Is Regional the Way to Go’

There is a question that bounces back-and-forth when it comes to services: Do I get better service from a national company that has numerous products at its disposal nationwide or do I get better service from the local company who may give me a little more one-on-one attention?

When it comes to insurance, regional carriers definitely have their place in the industry. Many of them can relate to their policyholders because they live and work in the same or nearby communities. So, do regional carriers have a leg up on the national providers?

In this issue, staff writer Cynthia Beisiegel takes a look at some of those companies servicing California and Texas to see what sets them apart from their national brethren.

The Texas insurance industry is in for big changes as a result of the regulatory reforms initiated by the Texas Legislature. In an interview with managing editor Stephanie Jones, Insurance Commissioner José Montemayor discusses those legislative mandates and explains how the Texas Department of Insurance plans to go about implementing them.

Kemper built itself into one of the industry’s giants decades ago, but today, the company has seen more than its share of changes. Its troubles have put Kemper’s agents in a quandary. Staff writer Kevin O’Reilly examines how the company’s troubles are affecting agents and how they are dealing with those changes.

Also in this issue, Paula Burnes, CEO of the Texas Surplus Lines Association (TSLA) shares her views about the Association’s role in the industry, its plans for the future, and more. Burnes, who is the COO of Swett & Crawford’s Dallas operations, will be among the TSLA (www.tsla.org/) members present at the Association’s annual meeting, slated for July 20-23 in Williamsburg, Va.

Regular contributors Catherine Oak and Bill Schroeder take a look at the importance of doing a SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) and how it can benefit both agents and companies in their “Minding Your Business” column.

In “Legal Beat,” Beth Bradley of Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons LLP, considers coverage issues as they relate to trademark infringement.

Chris Farfaras of California-based Input 1 begins a three-part series on the benefits of forming your own premium finance company in today’s market. Farfaras looks at how premium financing works, how to generate income and how to begin developing a premium financing unit.

Finally, in “Parting Shots,” Phil Ballinger of the Texas Surplus Lines Stamping Office offers his take on the 78th Texas Legislature’s actions and how they impact the surplus lines industry.

Whether it is regional carriers, surplus lines or forming your own premium finance company, let us know your thoughts.