Articles by Patricia-Anne Tom

Colorado Wants Protections Against Uninsured Motorists

The Colorado House has passed a bill that requires a motor vehicle insurance company to be appointed as an insured person’s agent in a lawsuit arising from an accident in which the at-fault driver is deemed to be “uninsured.” House …

How New York Insurance Broker Has Used Social Media

To the 77 percent of independent insurance agencies that don’t have a social media presence, creating a profile and trying to form “friendships” via a computer can be daunting. Once an agency gets online, however, tools such as blogs, Facebook, …

Transportation, Agriculture Are Oregon’s Most Fatal Industries

The transportation and warehousing industry was the most dangerous industry in 2009 in Oregon, according to the state Department of Business and Consumer Services, Information Management Division. According to DCBS’ recent report on compensable fatalities by industry, transportation and warehousing, …

Utah Considers Changes to Motor Vehicle Insurance Coverage, Liability

Utah state Sen. Stephen Urquhart is hoping to change the law on motor vehicle coverage by proposing three bills that would affect uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, liability and arbitration for accident claims. Senate Bill 70, would modify the current …

California Regulator Considering Regs to Alleviate Underinsurance

The California Department of Insurance is considering proposing new regulations governing standards and training for estimating replacement value on homeowners’ insurance. Among the ideas that was floated at a recent CDI workshop was to require continuing education for agents and …

How Agencies Are Leveraging Social Networking

Technology Trailblazers Build Relationships, Business Receipts There’s no better time for insurance agents and brokers to delve into social networking technologies than now, according to those who study marketing and technology trends. More than four in five U.S. online adults …

Hawaii Senate Committee OKs Using Hurricane Relief Fund to End Furloughs

Hawaii’s Senate Ways and Means Committee has advanced a bill that would use money from the state’s Hurricane Relief Fund to end school furlough days. Senate Bill 2124 notes that reductions and restrictions to the Department of Education’s operating budget …

The Worst Is Yet to Come

Deepening State Budget Deficits in 2010 and 2011 Could Harm the Insurance Industry While 2009 was a tough year to do business, state and city leaders say 2010 and 2011 will be even tougher — the outcome of which could …

Agency Innovators: How Agencies Leverage Social Networking

Technology Trailblazers Build Relationships, Business Receipts There’s no better time for insurance agents and brokers to delve into social networking technologies than now, according to those who study marketing and technology trends. More than four in five U.S. online adults …

Agency Innovators: How Agencies Leverage Social Networking

Technology Trailblazers Build Relationships, Business Receipts There’s no better time for insurance agents and brokers to delve into social networking technologies than now, according to those who study marketing and technology trends. More than four in five U.S. online adults …