'Battle Of The Bobs' Kicks Off Final Day Of NU's First Virtual Conference

Controversies over disputed hurricane and flood claims, credit scoring, federal regulation and the industry's profitability will be among the hot topics debated this week by two heavyweights--Robert P. Hartwig, president of the Insurance Information Institute, and J. Robert Hunter, insurance director of the Consumer Federation of America--in "The Battle Of The Bobs" on Nov. 15, part of the National Underwriter Company's first "Virtual Conference & Expo."

Award-winning independent agents will also share the secrets of their success later in the day.

The two "Bobs" will face off on Nov. 15 at 11 a.m. EST on day two of "Facing The Future Of Insurance," a Web conference presented by National Underwriter and two sister publications--Claims and Tech Decisions.

Registration is free. Go to http://events.unisfair.com/rt/nuco~futureofinsurance to register and learn more details about the conference.

If you can't make it when a session first airs, or wish to refer colleagues to sessions you feel they would benefit from, the conference will be available online through Feb. 16, 2008. A virtual exhibit hall will be set up as well to allow attendees to shop for products and services from their desktops.

In addition to the debate, there will be two other sessions on Nov. 15 to conclude the conference:

o The Future Of The Independent Agent (Nov. 15, 12:30 p.m-to-1:30 p.m.):

Four winning principals in NU's sixth annual "Commercial Insurance Agency of the Year Award" program discuss the challenges facing independent agents and how they go about serving as risk managers--as opposed to price-shoppers--for their clients, even in a softening market.

o Technology's Influence on Customer Service (Nov. 15, 2:00 p.m.-to-3:00 p.m. EST):

This session, jointly presented by Claims and Tech Decisions, offers insights on how insurers can enhance contact with customers, including the trends driving successful claims management.