PIA members will bring their concerns directly to Congress when they converge on Washington, D.C. from April 2-3 for the 2019 PIA Federal Legislative Summit (FLS). The annual legislative summit is a gathering of PIA members from around the country who come together to meet with their members of Congress and advocate for their positions on issues of importance to Professional Insurance Agents.From Louisiana, PIA leaders attending include: PIA President Al Pappalardo, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer Bryan Duplantier, Secretary-Treasurer Charlie Williams, Immediate Past President Lou Fey, National Director Darryl Frank, YIPs President Brandi Lamonte, YIPs Immediate Past President Casey Lane, and we're excited to have three other members registered to join us — PIA Past President Barry White, YIPs Past President Tim Clements and Christen Losey.

For more information about participating in the 2019 PIA Federal Legislative Summit (FLS), visit the FLS webpage at www.piafls.com.

PIA thanks our FLS Platinum sponsors, Progressive Insurance, The PIA Partnership; Gold sponsor Crop Risk Services; Silver sponsors Liberty Mutual Insurance, NAU Country Insurance Company.

When's the last time you wrote a policy in the state's residual market? Do you even know how to use their system? Check out the LAIP User's Guide here to find out how you access the plan and the answers to other FAQs.

The National Weather Service warns that even as spring flooding has already been disastrous, it is expected to get worse, reaching "unprecedented" and "potentially historic" levels.

Deputy Director Mary Erickson says almost the entire eastern two-thirds of the nation should see flooding this spring, and some 25 states are forecast to see "moderate" to "major" flooding.

The deadly, destructive flooding that began last week from Minnesota to Missouri has killed at least four people, caused more than $1.5 billion in estimated losses and damages, and destroyed more than 2,000 homes. Scientists said this month's flooding was caused by rapid snow melt combined with heavy spring rain and late-season snowfall in areas where the ground was already saturated.

The Midwest floods are "a preview of what we expect throughout the rest of the spring," she said. "The flooding this year could be worse than what we have seen in previous years … even worse than the historic floods we saw in 1993 and 2011," Erickson added.

A bill backed by PIA to repeal the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) has been reintroduced in the U.S. House by Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV).

"The FIO has never been necessary," said PIA National Vice President of Government Relations Jon Gentile. Advocates of federal insurance regulation succeeded in getting the FIO established as part of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank)—but PIA fought back attempts at the time to give the FIO broad regulatory authority. PIA National was the first national association to call for the repeal of the FIO.

PIA worked closely with Rep. Mooney on developing his bill. PIA National will continue this effort by vigorously advocating for Rep. Mooney's legislation at the upcoming PIA National congressional fly-in, the PIA Federal Legislative Summit, and throughout the 116th Congress.

PIA Market Access is a wholesale market access program that will help PIA members access over 50 nationwide and specialty personal and commercial lines markets from a number of admitted "A" or better-rated companies. PIA members participating in the PIA Market Access Program will retain ownership of their book of business, and if they should choose to leave the program, there are no exit fees. Agents can expect to see competitive commission rates. Register.

Other upcoming PIA webinars:

Build Better Sales Teams Through Effective Communication — April 17 at 2 PM ET

AVYST eForms Wizard — April 25 at 2 PM ET

Featured PIA Membership Benefits....

New Flood Agent eNewsletter