President Barack Obama signed financial services reform into law last week, setting in motion an intense effort by interested parties to shape the regulations and government bodies that will implement the legislation to their liking.

More independent agencies are taking advantage of advances in technology, including improved agency management systems, social media marketing methods and real-time capabilities, according to American Agent & Brokers' 2010 reader agency automation survey.

NFIP extended, but requires WYO insurers to not use "anti-concurrent causation" language to exclude coverage of wind damage simply because there is also flood damage to the property.