Articles by Andrea Wells

Andrea Wells is vice president of content for Wells Media Group Inc., overseeing coverage for its multiple print and digital platforms. She is a veteran insurance journalist with more than 20 years’ experience covering the property/casualty industry. She has won several awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), including awards for original research for her work on Insurance Journal’s annual salary survey of retail insurance agencies and its annual survey of young insurance agents. She can be reached at: awells@wellsmedia.com.

In a league of its own

Celebrating the 38th annual Trusted Choice Big “I” Junior Classic, the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, and hundreds of golfers and fans, descended on Lubbock, Texas, in late July for what has become one of the most renowned …

Texas agent duplicates first ever hole-in-one

When a State Farm agent from Lubbock, Texas, entered the insurance business at 27-years-old, he never dreamed that his love of golf could make him one of the more famous insurance agents nearly 25 years later. But when Danny Leake …

Slimmed-down SMART bill to reform surplus lines insurance regulation; brokers pledge their support

In a step to overhaul the current state of insurance regulation, Reps. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-Fla., and Dennis Moore, D-Kan., have introduced legislation that would mandate states to establish a uniform system of regulation for the surplus lines industry. The new …

Brokers Support New Federal Bill to Reform Surplus Lines Insurance Regulation

In a step that is being applauded by insurance brokers, Reps. Ginny Brown-Waite, R-FL, and Dennis Moore, D-KS, have introduced federal legislation requiring states to establish a uniform system of regulation for the surplus lines industry. The new bill is …

Heads up on workplace bullying

From the playground to the classroom to the office — bullies can be found in all walks of life, says an anti-bullying advocacy group vying for new legislation that could potentially outlaw workplace bullying. But how would new anti-harassment legislation …

Taking a piece of the pie

Independent agents and brokers grew their share of the property/casualty market by $11.93 billion in 2004, accounting for almost 60 percent of the national increase, according to the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America’s 2004 market share study. The …

Senators introduce Optional Federal Charter legislation

Citing bipartisan support to revamp the insurance industry regulatory system, two U.S. senators unveiled legislation that would allow life and property/casualty insurers to choose federal rather than state regulation under an “optional federal charter” system. U.S. Sens. John Sununu (R-N.H.) …

Consumer group accuses Geico, other insurers of unfair underwriting

A U.S. consumer group has made claims that Geico Corp. uses rate-making methods that directly base eligibility and premiums solely upon the educational background and occupation of consumers. The Consumer Federation of America says that it uncovered a Geico underwriting …

Consumer group accuses Geico, other insurers of unfair underwriting

A U.S. consumer group has made claims that Geico Corp. uses rate-making methods that directly base eligibility and premiums solely upon the educational background and occupation of consumers. The Consumer Federation of America says that it uncovered a Geico underwriting …

D&O liability premiums fall for second straight year, study says

Directors and officers liability insurance average premium continued to decline in 2005, dropping by 9 percent last year after a 10 percent decline in 2004, according to the “D&O Liability 2005 Survey on Claims and Insurance Purchasing Trends” conducted by …