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Sharing Symposium Toronto

Insuring the Sharing Economy

The first ever Canadian Sharing Economy Symposium was held on  December, 2nd in Toronto. The Canadian Sharing Economy Symposium drills down into how the new Sharing Economy platform business model is disrupting traditional businesses. Melissa Neis, Vice President of Parr Insurance was one of the panelist present at the Symposium. Important questions were directed towards Melissa which tackle the a lot of issues of the emerging Sharing Economy. Questions such as:

What does it take to build an insurance program for the sharing economy and what are some of the difficulties you face?
What are some things that businesses in the sharing economy could do to either improve their current insurance program or to ensure that they get a program that best suits their business model?

The keynote speakers were Marina Lao, Director of the Office of Policy Planning at the Federal Trade Commission and Tim Hudak, Member of Provincial Parliament, Niagara West-Glanbrook. This conference brings together the key change makers from multiple sectors and perspectives to discuss how the rapidly evolving sharing economy model has global and local implications that are changing markets, cities, and lives.

While this is opening up a number of opportunities, it is also raising complex legal and policy issues such as how best to address market failures; and manage concerns over consumer safety and tax compliance. This panel discussed as well the critical issue of labour in the sharing economy: are participants “employees” or “independent contractors”;  the problems and opportunities posed by these new labour relationships; and what legal and policy changes may be needed in response.

For more information on insuring businesses in the sharing economy, contact us today!

Parr Insurance Brokerage
2157 N Damen #2B
Chicago, IL 60647
P.773.489.3001
Melissa@parrinsurancebrokerage.com

 

Link

Conference:

The first open Canadian Sharing Symposium will be held December 2nd at the St. Andrew’s Club and Conference Centre, in Toronto Ontario. This Conference brings together the key change makers from multiple sectors and perspectives to discuss how the rapidly evolving sharing economy model has global and local implications that are changing markets, cities, and lives.

Melissa Neis, Vice President at Parr Insurance, will be a member of the panel discussing the process of insuring the sharing economy within Canada, regulations in the sharing economy , and why today’s sharing economy business do not fit the old economy’s insurance policies.

The Canadian Sharing Economy symposium drills down into how the new Sharing Economy platform business model is disrupting traditional business.  While new opportunities are arising through shared economy, many legal and policy issues are as well.

To attend, register online at www.InsightInfo.com/SharingEconomy

 

Prep Wise for Winter

Winter Weather Approaching!

Incoming Snow This Weekend

Winter is right around the corner. Snow tonight through Saturday with significant accumulation is expected in some areas. Total snow accumulation, 4 to 8 inches across Northwestern Cook away from Lake Michigan, with 2 to 4 inches near the immediate Lake including downtown Chicago. The first accumulating snow of the season will unfold across the Chicagoland region beginning this evening and persisting through the day Saturday. Warm ground temperatures, especially pavement, will initially limit accumulation on surfaces this evening. However snowfall rates are expected to increase overnight through Saturday morning.

Winter Prep

As the weather turns colder and winter season approaches, it is critical important that we support our customers in their effort to be prepared. Among other risks, water damage is a key concern for our insureds – a broken 1-inch water pipe can spill 60 gallons of water per minute. Businesses that stay ahead of the weather also get ahead of the risk exposures and can greatly reduce their chances of experiencing a business interruption.

Some additional key points:

  • Get heating systems checked early to make sure they are ready to withstand freezing temperatures.
  • Keep the workplace warm, even when it’s closed for weekends and the holidays.
  • Know the location of the water shut-off valves – both for domestic water supply and sprinkler system.
  • If there are unheated areas and dry pipe sprinkler systems, low point drains should be checked by maintenance staff or a qualified contractor.
  • Make sure employees are trained on the proper use of snow removal equipment and review contract language for vendors hired for similar services.

I hope that you will find this safety precaution article informative. If you have any questions and are interested in attaining coverage for your home and against any impending damage this winter,  please visit http://parrinsurancebrokerage.com or http://neisinsurance.com and learn about your options!

