News

It sure is hard to look back on the beginning of the NFL season and imagine that the Steelers would be playing in Super Bowl XLV. Between disciplinary actions and injuries, not even the most ardent Steelers fan would have believed they would be facing off with the Green Bay Packers in less than a week.

I am really excited at the prospect of these two teams meeting in Dallas. While you know I am an all-out Pittsburgh sports fan, I also have a lot of respect for the Packers. Did you know that they are the only non-profit, community-owned major league professional sports team in the United States? About the only thing better than that is being owned by the Rooney family since 1933. I guess what I am trying to convey here is my respect for the legacy of both franchises. 

There is no way to win a national championship without hard work, superb coaching, and an incredible belief in oneself. Guess what? The same is true in our business. Not every team makes it to the playoffs and that can happen for a variety of reasons. Some can’t seem to pull it together and others can’t seem to build the team that it takes to get there. Tuscano is in it to win. Yes, we have the right people, great leaders, the drive to win, and the belief that we can. I know I have said it before many times, but if you want to win, then hook your wagon to this train! We are doing great things!

Enough SportsCenter commentary for a Monday morning! (Although, now that I think about it, wouldn’t it be cool if we could poke fun at the insurance industry the way they do the business of sports?) 

I get my share of carrier reports and I am dumbfounded at how positive many of the 2010 year-end results have been. Travelers reported a 95.5 combined for 2010 and Progressive posted a 92.2 combined. How the companies come up with their numbers is above my pay grade, but after 30 years in this business I do know that when you recognize what you are insuring you can control what you cover. Underwriting the exposure and pricing it accordingly is what I would consider a win-win. I believe that carriers are on the verge of ‘building a better mousetrap’, and this could change the everyday conversations we have. To stay in the game, we need to keep up with the playbook. 

We are all better when we focus on our strengths and that goes for insurance wholesalers too. The good news is that at Tuscano we have specialized teams so we are strong in all lines of business! Our Package Team is especially awesome when it is comes time to write hospitality and habitational accounts. They can write any kind of eating or drinking establishment or venue you can dig up! From the fancy restaurant you will be taking your spouse, partner, or friend to on Valentine’s Day to the bar or pub you may find yourself in while watching the Steelers play - they love to help you find a home for your account. As for habitational business, they specialize in anything that is habitable: apartment buildings big or small, investment properties in any state of occupancy, mixed occupancy of commercial and habitational, and elderly or student housing. Talk about diversity! 

I would like to close my letter with a bit of news from the front line. As you know, a team is only as good as its players and here at Tuscano we have been privileged to work with some true stars. After 22 years with Tuscano and even more than that on the company side of the business, Dayle Gardner has announced her retirement. Dayle was our ‘pioneer’ in garage underwriting – teaching herself and many others the intricacies of this coverage and its many unique underwriting twists. She was a Work Comp veteran, but most of all, she was a much loved and respected team member. While she has already said adios to the office, if you would like to send her a note or email in care of the agency, we would be happy to pass your well wishes along.

Go Stillers!