Hello Pibbers!  Some time ago, I wrote an article on the use of credit scoring in insurance and it generated a slew of responses.  Most of the comments were directed at the state and their authorizing carriers to use credit as an initial underwriting tool.  Since that legislation was signed into law, there have been some instances of insurers, well, not playing by the rules!  (shock!)  To read the previous post, click HERE.  Read on for information concerning the scofflaws (read “insurer”) that blamed their “error” on a computer glitch! Read the rest of this entry »

Good Day PIBbers!  The State of Oregon has enacted new legislation that governs how financial services professionals are regulated regarding the use of professional designations and other certifications.  To quote the Oregon Insurance Division website:

These rules set forth standards to protect consumers from misleading and fraudulent marketing practices with respect to the use of special designations and certifications in the solicitation, sale or purchase of, or advice made in connection with an insurance product or in providing advice as to the value of or the advisability of purchasing insurance.

To link to the Oregon Division rules page, click HERE

To link to the specific rule, click HERE

The State of Oregon Insurance Division has announced that effective September 1, 2009 there is a new fee that will be required to be paid when submitting your initial individual insurance license application form.

In addition to the fees that have been historically required ($30 application fee + a $45 license fee), there is an additional fee of $47.25 that will pay for the federal and state criminal background check that is required to be performed before a license can be issued.    This fee must be included when you pay for the “other” required fees.  Read on for more! Read the rest of this entry »

Good morning, PIBbers!   In our continuing mission to assist the industry professional, ProSchools will be holding a webinar on August 5, 2009 entitled “Social Media for Insurance and Real Estate Professionals.”  This webinar focuses specifically on how to use social media, such as blogging, wikis and niche marketing to positively affect your marketing efforts.  To quote Michelle Anderson, our Community Manager:

“This webinar will help you create an environment that encourages conversations, sharing content, and building relationships online and off using social media! It’s a new way of doing business, and it’s very often free (or nearly free). But how do blogs, wikis, widgets, and niche networking sites help real estate and insurance agents?  Attend the webinar and find out!“

There is no cost to attend this event; you simply need to sign up.  If you sign up for the webinar, you’ll receive discounts on your ProSchools insurance continuing education as well!  Click on the following links for more information and to sign up for the event!

For information on the webinar and to register, click on this link:  Social Media Webinar Info/Registration

For information on other webinars ProSchools is holding in the future, click on this link:  Upcoming ProSchools Webinars

We look forward to having you in on this event.  Social media and social networking efforts are now considered critical for an insurance agent’s success, and can lead to all sorts of important business connections including new client resources!

The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) has changed the fees that are charged for both initial and renewal insurance licenses.  Following the path of many other states that are running into budget difficulties, the increase (thankfully for our Colorado folks) is not substantial.  Some of the highlights of the fee increases are as follows:

• For Initial Licenses:
  • Resident Producers (per line):                            Currently:  $52           As of 7/1/2009:  $71
  • Non-Resident Producers (per line):                    Currently:  $93           As of 7/1/2009:  $112
• For Renewal Licenses:
  • Resident Producers (per line):                           Currently:  $13           As of 7/1/2009:  $32
  • Non-Resident Producers (per line):                   Currently:  $41           As of 7/1/2009:  $60

Click HERE for DORAs file that details all of the changes!

To all of our PA students- the examination content outline is changing effective July 1, 2009.  There are not many changes, but we want to make sure that you are aware of these changes.  ProSchools‘ tradition of staying current rolls on!  Click on the following links to access your new content outline, and please make sure that you continue in this post for the additional material and their explanations:

For life insurance only candidates: click HERE

For accident and health insurance only candidates:  click HERE

For life and accident and health candidates:  click HERE

Read the rest of this entry »

Good day, fellow PIBbers!  We have set the dates for the  Oregon life and health insurance review for July and August, 2009.

• July 15, 2009
• August 12, 2009

The review session will run from 10 am- 4 pm and is at no cost to any ProSchools enrolled student.  For non-Proschools students, the cost will be $99 for the entire session.  Textbooks are available for purchase as well if you don’t already have copies.  For ProSchools enrollees, the cost for all books pertinent to your line of study is $39.00; for non-ProSchools students, the cost is $39.00 per book (2 or 3 books depending on your line(s) of study.  The review will be held at our Cedar Hills classroom location.  For directions, click HERE

Make sure that you bring all of your materials with you and be ready to take lots of notes!  Bring your questions and concerns, and we’ll get them addressed!  Hope to see you there!  -Gary

I am thrilled to announce that ProSchools’ online courses for Washington Insurance prelicense students has been approved and is available for purchase for all Washington home-state insurance candidates!  ProSchools is the first educational provider to be granted all-lines authority by Washington’s Office of the Insurance Commissioner, and our course is ready to go! 

In the course, you will find that we have included all of the little things that make ProSchools’ courses the industry standard for insurance licensing candidates:

• Fully interactive lessons that will lead you down the correct path to success by passing your test the first time out!
• Our talked-about “ProActive” exercises that will strengthen your knowledge in critical areas
• Examples that will turn “insurance language” into normal English for easier comprehension of the material.
• Fully narrated and streaming lesson reviews and objectives
• Full examination preparation software within the program, including quizzes with full explanations, chapter tests and final examinations that will give the student indicators as to readiness for the state test  You don’t have to pay extra for exam prep like our competition requires!
• Complete record-keeping information that is available to the student and the manager 24/7.

We are excited about this program and consider it to be the industry standard for licensing preparation.  As well, ProSchools is always looking to partner with qualified insurers and agencies; our partnership program can enhance your recruiting, advertising and student success rate beyond anything our competitors can offer.  If interested, please call Gary Sternberg/Director of Insurance Programs at 800-452-4879, extension 820 or through email at garys@proschools.com

To all of our Nevada prelicense students:  the fees for obtaining your insurance license have been increased.  Please read the following statement issued by the Nevada Division of Insurance:

“Effective July 1, 2009, an additional assessment of $60.00 is now added to each new license application and license renewal, and will be applied to the Division’s Insurance Administration and Enforcement Account. This fee and the Insurance Administration and Enforcement Account were created by the Legislature as a result of Senate Bill 426 which was signed by the Governor on May 29, 2009. This additional assessment is separate from and in addition to any business entity affiliation fee indicated in a license application or license renewal, or the fee to add an additional line of authority. “

Please click HERE for the link to the Nevada DOI for further clarification!

The Life and Health Insurance Review is set for June 9, 2009 at our Cedar Hills classroom, and will run from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, give or take a few minutes.  There is no cost for currently enrolled ProSchools students and $99 for non-ProSchools enrollees.  For directions to the classroom and phone numbers, click HERE!

Please make sure to bring all of your textbooks (if you did a classroom course), notes, paper, pencils/pens and anything else you might feel you need in a review session.  The pace will be brisk and concentrated.  We will begin with an overview of the test itself, some “do’s and don’ts,” content discussions and a short Q&A on the test.  We will then take on health insurance, followed by insurance law and finishing with life insurance.  I hope to see you there!