Market Insights

High unemployment, rising costs for medical treatment, and dismal economic forecasts have employers and their advisors seeking ways to control health care benefit spending. The industry is responding with some innovative solutions.

A 45-day regulatory drama that began with Citizens Property Insurance Corp.s triple-digit sinkhole rate increase proposal ended with Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCartys eleventh-hour denial.

Underwriters traditionally carry a huge weight on their shoulders and in todays world of information overload, the burden is multiplying. Automating some of the traditional underwriting decisions has helped carriers make quicker and better decisions and sharpened their focus on profit and productivity.

Building an underwriter relationship is more than personal affinity.

Local agents leverage ties with national carriers to earn social-media hits.

The outlook for commercial lines carriers often is cloudier than for their personal lines brethren. A commitment to changeand the mantra ease of businessis clearing things greatly for carriers and agents alike.