Épisodes

  • Turning Cat Risk into Commission: How Agents Are Winning in Hard Property Markets

    Turning Cat Risk into Commission: How Agents Are Winning in Hard Property Markets
    Nov 11 2025
    In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein sits down with Terry McLean, CEO of SageSure, to discuss how the company has built one of the largest independent property insurance platforms serving catastrophe-exposed markets. Terry shares insights into navigating the hardest property market in decades, managing risk in wildfire and coastal regions, and balancing technology with hands-on underwriting and claims operations.

    From Florida's ENS market to California's wildfire challenges, this conversation reveals how disciplined underwriting, data-driven modeling, and long-term relationships with agents help SageSure thrive where others retreat.

    Tune in for a candid look at the future of homeowners insurance, reinsurance cycles, and what agents can do to succeed in high-risk markets.

    About Insurance Shoptalk

    Join host Eric Stein on a journey through the dynamic world of commercial property and casualty insurance. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to every episode. Insurance Shoptalk is your premier destination for in-depth discussions on the latest industry trends, technology impacts, interviews with leading experts, and much more. To learn more about Insurance Shoptalk, please visit https://insuranceshoptalk.com/

    If you enjoyed this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, please like and subscribe, and be sure to click the notification bell to catch the next episode.

    #PropertyInsurance #InsuranceIndustry #RiskManagement #CatastropheInsurance #Reinsurance #ENSMarket #HomeownersInsurance
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    45 min
  • The Ohio Comp Opportunity: Basic Training for Agents Who Want In

    The Ohio Comp Opportunity: Basic Training for Agents Who Want In
    Nov 4 2025
    In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein of Insured Solutions speaks with Bob Butts of Alternative Comp Solutions (ACS) about Ohio's newly approved Alternative Employer Organization (AEO) program—an innovative alternative to the state's traditional Bureau of Workers' Compensation system. They discuss how this new model allows agents to finally earn commissions on workers' comp, helps employers save 20–30% on premiums, introduces a convenient pay-as-you-go billing structure, and simplifies claims management.

    The conversation also explores how AEOs differ from PEOs, what agents need to know about the AC3 form and quoting process, and why this change opens major opportunities for agencies across Ohio.

    About Insurance Shoptalk

    Join host Eric Stein on a journey through the dynamic world of commercial property and casualty insurance. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to every episode. Insurance Shoptalk is your premier destination for in-depth discussions on the latest industry trends, technology impacts, interviews with leading experts, and much more. To learn more about Insurance Shoptalk, please visit https://insuranceshoptalk.com/

    If you enjoyed this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, please like and subscribe, and be sure to click the notification bell to catch the next episode.

    #InsuranceShoptalk #WorkersCompOhio #InsuredSolutions #AlternativeEmployerOrganization #AEOProgram #InsuranceAgents #WorkersCompensation #CommercialInsurance #OhioInsurance #PEOvsAEO
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    45 min
  • Create a Payroll Service Inside Your Agency-No Staff Required

    Create a Payroll Service Inside Your Agency-No Staff Required
    Oct 30 2025
    In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, guest Jamie Fortier from isolved joins host Eric Stein to discuss how insurance agents can expand into payroll services through flexible referral and white-label models.

    Jamie explains how isolved supports agents with full back-office operations—from payroll processing to tax management—allowing them to grow revenue without adding staff. The conversation dives into isolved's focus on enhancing employee experience, the advantages of consolidating services under one provider, and strategies for protecting core insurance business while building new income streams.

    Tune in to learn how payroll partnerships can help agencies strengthen client relationships and scale their service offerings.

    About Insurance Shoptalk

    Join host Eric Stein on a journey through the dynamic world of commercial property and casualty insurance. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to every episode. Insurance Shoptalk is your premier destination for in-depth discussions on the latest industry trends, technology impacts, interviews with leading experts, and much more. To learn more about Insurance Shoptalk, please visit https://insuranceshoptalk.com/

    If you enjoyed this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, please like and subscribe, and be sure to click the notification bell to catch the next episode.

    #PayrollServices
    #InsuranceAgents
    #BusinessGrowth
    #EmployeeExperience
    #PayrollSolutionsForAgents
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    47 min
  • Offer UI Insurance Programs to Non-Profits

    Offer UI Insurance Programs to Non-Profits
    Oct 14 2025
    In this episode of Insurance Shop Talk, host Eric Stein sits down with Ron Lucki, Vice President of Business Development at Ohio Indemnity Company, to discuss a powerful yet often-overlooked opportunity for P&C agents — helping nonprofits manage and insure their unemployment risk through the UC Assure program.
    Ron breaks down how the UC Assure model works, how nonprofits can legally opt out of state unemployment tax systems, and why this creates both huge cost savings for nonprofit organizations and a new revenue stream for agents. He also walks through:

    ✅ How nonprofits can cut unemployment costs by 40% or more
    ✅ Which organizations qualify
    ✅ Why this program is safer and more predictable than self-funding or staying in the state pool
    ✅ How agents can earn recurring commissions with minimal effort — no new product training required
    ✅ The referral process, qualification tips, and key state deadlines

    Whether you already serve nonprofit clients or are looking to expand your agency's book, this episode provides practical insights into an untapped niche that blends insurance, compliance, and steady revenue.

