The local, state and federal government are still at quite a distance away from a financially feasible solution. While there needs to be a way to assure the financial recovery of hurricane victims, you also need to make sure the risk is reflected in the price that people that live in high-risk areas pay.

The clock is ticking loudly, ... Insurers are about to enter negotiations with commercial clients to renew their policies for 2006.

The clock is ticking loudly. Insurers are about to enter negotiations with commercial clients to renew their policies for 2006.

Allstate's facing a conundrum where it can't raise rates because state regulators won't let it, yet the rating agencies such as Standard & Poor's are telling it to keep more capital in the event of multiple catastrophes. They are taking the only outlet available.

A lot will depend not just on where you live, but who your insurer is.

The industry is largely satisfied with the way the TRIA extension has taken shape although there is some consternation over the increase in trigger. But six months ago, even the possibility of extending TRIA was looking grim.

The industry is obviously happy and grateful. It backs the most important lines -- worker compensation and commercial property.

Home mortgages offered through insurers are likely to grow in the future, ... Customers get the added convenience of coordinating their home buying activities and reduce the paperwork while insurers get an alternate revenue stream uncorrelated with the insurance cycle and unaffected by catastrophe losses.

Home mortgages offered through insurers are likely to grow in the future. Customers get the added convenience of coordinating their home buying activities and reduce the paperwork while insurers get an alternate revenue stream uncorrelated with the insurance cycle and unaffected by catastrophe losses.

Hopefully, in two years we're not in this same position again, in the 11th hour trying to negotiate terms for an extension.