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"Lunch 'n' Learn" copyright © 2008 by Professional Insurance Agents Associations of NY, NJ, CT & NH

New programs recently added; see below to register today.

Thurs., Sept. 18: Collision Damage Waiver vs. Auto Insurance - Good, The Bad and The Really Ugly! (*All states EXCEPT New York)

With Robin Federici, CPCU, AAI, ARM, CPIW

Thurs., Oct. 23: Valuation – *Part 1: A Slippery Slope

With Robin Federici, CPCU, AAI, ARM, CPIW

Fri., Oct. 31: Valuation – *Part 2: So Many Choices

With Robin Federici, CPCU, AAI, ARM, CPIW

*Save with two-part Valuation package pricing.

New! Tues., Nov. 4: Current Trends in Workers Compensation-what does the future hold? (*N.Y., N.J., Conn. & N.H. only)

With Kevin McLaughlin, CPCU, MAS

Start time: Noon ET ; duration approx. 45 min.-1 hour ( *Eastern time zone ) / Place: Your conference room/office

Participants will need:  Internet e-mail access to receive/view support materials; A telephone (or speakerphone if multiple participants)

Reg. fees per phone line dialing in:
Live teleconference only: $49 members, $69 nonmembers
Live teleconference w/multimedia *CD reproduction of program: $65 members, $95 nonmembers

Cancellation Policy: If you are unable to join us for the teleconference, call to cancel at least four working days prior to the program for the registration fee to be fully refunded.

Missed a Lunch 'n' Learn?

Order a CD reproduction today—Call (800) 424-4244 or click here for the order form.


2008 schedule

Thurs., Sept. 18: Collision Damage Waiver vs. Auto Insurance – Good, The Bad and The Really Ugly! (All states EXCEPT New York)
With Robin Federici, CPCU, AAI, ARM, CPIW

This program is designed for anyone and everyone who works on either personal or commercial auto policies. Rental-car agreements can open up a number of coverage gap issues not fully addressed by auto policies. This course will review just what insured's are agreeing to when signing these contracts and how current auto policies address the contractual responsibility. The program will begin with a review of some current rental agreements and then compare what coverage is granted by the personal and commercial auto policies.

Register: Please select your state below.
   
(Not a NY topic) NJ: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM CT: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM NH: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM
OH/IN: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM DC/VA: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM NE/IA: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM TN: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM
NC: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM MN: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM    

Learning objectives:

  • How do we answer the age old question “Do I need to purchase the rental car company's insurance?”;
  • Conflicts between language used in the rental car contract and our insurance contracts;
  • Gaps in the coverage provided by the personal and commercial auto policy and the requirements of the rental agreement.

Thurs., Oct. 23: Valuation – Part 1: A Slippery Slope

(includes courts' definition of ACV and challenges of the “Broad Evidence Rule”)
With Robin Federici, CPCU, AAI, ARM, CPIW

Topic is germane for both personal & commercial lines. LEVEL: Intermediate-Advanced

Property polices generally include one of two valuation methods - Actual Cash Value or Replacement Cost. Since most policies do not define “Actual Cash Value” the courts have had to decide, in many cases, what ACV means. In this course we will explore the courts definition of ACV and the challenges we face with the introduction of the “Broad Evidence Rule”.

Save with two-part Valuation package pricing, see below for package registration.

Register here for Oct. 23 Part 1 only.

NY: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM NJ: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM CT: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM NH: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM
OH/IN: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM DC/VA: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM NE/IA: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM TN: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM
NC: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM MN: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM    

Fri., Oct. 31: Valuation – Part 2: So Many Choices

(includes options available to amend valuation methods)
With Robin Federici, CPCU, AAI, ARM, CPIW

Topic is germane for both personal & commercial lines. LEVEL: Intermediate-Advanced

Unendorsed property polices generally include one of two valuation methods - Actual Cash Value or Replacement Cost. However, with the various options available to amend these two valuation methods, which one is right for our insureds? What is Agreed Value? What is the difference between Replacement Cost and Functional Replacement Cost? This course will answer some of these and other burning valuation questions.

