United Farmers Agents Association

Transcription

The
A publication of the United Farmers Agents Association
Voice
Fall ’14
“Agents Helping Agents®”
At TWFG we provide you with the markets, systems, tools, back
office support and training to grow an independent agency
or branch operation.
We have several options available with a competitive commission structure for all lines of
business. TWFG provides access to capital and can assist with book purchases and transfers.
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Coming Events
The
4th Quarter
Voice
Fall ’14
FEATURES
Chapter Officer Elections
Chapter Delegate Election
Prepare for Chapter Audits
February 8-10 2015
National Board Meeting
Chapter President’s Meeting
Golden Nugget – Las Vegas, NV
UFAA sends periodical informative
emails out to the Agency Force. If
you are not receiving emails from
UFAA National, please contact the
National Office to check that we have
the correct email address for you.
Please send the National Office
[email protected]
HUMAN BEHAVIOR & SOCIAL INTERACTION
4
RULES TO PROTECT YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
6
THE AGM DRA IN A NUTSHELL
8
ATTENTION JEFF DAILEY, CEO
10
WE ARE UFAA, THE UNITED FARMERS AGENTS
ASSOCIATION. WON’T YOU JOIN US?
14
FARMERS INSURANCE AGENT RECEIVES
VETERAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
18
2014 UFAA NATIONAL CONVENTION
20
ECHOES FROM THE AGENCY FORCE
26
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resource to members.
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and what might be done to improve
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JOIN TODAY
The Voice is published four times per year by The United Farmers Agents Association, a professional association
committed to helping our members through education, communication, support and information and in establishing a
true partnership with Farmers Group, Inc. The content of The Voice is the responsibility of the elected National Board
Members who comprise The Voice Committee. Products and services advertised are not endorsed by The United
Farmers Agents Association, Inc. or its affiliates. Complaints or inquiries should be forwarded directly to the advertiser.
All purchases are at the complete discretion of the customer.
The opinions expressed by the authors published in
The Voice are not necessarily those of UFAA, its officers,
directors or members, and should not be construed as legal advice.
The Voice • 3 • Fall ’14
“AGENTS HELPING AGENTS®”
Human Behavior & Social Interaction
I must admit that for the past 40 plus years, I have long been extremely intrigued with observing human behavior, body
language, critical thinking and social interaction. It probably started when I was a child and I watched the grown-ups
play chess, checkers, softball and football. It was amazing to me how much time, energy and effort individuals placed on
winning these games and yet remained friends and socially cohesive.
For better or worse, society has a vested interest in developing rules and laws to ensure that everyone behaves
appropriately and there is social order. When the rules and laws are drafted, developed and implemented, there is an
understanding that if one follows the rules there is an expected outcome. In other words, there is an implied rule that if
you are courteous and wait in line, eventually you will get your chance to buy popcorn at the movie theater, sports tickets,
groceries, etc. If one doesn’t follow the rules, there are also ramifications that follow.
The same principles and rules apply to individuals that choose to enter a business relationship. In order for two parties
to conduct business there is usually a written contract that specifies the duties, compensation and performance of
both parties. Additionally, a contract may be held as an invalid contract by the courts, if it is found that one party used
misrepresentations and fraudulent inducement as a way to entice the other party to sign the contract.
I would like to believe that the relationship between the Agency Force and Farmers is somewhat like a highly evolved wolf
pack. Even though a wolf pack can be extremely aggressive and carnivorous, the wolves are all committed to a common
purpose and that is the social order, welfare and survival of the wolf pack. In my personal opinion, when an Agent and
The Exchanges enter into a contractual agreement (AAA) both parties are agreeing to work to the mutual benefit of both
parties, the wolf packs so to speak. If one party takes it upon themselves to not honor the letter of the law (AAA) contract
as well as the spirit of the contract (AAA) then the social order of the pack is threatened and it becomes chaos.
Let us put our selfish interest aside and work together as a highly evolved wolf pack, as a team, before this thing we have
descends into utter and complete chaos.
Tom Schrader
President
Bothersome Issues
The following are the five complaints
or issues the Agency Force has most
commonly requested UFAA address
with FGI during the current quarter.
1. Why is 21st Century actively
soliciting and selling homeowner’s
insurance policies to current
Farmers policyholders and then
assigning the policies back to the
agents to service at 4%?
from agent’s previous quotes and
running MVR’s to requote and
charging the agents the $6 or
$7 MVR charges that the agent
never authorized.
2. Many, Many agents are
wondering why they are seeing
miscellaneous 28 cent charges
for MVR’s on their folios that
they are not being reimbursed
for. Doesn’t sound like a lot, but
when you figure there are 6-10
per agent times 12,000 agents,
that’s a lot of money on a monthly
basis.
4. Why is Calsurance informing
agents that Farmers benefits
department has instructed
Calsurance to refuse a
cancellation request when an
agent sends in a request to
cancel the Calsurance E&O
policy? FYI, in the state of
California and many other states,
it is illegal for a business to
continue drafting money from
an individual’s account (Folio)
when that individual has sent in a
written request directing them to
stop deducting/taking money from
their account.
3. There are agents stating that 21st
Century is using untaken quotes
5. In the Farmers marketing
program, there are a lot of great
marketing branded items, pens,
etc. However, Farmers will only
cost share on many of those
items that only have the Farmers
name on them. So agents ask,
why should I buy 1,000 pens and
hand them out or leave them
with businesses, if they don’t
have the agents name on them
and drive business to the agent.
Farmers needs to understand
that agents want to advertise
that they are a Farmers Agent
and hand out Farmers branded
pens, etc. But what prudent
business man would spend
hundreds or thousands of dollars
to hand out branded merchandise
that doesn’t have the agent’s
information included to drive the
business to the agent.
Tom Schrader
President
WATCH THE CLOCK: WAGE AND HOUR
RULES FOR SMALL EMPLOYERS Dirk A. Beamer
Farmers agency owners have their
hands full as they work to grow their
books of business, service their
existing clientele, and keep up with
the ever-changing from Wilshire
Boulevard. In the midst of all this, you
can’t lose track of your responsibilities
as an employer. State and federal
wage and hour laws apply to you if
you have even one paid staff member,
and it is up to you as the employer
to make sure you are following the
law. Here are just a few examples of
potential problem areas.
1. Overtime Pay. Although the law
has been around for a long time and
in many respects is straightforward,
small employers continue to struggle
with the overtime requirements
of the Fair Labor Standards Act
(FLSA). Basically, the law requires
that employers pay their workers time
and a half for every hour over 40
that an employee works in a single
work week. Here are a few common
misconceptions about the law:
“It is up to me to decide whether
an employee is “exempt” from the
overtime requirements;”
“If I pay a salary, I don’t have to pay
overtime;”
“I can offer comp or flex time instead
of overtime;”
“If the employee works the overtime
without my permission, I don’t need to
pay for it.”
While certain employees are “exempt”
from the overtime requirements of
the FLSA, the test for determining
exemption is more complex and
more rigid than many employers
realize. Paying someone a salary to
do office or “white collar” work does
not guarantee that you are exempt
from the law. If the law does apply to
you and your employee, it is not up to
the two of you to decide if you want
to deviate from it in favor of some
alternative form of compensation;
even if the employee agrees.
2. Paid Breaks. The FLSA does not
mandate that employees be given any
specific breaks during the workday. It
does require, however, that if you as
an employer allow small (sometimes
called “de minimis”) breaks during the
day, you cannot dock pay for them.
Longer breaks (typically 20 minutes
or more) can be without pay; however,
you need to completely relieve the
worker from job responsibilities if they
are on an unpaid break. Here are
some common mistakes concerning
breaks at work:
Asking office staff to answer phones
or run errands during an unpaid lunch
break;
Tacking on break time to the schedule
without accounting for resulting
overtime (e.g. eight and a half hour
workday with a half hour paid lunch
equals a forty-two and a half hour
workweek).
Bottom line? If you allow small
breaks, you need to pay for them.
Longer breaks can be without pay
provided the employee is relieved of
duties.
3. Withholding from Paychecks.
With certain exceptions, employers
generally may not withhold monies
from an employee’s paycheck without
prior, written authorization. Frequent
mistakes include the following:
Withholding money to offset damage
caused to company property or to a
company car;
Withholding money from a final
paycheck to offset an outstanding
loan obligation;
Giving an employee’s paycheck to
a spouse or other family member
without explicit permission.
Ordinarily, none of these things
should happen without a prior,
voluntary arrangement with the
employee as reflected in writing
and signed by the employee.
Withholdings for payroll taxes and
also for garnishments pursuant to
a court order do not require the
employee’s prior written consent.
The last thing a busy agent needs is
an inquiry from the state or federal
Department of Labor looking to audit
your payroll practices. Consult with
your payroll service provider, your
attorney, or your accountant to make
sure you are complying with your
payroll obligations in order to avoid
the risk of costly investigations, fines,
and interest.
Dirk Beamer serves as General
Counsel to UFAA and helps UFAA
track legal issues of interest to its
members. UFAA has provided this
update for informational purposes
only. The contents should not be
construed as legal advice or an
endorsement from UFAA or its
attorneys, and UFAA expressly
disclaims any such advice. Wage and
hour laws vary from state to state.
Consult your local attorney for advice
applicable to your situation.
Rules to Protect Your Email Address
1. Never publish your email address online. Don’t put it on your home page, your online resume, or on a contact page.
There are spiders which crawl the net specifically looking for email addresses to add to spam mailing lists. I tried to
use a Webmail form on my Mail Server account to have people contact me. Another option, although not as good as
a form, is to create an image of your email address and post that to your web pages instead of the address. Email
spiders usually cannot read images. For those people who convert their email into “john at foo dot com”, I contend
that it is trivial for the mail address spiders to convert and record addresses in this form. If you do feel the need to post
your true email address, then make sure to use a throwaway one or an address from your E-Mail account.
