News

Late last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted down H.R. 2, “The Agriculture and Nutrition Act,” by a vote of 198-213.

Because advances in auto technology are expected to have a significant impact on the U.S. insurance market, the House Financial Services Committee’s Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance recently examined the development of autonomous vehicles.

The discussion addressed the resiliency of insurance agencies following a cyberattack, best practices for protecting personal information, and the appropriate role of the private sector and federal and state governments in managing cyber risk.

At NetVU’s Accelerate conference in Atlanta, Amy Zupon, CEO of Vertafore, explained how independent agencies can use technology to streamline their connections with carriers and shared five key values that have the power transform the culture at your agen

Controversy related to the supplemental nutrition assistance program and other issues, including crop insurance and subsidies for commodities such as sugar, are making it hard to predict how the final vote will turn out.

A key provision of the new tax law allows for a 20% deduction on “qualified business income” for owners and shareholders of pass-through businesses. But it is unclear whether insurance agencies and brokerages will qualify.

Last week, the Federal Housing Administration proposed amending the agency’s rules to allow the use of private flood insurance on FHA-backed loans in Special Flood Hazard Areas.

Recently, American Family Insurance Group and The Main Street America Group announced they are pursuing a merger. IA talked with Tom Van Berkel, Main Street America’s chairman, president & CEO, about the merger and what it means for independent agents.

The Big “I” expects that as the 2018 Farm Bill moves through the legislative process, Congress will consider amendments that could be harmful to the FCIP.

Last week, the Securities and Exchange Commission released a new proposed rule on standards of conduct for investment professionals. The proposal arrives amid uncertainty surrounding the Department of Labor fiduciary rule.