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Sept. 9th, 2022 - A publication of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of California
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Bob Teshima
President
IIABCal
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President's Message
In A Gentle Way, You Can Shake The World
Perhaps Mahatma Gandhi's quote, "In a gentle way, you can shake the world," best describes IIABCal Past President Jim Hamilton. As a forward-thinking person, Jim had a vision, and with the subtly of a dove floating gracefully in the sky, he changed the world for independent insurance agents & brokers in California.
In today's fast-paced, ever-changing business world, it is easy to forget someone like Jim. He never demanded to be the center of attention, raised his voice, or dominated conversations. Instead he was a soft-spoken giant who, along with his broker counterparts, recognized that producer organizations were stronger united than apart, and he skillfully shepherded the merger in 1995 of proud, one-time fierce competitors into the vibrant association we know today as IIABCal. His foresight, determination, patience, humor and tireless efforts were instrumental in seeing the merger succeed.
Jim left our world this past week, and we are all poorer for that loss. Jim was a consummate, highly respected insurance professional, a loving husband and father, and a visionary leader who made everyone and everything around him better. His insurance career, and his life, set standards for excellence we should all hope to emulate. And who knows? One of us might end up gently shaking the world, following the trail he brilliantly blazed. (see related story below)
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CEO Corner
We Only Regret The Rides We Didn't Take
In the two and a half months as IIABCal CEO, I have met many members and volunteers, and I have grown fond of the professional staff as we work together to meet the needs of our membership. With that said, it is bittersweet to announce the retirement of IIABCal's Vice President of Financial Operations, Jim Cross. For more than 17 years, Jim has provided his expertise in the financial management of IIABCal's association and for-profit subsidiary.
A life-long motorcycle enthusiast, Jim's stories are legendary, and he will be missed by both the members he served and the professional staff he called friends. We wish him the best in his retirement. Just remember, the next time you see someone gliding down the highway on a Harley-Davidson, take a close look ... it might just be Jim enjoying his retirement.
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Jill Epstein
CEO
IIABCal
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IIABCal Says Goodbye To Jim Cross (pictured with partner, Emmy Marra).
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IIABCal Mourns Loss of Past President
Jim Hamilton
California's agent community last week mourned the passing of IIABCal Past President Jim Hamilton, a renowned association leader who played an instrumental role in the merger of the state’s two largest broker and agent associations in 1995.
"It is with a great sense of loss to announce the death of one of our giants," IIABCal CEO Jill Epstein said. "The volunteer contributions of Jim, and other leaders like him, over the years helped to make IIABCal the top insurance producer trade association it is today in California."
Jim volunteered his time and talent to IIABCal by serving on several committees, Board of Directors and the Executive Committee, as Secretary-Treasurer, President-Elect and President. He later served as State National Director, representing IIABCal at the national level. As president of then-IIABC, Jim worked with broker leaders to cement a deal to merge the Western Association of Insurance Brokers with the Independent Agents and Brokers of California (IIABC) in 1995. In addition, Hamilton stewarded the association at a time of great challenges for producers following the implementation of rate regulations and prior-approval requirements resulting from Prop 103, the 1988 voter-approved insurance initiative.
A Great Friend
"Jim was a great friend of mine with a wonderful sense of humor," said IIABCal Past President Jim Armitage, who worked closely with him on the Executive Committee. "He was a kind man who loved his family and friends. He was very spiritual and dedicated to his faith.
"Jim and I worked many long hours together during the consolidation of the two producer associations," Armitage said. "He had great leadership skills and was a great thinker. I have so many fond memories of working with Jim on key issues that helped shaped the future of our industry."
James Thomas Hamilton was born on February 25, 1930, in Philadelphia PA. Joining his three other brothers who
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served in the military, Jim enlisted in the Navy where he served for five years throughout the South Pacific.
