Insurance Industry Doing Just Fine

Is this nuts or what? Since May 2020, International Living says its seen a 504.97% surge in traffic to its “How to Move Out of the U.S.” coverage.  Welcome to the ongoing saga of the COVID-19 pandemic, where many people may be dreaming of greener pastures but the U.S. insurance industry is having an okay time…

HEALTH

Top 20 Insurance Companies Dwarfed other sectors in 2019 with profit growth YoY
It looks like the insurance industry is doing just fine, thank you very much. According to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company:
The insurance sector led the way in terms of revenue and profitability growth in 2019, achieving a respective 18.2% and 123% rise year-on-year (YoY). Supported by growing demand for insurance products from the Asian markets, and overall increased demand for property/casualty insurance products, these gains helped the industry lead over other sectors such as retail, oil and gas, medical, pharma and construction.
Walmart to Sell Health Insurance
According to HR Drive, retail giant Walmart plans to sell health insurance policies directly to consumers. The company is reportedly hiring Medicare insurance agents to help get the new venture off the ground.

LIFE

AALU/GAMA Host Plugged-In Series

AALU/GAMA announced it’s hosting a new on-demand series: Plugged-In. Each week, AALU/GAMA CEO Marc Cadin will interview the biggest names and innovative leaders of life insurance carriers, including: John Schlifske, CEO of Northwestern Mutual; Joe Monk, vice president of State Farm Insurance; Brooks Tingle, CEO, and president of John Hancock Life Insurance; Caroline Feeney, CEO of Individual Solutions for Prudential Financial Inc.; Eric J. Thomes, Chief Distribution Officer of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America; and many more. Access new interviews every Wednesday, beginning today, in the on-demand ‘Spotlight’ section of Beacon: A Virtual Experience.   The event will run through September 30.

Forbes Advisor Unveils First-Ever Best Life Insurance Companies Awards
Forbes Advisor announced Pacific Life as the winner of its 2020 Best Life Insurance Companies Awards. Northwestern Mutual and Penn Mutual were awarded the second and third best companies. This is the first time Forbes has bestowed awards for best life insurance company.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

401(k) Plans May Need Adjustments

Cal Broker pal Bob Lawton over at Lawton Retirement Plan Consultants has a post up about the top changes to make to 401(k) plans amid COVID-19. Among his tips:

1. Make the right decision on CARES Act withdrawal and loan provisions

2. Adjust your fund lineup

3. Add Roth 401k options

Read the whole post for more!

DISABILITY

Helping DI Clients During Coronavirus

Art Fries has an extremely timely article up on our website about disability claims during the pandemic. If you handle DI, this is a must-read!

KUDOS

IICF: Industry Gives Big to COVID-19 Crisis

In response to the unprecedented pandemic crisis, philanthropic giving by the insurance industry continues to increase significantly. Using information collected by IICF, the Insurance Information Institute upgraded its estimate to $280 million donated by U.S. insurers and their charitable foundations in response to the COVID-19 crisis. This estimate was upgraded from $220 million following new and increased charitable contributions reported throughout May and into June.

LAAHU Hosts Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Event

Way to go LAAHU! The group’s recent virtual symposium featured a first-ever diversity, equity, and inclusion event.  The esteemed panel included:
  • Carl Dickerson – Founder of Dickerson Insurance Services
  • Seema Daryanani – Senior Manager, Diversity, Inclusion, & Belonging at Anaplan
  • Eva Medilek – Certified High Performance Coach
  • Ross Pendergraft – Broker/Leavitt Insurance Group
  • April Lewis/Carol French – Figure8 Consulting
Participants learned of the many variables that shape who we are and our unconscious bias. Cal Broker has articles in the works on this and related subjects. We look forward to exploring these topics with you and bringing insight!
SCAN Recognizes Top Medical Groups

SCAN Health Plan announced the top performing medical groups in its California provider network. SCAN has recognized the 10 medical groups for their dedication to the highest quality of care and services, as specified by SCAN’s internal quality metrics. The top groups include:

  • Facey Medical Foundation
  • Greater Newport Physicians
  • MemorialCare Medical Foundation
  • Monarch Healthcare Optum
  • Optum
  • Riverside Medical Clinic
  • Scripps Health Plan Services, Inc.
  • St. Joseph Heritage Healthcare
  • Torrance Memorial IPA
  • UCLA Medical Group

MEDICARE

Two Important Virtual Events Coming Up

We have two big Medicare events coming up. Please consider attending both and consider sponsorship opportunities, if that’s for you. It’s never a bad idea to support the industry, log on and learn!

California Statewide Medicare Expo (a collaboration of 10 California Association of Health Underwriters chapters): The CA Statewide Medicare Expo will be August 26-27. There will be more than 100 sessions and opportunities for certifications and CE.  $49 for AHU members; $59 for non-members. Register here.

 

 

The  Senior Summit (a collaboration of Inland Empire, Orange County and San Diego Associations of Health Underwriters ): The Senior Summit will be held virtually on September 1-3. Certifications, product trainings, CEs, guest speakers, industry experts, as well as a virtual exhibit hall and more! Price: $49 AHU Member or Non-Member (3 Day Admission). Deadline to Register: August 28. Info and registration here.

 

 

EVENTS

  • Don’t forget LAAHU’s Zoom Happy Hour Today 4 p.m.

Members and non-members alike are invited! Register here.

  • Sacramento Virtual Business Expo, July 29, register here.

  • 16th Annual BenefitsPRO Broker Expo 2020 will be Virtual

BenefitsPRO Broker Expo 2020 will now be virtual in August. Preview the virtual experience here. Register for free here.

  • MDRT 2020 Virtual Event, Aug 8-28

This five-day main event will feature the MDRT Main Platform, MDRT Speaks, Focus Sessions and ConneXion Zone breakout sessions in morning, afternoon and evening time blocks. Unique digital networking opportunities including the MDRT Build Your Network matching service and an interactive virtual scavenger hunt. MDRT members can register for the MDRT Virtual Event at any time before the August 3 opening date. Members are encouraged to register at least one week in advance to connect with fellow attendees and have the best platform experience. Any qualified financial services professional seeking MDRT membership can still join this year, with all late fees waived under the MDRT Productivity Action Plan. To learn more about MDRT and the benefits available to members, visit www.mdrt.org.

  • California Statewide Medicare Expo, Virtual, Aug 26-27

Ten local California Association of Health Underwriters chapters will host a California Statewide Medicare Expo. Join the online, two-day dive into all things that can help Medicare agents serve seniors. More than 100 sessions and opportunities for certifications and CE. $49 for AHU members; $59 for non-members. Register here.

  • The Senior Summit, Virtual, Sept 1-3

A collaboration of Inland Empire, Orange County and San Diego Associations of Health Underwriters. Certifications, product trainings, CEs, guest speakers, industry experts, as well as a virtual exhibit hall and more! Price: $49 AHU Member or Non-Member (3 Day Admission). Deadline to Register: August 28. Info and registration here.

  • IICF Foundation Women in Insurance Regional Forums Rescheduled

Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation has rescheduled the Women in Insurance Regional Forums:

Chicago: October 14
New York: October 26

Los Angeles: October 30
Dallas: November 17
More info at IICF’s website.
  • CAHU Women’s Leadership Summit will be March 2021

CAHU’s WLS committee announced that the second Women’s Leadership Summit has been rescheduled for March 24-26, 2021, at the JW Marriott in Las Vegas. Questions should be emailed to info@cahu.org.

 

About Calbroker Admin 689 Articles
Site Administrator