National Underwriter P&C October-21, 2008
Cover Story
NU Seeks Out Agency Tech Innovators
To recognize independent, multiline agencies making the most innovative use of technology, National Underwriter--in partnership with the ACORD LOMA Insurance Systems Forum--invites nominations and
Opinion
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Agents Can Still Thrive Despite Tough Economy
Are you optimistic about the future? With the turmoil in the economy hitting unprecedented levels in October, it is easy to get swept up in pessimism. After all, the stock market delivered its worst
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Will Obama Pull Off Health Reform?
Despite all the scary, silly talk of "socialism" in the presidential campaign, President-elect Barack Obama and his Democratic Congress will not move to nationalize the health insurance industry
News
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Bouchard Keeps The Customer Satisfied By Staying Out Of The Price-Quote Trap
Keeping the customer satisfied is easier said than done in a soft market, but not if the client buys into a comprehensive loss control plan to keep the cost of risk under control, according to Roger
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Helping Clients Make Long-Term Decisions Puts Lassiter-Ware In The Driver's Seat
How might an agency grow from a small, two-man operation with one office, to one with multiple locations, partnership relationships around the world and over $94 million in commercial lines premium
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2007 'Champ' Grows Despite Soft Market
Since being named the "2007 Champion" in the National Underwriter Commercial Insurance Agency of the Year award program, Cottingham & Butler has continued to grow despite the challenges of a soft
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Full-Service, Risk Management-Focused Culture Keeps Lanier Ahead Of The Game
To identify your business as merely an "insurance agency" these days could prove fatal as clients seek far more expertise than just policy placement--demanding risk management support to limit
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NU 'Agency Of The Year' Winners See Big Payoff From Employee Benefit Sales
Over the last seven years, when three winners are named in the annual National Underwriter "Commercial Insurance Agency Of The Year" award program, nearly every firm cites employee benefit sales as a
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Winning Agents Remain Risk Managers Despite Soft Market, Economic Woes
Despite having to cope with a stubbornly soft property-casualty market and the shockwaves of a faltering economy, the three winners in the seventh annual National Underwriter "Commercial Insurance
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Philanthropy Plays Key Role For Lanier
While J. Smith Lanier stresses service to clients as the backbone of its success, the agency's support of community philanthropy is an equally important aspect of its mission to establish a stellar
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Non-Compete Agreements Can Handcuff M&A Deals
A non-compete is so essential to the transaction that it falls under the category of "Deal 101," said William Kronenberg, chairman of Professional Underwriters Corp. in Exton, Pa., during a panel
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Greenberg Urges AIG To Tap Relief Fund
Maurice Greenberg, American International Group's former chief executive officer, has called on AIG management to seek funds from the federal relief program while it continues to rework its debt
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State Insurance Regulators, Legislators Face The Voters
Insurance commissioner spots were up for grabs in five states on Election Day last week, with at least three going to Democrats, while voters also decided the fate of many state legislators who play
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Obama Win, Gains In Congress, Lets Democrats Set 2009 Insurance Agenda
Democrats emerged from last week's historic election not only with control of the White House, but with a big enough majority in Congress to set the legislative agenda, with several critical
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Mortgage-Related Claims Leave Most Players Feeling Insurance Cover Squeeze
With the fallout from the subprime mortgage crisis expanding, insurers that write errors and omissions coverage are beginning to adapt their strategies as claims mount for certain classes of business
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Will FDIC Guarantee Insurance?
Congress and the outgoing Bush administration are exploring whether to expand the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to guarantee insurance products if an optional federal charter is approved down the
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Bond Insurers Seek Treasury Funds
In a comment letter submitted to the Treasury Department, the bond insurers (also known as "monolines") contended that helping them would also ensure the stability of their customers--including
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Agency M&As Down, But Not Dead
Although the red-hot agency acquisitions market has slowed because of shriveling capital and a dwindling pool of candidates, smart buyers and sellers can still work a profitable deal if it's a
Technology Trends
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Web Tech Manages Environmental Risks
New tools help parties deal with mountain of documents in due diligence
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Data-Savvy Insurance Carriers Can Use Analytics To Help Optimize Underwriting
Pricing policies too low and selling too many is a risky strategy for insurance carriers. Simply stoking volume growth in policies while ignoring the bottom line has often led to a forced market exit
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Tuning Up Your PC Keeps Work Flowing
Agents, carriers risk losing productivity if they fail to regularly defrag their
