Open Polls:

• Do you think products are less safe today than 10 years ago?
• Which hurts your business more?
• Is the U.S. already in or heading into a recession?
• When do you predict the current soft market will end?
• Should the National Flood Insurance Program include wind coverage as an option for homeowners?
• Is running a family-owned insurance agency easier or harder that running a non-family agency?
• How serious will the claims fallout from the subprime mortgage meltdown be for insurers?
• Should insurers be allowed to use credit scores in pricing?
• Should Congress repeal the property/casualty insurance industry's limited antitrust exemption?
• Should the U.S. federal government provide a national reinsurance plan for catastrophes?
• Will Liberty Mutual win its court fight against former N.Y. AG Spitzer's allegations it engaged in anti-competitive bid-rigging and broker compensation practices?
• Do you think contingent commissions will survive?
• Will Congress eventually enact an optional federal charter for insurance companies?
• This is the 100th anniversary of the San Francisco earthquake. What can or should be done to address the failure of many property owners to buy earthquake coverage?
• American International Group (AIG) has acknowledged misconduct, adopted a series of reforms and agreed to pay more than $1.6 billion in restitution and penalties. AIG should have...
• What do you see as the greatest threat to your independent agency in 2006?
• Which Region of the Gulf Coast Do You Feel Suffered the Most from Hurricane Katrina?
• In light of the recent hurricanes, would you build a home or business close to the ocean or gulf?
• Is your agency more technologically sound from a year ago?
• As we are halfway through 2005, is your P/C agency compared to last year at this point
• With all the recent news involving alleged corruption at AIG, what is your current opinion about the insurance giant?
• Government officials have made much in the media about how prepared they are if a hurricane hits their area. How much of this do you think is hype?
• How do you like the new look of the homepage?
• The FBI recently said it will probe reported irregularities in the insurance industry. Do you think this is a ?
• At the RIMS Conference, Willis Group CEO Joe Plumeri called for the halt to contingent commissions for agents and brokers. As an agent, do you?
• What are your thoughts on Farmers Insurance Group returning full-time to the Texas homeowners market?
• Were you surprised about the departure of AIG's Maurice 'Hank' Greenberg?
• In releasing its 2004 numbers, Marsh said it may have to let go some 2,500 employees this year. What do you blame for this possible move?
• As an independent agent, what do you see as your greatest challenge in 2005?
• Is your agency lagging behind when it comes to today's technology needs?
• If you were registered to, would you vote for New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer as the State's next governor in 2006?
• Do you think the United States is doing enough to aid the victims of last month's killer tsunamis?
• Will the bid-rigging scandals lead to direct federal regulation of insurance?
• What do you think will be the industry's biggest story in 2004?
• How has the insurance industry responded to helping this year's hurricane victims?
• How will the re-election of President Bush impact the insurance industry?
• New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer's recent actions taken against the insurance industry are for?
• New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has charged several of the nation's largest insurers and the largest broker with bid rigging. What do you think will be the outcome?
• Who do you think did a better job of explaining the medical malpractice crisis and how to fix it during the Oct. 5 Vice Presidential debate?
• California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently vetoed a bill that would permit undocumented aliens access to driver's licenses. Do you think it was?
• With the recent civilian killings of workers in Iraq, insurers providing coverage for companies there will likely?
• What are your thoughts on attending industry conferences and conventions?
• With TRIA (Terrorism Risk Insurance Act) set to expire Dec. 31, 2005, what are your thoughts on it being extended?
• With Hurricane Charley having come and gone and more storms potentially on the way, what do you expect for the insurance industry this hurricane season?
• How would you describe agent fraud within the industry today?
• How effective do you think tort reform is in solving the medical malpractice issue?
• How would a Kerry-Edwards victory in November impact the insurance industry as a whole?
• A Court recently ruled (See June 10 East Web news) that a fan hit by a foul ball at a Boston Red Sox game may not hold Red Sox management responsible. Should the Red Sox have been held liable?
• Are you happy with your current agency management software?
• Near North National Group's Michael Segal is currently on trial in Illinois on federal charges of embezzling. How do you think the verdict will read?
• California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi has filed a lawsuit against State Fund, seeking more financial information from the SCIF. If a verdict is rendered, who do you think will win?
• Do loss history databases and reports, including CLUE reports, provide a fair and accurate assessment of risk exposures in homeowners insurance?
• What national reform legislation do you think would most help the insurance industry?
• Weiss Ratings reported that 18 P/C insurers failed in 2003. Do you expect this year's number to be:
• What do you think was the top insurance story of 2003?
• By the end of 2004, will the P/C market be?
• Volume Requirements are:
• Do you think Calif. Governor-Elect Arnold Schwarzenegger will find a solution to the state's workers' comp problem?
• In your experiences over the past year, have you seen homeowners rates in general:
• Which candidate for Calif. Governor do you feel is best capable of handling the workers' comp problem in the state?
• California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi dropped out of the race for Governor on Aug. 9. Do you think he did this to?
• Current California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi announced that he would run for California's highest office. Who would you vote for as California's next Governor?
• When looking at companies, how much importance do you put in the ratings given out by A.M. Best, Standard & Poor's, Fitch, etc?
• In the discussion of state vs. federal regulation of insurance, which do you favor more:
• When it comes to providing technology for agents, do you feel your company is spending:
• With today's market conditions, do you find yourself using managing general agents:
• With the war in Iraq, do you think insurers will raise cargo shipping rates in the area to:
• How do you feel about Calif. Commissioner Garamendi's recent announcement outlining a seven-point business plan for State Compensation Insurance Fund?
• What are your thoughts on credit scoring?
• In the dispute between Larry Silverstein and a number of insurers, do you think the destruction of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001 was...
• Do you own a handheld or PDA?
• The medical malpractice market nationwide is:
• Do you think the new Terrorism Risk Insurance Act signed by the President is:
• The election of John Garamendi as California's next commissioner will:
• Do you think Farmers Insurance Group of Companies and the State of Texas will work out a deal so that Farmers will continue to provide homeowners insurance in the state?
• When do you expect the hard market to subside?
• How much impact is mold having on the homeowners market?