2. Never participate in an online discussion list or forum if they post your email address to their site. If you find a
discussion list which does not disguise the addresses, then complain to the site administrator. Tell them that they are
helping by serving email addresses to spammers.
3. Never type your true email address into a web form. Use the E-Mail account to give a temporary email address every
time you buy or sign up for things.
4. Never use the “Mail this Document to a Friend” web forms. By typing a friend’s email address into those forms, you are
giving their address to that company. Most browsers have a “Send This Page” or “Send this Link” commands built into
them. There are many sites out there whose sole purpose is to get email addresses for spam mailing lists. Even if it
is a legitimate company, there will always be some database administrator who wants to make a quick buck by selling
the email dump to a spammer. This happened to AOL. Recently myself, my wife, and my brother all started receiving
spam mail on our E-Mail account addresses -- addresses specifically and only given to that company. I don’t think the
company sold their email list to a spammer but someone did.
5. Whenever you send mail to a large group of people, always use the Bcc (Blind Carbon Copy) address field instead of
the To: field. When you use the To: field, everyone who gets the message sees the addresses of everyone else whom
you sent it to. Bcc addresses are not seen in the message. This is very important for those people who forward humor
email to a group of friends. Remember, it is your responsibility to protect the email addresses of your friends as well
as you protect your own.
6. Make sure that you remove extraneous email addresses from forwarded mail -- especially forwarded email
headers. This means that you should trim down a funny message before you forward. If person A sends you mail and
you forward it to person B, then you have just distributed person A’s email address without their consent. Make sure
you only forward the content of the funny message, not the headers. This also means that you do not bury the funny
content and so your readers don’t have to search through all of the headers to find it.
7. Do not include your email address in the signature of your message in mail that you send. Your recipients can get
your email address from the header and if it gets reposted with the headers removed, your email address will not be
distributed.
8. If you run a web site, police it to make sure you have not posted anyone’s email address inadvertently. Watch for
quotes you’ve collected, cool links you’ve listed, interesting facts, etc. If you need to credit a person for some content,
then put a link to them instead of posting their email address. If you need to put someone’s email address, then
protect it like you would your own and use a web form, javascript obfuscation, or address image.
9. Watch the address that spammers are mailing to you with. Your email provider should be able to add to the email
addresses that you get which address they used. The To: address in the email headers is actually not the address
which is uses to deliver the message. I’ve configured my mailer to add a X-To: header which is the inbound address
that was used. If you get mail and neither the To:, CC:, or Bcc: headers contains an address for you, then call your
technical support people and insist that they tell you what email address was used. If they can’t then escalate the
issue until they get that important capability.
10. Never send mail to an address asking that you be removed from their list. This only helps spammers because they
can take your originating email address and verify that there is a human behind it. If they give you an URL, never enter
your email address into a form for the same reason. If you know the company, however, and the URL in question has
your email address coded in it, then I don’t see any reason why you can’t click on it and opt out of the spam.
11. I have heard that it is hard for a site to get your email address while you are just surfing them. There may still be
javascript or java security holes however. I would make sure that your browser (Mozilla, IE, Netscape, Opera, etc.)
is configured with a Mailnull or otherwise bogus email address that you can rotate to another one at will spam. You
certainly should never configure your primary email address in your browser.
In other words, NEVER, NEVER use you main email address to sign up for anything. If you shop online have a free email
from Gmail. Yahoo, Excite etc and always use it. If you use as many of the above practices you will have a better chance
of protecting your email, keeping in mind there is really no one way that is fool proof.
That’s it for now give us a call or create a trouble ticket by clicking on the “UFAA HELP DESK” button on the UFAA.COM
website.
Alex and Reed Conger
UFAA TECH
866-441-8018
[email protected]
Why I Joined UFAA
I was fortunate to have become an
agent when Farmers was #3 in the
US in auto and home and we were
only in 26 states. We used to be very
competitive with State Farm, Allstate,
Safeco, Farm Bureau, etc. etc. We
only had a manual, calculator and
paper apps. When we quoted it was
based on underwriting factors and not
some mysterious black box conjured
up by some computer programmer
who only speaks Geek. Because we
had such wisdom and dealt in reality
we would write 75% of what we
quoted. We had good programs and
a great company. That’s not to say
that there were no problems because
wherever you have people you have
problems. Back then we not only
understood the insurance industry
we were aware of good common
sense business practices and public
relations. We could talk with the
executives and we cared about our
customers. Within 12 years I had
built my agency from nothing to 3,300
PIF. This was a fun business to be in.
Then BAT bought us out and things
started to change, not drastically,
but enough to start to catch my
attention. One of the changes is that
we were hit with “adverse selection”
and most agents in two years lost
20% of their PIF. Well, with hard
work, we started to come back from
that. Then we were blessed with
another change – Zurich. Yep, they
needed a cash cow so they bought
us out and then our rates really went
into the toilet. We’ve never really
been competitive since. Now instead
of writing 75% of what we quoted it
is was more like 5-10% of what we
quoted. It’s tough to write business
when you’re 40+% higher than the
competition. Not only were the rates
bad, but the attitude of management
started to change and they seemed
to lack respect for the Agency
Force. What used to be a great fun
business turned sour. Dealing with
our customers was still a pleasure but
now dealing with the company with all
their bureaucratic bull was getting to
be a real pain.
Before this I’d always heard how
nasty and negative the agents were
that joined UFAA and for years
I believed it. Well when things
turned sour I finally went to a UFAA
meeting. I had a real surprise. They
weren’t a bunch of negative whiners
and low producers. They actually
cared about Farmers and their fellow
agents. As a matter of fact they were
more pro-Farmers than Farmers is
and all those bad attitude agents I’d
heard about were actually those that
were not members of UFAA. The
UFAA members were the more
positive agents and they would try to
help each other rather that stab each
other in the back, like I’d seen from
many non-member agents. The nonmember agents were really the more
self-centered negative agents not the
UFAA members. Then I learned that
this is the only Professional Agents
Association that deals specifically
with Farmers agents and looks out
for the best interests of Farmers and
its agents. If an agent gets harassed,
by some executive who usually had
little to no sales experience, then one
could rely on UFAA to have their back
and give them all the support they
could. They bring many benefits to
the Agency Force and it is because of
UFAA and their activity that Farmers
has given the Agency Force many
of the benefits that we have today.
UFAA watches out for the good of
the Agency Force. So I figured if I
didn’t join then, I’d be as selfish and
self-centered as many of the back
stabbing agents I’d known that would
never join an Association as they
don’t want to give up their time to any
other agent or even their industry,
forgetting that with the sneeze of
some executive over their head they
could be gone.
There is strength in numbers. When
UFAA’s concern is for the welfare of
Farmers and its Agency Force trying
to make this a better company and
business, doesn’t it make sense to
join us? Please join us.
Klaas Tuininga
Director of Governmental Affairs
The AGM DRA in a Nutshell
UNFAIR COMPETITION – BREACH OF
CONTRACT – TORTIOUS INTERFERENCE
FIG pressures its agents with quotas of quotes and new business written while at the same time using the data acquired
by the agents, at the agent’s expense, to offer the same product cheaper through a subsidiary. FIG then deprives and
prohibits agents from writing business away from the subsidiary.
On or around 2009, FIG initiated a scheme to utilize information and data about the exclusive Agent’s policyholders to
directly solicit those Agents existing policyholders with less expensive insurance policies sold through a subsidiary of the
exchanges.
On or around 2010, FIG unveiled a series of programs including the Agency Growth Model requiring all of its agents to
meet various performance standards – most notably, unreasonable production minimums, quoting requirements, and
office hours – or else face adverse action from Farmers up to and including termination. Through these programs Farmers
pressures its Agents to quote new business, in part, so that Farmers can then harvest the data obtained through the
Agents to solicit new customers for 21st Century.
FIG has breached the contract by taking adverse action against Agents on the basis of the location, type, and nature
of the offices maintained by the Agents. FGI has unilaterally dictated mandatory office hours in violation of the Agent’s
independent contractor status. FIG has added the words “performance standards” and FIG has written into the
appointment agreement at the company’s sole discretion the ability to unilaterally modify the agreement without the
consent from the other party.
Declaratory Relief
Count I
(Plaintiff Seeks a Ruling that Farmers’ may not Interfere With UFAA Member Agents’ Contracts And Business
Expectancies by Disseminating or Using Data and Information Acquired from UFAA Member Agents to Solicit
Customers for Any Competitor of that Agent.)
Count II
(Plaintiff Seeks a Ruling that the AGM Program, the EDGE, and Take 5 and Comparable Programs Violate the Pre2009 AAA)
Count III
(Plaintiff Seeks a Ruling that Taking Adverse Action against UFAA Member Agents Based On The Location,
Nature, Hours, and Types of Offices Maintained By Agents Violates the pre-2009 and 2009 AAA)
Count IV
(Plaintiff Seeks a Ruling That the No Cause Termination Provision to the Pre-2009 and 2009 AAA is Procedurally
and Substantially Unconscionable)
UFAA takes the offensive, Issues Deposition Notices
This past summer, UFAA Board members Allen Yerxa and Bill Phillips – along with former Legal Affairs Director Larry
Tencer – faced questions from Farmers’ attorneys in Los Angeles. As predicted, Farmers seems insistent on revisiting
the tired question of whether UFAA has “standing” to speak on behalf of its members. UFAA’s witnesses withstood the
fire and came through in flying colors.
