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From The President's Desk....<br />
Brian L. Bergman<br />
President<br />
Tri-County & Suffolk County Independent<br />
Agents Tackle our Coastal Insurance Issues<br />
with Local Legislators<br />
Steven Visco<br />
Tri-County Treasurer<br />
March Meeting Report and Photos<br />
Frank Elorza<br />
Public Relations Chairman<br />
Tri-County Director<br />
The “I” Legislative Conference & Convention<br />
in Washington, DC<br />
A “First Timer’s” Perspective and Photos<br />
Jeff Browne<br />
Tri-County Director<br />
April Meeting Report and Photos<br />
Jeff Browne<br />
Meetings & Programs Chairman<br />
And Tri-County Director<br />
Installation Dinner Announcement<br />
Regional Director’s Report<br />
Russ Vollmer<br />
Tom Crowley<br />
Scholarship Report<br />
Mark Chandler<br />
Education Chairman<br />
Tri-County Director<br />
Joel S. Pollack Memorial Scholarship Essay<br />
Stephen T. Dooley Community Service Award<br />
Scholarship<br />
TriCounty Board of Directors<br />
2008-2009<br />
Notes from Nicaragua<br />
John Natale<br />
First Adjustment Group, Inc.<br />
Golf Outing<br />
Dispelling Home-Based Business Myths,<br />
Misconceptions<br />
Get Educated at the Big “I” Virtual<br />
University<br />
Richard Longueira, AAI<br />
NY State Dean<br />
Virtual University<br />
Important News of Note<br />
Richard Longueira, AAI<br />
Tri-Lines Editor<br />
Seminar Calendar<br />
2008 Lustig & Brown E&O Seminars Coming<br />
to a Location Near You!<br />
Directors & Officers Directory<br />
Advertiser Directory<br />
Contact<br />
Join the Tri-County Independent Insurance Agents Association<br />
e-newsletter<br />
e-mail: Go<br />
If you would like to stay up to date, please enter your e-mail address<br />
above to receive important information from Tri County.<br />
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
<strong>SIGN</strong> <strong>UP</strong> <strong>NOW</strong>!<br />
* * *<br />
May 28, 2008<br />
Installation Dinner<br />
Fox Hollow Catering &<br />
Conference Center<br />
*Reserve Now*<br />
Reservations required by<br />
May 14<br />
June 23, 2008<br />
Jackson Traub Golf Outing<br />
Woodmere Club
FROM THE<br />
PRESIDENT'S DESK....<br />
WHERE DID A YEAR GO?<br />
Brian L. Bergman<br />
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
As those who preceded me have often acknowledged, it all goes by so fast. I firmly believe<br />
this turned out to be another strong and successful year for TriCounty.<br />
We started off with an agenda of changing how we present this association to our members;<br />
expanding the reach of the information we convey. Our Tri-Lines publication has be<strong>com</strong>e an<br />
electronic success. Rick Longueira’s determination has made our foray into the digital world<br />
worthy of our members and associates that receive it. It has been well thought out by our<br />
<strong>com</strong>mittee and, in my view, presents as a classy publication. We have undeniably caught the<br />
fever and have started on further improvements to the publication. Look ahead to Tri-Lines<br />
2.0.<br />
The website of the association has been transformed as well. Frank Elorza and his <strong>com</strong>mittee<br />
have put forth an improved and more visible website that we expect to grow even further. Our<br />
email list is has grown well beyond the number of members and sponsors, and it continues to<br />
expand. Take a moment to go on our website and enter email addresses of employees or<br />
associates that would benefit from receiving TriLines.<br />
Our events calendar has been equally busy. In October we kicked of the year with the<br />
Wholesalers Are In panel which drew excellent attendance and produced a well informed<br />
evening. It’s always a goal of ours to have an event that draws as many people as possible,<br />
but equally important was getting to see many new faces among others we have not seen in<br />
a while.<br />
November’s IIABNY member meeting ac<strong>com</strong>plished the same. IABNY staff presented several<br />
topics to a room full of attentive members. We learned about employment related issues and<br />
how to deal with the pressure from direct writers. Additionally, November saw the Downstate<br />
Conference and Trade Show. An extremely powerful panel of past Insurance Commissioners<br />
honored the crowd with knowledgeable opinions and stories from the past. This was truly a<br />
once in a career opportunity.<br />
Our holiday party in December seems to get better each year and grow in size. We may need<br />
to look into a bigger room soon. The music was great, as well as the festive atmosphere.<br />
L-Day arrived a little early, in January, but was certainly a success. Our confident and<br />
optimistic group set out to meet eye to eye with our state representatives and present them<br />
with our agenda. As is the case each year, we received positive feedback that this face time<br />
with agents/brokers and <strong>com</strong>pany reps is truly appreciated up in Albany. For those among us<br />
that don’t take advantage of this opportunity I again affirm; you are passing up on a<br />
tremendous opportunity to make a difference in your industry.<br />
Moving into February, we were fortunate to have Gary Parks speak to us on sales techniques<br />
and other ways to create better opportunities to grow in business. It’s rare to see so many<br />
people stay after a meeting to meet our speaker to further the experience. Gary was well<br />
received and it has been requested that he speak again. We will oblige.<br />
The big event was in March. Robert Hartwig, President of the Insurance Information Institute,<br />
had always been high on the list of notable industry insiders that we wanted as a speaker.<br />
With help from our friends in Suffolk we organized a standing room only afternoon. Bob’s<br />
insights on the fundamentals and trends driving our insurance industry were quite impressive.<br />
Our April trip to Washington, D.C.<br />
was met with a bit more pressure for<br />
our contingency. The Optional Federal<br />
Charter issue seemed to threaten<br />
momentum and required the hands<br />
on contact of our members. We were<br />
told by almost every Congressional<br />
Office that this remains at bay due to<br />
our members being there in person<br />
and fighting.<br />
In May we’ll start a new beginning<br />
with the installation of Evan Portnoy<br />
as our new President on the 28th,<br />
along with a still energized board of<br />
directors that are truly fantastic. I<br />
have all the confidence that this shall<br />
be a better year for TriCounty. The<br />
annual Jackson Traub Golf Outing on<br />
June 23rd is already taking<br />
reservations so book now while<br />
there’s room. The day has always<br />
been fun.<br />
I am grateful for having experienced<br />
the responsibilities and personal<br />
satisfaction that TCIIAA President has<br />
offered. It has been most rewarding<br />
to work along with our great Board of<br />
Directors, and to have been involved<br />
in as much of the business of the<br />
association that I had been. I look<br />
forward to Evan Portnoy’s year ahead<br />
and know that with his capabilities<br />
and knowledge we are certain to have<br />
another successful year.<br />
With gratitude,<br />
Brian Bergman
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
ADVERTISEMENT<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
TRI-COUNTY & SUFFOLK COUNTY<br />
INDEPENDENT AGENTS TACKLE<br />
OUR COASTAL INSURANCE<br />
ISSUES WITH LOCAL<br />
LEGISLATORS<br />
Steven Visco<br />
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
On Friday, April 18, a group of agents from the IIAA of Suffolk Co and the Tri-County Agents<br />
Association met with Assembly Insurance Committee Chair Joe Morelle and a group of Long<br />
Island Assembly Members. Joining Chairman Morelle were Assemblywoman Ginny Fields, who<br />
hosted the meeting in her Bayport office, Assemblywoman Patty Eddington, Assemblymen<br />
Phil Boyle and Mark Alessi, and a representative from Assemblyman Fred Thiele’s office to<br />
hear first-hand from agents about the deterioration of the Long Island homeowners market.<br />
Representing Tri-County were Evan Portnoy, Steve Folan, Ken Hehir, Frank Elorza, and Steve<br />
Visco. Representing Suffolk Co were Tom Crowley, Mike Romeo, John Mulvey, John Stype and<br />
Jim Sutton.<br />
continued below -<br />
Tom Crowley did a superior job leading the discussion and Assemblyman Morelle and the<br />
other legislators were very open in the discussion. In addition to presenting statistical data<br />
supporting the severity of market problems on Long Island, the agents provided specific<br />
examples of the pricing and availability issues affecting their customers. Among the solutions<br />
offered by the agents group was legislation to create incentives for insurers offering the<br />
equivalent of an HO-3 wrap policy, regulatory changes to allow pass-through of reinsurance<br />
costs and making the New York Property Insurance Underwriting Association (NYPIUA)<br />
permanent. Also discussed was legislation that would allow for flex-bands for rate increases<br />
or decreases, depending on specific levels of <strong>com</strong>petition within a market. The proposal<br />
would apply to all lines of insurance except workers <strong>com</strong>pensation and medical malpractice.<br />
Also discussed was the standardization of wind deductible triggers. Assemblyman Morelle and<br />
the other legislators in attendance promised to work with the association and the Senate<br />
Insurance Committee to find solutions that will create additional market capacity and ease<br />
the growing availability problem and coverage deficiencies.<br />
This was the second agents meeting we have had with Assemblyman Morelle in as many<br />
weeks (he met at IIABNY’s DeWitt office with the IIAA of Central NY on April 10) and clearly<br />
believes in a free market approach whenever possible. In his words, consumers need choices<br />
in the marketplace and while the protection of consumer rights is important, he does not<br />
believe in creating an environment that neglects the business environment.