Save with two-part Valuation package pricing, see below for package registration.

Register here for Oct. 31 Part 2 only.
NY: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM NJ: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM CT: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM NH: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM
OH/IN: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM DC/VA: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM NE/IA: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM TN: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM
NC: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM MN: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM    

Register here to save with two-part Oct 23/Oct. 31 Valuation package pricing.

Live teleconference only: $80 members for both, $120 nonmembers for both. ($18 savings)
Live teleconference w/multimedia CD-ROM: $110 members for both, $170 nonmembers for both. ($20 savings)

Regular pricing: Live teleconference only: $49 members, $69 nonmembers each
Live teleconference w/multimedia CD-ROM: $65 members, $95 nonmembers each

NY: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM NJ: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM CT: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM NH: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM
OH/IN: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM DC/VA: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM NE/IA: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM TN: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM

N.Y., N.J., Conn. & N.H. only:

Tues., Nov. 4: Current Trends in Workers' Compensation—what does the future hold?
With Kevin McLaughlin, CPCU, MAS

Register: Please select your state PIA association below.
NY: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM NJ: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM CT: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM NH: Teleconf. only | w/CD-ROM

Instructor bios

Michael D'Orlando, CIC, CPIA
Michael began his insurance career in 1982 and worked for sixteen years as Vice President of the Welsh & Parker Insurance Agency in Hudson, MA.

He began instructing in 1989 and in 1998 established Educational Training and Consulting Services as a full-time instructor and consultant providing programs and services for agencies, carriers and professional associations nationwide. He teaches a wide range of personal and commercial lines courses and seminars including the entire CISR program and in addition to instructing various CIC topics, serves as an Educational Consultant for the Society of CIC.

Michael is a past MAIA representative for the State Continuing Education Course Review Committee in Massachusetts.

He is also an active community member, having served as Chairman of the Board of Assessors in Bolton, MA, President of the Hudson,MA Chamber of Commerce, President of the Hudson Rotary Club and Town Moderator for the Town of Bolton.

Michael graduated from Northeastern University in Boston with a B.A. degree in Sociology and earned his CIC designation in 1991.


Michael Eserner
Michael Eserner is a senior staff professional at the New York Property Insurance Underwriting Association and was a co-presenter with Gerry at the Dec. 12, 2007 PIA NY Legislative Programs. He has been involved at every step in NYPIUA's role as administrator of C-MAP. Recently, he oversaw many improvements requested by PIA NY members and others, including an on-line C-MAP application and a new, far speedier submission process that quickly tells agents and clients whether they will be offered coverage. He serves as vice president for large risk and public benefit programs at NYPIUA.

Robin Federici, CPCU, AAI, ARM, CPIW
Robin began her career in the property & casualty insurance business over thirty years ago. She has in-depth knowledge and experience in both insurance agency and company operations and procedures.  

For over fifteen years, Robin served as the Director of Education and Communications -- and then Assistant Executive Vice President -- for Rhode Island's largest professional trade association for independent insurance agents and brokers. In 2003, Robin formed her own training and consulting company, – Insurance Education & Training Associates, LLC (IETA).

Robin earned the Accredited Adviser in Insurance (AAI) designation in 1987. In 1992 she earned the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation and in 1999, the Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designation.

She is a past president of the RI Chapter Society of CPCU and is currently serving as a member of their Scholarship Board.  Robin also serves as a National Governor and member of the national Society of CPCU Board of Governors. 

Robin has served the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIABA) on several committees, most recently as a member of the ACSR sub-committee and the Virtual University Research and Development Committee. Robin was also a long-time member of the Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR) Advisory Committee of the Insurance Institute of America/American Institute of CPCU.

During her tenure with IIARI, Robin earned many awards from IIABA, including the prestigious L.P. McCord Education Award.


Rita Hollada, CIC, CPCU, CPIA
Rita Hollada is the Vice-President of The Insurance Professionals, Inc., a consulting and professional education group. She is an honors graduate of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia and began her professional career in human resources management before entering the insurance industry in 1979 when she and her husband started an agency from scratch. She remains a licensed agent and broker.

