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Accenture survey: The direct-sales era and independent agents
Accenture did an important — and fascinating — study of independent insurance agents and their new and main source of competition: direct sales online. The conclusion of the study outlines the importance of associations, like your affiliate chapter of the PIA Western Alliance. Accenture Strategy's Michael Lyman said membership in something like the PIA and by banding together, you will have greater power than you would have on your own.
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It's official ... or close to it: The hard market is over
Richard Kerr of MarketScout was the first person to declare insurance had officially entered a hard market. He said it happened in November 2011. While a lot of economic experts disagreed with Kerr at the time, most of us found the statement correct.
State regulation of insurance: How your state rates
Every year, the free market think tank R Street Institute does an analysis of how insurance is regulated throughout the United States. It's titled the 2014 Insurance Regulation Report Card.
The PIA Western Alliance states of California, Montana and Washington are on the worst list. None of the nine PIA Western Alliance states made the very best list, but five of them rank high.
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Special report: Insurance and other jobs in 2015
Bloomberg's Consumer Comfort Index is now 43.6. It's up from 42.7. With a rise in eight of the last 10 weeks, the index is at its highest level since October 2007. Employers — it is said — are hanging onto more workers and, in particular, more seasonal workers.
Full- and part-time workers are also feeling more confident.
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Americans retiring later than in the past
The recession hit all of us hard in 2008. Some lots harder than others. It did a huge number on the retirement plans of millions of Americans. The Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) said more early retirees or those close to their expected retirement aren't retiring.
Meet the 114th Congress and your new members of Congress
The PIA Western Alliance states of Arizona, California, Montana, Nevada and Washington have elected new members to Congress. They have already been sworn in and are now at work at the capitol in Washington, D.C.
Boise, Idaho, joins the Uber controversy battle
Boise, Idaho, joins Portland, Oregon, and as well as California, Arizona, Nevada and several other PIA Western Alliance cities and states in concerns over the insurance for drivers using Uber, Lyft and other ride share companies.
On New Year's Eve Boise issued a cease and desist order to Uber.
Missed last week's issue? See which articles your colleagues read most.
Obamacare repeal: Republicans begin the assault
The assault on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act has begun. Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives fired the first salvo in what will likely be a war of wills between President Barack Obama, Democratic leadership and the Republican controlled House and Senate.
Around the PIA Western Alliance States
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PIA Weekly Industry News
Colby Horton, Vice President of Publishing, 469.420.2601
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Rebecca Eberhardt, Content Editor, 469.420.2608
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Gary Wolcott, Editor/Writer for PIA Western Alliance, 503.724.9028
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Recent issues
Jan. 7, 2015
Dec. 30, 2014
Dec. 23, 2014
Dec. 17, 2014
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