Monday, August 29, 2011

MiniCo Insurance Agency to Offer Self-Storage Industry Program in Canada


PHOENIX, ARIZ.MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has formed MiniCo Insurance Agency of Canada, Incorporated, to offer specialty insurance programs to the Canadian market beginning with its premier self-storage insurance program. MiniCo will represent Aspen Insurance UK, Ltd., a subsidiary of Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited, and will begin underwriting coverage initially in British Columbia with planned availability throughout the country by the end of the year.

MiniCo President and CEO Mike Schofield commented, “MiniCo’s focus on niche specialty programs brings significant value to the distribution chain, and we look forward to offering new specialty products as we expand throughout Canada. The self-storage market in Canada represents a strategic growth opportunity, and MiniCo is pleased to be able to offer our specialty product to Canadian business owners which can be accessed through their existing broker relationships. Brokers and insureds will benefit from the specialty coverage as well as MiniCo’s over 37 years of experience writing this class of business.”

Jim Henry, Chief Underwriting Officer, added, “MiniCo looks forward to working with agents and brokers to grow their book of self-storage business throughout Canada. We will be contacting agents and brokers with information about availability in specific provinces as approvals are granted.”

Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited and its operating subsidiaries have been assigned a rating of “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best and “A2” (Good) by Moody’s Investors Service.

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self‑storage industry. Additional lines of business include collectibles insurance. MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, is a member of the Aran Insurance Services Group.

For More Information
MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC – www.minico.com
MiniCo Insurance Agency of Canada, Incorporatedwww.minico.ca
Aran Insurance Services Group – www.aranins.com
Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited – www.aspen-re.com

Contact
Dan Sommer, 602-678-3504
Vice President, Publishing, Marketing and Communications
Chief Marketing Officer
dsommer@minico.com

Thursday, August 25, 2011

2011 Facility of the Year Awards

Entry Deadline: September 1stMini-Storage Messenger honors the best in self-storage with its prestigious 24th annual Facility of the Year awards. This is your opportunity to demonstrate how your facility stands out from the competition. Winners will be awarded a trophy as well as a profile in the December 2011 issue of Mini-Storage Messenger.

Enter to be recognized in one of six categories: 

. Overall Winner
. New Facility Winner
. Construction Winner
. Conversion Winner
. Specialty Storage Winner
. International Winner

Entry deadline: September 1, 2011

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

D. C. Taylor Co. Sponsors MiniCo Webinar on Solar-Ready Roofing for Self-Storage Facilities



The green building trend in the self-storage industry continues to grow both for new construction and existing facilities. On September 21, 2011, D. C. Taylor Co. Regional Manager Michael O’Bryant will present the free webinar A Solar-Ready Roof: What it Means and How to Get One for self-storage professionals. Topics will include the following:

  • What is a solar-ready roof?
  • The importance of evaluating your roof before installing solar
  • Benefits of installing solar
  • Options for solar-ready roofs

Visit www.ministoragemessenger.com for more information or to register. Online registration is required for this free live event.

About D. C. Taylor Co.
D. C. Taylor Co. has nearly 60 years of experience installing, repairing and maintaining roofs for manufacturing/industrial, food processing, retail/commercial, healthcare, self-storage and government and school facilities and understand how to work with the unique needs of each customer. With strategically located field offices and regional service teams, D. C. Taylor Co. is prepared to perform professional construction and management services in the most demanding of roofing environments.

About MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC
MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, publishes the Mini-Storage Messenger, the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include Self‑Storage Now!, Mobile Self-Storage Magazine, RV & Boat Storage Today, Self-Storage Canada, the Self-Storage Almanac, the Self-Storage Construction & Renovation Handbook, and the Self‑Storage Buyer’s Guide.

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self‑storage industry. Additional lines of business include collectibles insurance. MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, is a member of the Aran Insurance Services Group.

For More Information:
D. C. Taylor Co. – www.dctaylorco.com

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Last Chance To Register For PhoneSmart's Spend Some Time With The Sales Coaches Webinar!



The right sales coaching can lead to profitable outcomes for self-storage business operations. PhoneSmart, a nationwide sales support and training company, has helped self-storage businesses realize consistent improvement in conversion rates of up to 20 percent. On August 10, 2011, PhoneSmart’s Director of Operations Tron Jordheim will present the free webinar Spend Some Time With the Sales Coaches for self-storage owners, operators and managers. Mr. Jordheim and his team of professional sales coaches will discuss sales-related topics to include the following:

  • Creating the team
  • Developing the process
  • Crafting the language
  • Setting the standards
  • Spending the time

PhoneSmart is sponsoring the webinar, which will be moderated by MiniCo Publisher Poppy Behrens as part of the ongoing Mini‑Storage Messenger Self-Storage Webinar Series. For more information or to register, visit www.ministoragemessenger.com. Online registration is required for this free live event.

