Agency Management

While battles over health care reform got most of the headlines here this month, Congress tackled a host of other issues of keen interest to property and casualty insurers and producers.

Last week, I reassessed my fortune-telling ability in picking the Top-10 stories for 2009. Now it's time to peer into my crystal ball once again to forecast what might be in store for 2010.

Florida plans to purchase up to $200 million in liability insurance over the next three years as it begins construction of what could become a statewide railroad system that eventually connects Tampa to Orlando to Miami.

Forecasts always contain good news and bad news. As we enter 2010, the good news for our industry is that there will always be a need for professional health and life insurance agents, and there might be fewer people competing for this business.

Insurance is one of this country's most regulated industries, definitely an open book. Despite this, the public often expresses suspicion about our data, perhaps driven by a lack of understanding on how our business operates.

David A. Sampson, president and CEO of Property and Casualty Insurers Association of America, is leading the 1,000-member strong P&C organization during a critical time in the industry. He's prepared.