While the State of Florida remains transfixed by the thought of another hurricane season and the possible economic impact it may spawn, one thing is clear: Don't expect the federal government to come to the rescue any time soon. That was just one of the major points issued by Alex Soto at the Florida Association of Insurance Agents' 103rd Convention and Education Symposium.

Soto is president of the Miami-based InSource, Inc., and is a former chairman of FAIA. These days, however, he is chiefly known as the president of the Big "I," the national Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers Association. Speaking at FAIA's convention, Soto offered a range of thoughts concerning agents and the latest happenings on the state and federal level.

After the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons that culminated in the almost wholesale destruction of New Orleans, the environment appeared to be shifting in favor of establishing some form of federal backstop when it comes to natural disasters. That sentiment, however, quickly receded. Soto said the prevailing wisdom remains the same; representatives from inland states are still resistant to pay for damages that are not sustained in their own states. "At the federal level there is no appetite for something like [Florida's] CAT fund," he said. "Too many representatives view it as a bailout for the people of Florida and others that choose to live along the coasts."