The Underwriter's Insider January 2017 by The Underwriter's Insider

IN THIS ISSUE January 2017 Vol 13 Issue 1

TELEMARKETING DEFENDANTS CHARGED BY FTC IN TECH SUPPORT SCHEME WILL PAY $10 MILLION BACK Defendant Inbound Call Experts, along with other defendants, used highpressure sales to telemarket tech support products and services claiming to find viruses and malware.

AGENT CHARGED: ALLEGEDLY STOLE THOUSANDS FROM CLIENTS A Roslyn Heights insurance agent was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from two former clients.

MUSLIM STUDENTS DEMANDING PRAYER ROOMS IN EVERY MAJOR BUILDING

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BROWN & BROWN AGREES TO ACQUIRE COMMERCIAL MGA ASSETS FROM THE INSURANCE HOUSE a subsidiary of Hull & Company, LLC, has acquired the commercial MGA operations of Insurance House.

N.C. COMMISSIONER WINS CASE AGAINST $600 MILLION RATE INCREASE The insurance industry requested a 25.6% increase in homeowner’s insurance rates across the state.

LET’S TALK ABOUT DIVERSITY... Diversity: Sounds so good - who could be against it? Our Senior Editor, of course...

Climate Hustle? Greenland lost its ice cover and remained ice-free for 280,000 years. Worse, there wasn’t a single hand-wringing climate hysteric around to worry about it.

3 CAREER KILLERS TO CIRCUMVENT IN 2017 The idea of working for one company for a lifetime is long gone. Having a fulltime job may be the next thing to go.

AGENT FACES FELONY CHARGE FOR STEALING FROM ELDERLY WOMAN Caballero befriended an 87-year-old woman whose husband had recently passed away. Caballero convinced the woman, who suffered from dementia, to cash in her annuity totaling $319,000.

Other Muslim student demands include “shuttle services to [the local mosque] for Muslim students to have access to a place of worship.”

COURTS LACK THE AUTHORITY TO CHANGE AN INSURANCE CONTRACTS BY CLAIMING CONTRACTUAL The Court of Appeal properly slapped down Ms. Bennett’s claims against Tower because the clear and unambiguous language of the policy provided no coverage.

WORKERS’ COMP FRAUD: CENTRAL FLORIDA MAN WHO LIED ABOUT ON-THE-JOB INJURY LANDS IN JAIL On multiple occasions, Aponte was seen moving about without the support of any medical devices whatsoever.

PROTECT YOUR PHONE FROM SECRET SPYWARE Spyware is kind of like a computer virus, except instead of messing up your hard drive, it enables strangers to snoop on you.

Worker’s Paradise in Socialist Venezuela Continues to Melt Down The once prosperous, capitalist, South American country of Venezuela, continues to self-destruct under the reign of ardent socialist Nicolás Maduro

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TOP THIS SPEEDING TICKET STORY...

Two British traffic patrol officers in the northern U.K. were involved in an unusual incident while speed checking drivers.

MIAMI PUBLIC ADJUSTER ARRESTED FOLLOWING $100,000 FRAUDULENT WATER CLAIMS SCAM In total, Garcia-Sellek is accused of stealing nearly $100,000 from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.

New York Governor Cuomo applauding himself for promulgating a “first in the nation” regulation prohibiting insurance companies from properly underwriting commercial crime and fidelity policies.

We are not sure if Blatz intended for mom to put the beer in the baby’s bottle or if they assumed the women was a nursing mother...

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CA INVESTIGATING WELLS FARGO FOR SELLING INSURANCE TO CUSTOMERS W/O THEIR KNOWLEDGE

GIVE US A BREAK BRUCE... Bruce Springsteen shares his view on how he feels Trump supporters will behave after the election actually a good description of the Left’s reaction to the outcome...

UNBELIEVABLE VINTAGE ADS

1) 4-Way Flashers in the rain. Smart? 2) How to write a proper press release 3) Seeing is believing...

FROM JAIL TO THE JEWELRY STORE

HOT DOGS: HOW THEY ARE MADE (YECCHH!)

FEATURES 7 8

Kim Komando Barry Zalma

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STATE FARM LOSES RATE BATTLE IN CA AFTER SUPERIOR COURT RULING “I am very pleased that the court denied State Farm’s attempt to overturn my order requiring State Farm to reduce its rates going forward.

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Wells Fargo has admitted that as many as 2 million accounts were created for thousands of customers.

THE CLIMATE GRAVY TRAIN Scientist admits government grant money hard to resist & changing climate science in political direction.

Cover Photo: Helgi Halldorsson Creative Commons

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NEWS

TELEMARKETING DEFENDANTS CHARGED BY FTC IN TECH SUPPORT SCHEME WILL PAY $10 MILLION FOR CONSUMER REDRESS

he defendants who operated a Floridabased tech support scheme that the Federal Trade Commission and State of Florida charged deceived thousands of consumers, will pay $10 million for consumer redress to settle the action.

sales pitches to telemarket tech support products and services falsely claiming to find viruses and malware on consumers’ computers.

The stipulated final According to the complaint, court order prohibits defendant Inbound Call Experts, the defendants from doing business as Advanced misrepresenting that Tech Support along with other they have identified defendants, used high-pressure performance or security issues on consumers’ computers and from making any other misrepresentations while selling a product or service. Under FREE the order, a federal judge will appoint a monitor to oversee CLASSIFIEDS! the defendants’ business for two HELP WANTED — POSITION years, at the defendants’ expense. WANTED 4 — SALE ITEMS In addition, the order requires the defendants to review the CLICK HERE! business practices of any thirdparty lead generators from whom they get leads. To fund the $10 million redress judgment, the order requires the defendants to transfer $5.75 million of their assets held in escrow by their attorneys to the FTC within 7 days after the order is signed by the judge, www.underwritersinsider.com

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and to transfer an additional $2.25 million within 30 days. In addition, the court-appointed receiver will promptly transfer another $2 million of defendants’ assets to the FTC. A negotiated settlement with the lead generator defendants in this action was announced in July 2016. The stipulated order announced today against the telemarketing defendants resolves the case. In addition to Inbound Call Experts, the telemarketing defendants include Advanced Tech Supportco LLC; PC Vitalware LLC; Super PC Support LLC; Robert D. Deignan, Paul M. Herdsman and Justin M. Wright. January 2017

JANUARY 2017 INSURANCE • POLITICS • TECHNOLOGY • PEOPLE

A Publication of AdMax Corp., Inc. Corporate Offices P.O. Box 31551 Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33420 Ron Manera, Publisher/Senior Editor Join Me On Linkedin: HERE Follow Me On Instagram: @rmanera 561.718.0745 • ron@insurmedia.com

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TECHNOLOGY

PROTECT YOUR PHONE FROM SECRET SPYWARE Really Cool Info - by Kim Komando from sending text messages to shooting video of your family or millions of Americans, the Spyware is kind of like a computer reunion. Once the spyware is smartphone has become virus, except instead of messing installed, hackers may break into one of the most important up your hard drive, it enables private accounts, commandeer tools in their lives. Your phone strangers to snoop on you. Skilled email, and even blackmail their tracks your movements, absorbs hackers can install spyware on victims. emails and text messages, and your phone without you even Keep in mind, “spyware” is a vague notifies you of every birthday and realizing it. and multi-faceted term, and appointment. Every second, it’s not always malevolent. information floods your Some parents install a kind smartphone. Unless you switch of spyware on their kids’ them off, your apps are working smartphones in order to round the clock, obeying your keep track of their activities. every setting and preference. Managers sometimes keep tabs on their employees by All day long, your phone is watching what they do on churning private data through their company computers. I its circuitry, and if criminals don’t endorse this behavior, can break into your phone, and I think there are much they can steal all kinds of healthier ways of watching things, from banking details kids and employees, but to compromising photos and this kind of spyware isn’t video. Click here to learn how intended to ruin your life. to spot five spyware apps that could be watching and listening to you right now. Don’t click

Is Your Phone Vulnerable?

What is spyware?

strange links!

These thieves don’t have to steal your actual phone. They may not even be located in the same country. How do they do it? Spyware.

