Latest Agencies Headlines

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

The Benefits of Forming Your Own Premium Finance Company

Jul 21 2003 // This is the first in a three-part series on captive premium financing. Part Two will run in the August 18 issue of Insurance Journal. Agents and managing general agents continue to reap the benefits of a growing excess and...

Regional Carriers Zone In on Helping Agents

Jul 21 2003 // When it comes to buying and selling insurance, there is a common thread intertwined in all transactions—service. Whether it be the consumer purchasing auto insurance, or the agent securing the coverage on behalf of the...

SWOT Analysis

Jul 21 2003 // In past articles we have recommended that agencies perform a SWOT Analysis on themselves as part of the firm’s yearly business planning. SWOT Analysis is a very effective way of identifying a business’...

Zurich North America Unveils FinanceSuite Product Line for Small Business Customers

Jul 18 2003 // Zurich North America announced the launch of the FinanceSuite(tm) product on the Business Finance Center website. The Business Finance Center is an online commercial lending marketplace where the Zurich network of...

E.L.M. Unveils New Market for Misc. Professional Liability

Jul 17 2003 // California-based E.L.M. Insurance Brokers Inc., a specialist in professional liability, has a new market for miscellaneous professional liability, including some hard-to-place classes. Underwritten by Alea London Ltd.,...

ACT Outlines Issues for Agents, Brokers to Consider When Evaluating ASPs

Jul 17 2003 // The Agents for Council Technology (ACT) has published a new report to help independent agents and brokers assess the benefits of using an application service provider (ASP) and analyze the issues that should be addressed...

L.A. Broker Charged with Four Felony Counts

Jul 16 2003 // A Los Angeles insurance broker has been charged with four felony counts of grand theft for allegedly stealing an estimated $14,000 in premiums from his clients, according to investigators with the California Department of...

ACT Advises on Off-Site Tech

Jul 16 2003 // The Agents for Council Technology (ACT) has published a new report designed to help independent agents and brokers assess the benefits of using an application service provider (ASP) and analyze the issues that should be...

IIABA Opposes New Bill Authorizing Federal Insurance Commission

Jul 15 2003 // The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America released a statement saying it is concerned about an unexpected bill introduced in the Senate last week by Sen. Fritz Hollings (D-S.C.) that is the first legislative...

GIA Among the Agencies of the Year at National Flood Conference

Jul 14 2003 // Galveston Insurance Associates of Galveston, Texas reported that it was recently selected as one of three Federal Insurance & Mitigation Administration’s 2002 Agencies of the Year. The award recognizes agencies...

Florida Agent Arrested on Fraud Charges

Jul 11 2003 // An Orlando, Fla. insurance agent was taken into custody for allegedly misappropriating more than $30,000 in workers’ compensation insurance premiums, according to the Florida Department of Financial Services. The...

Ill. Agents Favor Gov’s Signing of Credit Bill

Jul 10 2003 // The Professional Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois (PIIAI) applauds Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s decision to sign HB 1640, the Use of Credit Information in Personal Insurance Act. The bill establishes limitations on...

CAA Member Duncan, Fraser & Bridges Earns ACSR Award

Jul 9 2003 // The Combined Agents of America, LLC (CAA) announced that the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) has awarded CAA member Duncan, Fraser and Bridges Insurance Agency Inc., Pampa, TX, the “Accredited Customer...

Fairfax Wins U.K. Court Decision in Odyssey Re Case

Jul 9 2003 // Toronto’s Fairfax Financial Holdings announced that a London court has ruled in its favor in a case brought by a subsidiary, Sphere Drake Insurance, against underwriting agents who, it alleged, fraudulently obtained...

Community Banks, Inc. to Acquire Two Pa. Agencies

Jul 9 2003 // Community Banks, Inc. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Your Insurance Partner, an agency with offices in Mechanicsburg and Dillsburg, PA. The transaction is subject to regulatory...

ACT Says Careful Move to Paperless Environment Will Reportedly Benefit Independent Agency System

Jul 8 2003 // There are reportedly many potential benefits for the independent agency system as many carriers begin to “turn off” the paper traditionally sent to agents and replace it with electronic information. However,...

Shults Appointed VP at Vista Insurance Partners

Jul 8 2003 // Wholesale insurance broker Vista Insurance Partners announced the appointment of Russell Shults as vice president in its San Antonio office, located at 5750 Northwest Parkway, Suite 100. Shults has more than 13 years...

PIANJ Seeking Agents Interested in Earning CIC Designation

Jul 8 2003 // The Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey Inc. is calling for nominations for its 2003 Certified Insurance Counselor scholarship opportunities. Selected individuals will receive a $350 scholarship to one CIC...

Fourteen Arrested in Fraud Sweep

Jul 7 2003 // The CDI and the Los Angeles County Auto Insurance Fraud Task Force arrested 14 people who are suspected of defrauding three insurance carriers in a criminal conspiracy. The suspects allegedly sold insurance policies to...

Insurance Agent Charged with Grand Theft

Jul 7 2003 // Arshak (Mike) Rostomyan, 27, of Glendale, Calif., was arrested for allegedly selling fraudulent insurance policies and charged with three counts of grand theft. According to CDI investigators, Rostomyan, who owns All...