Posted On: August 22, 2008, 1:28 pm CDT

Posted By: Kent

Thanks for the information Jason. FIG has entered new markets on the eastern seaboard since being bought by Zurich. I had been told that FIG was considering offering exclusive contracts in some metropolitan areas and contracts to independents in the rural areas - this is what Allstate does in Texas. I knew that only independent agents had FIG contracts in some states but, wasn't sure which states.

In Texas, we are semi-captive FIG agents. That is, we place the risk with FIG if they will take it but, can place it with other carriers if FIG doesn't want it. There was a period of almost five years that FIG wouldn't let me write a new home policy if it was in the same zip code as my office or home. FIG has stopped writting new home policies so many times in some areas that many carriers treat Farmers agents in Texas as independents.
My prior comment pertained to Farmers' E&O policy with Arch. I keep a different E&O policy just because of the coverage gap.
I hope you have enough other carriers to keep things going smooth at your agency. The broken windstorm insurance association in Texas is keeping some carriers from doing business here and a discouragement to others to let us build their book of business.