This past year saw its share of developments out of Washington that have shaped the industry in one way or another, and 2014 promises to be no different. See the top 5 issues that will impact insurers and producers in the New Year.

FEMA objects to the lawsuit filed by the state of Mississippi that seeks to delay flood insurance rate hikes, contending only Congress can remedy the state's claimed harm.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court Monday cleared the way for the state to implement an administrative system for resolving disputed workers compensation claims. However the decision left industry trade groups at odds over the outcome.

Both the Senate and House last week rejected efforts to delay National Flood Insurance Program rate increases, making judicial action in federal district court in Gulfport, Miss. the last hope for those seeking to prevent the increases from taking effect in January.

The president of a conservative think tank is highly critical of the current effort to roll back flood insurance rate increases imposed through a 2012 law, saying the reforms were modest and a test of whether federal legislators have the political will to put its fiscal house in order.

I.I.I. President Robert Hartwig said growth of the private market in personal lines flood would be thwarted if the imposition of actuarial rates for the NFIP is delayed or reduced, as is currently being debated.

The debate continues over a controversial Consumer Federation of America report released last month holding that only through Californias Proposition 103 has the state managed to control the cost of auto insuranceimplying that in most other states, oversight of auto insurance is lax, and rates are therefore too high.

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez selected Darin Childers as director of the states Workers Compensation Administration.