Thursday, May 18, 2017 TIS Insurance Services Appointed to The Hanover’s President’s Club Commercial Insurance Division, General, Industry News TIS Insurance Services, Inc. (TIS) was recently appointed to The Hanover Insurance Group’s President’s Club, an elite group of independent insurance agencies from across the country. Agencies named to the company’s President’s Club are recognized for delivering outstanding value to their customers through insurance expertise and responsive service. TIS Insurance Services, Inc. was one of only 125 independent agencies recognized with this distinction across the country. The Hanover partners with a select group of 2,200 independent agents nationwide. This is the third consecutive year TIS has been recognized with this selection. “The team at TIS Insurance Services, Inc. truly understands the needs of its customers and delivers a top-of-the-line customer experience, providing expert insurance counsel and high-quality service,” said John C. Roche, president, Hanover Agency Markets. “We’re proud to partner with TIS and appreciate its commitment to going above and beyond to serve its customers.” The agency was formally recognized for its inclusion in the company’s President’s Club at a national business conference in Laguna Beach, Calif. TIS Chief Financial Officer Kim Wilson was in attendance. “This is a recognition of the value we place on providing specialized and innovative insurance solutions that meet the unique needs of our customers,” said Donald B. Wake, President at TIS Insurance Services, Inc. “We are proud to be recognized with this honor for the 3 consecutive years.” About TIS Insurance Services, Inc. TIS Insurance Services, Inc., an independent, privately owned insurance agency, has been helping clients find the right insurance policies since 1945. Headquartered in Knoxville, TN, TIS proudly serves more than 6,000 individuals and businesses across 48 states. Recognized nationally as a Top 100 Agency by Insurance Journal Magazine, TIS has the expertise and resources required to deliver tailored and effective insurance solutions.
Wednesday, December 28, 2016 Do I Have an Automobile Liability Exposure if My Company Does Not Own Any Vehicles? Commercial Insurance Division, General Jared Smith, Broker | TIS Insurance Services, Inc. Emphatically, the answer is yes! It is certainly common for tech, allied healthcare, and social service organizations to have employees routinely drive their personal autos for company business, and this exposure is usually much higher than anyone realizes. I know of organizations that have 100s of vehicles on the road every day supporting their client base with very little oversight, and each of these vehicles is a catastrophic claim waiting to happen. Every organization is responsible for the actions of their employees while driving on behalf of the company, and if that employee is involved in an at-fault accident, then you can bet your bottom dollar that the organization will be sued. Many organizations assume that they are protected either by their commercial general liability policy or with the employee’s personal auto insurance, however that is often not the case. It is true that Hired and Non-owned Auto Liability can be added to a commercial general liability policy, however it is often left off the policy to save a couple hundred dollars. Likewise, it is also true that employees have their own insurance that acts as the first layer of defense, but what are their limits? Most states have minimum limits that are absurdly low, and how do you know if the insurance is even in effect or will pay out if the personal vehicle is being used for business purposes? Either way both of these are reactive positions. The key to proactively protecting your organization from catastrophic automobile liability claims is to institute a Drivers Safety/Fleet Safety policy. Also, to conduct periodic drivers safety training classes in order to reduce the likelihood that a catastrophic accident will occur and to make sure you are doing your best to protect your clients and the public. The following are five keys to a quality Drivers Safety Program: The Policy needs to be simple to understand; it needs to be read and signed off on by every employee; it needs to be enforced. The policy must address what is an acceptable driver motor vehicle record (MVR), and, at a minimum, MVRs should be checked annually by the organization. The policy must address minimum standards for personal autos used on company business, especially when transporting clients. We recommend that the organization have a “manager’s checklist” to inspect each personal auto used for company business on a quarterly or semi-annual basis. We understand that you are not mechanics, and the point of the checklist is to make sure that the vehicle is in safe operating condition (the headlights work, the break lights work, the blinkers work, the windshield wipers work, the horn works, tires have proper tread depth, there is proof of insurance in the vehicle, etc.). Essentially, the basics to make sure that you are reasonably protecting your clients and the public. A vehicle maintenance plan for owned vehicles. Instructions for the authorized and proper use of the vehicle (seat belts, cell phones, speeding, etc.) Don’t be overwhelmed by the creation of a good and effective Drivers Safety Policy. Your insurance agent should be able to both help you craft a drivers safety policy to meet your organization’s specific needs and provide you drivers training courses. If not, I would be happy to help! About TIS Insurance Services, Inc. TIS Insurance Services, Inc., an independent, privately owned insurance agency, has been helping clients find the right insurance policies since 1945. Headquartered in Knoxville, TN, TIS proudly serves more than 6,000 individuals and businesses across 48 states. Recognized nationally as a Top 100 Agency by Insurance Journal Magazine, TIS has the expertise and resources required to deliver tailored and effective insurance solutions.