Rita earned the designation of Accredited Advisor in Insurance in 1983, followed by the designations of Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter in 1987, and Certified Insurance Counselor in 1988. In 1997, she was awarded PIA National's Presidential Award for her work with flood insurance and natural disaster legislation. She received the CPIA designation in 1998 after assisting that organization with the development of its Saleswise Success Seminars.
Rita remains an active member of the insurance industry, representing PIA National on several committees and as a contributor to numerous magazines and professional journals. Rita wrote a regular column on flood insurance issues for the Professional Agent Magazine for several years.

She currently serves as the Chairwoman of the Flood Insurance Producers National Committee. For five years, she served as a board member of the Natural Disaster Coalition.
In addition to the insurance industry, Rita has been invited to speak on effective communication and customer service to many diverse groups. She is a member of the National Faculty of the CIC program as well as an instructor for other National Alliance programs. She designs and instructs special topic courses for insurance companies, agencies, industry associations, and local community colleges and often works as a consultant with agencies on agency management issues.


Mishell K. Magnusson, CIC, CISR, FIPC
Named The 2004 National Customer Service Representative of the Year by PIA National, Mishell is a native of the Oneida, New York area. Mishell was also named one of 25 Women in Leadership in Central New York State in 2004. She graduated from Broome Community College with an Associates of Applied Science degree in Business Marketing Management. Mishell began her insurance career in 1981 in the Personal Lines Department of a small independent insurance agency. She then worked for an Airplane Insurance Company; was the Insurance Benefits Analyst for Endicott Johnson Corporation; and worked as an Assistant to the Vice President of a Commercial Bank before going back to the independent insurance agency side of the business and now runs her own consulting & training company.

Mishell currently holds a New York State Property and Casualty Brokers License; a New York State Life and Health Brokers License; a Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) designation; a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation; and the Federation of Insurance Professional Counselor (FIPC) designation.

Mishell is a frequent speaker for PIA of NY, NJ, CT and NH for Certified Insurance Service Representative (CISR) programs and various other topics. Mishell is a Past President of the Federation of New York Insurance Professionals and serves on the board of the Insurance Professionals of the Mohawk Valley along with being a member of the National Notary Association. She is the current President of the Madison County Historical Society Board of Trustees.


Gerry Scatta
Gerry Scattaglia, Assistant Bureau Chief at the NYSID's Property Bureau, has been involved in the NYSID's oversight of the Coastal Market Assistance Program since its original formation in the 1990s. More recently, he helped update the C-MAP Plan of Operations (Fall 2006) and has worked tirelessly to secure additional carrier commitments over the past year. Gerry was a speaker at PIA NY 's popular Legislative Programs in Nassau and Suffolk County on Dec. 12, 2007 , where agents, brokers and local legislators received a briefing on C-MAP. glia


Bryan Tilden, CIC, CPCU, CLU, ChFC, ARM, ALCM
Bryan is a National Lecturer and Expert Witness in the field of insurance. Prior to starting his own firm, he was the Director of Technical Affairs and Director of Education for IIANC. Since entering the insurance business in 1974 as an Account Executive, he has worked for major brokerage firms on Fortune 100 accounts around the nation. He specialized in large retention programs, utilizing the international insurance marketplace.

Tilden has been active in insurance education as a grading panel member for the Insurance Institute of America and the American Institute for Property Liability Underwriters. He has served on the Education and Technical Committees for the IIANC and worked with the State of North Carolina on pre-licensing and continuing education. In 1988, IIANC presented him with the Ernest F. Young Education Award, and in 1989 Agent of the Year. He has taught in schools for both the PIA and IIA, been a speaker at RIMS and C.P.C.U. meetings, and has spoken at various conventions. He is a National Faculty Member for the Society of Certified Insurance Counselors.

As a volunteer in the Scouting program, he serves as a trainer for the Girl Scouts, and Council Eagle Advancement Chairman for the Boy Scouts. An active volunteer in the fire and rescue services, Tilden is an internationally certified technical rescue instructor. He is a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators along with their NC Chapter, and teaches arson investigation courses.


LnL FAQ

What is the purpose of Lunch 'n' Learn?

