"I think it's important to emphasize that the NAPSLO PAC can provide no more than $5,000 each year to any member of Congress," Obenauer said. "That support for a candidate can be very valuable, but it is not an extraordinarily large amount – and it's so impactful when just a few additional people contribute each year. We can put a large number of small contributions together really effectively and every single contribution makes a difference, no matter the size. It's equally important for us to be able to demonstrate wide-based support from NAPSLO member employees."

Legislative education

In addition to providing financial support to candidates, Keri Kish, NAPSLO Director of Government Relations, said that NAPSLO's annual Legislative Fly-In is an important way for the Association to conduct outreach, and provide education, in Washington D.C. The 2016 Legislative Fly-In was held May 18, and 35 NAPSLO members and staff representing the Legislative Committee, Executive Committee, PAC Committee and NAPSLO's Next Generation met with 23 Members of Congress and/or their staff, including senior staff for key committees with jurisdiction over insurance issues. Kish notes that the members of Congress that were visited serve on either the House Financial Services Committee or the Senate Banking Committee, and a number of the members serve on the respective subcommittees on insurance.  

"We provided general surplus lines education and information, but we really focused time with these members on a couple of important issues impacting surplus lines," Kish said. "The first topic of emphasis was on revising the definition of private flood insurance to ensure surplus lines insurers are eligible to provide private market solutions to consumers with unique and complex flood risks. Our second area of focus was to emphasize the many successes of the Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2010 and ask for Congress' continued support and protection of the NRRA."

Related: Time to act on flood bill

NAPSLO has worked with industry partners for the last year to advocate for the passage of the Flood Insurance Market Parity and Modernization Act. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives in late April and is awaiting action in the U.S. Senate. 

Obenauer said that all the members of Congress and the staff with whom the Fly-In delegation met demonstrated a solid understanding of the surplus lines industry and were engaged in discussion about the legislative issues on the agenda.

"The Fly-In meetings seemed to be productive, and I think it was clear that we need to continue to have these in-person interactions to continue to strengthen NAPSLO's reputation and to reinforce our role as a resource to these lawmakers influencing insurance legislation," Obenauer added.  

Kish said that as the NAPSLO PAC continues to grow, the Association is increasingly viewed as an important source of information on the surplus lines market in Washington D.C. "A thriving PAC allows us to engage in these important conversations and fully leverage the resources we have in place in Washington," she noted. "When we can go to members of Congress with the support of a large number of NAPSLO members behind our Regulatory Principles, it is really impactful."

Obenauer said that each time he's involved in a Fly-In meeting it reinforces for him the importance of having the industry's collective voice at the table: "There's no doubt that electing knowledgeable candidates is a long-term investment for our industry."

Employees of member firms can contribute to the PAC at NAPSLO's Annual Convention at the PAC table, where members can also view a short video detailing its mission and purpose. Obenauer noted that contributions to the NAPSLO PAC must be from individuals, not corporations, and that supporting the PAC is an individual choice. NAPSLO members also may learn more about the PAC and its work at www.napslopac.org. 

AmWINS, RSUI to receive special recognition

The NAPSLO PAC Committee bestowed special recognition upon two NAPSLO-member firms based on their employees' voluntary contributions to the PAC this year. The NAPSLO-member firm with the most contributions to the PAC was AmWINS, and the firm with the second-highest total contributions was RSUI. Each firm will receive its choice of a $2,500 credit toward a NAPSLO member's master bill at the Annual Convention or a NAPSLO education program.  

"As we continue to partner with other trades to inform legislators about what our members do and how important this industry is to the overall U.S. economy, it is more and more important that we have a strong PAC behind that message," Kish added. "This industry is unique, and the legislative and regulatory issues that it faces are complex. The need to continue educating member of Congress evolves and will be critical as we move forward."