Latest Agencies Headlines

Study Accuses FEMA of Lax Implementation of Flood Program Changes Passed in 2004

Oct 19 2005 // A government report has found that the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which administers the national flood insurance program, has not fully implemented reforms mandated by Congress in 2004, including improved...

Big ‘I’ Pleased with Senate Committee’s Look Involving Flood Program

Oct 18 2005 // The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”) said Tuesday it is pleased that Congress is taking up the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and how to improve it. The Senate...

Costa Mesa Insurance Agent Pleads Guilty to Three Felony Counts

Oct 18 2005 // A Costa Mesa Insurance agent has pled guilty to three felony counts of grand theft and was forced to surrender his insurance license for life following an investigation conducted by the California Department of Insurance...

Ill. Agents Have Licenses Revoked

Oct 17 2005 // Illinois Director of Insurance Michael McRaith has revoked the insurance agent license of George T. Priovolos of Bloomington effective Sept. 26, 2005. Priovolos’ license was revoked as a result of an investigation...

How to Choose the Right Bank for Your Agency

Oct 17 2005 // Choosing an agency-focused bank is one of the most important things you can do to help your agency grow and succeed. Independent agents or agency owners have unique financial needs. Unfortunately, few banks truly...

Gubernatorial Hopefuls in New York: Spitzer vs. Weld

Oct 17 2005 // Part 2: Spitzer Stresses Enforcement as Key to Fair Competition New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has made a name for himself exposing fraudulent and anti-competitive business practices in the securities, mutual fund...

Most Insureds Accept Spitzer Fund Settlement, Reports Broker Marsh

Oct 17 2005 // Marsh & McLennan reported that about 70,000 policyholders have opted for payouts from an $850 million fund formed to settle New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer’s investigation into bid rigging and price...

Survey Finds Insurers Appointing N.J. Agents in Record Numbers

Oct 17 2005 // Insurance companies are making new agency appointments in New Jersey in record numbers, reports the Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey Inc. According to data compiled this summer, at least 10 percent of the...

How to Choose the Right Bank for your Agency

Oct 17 2005 // As an independent agent or agency owner, you have unique financial needs. Unfortunately, few banks truly understand those needs. Worse yet, it has become the norm for banks to also sell insurance, meaning they actually...

Brian Sullivan: The Industry is Changing — Really

Oct 17 2005 // Although we’ve heard it many times before, the insurance agency business is on the cusp of huge changes, driven in part by technology, a host of new and better insurance products and increased stability on the part...

Industry Associations Object to CDI Legal Opinion on Fiduciary Duties

Oct 17 2005 // The California Department of Insurance (DOI) recently released a legal opinion on insurance fiduciary duties that industry associations say is over-reaching and will adversely affect their members. In its opinion, the...

AMERICAN AGENTS ALLIANCE CHANGES NAME TO INCLUDE BROKERS

Oct 17 2005 // The American Agents Alliance has changed its name to the Alliance of Insurance Agents and Brokers. The name change was unveiled Sept. 30, 2005, at the association’s annual convention in Indian Wells, Calif. David...

Gubernatorial Hopefuls in New York: Spitzer vs. Weld

Oct 17 2005 // New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has made a name for himself exposing fraudulent and anti-competitive business practices in the securities, mutual fund and insurance industries. Now he is running for governor in New...

Survey Finds Insurers Appointing N.J. Agents in Record Numbers

Oct 17 2005 // Insurance companies are making new agency appointments in New Jersey in record numbers, reports the Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey Inc. According to data compiled this summer, at least 10 percent of the...

Oct 17 2005 // Willis Group Holdings has appointed Vincent D. Liotta as executive vice president and production director of the Willis Re U.S. Specialty Practice. Earlier this year Willis Re merged its Global Marine, Aviation, Retro and...

How to Choose the Right Bank for Your Agency

Oct 17 2005 // Independent agents or agency owners have unique financial needs. Unfortunately, few banks truly understand those needs. Worse yet, it has become the norm for banks to also sell insurance, meaning they actually compete...

Most Insureds Accept Spitzer Fund Settlement, Reports Broker Marsh

Oct 17 2005 // Marsh & McLennan reported that about 70,000 policyholders have opted for payouts from an $850 million fund formed to settle New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer’s investigation into bid rigging and price...

News Briefs

Oct 17 2005 // OHIO Hospital Group Sues WC Bureau: The Ohio Hospital Association and a member hospital sued the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation in September on claims the state did not follow legal processes for a $50 million...

People

Oct 17 2005 // Nancy C. Gates was honored by the Professional Insurance Agents of Georgia as its 2005 Outstanding Certified Insurance Service Representative. Since 1996, Gates has been a commercial lines, large account representative...

News Briefs

Oct 17 2005 // ALABAMA AIIA Conference, Educational Sessions The Alabama Independent Insurance Agents has scheduled five upcoming seminars in Mobile, Birming-ham and Huntsville. Oct. 19, Small and Rural Agents Conference, two topics,...