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
ADVERTISEMENT<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
MARCH MEETING REPORT<br />
Frank Elorza<br />
Public Relations Chairman<br />
Tri-County Director<br />
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
The highlight of our March 6, 2008 joint meeting with the Independent Insurance Agents and<br />
Brokers of Suffolk County was the presentation by Dr. Robert P. Hartwig.<br />
He is a member of the American Economic Association, the American Risk and Insurance<br />
Association, the National Association of Business Economics and the CPCU Society and serves<br />
on the board of directors of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers Association of<br />
New York.<br />
Dr. Hartwig serves as a media spokesperson for the property/casualty insurance industry,<br />
and is quoted frequently in leading publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New<br />
York Times, and National Underwriter and on television, including programs on ABC, CBS,<br />
NBC, CNN and Fox.<br />
The presentation provided us with an incredible amount of insight into the factors impacting<br />
our industry. The PowerPoint presentation can be viewed on our website home page<br />
www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong> (under the news and information section). If you have difficulty<br />
accessing this information, I can also email you a copy. Simply contact me at<br />
felorza@clubagency.<strong>com</strong> or 516.873.2387.<br />
continued below -<br />
Rich DeLasota, Brian Grossane (NIF), Steve<br />
Rodriquez (NIF), Tom Lucie, Ed Lucie and Dick<br />
Richtberg<br />
Jim Stipp Nancy Reiersen (Commercial Mutual) &<br />
Stan Landberg (Commercial Mutual)<br />
Lane Rubin, Joe Ogno (EVENSONBEST), Evan<br />
Portnoy, Ken Hehir<br />
John Mulvey,Jamie Deapo of IIABNY , Robert<br />
Hartwig, Brian Bixby of IIABNY, Brian Bergman<br />
Heidi Fox, Anthony Cacioppo (VANE Excess &<br />
Surplus) Jeff Browne<br />
Raffle winner Scott Lobell with raffle donor Steve<br />
Abrams of PEO Source.<br />
IIAA Suffolk County Vice President John Mulvey<br />
and Tri-County President Brian Bergman flank<br />
Guest Speaker Dr. Robert Hartwig, PhD and<br />
present him with a Speakers’ Gift.<br />
Jim Katoff of The Premins Company is flanked by<br />
Tom Lucie and Scott Lobel<br />
Joel Blitzer, Larry Trapani, Ed Weidler, Jennifer<br />
Savnik (Branch) & Melanie Accardi (Branch)<br />
Steve Spiro. Peter Meehan (AIB), Michael Romeo<br />
Jr. (AIB), Evan Portnoy<br />
Steve Spiro, Jessica Schwinn (IIABNY Trusted<br />
Premium Funding) Lane Rubin<br />
Michael Levine, David Pinto (Great American<br />
Restoration) Brian Bergman, Justin Fries, Sam<br />
Pinto (Great American Restoration)<br />
Raffle winner Stan Landberg with raffle donor<br />
David Pinto of Great American Restoration.<br />
50/50 Raffle winner George Montana with Tri-<br />
County President Brian Bergman.<br />
Steve Rodriguez and Brian Grossane of NIF<br />
Group are flanked by David Borg and Sean Borg<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
ADVERTISEMENT<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
THE “I” LEGISLATIVE<br />
CONFERENCE & CONVENTION IN<br />
WASHINGTON, DC<br />
A “FIRST TIMER’S” PERSPECTIVE<br />
Jeff Browne<br />
Tri-County Director<br />
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
Have you been to one yet? Probably not, if you are like most agents. This was my first time<br />
and it was quite an eye opening experience. Eight of us from TriCounty went this year.<br />
Hopefully, there will be more next year since there are over 300 of us in TriCounty.<br />
The Conference Issues briefing Wednesday afternoon was very <strong>com</strong>prehensive. It made me<br />
feel like our representatives really wanted to talk to us the following day. The breakfast<br />
session Thursday started at 7 a.m. with several hundred agents attending. Every state was<br />
represented. It was rather long but very informative, with 2 terrific Keynote Speakers.<br />
Afterwards, it was off to Capitol Hill for a very busy day. Our group split up to cover the eight<br />
appointments we had throughout the day. It was an honor to talk to our representatives<br />
about our current issues and extremely satisfying to walk the congressional halls of our<br />
Capitol and talk with members of Congress and their staff. By the end of the day I felt we<br />
really got out point across on where we stood on important issues.<br />
I couldn’t stay until Friday, but wished I had. But next year, I plan on the entire 3 days since<br />
Friday includes the tradeshow. So, it was off to the airport, after dinner, Thursday night.<br />
If you have not been to the Big “I “Legislative Conference & Convention, you really should<br />
consider it next year, or the year after. After all, if you want change for the better, in OUR<br />
industry, it all starts here. Go once, and I think you’ll want to go every year.<br />
The Tri-County Delegation in the Halls of<br />
Congress<br />
The Tri-County Delegation with Congressman<br />
Gregory Meeks<br />
Steve Spiro and Vinny Alba flank outgoing IIABA<br />
Chairman Bob Fulwider. More on Vinny Alba in<br />
this issue.<br />
The Tri-County Delegation discussing an issue in<br />
Congressman Meek’s Office<br />
The Tri-County Delegation with Congresswoman<br />
Carolyn McCarthy<br />
The Tri-County Delegation was energized with a<br />
fine meal the evening before.<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
ADVERTISEMENT<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
APRIL MEETING REPORT<br />
Jeff Browne<br />
Meetings & Programs Chairman<br />
And Tri-County Director<br />
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
If you missed our April 8th meeting at the Coral House in Baldwin, you missed another great<br />
meeting. The first order of business was the nomination of the new slate of officers and<br />
directors for the <strong>com</strong>ing term. A listing of the new slate can be found in this issue.<br />
Brought back by popular demand, our guest speaker was none other than Nicholas “Coach<br />
Nick” Papadopoulos. “Coach Nick” is the founder and Chief Sales Officer of Sky’s The Limit, a<br />
consultancy that helps sales professionals and sales organizations develop their selling skills,<br />
sales process and sales plan in driving top line growth and effectiveness. He has also helped<br />
sales organizations create a winning environment by re<strong>com</strong>mending effective organizational<br />
designs, help identify and hire the right people, and provide ideas and methods on ways to<br />
make teams more productive and improving selling effectiveness.<br />
Needless to say, “Coach Nick’s” presentation was highly energized and the participation from<br />
the audience was tremendous. He gave us tips on how to create our “All Star Team” by using<br />
our existing clients, turning them into advocates, and having them introduce us to new<br />
contacts. Lots of useful input from the audience as well.<br />
Hope to see you at our Installation!<br />
continued below -<br />
Rick Longueira, Pete Meehan of America’s<br />
Internet Brokers, and James Rodgers from Simon<br />
Agency<br />
Steve Spiro, Jim Katoff of the Premins Company,<br />
and Stephan Folan<br />
Newly Appointed Tri-County Director Peter<br />
Phillips, Dennis Lombardi of Maxons Restoration,<br />
and Steve Spiro<br />
IIABNY Dignitaries: State National Director<br />
Steven Spiro, with Regional Directors Eileen<br />
Frank and Russell Vollmer<br />
Kevin Crossley, Jeff Browne, and Stan Landberg<br />
of Commercial Mutual Insurance Co.<br />