PIA's Lunch 'n' Learn programs provide member agencies and their employees with practical education. Subjects are selected to assist participants in running their agencies and/or serving their clients more efficiently. Programs will be less than one hour in duration and will include valuable summaries to print out, keep and share. The seminars are conducted via operated-assisted conference calls and will be open to an unlimited number of participants at your agency or company. (Fee is per phone line).

Lunch 'n' Learn programs are conducted between noon -1 p.m. Participants must register in advance and will be provided with conference call access pass code and visual/pass out materials in advance via e-mail. Participants are encouraged to have multiple employees at each phone site (with speaker phone), to maximize savings and participation.


What are participants saying about this innovative program?

"It was nice that we didn't have to drive anywhere and leave the office understaffed for 1/2 of the day. I think we all got something out of the session. Would definitely participate in the future."

"Overall-great job, we will be back for another session."

"Everything seems easy to understand here. Good job!"

"I enjoyed your series this afternoon, it was very informative and we all learned something new."

"L'n'L format is good - an easy time for people to be available. Liked the audio format. Short session on specific topic was good. Ample opportunity for Q&A-all our questions were answered during the session. Our agency will be "regulars" at future sessions!"

"The time frame was perfect. This subject lent itself to lunch hour training. The inclusion of participant questions was helpful and timed well in presentation. Extra materials also very helpful as a future resource."


About Lunch 'n' Learn

PIA’s exclusive, award-winning Lunch 'n' Learn programs bring practical, “must-know” topics right into your agency. Agency staff will learn information targeted to help them perform their jobs better—all in under an hour (starting at noon), without leaving the office.

Register for Lunch 'n' Learn and, using a speaker phone and a computer, you can offer this learning opportunity to multiple staff at once. Just register for the program, provide the email address of the primary participant, and let PIA do the rest!


Participants receive via e-mail:
  • Upon registration, the primary participant will receive an initial registration confirmation via e-mail.
  • Approx. 2-3 days prior to the live program, , primary participants will receive via e-mail:
    1. Information on how to access the operator-assisted teleconference (one dial-in line per registration);A link to the slide-show presentation and support materials that will be addressed during the program (you may view them on your computer screen or print them for distribution to multiple participants from your agency);An email address to which you may send any questions you have before, during or after the program; and
    2. An evaluation form that we will ask each participant to complete and return to PIA (share with all participants via email or print and return to PIA via fax.)

Participants are encouraged to “brown-bag” their lunch and gather around a speaker phone to maximize the value your agency can receive from this program.NOTE: (Lunch 'n' Learn programs are NOT being filed for CE, so participants will NOT need to take a monitored exam on the content.)


Participants will need: 
  • Internet e-mail access to receive support materials
  • A telephone (or speakerphone if multiple participants)

What are the benefits of participating in PIA's Lunch 'n' Learn audio conference education series?

  • No need to travel out of your office - educate multiple staff people at one time, for one low fee
  • User-friendly formats that facilitate learning

What is a Web teleconference?

It's much like a large conference call, but in a more controlled, interesting, radio-program-like environment. Participants call in on an 800 number, answered by a live operator. Sit back and listen to the presentations and submit questions via e-mail for the Q&A session. Follow along with your speaker as they guide you through the multimedia presentations. Gather your staff around your conference table's speakerphone and have everyone benefit from the advice and information shared.


How will this teleconference work?

The program comes to you via a teleconference. During the call, the instructor will guide participants through the presentation and support materials. The audio conference will alternate between presentations by the instructor (s) and comments and questions posed by you and other attendees via e-mail.

Each registration entitles one phone line from your agency to access the teleconference program. You may have an unlimited number of participants in your office. During the program, participants can e-mail their questions to the speaker. The speaker will answer your questions, time permitting. Speakers will also remain available after the program to e-mail answers to any questions that could not be covered during the call.


Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to join us for the teleconference, call to cancel at least four working days prior to the program for a full refund. Registration fees must be paid in advance, please do not fax a duplicate registration form if you are mailing in a check for payment.


© 2008 by Professional Insurance Agents. All rights reserved. Disclaimer and legal notice