More recently, UFAA’s attorney, Paul Mahoney, issued his deposition notices to Farmers, requiring them to produce their
witnesses to testify on a host of important subjects like production quotas and sharing information with 21st Century.
Expect some resistance before Paul gets them under oath, but rest assured that he won’t let them off the hook!
Stay tuned for future updates, and please do your part to support this important work on behalf of you and your agency.
I wish to make a one-time donation to UFAA. Please apply my donation to…
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UFAA’s AGM DRA Lawsuit
UFAA’s Legal Fund
UFAA’s General Fund
UFAA’s Recruitment Fund
Wherever UFAA needs the funds the most
__________________________________________________________________________
Name
Non-Farmers Email Address
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Signature
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UFAA National Office
9785 Mackenzie Road Ste 104
St. Louis, MO 63123
OR
Email
[email protected]
OR
Fax
314-631-7963
WRIGHT BEAMER, Attorneys
SERVING UFAA AND THE AGENTS OF FARMERS SINCE 2010
DIRK A. BEAMER, ATTORNEY
THE RECOGNIZED EXPERT
FOR CAPTIVE INSURANCE AGENTS AND THEIR ATTORNEYS
WHEN BUYING AND SELLING BOOKS OF BUSINESS
PH: 248.477.6300
WRIGHTBEAMER.COM
[email protected]
Attention: Jeff Dailey, CEO
Mr. Dailey, please direct your attention
to the NET PROMOTER SCORE
placard recently sent to all Farmers
Agents nationwide.
What is NPS? Why is NPS important?
Simply, it is a TOOL, nothing more,
nothing less. Sadly someone on
your management team thinks they
know more than all the tried and true
methods already implemented over
the last few years. They think it is
acceptable to just change a name or
regurgitate old ideas instead of just
striving to be competitive.
This letter is intended to focus
attention on a quote attributed to you
on the back of the NPS placard. Here
it is, “We strive to be the best multiline insurer in the U.S. through a clear
understanding of target customers,
exceeding their expectations
and having the most talented
people dedicated to continuous
improvements.”
Longtime supporters of Farmers wish
to point out just how meaningless
your quote has become. First, no
argument here that you BELIEVE
Farmers can achieve the distinction of
being the best multi-line insurer in the
U.S. The problem is we already were
the best until Zurich got involved.
Also, there is nothing wrong with
targeting groups of people for better
pricing, but wait, we were already
doing that based on driving record,
age, etc. Why do you think it is alright
to prejudge folks based on sex,
income, past coverage and CREDIT?
You are sadly mistaken if you think
the current strategy will glorify your
legacy.
Mr. Dailey, you lost 1.2+ million
policies on your watch just in
2013. Also in 2013, you and your
management team are responsible
for driving away 1,400 loyal Farmers
Agents. What is sad is, you just
don’t get it. Your management team
continues to compound this overall
tragedy by introducing FAB and
Commercial Express Billing, both of
which set Farmers back into the dark
ages, destroying all the Premiere
Service gains we worked so hard on
over the years.
Here is a challenge for your team. Ask
any agent to write up a combination
of risks you could hypothetically
have. Include a personal auto policy,
a commercial BOP, a boat or a
motorcycle, maybe even a motor
home. Add in a couple of life policies.
Don’t be surprised if you are told
the auto, BOP, boat, motorcycle and
motor home cannot be on the same
billing program. And of course the
life is a “Special Breed” of its own.
Don’t get angry if five, six, or even
seven separate billing accounts are
needed? Please don’t grumble and
complain when you are told you must
create your own monthly or EFT
Commercial Billing account on a
separate web site. Whatever you do
don’t blame the agent, he or she is
just the messenger for you.
Mr. Dailey, where are the
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENTS?
Even the most dedicated, talented
people must have something to work
with. On a scale of 1 to 10 how does
your management team score?
GOOD LUCK!
UFAA National Board
Make Your Personality More Pleasing
You exist in a world of people. To get
along in this world, you must have a
pleasing personality. People do not
become leaders by skill or knowledge
but rather because of attitude and
personality.
is almost impossible for you to mask
your attitude concerning yourself or
others. This has been revealed by
the science of kinesics, sometimes
called body language or non-verbal
communications.
Your personality is really a reflection
of your attitude. It is the way you
communicate your attitude. In fact, it
People respond favorably to you to
the degree that you make them feel
important.
My message to all is this, “Let’s get
along and make this organization the
best it can be and our company the
best it can be.”
Randy Frates
Director At Large
Legal Actions Cost Money
I’m going to ask you for money.
Doesn’t that just make you feel warm
and fuzzy all over? Yeah, I know
how it makes you feel. I’ve been
there and I’ll be there again. If you
can remember the #1 rule when
selling life insurance, it is “ASK.” You
get nothing if you don’t ask. Even
your mate is much more likely to
be forthcoming with connubial bliss
if only asked. So, it should now be
clear that I am asking. We (UFAA)
currently have a legal action working
its way through the court and, if you
aren’t aware of it, you really need
to be. Farmers gave me a contract
way back when and they are always
very quick to remind me that I am
an independent contractor at tax
time, but they want to treat me as an
employee when they choose.
Our legal action is asking that the
court stop Farmers from imposing
arbitrary requirements on agents
contrary to what our contracts state.
Right now it is quotes and quotas,
hours of business, how many staff
you employ, how your office should
look and what you should hang on the
walls. It comes down to control…pure
and simple. Maybe I am just fed up
with all the control that I am getting
these days, but I don’t want anyone
telling me when I have to be open.
Apparently, I have figured that out
on my own after 33 years. And don’t
tell me to quote 20 or 30 prospects a
day. Hell, after I’ve quoted 3 or 4 and
find each one is 30, 40, or 50 percent
higher than their current coverage,
I’m ready to go home. Why would I
want to continue the torture? Quoting
isn’t the real problem. It’s the rate we
get when we quote.
Now, if Farmers wants to get out of
this rut we are in, quit trying to strip
our policies of desired coverages
just to get a lower rate and start
designing policies that have modern
(21st century) benefits. Then find a
rate that can be sold. Yes, I did say
“sold.” We don’t mind selling if we are
in the ballpark. We’ve never been the
cheapest, but I’m tired of us being the
most expensive.
Okay, now you know what’s going
on. I am the Membership Director
for UFAA. I am appealing to all you
agents who have never seen enough
reason to join the Association. I have
heard all the reasons and, honestly,
I don’t buy any of them but that is
not what I want to talk about here. If
you haven’t joined and yet you have
read the VOICE and liked some of
the things that UFAA has done, now
is the time for you to help UFAA.
It takes money to get through the
court system. Every dollar will help.
This is an equal opportunity plea to
both members and non-members.
PLEASE, help UFAA. UFAA is
working to help all Farmers Agents.
Give generously. You can find a
donation form on page 9 of this issue
of The Voice.
Bill Wise
Membership Director
I NEED HELP!!!
UFAA receives numerous emails and calls from agents that are non-members that are saying;
•
•
•
•
•
“HELP!... my DM just told me if I don’t produce more, Farmers is going to cancel my contract?”
“Another agent just moved in a block away can they do that?”
“Can I take out my own yellow page ad?”
“Why am I being told that I cannot work from my home?”
“Can I receive your tax guide, how does the contract payment work?”
The list goes on and on. As Insurance Professionals, we all know that you need protection before the loss -- not after the event.
While UFAA is committed to “AGENTS HELPING AGENTS®”, we simply cannot provide the same benefits to non-members,
or limited members, as we do our full paying agents that continue to support our Association. HAVING SAID THAT, PLEASE
READ THE MEMBERSHIP OFFER BELOW. If you are a member, now is the perfect time to contact your fellow agents and let
them know NOW IS THE TIME! DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES, WE NEED EVERYONE’S SUPPORT!
UFAA will offer the $100 discount on FULL REGULAR MEMBERSHIP paid annually from September 1st through December
31st (total cost of $260).
To qualify for these discounts you must be joining as a FULL REGULAR MEMBER of the Association and if you are rejoining
you must have a membership lapse of more the 90 days.
Join today!!! An application can be found in this issue of The Voice on page 25. A printable application can also be found on our
website, www.ufaa.com, under Membership. You can also contact the National Office at 800-275-8668 for an application.
Informative emails
UFAA sends out periodical informational emails to keep the Agency Force up to date on what is happening with UFAA,
Farmers and with the insurance industry about once a month. Recently we have sent out the following emails.
October Offerings (10/7/2014)
September Chatter (9/3/2014)
Changing Course (8/13/2014)
Being part of the Whole (7/30/2014)
June Tidbits (6/25/2014)
Joplin, Lawsuits and Benefits (6/11/2014)
May Tidbits (5/6/2014)
April Tidbits (4/15/2014)
If you have not received the above emails it is most likely due to the fact that we only have your @farmersagent.com
email address. If you have a non-Farmers email please let the National Office know by emailing [email protected]. We
do occasionally send out emails for our Advertisers. If you wish to only receive the informational emails and not the
advertisements please state “NO ADVERTISERS” in your email.
UFAA has a Facebook Page. Check it out at
https://www.facebook.com/UFAA.AgentsHelpingAgents
REAL-TIME MEANS
MORE THAN FAST
SERVICE & SUPPORT YOU CAN RELY ON
ACCESS NATIONAL CARRIERS
PUBLISHED SERVICE STANDARDS
(YES, OUR AGENTS ARE THAT HAPPY WITH OUR SERVICE!)
VISIT OUR SITE FOR DETAILS
AgentSecure.com
817.704.2287 | [email protected]
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We lend it to Farmers agents. It’s even in our name.