Our Guest Speaker “Coach Nick” with Kevin<br />
Crossley<br />
Jennifer Savnik and Melanie Accardi of Branch<br />
Restoration, with Bob Messina<br />
“Coach Nick” in action.<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
ADVERTISEMENT<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
DOWNLOAD AND PRINT PDF<br />
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
ANNOUNCEMENT<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
ADVERTISEMENT<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
REGIONAL DIRECTOR’S REPORT<br />
Russ Vollmer<br />
Tom Crowley<br />
Regional Directors<br />
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
The following is a summary of the issues being addressed by IIABNY on behalf of our<br />
membership and the general public.<br />
Coastal Insurance. The Association is taking a multi-step approach to the coastal market<br />
situation that includes: regulatory reform to improve the climate for insurers and allow for<br />
the use of catastrophe modeling for rating purposes, legislative changes to make alternate<br />
markets more available, C-Map expansion (use of HO-3-like wrap policies) and<br />
improvements, permanency of the FAIR Plan, streamlining of rate review processes and some<br />
means of standardizing wind deductible triggers.<br />
Broker Compensation Disclosure. The Association’s board has approved a resolution<br />
calling for voluntary disclosure by agents and brokers. (We prefer voluntary disclosure at the<br />
request of a customer to mandatory disclosure to everyone.) Should the Insurance Dept.<br />
prepare a regulation on this issue, the Association has prepared suggested disclosure<br />
language to re<strong>com</strong>mend. IIABNY continues to be the only producer organization regularly<br />
testifying at public hearings on this issue. IIABNY will also review current and new alternative<br />
profit-sharing <strong>com</strong>pensation arrangements to determine their impact on agents.<br />
continued below -<br />
Workers Compensation. With respect to the NY Workers Compensation Law Reform Act of<br />
2007, IIABNY has prepared a white paper that outlines all the changes. This document can be<br />
accessed on the Research Page of IIABNY’s website: www.iiabny.org. We continue to meet<br />
with the Workers Compensation Board about the situation for out-of-state employees who<br />
travel into NY for meetings, seminars, etc. IIABNY is also looking into the State Fund’s NY<br />
Assessment being lower than that of private carriers, the Fund’s current 30-day advance<br />
notice requirement when a policyholder wants to change insurers and whether the Fund can<br />
be authorized to accept ACORD forms instead of their own..<br />
Auto Fraud. IIABNY is working with carriers and via the NY First Auto Fraud Coalition to<br />
broker a consensus between the Senate and Assembly about meaningful auto fraud<br />
legislation. So far, a result has been legislation enacted to de-certify health insurance<br />
providers who engage in fraud. (Auto insurance fraud adds an average of $124 a year to the<br />
premium for each NY insured vehicle.)<br />
Labor Law Reform. IIABNY continues to support the Businesses for a Better NY’s efforts at<br />
repealing the “no defense” provision in the current law. Currently, this effort, in the form of a<br />
dismissed lawsuit, is being appealed in the US Court of Appeals, 2md Circuit. There has been<br />
no legislative action on amending the law.<br />
Late Notice of Claims. IIABNY is drafting suggested legislation to define under what<br />
circumstances a claim can be denied by an insurer for late notice – essentially requiring the<br />
insurer to specifically demonstrate that the late notice was prejudicial to the insurer. The<br />
Association board adopted a policy statement on this issue and the statement can be viewed<br />
on IIABNY’s Leadership page at www.iiabny.org. Our statement has been distributed to the<br />
top 25 insurers in NY urging voluntary adoption of the suggested standards until a permanent<br />
solution is found. IIABNY has on several occasions been successful in having individual cases<br />
of late notice denials revered by the carrier involved.<br />
Other Issues.<br />
The NY Assembly has struck out the governor’s proposal to increase the $5 fee for<br />
each insured vehicle to $20 per vehicle.<br />
Commercial De-regulation is resurfacing again. This is an effort to free <strong>com</strong>mercial<br />
lines of insurance from much of the current regulations which could also put an end to<br />
many of the current protections in the current system. IIABNY will be watching this<br />
issue very closely.<br />
Wrap-Up insurance for major construction jobs is also resurfacing and with the<br />
contractors’ insurance situation being what it is today, this may well have some<br />
momentum this time and may, indeed, be the reason this is be<strong>com</strong>ing a current topic.<br />
Commercial loss runs are now being centrally reported much as personal lines claims<br />
are and some are currently available via lossruns.<strong>com</strong>.<br />
Respectfully submitted,<br />
Russ Vollmer<br />
Tom Crowley<br />
Regional Directors<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
ADVERTISEMENT<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
SCHOLARSHIP REPORT<br />
Mark Chandler<br />
Education Chairman<br />
Tri-County Director<br />
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
We are please to have received numerous applications for both the Joel s. Pollack Memorial<br />
Scholarship and the Stephen T. Dooley Community Service Scholarship from students all over<br />
the Tri-County area. After careful consideration by our <strong>com</strong>mittee, we are please to present<br />
the following winners:<br />
For the Joel S. Pollack Memorial Scholarship: Nicole Jones. Nicole is a senior at Clara Barton<br />
High School in Brooklyn and plans to attend SUNY Binghamton in the fall.<br />
For the Stephen T. Dooley Community Service Scholarship: Rachel Albert. Rachel is a senior<br />
at the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County and plans to attend Queens College in the fall.<br />
These students, along with their parents, will be invited to our Installation Dinner on May<br />
28th, at which time they will be recognized.<br />
The winning Scholarships are included in this issue.<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
ADVERTISEMENT<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
JOEL S. POLLACK MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ESSAY<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
ADVERTISEMENT<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
STEPHEN T. DOOLEY<br />
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD SCHOLARSHIP<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
TriCounty Board of Directors<br />
2008-2009<br />
The following officers and directors will be installed on<br />
Wednesday, May 28, 2008<br />
at the Fox Hollow, 7725 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury, NY 11797<br />
President<br />
Evan S. Portnoy<br />
Rampart Brokerage Corp.<br />
1983 Marcus Avenue<br />
Lake Success, NY 11042<br />
Treasurer<br />
Steven Visco, PhD, AAI<br />
C.H. Edwards, Inc.<br />
791 South Main Street<br />
Farmingdale, NY 11735<br />
Eileen Abatelli Black, CPCU<br />
Abatelli Group, Inc.<br />
24-55 Francis Lewis Blvd.<br />
Whitestone, NY 11357<br />
Mark Chandler<br />
Blaich Associates, Inc.<br />
240 Plandome Road<br />
Manhasset, NY 11030<br />
Robert E. Mackoul, CLU<br />
Mackoul & Associates, Inc.<br />
214 West Park Avenue<br />
Long Beach, NY 11561<br />
OFFICERS<br />