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Once it’s on your phone, spyware can record everything you do, Table of Contents

The easiest way to avoid contracting spyware is this: Don’t click strange links. If you receive an email from a suspicious See Kim Komando Pg 46 January 2017

INSURANCE & THE LAW

COURTS LACK THE AUTHORITY TO CHANGE AN INSURANCE CONTRACTS BY CLAIMING CONTRACTUAL INTERPRETATION Expert Analysis & Commentary by Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE dealership provides uninsured motorist coverage and/or medical payments coverage to the Plaintiff for damages she sustained in an auto accident while she s I have said since I began was driving a vehicle she had my blog, insurance borrowed from the dealership. policies must be read as The trial court’s granted summary written. People who are injured judgment finding that neither always seek to recover from every type of coverage was available to tortfeasor and every insurance Plaintiff. policy that might be available to make them whole. Sometimes Join Barry Zalma’s new Blog: the demands are ridiculous and http://www.zalma.com/blog require an appellate court to shut down the attempt.

Ambiguity Can’t Be Created to Change Clear Wording

In Bennett v. Brown, — So.3d —-, Court of Appeal of Louisiana, 2016-622, 2016 WL 7386467, (La.App. 3 Cir. 12/21/16) the Louisiana Court of Appeal was asked to resolve whether a “garage policy” issued to a car

suffered injuries as a result of the accident. At the time of the accident, Ms. Bennett was driving a vehicle that she borrowed from Service Chevrolet Cadillac (Service Chevrolet) in Lafayette, Louisiana, while her vehicle was being repaired. Tower National Insurance Company (Tower) had issued a “garage policy” to Service Chevrolet, under which the vehicle driven by Ms. Bennett was a “covered auto” as defined by the policy.

Ms. Brown had an auto liability Cynthia Bennett and Samantha policy issued from USAA. Brown were involved in an auto Ms. Bennett had a personal accident on I–210 in Lake Charles, automobile policy with Allstate Louisiana. Ms. Bennett, the that provided uninsured motorist Plaintiff herein, alleges that Ms. (UM) coverage. After suit was Brown was at fault and that she filed, Ms. Bennett settled with FACTUAL BACKGROUND

Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE, practiced law in California for more than 43 years as an insurance coverage and claims handling lawyer. He now limits his practice to service as an insurance consultant and expert witness specializing in insurance coverage, insurance claims handling, insurance bad faith and insurance fraud almost equally for insurers and policyholders. He also serves as an arbitrator or mediator for insurance related disputes. He founded Zalma Insurance Consultants in 2001 and serves as its only consultant. 8

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January 2017

both Allstate and USAA, but continued to pursue Tower for what she claimed was the remainder of her damages under the UM and medical payments coverage provisions of Tower’s “garage policy” issued to Service Chevrolet.

¶ (d) Your customers. However, if a customer of yours: ¶ (i) Has no other available insurance (whether primary, excess or contingent), they are an “insured” but only up to the compulsory or financial responsibility law limits where the covered “auto” is principally garaged. ¶ 5 (ii) Tower filed a Motion Has other available for Summary insurance (whether The Court of Appeal properly Judgment arguing primary, excess or slapped down Ms. Bennett’s claims that Ms. Bennett was contingent) less than not considered an the compulsory or against Tower because the clear and “insured” under the unambiguous language of the policy provided no financial responsibility liability portion of the law limits where coverage to her since she had already received Tower policy because the covered “auto” the benefits of the Louisiana UM statute and by Ms. Bennett was is principally the terms of the policy did not allow her to get insured by her own garaged, they are an policy with Allstate, money from the policy issued by the owner of the “insured” only for the and therefore Ms. amount by which vehicle that lent the car to her.” Bennett was also the compulsory or not an insured for financial responsibility purposes of UM coverage. Ms. ‘autos.’ ” A charge for a premium law limits exceed the limit of Bennett appealed. is reflected on the declarations insurance.” page in the columns for liability UM COVERAGE coverage, UM coverage, and The parties do not dispute that In reviewing the Tower insurance med pay coverage. Liability and the vehicle driven by Ms. Bennett policy provisions, the Court of med pay coverage apply to “Any was a “covered auto” under the Appeal must apply the rules of ‘auto,’ ” and UM coverage applies policy, but rather only whether contract interpretation set forth to “[o]nly those autos you own Ms. Bennett is an “insured” for in the Louisiana Civil Code. The that because of the law in the purposes of UM coverage. Ms. judiciary’s role in interpreting state where they are licensed or Bennett argues that, because contracts is to ascertain the principally garaged are required the policy does not specifically common intent of the parties to have and cannot reject define who is an “insured” for UM coverage, the policy is ambiguous, to the contract. If the policy Uninsured Motorists Coverage.” and summary judgment in favor wording at issue is clear and unambiguously expresses the Section II of the “Garage of Tower was inappropriate. Form,” entitled parties’ intent, the insurance Coverage contract must be enforced as “Liability Coverage,” states as However, the Louisiana Supreme written. Courts lack the authority follows: “3. Who is An Insured ¶ Court has held that “a person to alter the terms of insurance a. The following are “insureds” for who is not insured for liability contracts under the guise of covered “autos” ¶…. ¶ (2) Anyone purposes cannot be considered contractual interpretation else while using with your when the policy’s provisions are permission a covered “auto” you See ZALMA Pg 45 own, hire or borrow except ¶…. www.underwritersinsider.com

couched in unambiguous terms. The “Garage Coverage Form Declarations” page of the Tower policy states: “This policy provides only those coverages where a charge is shown in the premium column below. Each of these coverages will apply only to those ‘autos’ shown as covered

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NEWS

Eligible Manufactured / Mobile Homes Include: Replacement Cost coverage on contents is included in price. Also, we can write ANY AGE home and there is NO 4-Point inspection required. • • • • • •

Limits between $6,000 - $75,000. Max TIV of section A,B,C and D total $120,000 Must be tied down to HUD regulations. Owner occupied or tenant occupied and must be used exclusively for residential purposes Applicant must be gainfully employed or retired. Wind eligible if located greater than 5 miles from salt water. (Does not apply to Tampa Bay) All Florida counties eligible for wind except for Dade, Monroe, Broward, Palm Beacch & Panhandle Counties

Policy Options: • •

Policy Form Flexibility: HO-3, HO-8, DP-1 and DP-3 Forms Wind Deductibles available from 2%, 3% or 5%

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NEWS

AGENT CHARGED: ALLEGEDLY STOLE THOUSANDS FROM CLIENTS

INEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Roslyn Heights insurance agent was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from two former clients.

New York Life. In December 2015 and January 2016, Kohen allegedly faxed three withdrawal requests for partial withdrawals of the annuity. Kohen allegedly requested that the funds be deposited into an account that belong to him. After each withdrawal, the victim received a letter confirming the withdrawals. Jack Kohen, 51, was arraigned On February 8, 2016, the victim before District Court Judge Paul contacted New York Life to report Meli on four counts of grand larceny the activity on her account and in the third degree, two counts of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the 2nd degree and one count of falsifying business records in the 1st degree. The defendant as released on his own recognizance and is due back in court on Dec. 9.

claimed that she did not authorize any of the disbursements. The defendant allegedly stole $21,200 from the victim. In September 2013, another client, from Brooklyn, applied for a deferred annuity with New York Life that was sold to her by Kohen. In April and May 2015, Kohen allegedly faxed three withdrawal requests for partial withdrawals.

“This defendant was entrusted with his clients’ retirement savings, but he allegedly stole more than $35,000 of their hardearned money for his own use,” said DA Singas. DA Singas said that Kohen worked as a licensed insurance agent for New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation and kept an office in Long Beach. In 2003, a client from Levittown applied for a deferred annuity with www.underwritersinsider.com

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January 2017

NEWS

WORKERS’ COMP FRAUD: CENTRAL FLORIDA MAN WHO LIED ABOUT ON-THE-JOB INJURY LANDS IN JAIL

RLANDO, Fla. – The Department of Financial Services’ Division of Investigative and Forensic Services (DIFS), which operates under the direction of CFO Jeff Atwater, today announced the arrest of Orlando resident Ricardo Aponte on workers’compensation fraud charges following an elaborate scam involving an alleged on-the-job injury. Aponte claimed to have suffered a workrelated neck injury that prevented him from bending his body and prohibited him from working. As a result, Aponte’s employer paid more than $500,000 in medical and lost-wage costs related to the supposed injury.

to assist with the pain he suffered in his back, legs, and upper torso. Years later, in May 2016, Aponte again swore under oath that he could not work and that the assistance of medical equipment was required to perform even the simplest day-to-day tasks. However, insurance fraud investigators secured video surveillance that proved otherwise. On multiple occasions, Aponte was seen moving about without the support of any medical devices whatsoever. In one instance, Aponte was recorded cleaning his boat and

preparing it for travel. In another, he was seen physically pushing the boat off its trailer and into the water. He was arrested and taken to the Orange County Jail. He has been charged with workers’ compensation fraud, false statements in support of a claim, false and fraudulent insurance claims, and grand theft. This case will be prosecuted by the Office of State Attorney Jeffrey L. Ashton and if convicted, Aponte could be forced to repay his employer in full, pay a $10,000 fine and spend up to 30 years in prison.