With 80+ combined years of experience in agency lending, we know the outlook
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million in insurance agency loans. It’s our specialty. We offer key benefits you won’t
find from every lender. A highly efficient loan approval process. Competitive interest
rates with a variety of repayment options. Solid, sizeable resources. Sound good to
you? Give us a call at 866-523-6641.
www.CapitalResources.com ©2013 Capital Resources. Farmers is a trademark of Farmers Insurance Group.
CA Residents: Loans made pursuant to a Department of Corporations California Finance Lenders License.
We are UFAA, the United Farmers Agents
Association. Won’t you join us?
Why should you join? What’s in it for you? We hear almost daily from agents who have been told of mandatory meetings and
minimum production quotas. It is a struggle to maintain an independent contractor status, as declared in our AAA contract.
You may never receive a three month termination notice - only a small percentage will. But UFAA will be there for us, if it
does. Every day UFAA members are doing something for you to make your job a little better or a little more secure. Benefits
come from associating together and sharing solutions. Support your Association and your future. Many President Council,
Commercial and Life Round Table winners, and Topper Clubbers know the value of united support and protection of their
futures. Protect and nurture yours.
The goal of UFAA is to help our fellow agents become better agents and to monitor the welfare of the Agency Force. We also
want Farmers to become the Premier Insurance Company that we all desire them to be. Farmers can’t operate without the
Agency Force and we can’t operate a Farmers Agency without Farmers.
Who do you call for advice when you suspect that your contract is being violated or if you feel you are being treated unfairly?
Do you even know what your contract says?
UFAA is the only organization that is continually striving to be sure that your contract is enforced and that Farmers abides by
the contract the same way they expect you to abide by the contract. Farmers has a team of lawyers that write their contracts
and sometimes Farmers will selectively enforce the agency contract. If you are a seasoned agent, you are well aware of how
many times things have changed and not all the changes have been good for the Agency Force.
Your membership entitles you to access our very own UFAA sponsored E&O program designed to protect your agency, your
agency producers and all of your employees. The anticipated E&O policy savings could very well save your agency
enough to pay your annual Association dues AND put in force a far superior policy with no exclusions.
For less than the cost of a cup of coffee a day ($30 a month) you can become part of the only Professional Association
created by Farmers Agents for Farmers Agents.
Some of the benefits of being a Member of the Association are:
❖ A tax guide that may help 3-year continuous members save taxes upon termination or retirement from the company.
❖ Availability to an extensive archive of Farmers historical documents and legal library.
❖ UFAA Technology Services, a subsidiary of UFAA, will assist members with computer hardware and software questions
and problems; recommend computer programs to assist members in operating their offices and recommend hardware
configurations. Members get 1 FREE hour of assistance a month.
❖ Members enjoy the benefit of our Agent Referral Program for clients needing coverage at a vacation home or for that
college student out of state.
❖ UFAA holds a National Convention every year for its members to gather, meet and socialize with old acquaintances and
make new friends along with offering compelling and informative discussions and presentations to attendees to help you
and your business.
❖ Legislative updates.
❖ Local support from chapter members.
❖ Substantial discounts on continuing education with WebCE.
❖ Access to an advanced digital copy of The Voice publication in the Members Only section of the UFAA website.
❖ As a member of UFAA you can log onto the Members Only section of our Internet Website, www.ufaa.com, for the most
up to date information available to the Agency Force.
❖ Members have access to affordable website development and free email.
❖ UFAA offers an E&O policy that may be a lower rate but more importantly it provides superior coverage.
❖ Legal Referral Assistance.
❖ An Association created by Farmers Agents for Farmers Agents.
As an agent you are only one voice. UFAA is the only voice that can speak loud enough for Farmers to hear. Together our
voices can be heard, but as a single agent you do not have much of a voice.
If you choose to be part of your local chapter, 25% of your dues returns to your local chapter. These funds are used for
the publications of Chapter Newsletters, holding Chapter Meetings, sending Local Chapter Representation to the Annual
National Convention and much more on a local level. The National Office will place you in the closest chapter unless you
specify a Local Chapter. Chapter contact information can be found on the back cover of The Voice or on the contact us page
of our website, http://www.ufaa.com/page/contactus.htm.
You can also join UFAA as part of our Anonymous Chapter. Though UFAA DOES NOT publish or make our membership
list available some agents want that extra security of being part of Chapter 99. The only difference between being part of
the Anonymous Chapter and being in a Local Chapter is the Agent Referral Program. When a UFAA member contacts the
National Office looking for an agent to refer a client to we WILL NOT give out an Anonymous Chapter members name or
contact information. If you wish to join UFAA as part of the Anonymous Chapter all you need to do is mark the box under
“Applicant Information” on the Application for Membership.
UFAA is currently running a $100 off Membership Drive through December 31st. UFAA will offer the $100 discount on FULL
REGULAR MEMBERSHIP paid annually (total cost of $260 for your first year).
To qualify for this discount you must be joining as a FULL REGULAR MEMBER of the Association and if you are rejoining
you must have a membership lapse of more the 90 days.
Join today!!! An application can be found in this issue of The Voice on page 25. A printable application can also be found on
our website, www.ufaa.com, under Membership. You can also contact the National Office at 800-275-8668 for an application.
“CHANGE”
As professionals, we all expect change and in a perfect business world, embracing change is expected. But, what do you
do when changes don’t make sense or cause disruption?
Over the past several years, Farmers Group Inc. (The Management Company), has initiated a multitude of changes,
some good, some questionable and many ill advised. A critical area of concern is the Dashboard System and Business
Express. Let’s not get confused here...it is not the idea that created the system but the continued failure of those
responsible, for not developing a user friendly, simple format.
Today the whole Dashboard System is in chaos and continues to make the Exchanges non-user friendly and
UNCOMPETITIVE!
Sad, but true, our once touted “Premiere Service” is being replaced with the new “Customer Experience” model. How can
there be a good customer experience if Fire rates are out of control, coverages are removed but can be added back in for
an extra premium and underwriters are not given the flexibility to apply common sense and do their job?
Wake up management, adding or increasing fees is not the answer. Just fix what you and you alone broke! Stop blaming
the Agency Force for losing all the PIF. Agents create REVENUE, you do not! Being a Farmers Agent needs to be
FULFILLING, PROFITABLE and ENJOYABLE again!
Steve Hooper
Treasurer
Change Course Survey Results are in.
Q1 Has your Agency PIF increased or decreased in 2014?
(11%) Increased (89%) Decreased
Q3 Have you noticed “Product Relief” in your area?
(05%) Yes (95%) No
Q2 Have you noticed “Rate Relief” in your area?
(11%) Yes (89%) No
Q4 Do you believe Farmers is “Changing Course”?
(19%) Yes (81%) No
Q5 What is the one thing that Farmers could do that would help “Change Course” other than rate and product relief?
The number one response was for Farmers to create/implement a Customer Loyalty Discount; coming in a close
second is resolving the problems with Dashboard, Billing, SIMS and ECMS. Some other top responses are below.
•
•
•
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•
Create a bonus for EVERY agent that is profitable at the end of the year.
Actually make billing across ALL lines (really).
Expand affinity discounts to the trades, not just doctors and lawyers.
Allow Farmers Agents to use other Farmers Brands without restrictions.
Change how the credit score is used, currently it hurts middle and lower income families.
Take the Rate Formulas out of the Black Box.
Have management spend time in the trenches with the agents and not just the big guns that have bought out other
agencies and are growing by attrition.
Honest and Open communication with the Agency Force.
Omit automatic mileage increases.
Provide programs to all agents, not just the select few.
Farmers Agents
We can help you build
your Medicare business
from scratch or enhance
your existing Medicare
portfolio.
Ginniann Brown
Licensed in over 30 states
“I have been a Farmers
agent for over 20 years
and I have helped several
other Farmers agents
with our sales model.”
Start earning more today!
Contact Us
(480) 820-8377
[email protected]
Offer another great service to your
clients as a Medicare consultant.
10,000 people are aging into Medicare each day.
97% of them will enroll into a Medicare Advantage or
Supplement plan.
Put your Health Insurance license to work.
Also covered by your existing E&O.
Our team of Medicare experts will help you get certified.
You will also have a dedicated broker manager available to
assist as you begin your new line of service.
You will receive the maximum commission allowable directly
from each health insurance company. Paid weekly.
$425 for new enrollments, $213 renewals each year
If you or your staff don’t have time to certify,
take advantage of our referral program.
We will pay you a referral bonus up to $100 for each client you
refer who enrolls with us.
We are here to help you make more money!
UFAA is now on Facebook!
Please find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ufaa.agentshelpingagents and “like” our page!
FAQs:
Q: Who can see that I’ve liked the UFAA Facebook page?
A: Only the page administrator and any of your Facebook friends that visit the page.
Q: Who can see the posts on the UFAA Facebook page?
A: Anyone and everyone; the content on the page is open to the public so members, non-members, customers, and
anyone else who visits the page can see anything posted on the page.
Q: Who can see the comments or likes on a post on the UFAA Facebook page?
A: Again, anyone and everyone; comments made on a post or people who like a post on the page can be seen by
anyone. The page is open to the public.
Q: What is the purpose of the UFAA Facebook page?
A: UFAA is hoping to reach out to members and potential members who utilize Facebook so we can share information
and interact with each other. The page should be a positive place to share ideas and tips, ask questions, and find
information about UFAA.
Q: Who can I contact if I have more questions or have something to contribute to the page?
A: Board Secretary Cindy Scheuerman at [email protected] or the National Office.
Looking for the
Missing Piece
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The Flood Exchange was created to aid its
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If you are looking for an alternative solution for
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Call: 877-617-3744
Visit: FloodExchange.com
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UFAA Chapter 2 President and 35 year
Farmers Insurance Agent receives “Veteran
of the Year” recognition from California
Assemblywoman District 6 Beth Gaines in a
State Capital Assembly Floor presentation.
