Always Out Front
Insights
Believing in Our Values.
What does it mean to be out front of our clients? Very simply it means understanding and solving their risk problems before they derail their businesses or organizations. It means serving them with excellence and
Believing in Our People.
A risk management firm encouraging risk-taking among its young producers might seem counterintuitive, but that’s what is required when you strive for innovation in service and leadership. After all, you can’t expect to grow while maintaining the status quo and you can’t punish failure when its aim is improving our ability to serve clients.
Cobbs Allen Secures $5,000 Donation from Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance for United Ability
The Cobbs Allen mission states that we are to always be out front for our clients, our employees, and our community. It is not just a tag line that we have on our website, as a company we strive to achieve this daily. As part of this mission, it is our great privilege...
Compliance Corner: Extended Time Frames for Benefit Plans and Participants
The Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Treasury (IRS) jointly issued a Final Rule and FAQ for Participants and Beneficiaries on April 28, extending certain time frames for employee benefit plans as well as for plan participants and qualified beneficiaries. The information has been met with many questions from plan sponsors and third party administrators as they work to understand how to implement the extended time frames.
COVID-19 Update: How the Coronavirus May Impact Your Employee Benefits
The novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is in the forefront of business discussions. As businesses are faced with many decisions regarding how they may best respond, Cobbs Allen is providing this brief update on matters that most directly pertain to our clients’ benefit programs.
Cobbs Allen and CAC Specialty Announce Chris Trotter as Chief Financial Officer
In his new role, Trotter will oversee the financial operations of both Cobbs Allen and CAC Specialty, lead the Capital Markets efforts of both companies, liaise with financial partner Fortress Investment Group, and help strengthen Private Equity Sponsor relationships.
Margaret Ann Pyburn Wins PRMA’s JoAnn Heltibridle Award
Cobbs Allen is pleased to announce that our own Margaret Ann Pyburn, Executive Vice President of Personal Lines, was named as the 2019 JoAnn Heltibridle Award winner!
Cobbs Allen Forms CAC Specialty to Serve Corporates and Private Equity Sponsors
Cobbs Allen today announced the formation of CAC Specialty, a specialty insurance brokerage and investment banking platform that will bring bespoke insurance solutions to public and private companies and private equity sponsors. CAC Specialty represents the next wave in the long-term convergence of insurance and capital markets by combining structured finance solutions with insurance broking capabilities.
Cobbs Allen Announces Continued Expansion with Hiring of David Payne
Cobbs Allen announces the continued expansion of its insurance brokerage team with the addition of David Payne. Payne will join the leadership team that is building a national specialty platform focused on providing complex risk solutions for corporate and private equity clients.
Cobbs Allen Announces Hiring of Sparks and Sonderman and Creation of Specialty Insurance Brokerage Business
Cobbs Allen announces the hiring of industry veterans Paul Sparks and Darren Sonderman to lead a new venture in the growing Cobbs Allen portfolio.
Cobbs Allen and CAC Specialty Announce Chris Trotter as Chief Financial Officer
In his new role, Trotter will oversee the financial operations of both Cobbs Allen and CAC Specialty, lead the Capital Markets efforts of both companies, liaise with financial partner Fortress Investment Group, and help strengthen Private Equity Sponsor relationships.
Margaret Ann Pyburn Wins PRMA’s JoAnn Heltibridle Award
Cobbs Allen is pleased to announce that our own Margaret Ann Pyburn, Executive Vice President of Personal Lines, was named as the 2019 JoAnn Heltibridle Award winner!
Cobbs Allen Forms CAC Specialty to Serve Corporates and Private Equity Sponsors
Cobbs Allen today announced the formation of CAC Specialty, a specialty insurance brokerage and investment banking platform that will bring bespoke insurance solutions to public and private companies and private equity sponsors. CAC Specialty represents the next wave in the long-term convergence of insurance and capital markets by combining structured finance solutions with insurance broking capabilities.
Cobbs Allen Announces Continued Expansion with Hiring of David Payne
Cobbs Allen announces the continued expansion of its insurance brokerage team with the addition of David Payne. Payne will join the leadership team that is building a national specialty platform focused on providing complex risk solutions for corporate and private equity clients.
Cobbs Allen Announces Hiring of Sparks and Sonderman and Creation of Specialty Insurance Brokerage Business
Cobbs Allen announces the hiring of industry veterans Paul Sparks and Darren Sonderman to lead a new venture in the growing Cobbs Allen portfolio.
Cobbs Allen Welcomes Eight New Associates to the Corporate Office
Cobbs Allen is pleased to introduce Meredith Carroll, Cameron Cartee, Elizabeth Davidson, Cindy Irwin, Katie Matthews, Holland Powell, Stacy Stepp, and Vannessa Smith to the corporate office.
Cobbs Allen Celebrates International Women’s Day
Today is International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. In recognition of this day, I sat down with six of Cobbs Allen’s female leaders to talk about their careers, what it means to be a woman in leadership today and how they balance it all.
Cobbs Allen Hires Cody Forehand, Growing Tulsa, OK Location
Cobbs Allen welcomes Cody Forehand to our Tulsa office as Vice President of Employee Benefits. Forehand brings extensive knowledge of the healthcare industry and will lead employee benefits efforts for the office.
