Issue #236 - 6.8.2023

Arizona's New Dog Breed Statute and DIFI FAQs

A new statute restricting insurance companies from using the breed of a dog as the sole factor considered for homeowners' and renters' insurance goes into effect for new policies and renewals from and after June 30, 2023.

The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions recently released FAQs for guidance on the law. It is important for producers to understand what these changes mean and the impact it could have on agencies' errors and omissions and umbrella policies.

Keep Reading and Get DIFI FAQs

Renewal Commissions on Work Comp Assigned Risk Policies

Arizona's Workers Compensation Assigned Risk Program has a unique requirement. Producers must submit rejections from two standard markets every year that the policy remains in the Assigned Risk Program in order to receive commissions.

Read More

Privacy Notice Requirements Changed Years Ago

Did you know that privacy notices don't need to be sent annually?

In 2019, Arizona Statutes were modified and insurance producers are no longer required to send out annual privacy notices to policyholders, unless your agency’s privacy practices or policies have changed. Please note, you must still provide the agency’s privacy policy during the application process to the applicant.

More Information and Privacy Notice Templates

IIABAZ Officers and Directors Named for New Term

The 2023 Nominating Committee has met and submits the following list of 2023/2024 Officers and Elected Directors for consideration for a member vote at the August 9th Annual Meeting:

President: Whitney Hoelzen, CIC of Glendale Insurance

President Elect: Martin Uhlhorn, CIC, LUTCF of Strong Tower Insurance Group

Vice President: Mike Gallaugher of Toro Insurance Group

Secretary Treasurer: Zach Burton of LeBaron & Carroll LLC

State National Director: David Cummard of The Mahoney Group

Ex Officio, Past President: Matthew Snowden, CRIS, CLCS of The Mahoney Group

Elected Director: Kim Adams, CPRIA, LUTCF of Remy Grey LLC

Elected Director: Jeff Cyr of The Arizona Group

Elected Director: Kelley Kimble of A and H Insurance, Inc.

Elected Director: Tyler Woodruff of Powers-Leavitt Insurance Agency, Inc.

IIABAZ's Annual Business Meeting will be held at the Renaissance Glendale Hotel located 9495 W Coyotes Blvd, Glendale, AZ 85305 on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at 4pm as part of our 89th Convention. All Members are invited to attend the Annual Business Meeting for free along with the Opening Night Reception and Thursday's Trade Show from 2-7pm. Details and registrations are at www.iiabaz.com/Convention.

IIABAZ Nominating Committee Bulletin

Free Commercial Producer Onboarding Guide

Members must be logged into iiabaz.com to access this Guide developed by the Big I Professional Liability Team.

Get the Guide

Senate Reintroduces Bill to Make 20% Tax Deduction Permanent for Small Businesses

The “Main Street Tax Certainty Act" was reintroduced in the Senate on May 24, 2023. The Act would make permanent the 20% small business deduction (Section 199A) that was passed as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act and is set to expire at the end of 2025.

The bill was reintroduced a matter of weeks after the 2023 Big I Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., when Big I members advocated for the deduction and other issues that are imperative to their business and community on Capitol Hill.

We will continue to support the legislation and keep members informed.

Are You Monitoring Producer KPIs?

The Best Practices Study provides dozens of key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess overall operating efficiencies, a major influencer of profitability, growth and valuation. A solid understanding of how these metrics are calculated and why they are important is essential to creating a high-value agency.

Continue Reading

Two Free Tech Webinars for Members

On June 22 at 11a.m. AZ Time, Chris Cline, ACT's executive director, and Cameron Nordholm, head of strategy for ACT supporting partner AgentSync, get together to discuss how making decisions with data can elevate your way of doing business. Join them for the webinar, “Making Data-Driven Decisions," on how using data can drive intelligence and efficiency to make informed decisions, ensure accurate and continuous compliance management, and secure market share with competitive intelligence. Register now.

On June 28 11a.m. AZ Time, Malcolm MacDonald, director of business development at ACT supporting member Red Planet Software, takes the stage with Cline for the webinar, “Challenge What You Do!" Learn how the payment experience is often overlooked as an important client interaction, and be challenged to reevaluate agency payment methods as a positive differentiator. Register now.

For more technology content, watch ACT's library of on-demand webinars. 

Helpful Links

• Insurance License Search
• Continuing Education Transcript Search
• Insurance License Application
• DIFI Enforcement Actions, Hearings and Reports
• NCCI Arizona WC State Advisory Resource Site

Got Insurance Questions? Ask An Expert

Find Solutions to tough technical questions with Big I experts. Free Member Resource. 

Thank You Association Industry Partners

ADVOCATE

Liberty Mutual & Safeco Insurance

STEWARD

Commonwealth Casualty Company

BENEFACTOR

Acuity Insurance

AmShield Insurance

Aspera Insurance Services

Capital Premium Financing

CopperPoint Insurance Companies

EMC Insurance Companies

Hallmark Financial Specialty Personal Lines

Homeowners of America Insurance Company

Imperial PFS

Insurors Indemnity Companies

JM Wilson

Mountain States Insurance Group

Pathward Insurance Premium Finance

SECURA Insurance

Travelers

SUPPORTER

Burns & Wilcox LTD

Pie Insurance

UFG Insurance