Distribution

As insurers ponder their social networking involvement, they must consider the ramifications of this new and interesting channel.

Association says Japan Post Insurance enjoys favorable treatment in marketplace.

Marcus Cooper takes over for Mike Vaught as head of the company's national sales and strategic relationships.

Some tout social networking media as a marketing opportunity, but for many it is a substitute for family.

Previously only advising the wealthy, the company thinks its investment advisory platform will help to retain customers whose balances have dwindled during the recession.

For the fourth year in a row, INN is proud to recognize female leaders paving the way for others in the insurance industry.

Also receiving recognition this year are four leaders who have successfully driven significant project and/or process improvements within their companies.

Outline Systems, Inc. (OSI), a provider of IT solutions and services for insurance carriers and managing general agencies (MGAs), launched the latest release of ProducerOne, a comprehensive producer management system designed to facilitate sales and agency distribution channel relationships.

What was positive in theory back in 1986 became a dark reality for health insurance policyholders. When the U.S. government first enacted the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) legislation to help provide the unemployed with access for up to 18 months of continued medical insurance coverage, the premiums passed along to the unemployed were not discounted; in reality, they carried a 2% additional administrative fee. There were fewer unemployed then; compared to today’s unemployment rate of 9.7%, the average unemployment rate in 1986 was a paltry 7.0%, reports the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Nearly 60% of North American insurers plan on maintaining a budget at least consistent with 2008 spending, according to Forrester research.