Examining the Benefits of Benefit Programs

Florida Underwriter August 2011
By Barbara Rennard

Change has arrived in the health care insurance marketplace. Employers and employees are looking to their insurance brokers and advisors for guidance; the competition is looking for ways to broaden their client base; carriers are looking to reduce costs by lowering commissions; and brokers are looking for opportunities.  read more..

Educational Article Series: Program Business—From Submission To Finish Line

Part 1: The start line—developing the submission

July 29, 2011
By Phillip J. Gajewski

In our world of specialized or segmented skills and markets, many independent agencies are thriving by serving distinct, homogeneous classes of insureds. In time, many of these areas of concentrations evolve into formal, carrier-underwritten insurance programs.  read more..

Avoiding Problems with Business Income Coverage

August 2, 2011
By David Hill

This article assumes a working knowledge of income statements and other basic business terminology and information. In the interest of simplicity, we’ll use the term “agent” to refer to the insurance representative that deals with the commercial account on the coverage level. That person could be the producer, carrier representative, account manager, or have some other title, depending on the organizational setup.  read more..

State Regulators Tout Initiatives, Criticize Fed Expansion Before Congress

July 28, 2011
By Arthur D. Postal, PropertyCasualty360.com
NU Online News Service, July 28, 1:00 p.m. EDT

State insurance regulators told Congress today that they have heightened regulation of holding companies in the wake of problems experienced by American International Group.  read more..

Workers’ Comp Faces Big Challenges in Its Second Century

July 25, 2011
By Sam J. Friedman

While it’s important to celebrate the centennial of the workers’ compensation system and appreciate how much worse off we might be without this crucial safety net, I’d be remiss in not considering the considerable challenges facing insurers and risk managers in the years and decades to come.  read more..

The Boys of Summer

July 22, 2011
By Christopher Tidball

When Manny Acta took on the role of managing the Cleveland Indians, he was faced with a team that, in recent years, perpetually resided in the AL Central basement. But he didn’t take his role lightly, seeing the raw talent that could be a contender if only the team could focus on fundamentals.  read more..

As Surplus-Lines Law Takes Effect, States Still Unprepared

July 21, 2011
By Arthur D. Postal, PropertyCasualty360.com
NU Online News Service, July 21, 3:32 p.m. EDT

Despite having a year to pass legislation fully implementing the law, the Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act (NRRA), only nine states have enacted legislation implementing a clearinghouse process, supported by state legislative groups and industry associations, designed to create an efficient revenue-sharing mechanism. That model is the Surplus Lines Insurance Multistate Compliance Compact, or SLIMPACT.  read more..