Vietnamese Speaking Customer Service Rep (E TC Jester and Loop 610 - Houston, TX)

Customer Service Representatives work for Farmers agents as customer service and/or administrative professionals. Responsibilities typically include office management, customer policy support (in-office and telephone), and sales support activities.

By obtaining the proper licensing, customer service reps may also sell insurance products within the agent’s office. If you are bilingual, you may also qualify for other financial incentives.

Minimum qualifications:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills (Fluent in both Vietnamese and English)
• Customer service oriented
• Good computer skills and proficient with Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Excellent organizational skills
• Highly motivated entrepreneur
• High School Diploma
• Good credit history (Insurance license a plus)

So why wait? Explore an exciting new opportunity as a Customer Service Representative in a Farmers agency.

Location: TC Jester and Loop 610

Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.


Location: E TC Jester and Loop 610 - Houston, TX
Compensation: Hourly plus commission/bonus
Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
Please, no phone calls about this job!
Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Burglary Claims in Texas Jump 9% in 2009

The number of home burglary claims for Insurance customers in Texas jumped 9 percent last year. With many Texans taking trips this summer, the insurer is encouraging people to keep their homes locked-up and their vacation plans under wraps.

In a survey of police departments across the state, it was found flat screen televisions are typically the number one target in home burglaries, followed by laptops, jewelry and cash. Some surveyed departments reported an increasing number of home burglaries that are tied to organized criminal activity, like street gangs.

Police reported these suspects have "shopping lists" of items to steal and will back into a victim's driveway and knock on the door. If no one answers, police say the perpetrators kick in the door, take items and leave within a few minutes. After the burglary, most of the items end up at an organized fencing operation where they are transported to other cities, states and across the border.

"Not only do these home burglaries disrupt homeowners' lives because their valuables are stolen, but they create a potentially dangerous situation if the theft is interrupted," said David Christopher, an agent in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. "That's why it's so important for homeowners to take precautions because these thefts can happen anywhere."

Home Theft Breakdown by City

Home theft numbers increased in most major Texas cities in 2009.

City Home Theft Change from 2008 to 2009
Austin +47%
Dallas-Fort Worth +7%
El Paso -16%
Houston +8%
Lubbock +1%
Rio Grande Valley +55%
San Antonio +6%
Waco-Temple-Killeen +5%


Read more: http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2010/07/14/111580.htm#ixzz0tm0STLwA

ALERT - Hurricane Alex

ALERT - Hurricane Alex

Hurricane Alex has made landfall. We want to make sure all Farmers policyholders with storm damage are aware of several important phone numbers. If you have damage to your home or auto, please call Farmers' 24-hour claims hotline, 1-800-HelpPoint (1-800-435-7764) for immediate assistance.

Foremost Insurance customers should file their claim by calling: 1-800-527-3907.
Bristol West Insurance customers should file their claim by calling: 1-800-274-7865.
Customers of Texas Windstorm Insurance Associationwho wish to file a claim: call 1-800-788-8247.
Customers with a National Flood Policy serviced by a Farmers agent, please call 1-800-759-8656.

For further updates, please visit Farmers Catastrophe Page

Flood Insurance Program Back in Business Until Sept. 30

The U.S. Senate last night approved a temporary reauthorization of the federal flood insurance program until Sept. 30. The reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is retroactive to June 1, the date the program was halted.

National Flood Insurance Program Reauthorization News

As you probably know, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) expired on midnight May 31, 2010 and has not been reauthorized by Congress. Consequently, the Program is experiencing a hiatus – a period without authority to:

Issue increased coverage on existing policies for which endorsement and premium payment dates are on or after June 1, 2010, or Issue renewal policies for which the renewal premium is received by the company on or after June 1, 2010, and after the end of the 30-day renewal grace period, until Congress reauthorizes the Program.

While awaiting Congressional reauthorization, FEMA is issuing the guidance below. For the most up-to-date information on the status of the NFIP please visit http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/nfip-reauth.shtm or call the FEMA News Desk at 202-646-3272.

New Policies

New policies for which the application was completed on or before May 31, 2010, and the application and premium payment were received within 10 days of the application date, will be issued for coverage and will become effective on the requested effective date, in accordance with the applicable waiting period rules.

For loans closing prior to the first day of hiatus, when the application is dated on or before closing and the premium payment is from the escrow account (lender’s check), title company, or settlement attorney, and is received within 30 days from the closing date, the policy can be issued effective the date of the closing.

For loans closing prior to the first day of hiatus, when the application is dated on or before closing and the premium payment is not part of the closing (i.e., the applicant or applicant’s representative check or credit card) and the application and premium were received within 10 days of the application date, the policy can be issued effective the date of the closing only if the presentment of premium was on or before the closing date. If the presentment of premium (check or credit card date) was on or after June 1, 2010, the policy cannot be issued, even though the application and closing occurred prior to the hiatus.

For loans closing on or after the first day of hiatus, when the application is dated prior to the hiatus and the presentment of premium is prior to the hiatus, the policy may be issued effective at closing so long as premium is received within 10 days of the closing date.

As always, the starting dates of NFIP coverage depend on the applicable flood insurance waiting period.
Claims

Policies that are in force before midnight of the last day of effective Program authorization will remain in force, and claims under those policies are to be processed and paid as usual afterwards (once hiatus begins).

Claims for covered losses occurring during a hiatus, on existing policies and on policies issued effective after the last day of effective authorization, are to be processed and paid as usual.

