Published: November 2008

Collecting Premiums
Insurers can bolster business by protecting clients' personal treasures.

Collecting Premiums Insurers can bolster business by protecting clients' personal treasures. By Bonnie Brewer Cavanaugh. Agent/Broker. Page 32.

Breaking the Mold Rebuilding the synthetic stucco business laid the foundation for insurers to return to the industry. By Al Slavin. Property/Casualty. Page 38.

Forward Motion Homeowners carriers can protect themselves when properties they insure fact foreclosure. By Michael Gaughan. Property/Casualty. Page 45.

Producing Power Insurance company management must deliver a compelling and cost-effective producer experience that will provide the carrier with a competitive performance edge. By Richard K. Berry. Life. Page 48.

Raise, Hold Or Fold? Most major insurers have boosted ad spending this year, but will the sour economy sidetrack their plans? By Lori Chordas. Property/Casualty. Page 54.

A Coverage Whose Time Has Come Recent events highlight the need for A-Side directors and officers coverage By Jonathan Bennett. Property/Casualty. Page 58.

Global Warning Reinsurers seek a realistic assessment of a pandemic's potential impact. By Marc Jones. Reinsurance/Capital Markets. Page 60.

Global Warning: Why was Spanish Flu So Deadly? The 1918 outbreak of Spanish flu was the worst pandemic in centures, a viral storm so intense that researchers claim it may have killed 50 million to 100 million people worldwide. By Marc Jones. Reinsurance/Capital Markets. Page 62.

Social Security: Making It Last When to begin taking benefits depends on factors such as living expenses and other available income. By Robert Fishbein. Life. Page 65.

Hope for Tomorrow With 24,000 cases of autism diagnosed each year, insurers and states seek ways to cover the costly developmental disability. By Lori Chordas. Health/Employee Benefits. Page 66.

Taking the Long View Top executives say technology investments require a delicate touch in today's economy. By Al Slavin. Technology. Page 70.

On Second Thought . . . Regulatory Action In November 2007, the National Conference of Insurance Legislators adopted the NCOIL Life Settlements Model Act, which aims to prohibit stranger-originated life insurance transactions, or STPLI, while encouraging legitimate life settlements. By Bonnie Brewer Cavanaugh. Life. Page 76.

A Growing Niche For a 'New' Product Underwritten annjuities could be the answer for certain older clients. By Kay I. Dempsey. Life. Page 79.

Like Minded Program insurance is alive and well, and more diversified than ever. By Ron Panko. Agent/Broker. Page 80.

Tight Ships Don't Sink Take steps to prevent a stormy economy from swamping your agency. By Sharon Cunningham. Agent/Broker. Page 84.

Dollar Signs The NAIC's 2009 budget projects more sales from publications and data products. By Sean P. Carr. Regulatory/Law. Page 85.

Dollar Signs: On the Road Again The National Association of Insurance Commissioners plans to spend $2.8 million on travel in 2009, a 22.7% increase over the current year with larger appropriations for state insurance commissioners and staff. By Sean P. Carr. Regulatory/Law. Page 88.

Bon Voyage Timely advice can help clients prepare for various situations when traveling. By Scott Spencer. Property/Casualty. Page 92.

Foreign Aid Lower costs and better-quality treatment are encouraging Americans and their insurers to seek health care abroad. By Ron Panko. Health/Employee Benefits. Page 94.

Liddy Takes the Wheel Former colleagues say Ed Liddy has the drive and street smarts to guide AIG onto firmer ground. By Al Slavin. Regulatory/Law. Page 98.

Keep It Clean A simple document retention strategy could save time and money, particularly during a trial. By David Walton. Regulatory/Law. Page 100.

Smoothing the Way Aggregators can help insurers increase the quantity and quality of online sales. By Tuhin BanerjeeandSatheesh Kaimal. Technology. Page 102.

Making the Grade Insurers lag other industries when it comes to customer service. By Michael A. Costonis. Technology. Page 105.

Under Reconstruction The NAIC moves ahead on modernizing reinsurance regulations. By Nicholas F. Potter. Reinsurance/Capital Markets. Page 106.

Under Reconstruction: Slide Rules NAIC Under the NAIC's proposal, home state or port of entry supervisors may adjust a reinsurer's rating downward based on certain facts. By Nicholas F. Potter. Reinsurance/Capital Markets. Page 107.

Ever Ready Guaranty Fund preparedness is the key to effectively managing insolvencies. By Barb CoxandNick Crews. Regulatory/Law. Page 109.

The Bottom Line Insurance slogans - old and new - are powerful tools to help companies magnify their brands. By Lori Chordas. The Last Word. Page 112.

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All editions
January 2008: Behind the Ad Surge
Februrary 2008: What's Your Agency Worth?
March 2008: Growing Green
April 2008: Building the Worldwide Health Network
May 2008: Sportsmanlike Conduct
June 2008: A Weighty Issue
July 2008: Standing the Test of Time
August 2008: Re Match
September 2008: The Cost of Regulation
October 2008: Covering the Bases