MiniCoInsurance Agency, LLC, publishes the Mini-StorageMessenger, the leading monthly trade magazine covering the global self-storage industry. Other publications include Self‑Storage Now!, Mobile Self-Storage Magazine, RV & Boat Storage Today, Self-Storage Canada, the Self-Storage Almanac, the Self-Storage Construction & Renovation Handbook, and the Self‑Storage Buyer’s Guide.

Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self‑storage industry.

For More Information:
PhoneSmart – www.phone-smart.net

Monday, August 8, 2011

MiniCo Insurance Agency Partners with AXA Art Insurance Corporation to Offer Specialty Collectibles Insurance Program



MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has signed an agreement with AXA Art Insurance Corporation to offer a specialty program to insure private collections including collectibles valued up to one million dollars in a home or storage facility. MiniCo will begin underwriting coverage nationwide effective September 1, 2011.

The MiniCo Collectibles Insurance program provides all-risk coverage, on an unscheduled basis, and with no appraisal required at application.

MiniCo President and CEO Mike Schofield commented, “The MiniCo Collectibles Insurance program provides a unique coverage opportunity for private collectors. Our program enables collectors and their insurance agents to avoid the limitations and requirements of insuring valuables through a homeowner policy and offers an option for specialized broad-spectrum coverage tailored to these risks.”

Jim Henry, Chief Underwriting Officer, added, “AXA ArtInsurance Corporation is the gold standard for art insurance all over the world. MiniCo is excited to partner with AXA Art to offer the highest level of coverage for smaller private collectors who will benefit from this expertise.”

AXA Art Insurance Corporation is the only globally operating specialty art and collectibles insurance company offering tailor-made coverage solutions for private and corporate collections, museums, galleries and artists. The company has been assigned a rating of “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best.

About MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC
Since 1974, Phoenix-based MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, has been a self-storage leader providing superior specialty insurance programs, informative publications and valuable products and services created expressly for the self‑storage industry. MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC, is a member of the Aran Insurance Services Group.

For More Information
MiniCo Insurance Agency, LLC – www.minico.com
Aran Insurance Services Group – www.aranins.com
AXA Art Insurance Corporation – www.axa-art.com

Thursday, August 4, 2011

The August 2011 Issue of the Mini-Storage Messenger is Now Available

Mini-Storage Messenger
August 2011 Issue

Featured Articles:
CYBER THIEVES
Preventing Identity Theft in a Digital World
 

Self-storage owners can tackle the threat of cyber thefts with a few strategies.

MANAGING DELINQUENCIES & COLLECTIONS
Tracking Deadbeats & Complying With Lien Laws
 
Enforcing collections of delinquencies and maintaining a lien calendar are key tasks for every operator.




Self-Storage Now!
Summer/Fall 2011 Issue
Now featured as part of the Mini-Storage Messenger


Featured Articles: 
UNDERSTANDING COST PER LEASE
Getting the Biggest Bang for Your Buck
 

Managers need to know which programs work and which need to be dropped.

INCENTIVES AS LURES
Generating more rentals at lower cost.

WHO IS YOUR BEST CUSTOMER?
Understanding when the boss is king!




CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE THE MINI-STORAGE MESSENGER!

Monday, August 1, 2011

USstoragesearch.com Representative Discusses Online Positioning of Self-Storage Facilities for MiniCo Webinar



Self-storage business owners have many choices when it comes to marketing their facilities on the Internet. On August 24, 2011, Nick Bilava, Senior Account Executive for USstoragesearch.com, will present a free webinar to discuss the advantages of placing self-storage facilities in several areas since each consumer shops differently online. The webinar Generating More Online Real Estate for Your Facility will discuss the following topics:

  • Web Design – Make sure your Web site converts
  • Directories – Capture consumers who shop and compare
  • Local Search – Get on the map with your facility information
  • Social Media – Attract the growing number of Facebook and Twitter users

The webinar is sponsored by USstoragesearch.com, the largest storage directory in the industry with over 30,000 self-storage and mobile storage listings nationwide. The fully independent Web site connects consumers searching online for storage to self-storage and mobile storage companies in their area. Visit www.ministoragemessenger.com for more information or to register. Online registration is required for this free live event.