TRIA has a long way to go before Congress approves an extension beyond the program's Dec. 31 expiration date. Ultra-conservatives seem content to block renewal because they see no good in any government program interfering in the private sector. On the other hand, the liberal wing is manning the barricades with dire predictions of the country's doom without TRIA's renewal as is–at least until a better alternative can be put in place.

Battles over who is at fault in the slow federal response to Hurricane Katrina, plus two Supreme Court vacancies to fill, plus tax cut debates, plus disputes over the war in Iraq all threaten to push consideration of TRIA renewal to the 11th hour or beyond.

But Congress can't ignore TRIA forever, and since conservatives have a powerful supporter in House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas–who makes no bones about his contempt for the creation of government entitlement programs, with TRIA being no exception–TRIA supporters of all stripes would do well to craft a compromise the majority can live with.

Considering Secretary Snow's change of tone in Congressional hearings a few weeks after his department suggested a vast cutback in TRIA's scope, one might suspect he had an enlightening conversation with someone who realizes what's at stake here–not only the survival of the commercial insurance industry but the economy, as well.

Politics is the art of compromise, but compromise is based on knowledge of the subject at hand. There are times, as we listen to some arguments on this and other insurance issues in Congress, when one has to ask whether those who make laws impacting insurance really understand the industry and the needs of those it serves.

The Missouri Insurance Education Foundation might have a tool to help remedy this apparent knowledge gap.

Paul E. Heacock, head of Human Dynamics–an educational solutions firm based in Overland Park, Kan.–became involved with the foundation back in 1996. Founded in 1991, the group has one goal–to promote public education about insurance.

"The directors felt the public misunderstood insurance," Mr. Heacock said, in explaining the foundation's mission. "We found that most complaints from the public came from the poor understanding on the part of people about insurance companies. Our purpose is to increase the public's knowledge and understanding of insurance."

The group felt it would be an uphill battle to educate everyone. Instead, it has concentrated its efforts on high school students. Why? Because they are a block of consumers still going through their educational phase and would soon face their first experience with the industry when they hit the road as drivers. "They are considered a teachable group," he noted.

To reach these nascent, high-tech insurance consumers, the foundation developed a CD Rom for them. "What was out there was more for adults and captured learners"–the latter being professionals needing their licenses, said Mr. Heacock. "We needed to reach the kids."

Seed money arrived in 2000, two years after the concept was developed, and students were employed to develop the storyboard and "get into the head" of the teenagers. The CD conveys several concepts:

o That buying insurance is not a waste of money.

o That paying incremental premiums assures a substantial payback in the event of a loss.

o That according to the law of large numbers, many paying into the insurance pool means sufficient funds are available for everyone's claims at a reasonable cost.

At first, he explained, there was some skepticism on the part of the board members because it was not a traditional teaching tool. However, after some board members exposed their own children to the program and saw how it engaged them, they understood they had accomplished their goal. The first CDs rolled out in 2002.

"We made something that was not available before," he noted. "By and large, it has hit its mark." The CD raised "appreciation of and interest in the industry. Its subtitle is how we all benefit from insurance, and how the industry contributes, as an employer and a taxpayer, to supporting the economy," he added.

"The content of the CD is meant to be evergreen, so it is always the same concept of ideas about insurance," Mr. Heacock explained. "It's at a pretty basic level."

In a visit to "The Jourdon Insurtainment Complex of the Future," as the CD is entitled, one steps into an interactive play-land of arcades, shows and movies, with the theme centering on the industry. With content based on materials supplied by BISYS Education Services, a visitor may view a movie adventure, take a ride on a space-age roller coaster, or win prizes for correct answers.

The foundation today has one major goal–distributing the CDs. More than 6,500 of them have been sent to educators throughout the country, with the bulk (more than 5,000) going to educators in Missouri. According to a list supplied by the foundation, no one in Alaska, Hawaii or Nevada has asked for them. Washington, D.C., is not even on the map.

Companies have used it on "Take Your Child to Work" days, and agents pack them off when they go to schools to lecture on the subject. The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America "Invest" program has helped to distribute the CDs among educators, "which is all we ask for right now," Mr. Heacock pointed out.

At a time when the industry is under siege from probes into broker compensation and balance sheet manipulation, with wavering support for TRIA and seemingly endless discussions about modernizing regulation, some basic understanding of how the industry works and what it contributes at times appears wanting.

Although insurance is technically a state-regulated business, ultimately the industry's fate rests in the hands of 535 people in Congress. I'm sure the Missouri Insurance Education Foundation could spare a shipment of its CDs for the nation's capital.

After a contentious day on the Hill, maybe a representative or two would look forward to a ride through a virtual funhouse, even if it is about insurance. They, and the industry, would certainly benefit from the experience.

Mark E. Ruquet is an associate editor at NU, covering the independent agent beat. He may be reached at [email protected].

Quotebox, with Mark's mug:

"At a time when the industry is under siege from probes into broker compensation and balance sheet manipulation, with wavering support for TRIA and seemingly endless discussions about modernizing regulation, some basic understanding of how the industry works and what it contributes at times appears wanting."

Mark. E. Ruquet