantly identify insurer appetite when searching for markets to submit new and renewal business. The application enables agents to reduce dependency on traditional, time-consuming methods of identifying insurer appetite, such as reviewing insurer risk guides, visiting insurer websites or relying on historical agent experience. Leveraging IVANS’ access to markets, agencies can build new business opportunities with appointed insurers and increase visibility into additional prospective insurer and MGA partners based on lines of business and products.

“In today’s digital age, agents and insurers are looking to digital technology to enable greater collaboration, increase efficiencies, and create more value for the distribution channel,” said Brian Wood, vice president of Data Products Group, IVANS Insurance Solutions. “IVANS Markets aligns our agency members with current and new markets, enabling them to increase the value of their books of business through expanding market opportunities with both appointed and prospective insurers.”

exchange connecting insurers, MGAs, agencies, and the insured. IVANS cloud-based software automates the distribution and servicing of insurance products. For more than 35 years, IVANS innovation and expertise has connected 32,000 independent insurance agencies and 400 insurer and MGA partners to enable millions of people to safeguard and protect what matters most in people’s lives.

Founded in 1979, The ISU Insurance Agency Network is committed to helping select Independent Agents retain their independence and remain in business for themselves but not by themselves. ISU’s 230 independently owned and operated Agencies employ more than 3500 professionals who produce over $6 billion in premiums representing more than 300 insurance companies nationwide. The exceptionally high quality of ISU Member Agencies and our commitment to excellence in all we do has earned the ISU brand the reputation as the Better Source of Better Business® throughout the insurance industry. ISU Members and their clients benefit from ISU’s Unique Competitive Advantage® – the strengths and resources of a national organization combined with local ownership and independence.

Wilkes-Barre, PA (October 27, 2020) - Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies recently announced it has expanded the list of states the company offers its Architects and Engineers Professional Liability product to include Colorado, Kansas and Wisconsin. With these three states, the company now offers this line in half the United States.

“Our portfolio of states where we offer Professional Liability lines is expanding as we continue to supply our network of independent agents with additional quality products that allow us to grow together,” said Sy Foguel, Berkshire Hathaway GUARD CEO. “In 2016, we began writing Professional Liability for a limited number of classes in 13 states. We now offer Professional Liability in 33 states and utilize a targeted growth strategy with the goal of offering these products to all available classes nationwide in the near future.”

“Like other professionals who provide a service, architects and engineers are at risk for professional liability exposure. A customer or third-party could allege negligence, which could lead to litigation, putting a firm’s finances and reputation in danger,” explains Lyle Hitt, Chief Insurance Officer. “Our product offers a variety of protections, including Pre-Claims Assistance for Circumstances and Disciplinary Proceedings Reimbursement, along with a variety of other optional add-ons that may be requested.”

Berkshire Hathaway GUARD’s Architects and Engineers Professional Liability product offers limits up to $5 million per claim with deductibles starting at $2,500.

Liability components include professional, environmental, contractors pollution, technology services and products, computer network security, multi-media and advertising, and privacy.

Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies is a property and casualty insurance company writing $2 billion in premium nationwide. Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies maintain a total of eight offices throughout the country. To learn more about Berkshire Hathaway GUARD visit https:/www.guard. com.

Agents interested in applying should visit https://www.guard.com/ apply/.

Sheboygan, WI (November 4, 2020) - Acuity is ranked #1 in the nation among Glassdoor’s 20 Highest Rated Companies for Work-Life Balance During COVID-19. On Glassdoor, employees voluntarily and anonymously share insights and opinions about their work environments by providing a company review, designed to capture a genuine and authentic evaluation. “From our true flex-time schedule and unlimited sick leave to support for team members dealing with personal challenges and celebration of joyous live events, Acuity’s work-life integration benefits help people achieve a positive balance between their work and personal lives. We also recognize that in the insurance business, our people often help individuals and families through incredibly stressful situations of their own, so our employeefocused culture helps people work together in true teamwork,” said Ben Salzmann, Acuity President and CEO.

“Glassdoor ratings reflect the experience of people who know us best—our employees. It’s a true, transparent reflection of who we are not just as an employer, but how we care for our people during difficult times as we are facing today,” said Joan Ravanelli Miller, General Counsel and Vice President – Human Resources.

This latest honor adds to Acuity’s continued and growing recognition as a great place to work. In 2020 alone, Acuity was named to Forbes’ list of America’s Best-in-State Employers, ranked at #2 in Wisconsin, was honored with a Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award, and received the ACORD Millennial Women’s Insurance Advancement Award.

Acuity Insurance, headquartered in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, insures over 100,000 businesses, including 300,000 commercial vehicles, and nearly a half million homes and private passenger autos across 28 states. Rated A+ by A.M. Best and S&P, Acuity employs over 1,400 people.

Robertson Ryan has been offering innovation through our unique Agent Owner structure since inception in 1960. Time and time again after an agent or agency joins us they say, “We wish we did this years ago.” Our team recognizes the strength and power behind the agent and insured relationships so we’ve built, and continue to fine-tune, a support network rewarding those affiliated with RRA.

Find more at, www.RobertsonRyan.com/AgentOwner ...and let’s connect. Call or email me 414.221.0363 or cillman@robertsonryan.com. I look forward to answering your questions!

Chris Illman, CEO

www.RobertsonRyan.com