Image Credit: Creative Commons

After the employer’s insurance company raised suspicions that Aponte might be lying, DIFS insurance fraud detectives launched an investigation to verify the legitimacy of Aponte’s claim and to learn more about his day-to-day activities. The investigation revealed that Aponte’s injury was first reported in January 2007. During the course of the claim, he received medical treatments from multiple physicians and was provided a motorized wheelchair and a cane 12

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NEWS

MUSLIM STUDENTS DEMANDING PRAYER ROOMS IN EVERY MAJOR BUILDING

uslim students at the University of Maryland are now demanding religious accommodations that could cost the university millions of dollars if put into place, including a prayer room in each major building. The initiate, called ProtectUMD, is a joint effort between 25 different student groups at the U of M. The list includes 64 separate demands, including, according to Campus Reform, “64 demands across 8 subsets of students— Marginalized, American Indian, Black, Latinx, LGBTQIA+, Muslim, Pro-Palestine, and Undocumented—including scholarships for “students of marginalized communities,” a ban on Columbus Day, beginning every on-campus event with an acknowledgement that “this is Indigenous Land,” that African American professors get tenure, that preferred pronouns are www.underwritersinsider.com

included on rosters, and that “queer diversity training” is required. Other Muslim student demands include “shuttle services to [the local mosque] for Muslim students to have access to a place of worship.” “I think [these demands] are ridiculously easy [to accomplish],” said Muslim Student Association member Khaled Nurhssien told The Diamondback.

accident investigation team worked systematically through an extensive fault tree analysis and concluded that one of the three composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs) inside the second stage liquid oxygen (LOX) tank failed. Specifically, the investigation team concluded the failure was likely due to the accumulation of oxygen between the COPV liner and overwrap in a void or a buckle in the liner, leading to ignition and the subsequent failure of the COPV.”

As far as can be ascertained, The spaceflight company also white, straight, non-indigenous, disclosed they are ready to return Christian or Jewish students have to the launchpad on January 8th. demanded nothing.

SPACEX NOW KNOWS CAUSE OF FALCON 9 EXPLOSION

MALAYSIA AIRLINES FLIGHT 370 STILL MISSING

fter $200 million and 3 years, there is still no sign of the main wreckage ccording to a statement of doomed flight MH370, a released in early fully loaded Boeing 777 that January, SpaceX has disappeared under mysterious now determined the cause of the circumstances. Only one vessel, September 9, 2016 explosion of deep-sea search ship Fugro the Falcon 9 spacecraft and the Equator, continues the search, $200 million Facebook satellite it which is scheduled to end this carried. month. A few aircraft parts, deemed to come from MH370, did The announcement read: “The wash up on an east African island.

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January 2017

NEWS

BROWN & BROWN AGREES TO ACQUIRE COMMERCIAL MGA ASSETS FROM THE INSURANCE HOUSE

AYTONA BEACH, FL-(Marketwired - January 03, 2017) - J. Scott Penny, Chief Acquisitions Officer of Brown & Brown, Inc. (NYSE: BRO), and Jacque Schaendorf, the president/CEO of The Insurance House, Inc. (“Insurance House”), today announced that a subsidiary of Hull & Company, LLC, has acquired the commercial MGA operations of Insurance House. Insurance House was established in 1964 as a managing general agent and wholesale insurance broker offering commercial and personal lines insurance products to their retail broker partners. The commercial wholesale brokerage operations are located in Atlanta, Georgia and Silver Spring, Maryland with total approximate annual revenues in 2016 of $3 million. The acquired operations will continue to operate in Atlanta and Silver Spring as part of the Brown & Brown Wholesale Division. The newly acquired operations will report to Kathy Colangelo, Senior Vice President of the Brown & Brown Wholesale Division. Tony Strianese, President of the Brown & Brown Wholesale Division, stated, "As industry

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peers, we know the quality brand that Insurance House has built as a wholesale broker. We are excited about the new commercial teammates that are joining the Wholesale Division, and our new retail partners with whom the Insurance House commercial team has built a partnership."

strategic decision to focus our resources on our specialty personal lines business and on our technology business affiliate. We are very proud to transition our commercial business to Brown & Brown's Wholesale Division. We strongly believe that our agency partners, employees and market partners will have Jacque Schaendorf stated, terrific opportunities with such a "Insurance House made the prestigious and innovative firm."

Position wanted: Field Rep/Special Agent Experienced, licensed (2-20) P&C field rep available to work from Florida East or West Coast. MGA experienced but would consider Carrier or Premium Finance Position. Recent FSU Grad with Risk Management Course Work Please write for resume: candidate88@yahoo.com Table of Contents

January 2017

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January 2017

ANALYSIS

3 CAREER KILLERS TO CIRCUMVENT IN 2017 underscored a recent White House report, Preparing For The Future of Artificial Intelligence, ith a new U.S. Jobs acknowledging that, while Study revealing that “artificial intelligence will likely “tectonic changes increase productivity and create are reshaping U.S. workplaces wealth, it may also affect particular as the economy moves deeper types of jobs in different ways, into the knowledge-focused reducing demand for certain skills age” amid the stark reality that that can be automated while lifelong skills development increasing demand for other The idea of working skills that are complementary and training have evolved into mandatory, mission-critical for one company for a to AI. However, artificial facets of one’s sustained intelligence is only one career success, it’s clear the lifetime is long gone. Having a component of the broader 4th Industrial Revolution full-time job may be the next economic shift that the (i.e., the age of automation, World Economic Forum has thing to go.” artificial intelligence and termed ‘the 4th Industrial robotics) has ushered in anticipate, prepare and respond to Revolution’ where, over the course a brave new workplace. One the volatile and dynamic changes of the next few years and lasting reportedly prompting a “society- caused by disruptive technologies, decades, we will see fundamental wide reckoning” relative to skills economic turbulence and transformation in industries, proliferation and other key next- omnipresent business failures by businesses and careers.” gen concerns. And, rightly so, as building “the business of you.” the only thing constant in today’s According to Boyer, while policy tumultuous job market is change. During our conversation, Boyer makers and business leaders talk By Merilee Kern, MBA, Guest Contributor

We are entering an unprecedented economic era rife with peril and opportunity, alike. For some industry insider perspective I connected with jobs economy analyst, personal branding coach, visionary and futurist Larry Boyer, President of Success Rockets LLC—a firm that helps people and businesses

bout the author: Branding, business and entrepreneurship success pundit, Merilee Kern, MBA, is an influential media voice and lauded communications strategist. As the Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List International News Syndicate,” she’s a revered brand and consumer product trends voice of authority who spotlights noteworthy marketplace change makers, movers and shakers. Merilee may be reached online at www.TheLuxeList.com. Follow her on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/LuxeListEditor and Facebook here: www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList

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January 2017

about how new jobs will offset those lost due to technological change, what’s missed are the impacts to individuals suffering those job losses. “People losing jobs to technology will not easily find work comparable to their prior positions and, as we already see, the new jobs created often go unfilled due to skills gaps,” he asserts. “In today’s fast-changing business climate driven by digital transformation, career-minded professionals must have a longterm business plan for themselves, helping them adapt every single day to not only to thrive, but even just survive.”

mentoring. Most companies do mentoring ad-hoc upon employee request on an individual basis. With increasing concerns over corporate cutbacks, companies must do more to develop their workforce and ensure they are being trained to make a valuable contribution as the economy continues its meteoric shift towards more efficient technology solutions. Given that in 2017 we’ll be inching, and in some cases taking giant leaps, toward increased disruption in business and technology— inevitably leading to career troubles for many people, I asked Boyer for insight on specific career Boyer warns that executives must killers up ahead. “More than the do a better job of “democratizing” rapid changes we’ve seen in the www.underwritersinsider.com

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last decade, we’re poised to see some sudden, dramatic changes that can affect your career and ultimately your bottom line,” he said, also offering these three career crushing trends to beware in 2017 and beyond: 1. Disruptive Technology Can Disrupt Your Career

More and more we are starting to see disruptive technology, and not just the simple evolution from one product to the next version of it. Instead, we’re seeing entirely new technologies seeming to come out of nowhere and change the

See 3 Career Killers Pg 20

January 2017

TECHNICAL

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ANALYSIS Continued From Pg 17

3 CAREER KILLERS

closing. As an example, President electTrump has criticized Boeing for costs related to the development of a new Air Force One as well as the sale of planes to Iran. Whether those deals go through or not will impact the jobs and livelihoods of everyone involved with the sales and building of the aircraft. Pay

see the reports of these trends in the news. However, this issue hits home to an increasing number of employees in an increasing number of fields – including programming and IT functions.

