Oakwood Associates Advisory Group Ltd.Calgary, Canada

Insurance Industry Study Offers Mixed Results - New auto insurance buyers are using fewer agents in 2008 than in 2007 to buy new policies, according to the JD Power and Associates 2008 Insurance New Buyer Study. The study indicates that 3 percent more new policies were bought from insurance companies directly, bypassing an agent. However, industry experts indicate that the decline in agent use is for single policy purchases only; consumers who want to buy several policies at once still prefer agents.

Global Warming Impacts Studied - Insurance agents may soon have to consider global warming when selling new insurance policies. Global warming will impact all areas of insurance, according to a report from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The report, combined with statements by NAIC representatives, indicates that regulators nationwide are working on new regulations that will impact how agents factor global warming's impact into new policies.

Florida Controversy Leaves Agents Uncertain - State Farm Florida Insurance Company, one of the largest writers of homeowner policies in the state, won't be hiring agents, due to its decision not to sell new policies there. While renewals will continue, State Farm says that it can't support new policies because a string of disasters has resulted in the company paying more in claims than it makes in revenue. The decision isn't final: State Farm has asked Florida for a rate increase of nearly 50 percent, and the state government is working on several proposals to help with new insurance, including a state-backed catastrophe fund.