DIRECTORS<br />
Vice President<br />
Stephen J. Folan<br />
The Folan Agency, Ltd.<br />
378 Port Washington Blvd.<br />
Port Washington, NY 11050<br />
Secretary<br />
Richard Longueira, AAI<br />
Petrocelli Group, Inc.<br />
162-01 Sanford Avenue<br />
Flushing, NY 11358<br />
Jeffrey L. Browne<br />
J. Nicholas Krug Insurance<br />
635 Jericho Turnpike<br />
New Hyde Park, NY 11040<br />
Frank J. Elorza<br />
Club Agency Ins. Brokerage, LLC<br />
1415 Kellum Place<br />
Garden City, NY 11530<br />
Peter Phillips<br />
Phillips Brokerage, Inc.<br />
36-19 Broadway<br />
Astoria, New York 11103<br />
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
The Immediate Past President will serve as a member of the Executive<br />
Committee.<br />
Brian L. Bergman<br />
Meyerson Roth Company, Inc.<br />
P.O. Box 178<br />
Long Beach, NY 11561<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
NOTES FROM NICARAGUA<br />
John Natale<br />
First Adjustment Group, Inc.<br />
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
On Sunday March 2, 2008 I embarked on a journey that would change my perspective of life<br />
and how it should be lived.<br />
December 6, 2007 the Tri-County holiday party was held at the Chateaubriand. I attended<br />
and listened to the speakers discuss a non-profit organization, Bridges to Community. My<br />
firm, First Adjustment Group, Inc., requested information from Terry Flood of the Flood<br />
Group and, when it arrived I, with the backing of First Adjustment Group, tentatively decided<br />
to go to Nicaragua with the Business Leaders group. I say tentatively because I knew no one<br />
going on the trip and I had never been to Nicaragua. The trip advertised luxuries such as<br />
bottled water, latrines, “bucket showers” and the always chic mosquito netting. As the trip<br />
approached I became more apprehensive and went to meet Terry Flood who proceeded to<br />
allay most of my fears. Thank God for Terry or I don’t think Kathy Mistretta of MRW Group or<br />
I would have made it.<br />
“Fernanda” John Natale with “Erika”<br />
I awoke on March 2, 2008 and left for LaGuardia Airport with two duffel bags, a carry on<br />
piece of luggage a box and a ton of butterflies in my stomach. Upon my arrival I was<br />
immediately met and wel<strong>com</strong>ed by others in the group. There were twelve of us in all: some<br />
who had prior experience and we “newbies” as were known. The group consisted of people<br />
from all walks of life and from as far away as Vermont. When I met everyone I<br />
instantaneously knew I had made the right choice to go. We arrived in Nicaragua Sunday<br />
evening and spent our first night in a hotel. (I guess they wanted to make the transition for<br />
the “newbies” easier.) I didn’t sleep the night before the trip due to nerves and I also didn’t<br />
sleep our first night in the hotel. “Was it safe?” Did I make a mistake?” “Would I find the<br />
next day’s living conditions unbearable?” These were three of the many thoughts I was<br />
having. I definitely knew I had to book time with a psychiatrist when I returned to the<br />
states!<br />
Monday morning we arrived at our destination, a village in Masaya, Nicaragua. You are<br />
immediately confronted with the poverty level of the area. We’re all used to reading about<br />
poor people in the US or seeing photos. Nothing could prepare you for seeing four tree limbs<br />
stuck in the ground wrapped with plastic or pieces of scrap wood, cardboard and corrugated<br />
metal strung together to form four walls and a roof. These “structures” were no larger than a<br />
backyard shed but, when I asked, I was informed that families lived in these! There was no<br />
electricity, no indoor plumbing and no clean water. These people used outhouses and filled 55<br />
gallon drums with water for cooking, drinking and bathing. The ground surrounding the<br />
homes was baked by a relentless sun during the dry season and was nothing more than dust<br />
that was kicked up just by someone walking. I WANTED OUT OF THERE!<br />
We set up our gear in a concrete block walled <strong>com</strong>munity center that had been built by<br />
Bridges to Community. We had cots and mosquito netting and it looked like a military camp.<br />
Our leaders in Nicaragua, two relocated Americans Bonny and Jim, had us set up our gear,<br />
fed us breakfast and started us off on our adventure. Our task was to build two 15’ x 18’<br />
concrete block structures with a steel roof in less than one week. Impossible? Not the way<br />
Bonnie and Jim have it organized. We walked over to the work site and met the families we’d<br />
be building for and also met our Nicaraguan work crew. We started by digging out for the<br />
footings and foundations followed by mixing the first of many batches of concrete. Unlike the<br />
states where you call in a backhoe then a cement truck, ALL of the work was done by hand.<br />
We broke up the ground with breaker bars, dug with shovels then sifted twelve wheel barrel<br />
loads of sand, followed by 7 loads of pebbles. To this we added the concrete mix and, starting<br />
in the middle, we had to turn out the mix into two piles then mix it back into one uniform<br />
pile. Once this was <strong>com</strong>pleted was dug out the center, added 12-15 buckets of water and<br />
added the mix back into the water. Quite hard work for a bunch of business professionals.<br />
While we did this, others in the group bent reinforcing bar, made rebar ties and prepped the<br />
site. In the week we were there we mixed and moved dozens of yard of concrete and over<br />
1,000 concrete blocks. By the end of the first day we had the footings poured. All this in 90<br />
degree plus heat. You’d think we’d be miserable but, I forgot to tell you we were right in the<br />
middle of the village surrounded by children of all ages. There they were living in this squalor<br />
but we all began to notice something; they were all always smiling. Though I should have<br />
been exhausted at the end of the day I wasn’t. Instead, I was invigorated. We went back to<br />
our “barracks” and relaxed for a while. It was at this point I was introduced to the quaint<br />
practice of “bucket showers”. For those who’ve never experienced one, you take water in 55<br />
gallon drums that’s been heated by the sun all day, you dunk a 5 gallon bucket into this<br />
water and you bring it into a “shower” that has no shower head, no drain and no faucet. Oh,<br />
along with the 5 gallon bucket you must bring in a one quart Chinese food soup container<br />
hereby known as the shower. You take your soup container, dunk it in your bucket and dump<br />
that over your head. Add a little soap and you’ve got a shower. Actually, it feels great at the<br />
end of a hard day. The night ended with a bunch of us playing a ridiculous card game known<br />
as “Oh Hell”. It was a fun way to get to know everyone and is also where the week long<br />
abuse sessions and inside jokes started. We were be<strong>com</strong>ing a family. I went to bed in my cot<br />
and mosquito netting not wanting to leave but beginning to see what this whole trip was<br />
about. We had begun to bond with each other and with the Nicaraguan workers and the<br />
locals. Maybe Bridges was onto something? I awoke around 2:30 am to the first rooster<br />
crowing. This was followed by numerous others well before dawn. At 3:30 am the first bus<br />
rumbled down the road with air horns blaring picking up the locals to go work at the sweat<br />
shops for $3.00 per day. I just found out why the Bridges packing guide suggested earplugs<br />
which I had left in my bags and had no way of finding at this moment.<br />
