Dec 9, 2015
PIACT meets with CID commissioner and staff
Pictured: (L-R) Prast, Bradner, Swan, Wade, Walsh, Coli, Malloy, Russell and Thomson.
PIACT Legislative/Business Issues Committee volunteers, along with PIA staff, met with Connecticut Insurance Department Commissioner Katharine L. Wade and her staff to discuss legislative and regulatory issues pertinent to PIA members on Dec. 2. PIACT was represented by President Teri Walsh; Vice President Mary Kay Andrews, CIC; Business Issues Committee Vice Chair Gerard Prast, CPIA; Legislative Chair William F. Malloy Jr., CIC; and PIA National Vice President/Treasurer and PIACT past President Timothy G. Russell, CPCU. In attendance with Commissioner Wade were George Bradner, director of the Property and Casualty Division; Kurt Swan, director of the Market Conduct/Fraud Investigation and Licensing Division; and John Thomson, deputy commissioner. PIA staff members Matthew F. Guilbault, Esq., director of Government & Industry Affairs; Sarah Coli, government affairs counsel; and James OBrien, Esq., legislative representative also attended the meeting.
Wade and her staff engaged in an open dialogue with PIACT, discussing several issues affecting professional, independent insurance agents, including the ever-present gaps in coverage caused by ride hailing. They also discussed Connecticuts recent adoption of ISOs new residence premise filing. The CID is open to concerns the new definition brought to the surface and promised to follow up with information it received from ISO that may alleviate some of these concerns.
Other topics discussed were: the success of the certificates of insurance reform; the possible harmful effects of a flat deductible along the coast on agents ability to place business. The department asked PIACT members to report any nonrenewals due to crumbling foundations; and encouraged agents to renew their licenses when they receive the first notice and complete continuing-education credits in advance of the renewal date.
The Commissioners Office recognizes the benefit of meeting with PIACT and it invited the association to semi-annual meetings.