Latest Legislation Headlines

Optional Federal Charter ‘Legislation of the Worst Kind,’ Says PIA Exec

Jul 25 2006 // The National Insurance Act of 2006 would undermine key insurance consumer protections, constrict the availability of insurance, create market instability and prompt a flood of litigation, according to Leonard C. Brevik,...

Calif. Supreme Court Rules Prop 64 Applies to Pending Cases

Jul 25 2006 // The Civil Justice Association of California (CJAC) in Sacramento applauded the California Supreme Court for applying Proposition 64 to lawsuits that were pending when the initiative overwhelmingly passed in November...

Editor’s Note: Exemption protection

Jul 24 2006 // The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee last month received testimony on whether to continue the insurance antitrust exemption contained in the 1945 McCarran-Ferguson Act. This law placed responsibility for insurance...

News Briefs

Jul 24 2006 // Virginia targets dogs, underage drinking Owners of dangerous dogs face tougher penalties and adults who serve booze to underage guests are targeted under new state laws that took effect July 1 in Virginia. The dog-mauling...

Exemption protection

Jul 24 2006 // The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee last month received testimony on whether to continue the insurance antitrust exemption contained in the 1945 McCarran-Ferguson Act. The law placed responsibility for insurance regulation...

Why surplus lines reform makes sense in 2006

Jul 24 2006 // The AAMGA is an international trade association comprised of 503 member agents, brokers, insurance, captive and reinsurance companies, Lloyd’s of London syndicates and underwriters, state stamping and surplus line...

SAFECO CHANGES TOP PERSONNEL

Jul 24 2006 // Safeco President and CEO Paula Reynolds announced executive changes made to accelerate the company’s progress toward becoming a low-cost insurance provider with distinctive products and services. Mike Hughes was...

California agency approves change in auto insurance law

Jul 24 2006 // A state administrative office approved changes to California’s insurance law, clearing the way for regulations that will force insurers to base premiums on drivers’ records instead of their address. The action...

Auto Club of SoCal reduced rates take effect in December

Jul 24 2006 // California’s fourth-largest provider of auto insurance has agreed to base its rates on safety and driving frequency rather than primarily on where a driver lives. The plan, to take effect Dec. 1, would cut some $133...

Csiszar tells agents major shift essential to entice carriers to Florida

Jul 24 2006 // Insurers look at Florida’s government as a heavy-handed, intrusive, oppressive regulatory regime that does more harm than good to property insurance markets. According to Ernie Csiszar, president and CEO of the...

California revises proposed mileage verification regulations

Jul 24 2006 // The California Department of Insurance has revised its proposed “odometer verification” regulations, deleting provisions that would have authorized insurers to require agents to verify the mileage if they met...

Why surplus lines reform makes sense in 2006

Jul 24 2006 // The American Association of Managing General Agents (AAMGA) commends efforts to modernize commercial insurance markets while maintaining the state-based system of insurance regulation and the surplus lines market’s...

Gov. Bush signs Florida auto insurance fraud legislation

Jul 24 2006 // Florida legislation that promises to reins in auto insurance fraud was signed June 26 by Gov. Jeb Bush. Provisions of House Bill 561 and Senate Bill 1596 and the governor’s approval were applauded by Tom Gallagher,...

Sen. Smith unveils ‘comprehensive plan’ to fix Florida’s insurance woes

Jul 24 2006 // Unless the state adopts a comprehensive and workable plan, accumulating financial stress could destroy the viability of the Florida insurance market and leave millions of Floridians without affordable and reliable...

N.J. auto restrictions: a troubling turn

Jul 24 2006 // You don’t need to conduct any kind of sophisticated market research in order to understand the effects of New Jersey’s 2003 auto insurance reform law. Just drive down the New Jersey Turnpike, where you...

Jul 24 2006 // People Suburban Chicago-based Property Casualty Insurers Association of America appointed Genio Staranczak as its chief economist. Dr. Staranczak will be responsible for economic analysis on the full range of public policy...

10 Former FEMA director promotes mediation

Jul 24 2006 // Says feds, state governments should work together 10 W. Va. Insurance Commission cracks down 2,000 employers without workers’ comp targeted 11 FAIA CAT team volunteers honored Provided assistance to Miss. agents...

Why surplus lines reform makes sense in 2006

Jul 24 2006 // The AAMGA is an international trade association comprised of 503 member agents, brokers, insurance, captive and reinsurance companies, Lloyd’s of London syndicates and underwriters, state stamping and surplus line...

N.Y. lawmakers disappoint on property insurer; avoid workers’ comp reform

Jul 24 2006 // The New York State Legislature’s most recent session will be remembered by insurance lobbyists more for what did not get accomplished than for what did. The Republican-controlled Senate and the Democrat-led Assembly...

Insurance and the World Trade Organization negotiations

Jul 24 2006 // The Doha Round at the World Trade Organization has been a serious failure for the insurance sector, despite strong efforts by many parties. Instead of increasing the consensus for free trade, the Round has served to divide...