SACRAMENTO - Assemblywoman Beth Gaines, R-Roseville, was proud to honor Army Commander Dave Ramsey of
Roseville as Veteran of the Year for the 6th Assembly District at the Veterans Recognition Luncheon in Sacramento.
The luncheon was hosted by the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee and the Speaker of the Assembly, Toni Atkins.
Assembly members selected a veteran from their districts who have a distinguished military career or who have
demonstrated outstanding service to the community.
Ramsey has a remarkable military history, enlisting in the Army in 1963 when he was only 16 years old. He subsequently
served in the infantry on the Demilitarized Zone in Korea where he completed Counter-Guerrilla Warfare School. After one
year in Korea, Ramsey volunteered to go to Panama where he completed Jungle Warfare School. Following completion of
his schooling he was deployed to Vietnam in July of 1966.
Ramsey’s military awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Republic
of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, and Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Korea Defense Service Medal, National Defense
Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and the Expert Badge with Rifle Bar and Jungle Expert Badge.
“Our service didn’t stop when we took off the uniform,” Ramsey said. “I’m twice past commander of the American Legion
Roseville Post and just finished my four years with the VFW as commander, and I am currently on the Honor Guard as
well.” Ramsey has also served on VFW Legislative Committee for the past five years.
“I am proud to honor Commander Dave Ramsey as Veteran of the Year for my District,” Gaines said. “It is evident that
he has dedicated his life, heart, and soul to our country and our community. We owe so much to our veterans, and I am
overjoyed for this opportunity to express my gratitude to Commander Dave Ramsey and to those who bravely sacrificed
their lives for our freedom.”
Gaines presented the award on the Assembly Floor Wednesday at the Capitol. She and Ramsey also joined other
Assembly members and their honorees at the annual luncheon in Sacramento.
Assemblywoman Beth Gaines represents the 6th Assembly District, which includes portions of Placer, El Dorado, and
Sacramento and counties.
Originally printed Tuesday, July 08, 2014 - Rocklin and Roseville Today
UFAA Members...Chapters hold elections for local Chapter Office in the 4th quarter. Are
you interested in becoming involved on a local level? Why not run for a position on your
local Chapter Board? Interested in representing your area at the National Convention?
Contact your local Chapter President and get involved. Contact information for your
Chapter President is on the back of The Voice.
Discretion
The word discretion appears once in the 1984 AAA. It
appears in section J. which states “The time to be expended
by the Agent is solely within the Agent’s discretion, and the
persons solicited and the area wherein solicitation shall be
conducted is at the election of the Agent.” It goes on to say
“The Agent shall, as an independent contractor, exercise
sole right to determine the time, place and manner in which
the objectives of this Agreement are carried out, provided
only that the Agent conform to normal good business
practice, and to all State and Federal laws governing the
conduct of the Companies and their Agents.”
This was definitely an inducement to sign the contract.
In my opinion the 1984 AAA is truly an independent
contractor agreement. Some old timers might object but
only because some individual FGI employees and/or DM’s
take it upon themselves, for their own gain, to make their
own interpretations and rules in order to threaten or actually
terminate an agent, or try (often successfully) get an agent
to resign.
The word discretion appears 7 times in the 2009 AAA.
It appears in section
a.4 (ad-aid)
b.2 (office location)
b.4 (bond value)
b.5 (performance standards)
b.6 (branding and trademarks)
h. (agent bonuses)
All of which reference the companies “sole discretion.”
And once again in section K which references the Agent’s
discretion with some new verbiage. “Among other factors,
the time to be expended by the Agent and the individuals
chosen by the Agent to work in the Agency, including,
without limitation, such time and work to accomplish any
performance standards referred to in Section B. above,
are solely within the Agent’s discretion and control and the
persons to be solicited and the area wherein solicitation is
conducted are at the election of the Agent.”
The word discretion appears 8 times in the 2013 AAA.
It appears in section
a.4 (advertising assistance)
b.2 (agent office approval)
b.6 (performance standards)
b.7 (branding and trademarks)
e. (trb termination date)
g. (approval of parties to an agency sale)
i. (agent bonuses)
All “discretion” for the companies and then once again for
the agent in section L. “Among other factors, the time to be
expended by the Agent and the individuals chosen by the
Agent to work in the Agency, including, without limitation,
such time and work which may be needed to accomplish
or meet Agent’s duties referred to in Section B. above, are
solely within the Agent’s discretion and control, and the
persons to be solicited and the area wherein solicitation is
conducted are at the election of the Agent.”
What section of the contract would possibly supersede
another section when two sections contradict each other?
UFAA believes in all cases the section which maintains the
agent’s independent contractor status supersedes all others.
Otherwise, if that provision is nullified, doesn’t the contract
then become an employment contract and a taxable event
for Farmers?
There is no agent discretion regarding damages for the
agent if they are terminated wrongfully or if Farmers
breaches the 2013 AAA. The Companies continue to sue
agents and have been granted large judgments for 5-8 or
more years of lost profits and hundreds of thousands of
dollars for violations of their “trade secrets” and breaking
the non-compete. But, if you have signed the 2013 AAA
you have agreed, up front, to settle for no more than 3
months of your lost profits if you are wrongfully terminated
or Farmers breaches the contract. Why was that line added?
Farmers may as well come right out and say they intend to
breach the contract and terminate agents wrongfully with
literally nothing to lose for doing it. And, even though you
are not punching a clock, the “Agents Guide Performance
Standards” and “Platform Playbook” clearly spell out the
company’s expectations regarding the time and manner
agents expend running their agency.
Why has UFAA kept having a two-way negotiated contract
as their number one objective over the years? Yes, the
contracts state they are mutually agreed upon but, that
is not negotiated. Why has UFAA continued to question
the courts for a judicial interpretation of the AAA’s via
Declaratory Relief Actions? The one point of discretion
for the agent has been modified and the company’s sole
discretion has been added 7-8 times! Would a two-way
negotiated contract eliminate these differences? Would a
two-way negotiated contract help to avoid litigation?
A decision in the current legal challenge of UFAA could go
either way. But, once you are into your career for 10 or 20+
years on the 2013 contract and all the current leadership of
UFAA is gone, will you still have the support of an Agents
Association when the livelihood you built is threatened? Will
UFAA be there when the Companies begin to impose on
you these new sole discretions in their favor? And ignore the
one discretion given to you? The one discretion that makes
you an Independent Contractor? You mutually agreed and
signed, and you may have been told or think retaliation
couldn’t possibly happen. You may have been promised that
the Companies never terminate an agent unless they steal
money.
Many were told that very thing and we must assume are
being told similar today. At some point, you will realize
you have little control of your production and growth and
you do need the resources of UFAA. Without a strong
and supportive membership UFAA may not exist. Your
AAA and Federal Law gives you the right to carry out the
one discretion the companies have given you! Fill out the
application in this issue and become a member of UFAA
today!
Kim Rich
Director of Legal Activities
2014 UFAA NATIONAL CONVENTION
The National Convention was held at
the beautiful and recently renovated
Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Las
Vegas. The National Board met on
Sunday, June 8th and the Chapter
Presidents meeting was held on
Monday, June 9th. On Monday
evening at 5:00 pm the reception
room was open for the delegates and
vendors. It was great to meet new
attendees and reminisce with old
friends, along with visiting with the
vendors to see what products and
services they had to offer this year.
members. Kevin told the assembly
how well the program has developed
for UFAA members since its inception
in 2009 and gave some good advice
on preventing E & O claims from
happening in your agency.
he mainly focused on how insurance
companies make claims a “profit
center,” which was very informative.
After lunch, Tom Sanders from Capital
Resources talked to the delegation
about what his company has to offer
agents buying or selling an agency.
This was a hot topic, since Farmers
now allows you to sell your agency to
qualified candidates.
Day One-Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Bill Phillips, Secretary, introduced the
proposed Bylaw and Standing Rules
changes.
Up next it was time for some National
Board reports, so President Tom
Schrader called on the National
Board members for their annual
Board reports. Randy Frates, Director
at Large, Klaas Tuininga, Director
of Governmental Affairs and Chuck
Simpson, Director of Media Relations
gave their respective reports.
The meeting was called to order at
8:30 am by President Tom Schrader.
After a few committee reports and
introductions of the National Board
members, the delegates were
ready for the keynote speaker,
Bruce Boguski. Bruce is the author
of several books, CD’s and a
professionally recognized keynote
speaker. He is one of the most “indemand” speakers in the country,
doing nearly 100 presentations each
year. He educated, motivated and
entertained all in attendance. After
Bruce’s presentation, you can really
understand why he is so popular.
Charles Read, with Custom Payroll
was our next speaker. Charles is the
CEO, company owner and operator
of a full service payroll processing
company. He explained what his
company has to offer pertaining to
your agency payroll program. It is
designed for the agencies with 10
or fewer employees, yet providing
the expertise of CPA’s, but at a more
reasonable price.
Merle Johnson, Chairman of the
Nominating Committee gave his
report next, plus asked for any
nominations from the floor.
Before lunch Kevin Dahlke was
introduced and gave his presentation.
Kevin is the broker for the UFAA
Errors and Omissions Policy, which
is a major benefit offered to our
Brian Walker, from Chapter 8, then
gave his presentation, “Focusing on
the Top.” He stressed the need to
focus on the finish line and not be
sidetracked by issues you have no
control over. After hearing Brian give
his presentation, we now know why
he is so successful in running his
Farmers agency.
President Tom Schrader opened
the floor for discussion for any New
Business/Old Business before
dismissal that day.
