Territory Update

Can you believe we’re approaching the end of the First Quartery? The first few months of 2021 have been full of changes and progress, so I would like to review the key items you need to keep in mind as we move forward.

Rates are changing throughout the industry. The continuing severe weather activity, unprecedented business interruption, and increasing reinsurance costs have all contributed to the industry’s hardening market. As a result of these conditions and trends, we are expecting premiums to increase at renewal. Not all lines are expected to increase as much as others, and as you look at renewals, I encourage you to consider the overall account renewal premium change rather than focusing on each line separately.

Agent Tiering Program has been discontinued. We announced that GuideOne’s previous agent tiering program would be discontinued effective February 1, 2021, to better align with our business objectives and meet our partners’ needs. With this change, we updated our Agent of Record Policy and shared a new Performance Bonus Plan. View the details of our new strategy.

Deductible changes are coming May 1, 2021. Please read the February GuideOne Monthly for more information about the deductible changes that will be effective May 1.

Coastal Guidelines are under review. During our upcoming agency visits, we will discuss GuideOne’s coastal guidelines for new and renewal business and any impacts to your book of business. I will be in touch soon to share additional details.

SafeChurch is now on www.guideone.com. To help create a better user experience for our policyholders, all of our risk management and safety materials can now be easily accessed on one website. All materials in the SafeChurch Resource Library can now be found at https://www.guideone.com/policyholder/guidevantage/safechurch.

Boiler Inspections will be conducted by Travelers BoilerRe. We moved our relationship for boiler inspections from Hartford Steam Boiler to Travelers BoilerRe. For policyholders whose policy effective date is on or after May 1, 2020, Travelers BoilerRe will be conducting inspections. To schedule an inspection or for boiler inspection related questions, please call Travelers BoilerRe at 1-800-425-4119 or reach out by email at boilinsp@travelers.com.

Our new billing system, BillingCenter continues to rollout to policyholders. Thank you for your patience as we adapt and make changes that better fit your needs, and ultimately, our policyholders’ needs. If you have questions about BillingCenter, please review our BillingCenter Revisited document. For billing questions on specific accounts, continue to contact our Customer Care Center. Please note: If your call to Customer Care results in a longer wait time than expected, please consider corresponding by email at following email address: CommercialCustomerService@guideone.com.

Writing Nonprofit & Human Services with GuideOne

More than ever, we've seen the role nonprofits have in helping communities thrive. At GuideOne, we want to help these organizations thrive, too. We offer custom insurance coverages and GuideVantage offerings that include free or significantly discounted risk management solutions for a variety of nonprofit and human services organizations. Check out our appetite for each of the segments we’re writing in:

Forms & Coverage Updates

As part of the transition to PolicyCenter, several GuideOne forms and coverages were updated, including Nonprofit & Human Services product enhancements. View this map to see where we have our PolicyCenter forms and product enhancements.

GuideVantage in Focus

Strategos – Safety and Security training

GuideOne policyholders have access to safety training and consulting to help prepare them for potential armed intruder incidents. Strategos International, a leader in training businesses, churches and schools to respond to active shooters and violent intruders, provides our policyholders access to a variety of web-based and onsite training modules at discounted rates through our GuideVantage program.

Noteworthy, GuideOne’s own Brian Gleason, Senior Risk Manager, will be presenting on child protection and abuse prevention at the National Christian Protectors Conference, sponsored by Strategos International, in Kansas City, MO March 25-27.

Risk Control Tips: Stay Safe This Spring

As the seasons change, so do the weather-related risks. GuideOne’s risk control experts gathered tips to help policyholders prepare their properties and people for the severe storms that can come this time of year. Read and share the safety resources below:

• Why You Should Take Storm Damage Seriously
• Flooding Preparedness

Tips for a Safe Easter Celebration

COVID-19 restrictions vary across the country, so plans for Easter celebrations may vary, too. For religious organizations planning in-person services and/or activities, our Senior Risk Manager shared these tips for preparing a safe Easter celebration.