SOUTHEAST REGIONAL NEWS
In October, Governor Ronnie Musgrove signed into law a measure to limit medical malpractice suits. He called the Mississippi legislature to a special session in September to address availability and affordability issues affecting medical malpractice issues and promised to expand the session call to deal with broader civil reforms. The reforms will help stabilize the insurance marketplace, according to James Taylor, southeast regional manager for the National Association of Independent Insurers (NAII).
The new law limits venue in malpractice actions to the county in which the cause of action occurred, establishes a 30% at-fault requirement for joint and several liability, caps non-economic damages at $500,000 through June 30, 2011, and provides for the cap to be increased by $250,000 in 2011 and 2017. The law also calls for an insurance risk pool study by the commissioner and a report to the legislature in January 2003.
"This is an important first step in achieving meaningful tort reform in Mississippi," Taylor syas. "Broader civil justice reforms are still needed and we hope that the Legislature will take the next step as Governor Musgrove expands the agenda for the special session to address general tort reform issues." In October, the governor called a special session to consider general tort reform. The legislature is considering caps on punitive damages, venue shopping, and joint and several liability.
Area news
Southern Agents Conference plans workshop
The Southern Agents Conference, comprised of Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIABA) members from 12 south-eastern states and the District of Columbia, is sponsoring its 2002 SAC Workshop, December 13-15 at the Ritz Carlton Buckhead in Atlanta. Participating states include: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.
For more information, e-mail jcarson@iiag.org or call the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia at (770) 458-0093.
State Farm raises rates, offers safety program
State Farm Fire and Casualty Company has raised homeowners rates in: Maryland (average 25.2% increase), Kentucky (average 21.5% increase), Tennessee (average 27.3% increase), and South Carolina (average 6%; there was an average 5.9% increase last year). State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is offering a driver safety program called Steer Clear® for young drivers in Mississippi, Alabama and Vermont. The premium discount could be as much as 15% for drivers under 25 who complete the program and meet additional criteria.
Kentucky
Greenwood receives highest IIABA award
William B. Greenwood, president of Lawton Insurance in Central City, and a past president of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America (IIABA), has received the Woodworth Memorial Award for his outstanding service to the association.
Young agents recognized
For the third consecutive year, the Young Agents Committee (YAC) of the Independent Insurance Agents of Kentucky has received the Outstanding Political Involvement Award from the IIABA. (See page 99 for photo.)
Florida
Management and Automation Training Seminar planned
The Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA) will host its first annual Management and Automation Training Seminar (MATS), February 2-4, 2003, at the Sheraton Orlando North. Designed for agency owners, managers, automation staff, CSRs and senior staff, seminar sessions cover a variety of topics, including automation workflow, leadership, agency valuation, automation management, sales in a hard market, diversity, incentive compensation, recruiting and sales management. For more information, go to www.faia.com, or call Paul Peeples (Ext. 356) or Lisa Harrington (Ext. 343) at the FAIA, (850) 893-4155.
North Carolina
Young Agents receive award
For the second consecutive year, the Young Agents Committee (YAC) of the Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina has received the Outstanding Membership Development Award from the IIABA. (See page 100 for more information.) *
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