Day Two-Wednesday, June 11, 2014
President Tom Schrader called the
second day of the Convention to
order at 8:30 am and was followed by
the invocation, Pledge of Allegiance
and a Credentials Committee report.
The first speaker was attorney
Charles Miller. Since 1990, his
practice has been devoted to
insurance law. Prior to 1990, he was
employed in the insurance industry
for 18 years where he worked as a
claims representative and claims
manager. He has been retained in
over seventeen states and several
territories, including Canada, as
an expert on insurance industry
practices and standards. Charles
touched on many subjects dealing
with Farmers and the Exchanges, but
Board nominations were reopened
again from the floor.
First up after the lunch break, was
Ginniannn Brown who has been a
Farmers Agent for over 20 years. She
started selling Medicare Advantage
and Supplement Plans five years ago
as a way to supplement her income
when most Farmers Agents started
experiencing a decline in PIF and
income.
The remaining National Board
reports were given by Steve Hooper,
Treasurer, Bill Wise, Membership
Director, and Allen Yerxa, Director of
Legal Activities.
Hearing no nominations from the
floor, President Tom Schrader
declared the elections closed. The
results were Cindy Scheuerman,
Secretary, Chuck Simpson, Director
of Media Relations and Randy Frates,
Director at Large.
Before our last speaker of the day
took the podium, President Tom
Schrader accepted volunteers to fill
the three committees for the next
year. Then UFAA’s General Counsel,
Dirk Beamer spoke on the legal
issues the Association is facing and
followed it up with a question and
answer session. Shortly thereafter the
assembly was released for the day to
get ready for the evening festivities.
Wednesday evening events started
off with a cocktail reception at 6:00
pm, during which we continued
to sell raffle tickets, as we have
during the entire Convention with all
proceeds going into the legal fund.
Some of this year’s raffle prizes
consisted of a Bose Solo TV Sound
System, Waterford Crystal Collection,
Southwest Airlines Gift Certificate,
70” Vizio LED Flat Screen TV and
our Grand Prize a Four Night stay
for two at the fantastic Fairmont
Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta
Canada.
After our banquet dinner, but before
our evening’s entertainment got
underway we needed to finish up
some unfinished business. We had
the raffle drawings to see who the
lucky winners were going to be at
winning one of the ten raffle prizes.
Now for the evening’s entertainment,
I was fortunate enough to book The
Fun Pianos by 176 Keys,
www.duelingpiano.com. This dueling
piano show is undisputedly the
leading traveling dueling piano show
in the country. Performing over 800
quality shows per year and this one
was no exception. Fun was had by
all in attendance and we learned we
have quite a few singers among us.
Day Three-Thursday, June 12, 2014
Day three of the convention started
with President Tom Schrader calling
the meeting to order at 8:30 am.
After the usual formalities President
Tom Schrader reopened the floor for
unfinished New/Old Business.
As your Vice President, I talked briefly
about “Stepping up to the Plate.” I
asked the delegation the question,
“Is now the time for you to ‘step up’
to assist the only association for
Farmers Agents, the United Farmers
Agents Association?”
President Tom Schrader introduced
our UFAA Technology guru, Alex
Conger. Alex talked about all the
new technology available with all the
pros and cons of each and the need
to upgrade from Windows XP, if you
haven’t already.
Plans for 2014-2015 were then
discussed.
President Tom Schrader reintroduced
the new National Board members to
the assembly and that concluded the
2014 UFAA National Convention.
I always look forward to each year’s
National Convention. This year was
no exception, coming together seeing
old friends and meeting new ones.
Make sure you plan now, to attend
our 48th UFAA National Convention
next June, because it will be here
before you know it.
Mike Ward
Vice President
The Voice of the Agents – Your Two Cents!
We will have a new feature coming in the next edition of The Voice called “Your Two Cents” in which we will include
comments from our readers. The comments should be no longer than 250 words and can be about a previous article
in The Voice, what’s going on with Farmers in your area, or anything else that is of benefit to be shared with the Agency
Force. Submissions must be signed but if you prefer to have it published anonymously please indicate so and we will
publish it Signed as “Agent”, “Retired Agent”, or “Former Agent” along with your state. Please email your submissions to:
[email protected].
FUTURE INCOME STREAM OPPORTUNITY
UFAA is currently working with one of the largest LTC providers in the United States
to negotiate an opportunity for the entire agency force to 1.) Buy a LTC product for
themselves, if you are a UFAA member you will receive a discount over lifetime of the
policy. 2.) Obtain a license and sell the LTC product to increase your agency income
stream. 3.) Receive a referral fee, if you refer to carrier and policy is written. This is an
extensive process, so we ask for your patience. We will provide more information as it
becomes available. Once again this opportunity will be open to the entire agency force.
UFAA National Board
Complete this form for an E & O price indication
Email to [email protected] or FAX: (619) 287-8921
Notice: this form will merely provide a cost indication. A complete application and E&O loss history is
required to bind and no coverage is bound until confirmed in writing by this office.
For question please contact: Kevin Dahlke Insurance Brokerage, 15396 Broad Oaks RD, El Cajon, CA 92021
619 287 8613 fax 619 287 8921 [email protected] Farmers agents may obtain coverage
information available at http://www.groupeando.com
Name __________________________________________________________________ State ____________
Email address: ________________________________________________
Office phone: ________________________Fax: _________________________Cell: _____________________
Estimated annual commissions and broker fees for all carriers:
% commissions from Commercial Lines from all carriers:
$_________________
___________%
Estimated Group/Individual Medical / Disability Income / LTC Annual Commissions:
$__________________
Number of E&O Claims that resulted in payment to the Claimant in the last 5 years:
____________
Any complaints filed and /or disciplinary action by any state or other regulatory body?
Y
Number of incidents that may give rise to a claim
now, such as requests for recorded statements,
interviews with carrier adjusters on disputed or
unpaid claims, the client has filed a complaint and or
threatened to contact an attorney against the insurer
or your agency:
/ N
_______________
FARMERS AGENTS ONLY
What year did you sign your most recent agency agreement with Farmers?
Have you been insured in the Farmers sponsored plan since you joined Farmers?
_____________
Y
/ N
Estimated Non-Farmers Annual P&C Commissions (Do not include Bristol West or Foremost):$______________
The products/plans advertised herein are not sponsored, approved, or endorsed by, or otherwise affiliated with,
Farmers Group, Inc. Licensing information available at http://www.groupeando.com 10/1/2014
Is Farmers profiting from your participation
in their sponsored E&O plan?
Have you examined your E&O coverage lately? If you are insured in the Farmers sponsored plan, you may want to do that
before renewing.
Rates are up an average of 8.8% across the board, as high as 32% for agents in some states, and coverage has been
further limited.
Are you paying extra for the deductible buy-back? Pray that you have proof that you inspected every Farmers property risk
in your book because if there is a claim and you can’t prove you inspected the property, the policy form allows the waiver
of deductible to be voided.
Had a subrogation claim by Farmers against your agency? Farmers is examining virtually every single claim for the ability
to try to collect from the agent writing the policy. If you are insured in the Farmers sponsored plan, your consent to settle is
not required, leaving Farmers and the plan carrier to decide if you are liable and then send you a bill for the deductible.
The UFAA plan begins enrollment in October. Protect your agency; save your money; and let Farmers pay for its own
coverage. Enroll now.
UFAA National Board
Tryton Insurance Group, LLC is part of Myron F. Steves & Company operating under the auspices
of the Standard Lines Department since 1997. Tryton allows agents to access to standard
national carriers and earn competitive commissions, all using our single-entry web interface.
Tryton does the work to determine the right carriers to write your personal & commercial clients
and provide you with quotes from multiple carriers fast. Tryton can consider both large & small
accounts. Our underwriters have the experience to write all your accounts from small minimum
premium policies to multi-million dollar accounts.
Products and Services
Homeowners including High Value
Dwelling Fire
Auto – Personal & Commercial
Business Owners Policies
Property
General Liability
Watercraft
ATV
Package Policies
Auto Liability & Physical Damage
Umbrella / Excess Liability
Worker’s Compensation
Occupational Accident
Inland / Ocean Marine
Motorcycle
Umbrella – Personal & Commercial
Commercial Lines written through:
Accident Fund (WC only), America First, CNA, Hartford, Travelers, Zenith & Zurich.
Personal Lines written through:
Chubb, Hartford, Safeco & Travelers.
Visit Us At WWW.TRYTONINSURANCE.COM
Phone: 866.441.1061
A Myron Steves Company - Standard Lines
Response To Changing Course
When other companies are at 1/2 the
price, we have something Rotten,
Let’s dig it out. Is our overhead out
of control? This is not the Federal
Gov’t.
I read this article in the newest Voice
with more than a little amusement
and a fair amount of dismay.
If you look at Mr. Dailey’s history he’s
never been an agent. He started as
a claims adjuster. He has spent his
recent years before CEO of Farmers
as CEO of Bristol West, a niche
high-risk auto market. You have to
admit, the clients in this particular
market are handled quite differently
than those long time customers of
Farmers. But, Mr. Dailey, apparently,
perceives all customers like those
of Bristol West, customers who will
move their policies for a $3 savings in
premium.
As for the 2013 financial results,
you would think that someone with
a Bachelor of Science degree in
Economics and an MBA from the
University of Wisconsin (Mr. Dailey)
would have been able to discern a
problem with the 2013 first quarter
results. But, no, we’ll just push ahead
without regard for the consequences,
not because it’s the correct thing to
do, but because there is a hidden
underlying agenda. What that
agenda is, I have no idea, but can
only surmise it won’t be good for
agents.