WYO Companies may investigate claims under a reservation-of-rights letter or a non-waiver agreement, up to the point of payment. Under either, WYO Companies would reserve the right not to pay the claim if Congress does not reauthorize the NFIP while continuing the investigation of the claim.

If reauthorization is granted retroactively, WYO Companies can issue policies effective as of the date they receive payments (subject to applicable waiting periods), and claims for covered losses can be processed.

Determining Payment Receipt Dates, New Policy Premiums, Renewal Policy Premiums, Added Coverage Endorsements

The controlling factor in determining payment receipt dates for new policy premiums, renewal policy premiums, or added coverage endorsements is when the insurance company receives payment, not the standard mail postmark.

However, proof of mailing receipts or third-party receipts that WYO Companies receive through certified mail or from entities such Federal Express (FedEx), United Parcel Service (UPS), and courier services do serve as payment receipt dates.

There will be no interruption in coverage if a customer mails the premium and the WYO Company receives it on or prior to midnight of the last day of effective Program authorization. See the exception listed below under Hiatus Scenarios, where the WYO Company is allowed to issue or renew policies even if the premium is received after a hiatus begins.

Hiatus Scenarios

Policies without a 30-Day Waiting Period

If the reauthorization is not retroactive to the first day of the hiatus, policies without a 30-day waiting period would become effective on the date the reauthorization is effective. This rule applies to loan closings occurring on or after the first day of the hiatus.

Policies with a 30-Day Waiting Period

If the reauthorization is not retroactive to the first day of the hiatus, policies with a 30-day waiting period would become effective 30 days after Congress has reauthorized the NFIP.

Renewals

If the renewal offer was issued prior to authorization expiration, and the renewal premium is received before or within the 30-day grace period, the policy can be renewed even if the renewal premium was received after authorization expiration. The same rule applies on an underpayment notice issued before authorization expiration.
WYO Companies are no longer authorized to renew policies if the premium is received on or after the first day of the hiatus and after the end of the 30-day renewal grace period.

Cancellations

Existing policies can be canceled during the hiatus in accordance with valid NFIP cancellation reason codes.
Assignment of Flood Policies

An existing policy can be assigned provided the insured signs and dates the endorsement request.

For more details and FAQs concerning the NFIP reauthorization and how it affects the processing of flood insurance, go to http://www.fema.gov/pdf/nfip/w_10063.pdf.

Please email us at info@femafloodsmart.com with any questions about NFIP and FloodSmart.

If Today's Bid Fails, Next Likely Vote to Restart Flood Insurance: July 12

The future of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) remains in limbo even as Hurricane Alex makes its way to the Texas coast today.

Washington lobbyists say a vote could come today but if that doesn't happen it could be until July 12 or thereafter before another vote is possible since Congress will not be around during the July 4th holiday.

The NFIP expired on June 1, the first official day of hurricane season. Since then, flooding has occurred in several states.

On June 23, the House of Representatives passed another temporary extension of the NFIP, good through Sept. 30, 2010, but the Senate has failed to take action so far.

Even if the Senate passed an NFIP extension, a flood insurance policy normally does not go into effect for 30 days after the policy is purchased, further underscoring the importance of renewing the program as quickly as possible, says the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The NAIC has sent a letter to House and Senate leaders urging immediate action to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In the letter, regulators stressed that timing is negatively affecting consumers.

"As state regulators, we are deeply concerned with the impact the nearly month-long lapse has caused for consumers and future flood victims across the country," said Jane L. Cline, NAIC president and West Virginia Insurance Commissioner. "It is imperative that Congress act to quickly to extend the program so that consumers can protect themselves."

Blain Rethmeier, senior vice president for public affairs for the American Insurance Association, says right now the future of the NFIP remains in limbo with no clear legislative path for a retroactive extension of the program.

"There is a slim chance the Senate will have an opportunity to pass the short term extension, but with Senator Byrd's funeral, it looks unlikely," Rethmeier said. "We very well could go into the July 4th recess without any resolution."

Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana brought the NFIP extension through Sept. 30 to the Senate floor for unanimous consent yesterday, according Matt Brady, director of media relations for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Cos. (NAMIC). But Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois objected and offered the "extenders" bill, legislation that would extend the program through the end of the year but also includes other provisions that have drawn objections for increasing the budget deficit, according to Brady. Brady said Sen. Vitter then objected to the extenders bill.

"It's possible that it could be brought to the floor for unanimous consent again today," Brady said, but cautioned that if nothing happens today, the Senate would be less likely to take action tomorrow because of the memorial service planned for the late Sen. Robert Byrd. "They're also out all next week, so if they adjourn without extending the program nothing can happen until July 12 or 13 at a minimum."

The program has been unable to issue new or renewal policies since it was shut down May 31, although it is still paying claims. It is the fourth time in the past year that the program has been interrupted due to the failure of Congress to reauthorize it for an extended period.



Read more: http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2010/06/30/111206.htm#ixzz0sMMwu8kr

Topical Storm Alex

The latest reports still show TS Alex heading for landfall just south of
the Texas – Mexico boarder. Currently the storm is moving at 8 miles per
hour with sustained wind speed of 70 miles per hour. It is estimated that
the storm will peak at 97 mile per hour winds, just above the CAT 2
threshold of 95 miles per hour. Once the eye has developed we should
receive better reports on where the storm will make landfall. Alex is
expected to become a hurricane today with an estimated landfall of Thursday
still in the forecast.