The National Association of Professional Allstate Agents (NAPAA) is looking to unionize as independent Allstate agents accuse the insurer of unfair treatment. Agents are claiming that the company is manipulating independent contractor rules for their benefit as well as reducing compensation for agents. The association, which accounts for nearly 10% of Allstate’s agent force, will be holding votes over the course of the week to determine whether aligning with a union is in the best interest of its members. If members choose to unionize, the NAPAA will become affiliated with…
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The National Association of Insurance Commissioners withdraws its support of an insurance bill on its way to Congress
Insurance brokers have been rallying behind a controversial bill before Congress. The bill was first introduced last month by Senator Mike Rogers of Michigan. The legislation seeks to remove the sales agent fees from insurers’ administrative costs. Supporters of the bill assert that it will help protect the jobs of agents. Furthermore, by reducing costs, insurers will be able to transfer the savings down to consumers. For insurers, the bill holds such promise that they were hoping that federal insurance regulators would endorse it. Regulators, however, have a much different…
Read MoreAgents concerned of GM free MetLife insurance offer
Independent insurance agents in the Pacific Northwest have been voicing their apprehension over a promotion made by General Motors that offers auto buyers in the area a year of free MetLife Auto & Home liability and damage coverage. In an effort to encourage more drivers in Washington and Oregon to purchase new GM vehicles, the auto manufacturer has announced that until September 6, when customers in those two states purchase a new 2010, 211, or 2012 car, crossover, or truck, they would also receive a free year of MetLife Home…
Read MoreMissouri insurance agents vent frustrations over FEMA’s handling of flood insurance
In the states struggling to mitigate the damage caused by the flooding Missouri River, insurance agents are railing against FEMA. Agents claim that federal officials are at fault for causing widespread confusion amongst property owners by pressuring them to purchase flood insurance. The main issue is that these hastily solicited policies may not provide the coverage necessary to protect homeowners from the flooding river. Furthermore, several insurance companies in the affected area say that federal officials have been pressuring insurance agents to sell policies that specifically exclude any damage caused…
Read MoreWhat to expect from newly designed flood insurance program
The House Financial Services Committee unanimously approved to extend the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for another five years. Financial reforms will also be established in an attempt to get the debt burdened program back on solid financial ground. The NFIP was created by Congress in 1968. It was intended to provide an insurance alternative to disaster assistance, to help meet skyrocketing costs of repair and replacement of homes and contents damaged by floods. As of last year, more than 5.5 million homes were insured by the NFIP. The National…
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