With regard to marketing, they
are scraping the bottom of the
barrel for ideas, because we are
so uncompetitive. Some of these
ideas can only be born of dreams
(or nightmares) that have zero sales
impact at the agency level, while
making more “busy work” for agents
and staff. I can’t afford to buy into
these “flavor of the week” schemes,
but you can be assured I’ll get
multiple emails on how successful
they are. Take for instance, Mhayse
Samalya and the road show. In
February 2013, Mr. Dailey announces
Mhayse as President of the Farmers
Brand, and while he is out marketing
the newest flavor, the road show is
abruptly halted, Mhayse is called
back to LA and poof, he’s gone! Read
that any way you wish, but something
about that whole scenario seems
more than just a little odd!
Now let’s talk about IT, along with
FAB, commercial billing, personal
lines and the rest. I’m very familiar
with systems, having been an old
hand in that industry, but I can only
give kudos to IT management for
the great job of blowing smoke
up managements’ skirt. Take for
instance, this past Monday where
almost nothing was accessible. At
5:00 am, all was well when I logged
on and did my perfunctory 21st
Century leads. But by 8:00 am, it
was as dead as a door nail! Any
other company would have fired their
head of IT by now, but in a week or
two we’ll hear about what a great job
they have done getting the systems
back up. As for FAB, all I can say is…
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot! Whatever
bean-counting clown came up with
this and now the “new and improved”
spreader tool should have his/her
bags packed for him/her and an
armed escort out of the building,
along with the “unique individual” that
put their stamp of approval on it!
And how about the new commercial
billing? Funny, my work comp
account transferred with the EFT
intact, yet my liability account didn’t. I
and my commercial customers
are to go to myclbiz and input my
EIGHTEEN CHARACTER ACCOUNT
NUMBER to set up my EFT all over
again! Holy Moly, my SSN is only 9
(NINE) characters long!
Well thank you Farmers, that certainly
improves “customer experience”, a
term I’ve come to loathe since every
email/bulletin/letter bandy this term
about, without regard to the actual
impact on our customers!
In conclusion, I believe our “new
course” will be random, based on
recent history of management’s
performance. I don’t believe
Mr. Dailey or Mr. Smith have the
necessary experience to steer a
new course that is needed to make
Farmers the “Great Brand” it was
for the next 80 years. The term
“promoted beyond their level of
competence” comes to mind.
Frustrated Colorado Non-Member
Convention
I know people have given you a
blow by blow account of the National
Convention and they have done this
much better than I ever could. What
I am hoping to do is to humbly put
in my “two cents” worth. I feel that
most people do not realize the effort
that the National puts forth to make
such a convention happen and the
amount of work that your brother
and sister agents put forth on your
behalf. It is truly amazing! This years’
Convention rivals any Toppers I have
ever attended and I have gone to 27
Toppers now.
These people deserve our respect
and admiration. They are a group
of dedicated individuals who work
tirelessly on your behalf without any
pay and little or no recognition. I stand
in awe and amazement of these
members from our local Chapter 14
to everyone at the National level.
They work so agent’s interests are
protected.
I have been an agent for a very long
time and the past four years have
been some of the hardest. Anyone
who tells you any different means you
just met a liar.
But maybe, just maybe, the tide
is turning and we as independent
business people need to rise with the
tide. I can’t get back what I have lost,
but maybe I can go forth and grow my
business over again.
God bless all of those who work
so hard at the local level and the
National level too. After all, we ARE
“Agents Helping Agents®”.
Chapter 14 Member
Application for Membership
9785 Mackenzie Rd, Ste #104, St. Louis, MO 63123
Phone 800-275-8668 Fax 314-631-7963
Email@[email protected]
Mission Statement - The United Farmers Agents Association is a professional Association committed to helping our members through education,
communications, support and information, and to establish a true partnership with Farmers Group, Inc.
APPLICANT INFORMATION
Name
Agent Code
Current address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Phone
Non Farmers Email
Fax
Farmers Email
UFAA does not publish or distribute its membership list but if you wish to be enrolled in UFAA’s Anonymous Program
Please check the box to the right. By doing so you understand that you will not be part of the UFAA Agent Referral Program.
FULL
MEMBERSHIP
BENEFITS
TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP
Regular Member: Farmers Insurance Agents with an in
force Agent Appointment Agreement.
Annual
$360
Bank Draft $30 Month
Attach a copy of a voided check
Semi-Annual $180
Associate Member: Former agents of Farmers Insurance Group who no longer have an in force Agent
Appointment Agreement and who are not employees, agents or representatives of an insurance company that
offers one or more of the same lines of insurance as Farmers Insurance Group.
Annual
$50
Affiliate Member: Any person or organization not qualifying under Regular Membership or Associate Membership
Annual
$50
Career Agent: An active Farmers Agent Still in the Career Program, Renews at Regular Member rate
First Year of
Membership
$50
Disability Agent: Limited to Disability/Business Overhead Group Membership
Annual $65
E&O Agent: Limited to E&O Group Membership
The E&O Limited Membership is only available through the E&O Website: www.groupeando.com
Annual $120
(prorated)
PAYMENT MODE – PLEASE SELECT ONE
Attached is my Check for
(Select One)
Annual - $360
Semi-Annual - $180
Associate/Affiliate - $50
Bank Draft - $30 (First Months dues) Attach a copy of a voided check
Career - $50
Limited-Disability/Business Overhead - $65
OR
Charge my Credit Card
(Select One)
MasterCard
Visa
Annual - $360
Semi-Annual - $180
Associate/Affiliate - $50
Bank Draft - $30 (First Months dues) Attach a copy of a voided check
Career - $50
Limited-Disability/Business Overhead - $65
Credit Card Number
Expiration Date
ADDITIONAL FUNDS
In addition to my dues, I wish to
contribute:
$
to the General Fund
$
to the Legal Fund
$
to the AGM DRA Lawsuit
BANK DRAFT AGREEMENT – PLEASE ATTACH A VOIDED CHECK WITH YOUR APPLICATION
Authorization to Honor Checks Drawn by the United Farmers Agents Association, Inc.
For my benefit and convenience, I hereby request and authorize the United Farmers Agents Association, Inc. to draw a check in the amount of
$_________ on or about the 10th day of each month payable to its own order.
This authorization will remain in effect until revoked by me in writing and until they actually receive such notice.
“AGENT HELPING AGENTS®”
THE GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF UFAA ARE:
THE SPECIFIC SECURITY OBJECTIVES OF UFAA ARE:
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
4.
5.
To create meaningful communication between
company and agent.
To improve professional status in the
community.
To improve company-client relationship.
To improve agent to agent relationships.
To stand united to accomplish these objectives.
3.
4.
5.
6.
A two-way negotiated contract.
For rendered services contractual compensation schedules encompassing full
commission of all premiums.
Agent ownership of policies and expirations.
Termination for just stated-cause only.
Ending discrimination of agent or agent authority.
To foster cooperation for mutual benefit, between other agent associations.
I am a current/former Farmers Insurance agent and do hereby apply for membership in the United Farmers Agents Association, Inc., and agree
to abide by the bylaws and the code of ethics. I further agree with the above stated principles.
Signature of applicant:
Referred By
Date:
___________________________________
8/2013
Voice
Echoes from the Agency Force
Smart Office
This was a total surprise. The District rep just popped into the office totally unannounced and said I was the “Lucky One.”
My office is the first to be inspected and the need to see at least 5 items with the new branding (Logo) which I did. Just
so happened that I had received several boxes of ordered marketing materials from Farmers distribution and I opened it in
front of her. Much to both of our surprise, the materials still had the old logo brand. End of discussion.
California Agent
I had an appointment set for a Thursday morning and on Wednesday morning she pops into my office unannounced and
started taking pictures inside and out. I was on the phone with a client for several minutes regarding a claim. She waited
while I finished and said she had a doctor appointment on Thursday and decided to come Wednesday. She asked a few
questions and left. I thought it all very strange. Another agent called me and asked if she had been to my office yet and
I said yes. He said he was out of the office when she came by his office and his CSR was there and she said it was okay
that the agent was not there. Did not know what to think?
Southern State UFAA Member
I’ve had two visits.
Last Fall I had an audit. Someone came from the Scottsdale office who reported to Mhayse. She walked in and
immediately began shooting photos of my office. When I asked what she was doing, she replied, “Mhayse is asking for
photos to see what branding the agents have in their office. We want at least 5 Logos.”
In February or so, an employee stopped by, chatted about platform and asked when I was replacing my signs, doormat,
etc to comply with new logo. Also took notes and photos.
Agent in the Beehive State
Yes I had a “smart office visit” from my DM. He called made an appointment and said that if this was not a good time
or I was busy we could do it at a different time. He showed up at the agreed upon time, took pictures of all the Farmers
branding that was positioned all over the office walls and floor. He explained in full what he was doing and why. It took
very little time, thanked me and left.
Agent in the NorthWest
I had my smart office visit at the end of July; I was meeting my ABC to also discuss the platform and thought we might as
well do the smart office inspection at the same time.
I had been planning on going platform for some time and made changes to my office and I pride myself as being a
Farmers Agent, and answer the phone Farmers Insurance, my voice mail says Farmers Insurance, has the number to the
after-hours, and claims and tons of Farmers stuff in the office. I thought I would pass with flying colors.
This was not the case, first I was questioned about my new monument sign I had installed. Was it approved? Because
it used the gray scale colors not the color logo and I would have to change it. I had to explain that the sign was approved
and I received ad aid for it, the property manager didn’t allow multi-color signs to keep with the design of the building. The
ABC said I have to keep proof it was approved. Then I was told my Professor Burke posters were outdated because of the
old logo and I have to order the new ones (after the meeting I tried to order them only to find they have not been printed
with the new logos yet!). By now I was wondering what kind of micro managing I would encounter as a platform agent.
