Agents News

Washington Commissioner Disciplines Insurers, Producers

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler in September disciplined several insurance companies, agents and brokers who violated state insurance regulations. Following are the names of the parties, their locations and the violations the Office of the Insurance Commissioner reported to have …

Allstate Seeks Agents in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Hawaii

Allstate Insurance Co. plans to add several local agency owners in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Hawaii in 2014. Allstate’s plan is to recruit 51 new exclusive agents, 13 financial specialists and the company expects agency owners will be looking …

Agents React to Walmart, Overstock in Insurance: ‘We Aren’t Dead or Dying, We are Evolving’

Recent announcements by giant retailers Walmart and Overstock.com that they entering the insurance sales game have elicited a healthy response from the insurance industry. Some agents have expressed concern and frustration at the notion that their way of doing business …

The PIA Partnership Launches Growth Tool For Agency Members

The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) and its agency-company council, The PIA Partnership, have designed a new tool to help independent insurance agenciesgrow and increase profits. “Closing the Gap – Growth & Profit” provides agents with calculators to …

How Agents, Brokers Can Help Themselves, Clients with Healthcare Reform

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has accelerated change and confusion in the health insurance marketplace and businesses and individuals are counting on their insurance agents and brokers to help them understand the nitty-gritty of the ACA requirements. For many property/casualty …

Project CAP Launches Year-Long Agency Preparation Tool: Agency 2020

Project CAP has launched Agency 2020, a new program to provide independent agencies with insights and resources to help them create and implement a successful long-term agency strategy. Each month during 2013, the Agency 2020 program will spotlight a key …

State Farm Plans to Expand Phoenix Metro Area

The State Farm insurance company is planning to grow its Arizona operations in the Phoenix metropolitan area. A State Farm spokesman confirmed Tuesday that the company will boost its established operations in metro Phoenix as well as in Dallas and …

Washington Insurance Department’s ‘Mobile-friendly’ Goal

The state agency that regulates Washington’s insurance industry has launched a revamped website designed to be easier to use for consumers and industry professionals. The site is www.insurance.wa.gov. “When people have insurance problems, they want information fast,” Washington Insurance Commissioner …

Indiana’s Ronk: Agents Enjoy a Healthy Insurance Environment in State

The current business environment for independent insurance agents in Indiana is pretty good thanks to the hard work and legislative involvement of agents and other industry professionals, according to one longtime agent advocate in the state. Roger Ronk, who’s been …

Ohio Agent Tax Lien Program Nets $5.3 Million Since 2011

Ohio Lt. Governor and Dept. of Insurance Director Mary Taylor announced that an agent tax lien program that has collected more than $5.3 million in unpaid income tax, sales tax and workers compensation premium payments. Taylor introduced the program in …