Singin’ the Hard-to-Place Blues

Ever had a really obscure risk and no idea where to look for a market? As it turns out, you’re not alone.

The forum for “Hard-to-Place Accounts” is rapidly becoming the new hotspot on InsuranceJournal.com as a resource for agents. It’s a way to get input from other agents, MGAs and insurance professionals about difficult accounts. This forum had 91 posts as of Sept. 5, and that number is growing every day as more users come online to hunt for coverages.

Todd Jackson of Jackson & Jackson Insurance Agents and Brokers in Pasadena wrote: “I just wanted to commend IJ on its Forums. These have been very helpful to me in finding markets for tough-to-place risks, and they have also been very helpful for other agencies I have spoken with. Keep up the good work!”

Talk about difficult accounts—here are examples of a few recent requests:

—”I need a market that can compete with a standard market on a non-petroleum-based cleaning solvent manufacturer, who also happens to manufacture aerosol insecticides in Texas, all lines!”

—”Anyone know of a market in California for collateral recovery companies, (voluntary repossession of leased equipment, from computers to $400,000 buses)?”

—”I am trying to find a market for a herbal manufacturer’s product liability, and so far have not been able to locate one at a reasonable/affordable premium without too many exclusions on the herbs.”

—”I need a market for my client who installs doors in tract homes—up to 30 in any one phase!”
Other requests are more general, such as “commercial towing market in New Jersey,” “pizza delivery non-owned auto” and “fire extinguisher service/sales alarms.”

The responses are usually not long in coming. Insurance folks are a helpful bunch, whether their personal business interests are being served or not. “Many thanks to the kind and dedicated folks who offer such professional help,” wrote one satisfied customer.

To make a good thing even better, we started tagging these requests for new markets onto IJ’s daily opt-in e-mail newsletter, which goes out to approximately 10,000 insurance professionals every day. (If you don’t already receive it, it’s easy to subscribe—just go to the homepage and click on the “Get News Headlines” button on the right-hand side of your screen. The newsletter is free of charge and contains all the day’s happenings to get you up to speed.)

So no more singing the “Hard-To-Place Blues.” Come on down to InsuranceJournal.com’s Forums—you just may find that perfect market.