Rough Notes

Over a hundred years ago, Dr. Henry C. Martin launched the first edition of Insurance Rough Notes, which was the very first national magazine tailored for fire insurance agents. As the years went by, the company grew and diversified its offerings, creating various products and solutions designed to help independent agents work more effectively and efficiently. Today, The Rough Notes Company remains dedicated to supporting independent agents and their business clients in a highly competitive environment. From the start, our focus has been on providing insurance professionals with top-quality products and services, and that dedication is still going strong.

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THE TOP 5 WAYS TO APPEAL TO PROSPECTS

1 month ago | roughnotes.com | Sam Berman

Leveraging face-to-face relationshipswith potential insurance clients When you are giving the rundown of coverage, do so by using examples of incidents that anyone can understand. … [R]eal-world scenarios that you can walk a prospect through to explain policies are helpful. By Michael WayneAs an insurance professional, was there anything that struck you as particularly odd about Super Bowl LIX? Of course, that is assuming you watched the broadcast. No, I’m not referring to questionable officiating.
WILDFIRE DEDUCTIBLES

1 month ago | roughnotes.com | Sam Berman

What role can they play in property insurance? [S]eparate wildfire deductibles could be critical in securing coverage for a peril that is location-specific yet popping up all across the continent. By Joseph S. Harrington, CPCUIf they work for windstorms, can they work for wildfires? “They” in this case are peril-specific deductibles in property insurance policies that are higher than the basic policy deductible for other perils.
Barging in

1 month ago | roughnotes.com | Sam Berman

INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASESDigested from case reports published onlineCOURT DECISIONSBarging inIn 2014, Swalling Construction Company, Inc., entered into a charter agreement with Pool Engineering, Inc., for a freight barge. Swalling obtained insurance through Alaska USA Insurance Brokers, LLC, which in turn obtained insurance from Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company. Upon Swalling’s return of the barge, Pool discovered damage to the hull.
COMMERCIAL LINES WATER-RELATED CONSIDERATIONS

1 month ago | roughnotes.com | Sam Berman

The conundrum of “water-related or “water damage”Anyone who is new to commercial insurance can quickly get tripped up by water-related claims. By Marc McNulty, CIC, CRMAnyone who is new to commercial insurance can quickly get tripped up by water-related claims. The CP 10 30 09 17 (Causes of Loss – Special Form) excludes a range of water-related situations but in turn provides coverage for “water damage,” which is a defined term within the form.
A GHOSTLY ANNIVERSARY

1 month ago | roughnotes.com | Sam Berman

The current interpretation of theMcCarran-Ferguson Act is onlya specter of the law’s original intentThe belief that McCarran-Ferguson is just an antitrust exemption for the insurance industry is just another clever humbug. By Kevin P. HennosyMarch 9, 2025, is the 80th anniversary of the passage of the McCarran-Ferguson Act. Do not expect a parade. Transit services will not waive fares.
WINNING THE M&A GAME IN 2025

1 month ago | roughnotes.com | Sam Berman

Key strategies agencies can deployFor independent insurance agency owners, it’s likely the best time in the past decade to execute a local merger and acquisition (M&A) strategy. By James Graham, CVAElevated, albeit historically normal, capital costs coupled with high valuations are forcing serial acquirers and new entrants to exercise increased effort to generate acceptable returns. The days of stacking revenue with little thought to the long-term strategy of the business is likely behind us.
Must insurer pay for resulting loss exception?

1 month ago | roughnotes.com | Sam Berman

INSURANCE-RELATED COURT CASESDigested from case reports published onlineCOURT DECISIONSMust insurer pay for resulting loss exception? The Gardens Condominium purchased an all-risk policy from Farmers Insurance Exchange in 2002. This version of the policy was in place from October 2002 to October 2004. The parties agreed that the provisions contained in the 2002 policy controlled in determining whether Gardens was entitled to the coverage it now seeks.
KEEPING OLDER WORKERS PRODUCTIVE

1 month ago | roughnotes.com | Sam Berman

What strategies will work for seasoned employees? “With longevity increasing, employers need to focus even more on the levers that impact retirement readiness.”—Holly VerdeyenU.S. Defined Contribution LeaderMercerBy Thomas A. McCoy, CLUMajor employee benefits offerings have broad appeal to workers of all ages and tenures. Ideally, new hires find an organization’s benefits attractive, they stay with the employer for the same reason, and they remain productive until they retire.
How To Go From being A “Good Enough” Manager To being An Unstoppable Leader

1 month ago | roughnotes.com | Sam Berman

Three power moves to tryIf you’re not recognizing your team consistently and specifically, you’re leaving wins on the table. By Carolyn Smith, APR, TRAAre you just a “good” manager—or are you ready to lead? Most agency managers are good, but let’s be real: “Good” doesn’t cut it when your team’s potential is on the line. If you want to inspire, motivate, and drive real results, it’s time to level up and take the reins as a true leader. Leadership isn’t about barking orders or micromanaging.
ANATOMY OF AN E&O CLAIM—PART II

1 month ago | roughnotes.com | Sam Berman

Real-world examples involving tenured employees No matter how experienced you are, you can still make mistakes … . And newer employees simply don’t have the “institutional knowledge” that grows from tenure in the position. By Cheryl Koch, CPCU, ARM, AAI, ACSR, AFIS, and Mary Belka, CPCU, ARM, ARe, RPLU, CICIn a previous column, we looked at some situations that may have—but luckily did not—resulted in an agency experiencing an errors and omissions (E&O) loss.