Agency Management

Larger insurance brokers are expected to see improvements in earnings as the market cycle begins to turn, but middle-market intermediaries may still suffer from the effects of the economic downturn, according to a financial analyst's report.

Over the years, I have spoken with literally hundreds, if not thousands of agency owners, and whenever I ask why someone would want to become their client, almost without exception they say they provided great service.

During our annual valuation work for agencies and brokerages across the country, one trend we're noticing is most are forecasting significant declines in contingent income this year, even though commission revenues are holding or increasing slightly.

Since desperate times often prompt desperate measures, companies should be on the lookout for a spike in criminal acts by employees fearful of losing their jobs in a worsening economy, risk managers were warned here last week.

N.Y. Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo has begun an inquiry into whether Allstate Corporation engaged in illegal participation in unregulated insurance markets, after the insurer's CEO wrote an opinion piece calling for federal regulation.

Homeowner health complaints related to Chinese drywall products point up a need for contractors to obtain enhanced insurance coverage, but such protection may not be available, according to a brokerage expert.