Articles by Constance Parten

When Your Insureds Remodel Their Homes, You Should Remodel Their Coverage

One in three American homeowners have recently remodeled their home or are planning to do so within the next year. That could make for a lot of financial risk exposure, according to a recent study commissioned by the Independent Insurance …

NAFTA Panel: U.S. in Violation of Treaty

On Feb. 6, a North American Free Trade Agreement arbitration panel upheld an interim ruling opening the United States border to Mexican trucks. Many in the insurance industry say they will cautiously review the changes the ruling will bring, while …

Insurance Committee Tackles Tough Issues at Initial Hearing

The Texas House of Represen-tatives’ Committee on Insurance kicked off its first meeting of the 77th Legislative Session Feb. 12 by reviewing 10 of 12 bills brought before it. An underlying theme of discrimination permeated the committee’s discussions. The first …

NAFTA Ruling Expected to Allow U.S. Access to Mexican Trucks

A North American Free Trade Agreement arbitration panel is expected to uphold an interim ruling from November allowing Mexican trucks to operate in the United States. Many in the insurance industry say they will cautiously review the changes such a …

Anti-Fraud Efforts Become Top Priority For Departments of Insurance

In an effort to assist insurers and departments of insurance, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners has undertaken the daunting task of compiling a directory of how departments of insurance across the country deal with, and investigate, fraud. Greg Sacco, …

Texas Agents Can Now Renew Licenses Online

Texas’ approximately 200,000 insurance agents now can save time and trouble by renewing their licenses over the Internet. The Texas Department of Insurance began late last year providing online renewal of agent licenses after two months of testing. The move …

Crop Insurance: A State of the Industry Report

Last year was an eventful one for the crop insurance industry with a new farm package including modifications such as an $8 billion subsidy package and a $7.1 billion bailout for farmers hurt by depressed crop prices. It was also …

The Reeducation of Texas Agents

Looming agent licensing changes stemming from the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act could have a direct effect on how and what information agents receive through continuing education classes. Already, 30 states have begun preparing for those changes by joining the Midwest Zone Continuing …

Reliance Continues Runoff, Can’t Block Icahn

Even as Bristol West Insurance Group was planning to purchase two units of Reliance Group Holdings, a federal judge ruled that investor Carl Icahn can proceed with his tender offer for a portion of Reliance Group Holding’s debt. The two …

Fund Eyed for Privatization; Industry Balks at Comptroller’s Recommendation to Sell TWCIF

As part of an effort to privatize government units, Texas State Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander has recommended that the Texas Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fund be sold to the highest bidder. The recommendation, which came as part of a late December …