“What makes dealing with way we work. Virtual Reality, 3-D disruptions like these particularly printing, self-driving cars, drones difficult is that rarely is and artificial intelligence the disruption first seen are just a few examples. Dubbed, “the 4th In order to ensure a lasting career at the level of a person’s ” noted Boyer. Industrial Revolution” by for yourself, don’t just watch and job, “Rather, the disruption global business leaders comment on the news. Think about happens somewhere at the World Economic Forum, changes in how what you are seeing and hearing will else first and then silently, almost technology along with impact the company you work for and your flows unnoticed until it hits how we interact with job specifically. What can you do to start you like a tsunami after that technology look to transform both how preparing today for tomorrow’s changes?” an earthquake. In order for you to navigate your and how much we work. If you’re paying attention and attention as what’s happening in career through today’s rapidly learning these technologies, they Washington will ripple through changing and disruptive business can lead to enhancing your career. to your industry, company and environment, you need to be aware of industry trends and new However, if you’re not looking ultimately you. technologies, and how they will ahead to how technologies could shape your industry and your job, 3. New Business and Employment flow through to the work you do as well as the financial health of the you could end up finding yourself Models replaced. The idea of working for one company you work for. It doesn’t company for a lifetime is long matter how safe you think your job 2. Political Change Creates New gone. Having a full-time job is if your company is disrupted and may be the next thing to go. has to close.” Winners and Losers We have a new president coming into office, promising to shake up the way the US conducts business – both inside and outside of the country. Any change of administration brings with it differences in emphasis and direction. Pay attention to where the opportunities are opening and 20

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The combination of increased employment costs (such as health care) and the need to adapt to rapidly changing business environments and technology are increasingly leading companies to stop hiring full-time employees in favor of contractors and part-time employees. While for some types of work, such as retail, it’s easy to Table of Contents

In order to ensure a lasting career for yourself, don’t just watch and comment on the news. Think about how what you are seeing and hearing will impact the company you work for and your job specifically. What can you do to start preparing today for tomorrow’s changes? January 2017

NEWS

AGENT FACES FELONY CHARGE FOR STEALING FROM ELDERLY WOMAN

OS ANGELES, Calif. — the Financial Industry Regulatory The bank Caballero worked Former insurance producer Authority (FINRA) that Caballero for at the time discovered the Jimmy Ernesto Caballero, was permanently barred from any financial abuse and immediately Jr., 35, aka Jaime Caballero, Jr., association with any member of terminated his employment. surrendered to the The victim lost Los Angeles Court Caballero befriended an 87-year-old a p p r o x i m a t e l y earlier this week on $298,000, but woman whose husband had recently was made whole a felony charge of theft from an elder. passed away. Caballero convinced the when the financial Caballero allegedly institution Caballero woman, who suffered from dementia, to cash convinced the worked for offered 87-year-old victim in her annuity totaling $319,006 and place the financial restitution. to cash in annuities funds under her personal account Caballero Caballero is due back totaling over then transferred the funds to a different at the Los Angeles $300,000 and then used the funds to financial institution into a joint account with Criminal Court on pay off his personal January 3, 2017 for a his name and used the money to pay off debts. preliminary hearing. insurance personal expenses including his car loan, real His “Vulnerable license was revoked estate and retail vendor purchases.” c o n s u m e r s, by the California including seniors, Department of depend on the financial advice the FINRA in any capacity. In his Insurance effective February 22, of agents and brokers to offer capacity as an investment banker, 2014. guidance when investing in Caballero befriended an 87-yearinsurance products and dealing old woman whose husband had with annuities,” said Insurance recently passed away. Caballero Commissioner Dave Jones. convinced the woman, who “When we find that a licensee has suffered from dementia, to cash in committed fraud, or committed her annuity totaling $319,006 and theft, we will take every action place the funds under her personal available to investigate the matter account Caballero then transferred HELP WANTED — POSITION fully, revoke their license and the funds to a different financial WANTED 4 — SALE ITEMS pursue criminal charges when institution into a joint account appropriate.” with his name and used the money to pay off personal expenses CLICK HERE! The department launched an including his car loan, real estate investigation following notice from and retail vendor purchases.

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January 2017

NEWS-OPINION

LET’S TALK ABOUT DIVERSITY... By Ron Manera, Senior Editor

ushered to the front of the line. It’s a massive broadening of the racist iversity. Sounds like a good “affirmative action” policies that idea, doesn’t it? Like so began in the 1960s. many Progressive policies, the lie begins with the name. The Diversity isn’t word and the effects have slowly leached itself into our culture, our about including businesses and our lives - like an folks - it’s about indolent cancer, unnoticed until it has taken such a powerful foothold excluding or displacing that it cannot be stopped - or them - specifically, White questioned.

European, straight, and conservative males.”

power and privilege in arranging the theft. Disagree with any of it? The Progressive playbook dictates that anyone not a cheerleader of diversity, even those belonging to a disaffected group, must be labeled a racist, homophobe, xenophobe, misogynist, hater and bigot. That usually ends the conversation. OPPOSITE OF MERITOCRACY

Diversity in practice is the opposite of a meritocracy. Within the context of a meritocracy, a system favoring Diversity, as it is practiced in Clearly, in the West, White only performance, you have contemporary America, is not European males have dominated winners and losers. Progressives about a voluntary, organic, and steered business and culture hate winners. If someone or harmonious coming together of for centuries - and one can argue some group has out-achieved different races, religions, genders, or it’s because they have consistently another, then “something must be transgenders for common purpose. chosen winning cultural and wrong, it’s not fair, we must fix it Rather, it means a politically driven economic strategies. Progressives by punishing the winners!” There affirmative diversity foisted upon us see the ascendency as unfair - are massive amounts of political by the political left and enforced by and their agenda is to change it. power to be earned in the process. their ever-growing bureaucracies. Diversity isn’t about including folks - it’s about excluding or SHOULD WE ALL ACHIEVE PERHAPS IT’S TIME displacing them - specifically, THE IDENTICAL RESULT? WE ASK SOME QUESTIONS White, straight, conservative males. Diversity, of course, is based on If you are a White, straight, European the Progressive fantasy that we male, (and in some venues, even DIVERSITY: JUST ANOTHER WORD all have equal abilities, equal an Asian straight male) or a FOR RACISM, SEXISM, INTOLERANCE attitudes, equal ethics, equal conservative of any stripe, you are In reality, ‘diversity’ is a racist, cultures - and all of these equalities not invited to the diversity party sexist policy that seeks to exclude are applied equally. Unless there is - even if you check your so-called certain groups in an attempt to some unfairness in play, we should “White Privilege” at the door. rob the rewards of success from all end up equally wealthy, equally those that have rightfully earned happy and equally healthy. It’s all about the other folks who the them - and hand them to those Progressives have decided can’t who have not. Progressives seek The real world, of course, has keep up on their own and must be IT’S NOT ABOUT AN ORGANIC COMING TOGETHER

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January 2017

NEWS-OPINION Then it’s time to really get inclusive. What about short guys? Old guys? Disabled guys? Blind guys? Clumsy guys? Fat guys? Dwarfs and midgets? Performance be damned: It’s all about inclusion! Funny how you never hear a liberal complaining about the complete breakdown of diversity in the NFL. It seems Progressives don’t really care about diversity at all when one of their protected classes is benefiting from the lack of it... PLEASE: NO DIVERSITY IN THE NFL Ah, the wacky Progressives. You just gotta love ‘em...

taught those of us paying any attention that this concept is utter hogwash. People come with vastly different abilities, talents, attitudes and ethics. Given identical opportunities, folks are going to achieve wildly different results.