I got out of my cot at 5:45 am and walked out of the barracks. I saw some of my colleagues<br />
sitting out front. I grabbed a cup of coffee and joined them which began our morning<br />
tradition of watching the locals walk, drive, bicycle and go by in horse drawn buggies. Each<br />
and every one of the slowed down to wave to and greet the “gringos” with a Buenos Dias or<br />
Hola. The smiles and the greetings were all sincere. I was beginning to realize they were<br />
slowly drawing me into their world and alleviating the pressures of my normally fast paced<br />
cell phone and e-mail driven world. You see, there was to be none of that in Nicaragua.<br />
Day two at the work site began by loading 300 concrete blocks into the center of each of the<br />
building sites by human train, mixing another batch of cement and starting to build the<br />
concrete walls. By lunch time we had the first five courses <strong>com</strong>pleted and by the end of the<br />
day we had the structural concrete with rebar poured. The balance of the work days<br />
consisted of mixing, hauling and pouring concrete and installing block. By the end of the<br />
second day it was beginning to look like a house. Enough about the physical labor. Though it<br />
was extremely rewarding, something else was going on. I was beginning to fall in love with<br />
the Nicaraguan people. I found them to be a warm, caring, hard working very generous<br />
people. Though they were poor they seemed to have something we so dearly lack in our<br />
society. There was a love of life, a love for the things that were important; family and<br />
<strong>com</strong>munity.<br />
Terry Flood with some of the “little ones” “Little Hilda”<br />
At the end of day one I introduced the Nicaraguan crew to whiffle ball and at the end of day<br />
two Terry Flood, Dr. John and I played hardball with them on a hilly makeshift ball field using<br />
tree leaves as bases and hitting an old torn up baseball with an aluminum bat that had seen<br />
its better days in the 1990’s. I couldn’t have been happier had I been in the middle of Shea<br />
Stadium and I’m sure Terry will back me up. We all bonded that night even though we were<br />
separated by our different languages. Some things transcend all obstacles. By the end of day<br />
two I had stopped thinking about leaving and started thinking about whom I’d be bringing<br />
with me next year! I started to understand the name Bridges to Community. Though we were<br />
building homes for people more importantly we were bridging the gap between our two<br />
cultures, building trust and self-esteem and a sense of hope for these people. We were<br />
letting them know they were not alone. They, in turn, gave of themselves. There were too<br />
many of the type of instances described above to relate to you. I’d need twenty pages and<br />
several hours. I guess the best way to describe it would be to tell you each of the moments<br />
now hold a special place in my heart. They are moments I will never forget! Along with our<br />
hard work we also played. We played cards every night we had energy left. We also spent an<br />
afternoon visiting local shops and markets and swimming in a crater at a volcano that<br />
became extinct over 18,000 years ago. We talked to each other and passed on our thoughts,<br />
our emotions. The first few days I felt I was on sensory overload. I wasn’t able to process all<br />
of the emotions or feelings racing through my mind. That was just a prelude to the final day,<br />
Saturday.<br />
Saturday started with us visiting a local village that produced beautiful pottery. We learned<br />
the art and also toured the market purchasing the local wares. We went to lunch at a<br />
restaurant (one of only a few meals we ate outside our site) and watched a mime troop, a<br />
clown and a Mariachi band. After lunch we were to go to the house dedication ceremonies<br />
where the houses are turned over to the deserving homeowner. We loaded up the bus after<br />
lunch and were unexpectedly joined by the Mariachi band who decided to <strong>com</strong>e along and<br />
play at the ceremony. How many of you can say you’ve ridden a bus with a Mariachi band? I<br />
can! The ceremonies began with the clown blowing up balloons for the children, the Mariachi<br />
band playing music and the locals dancing traditional dance in ceremonial garb. The entire<br />
village showed up for the dedication! When the houses were being dedicated we found out<br />
the husband of one family has been in Costa Rica working full time and rarely sees his wife.<br />
She was in tears when she told us “The Gringos could have been anywhere they wanted this<br />
week but God sent them to us. You have built me a casa de dignida (a house of dignity) and<br />
have given my family a home and hope.” There wasn’t a dry eye there. The ceremony ended<br />
and everyone milled around. It appeared as though no one wanted to leave. I know I didn’t.<br />
Then the strangest thing happened. We’re on a job site with a Nicaraguan construction crew<br />
and they started <strong>com</strong>ing over to us, hugging us, shaking our hands and, breaking the<br />
language barrier, told us how they felt about our efforts. Many of the villagers followed. I’ll<br />
guarantee you this never occurs on a NYC jobsite! Then it hit me!! This trip was not only<br />
about helping two families get their dream, a home; it was also about the relationships we<br />
built. Bridges to Community was named for just this kind of moment. We bridged the gap<br />
between our <strong>com</strong>munity and the Nicaraguan <strong>com</strong>munity. We circumvented all of the politics<br />
between our countries and brought it to a human level, a humanitarian effort. We used<br />
blocks and concrete instead of guns and built a bond that can’t be broken!<br />
I went down there with duffel bags and boxes to give away. I went there as the American<br />
going to rescue the Nicaraguans. I went down there with all of the misconceptions of an<br />
ignorant American. I came back wiser and I left with more than I brought. I came back with<br />
a respect for the Nicaraguan people and their love of life. I went down scared and unsure and<br />
at the end I did not want to leave. I would advise every one of you to take this trip. You<br />
won’t be sorry! Are you ready?<br />
“The Group”, in front of one of the two homes<br />
they just built.<br />
“Tiny Dancers”
TriCounty IIAA<br />
JACKSON TRAUB GOLF OUTING<br />
Monday, June 23, 2008<br />
9:30 a.m. Brunch<br />
10:30 a.m. Putting Contest<br />
11:45 a.m. Shotgun Tee-Off<br />
5:00 p.m. Cocktails & Dinner<br />
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
ANNOUNCEMENT<br />
Located at the beautiful Woodmere Club, this is the premier golf event of the season. The<br />
outing sells out fast so make sure you register early.<br />
Your golf fee includes use of the driving range, cart, greens fees, brunch, barbecues and<br />
refreshments on the course, cocktails, dinner, and lots of prizes and giveaways.<br />
Directions to the Woodmere Club: From South Shore: Southern State Pkwy to Peninsula Blvd.<br />
(exit 19S), Take Peninsula Blvd approx. 7 miles and turn left on Woodmere Blvd. Go to Broadway and<br />
turn right. Go approx. 1⁄4 mile and turn left at the traffic light on to Meadow Drive. Follow to the club.<br />
From North Shore: Northern State/Grand Central Pkwy to Cross Island Pkwy South. Bear Left on to<br />
Southern State Pkwy East. Take exit 13S, Central Ave. be<strong>com</strong>es Mill Rd. after Sunrise Hwy. Turn Right<br />
on Peninsula Blvd. and go approx. 1 mile. Turn left on Woodmere Blvd., follow directions above. 516-<br />
