Latest Agencies Headlines

All the headlines from our Agencies Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Brooke: This Franchise Player is Making an Impact

Apr 5 2004 // Jack Cassell “was pretty happy just being a producer,” as he had been since entering the insurance business in 1979. But he saw an opportunity when the agency he was working for, Wichita, Kan.-based Manning...

Agents and Homebuyers Need the Right Clues to Make Smart Decisions

Apr 5 2004 // One of the most contentious issues surrounding homeowners insurance this year is insurer use of prior loss history databases. Although spurned in the press as the “new database used to cancel policies” or the...

Getting Technical with Agents

Apr 5 2004 // It isn’t the most earth-shattering news in the world; in fact you will have to work your way down our Newsbriefs section on page 10 to find the tidbits. State insurance departments in Alabama and Kentucky have...

Agents Cry Foul Over Crop Insurance Premium Discounts

Apr 5 2004 // Independent agents are up in arms over the federal government’s decision to expand a pilot program they say threatens to cut them out of the crop insurance loop. The Risk Management Agency (RMA), the U.S. Department...

KENTUCKY OFFICE ENHANCES ONLINE SERVICES FOR AGENTS:

Apr 5 2004 // Kentucky insurance agents now have the option of reportedly saving time and paperwork thanks to new online services offered by the Kentucky Office of Insurance (OOI). Prior to the new enhancements to the OOI Web page,...

Agents and Homebuyers Need the Right Clues to Make Smart Decisions

Apr 5 2004 // Many recent media accounts would have us believe that prior loss history reports have single-handedly caused an availability crisis and have halted the sale of existing homes. One of the most contentious issues surrounding...

Agents Cry Foul Over Crop Insurance Premium Discounts

Apr 5 2004 // Independent agents are up in arms over the federal government’s decision to expand a pilot program they say threatens to cut them out of the crop insurance loop. The Risk Management Agency (RMA), the U.S. Department...

Agents Learn about Opportunities, Challenges at Agribusiness Conference

Apr 5 2004 // The Insurance Brokers and Agents of the West (IBA West) and Insurance Skills Center sponsored the 17th Annual Agribusiness Conference held March 17 and 18 in Sacramento. The nation’s largest agricultural conference...

LAAA Prepares for Expansion, Upcoming Annual Convention

Apr 5 2004 // Founded five years ago to address the specific needs of the Hispanic insurance community in California, the Latin American Agents Association (LAAA) is well known for its popular monthly meetings and entertaining annual...

Surplus Lines Products For Homeowners – Salvation or Cause for Concern’

Apr 5 2004 // In 2004, the California homeowners and dwelling marketplace continues to erode. In October 2003, catastrophic wildfires destroyed 790,000 acres of brush and forest land, and along the way destroyed 3640 homes, 1141...

Agents Lobby to Renew, Reform National Flood Program

Apr 5 2004 // Members of the Independent Agents and Brokers of America (IIABA) testified before a Senate committee to make a case for renewal and reform of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Bill Stiglitz, an agent with...

Agents and Homebuyers Need the Right Clues to Make Smart Decisions

Apr 5 2004 // Many recent media accounts would have us believe that prior loss history reports have single-handedly caused an availability crisis and have halted the sale of existing homes. One of the most contentious issues surrounding...

Swiss Re Finds Increasing Demand for Broker Services

Apr 5 2004 // A recently released Swiss Re Sigma study has concluded that as the complexity of risk increases brokers face a greater demand for their services. The report entitled ‘Commercial insurance and reinsurance brokerage...

Fla. Agent Surrenders License After Guilty Plea

Apr 5 2004 // A Coconut Creek area insurance agent has surrendered his license after pleading guilty to securities fraud, according to the Florida Department of Financial Services. Investigators with the department discovered that...

Allstate Agents Pin Hopes on ERISA Charges Following Dismissal of Age Discrimination Complaint

Apr 2 2004 // Despite a federal judge throwing out their high-profile class action age discrimination claim against Allstate Insurance Co., lawyers for the 6,400 agents say they are happy with the decision overall because it permits...

Community First Acquires Colorado and Wyoming Insurance Agencies

Apr 2 2004 // Community First Bankshares Inc. has acquired Englewood, Colo.-based Shepherd Insurance Agency through its affiliate, Community First Insurance Inc. Community First also has acquired an insurance book of business from...

Fla. Agent Sees License Revoked

Apr 2 2004 // A Boca Raton, Florida man has lost his license to sell insurance after being charged with compromising the health insurance of four children. On March 12, the Department of Financial Services filed an administrative...

Brooke: A Franchise Player

Apr 1 2004 // Jack Cassell “was pretty happy just being a producer,” and he had been since entering the insurance business in 1979. But he saw an opportunity when the agency he was working for, Wichita, Kan.-based Manning...

Former CIAB Head Supports Federal Reforms

Apr 1 2004 // Albert R. Counselman, a past chairman of the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers, told a House subcommittee that Congress needs to take action to remove the burden of multiple state regulatory requirements on...

Brokerage Growth Slowing, Study Claims

Apr 1 2004 // The eight leading brokerage firms saw only an 8 percent growth in organic revenue in the fourth quarter of 2003, according to a year-end survey by WFG Capital Advisors, an insurance industry investment banking...