Regulation/Legislation

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  Oklahoma Passes Bill Allowing Employers to Opt Out of Workers' Comp System

  By Arthur D. Postal, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 1, 2013

  Oklahoma is joining Texas as the only states that allow employers to opt-out of the workers’ compensation system.

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  Tennessee Gov. Signs Workers Comp Reform

  By Arthur D. Postal, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 1, 2013

  Tennessee has enacted legislation to replace its court-based workers compensation dispute-resolution system with an administrative process used by most states.

• A.J. Gallagher: PPACA Creating 'New Clients, Prospects and Mergers'

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 1, 2013

  Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.’s CEO says the PPACA has created a demand for services from clients and an increase in acquisition targets.

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  Trouble Ahead: TRIA Renewal Briefing in D.C. Indicates Potential Disconnect

  By Elizabeth D. Festa, PropertyCasualty360.com, Arthur D. Postal, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  May 1, 2013

  A caustic exchange between a key congressional staffer and an industry lobbyist indicates the insurance industry’s deep concerns about prompt congressional action to renew TRIA are not misplaced.

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  'Little' FTC Acts

  By Matthew S. Marrone, Esq.  |  May 1, 2013

  Most states have consumer protection laws, and courts across the country have debated whether such laws should apply to licensed professionals, including insurance producers.

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  Florida Lawmakers Advancing Bills to Reform Last-Resort Insurer

  By Chad Hemenway, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  April 30, 2013

  The Florida House on April 30 passed an amended version of Senate Bill 1770 to change what properties can be underwritten by Citizens Property Insurance Corp.

• Marsh & McLennan: Congress May Not Address TRIA Before Expiration

  By Arthur D. Postal, PropertyCasualty360.com, Elizabeth D. Festa, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  April 30, 2013

  Congress may not fully address the renewal of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act before the scheduled expiration of the law at the end of 2014, Marsh & McLennan Cos. warns.

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  After Sandy, After Boston, After 9/11—Still Recovering

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360  |  April 29, 2013

  Six months after Sandy, it's clear that we don't just need better claims. We need better risk financing.

• House Subcommittee Chair Pushes Requirement that Lenders Accept Private Flood Policies

  By Arthur D. Postal, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  April 25, 2013

  demand by a House Financial Services subcommittee chairman that bank regulators move quickly to impose a rule requiring mortgage lenders to accept private flood insurance is prompting a split in the insurance industry.

• Florida Bill to Erase Tax Credits Opposed by Industry

  By Chad Hemenway, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  April 25, 2013

  The insurance industry in Florida has banded together to urge the Florida House of Representatives to repeal a bill to rescind a tax credit on insurance companies’ payrolls.

• 2013: A Transformative Year in the Regulatory Revolution

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  April 25, 2013

  Insurers are facing revolutionary changes in the regulatory environment--changes that are causing some U.S. insurers to reevaluate business strategies and structure, says KPMG.

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  American Family Counsel Named NCIGF Chair

  By Staff Writer  |  April 25, 2013

  The Board of Directors of the National Conference of Guaranty Funds has elected Brandon LaSalle of American Family Insurance as it new chairman.

• FSOC to Meet; Nears Designation of Nonbank SiFi

  By Arthur D. Postal, PropertyCasualty360.com, Elizabeth D. Festa, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  April 24, 2013

  The Financial Stability Oversight Council will meet Thursday amid signs that the first designation of an insurer as systemically significant is imminent.

• West Fertilizer Blast Spotlights Texas Workers Comp System, Okla. Legislation

  By Arthur D. Postal, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  April 24, 2013

  Workers at West Fertilizer Co. were not injured by the huge blast at the plant that killed 15 people, but the explosion did bring to the fore an emerging Workers Compensation issue of deep concern to the insurance industry.

• IIABA Chairman Says Fight for Agents Continues Over PPACA

  By Mark E. Ruquet, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  April 22, 2013

  The chairman of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America says the association has not abandoned the fight to protect independent agents’ role under federal healthcare reform.

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  Florida Judge Lifts Stay of PIP Injunction

  By Chad Hemenway, PropertyCasualty360.com  |  April 22, 2013

  A Florida judge has lifted a stay of a temporary injunction of certain provisions within a landmark auto insurance reform bill adopted last year.