RHS&B Sets Up
Karen Farris
Scholarship
UM/UIM Stakeholders
Meeting March 9

DALLAS — Roach Howard Smith & Barton has established a scholarship honoring Karen K. Farris, CPCU, ARM. The scholarship recognizes and honors her leadership as CEO and more recent move to chairman of the board of the Dallas-based insurance agency.

The fund was established with Texas Risk & Insurance Professional Society (TRIPS) and will be awarded to students majoring in risk and insurance management at local universities over the next four years.

The first year, two scholarships of $1,250 will be awarded to students majoring in insurance and risk management at the University of North Texas.

“I am pleased that Roach Howard recognizes the need to train and develop risk management and insurance professionals for the future,” said Farris. “I am flattered [that] Roach Howard chose to honor me in this manner. Education is the cornerstone of success for an individual as well as their chosen industry. It is my hope that students will recognize the many opportunities available in the independent agency system and choose to join our profession.” “TRIPS’ mission is to facilitate the entry of new talent into the insurance industry by supporting insurance education in Texas,” added TRIPS chairman Jack Gibson, CPCU, “and, since providing scholarships to students majoring in risk and insurance draws more students into the industry, scholarship programs such as this one make a lot of sense.” Other organizations with an interest in funding scholarships through TRIPS should contact Jack Gibson at 972-687-9320.

AUSTIN — The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) Stakeholders Meeting — Permissible Offerings under Chapter 1952, Texas Insurance Code (TIC) is scheduled for March 9, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. ,by conference call and in Room 102, Hobby Building.

Purpose

TDI will hold an informal meeting to consider input from stakeholders regarding their interpretation of the offering of uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage for bodily injury and property damage under Texas Insurance Code, Section 1952.105(a) and (b).

Background

TDI issued Commissioner’s Bulletin No. B-0032-11 in July 2011 advising insurers that UM/UIM bodily injury and UM/UIM property damage are separate coverages and insureds must be given the option to purchase those coverages separately or together. The bulletin also states that UM/UIM selection/rejection forms must provide for the selection/rejection of UM/ UIM bodily injury and UM/UIM property damage separately as well as on a combined basis.

In November 2011 TDI issued Commissioner’s Bulletin No. B-0047-11 withdrawing Commissioner’s Bulletin No. B-0032-11, pending formal clarification of the requirements of Insurance Code Section 1952.105(a) and (b) by rule.

Participation

TDI encourages stakeholders to provide comments by email to the contact below. Email written comments should be received by Feb. 28, 2012. One week before the stakeholders meeting, TDI will provide copies of all written comments to stakeholders who request a copy.

Dial-in instructions
To participate in the conference call,
participants should follow these in-
structions: dial 877-226-9790; enter
passcode 9088183.

Agenda

The meetings agenda should include these topics.

I. Welcome and antitrust statement: Marilyn Hamilton, director, Personal and Commercial Lines Office

II. Stakeholder Discussion/Comments III. Wrap-Up

Contact

Contact Marilyn Hamilton, Director, Personal and Commercial Lines Office, MC 104-PC, 333 Guadalupe, Austin, TX 78701. Phone 512-322- 2265, fax 512-490-1014, email mari-lyn.hamilton@tdi.state.tx.us.

For more information, PropertyCasu-alty@tdi.state.tx.us or www.tdi.texas. gov/rules/ stakeholder-tic.html.

From The Academy:

5th Edition of
Executive Liability
Insurance Published

AUSTIN — The National Alliance Research Academy has published its fifth edition of Executive Liability Insurance, a 93- page edition covering Directors & Officers Liability Exposures and Insurance, Employment Practices Liability Exposures and Insurance, and Fiduciary (ERISA) Liability Exposures and Insurance. The Appendix contains four white papers and four comprehensive articles.

The author is Richard G. Clarke, CIC, CPCU, RPLU, CITRMS, a veteran of the property/liability insurance industry. He currently is senior vice president at J. Smith Lanier & Co., headquartered in Georgia.