Thanks,
Cedric Ngwa
Parr Insurance Brokerage
2157 N Damen #2B
Chicago, IL 60647
P.773.489.3001

 

Chicagoland Cooperator’s Expo

 Chicagoland Cooperator’s Condo, HOA & Co-op Expo

The Chicagoland Cooperator’s Condo, HOA & Co-op seasonal Expo took place at the Navy Pier Convention Center, on Wednesday, November  18th  from 10am-4:30pm. The Expo is for board members, property managers, condo, HOA and co-op decision makers. Dwight Zivo of Parr Insurance Brokerage was an insurance expert in one of the Advice Booths, a free advice panel available to attendees of the event.. The event was free.

The Chicagoland Expo is the largest expo in the state entirely dedicated to  connecting condo, HOA, and co-op managers, board members, and residents with  the professionals and service providers their communities need on a regular  basis. Between nearly 300 exhibitors, countless product demos, free advice  booths, and full roster of educational seminars, it’s literally a one-stop, custom-built marketplace for vendors, products and  ideas.

“The express purpose of the Chicago Expo is to help attendees make useful,  productive connections, gain valuable information, and network with their  peers,” says company president Yale Robbins. So if you’re a decision-maker for a condo, homeowners association, or co-op community—or even if you just call one home—and you have a pressing legal issue or an important project waiting in the  wings, you owe it to yourself and your community to drop by the Expo and  experience what it has to offer. It would take months to meet with the same  number of vendors and professionals a typical Expo attendee will interact with  in one afternoon on the show floor.

 A Learning Experience

One of the biggest reasons for board members, managers, and owners to visit the  show is the Chicago Expo’s full slate of free educational seminars. Custom-built to help anyone involved—or even just interested—in the administration of a residential building or homeowners association, the  2015 seminar panels will provide in-depth discussion of the legal,  administrative, management, and financial concerns pertinent to the region’s  HOA managers, board members, and residents.

If you are interested in attending the expo as an audience member to enjoy one the free seminars,  network with fellow individuals in your particular field of expertise or promoting yourself and  business as an exhibitor next time around please visit  http://fall.ilexpo.com/ to register!

 

Sofa Art Gallery

SOFA Chicago Art Exposé Navy Pier

This weekend marks an important annual date on the city’s arts calendar. That’s because the art fair Sofa Chicago docks at Navy Pier the first weekend of November. SOFA stands for “sculptural objects and functional art,” but the content of the fair has an even broader scope.

Tom Neis, Dwight Zivo, Amelia Sweet, and Melissa Neis, representatives of Parr Insurance, were all present at the VIP Opening Night Preview. The event was hosted by Chubb Group of Insurance Companies (http://www.chubb.com), the standard bearer for high value homeowners insurance .

Donna Davis, Fair Director for SOFA Chicago, says you can expect to see modern and contemporary art and design, objects and sculpture. “You’ll see world-class galleries showing fiber, glass, ceramic, wood and studio jewelry,” Davis said. This year, SOFA also included painting, photography and works on paper. The nearly 70 galleries represented at SOFA include both local stalwarts and visiting galleries from around the world, including those from London, Paris, Turkey and Italy. Davis says that many exhibitors return year after year. “They like to come back,” she said. “But we also have 17 new exhibitors this year, which is a record for us.”

At times the range of work can feel overwhelming to some, so there is a selection of choices put together by critics called Sofa selects. “It is a selection noted tastemakers – curators, critics, designers, architects – who select their favorite pieces in the fair before the fair opens,” Davis explained. “You can go to SOFAexpo.com and select ‘Sofa selects’ and see those people who have chosen those pieces and why.”

SOFA Chicago runs Nov. 5-8 at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall, from 5-9 p.m. Thursday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Saturday; noon-6 p.m. Sunday. General admission tickets cost $20; $15 for seniors and students. For my information visit http://www.sofaexpo.com/visit

 

 

 

CLM Networking Event

Event: CLM Educational Networking

CLM(Claims and Litigation Management Alliance) Northern California Chapter held an informative educational and networking event featuring a presentation on “The Legal Landscape of the Sharing Economy: Homes and Rides” at City Club in San Francisco.

Melissa Neis, Vice President at Parr Insurance Brokerage and CLM Fellow attended the event and spoke about the recent legislation of California which included the Thriving Communities and Sharing Economy Act, amendments to the San Francisco ordinances to provide an exception on short term residential leases, and advertising residential private rental listings on the Internet. Parr Insurance was a sponsor of this event.