Cobbs Allen Secures $5,000 Donation from Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance for United Ability
The Cobbs Allen mission states that we are to always be out front for our clients, our employees, and our community. It is not just a tag line that we have on our website, as a company we strive to achieve this daily. As part of this mission, it is our great privilege...
Cobbs Allen in the News: PURE Programs Expands Coverage Area
PURE Programs announces expansion into Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
November Client Spotlight: Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Alabama
Today is International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. In recognition of this day, I sat down with six of Cobbs Allen’s female leaders to talk about their careers, what it means to be a woman in leadership today and how they balance it all.
Drones: Making Claims Smarter, Not Harder
Travelers is one of many insurance companies now using drones to survey and photograph roofs and other difficult to see areas. This eliminates the need for adjusters to climb on ladders and walk-in precarious places. Not only is this a safer method for the adjusters, but it saves time for the home-owner, as well. For Carol, the whole process only took about 20 minutes!
Employee Benefits Brokers Taking Matters into Their Own Hands
Brandon Scarborough, Cobbs Allen Kansas City Senior Vice President and BenefitsPRO advisory board member, shared a few thoughts with Scott Woolridge for the article Your Move. Brandon said that brokers already have the necessary tools to help organizations contain costs.
Strong Safety Management Systems Can Help You See a Reduction in Your Workers’ Compensation Claims
When a company experiences significant increases in workers’ compensation costs, it usually triggers internal activities aimed at reducing insurance costs and spending. The key to spending fewer dollars is more than the absence of accidents; it is having a sound safety management system designed to continuously reduce the impact of operational failure. This is where a safety management system can bring about compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and yield significant savings by reducing injuries and illnesses, saving workers’ compensation dollars.
Commodity Price Fluctuations: Managing the Uncontrollable
Volatile commodity prices can affect the value of a company’s assets and liabilities, but most importantly, this risk can seriously impact operating profit. Historically, the only option to mitigate the pricing risk was through traditional hedging programs, using derivatives. This process is complicated and expensive.
Broker v. Consultant: Who Can Drive Down Insurance Costs?
Brandon Scarborough, Cobbs Allen Kansas City Senior Vice President and BenefitsPRO advisory board member, shared a few thoughts with Scott Woolridge for the article Your Move. Brandon said that brokers already have the necessary tools to help organizations contain costs.
Compliance Corner: Extended Time Frames for Benefit Plans and Participants
The Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Treasury (IRS) jointly issued a Final Rule and FAQ for Participants and Beneficiaries on April 28, extending certain time frames for employee benefit plans as well as for plan participants and qualified beneficiaries. The information has been met with many questions from plan sponsors and third party administrators as they work to understand how to implement the extended time frames.
COVID-19 Update: How the Coronavirus May Impact Your Employee Benefits
The novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is in the forefront of business discussions. As businesses are faced with many decisions regarding how they may best respond, Cobbs Allen is providing this brief update on matters that most directly pertain to our clients’ benefit programs.
Reminder: Medicare Part D Disclosures Due By February 29, 2020 For Calendar Year Plans
Group health plan sponsors are required to complete an online disclosure form with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on an annual basis and at other select times, indicating whether the plan’s prescription drug coverage is creditable or non-creditable. This must be completed online within 60 days after the beginning of the plan year. For calendar year plans, the disclosure is due by February 29, 2020.
Cadillac Tax and Other Key ACA Taxes Repealed
President Trump recently signed a spending bill preventing a government shut-down and repealed the following three taxes and fees under the Affordable Care Act (ACA):
• Cadillac Tax on high-cost group health coverage, beginning 2020;
• Medical Devices Excise Tax, beginning in 2020; and
• Health Insurance Providers Fee, beginning in 2021
Importantly, the bill also extended the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee to years 2020 to 2029.
IRS Provides Transition Relief for 2019 ACA Reporting
The IRS recently extended the due date for furnishing Forms 1095-B and 1095-C to individuals from January 31, 2020 to March 2, 2020.
Health FSA Limit Will Increase for 2020
For plan years beginning in 2020, employer-sponsored medical coverage will be considered affordable if the employee’s contribution for self-only coverage on an employer’s lowest cost medical plan (if more than one medical plan is offered) does not exceed 9.78% of the employee’s household income for the year.
Medicare Part D Notices Are Due Before October 15, 2019
Employers should contact their insurers, third-party administrators (TPA) or pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) for information regarding creditable coverage status.
IRS Expands Preventive Care for HDHPs to Include Chronic Conditions
The IRS released Notice 2019-45 to add care for certain chronic conditions to the list of preventive services that can be offered under high deductible health plans (HDHPs) without a deductible.
Learn how we help you grow.
Cobbs Allen is a national independent agency focused on risk management in niche practice groups. We deliver commercial insurance, employee benefits, personal insurance, and alternative risk financing services to our clients. Headquartered in Birmingham, AL, the firm is ranked in the top 100 of privately held brokerage firms and the top 100 of all U.S. brokerage firms.
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