Monday, August 29, 2016 TIS Insurance Services, Inc. Retains Top 100 Status Commercial Insurance Division, Construction Division, Employee Benefits, General, Healthcare Services, Industry News Insurance journal ranks top agencies nationwide Knoxville, TN – TIS Insurance Services, Inc., TIS Insurance Services, Inc. has once again been listed in the Insurance Journal’s Top 100 Independent Insurance Agencies in America listing. The Top 100 list is ranked by total property and casualty (P&C) agency revenue for 2015 and comprises only those agencies that are privately-owned firms whose business is primarily retail, not wholesale. All the Top 100 agencies included report and cooperated in the process. The result is a glimpse at some of the nation’s most successful privately-held independent insurance agencies and brokerages. TIS Insurance Services ranked 75th overall in the Top 100 selected from over 30,000 insurance agencies in the United States. About TIS Insurance Services, Inc. TIS Insurance Services, Inc., an independent, privately owned insurance agency, has been helping clients find the right insurance policies since 1945. Headquartered in Knoxville, TN, TIS proudly serves more than 6,000 individuals and businesses across 48 states. Recognized nationally as a Top 100 Agency by Insurance Journal Magazine, TIS has the expertise and resources required to deliver tailored and effective insurance solutions.
Friday, August 19, 2016 TIS Insurance Services Names Two New Shareholders Commercial Insurance Division, Construction Division, Employee Benefits, General, Healthcare Services, Industry News Rob McMillin and John Sims join the ownership team Knoxville, TN – TIS Insurance Services, Inc., a Top 100 independent insurance agency, recently named Rob McMillin and John Sims as its newest shareholders. “Rob and John have earned ownership in the agency through their hard work, determination, and through the embodiment of the TIS Promise of putting our clients first. I know they will be great leaders going forward,” said TIS Chairman Bill Thomas. McMillin joined the TIS team in 2001 as a broker and further trained at The National Alliance/Chubb Insurance Group Broker Training School in Somerset, NJ. Within the HealthCare Services Division, McMillin has been both sales producer and new account developer. He holds a Business Administration degree in Finance from The University of Tennessee. Sims joined the TIS HealthCare Services Division in 2007 as a sales producer and has focused on acquiring new healthcare business throughout the country. Sims has a vast amount of experience with workers’ compensation self-insured business. He is currently working toward his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation. Sims also holds a Business Administration degree in Finance from The University of Tennessee Knoxville. “The addition of Rob and John to our shareholder group is exciting news especially as TIS continues to experience significant growth and expansion in both the local and national markets, said CEO Ed Sims. “Their extensive industry knowledge and experience within one of the larger TIS divisions is invaluable to our success.” Both McMillin and Sims are vice presidents within the HealthCare Services Division at TIS. They join the current shareholder group that includes Bill Thomas, Chairman; Ed Sims, CEO; Morgan Thomas, President/Commercial; Taylor Preston, President/HealthCare Services; and Ben Kelly, President/Employee Benefits. About TIS Insurance Services, Inc. TIS Insurance Services, Inc., an independent, privately owned insurance agency, has been helping clients find the right insurance policies since 1945. Headquartered in Knoxville, TN, TIS proudly serves more than 6,000 individuals and businesses across 48 states. Recognized nationally as a Top 100 Agency by Insurance Journal Magazine, TIS has the expertise and resources required to deliver tailored and effective insurance solutions.