    Join host Eric Stein on a journey through the dynamic world of commercial property and casualty insurance. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to every episode. Insurance Shoptalk is your premier destination for in-depth discussions on the latest industry trends, technology impacts, interviews with leading experts, and much more. To learn more about Insurance Shoptalk, please visit https://insuranceshoptalk.com/

    If you enjoyed this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, please like and subscribe, and be sure to click the notification bell to catch the next episode.

    #InsurancePodcast #PNCAgents #NonprofitInsurance #UnemploymentInsurance #UCAssure #InsuranceMarketing #AgencyGrowth
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    38 min
  • The New Ohio Workers' Comp Option- and it's Commissionable

    The New Ohio Workers' Comp Option- and it's Commissionable
    Sep 8 2025
    Ohio Workers' Comp Just Changed – Here's What Agents Need to Know
     In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein talks with Bob Butts, Chief Risk Officer at Alternative Comp Solutions (ACS), about a major change in Ohio's workers' compensation market. For the first time, agents can now sell workers' comp in Ohio and earn commission, thanks to Senate Bill 2011 and approval by the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation.

    Bob explains how ACS is leading the way with an Alternative Employer Organization (AEO) model that saves employers 10–30% on premiums, simplifies claims handling, and eliminates the need to switch payroll systems. The discussion covers the differences between AEOs and PEOs, how the pay-as-you-go approach helps employers with cash flow, and why this new model is such a big opportunity for insurance agents.

    About Insurance Shoptalk
     Join host Eric Stein on a journey through the dynamic world of commercial property and casualty insurance. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to every episode. Insurance Shoptalk is your premier destination for in-depth discussions on the latest industry trends, technology impacts, interviews with leading experts, and much more. To learn more about Insurance Shoptalk, please visit https://insuranceshoptalk.com/

    If you enjoyed this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, please like and subscribe, and be sure to click the notification bell to catch the next episode.
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    53 min
  • Create an Online Leads Team to Your P&C Agency

    Create an Online Leads Team to Your P&C Agency
    Jul 10 2025
    In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, Eric Stein sits down with Alex Choroomi from Alkeme Insurance to discuss how digital leads and online quoting are transforming the small business insurance landscape.

    Alex shares his journey into the commercial insurance world, explaining how Alkeme Insurance is leveraging digital advertising and advanced quoting portals to bring in high-quality leads and close deals quickly. He dives deep into the challenges and successes of targeting industries like contractors, manufacturing, and transportation with tailored workers' comp and general liability coverage.

    About Insurance Shoptalk
     Join host Eric Stein on a journey through the dynamic world of commercial property and casualty insurance. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to every episode. Insurance Shoptalk is your premier destination for in-depth discussions on the latest industry trends, technology impacts, interviews with leading experts, and much more. To learn more about Insurance Shoptalk, please visit https://insuranceshoptalk.com/

    If you enjoyed this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, please like and subscribe, and be sure to click the notification bell to catch the next episode.
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    41 min
  • See CompScience's New AI Risk Mgt Tool for Workers' Comp!

    See CompScience's New AI Risk Mgt Tool for Workers' Comp!
    Jun 12 2025
    In this episode of Insurance Shop Talk, host Eric Stein is joined by James Allgood and Chad Carpenter from CompScience, a game-changing workers' compensation program that uses AI-powered computer vision to reduce workplace injuries and cut claims—by up to 35–55%.

    Discover how CompScience helps clients improve safety, reduce risk, and look like heroes—all while using existing camera systems. Learn how the platform identifies unreported near-misses, ergonomic issues, and hazardous behaviors in real-time, turning video footage into actionable safety insights and boosting adoption of safety recommendations from 20% to 75%.

    ✅ AI Risk Reports
    ✅ Real-time Alerts for Construction & Restaurants
    ✅ Works with Existing Cameras
    ✅ No Extra Cost for the Technology
    ✅ Nationwide Coverage (ex. monoline construction in NY/NJ)
    ✅ Minimum Premium: $50K

    Hear real-world stories of how agents have won six-figure accounts using CompScience as their wedge—and how safety tech is finally catching up with the industry.

    About Insurance Shoptalk
     Join host Eric Stein on a journey through the dynamic world of commercial property and casualty insurance. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to every episode. Insurance Shoptalk is your premier destination for in-depth discussions on the latest industry trends, technology impacts, interviews with leading experts, and much more. To learn more about Insurance Shoptalk, please visit https://insuranceshoptalk.com/

    If you enjoyed this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, please like and subscribe, and be sure to click the notification bell to catch the next episode.
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    48 min
  • Steven Kim's new book: "Focus on What Matters"

    Steven Kim's new book: "Focus on What Matters"
    Apr 2 2025
    Work ON your business, not just IN it! In this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, host Eric Stein is joined by guest Steve Kim to dive into what it really takes to build a purpose-driven insurance agency—one that doesn't just generate profit, but also gives owners the freedom, balance, and fulfillment they're looking for. Steve, the founder of Purpose Matters and the author of the upcoming book Focus on What Matters, shares more about his 7P Business Alignment Model, how to build a team that fits with your agency's culture, the best practices for attracting clients who actually fit your model.

    About Insurance Shoptalk
     Join host Eric Stein on a journey through the dynamic world of commercial property and casualty insurance. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge and insights to every episode. Insurance Shoptalk is your premier destination for in-depth discussions on the latest industry trends, technology impacts, interviews with leading experts, and much more. To learn more about Insurance Shoptalk, please visit https://insuranceshoptalk.com/

    If you enjoyed this episode of Insurance Shoptalk, please like and subscribe, and be sure to click the notification bell to catch the next episode.
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    41 min