Image Credit: Creative Commons

PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

Conservatives, on the other hand, celebrate a meritocracy, knowing full-well that there will be winners and losers - in fact, it’s all about the competition. At it’s best, a meritocracy, where selection has nothing to do with race, gender, age or religion will result in excellence on the high end and some failure on the lowest end. The system teaches us what works and what doesn’t - and the winners almost always offer a hand-up to the losers. www.underwritersinsider.com

SHOULD THE NFL BE MORE DIVERSE?

Can you imagine if NFL recruiters and team owners suddenly became afflicted by the diversity and inclusion fetish? If performance became secondary and race, gender or disabilities became the focus? You’d see a massive shift in the game beginning with about 54% of the players, all African-Americans, losing their jobs. You see, currently Black players make up about 68% of the NFL player roster while they represent only about 14% of the U.S. population.

But there is no diversity in the NFL. There’s no affirmative multiculturalism. There’s no inclusion. It’s a pure meritocracy. It’s all about performance. If you perform, no one gives a rat’s rear-end about your skin color or religion or gender preference. If you don’t perform - you’re out. And the result? Excellent football!

Or would you prefer to watch a 60 year-old fat guy try that 70-yard touchdown run chased by two old women and a one-legged white guy in a pink tutu - for the sake of diversity?

Football: An interesting metaphor Next, you must get rid of the “glass in the diversity vs meritocracy ceiling” in the NFL. Not a single conversation. Perhaps we could female out of 1696 players! How learn from it. utterly unfair! How misogynistic! How hateful! 50% of the players should be women, right? Table of Contents

January 2017

THE INSIDE TRACK - BREAKING NEWS must bring more rain, which must freeze on top of the reindeer’s food source n a recent research, (lichen) thereby causing using the latest scientific the poor animals to either techniques studying abort or give i s o t o p e s , birth to smaller beryllium 10 and offspring. aluminum 26, Foolishly, if researchers have they value their concluded, more government than one million grants, after years ago, speaking of Skinny Reindeer? Greenland lost “catastrophic die-offs,” they its ice cover and remained also revealed, ice-free for 280,000 years. somehow, the Worse, there wasn’t a single “starving” reindeer hand-wringing climate- population is at an hysteric around to worry all-time high and about it. In related news, food-competition researchers have determined may, therefore, be that the weight of reindeer in responsible for the the Norwegian Arctic have dropped 12% “likely due to global warming.” While you might assume that warmer weather would produce more food for the reindeer, the researchers have worked hard to provide an alternate, climate change -acceptable explanation. You see, the scientists theorized that warmer weather

Climate Hustle?

Image Credit: Creative Commons

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lower animal weights. Don’t be the last one to figure this out folks...

The U.S. Supreme Court Upholds NFL $765M Concussion Award

he Court left intact a prior federal appeals court ruling that an agreement between 20,000 retired NFL players and the NFL was a “fair” resolution of claims filed on behalf of the players - allowing for aggrieved families to begin receiving benefits.

January 2017

THE INSIDE TRACK - BREAKING NEWS The agreement provides for as much as $4 Million per player if diagnosed with “chronic traumatic encephalopathy,” - but only if they had died prior to the judicial approval. CTE can only be determined through an autopsy. In a statement, the NFL said the agreement ““provides real, substantial and immediate benefits to the more than 20,000 retired players who want and need those benefits now.” Players wishing the agreement to be thrown out were not so enthusiastic.

Worker’s Paradise in Socialist Venezuela Continues to Melt Down

Image Credit: Creative Commons

he once prosperous, capitalist, South American country of Venezuela, continues to self-destruct under the reign of ardent socialist Nicolás Maduro who announced in December he is pulling the 100 bolivar bill out of circulation. The paper currency which has a value of 3 cents in U.S. currency allegedly is being hoarded by www.underwritersinsider.com

Socialist Paradise Grocery Store In Venezuela

the “mafia,” according to the Venezuela government, in order to destroy Venezuela’s currency. Most outside observers think that theory is crazy because 1) Venezuela has done an excellent job of destroying its own currency (720% inflation) and 2) of all the currencies in the world, the “bolivar” would be the last it would make sense to hoard.

Breakthrough In Anti-Aging Research?

alting the ageing process in humans has always been the dream of bio-scientists. Now they believe they may be able to reverse it. Researches may have found a way to “turn back the clock” by “turning on” 4 genes inside human cells. Once “on” the cells Table of Contents

revert back to a state seen only in cells contained in human embryos, capable of becoming any cell in the body and reproducing indefinitely. According to study researcher Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte, a professor in Salk Institute’s Gene Expression Laboratory in La Jolla, California, “Our study shows that aging may not have to proceed in one single direction. This study

shows that aging is a very dynamic and plastic process, and therefore will be more amenable to therapeutic interventions than what we previously thought.” While research was done on mice, scientists believe there may be human applications within a decade. Hurry, please.

January 2017

NEWS

N. CAROLINA COMMISSIONER WINS CASE AGAINST $600 MILLION RATE INCREASE "I am pleased to announce this victory for homeowners and I am proud to continue to protect every consumer in North Carolina,” said Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin. “I rejected the insurance industry’s proposed rate increase ALEIGH -- Insurance because I felt it was unjust and Commissioner Wayne this action will save homeowners Goodwin today hundreds of millions of dollars." announced the North Carolina Supreme Court has refused to In January 2014, the

Dispute Involved Homeowner Rate Request Rejected By Wayne Goodwin

their decision with "Upon a full review of the Commissioner’s order, we hold the order reflects a careful, thoughtful, and thorough consideration of the evidence. The evidence in the record supports the Commissioner’s critical findings and ultimate conclusions. This Court will not second guess the Commissioner’s determinations as to the credibility of the witnesses or the weight to be given their insurance industry testimony. Therefore, the order of requested a 25.6% increase the Commissioner is affirmed." in homeowner’s insurance rates across the state. That A full copy of the Court of request was rejected by the Appeal’s ruling can be found here: department and a hearing https://appellate.nccourts.org/ was held on the filing later opinions/?c=2&pdf=33549 that year. In December 2014, Commissioner Goodwin ruled that the industry’s proposed rate increase was unsubstantiated by presented facts and ordered that no increase be awarded. That ruling was appealed by the industry to the North Carolina Court of Appeals, who presented their decision upholding Commissioner Goodwin’s ruling on Aug. 2, 2016.

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hear the insurance industry’s appeal of the North Carolina Court of Appeals decision affirming Commissioner Goodwin’s The North Carolina Supreme Court rejection of a 2014 homeowner’s decided not to hear the case. insurance rate increase of approximately $600 million. The Court of Appeals concluded 26

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HERE

January 2017

NEWS

TOP THIS SPEEDING TICKET STORY...

ccording to a story trending on the Internet: recently: (Credit unknown) “Two British traffic patrol officers in the northern U.K. were involved in an unusual incident while speed

checking drivers on the A1 Great North Road. The officers used a hand-held radar gun pointed at the crest of a hill to check the speed of a cars approaching and was shocked and surprised when the speed was recorded at over 310 mph.

Back at police headquarters an angry police chief fired off a stiff complaint to the Royal Air Force base. Within an hour, back came the reply in true “right-stuff” RAF style:

British RAF Tornado Fighter

“Thank you for your message, which allows us to complete the file on this incident. You may be interested to know that the tactical computer in the Tornado had detected the presence of, and subsequently locked onto, your hostile radar equipment and automatically sent a jamming signal back to it. Furthermore, an air-to-ground missile aboard the fully-armed aircraft had also automatically locked onto your equipment.

Their radar gun suddenly shut down and began smoking. A moment after the radar went dead, an earsplitting roar over the heads of the officers revealed that the radar had, in fact, latched on to a Tornado fighter jet which was engaged in a low-flying training exercise over Fortunately the pilot flying the the outlying area, approaching fast Tornado recognized the situation from the sea. for what it was, quickly responded www.underwritersinsider.com

to the missile systems alert status, and was able to override the automated defense system before the missile was launched and your hostile radar installation was destroyed. Good Day...’”

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January 2017

NEWS UNLICENSED MIAMI PUBLIC ADJUSTER ARRESTED FOLLOWING $100,000 FRAUDULENT WATER CLAIMS SCAM

IAMI, Fla. — The Department of Financial Services’ Division of Investigative and Forensic Services (DIFS), which operates under the direction of Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, today announced the arrest of Julian Garcia-Sellek of Miami on multiple felony fraud and grand theft charges.

