Agency Management

Facing another looming flood program expiration deadline on Sept. 30, agents are expressing frustration at Congress and are advising clients to pay renewals for flood policies in advance of the deadline in case there is another lapse.

The roles of race, education and personal accountability in producer license testing and examination were raised as regulators began hearings to examine the need for a uniform process.

A public hearing by the New York Department of Insurance on whether to add coverages to the state's excess and surplus lines "export" list was deemed successful by an agent trade association.

A federal appeals court has vacated the decision by a district court three years ago to dismiss antitrust and racketeering complaints against numerous insurers and brokers allegedly involved in a bid-rigging scheme with Marsh & McLennan.

A five-year National Flood Insurance Program extension bill passed by the House in July is unlikely to pass the Senate before the program's next scheduled expiration on Sept. 30, representatives for two Washington-based agent groups said.

A New York agent association said it will continue to provide input to the state insurance department despite being excluded from groups that received a circular letter draft on the state's planned producer compensation regulation.