Florida Gov. Rick Scott has signed into law a commercial rate deregulation bill that expands the types of commercial insurance exempt from the rate filing and approval process.

Another standard bearer for the insurance industry is fading away: the paper bill. Insurers are following the lead of other financial services companies by exploring all the possibilities in electronic bill presentment.

While insurers and non-insurers cite consolidation and strengthening competitive position as the reason for mergers and acquisitions, insurers say they are more successful in carrying out this objective, according to a survey from Towers Watson.

Karen Rutledge details how her agency has been dealing with this enormous catastropheand the profound impact it has had on her clients.