Investigators found that between March 2012 to January 2016, Garcia-Sellek met with multiple homeowners who were looking for help with the handling of an insurance claim. He made promises to these homeowners, claiming that he would file the claim on their behalf, removing them from the stress of the insurance claims process.

like water stains on the ceilings, walls, and floors of homes to either inflate the cost of existing water damage claims or in order to generate a fraudulent water damage claim.

The arrest follows an investigation that discovered Garcia-Sellek, while acting as an unlicensed public adjuster, allegedly went to great lengths to inflate the costs associated with multiple insurance claims in addition to filing several fraudulent claims to cover water damage that did not exist.

To further the scheme, he enlisted the services of public notaries to forge homeowners’ signatures and fraudulently notarize insurance claims documents that he would later submit to the insurance company for payment, many times without the homeowners’ knowledge. As a result of his actions, at least $99,000 in claims were fraudulently submitted via documents filed by GarciaSellek. He cashed and kept the resulting insurance claims checks.

In total, Garcia-Sellek is accused of stealing nearly $100,000 from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. Citizens representatives flagged multiple claims created by Garcia-Sellek as suspicious and referred the Jeff Atwater, Florida CFO information they collected to DIFS. As a result, fraud investigators opened an investigation into the He would then solicit the services company’s day-to-day operations. of a local artist to use a caffeinebased liquid to paint what looked

He was arrested without incident and booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Facility on one count of scheme to defraud and acting as an unlicensed public adjuster and nine counts of insurance fraud and grand theft. The case will be prosecuted by the Office of Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. If convicted, Garcia-Sellek faces up to 30 years in prison.

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January 2017

COMPARISON: U.S. NIMITZ CLASS CARRIER VS CHINESE LIAONING CARRIER

COMPARISON: U.S. NAVY VS RUSSIAN NAVY

UNBELIEVABLE VINTAGE ADS

othing illustrates the changes in our national culture better than vintage ads from the Mad Men era or earlier - many of which would be considered over-the-top sexist, politically incorrect or just plain dopey today.

e are not sure if Blatz intended for mom to put the beer in the baby’s bottle or if they assumed the women was a nursing mother - but the clear intent was that mom & baby getting their buzz on together was somehow a great, healthy practice!

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January 2017

“The Final Authority on Everything!” WARNING!

The Advisor has been known to be politically incorrect and may send certain Millennials scurrying to their safe space. Also not recommended for Progressives who are easily offended. Please read at your own risk.

4-Way Flashers In The Rain

ADVISOR

many other states prohibit the practice of driving with the 4-ways flashing. In a blinding thunderstorm, flashers can be blinding and confusing to other drivers. Tell your wife she is a hazard on the road and to stop the 4-way craziness immediately but don’t forget to turn on the headlights.

Please Release Me

ettle an argument I’m e wish to issue a press having with my wife: She release for your next puts her 4-way flashers on issue but no one in our in heavy rain. I say it makes company has a clue on how more sense to just put on your headlights. G.Y. Gaithersburg, MD

to write it. We are adding two new product lines and we have a couple of promotions to announce. What format would you recommend? T.K. Memphis, TN When you send a press release to a publication, you want the press release to read just like a news story. Essentially, you want to strive to write the same story that we would write if we had time to come visit your company, interview your people and learn about your new products. The biggest mistake we see in

Judging from the number of motorists that have incorporated the awful habit of running in inclement weather with their 4-way flashers blazing, it may come as a shock to many drivers to know that the practice is illegal and dangerous. In fact, in Palm Beach County, the practice will earn you a $116.00 fine. The laws of Florida and 32

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January 2017

the many press releases we reporter: “Who, What, Why, with wording such as, “XYX receive is the tendency to Where and When.” Consider it Company announced today make the release to “sales- a great opportunity to report that they will be adding HO-4 ey” or “promotional.” It positively on your company Tenant Homeowners policies — but don’t think of it as a to their products available to should sound like top agents. Next, fill in a dispassionate, We get press releases here more information on factual news report that would fill two full pages the new products and — while hitting before we have to start chopping.“ why they are important all the highlights to the marketplace. and giving a brief You may wish to informational on the company — but not like free ad. The more your release include quotes from key an advertisement. Save the sounds like a real news report sources in the company, such editor some time by editing and the less it sounds like as, “According to John Jones, the release down to a fluff and self-promotion, the President of XYZ Company, reasonable size. We get press more credibility it will have to ‘HO-4’s are an important releases here that would the reader. Keep these points addition to our line-up as fill two full pages before we in mind when constructing more and more people seem have to start chopping. Try your press releases and you’ll to be moving into the rental and keep in mind the five find many more publications market in the past two years. “W’s” of the professional actually printing them. Try See Release Me Pg 36 beginning your press release www.underwritersinsider.com

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January 2017

220/440 Lic. Ins Agent Needed - Boca FREE CLASSIFIED RULES: Submit all ads online at: www.underwritersinsider. com/classifieds. Ads must be less than 501 characters plus a title line. Eligible free classifieds include help wanted, position wanted, personal ads, agency for sale/purchase, or the one-time sale of an item or items. Place Ad HERE! REGULAR CLASSIFIED RULES: Submit all ads online at: www.underwritersinsider. com/classifieds. Only $1.00 per word, including title line and response info. Payment must be received prior to print date. Ads run 3 mo.

Experienced Administrative/Accounts Executive Norcross based fast-growing Insurance Agency needs Experienced Administrative/ Accounts Executive with 2 years experience in Insurance Field. Proficiency in computers required. Please e-mail resume to girish_talati@hotmail.com 16-7

Help us expand our Agency (From Home)!! We are seeking an energetic professional to work parttime in a virtual capacity assisting us with recruiting and supporting professional sales agents across the United States and Canada.For detailed information on our company and this non-sales virtual opportunity please contact us today with the following link http://apply. harvardbenefits.com/269541 16-10

FREE CLASSIFIEDS! HELP WANTED — POSITION WANTED 4 — SALE ITEMS

CLICK HERE! 34

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Insurance Tech Consultants

Have an awesome idea for an insurance or financerelated app, software tool, or social media marketing campaign? Need an experienced pro for tech-centric business development? Take your business to the next level - contact GMA LLC today. 407-706-0245. Matt@ProAdvisors.Info 16-4

Tampa Area Commercial Producer

Agency Established 2006 seeks Outside Commercial Producer. Cutting Edge tech! Generous Comp and Possible Equity Buy In. Experience and FL 220 a must! Resume’ to info@nusurance.com 16-10

Experienced CSR Wanted - Broward Co.

Join our team... A & H Insurance is looking to hire a motivated team member to quote, write & service new & existing customers. Must have active 440 License (we will pay the pre-licensing course for the right candidate) Bilingual a must! Fax resume to:954-251-1423 or email: darlene@autohomeins. net 16-7

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Looking for inside / outside lic. experienced sales rep. Must know QQ/QF, Semcat and other software packages. Efax resume to 954-908-7001. Great office. Regional Outreach Coordinator wanted

Looking for professionals who would like to help individuals save on their monthly prescription cost on average 15% for brand name and 55% on generic, while earning a residual income. loucei@msn.com 16-7

Seeking 220 & 440 Insurance Agents in Florida & Georgia! Well established We Insure agencies are experiencing growth and are looking for experienced 220 and 440 insurance agents statewide in both Florida AND Georgia. Active 220 or 440 license required and preferably 2 to 5 years experience in Personal Lines and/or Commercial Sales. Please send your résumé to: Megan.null@weinsuregroup.com

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Field Underwriter As a field underwriter, your job is to meet prospects who have responded to a direct mail campaign asking for more information on our products. When you meet with them you will be determining their eligibility for our products and helping them decide what is best for them. There is no cold-calling required as you are Reply with resume to for immediate consideration with same day response. fieldunderwritersfl@gmail. com 16-10

January 2017

Outside Ins Sales Rep - Must be licensed South Palm Beach Co. Need home based / office outside insurance sales rep. Must have experience cold calling, networking grps and referrals a must. Most know how to type up and prepare a propert commercial risk including acords, loss runs, etc. Pls efax resume and reference list to 954-9087001. jonathandrausch@hotmail.com 16-11

Experienced Agency Marketing Representative Mature, 2-20 licensed agent, experienced in both commercial and personal lines underwriting and sales. Has a following of brokers/agents throughout the State of Florida. Looking to market insurance products through independent agencies and brokers. toogreatt@yahoo.com 16-6