295-2500<br />
For more info call: David Spiro 516-568-0800 or Lane Rubin 516-228-9700<br />
Golf & Dinner ........................$290.00 p.p.<br />
Cocktails & Dinner only.........$110.00 p.p.<br />
REGISTRATION FORM<br />
REGISTER ON-LINE AT – tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong><br />
Click on “Register for Events on Line”, select the golf outing then “Sign Up Now”.<br />
You may register up to 4 people with 1 transaction on-line and pay by check or credit card.<br />
Make check(s) payable to TriCounty IIAA and mail with this form to:<br />
Lane Rubin, EXCEL Coverage Group, LLC<br />
900 Merchants Concourse<br />
Westbury, NY 11590<br />
For more info: David Spiro 516-568-0800<br />
Lane Rubin 516-228-9700 ext. 13 fax 228-9809<br />
Email: lrubin@excelcoverage.<strong>com</strong><br />
________________________________________________________________<br />
Name<br />
________________________________________________________________<br />
Address<br />
________________________________________________________________<br />
Firm Name<br />
________________________________________________________________<br />
Phone / E-Mail<br />
________________________________________________________________<br />
Place in foursome with (list 3 other players)<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
DISPELLING HOME-BASED<br />
BUSINESS MYTHS,<br />
MISCONCEPTIONS<br />
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
Estimates vary over how many households have a home-based business. Some studies put<br />
the figure as high as 11 million or three out of 10 households. In a study <strong>com</strong>pleted by<br />
IIABA, the estimate is more than half of those home-based business owners are<br />
underinsured and nearly 40 percent of those surveyed are uninsured primarily because they<br />
think their homeowners policy covers their business.<br />
There are many myths or misconceptions about insurance coverage when it <strong>com</strong>es to a<br />
home-based business. Dispelling those myths gives your agency an opportunity to build<br />
customer loyalty, improve retention and sell a policy.<br />
Myth: It’s not really a business. I just do a little bit on the side. I don’t earn much money.<br />
Another variation is—I only do a few (choose one) Web site, craft fair, home parties, etc. It’s<br />
just a hobby.<br />
Truth: Most policies state if you make more than $2,000 a year, it’s a business.<br />
Myth: My homeowners policy will cover a lawsuit or any loss to equipment or inventory.<br />
Truth: A homeowners policy was never intended to cover business exposures.<br />
Consequently, coverage for the items used in a home business such as <strong>com</strong>puters, filing<br />
cabinets, tools and inventory are <strong>com</strong>monly limited by low loss limits or excluded all together.<br />
Most unendorsed homeowners policies provide no liability insurance for a home-based<br />
business. Never rely exclusively on an unendorsed homeowners policy.<br />
Myth: I have a business endorsement on my homeowners. I’m all set for business coverage.<br />
Truth: An endorsement is seldom as much coverage as a BOP. Most likely, there are still<br />
exclusions for off-premises theft and liability. This is especially important to a business that<br />
relies on home parties, craft fairs or other off-premise venues. In addition, business property<br />
coverage may have a cap that is still too low for the situation.<br />
continued below -<br />
Myth: I don’t have any business property. I don’t need coverage.<br />
Truth: Household items that are also used in business, such as <strong>com</strong>puters or tools, may be<br />
excluded at the time of a loss as business use. And, many insureds don’t think they have<br />
much inventory at home. But, when they calculate the value, it may add up to more than<br />
they expect.<br />
Myth: My clients never <strong>com</strong>e to the house. Liability is not an issue.<br />
Truth: What happens if a delivery person slips on the front porch and injures his back while<br />
delivering a business-related package? It could well be that there is no coverage for a suit<br />
associated with business deliveries. The insured may do some business off premises with<br />
demonstrations, meetings or shows creating an off-premises exposure. Most homeowners<br />
and business endorsements exclude off-premises liability.<br />
The solution in every one of the above scenarios is a @Home Business Owners Policy. RLI<br />
offers a policy that is designed specifically for at-home businesses. These policies provide<br />
true BOP coverage such as business liability and replacement of lost in<strong>com</strong>e, and off-premises<br />
theft liability. It eliminates gaps in coverage at very affordable rates (starting at $145).<br />
More than 100 classes of businesses are eligible, including: crafters, accountants,<br />
photographers, database managers, home sales, Web site designers, interior decorators and<br />
many <strong>com</strong>puter consultants.<br />
Want to know more about offering @Home Business coverage to your customers? E-mail Deb<br />
Reitz, call (800) 962-7950, ext. 225 or go to RLI @ Home Business at iiabny.org.<br />
Dispelling Home-Based Business Myths, Misconceptions<br />
IIABA-RLI program provides “true” business owners coverage for homeowners who<br />
mistakenly believe they don’t need it.<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
GET EDUCATED AT THE BIG “I”<br />
VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY<br />
Richard Longueira, AAI<br />
NY State Dean<br />
Virtual University<br />
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
Knowledge is an important <strong>com</strong>petitive advantage in today’s insurance market. And there’s<br />
no better way to acquire that knowledge than through the Big “I” Virtual University and its<br />
bi-weekly e-newsletter, The VUpoint. Here’s what you can expect from the free newsletter<br />
that is a must-read for over 25,000 industry professionals:<br />
Personal Lines and Commercial Lines articles explore the latest coverage developments<br />
and offer insight that can position you as an expert with clients and prospects.<br />
Agency Management and Sales & Marketing articles provide strategic guidance from<br />
thought leaders on each topic.<br />
Customer Service and Technology articles offer helpful tips to make your agency more<br />
efficient and customer-friendly.<br />
Bonus articles on practical topics, such as identity-theft protection and Internet<br />
research methods.<br />
Access to past articles from The VUpoint’s archives.<br />
continued below -<br />
Agency and <strong>com</strong>pany readers alike find V<strong>UP</strong>oint an indispensable tool.<br />
“I think that the newsletter is great,” says Bob Yergey of the Yergey Insurance Agency in<br />
Fairfax, Va. “Where else can those of us that have multiple lines receive these articles<br />
without going to two different places?”<br />
“Absolutely the best insurance-related resource on the Web,” adds Jonathan Schloop, director<br />
of education for New York Central Mutual Insurance Co. “The newsletter is the only one I<br />
make a point of reading each and every time.”<br />
Looking for a <strong>com</strong>petitive advantage? Subscribe to The VUpoint and discover how powerful<br />
knowledge can be. Log on today at www.iiaba.net/VU. Or, you can contact me at<br />
rickl@petrocelligroup.<strong>com</strong>.<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
IMPORTANT NEWS OF NOTE<br />
Richard Longueira, AAI<br />
Tri-Lines Editor<br />
