PIA commented on two of our primary issues of focus for 2007 in the year’s first edition of the National Underwriter. The January 1, 2007 issue featured articles on the battle over contingent commissions and insurance regulatory reform. PIA Executive Vice President & CEO Len Brevik and Senior Vice President Patricia A. Borowski were quoted extensively.

Len Brevik said that while PIA welcomes the debate on insurance regulatory reform in Congress, we actively support the current state-based system and believe that Congress should not impose itself on insurance regulation. “It’s about the mega-banks and the mega-insurance companies versus Main Street,” he said, noting that OFC supporters are more focused on boosting their profits than providing customer service. Len added that opposing federal regulation will be the focus of grassroots efforts by PIA members in 2007.

Pat Borowski pointed out that while the vast majority of insurance companies will not be affected by settlement agreements, it was not good public policy for state attorneys general to be making regulatory agreements regarding compensation that are the domain of state regulators and legislators. “This is settlement gone amok and it is out of control,” she said.

PIA President Donna Pile participated in American Agent & Broker’s annual independent agent Review and Outlook special issue in December. Donna commented on the opportunities that lie ahead in 2007 for agents and shared the experiences in her agency.

Contingency Probe Fallout Hurts Many Innocent Bystanders (National Underwriter 1/1/07)

New Congress Makes D.C. a Wild Card (National Underwriter 1/1/07)

January 17, 2007