Norcross CSR

Norcross based fast-growing Insurance Agency needs Licensed Sales Producers in GA, FL TN SC NC TX IL and OH states for marketing 401k plans, Life Insurance products as well as Health Insurance plans. Proficiency in computers required. Please e-mail resume to girish_talati@hotmail.com

Norcross based fast-growing Insurance Agency needs Experienced CSR . A property and casualty insurance license is preferred. Good computer skills with 2 years experience in Insurance Field. Proficiency in computers required. Please e-mail resume to girish_talati@hotmail. com

Help us to expand our Agency (From Home)!! We are seeking a super energetic and motivated professional to work in a virtual capacity assisting us with recruiting and supporting professional sales agents across the United States and Canada. For detailed information on our company and this non-sales virtual opportunity please contact me at: Nicole.lang@harvardbenefits.com Nicole.lang@harvardbenefits. com

The Auto Club Group is seeking P&C sales agents who have… •An active Property and Casualty Insurance License (220) or an active (20-44) A minimum of 1 year successful P&C sales experience and a stable employment history a Strong phone sales and prospecting skills •Ambition and drive We offer a competitive compensation to include: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k) and more... deemorgan@aaasouth.com

Licensed Sales Producers - Norcross

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Property & Casualty Sales Agents Tampa Bay Area

16-5

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Now Hiring All Positions Independent Agency Hollywood, FL Independent agency in Hollywood, FL. We are hiring for all positions, commercial & personal lines agent/account manager/processors/receptionist/bookkeeper. 220/440 experience preferred but not required. cpenate@newmanins.com

Urgent! 2-20/4-40 COMMERCIAL LINES MIAMI DOWNTOWN LOOKING FOR A 2-2O OR 4-40 TO HANDLE COMMERCIAL LINES WITH 1 YEAR EXPERIENCE, PERSONAL LINES KNOWLEDGE AND NEED TO SPEAK FLUENT ENGLISH & SPANISH WITHOUT PROBLEM - DOWNTOWN MIAMI SEND RESUME: DOLORES@JONRAYINSURANCE.NET 305-883-4604

16-11 www.underwritersinsider.com

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16-7 January 2017

Cont’d... 2-20/4-40 COMMERCIAL LINES MIAMI DOWNTOWN

North Atlanta Personal LInes Producer Wanted

LOOKING FOR A 2-2O OR 4-40 TO HANDLE COMMERCIAL LINES WITH 1 YEAR EXPERIENCE, PERSONAL LINE KNOLEDGE APPRECIATE , NEED TO SPEAK AFLUENTLY ENGLISH AND SPANISH, WITHOUT PROBLEM TO WORK IN DOWNTOWN MIAMI SEND RESUME

We offer a Cobb/Cherokee work environment with access to many top companies. base + commission, extensive marketing support and a strong referral program. The candidate would acquire an equity position in the agency within a few years based on experience and results. This is a sales and marketing driven position and involves management of a small staff within a commercial oriented agency. presidentsac@yahoo.com 16-9

DOLORES@JONRAYINSURANCE.NET PH: 305-883-4604 16-9

Continued From Page 33

RELEASE ME Our agents have been asking

for the product and now we have it available.’” Finally, include a brief paragraph on the background on the company and perhaps a contact name and phone number that can be used if someone desired more information. Incidentally, running a press release in the same periodical in which you are running an advertisement is a powerful one-two punch as one reinforces the other. 36

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Seeing is Believing

y boyfriend is stationed in South Korea with the United States Army. He heard about some program that will let us talk over the computer and see fullscreen live video free at the same time. I say too good to be true. Can the Advisor find out? R.T. Dallas, TX Sure. Run on over to Best Buy and pick up a web cam. Prices range from $39 - $129 depending on features. If you are using a laptop or tablet, you probably already have a camera. Then visit www.skype.com, download Table of Contents

Medicare Supplement Agents Wanted. Tampa and Tri-County Area No sales experience required, will train upon appointment. Need Health and Life License.Great Commissions with 'A'rated Company. Many other insurance products to offer with this great company. Commissions are paid for life and transferable to beneficiaries. Please contact: Charlotte T. Kocian - GA email: agent.char@yahoo.com 16-9

the program, and create a profile. Your boyfriend will have to do the same on his end. You can then video-call to any other computer on the Internet (broadband is highly recommended) and talk faceto-face as long as you like free using this VOIP (voice over Internet protocol) technology. It’s not as good as being there, but it’s sure better (and free!) than a phone call. Cover your camera when not in use. Hackers can easily coop your web-cam giving them an unobstructed view of everything going in in your living room or bedroom or wherever you’ve got your computer set up. January 2017

NEWS

CA INVESTIGATING WELLS FARGO FOR SIGNING UP CONSUMERS FOR INSURANCE WITHOUT PERMISSION

ACRAMENTO, Calif. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones today directed the California Department of Insurance to launch an investigation into allegations made by former employees of Prudential Insurance Company that Wells Fargo employees signed up consumers for Prudential insurance without the consumers' authorization.

employees," said Commissioner Dave Jones. "Former Prudential employees who filed a whistleblower lawsuit allege that Wells Fargo signed up consumers for Prudential insurance policies without consumer permission much as Wells Fargo admitted its employees illegally signed up consumers for bank products without permission. We will also examine Prudential Insurance company's practices in this regard."

Commissioner Jones asked department Wells Fargo has investigators admitted that as to investigate many as two million all aspects of unauthorized Davey Jones, California these allegations, accounts for its Insurance Commissioner including possible consumers were violations of California laws that created by thousands of Wells requiring persons transacting Fargo employees. Prudential insurance to have an insurance has a partnership with Wells license issued by the department. Fargo to sell insurance products to Prudential's customers. "Investigators with the California The California Department Department of Insurance will of Insurance will conduct its investigate new allegations of independent investigation in fraud and misconduct made by collaboration with the New Jersey former Prudential employees Division of Insurance, which is also regarding Wells Fargo and its investigating this issue. www.underwritersinsider.com

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VIEW THE FAMOUS OBAMA WORKOUT! (Now Banned On YouTube...)

January 2017

Notable Quotes In The News

SAY WHAT?

From Jail To The Jewelry Store...

his first-in-the-nation action will further break down artificial barriers that prevent previously incarcerated New Yorkers from obtaining work and turning their lives around. We are taking one more step to restore fairness and dignity to our society while also increasing public safety by providing opportunity and reducing recidivism.” New York Governor Cuomo applauding himself for promulgating a “first in the nation” regulation prohibiting insurance companies from properly underwriting commercial crime and fidelity policies. Like all liberal initiatives, this one will bring along unintended negative consequences such as carriers pulling out of the marketplace or raising rates.

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The Climate Gravy Train

emember this was a tiny field, a backwater, and then suddenly you increased the funding to billions and everyone got into it,” Lindzen said. “Even in 1990 no one at MIT called themselves a ‘climate scientist,’ and then all of a sudden everyone was. They only entered it because of the bucks; they realized it was a gravy 38

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train. You have to get it back to the people who only care about the science.” Richard Lindzen, the Alfred P. Sloan Professor of Meteorology at MIT and a member of the National Academy of Sciences and a longtime skeptic of climate change orthodoxy, commenting on how the $2.5 billion earmarked for climate change federal grants under the Obama Administration has skewed the debate and the science. Lindzen believes they should “probably cut the funding by 80 to 90 percent until the field cleans up. Climate science has been set back two generations, and they have destroyed its intellectual foundations.”

These Whiney People That Think We’re Owed Something...

f I had thought that way – that the world was against me – I wouldn’t be here now. These whiny people that think we’re owed something are incomprehensible and reprehensible to me. I don’t expect acknowledgment or acceptance from white America. I’m going to be me.” Oscar-nominated black film director Lee Daniels criticizing those who were offended by two years of all-whilte nominees and the #OscarsSoWhite controversy. Many in La La Land apparently feel the famous awards ceremony should an “affirmative action” event based on skin color rather than a meritocracy based on the quality of the art form.

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Tesla Sudden Acceleration

Famous Last Words...

he vehicle spontaneously began to accelerate at full power, jerking forward and crashing through the interior wall of the garage, destroying several wooden support beams in the wall and a steel sewer pipe, among other things, and coming to rest in Plaintiffs’ living room.”

h wow, Oh wow...”

wow...

Reportedly the two words Steve Jobs uttered over and over before he died of pancreatic cancer in 2011. It has been speculated that he saw God - and God was using a PC...