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of an old friend from back in the<br />
Aetna days, Bruce Letizia. Bruce was killed in an automobile accident in Connecticut on April<br />
7th at the young age of 52. He is survived by his wife Stephanie and their two children,<br />
Nicholas and Jennifer. Many of us remember Bruce as a very charming and personable man.<br />
His insurance career crossed many paths, from Aetna and Travelers, to Hanover and finally to<br />
the All Coverage Insurance Agency in East Hartford, where he was President.<br />
April 11th saw the passing of Martin Greenfield at the age of 86. Marty was the founder of<br />
NGL Insurance Group and was a member of Big I for over 40 years. While Marty had semiretired<br />
a couple of years ago, he continued going to the office daily when he was in New York<br />
or talking to the office daily while in Florida. His support for the insurance industry and its<br />
agent organizations will be missed. He was a strong believer in the independent agency<br />
system and supported both the Big I and PIA. Our condolences go out to his wife Lorraine,<br />
his son Jeff and his daughter Jane as well as the rest of his family.<br />
continued below -<br />
Congratulations goes out to Vinny Alba for being only one of two agent leaders honored at<br />
the Big I National Legislative Conference and Convention on April 3rd, 2008. Vinny received<br />
the Barney Burns Award for his outstanding work as the New York InsurPAC chairman. The<br />
award is named after former Big “I” President Barney Burns, who founded InsurPAC in 1975,<br />
and served as chairman of its Board of Trustees until 1983. During these years, Barney<br />
worked tirelessly to educate agents about the importance of being politically active and<br />
contributing to InsurPAC. Vinny Alba was born in 1925 and served his country honorably<br />
during World War II. He now serves the independent agency system as the New York<br />
InsurPAC chairman. Since taking over as chairman, New York has more than doubled its<br />
support of InsurPAC. Working with his state leadership, he implemented a charitable<br />
matching funds campaign to increase InsurPAC participation. He personally contacts<br />
hundreds of prospective donors via personal phone calls and hand-written notes every year,<br />
and is a constant advocate for political involvement.<br />
Congratulations to Steve Acunto and the CINN Group, Inc. on its acquisition of the Insurance<br />
Advocate magazine. CINN had sold the Insurance Advocate to the National Underwriter back<br />
in 2004. Under the leadership of Steve Acunto, Jr., the Insurance Advocate has improved its<br />
look, timeliness and market penetration. CINN and the Acunto family look forward to<br />
providing its 15,000 plus readership with continued excellence each and every week.<br />
Buona Fortuna!<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
IIABNY SEMINAR CALENDAR –<br />
FIRST HALF OF 2008<br />
Remainder of seminars in Nassau and Queens Counties<br />
The following seminars will be held at the Holiday Inn,<br />
Carle Place or Plainview.<br />
5/08/08 Other Commercial Insurance AAI 82, Segment B, Plainview<br />
5/13/08 Commercial Liability - ACSR #7, Plainview<br />
5/20/08 Essentials for CSRs Relationship Mge. (Mod#4) Carle Pl. (1⁄2 day-am)<br />
The following seminars will be held at the<br />
Adria Ramada, Bayside, Queens<br />
5/30/08 NYAIP Producer Procedures (half day-am)<br />
Don’t miss the following ‘once a year’ E&O Seminar !<br />
6/11/08 2008 Lustig & Brown E&O Video Seminar<br />
Half day- AM seminar – Location to be announced<br />
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
For a <strong>com</strong>plete schedule, log on to www.iiaany.org. Point to the ‘Education’ link and<br />
click on ‘Calendar View & Print’. To register, click on the link next to the apple logo<br />
or call IIABNY’s Education Dept. at 1-800-962-7950.<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
2008 LUSTIG & BROWN E&O SEMINARS<br />
COMING TO A LOCATION NEAR YOU!<br />
The exclusive member-only “Live” Lustig & Brown E&O seminars presented by managing<br />
partner, Jim Keidel and senior partner, Chris Weldon will be held in Buffalo, Verona, Islandia<br />
and Tarrytown starting May 21. Jim and Chris will bring their vast experience in representing<br />
and defending insurance agents and brokers in errors and omissions litigation; do not miss<br />
your chance see them live and ask questions during their interactive presentation. New this<br />
year, pre-recorded scenes of an examination at trial, non-party deposition and an insurance<br />
department investigator questioning an agent under oath will show you what can happen if<br />
you are involved in an E&O claim.<br />
You will also have the opportunity to watch a live broadcast (Click on the link below to find<br />
the location nearest to you) of the seminar, moderated by Jim and Chris, during the 2008<br />
E&O Videoconference on June 11. Jim and Chris will broadcast live from Albany and you can<br />
fax questions to the studio for them to answer during the broadcast. The questions that they<br />
do not have time for will be addressed in an up<strong>com</strong>ing E&O Report.<br />
IIABNY members whose E&O coverage is written by Westport Insurance Corp through IAAC<br />
may qualify for a 10% premium reduction on their 2009 renewal or 7.5% discount on 2009<br />
Fireman’s Fund renewals (see course brochure for attendance requirements). Register for the<br />
“Live” seminar approved for four CE credits for all licenses or register for the Videoconference<br />
approved for three CE credits for all licenses. For more information contact the IIABNY<br />
Education Department at edu@iiabny.org or call 800-962-7950.<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
OFFICERS<br />
President Brian L. Bergman<br />
Meyerson-Roth Co., Inc.<br />
P.O. Box 178<br />
Long Beach, NY 11561<br />
Vice President Evan S. Portnoy<br />
Rampart Brokerage Corp.<br />
1983 Marcus Avenue. Ste<br />
#C-130<br />
New Hyde Park, NY 11042<br />
Treasurer Stephen Folan<br />
The Folan Agency, Ltd.<br />
378 Port Washington Blvd.<br />
Port Washington, NY 11050<br />
Secretary Steven Visco, PhD, AAI<br />
C.H. Edwards, Inc.<br />
791 South Main Street<br />
Farmingdale, NY 11735<br />
Immediate Past<br />
President<br />
DIRECTORS<br />
Kevin R. Crossley<br />
Club Agency<br />
1415 Kellum Place, Garden<br />
City, NY 11530<br />
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
2007 – 2008<br />
OFFICERS & DIRECTORS<br />
516-432-5800<br />
fax. 432-5274<br />
brian@yourcoverage.<strong>com</strong><br />
516-538-7000<br />
fax. 390-3555<br />
eportnoy@rampartinsurance.<strong>com</strong><br />
516-944-9400<br />
fax. 944-9879<br />
stephen@folanagency.<strong>com</strong><br />
516-249-5200<br />
fax. 249-5255<br />
svisco@shedwards.net<br />
516-873-2360<br />
fax. 742-9883<br />
kcrossley@clubagency.<strong>com</strong><br />
Eileen Abatelli Black, CPCU 718-352-6000/fax 352-3420<br />
eblack@ahatelli-insurance.<strong>com</strong><br />
Justin Fries, CPCU, CIC 516-837-1100/fax 837-1200<br />
jfries@gafinsurance.<strong>com</strong><br />
Richard Longueira, AAI 718-445-1910/fax 461-6546<br />
rickl@petrocelligroup.<strong>com</strong><br />
Mark A. Chandler 516-627-5800/fax 627-8849<br />
mchan@blaichassoc.<strong>com</strong><br />
Robert Mackoul, CLU 516-431-9100/fax 431-4641<br />
remackoul@mackoul.<strong>com</strong><br />
Frank J. Elorza 516-873-2387/fax 742-7071<br />
felorza@clubagency.<strong>com</strong><br />
Jeffrey L. Browne 516-488-4000 x203/fax 488-2714<br />
jbrowne.kruga01@insuremail.net<br />
OTHER POSITIONS<br />
