Ernie Csiszar might technically be on a forced sabbatical these days, but he can still create quite a stir from the sidelines. Indeed, the former PCI president (shown the door after a firestorm over his handling of the group's surprising entry–then hasty exit–from ProtectingAmerica.org, which seeks a national catastrophe fund) poked the industry in the eye with a sharp stick last week, calling insurers “cheapskates” when it comes to lobbying expenditures.

The industry does a lousy job at playing politics, Mr. Csiszar said in New York City at the 18th Annual Executive Conference for the Property Casualty Industry, as reported by our own Steve Tuckey. We are cheapskates in that we dont contribute where we should.

Mr. Csiszar, who has played many roles in this industry–insurance company head, king of state regulators and then trade association president–said insurers lack clout on Capitol Hill because they don't spend enough in campaign contributions to earn real influence.