Following an honorable discharge, Jim moved to Los Angeles and joined Great Falls Insurance Company. He moved on to Crum and Forster Insurance Co. and met his wife, Jacquelyn Renee Hamilton, and together they had four children, all of whom worked with their father in the insurance industry.
While with Crum and Forster, Jim was promoted to Northwest Marketing Manager and moved to Renton Washington for a few years before Crum and Forster purchased Industrial Indemnity. They relocated Jim to San Francisco and the family moved to Orinda, CA. He was later promoted to Vice President of Marketing.
Becoming An Independent Agent
Jim left the company side in 1980 and was recruited and bought into Clinton L. Booth Insurance Agency in Glendale CA, becoming President a year and a half later. In addition to his volunteer service on the state level, Jim was a Board Director of the IBA of Glendale/Burbank/Pasadena.
A memorial service is planned for October 14th, 2022 at 1:00 PM. The service will be held at St. Vincent Ferrer Church located at 27931 Murrieta Road, Menifee CA. Bagpipes will be present. A private reception will be held for the family afterward at his daughter Karen's house. Jim will later be laid to rest at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetary located at 1965 Reliez Valley Rd, Lafayette, CA.
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Member News
IIABCal Agents Represent California on Big "I" Committees and Councils
Four IIABCal members were chosen to represent California agents and brokers on national insurance issues as participants of key IIABA committees and councils.
- IIABA Government Affairs Committee: Brad Wilson, President, Wilson and Company Insurance Services, Coronado.
- IIABA Crop Insurance Task Force: Thomas Murphy, Branch Manager, Walter Mortensen Insurance/INSURICA, Livingston.
- IIABA Diversity Council (Chairman): Brandon Okita, Vice President, FIA Insurance Services, Torrance.
- IIABA Diversity Council: Joshua Morey, President & CEO, The J. Morey Co., Anaheim.
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Member Markets
What's Your Most Important Insurance Purchase?
Most agency owners would say their Errors and Omissions (E&O) policy covering their businesses is the most important insurance they purchase. So why settle for anything but the best E&O coverage at the right price with IIABCal's great service?
Without question, IIABCal provides members with the best overall E&O value in the marketplace – not just a policy, but a comprehensive program that includes multiple markets, expert advice, preferred rates, and premium credits for claims free accounts.
IIABCal has partnered with professional liability experts, Cooper & McCloskey (CMI), to provide you with the choices and resources you need to manage your E&O insurance. CMI has extensive knowledge and experience dealing with the California insurance agents and brokers professional liability marketplace and can tailor coverage specifically designed for your agency.
Let's get started with a review of your current E&O policy? Email Mike Orrick and he will handle the rest.
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Earn E&O Policy Discounts
IIABCal offers Loss Control Seminars for its E&O policies that earn members premium credits and CE. For E&O Loss Control Seminars, click here.
In addition, IIABCal offers E&O Audit Services for broker/agency offices (fees vary by level of audit for this service).
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Member Question of the Month
Q. We are considering charging a fee to clients for whom we obtain personal dwelling fire/homeowner insurance through our wholesale markets. Does California law impose limitations on our ability to charge fees?
A. Because you would be acting as a broker, and not as an agent, in placing policies through a surplus line broker into wholesale markets, you are permitted under California law to charge a broker’s fee. But you would need to meet several conditions in order for the fee to be fully lawful.
Click here for the rest of the answer!
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IIABCal’s “Member Question of the Month” features questions from agents & brokers.
IIABCal General Counsel Steve Young provides answers to your legal questions as part of your membership benefits.
Have a question? Email Steve Young at syoung@iiabcal.org.
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Members Matter
Knowing Our Members!
In order to continue to deliver relevant benefits to you and your agency, we ask you to periodically update your member profile. By now, the primary contacts of our member agencies should have received a request and information on how to access and update the company profile online. In addition, take the time to review and edit your personal profile information by clicking here.
