Missing Our Regular Chapter Meetings?

While some of our chapters have suspended regular meetings, many have started back meeting again. We've heard some folks say they're not getting the meeting notices, so we want to make sure you know how to find out about these meetings. Most of the marketing is now coming directly from the chapters, so if you're not getting those, please be sure to let us know so we can make sure you're on the email list. Also, we do include the schedule in this e-newsletter, The Agent's Link, so be sure to scroll to the bottom each time to see our upcoming events. And lastly, you can always check out our Calendar of Events on our website at www.piaoflouisiana.com. You'll see a spotlight on those events coming up, but you can also view the entire calendar by month and even sort by chapters, YIPs, etc. If we have the details on the events, you'll see a link that takes you right to that and the registration form. If not, it will be just a "mark your calendar" note.





Check In After Storm

We know everyone is watching very closely the latest disturbance that is projected to become Hurricane Ida and it looks like it is heading our way. We ask that you be sure to check in with us following the storm if you need any assistance! If for some reason, such as a power outage to our PIA office, you're not able to reach us, please contact Jody on her cell at 225-939-0653. We also invite you to check in and let us know you're safe on our PIA of Louisiana Peers Facebook Group Page following any storm activity. If you're not a member, be sure to join. This Group Page is for PIA members only and sometimes is the fastest way we can communicate with our members. Be sure to follow here.





PIA Expresses Concerns About FEMA's Implementation
of Risk Rating 2.0


PIA continues to register concerns with the implementation of forthcoming changes to flood insurance rate calculations for National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies.

PIA strongly supports the new methodology, known as Risk Rating 2.0 (RR 2.0), because it will help the NFIP move more quickly to the use of actuarially sound rates commensurate with the level of flood risk posed to individual properties.

The rating engine driving the new RR 2.0 pricing methodology was scheduled to come online for quoting and policy issuance for all new and some renewing policies on Monday, August 16. NFIP carriers, known as Write-Your-Owns (WYOs), and their agents expected to gain access to the system beginning on that date, but many agents were frustrated and surprised to find they had no more access to the rating engine last week than they'd had before.

"We have been disappointed throughout the rollout by the lack of agent-specific information and education coming from the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA), which oversees the NFIP," said Lauren G. Pachman, Esq., counsel and director of regulatory affairs for PIA National. "FIMA's agent-specific training sessions, for example, have not provided the depth or breadth of information we had hoped for."

Last week, PIA sent a letter to David Maurstad, the Deputy Associate Administrator of FIMA, expressing our concerns about its haphazard dissemination of information about RR 2.0 to agents and policyholders thus far and suggesting topics and formats that would better meet the needs of agents and policyholders going forward. PIA is continuing to work with FIMA to improve the rollout of Risk Rating 2.0 for the benefit of our members and the consumers they serve.

READ: Risk Rating 2.0 Implementation Proceeding in Fits and Starts





PIA National Has a New Website! Have You Seen It?

If not, we suggest that you be sure to check it out. At this year's convention, PIA National Director Al Pappalardo had Puerto Rico's National Director Ariel Rivera join him in giving a quick tour of the new website as they focused on a few new member benefits as well. If you missed that, we invite you to take a look now by going to https://www.pianational.org.



Join PIA for a Virtual Coffee Break

Networking is always one of PIA's top member benefits that members talk about, so we want to make sure you know about another way you can network with agents around the country. Research shows it's great to build in breaks into your day while working. On the fourth Tuesday of the month, PIA hosts an informal, virtual coffee break for PIA members. This meetup is the perfect chance for you to connect with other independent insurance agents to discuss your goals, pressing issues, questions, frustrations, and seek advice. So next fourth Tuesday of the month, stop whatever you're doing, make yourself a fresh cup of coffee or tea, and hop onto our video call to meet other PIA members across the country for PIA's monthly coffee break. Register here!







04/02/2024 -- CPIA-3 Sustain Success Webinar

04/03/2024 -- North Shore Chapter Meeting

04/10/2024 -- PIA of Baton Rouge Crawfish Boil

04/10/2024 -- CISR Life & Health Essentials Webinar

04/16/2024 -- 1752 Club LSU Baseball Tailgate

04/17/2024 -- Northwest Chapter Crawfish Boil

04/23/2024 -- CISR Commercial Casualty-2 Webinar

04/24/2024 -- YIPS Casino Night

04/25/2024 -- Acadiana Crawfish Boil

05/01/2024 -- PIA of New Orleans Big Easy Boil