Next, I was told my auto attendant is not acceptable because a live person didn’t answer and a customer can’t get a voice
mail during business hours. This was the last straw, I’ve been using an auto attendant to answer my phone since I began
in 2000 and never had a complaint, only when all my staff is busy does someone get a voice mail. Furthermore, the day
before I was looking into the auto attendant system Farmers is selling under their smart office technology page.
The ABC left with a list of things I have to do to a “smart office” and I changed my mind about going platform. I will update
my posters when Farmers gets around to printing them.
West Coast Agent
Switch to Sprint for the
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The Sprint Family Share Pack is the perfect plan for your data hungry family.
Get a great deal when you switch your number to Sprint.
20
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only
$
all while on the
Sprint Network
data to share
75
up to
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After SDP discount of 25% is applied
on $100 monthly data allowance.
We’re waiving monthly access charges for phones, tablets and mobile broadband devices through 2015 – how sweet is that?
After 12/31/2015, pay $100 plus the monthly access charge for each device: $15/mo/phone, $10/mo/tablet, $20/mo/mobile broadband device.
Plus, we’ll buy out your family’s contract – up to $350 per line.
We’ll pay you up to $350 via Visa® Prepaid Card for your Early Termination Fee or Install Bill balance when you switch and sign up for this plan.
Once you have received your final bill from your other carrier, register for the Visa Prepaid Card at sprint.com/jointoday by 11/30/14.
Don’t delay! Offers end 10/31/14.
25
%
Take this flyer to a store.
Find one:
sprint.com/storelocator
Got questions? Email:
[email protected]
Agency Staff ALSO QUALIFY!
WAIVED ACTIVATION FEE!
Discount for agents
of
Farmers Insurance
Applies to select regularly priced Sprint monthly data service.
Use this code for the Sprint Discount Program.
Corporate ID: NAFAR_ZAG_ZZZ
*NAFAR_ZAG_ZZZ*
Existing customers needing
discount, go to:
sprint.com/verify
**Monthly charges exclude taxes and Sprint Surcharges [incl. USF charge of up to 15.7% (varies quarterly), up to $2.50 Admin. and 40¢ Reg./line/mo. and fees by area (approx. 5–20%)]. Surcharges are not
taxes. See sprint.com/taxesandfees.
Activ. Fee: $36/line. Credit approval required. Plans: Offer ends 10/31/2014. No discounts apply to access charges. Includes unlimited domestic Long Distance calling and texting. Data allowance as specified.
Third-party content/downloads are add’l charge. Int’l svcs are not included. Max of 10 phone/tablet/MBB lines. Mobile Broadband devices excludes Routers, Laptops and notebook computers. Data: Includes
20GB, 32GB, 40GB or 60GB of shared on-network data usage depending on selection and 100MB off-network data usage. Add’l on-network data usage: 1.5¢/MB. Add’l Off-network data for tablets/MBBs: 25¢/
MB. If conflicting share data allowances are applied to an account, the majority on account or most recent change may be applied for all lines. Mobile Hotspot Usage pulls from your data allowances. Monthly
Access Charge: After 12/31/2015, customer will be charged applicable data access charge per device in addition to data allowance charge which varies by selection. To avoid charges, customer must contact
Sprint to make changes. Sprint Easy Pay obligations will still apply if applicable. Usage Limitations: Other plans may receive prioritized bandwidth availability. To improve data experience for the majority of
users, throughput may be limited, varied or reduced on the network. Sprint may terminate service if off-network roaming usage in a month exceeds: (1) 800 min. or a majority of min.; or (2) 100MB or a majority
of KB. Prohibited network use rules apply — see sprint.com/terms and conditions. $350 Visa® Prepaid Card Offer: Offer ends 10/31/2014. Consumer, SDP and CL (1-10) phone lines porting the new line on a Sprint
Family Share Pack Plan with 20GB of data or higher. Amount based on ETF (Early Termination Fee) charged or remaining balance on install-bill device (excludes Prepaid devices). All lines must be ported from
an active wireless line at another carrier and remain active and in good standing for at least 45 days to receive the prepaid card. You must submit your final bill showing your ETF or installment balance no later
than 11/30/2014. Allow 12 weeks for your prepaid card to arrive. Register at sprint.com/jointoday. Excludes 11+ Corporate-liable, upgrades, replacements, and ports made between Sprint entities or providers
associated with Sprint (i.e., Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance). Cards are issued by Citibank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc., and managed by Citi Prepaid Services. Cards will
not have cash access and can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Sprint Easy Pay: Req. 24-mo. installment agreement, 0% APR, and qualifying device and service plan. If you cancel wireless
service, remaining balance on device becomes due. SDP Discount: Avail. for eligible company employees or org. members (ongoing verification). Discount subject to change according to the company’s
agreement with Sprint and is avail. upon request for select monthly svc charges. Discount only applies to data service for Sprint Family Share Pack. Not avail. with no credit check offers or Mobile Hotspot addon. Other Terms: Offers and coverage not available everywhere or for all phones/networks. May not be combined with other offers. There is no minimum term applied on the Sprint Family Share Pack, but the
Service Agreement applies and automatically continues on a month-to-month basis unless you contact us to inform us of any changes, including cancellation. There may be a minimum annual term applied
or continued based on a discounted device purchase. Sprint 3G network reaches over 281 million people. Sprint 4G LTE network reaches over 250 million people. Restrictions apply. See store or sprint.com
N145550
for details. ©2014 Sprint. All rights reserved. Sprint and the Sprint logo are trademarks of Sprint. Other marks are the property of their respective owners.
MV1234567
9785 Mackenzie, Suite 104
St. Louis, MO 63123
Address
Service Requested
UNITED FARMERS AGENTS ASSOCIATION
9785 Mackenzie, Suite 104
St. Louis, MO 63123
Office Hours: 8 am to 5 pm Central Time
E-mail: [email protected]
For Members: 800-275-8668
Phone: 314-631-7898
Fax: 314-631-7963
Executive Board
President—Tom Schrader
(P) 913-631-1202 (F) 913-403-8636
Vice President—Mike Ward
(P) 918-258-6611 (F) 918-258-6613
Secretary—Cindy Scheuerman
(P) 970-356-3252 (F) 970-353-6134
Treasurer—Steve Hooper
(P) 406-752-4357 (F) 406-257-5190
Membership Director—Bill Wise
(P) 480-924-4070 (F) 480-924-2581
Media Relations—Chuck Simpson
(P) 913-205-6277 (F) 913-205-6277
Legal Activities—Kim Rich
(P) 877-393-8532 (F) 952-922-6568
Governmental Affairs—Klaas Tuininga
(P) 406-587-0765 (F) 406-586-3817
Director at Large—Randy Frates
(P) 208-452-4011 (F) 208-452-4480
UFAA Technology Services—Alex Conger
(P) 866-441-8018
Chapter Presidents
ARKANSAS
(30) Bill Miller, Little Rock 501-223-2661
[email protected]
ARIZONA
(16) Murray Fink, Tucson 520-622-6405
[email protected]
(43) Bill Wise, Mesa 480-924-4070
[email protected]
CALIFORNIA
(01) Clair Hinton, Chico 530-895-8979
[email protected]
(02) David Ramsey, Roseville 916-783-7267
[email protected]
(04) Dan Nelson, Bakersfield 661-205-4474
[email protected]
(05) Jan Neveu, Glendale 818-943-3995
[email protected]
(08) Damien Simeone, San Diego 858-272-0234
[email protected]
(10) John Duncan, Concord 925-825-1808
[email protected]
COLORADO
(27) Terry Beatty, Northglenn 303-457-3333
[email protected]
(46) Cindy Scheuerman, Greeley 970-356-3252
[email protected]
IDAHO
(28) Randy Frates, Fruitland 208-452-4011
[email protected]
ILLINOIS
(21) Anil Sharma, Chicago 773-741-3549
[email protected]
MISSOURI
(41) Mel Hollandsworth, Granite City, IL 618-797-0070
[email protected]
MONTANA - WYOMING
(51) DeAnn André, Great Falls 406-453-1100
[email protected]
NEBRASKA - IOWA
(19) Tom Dahulick, Omaha 402-572-9344
[email protected]
NEW MEXICO
(24) Steve Collins, Albuquerque 505-275-2222
[email protected]
KANSAS
(13) Shawn McAllister, Kansas City 913-788-8288
[email protected]
OHIO
(44) Dennis Long, Galion 419-468-1352
[email protected]
MICHIGAN
(45) Mike Lillo, Kentwood 616-281-2888
[email protected]
OKLAHOMA
(12) Jim Meredith, Tuttle 405-226-6671
[email protected]
(15) Glenn Johnson, Tulsa 918-252-0561
[email protected]
MINNESOTA
(17) Kim Rich, Minneapolis 952-929-8960
[email protected]
OREGON
(14) Merle Johnson, Wilsonville 503-682-1583
[email protected]
TEXAS
(33) David Barron-Rajme, El Paso 915-581-3315
[email protected]
(34) Kent Underwood, Duncanville 972-709-0907
[email protected]
(35) Robert Fox, Houston, 281-920-2315
[email protected]
(36) John Hall, Temple 254-778-8087
[email protected]
UTAH
(39) Brian Lee, Herber 435-654-1911
[email protected]
WASHINGTON
(22) Ron Cook, Maple Valley 425-228-1212
[email protected]
WISCONSIN
(20) Steve Johnson, Williams Bay 262-245-0555
[email protected]
For information, contact the Chapter President nearest you or any Board Member
Visit our website — www.ufaa.com

United Farmers Agents Association

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