Controversies over disputed hurricane and flood claims, credit scoring, federal regulation and the industry's profitability will be among the hot topics debated at 11 a.m. EST this morning 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."

The debate is part of the National Underwriter Company's first "Virtual Conference & Expo."

Award-winning independent agents will also share the secrets of their success at 12:30 p.m., Eastern time.

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 is 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 today to conclude the conference:

o The Future Of The Independent Agent--2:30 p.m-to-1:30 p.m. EST

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--2:00-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.

You may also log on to attend four sessions which debuted on Nov. 14, including "Enterprise Risk Management For Dummies," as well as a panel of winners in NU's inaugural Award For Excellence in Workers' Comp Risk Management, who will share the secrets of their success. Log on and go to the Conference Hall for details.

There is also a Virtual Exhibit Hall available for attendees to shop for products and services.

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