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We also want to make sure that you and your staff are receiving all of the important information provided by the association so that you can get the most of your membership. In order to be sure your emails don’t get blocked by your spam filter, please ask your IT Department to whitelist our domain name @iiabcal.org.
If you have any questions about your membership, the benefits that IIABCal provides, or have any updates to your company profile, please contact Jenn Pouey, VP of Member Services at jpouey@iiabcal.org or 925-426-3304.
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Member Spotlight
Gorst & Compass Insurance
In a member spotlight story this week, Gorst & Compass Insurance President Bryan Clark talks about his company, industry challenges, and the importance of a strong producer community.
What makes Gorst & Compass different?
“Our people and commitment to excellence is what makes us different,” explains Bryan Clark, President. “At Gorst & Compass we’re dedicated to providing exceptional service and expertise to our clients and business partners.”
What are the most important issues facing the industry today?
"Our industry is growing, and it's an exciting time to be part of this business," Clark said. "With growth also comes the need to find and retain great talent. Talent shortages have been particularly challenging for insurance. However, these industry challenges create great opportunities and a chance for the industry to redefine itself. Today insurance offers many emerging roles and provides career-driven individuals’ flexibility to expand. Today there are also more opportunities to promote diversity within insurance, and new technology innovations can draw more candidates with tech aspirations. The key to attracting great talent is education, and offering great
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culture and development opportunities will help retain them."
Why Join IIABCal?
"The networking and relationship opportunities provide significant benefits," Clark said. "As a wholesaler, these were important reasons for Gorst & Compass to join IIABCal. We understand the significance of community partnerships and are committed to supporting independent agents and brokers.
"With our strong presence throughout California and our goals to expand, IIABCal provides us a variety of forums to bring us together with agents to share and collaborate. These relationships create long term mutual business opportunities."
Read here the full member spotlight story on Gorst & Compass Insurance.
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Un-FORE-gettable Sacramento Golf Day
IIAB Sacramento members in June got together for the 78th Annual Golf Day! The Golf Committee, chaired by Brennen Cull of CoreMark Insurance Services, did an incredible job delivering another great event! Golf, raffle prizes and delicious food is why this event sells out, and you don’t want to miss it next year!
We truly have an amazing community, and have some other events planned for 2022, including the Big I Day, Oct. 4th, and the Annual Meeting, Dec. 13th. For more information check out our upcoming events.
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IBA-SFV Members Merry At Monty's
More than 20 industry professional joined IBA-SFV board members Aug. 18th for drinks, laughs, and stories at “Third Thursday at Monty’s”. At the monthly event, the first drink is on IBA-SFV, and this week, we partnered with another organization that brought in “young” entrepreneurs to mingle with our agents, carriers, and wholesalers. Come see us at next “Third Thursday at Monty’s”.
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Cornhole Event Benefits Charities
IIAB San Diego held its first Cornhole Event last month with more than 55 attendees. It was a great afternoon/evening to network plus IIAB San Diego gave away 50% of its proceeds to local charities. Thank you to all of those that attended, especially our sponsors: Preferred Employers Insurance, Liberty Mutual/Safeco Insurance, and Stonemark! We were able to send just over $2,000.00 to the "Food 4 Kids Backpack Program" at the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank.
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LA Initiative To Clean Up Seal Beach
IIABCal & IIABA Los Angeles member, The J. Morey Company, recently joined their parent company, Ori-gen, in participating in a local beach clean-up day in Seal Beach. As part of its quarterly community engagement initiative, the beach clean-up was a great way for their team to come together to help make a positive impact in their community. They are looking forward to their next initiative as they continue to find new ways to give back.
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Blast From The Past:
From left is IIABCal Past President & Ramsden/ Sullivan Recipient Harry Schroeter, Jr. of Oakland; unidentified man; and Jo Conway Roberts, Field Rep. for Royal Insurance Co. who later joined IIABCal's staff as director of the Insurance Automation Center.
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