Agency Management

Despite the best of intentions and efforts of risk capital providers and program administrators, the reality is that change is inevitable.

Despite the economic crisis, insurance buyers can expect flat rates overall into the fourth quarter, according to the latest poll of risk managers.

Wildfires, hurricanes, identity theft and floods. In most cases, these things just happen and can't be predicted. Disasters can strike anyone at any time.

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.

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.

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.