Give Us A Break Bruce

hen you let that genie out of the bottle — bigotry, racism, From a lawsuit filed by Tesla Model X owner, Ji intolerance… they don’t go back Chang Son in U.S. District Court in the Central in the bottle that easily if they go back in at District of California, seeking class action all,” he said. “Whether it’s a rise in hate crimes, status. people feeling they have license to speak and behave in ways that previously were To The Group Black Lives Matter, considered un-American and are un-American. That’s Black Lives Apparently Don’t Matter what he’s appealing to. My fears are that those things o what’s happening, and this is find a place in ordinary, ironic, is that a movement with civil society.” the goal of saving black lives at this point is getting black lives taken, because Singer Bruce Springsteen, 80 percent of our murder victims here in sharing his political wisdom Chicago are male blacks. Less than half of with the rest of us on the 1 percent of all the shootings in this city occasion of the Trump election - opining that involve police officers shooting civilians.” Republicans (and millions of Democrats) that Former Chicago Police Superintendant Garry voted for Donald Trump were the bigots and McCarthy commenting on the rise in crime rate the haters - now free to “behave in ways that nationally that he and many others attribute previously were considered un-American.” to the BLM group, founded on the “hands up; Amazingly, in all the confusion, poor Bruce don’t shoot!” lie, for creating an environment must have missed the tens of thousands of that has “emboldened” violent criminals while intolerant, hateful, violent, bigoted, racist unat the same time “hamstringing” police officers. American liberal Democrat poor-losers rioting McCarthy was terminated by far-left Mayor in the streets, destroying property and uttering

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Rahm Emanuel following the political fall out death wishes on the president-elect. from the shooting of Laquan McDonald. www.underwritersinsider.com

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NEWS STATE FARM LOSES RATE BATTLE IN CA AFTER SUPERIOR COURT RULING The court's ruling is an important win for all consumers, It is also an important affirmation of my authority under Proposition 103 to protect consumers from excessive rates.

JUDGE ENFORCES JONES’ ORDER; STATE FARM MUST REDUCE HOMEOWNER RATES

AN DIEGO, Calif. — Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones issued the following statement today after the San Diego Superior Court partially denied State Farm's emergency request to stay a November order issued by Jones that directed State Farm to reduce its homeowner and renter rates by an average of seven percent, or $84 million over the next year. The decision, partially denying the request for a stay, means State Farm must decrease its rates, pursuant to Commissioner Jones' order.

The legal battle with State Farm is not over. We will have the opportunity to persuade the court to uphold my order requiring State Farm to issue rebates and State Farm will no doubt continue to argue that the court should overturn my order reducing State Farm rates. I will continue to stand up for California Ins. Commissioner California consumers and require Dave Jones case is concluded. I am confident auto, home and property and that we will convince the court casualty insurers to reduce that excessive rates are unlawful excessive rates." under Proposition 103 and State Farm consumers are entitled to The commissioner's rate-order rebates totaling more than $110 went into effect December 13, 2016. million.

"I am very pleased that the court denied State Farm's attempt to overturn my order requiring State Farm to reduce its rates going forward. I look forward to having my team work with the court to craft an order that requires State Farm fully identify the rate payers so that State Farm is actually able to issue rebates, totaling $110 million when this

State Farm's lawsuit is an attempt to weaken consumer protections provided by Proposition 103 while simultaneously continuing to overcharge consumers. Policyholders should not be forced to pay excessive rates or be denied the $110 million rebate to which they are entitled.

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Editor’s Note: Commissioner’s November order required State Farm to reduce its homeowner insurance rate by an average of 5.37 percent, its renter insurance rate by an average of 20.39 percent, and its condomini-um insurance rate by an average of 13.81 percent -- for a weighted average of 7.0 percent.

January 2017

www.zalma.com • web log, “Zalma on Insurance” • videoblog, “Zalma’s Insurance 101”

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INSURANCE & THE LAW somehow overrides the policy’s omnibus clause in this case that meets the statutory requirements. As a result the Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court’s finding an insured for UM purposes that Ms. Bennett is not entitled [,]” noting that “UM insurance to UM coverage under the Tower follows the person rather than the policy. vehicle [.]” Filipski v. Imperial Fire & Cas. Ins. Co., 09–1013, pp. 4–5 The trial court’s dismissal of Ms. (La. 12/1/09), 25 So.3d 742, 745. Bennett’s claims against Tower Therefore, if Ms. Bennett is not an was affirmed by the Court of insured for liability coverage, she Appeal. is not an insured for UM coverage. Continued From Page 9

ZALMA

ZALMA OPINION

ANALYSIS

It is undisputed that Ms. Bennett had other insurance available to her in the amounts required by Louisiana law. Therefore, Ms. Bennett is not an “insured” for either liability coverage, or for UM coverage, under the policy language. In Louisiana policy language excluding customers with insurance in the statutorily required minimum amount from the definition of insured under a “garage policy” does not violate public policy or Louisiana statutes. The provision in question does not conflict with the statute because it provides liability coverage when the customer’s insurance is inadequate to satisfy the minimum requirements of the statute. Accordingly, the court found no reason to conclude that the statutory omnibus clause www.underwritersinsider.com

The Court of Appeal properly slapped down Ms. Bennett’s claims against Tower because the clear and unambiguous language of the policy provided no coverage to her since she had already received the benefits of the Louisiana UM statute and by the terms of the policy did not allow her to get money from the policy issued by the owner of the vehicle that lent the car to her.

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TECHNOLOGY Continued From Page 7

KIM KOMANDO stranger, don’t open it. If you receive an email or text from someone you do know but the message seems peculiar, contact your friend by phone or social media to see whether the message was intended. This might sound obvious, but sometimes our curiosity gets the better of us. When a link appears, some of us struggle to avoid clicking it, just because we want to know where it leads. Other times, an authentic-looking email is actually a phishing scam in disguise. If you’re the least bit doubtful, don’t click.

Lock your phone Some types of phones are more susceptible to spyware than others. (More about this below). But owners can dramatically reduce their chances of infection by locking their phones. A simple PIN number will deter the majority of hackers.

a lot of damage. In this case, being a Good Samaritan is risky business.

iPhones and spyware

Apple users can get pretty smarmy about their products. If you own Androids and spyware an iPhone, you probably already know that your phone is far safer The bad news is this: Android from malware than Android phones are particularly gadgets. A recent “Forbes” study vulnerable to spyware. It’s showed that nearly 97 percent of simple to install a spying app all known malware threats only on any Android gadget, but affect Android devices. only once you get past the lock screen. That’s good news for Mac addicts, but it can also make owners To protect yourself, make overconfident. sure you have the lock screen turned on and no one knows Last August, Apple had to release the PIN, password or pattern. an extremely critical iOS update to patch a security threat. Before the update, an attacker could take If you own an over and fully control an iPhone iPhone, you remotely just by clicking the right probably already link.

know that your phone is far safer from malware than Android gadgets. A recent “Forbes” study showed that nearly 97 percent of all known malware threats only affect Android devices.”

Investigators learned that this kind of attack was called Trident, and the spyware was called Pegasus. The latest iOS was partly designed to prevent these exploits from damaging your iPhone. This is just one reason you should keep your iPhone up to date.

To get the latest version of iOS, go to Settings >> General >> You can make it even harder Software Update. Your device Also avoid lending your phone by blocking the installation of will then automatically check for to strangers. Yes, some people third-party apps. To do this, the latest version of the Apple honestly forget their chargers go to Settings >> Security and operating system. at home and urgently need to uncheck the Unknown Sources call their spouses. A clever con option. It won’t stop a really Windows smartphones artist only needs your unlocked knowledgeable snoop, but it phone for a minute to cause could stump less-savvy ones. 46

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TECHNOLOGY At the moment, Windows Phone 8 and Windows Mobile 10 seem to be fairly well protected against mainstream spyware apps. Don’t rest on your laurels, though; an unlocked Windows phone is still inviting disaster.

Second-hand smartphones Beware the second-hand smartphone. Sometimes they’re handy, because a jail-broken phone is cheap and disposal and may work with many service providers. But they may also come with spyware already installed. Buying a second-hand phone is a common practice, especially if you’re traveling in a foreign country or you’re between contracts and just need something for the short-term. If you have any suspicions about your phone, your best tactic is to reset factory settings. It’s inconvenient, but it might save you a lot of heartache down the line.

tablet or computer. From buying advice to digital life issues, click here for my free podcasts.

Copyright 2017, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved. Learn about all the latest technology on the Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando. com

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