Stephen R. Zogby<br />
IIABNY Chair of the Board<br />
Lane S. Rubin<br />
IIABNY Secretary-Treasurer<br />
Thomas J. Crowley, CPCU<br />
Regional Director<br />
Russell C. Vollmer<br />
Regional Director<br />
Eileen A. Frank, CPCU, ARe, NASD<br />
Regional Director<br />
Richard Longueira, AAI<br />
Tri-Lines Editor<br />
Patricia Calvert<br />
TriCounty IIAA Executive Director<br />
Jeanne Abatelli<br />
Advertising & Sponsor Sales<br />
Steven J Spiro, CLU, ChFC<br />
State National Director<br />
tel. 315-792-0000<br />
fax. 792-4637<br />
stevez@szwinsurance.<strong>com</strong><br />
tel. 516-228-9700<br />
fax. 228-9809<br />
lrubin@excelcoverage.<strong>com</strong><br />
tel. 631-283-8000 x302<br />
fax. 287-0781<br />
tecrowley@mcrainsurance.<strong>com</strong><br />
tel. 631-261-1972<br />
fax. 261-1978<br />
russ.vollmer@vollmeradairagency.<strong>com</strong><br />
tel. 212-461-2261<br />
fax. 461-2263<br />
efrank@jpwest.<strong>com</strong><br />
tel. 718-445-1910<br />
fax. 461-6546<br />
rickl@petrocelligroup.<strong>com</strong><br />
tel. 516-621-2209<br />
fax. 484-9051<br />
calvertpc@aol.<strong>com</strong><br />
tel. 516-681-6265<br />
injeanious1@verizon.net<br />
tel. 516-568-0800<br />
fax. 568-0809<br />
sspiro@spirorisk.<strong>com</strong><br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
INSURANCE COS. & MARKETS<br />
America's Internet Brokers, Inc.<br />
Peter Meehan<br />
3237 Route 112, Suite 3<br />
Medford, NY 11763<br />
Phone: 631-853-9888<br />
Fax: 631-853-9850<br />
www.a-i-b.net<br />
info@a-i-b.net<br />
The B&G Group, Inc.<br />
(Bower & Glickman, Inc.)<br />
Richard Bower<br />
55 West Ames Court, Ste 400<br />
Plainview, NY 11803<br />
Phone: 516-576-0400<br />
Fax: 516-576-1177<br />
rbower@thebggroup<br />
Commercial Mutual Insurance Company<br />
Stan Landberg, Marketing Director<br />
15 Joys Lane<br />
Kingston, NY 12401<br />
Tel: 631-351-0302<br />
Fax: 631-351-0302<br />
dslandberg@aol.<strong>com</strong><br />
Excise Bond Underwriters<br />
John L. Comeau<br />
15 Maiden Lane, Suite 800<br />
New York, NY 10038<br />
Tel: 212-363-2950<br />
Fax: 212-425-2539<br />
Iroquois of New York<br />
Arthur F. Taibe CIC<br />
1401 Bradford Drive<br />
Danbury CT 06811<br />
Phone: 845-235-2819<br />
Fax: 203-702-5208<br />
ataibe@iroquoisgroup.<strong>com</strong><br />
www.iroquoisnewyork.<strong>com</strong><br />
Lancer Insurance Company/<br />
D.C. White Agency<br />
Dave Isenberg<br />
370 West Park Avenue<br />
Long Beach, NY 11561-3245<br />
Phone: 516-431-9191<br />
Fax: 516-889-1727<br />
www.dcwhiteagency.<strong>com</strong><br />
Magna Carta Companies<br />
Lou Masucci<br />
1 Park Avenue<br />
New York, NY 10016<br />
Toll Free: 1-888-ONE PARK<br />
Phone: 212-591-9500<br />
Fax: 212-591-9621<br />
www.mcarta.<strong>com</strong><br />
Morstan General Agency, Inc.<br />
Al Eskanazy, Bob Birner<br />
600 Community Drive<br />
PO Box 4500<br />
Manhasset, NY 11030-4500<br />
Phone: 516-488-4747<br />
Fax: 516-437-5050<br />
www.morstan.<strong>com</strong><br />
New Empire Group<br />
214 W Park Avenue<br />
Long Beach, NY 11561<br />
Phone: 866-431-8100<br />
Fax: 516-431-5351<br />
www.newempiregroup.<strong>com</strong><br />
NIF Group<br />
Michael Orlando, Nancy Williams<br />
30 Park Avenue<br />
Manhasset, NY 11030<br />
Phone: 516-365-7440<br />
Fax: 516-496-7356<br />
nwilliams@nifgroup.<strong>com</strong><br />
www.nifgroup.<strong>com</strong><br />
PEO Source<br />
Steve Abrams<br />
1120 Portland Ave, Suite 3<br />
Orlando, FL 32803<br />
Phone: 856-266-1731<br />
Fax: 888-671-1654<br />
sabrams@peo-source.<strong>com</strong><br />
www.peo-source.<strong>com</strong><br />
Program Brokerage Corp.<br />
Gary Shapiro, Derek Donnelly<br />
100 Sunnyside Blvd.<br />
Woodbury, NY 11797<br />
Phone: 516-496-1346<br />
Fax: 516-496-1359<br />
Service Insurance Company<br />
Surety Bonds Direct<br />
James Burger<br />
80 Main St.<br />
West Orange NJ 07052<br />
Phone: 973-731-7650<br />
Fax: 973-731-7889<br />
bondburger@aol.<strong>com</strong><br />
www.serviceinsurance<strong>com</strong>pany.<strong>com</strong><br />
Simon Agency NY, Inc.<br />
Gary Bacchi<br />
14 Front Street<br />
Hempstead, NY 11550<br />
Phone: 516-593-2700<br />
Fax: 516-292-5789<br />
Quaker Special Risk<br />
Ciara Quinones<br />
101 West 31st Street<br />
New York, NY 10001<br />
Phone: 800-447-4180<br />
Fax: 732-223-9072<br />
cquinones@qsr-insurance.<strong>com</strong><br />
Brian Botwinick<br />
Eatontown, NJ<br />
Toll Free: 800-447-4180<br />
bbotwinick@qsr-insurance.<strong>com</strong><br />
VANE Excess and Surplus<br />
Anthony Cacioppo<br />
38 Knight Lane<br />
Kings Park, NY 11754<br />
Phone: 631-366-5353<br />
Fax: 631-716-6965<br />
anthony@vaneins.<strong>com</strong><br />
Zurich Small Business<br />
Lorraine Bohn<br />
46 Canterbury Drive<br />
Hauppauge NY 11788<br />
Tel: 631-584-5293<br />
Fax: 631-584-5167<br />
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
ADVERTISER DIRECTORY<br />
INSURANCE SERVICES<br />
The Mines Press, Inc.<br />
Stephen Mines<br />
231 Croton Avenue<br />
Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567<br />
Toll Free: 1-800-447-6788<br />
Fax: 914-788-1698<br />
www.minespress.<strong>com</strong><br />
Pryor Personnel Agency<br />
Patricia Pryor Bonica<br />
147 Old Country Road<br />
Hicksville, NY 11801<br />
Phone: 516-935-0100<br />
Fax: 516-931-7842<br />
ppryor1578@aol.<strong>com</strong><br />
ADJUSTERS FOR<br />
THE INSURED<br />
New York Adjustment Bureau<br />
Steve Libel<br />
66-19 Woodhaven Blvd.<br />
Rego Park, NY 11374<br />
Phone: 718-275-2700<br />
Fax: 718-275-2978<br />
PREMIUM<br />
FINANCING<br />
IIABNY Trusted Premium Funding<br />
Jessica Schwinn-McPherson<br />
P.O. Box 511<br />
Quogue, NY 11959<br />
Phone: 800-851-8853<br />
Fax: 888-431-1126<br />
jmcpherson@iiabny.org<br />
The Premins Company, Inc.<br />
Jim Katoff, Director of Marketing<br />
1407 Avenue M<br />
Brooklyn, NY 11230<br />
Tel: 516-694-4450<br />
Fax: 718-376-8330<br />
RESTORATION &<br />
CLEANING SERVICES<br />
Alexander Wall Corporation<br />
Gary J. Alexander<br />
60 Raynor Ave.<br />
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779<br />
Phones: 631-471-3131 x121<br />
Fax: 631-471-2905<br />
Branch Restoration Services, Inc.<br />
Jennifer Savnik<br />
101 Colin Drive, Ste. 3<br />
Holbrook, NY 11741<br />
Phone: 631-563-7300 x 25<br />
Fax: 631-563-7389<br />
j.savnik@branchrestoration.<strong>com</strong><br />
Budde French Cleaners, Inc.<br />
Bob Teichman, Ilan Yunger<br />
107-11 Metropolitan Ave.<br />
Forest Hills, NY 11375<br />
Phonel: 718-263-7474<br />
Fax: 718-263-1545<br />
info@buddecleaners.<strong>com</strong><br />
Great American Restoration Services,<br />
Inc.<br />
David Pinto<br />
2623 N. Jerusalem Rd.<br />
East Meadow, NY 11554<br />
Phone: 516-783-5053<br />
Fax: 516-783-5054<br />
davidpinto@garsinc.<strong>com</strong><br />
www.damagerelief.<strong>com</strong><br />
Maxons Restorations<br />
Leah Adamucci<br />
280 Madison Avenue<br />
New York, NY 10016<br />
Tel: 212-447-6767<br />
Fax: 212-447-6251<br />
ladamucci@maxons.<strong>com</strong><br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>
CONTACT<br />
Richard Longueira, AAI<br />
Tri-Lines Editor<br />
Jeanne Abatelli<br />
Advertising & Sponsor Sales<br />
Patricia Calvert<br />
TriCounty IIAA Executive Director<br />
tel. 718-445-1910<br />
fax. 461-6546<br />
rickl@petrocelligroup.<strong>com</strong><br />
tel. 516-681-6265<br />
injeanious1@verizon.net<br />
tel. 516-621-2209<br />
fax. 484-9051<br />
calvertpc@aol.<strong>com</strong><br />
MAY/JUNE 2008<br />
CONTACT<br />
© 2008 www.tricountyagents.<strong>com</strong>