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S E P T E M B E R , 2 0 1 7
See the complete list of Ultimate Sponsors on page 2 of this issue.
Advisor in Insurance (AAI) designation and began a specialty
practice in the Community Association arena.
As a result of their efforts in providing the highest level
of insurance and risk management services to the industry,
Jillian and Ryan have developed a portfolio of over 450
Associations in New Jersey. Backed by an incredible service
team, they take pride in educating their Boards and Unit
Owners on all insurance matters, and handle their business
with the highest level of professionalism and ethical behavior.
Is there a specific project or program that you
would like to highlight?
Besides our involvement in the “selling and servicing
insurance” business, we are heavily invested in the “recruit-
ing and enhancing” business as well. One way we
develop future leaders is through our own Brown & Brown
University. In our formalized 13 weeks of classes, Brown
& Brown veterans take younger team members under
their wings. The students work through lessons, including
employee benefits and property and casualty programs,
led by people who have reached the top of the profession
We know Brown & Brown University is an effective way
to help people succeed. Since it was founded in 2003,
the University is responsible for turning out many graduates
who are among our top performers. Our producers have a
passion for learning. They consistently pursue opportunities
for professional development and certification, earning des-
ignations as Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC), Associate
in Risk Management (ARM) and Chartered Property
Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), to name just a few.
What might someone be surprised to learn
about your company?
Brown & Brown has grown and expanded to the point
that it is currently ranked as the sixth largest independent
insurance intermediary organization in the U.S. and sev-
enth in the world. The company operates 195 locations
in 41 states and 3 foreign offices. While of a size that
provides customers access to virtually every highly rated
insurance underwriting company in the country, as well
many within the European insurance marketplace, Brown
& Brown’s real strength is in the great flexibility it provides
our brokers at the local level. Each office is operated as an
entrepreneurial entity, making it possible to respond rapidly
to the needs of local customers, with local knowledge.
The office in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania has several
niche focuses, with community associations being a large
one. The account management team that we have in this
office is accessible, reliable, and responsive, which is a
huge contributor to our success in retaining our community
association customers while still having the ability to wel-
come new customers as well.
What trends do you see for the Community
Association Industry?
As communities age, the frequency of losses will inevitably
increase. Severe losses in a community will obviously impact
future premiums, but the frequency of reported losses will have
an equally negative impact on the future as well. In an effort
to minimize future losses, most associations are taking the nec-
essary proactive steps from a risk management standpoint…..
dry vent and fireplace cleaning, water hose and water heater
replacement, grilling rules and safety, etc.. The future trend
however, to minimize frequency, has to do with the associa-
tion insurance deductible structure.
Some associations will have no choice but to increase their
master policy deductible as a result of loss history. Others will
make the decision to increase the deductible in an effort to
have unit owner insurance be primary for more of the respon-
sibility of the loss. Items that are giving rise to master policy
losses, are actually the owner’s responsibility to maintain, so
having the personal insurance have some more “skin in the
game” not only makes sense, but it improves long term loss
history as well. An actively involved association insurance
broker that can assist in the claims handling process with per-
sonal adjusters and units owners, will lead to a positive impact
going forward as well.
n
Jillian Macievic and
Ryan Weiner, are the
insurance producers
and face to face
relationship drivers
between our office
and the industry.