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News
Facebook Fan or Lurker?
Newsletter – Monday, October 15, 2012
I have never been a big fan of Facebook. I realize I am of the generation that doesn’t really ‘get’ it. However I am also in the group of people who have Facebook accounts because their children do. I hear it is called lurking, so be it. Of course once you sign up, all kinds of old friends and acquaintances find you and ‘friend’ you. So now, I find I am ‘connected’ to about 100 people I haven’t seen or talked to in years. Worse, there is this thing that Facebook friends can do and that is ‘tag’ you in a picture. Recently some thoughtful person posted a grade school picture of me – yup – that’s me, the geeky looking kid in the second row, the one that looks like a lurker.
Jinny, Jeff Johnson and I just got back from Atlanta where we attended the NAPSLO convention. This is one of the largest Surplus Lines Association meetings in the states and I have been attending this meeting for nearly 30 years. Needless to say, I like it better than Facebook because I don’t have to lurk. I have a hundred plus friends that I get to see and catch up with in person and it suits me just fine.
So what is the news in the E&S marketplace? Well, everyone is hoping for a tightening of the market. Some carriers are asking that we increase pricing at renewal on average of 5%. Some new markets are emerging but I still can’t get anyone to write workers comp on an owner-operator trucker nor write the commercial liability for the landowner who leases natural gas rights. On the bright side, we have spoken to some new markets and now have much more opportunity to write the $2 million to $50 million TIV property. We are fully capable of handling brokerage property and I hope you send us that next large property (single or schedule) risk our way. I will be lurking- I mean watching.
Our Commercial Auto team is not unlike a Facebook group, or so I am told. They are a diverse group of individuals but with a common passion. Some have been with Tuscano as long as I have and others are relative newbies. All of them are zealous about writing truck business; everything from getting your quote to you quickly and with the best terms, to working hard to keep your renewal. They take pride in their work and see it as a mission to be the best truck underwriting unit in their market. I couldn’t agree more, in fact, I ‘Like’ the Auto Team.
Since we are talking about them, I want to put in a plug for this business. We are seeing a lot of opportunity with truckers, especially the owner-operators and 1-5 unit accounts. While I know that there is no consistency in the pricing, the Tuscano Commercial Auto team members are happy to discuss a risk and see if there is a legitimate opportunity to make a prospect a customer and maybe even a friend!
I’m Liking it! :)