Other presenters included :
Tad Devlin, Partner and Chair of Sharing Economy Practice Group, Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck, LLP, (Moderater)
Amy Jensen, Lead Trial Attorney at The Hanover Insurance Group
Randy Nornes, Executive Vice President at Aon Risk Solutions Chicago

The Panel discussed, among other things, the ways in which California law has attempted to adjust in response to the insurance, labor, employment, and property issues that have emerged in the home-sharing and the ride-sharing economies.

The San Francisco Bay Area is the hotbed for all things that are innovative. Recent legislation and litigation regarding sharing economy companies have caused a dramatic change in the insurance industry, and the legal landscape alike. Learning the meaning of these new laws will be helpful to those looking to win new business, and to remain in compliance with the letter of the law.

To learn more about the CLM, visit this website. https://www.theclm.org/

 

 

Collaboraction – Beggar’s Banquet!

IMG_4568Collaboraction, the Chicago-based theater company dedicated to social change, collaboration and original work, launched its 20th season in Wicker Park with its always popular Beggars’ Banquet, this year honoring Collaboraction founder and nationally acclaimed director Kimberly Senior. Parr Insurance was one of the sponsors of Collaboraction. Melissa Neis, VP of Parr Insurance Brokerage, was the event Chairperson.”

Over 200 supporters raised more than $50,000 for the company while having an absolute blast at the time-traveling celebration of the company’s origins, 20-year history and exciting new future. The evening kicked off with paparazzi shots, cocktails and a delicious Chop Shop buffet, followed by a raffle and live auction. Kimberley Senior founded Collaboraction in 1995, and current Artistic Director, Anthony Moseley, joined the company in its third show and collaborated with Senior on numerous productions before taking over the helm. Moseley says “The first 20 years of Collaboraction cultivated a tremendous volume of theatre and relationships and amazing shared moments. It is a tremendous privilege, to take a moment, to remember and share and celebrate these accomplishments, before getting sucked back up by the excitement around our unique new work and mission we have laid out for the next five years to use all this energy we have created to make a positive impact on Chicago.”

Proceeds will help fund Collaboraction’s Teen Youth Ensemble program with After School Matters, Collaboraction’s Crime Scene tours to Chicago’s parks each summer, new play development, and salaries for dozens of local actors, performers and artists each year.

Excess Deposit Bonds Press Release

edb

 

Excess Insurance Bond Protects Deposits In Excess of FDIC Limits

Chicago-Based Parr Insurance Brokerage Unveils Policy

(CHICAGO)  August, 2015 – Both financial institutions and large depositors will benefit from the excess Deposit Insurance Bond (EDB) now offered by Chicago-based Parr Insurance Brokerage that guarantees payments in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) $250,000 limit.

The single-policy program, which will protect deposits up to $10 million, enables banks and credit unions nationwide to help attract larger deposits, avoid pledging securities and facilitate compliance with state regulations. EDB features easy-to-use applications and forms; premiums based on limits used, not on limits available; and, with its competitive rates, is more cost effective than brokered deposits.

For depositors, in addition to the robust $10 million maximum limit, the EDB maintains insured status and the right to file a claim, and offers a certificate of insurance issued in the depositor’s name.

“This comprehensive protection streamlines the process for banks and credit unions to manage much greater sums of cash and better serve their clients,” said Melissa Neis, vice president of Parr Insurance Brokerage, which has extensive experience insuring financial institutions and also specializes in protecting high-net worth individuals and families.

“In turn, the EDB offers a guarantee to government entities including municipalities, school districts and park districts that the substantial sums of cash they often generate via referenda and bond issues will be protected,” added Neis.

Individuals, too, can benefit from the EDB, according to Neis. “We know of cases where a person receives a major inheritance of several million dollars and, yet, has issues when faced with the FDIC limits when planning to deposit the huge sum,” she said. “Those concerns are alleviated with this policy.

“And, for those individuals and government units who prefer to keep their money ‘at home’ in the community at a local institution, the EDB can help.”

Additional information regarding the application process, limits, rates and other criteria are available by visiting www.parrinsurancebrokerage.com or contacting Melissa Neis at 773.489.3001 or melissa@parrinsurancebrokerage.com.

Parr Insurance Brokerage is rated A.M. Best A (Excellent).

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