Even though the economic recovery is slow and sporadic, property and casualty insurers are poised for growth this year if they take proactive steps to turn challenges into opportunities.

With so many homes and businesses left exposed after Superstorm Sandy because their owners didnt buy flood insurance, perhaps its time to automatically include federal flood coverage in standard policies for certain properties, while giving buyers the right (and responsibility) to opt-out.

With so many homes and businesses left exposed after Superstorm Sandy because their owners didnt buy flood insurance, perhaps its time to automatically include federal flood coverage in standard policies for certain properties, while giving buyers the right (and responsibility) to opt-out.

The P&C industry should benefit in the short term from a recovering economy in 2013, but the longer-term outlook depends on how individual carriers respond to a series of more fundamental challenges.

Independent agency carriers and their producers can only make a formidable team and stave off disintermediation if they work together to retain the loyalty of those who keep them both in businesstheir clients.

Independent agency carriers and their producers can only make a formidable team and stave off disintermediation if they work together to retain the loyalty of those who keep them both in businesstheir clients.

Direct sales to consumers of personal-lines products has been a major Auto and Homeowners insurance distribution platform for years, keeping the heat on independent agents and brokers to prove their added value if they want to retain market share. However, a day of reckoning on small-commercial business could be looming...

Direct sales to consumers of personal-lines products has been a major Auto and Homeowners insurance distribution platform for years, keeping the heat on independent agents and brokers to prove their added value if they want to retain market share. However, a day of reckoning on small-commercial business could be looming...