B&D Sagamore to represent NAPSLO in Washington

(May 12, 2005) NAPSLO has signed an agreement with B&D Sagamore effective May 1, 2005 to provide the Association with representation and lobbying in Washington, D.C. for both Congress and Executive Branch agencies. 

B&D Sagamore Vice President Maria L. Berthoud will represent NAPSLO. She has extensive experience working on insurance related legislative issues, and prior to joining B&D Sagamore, she served as Senior Vice President for the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, Inc. (IIABA) where she was responsible for all components of legislative lobbying efforts including IIABA's PAC, press strategy, and government relations. 

“She has a successful record of legislative accomplishments in both the House and Senate and worked on the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and we look forward to her assisting the Association with its efforts in Washington,” said NAPSLO President Richard Polizzi.

The contract with B&D Sagamore was entered into after a thorough search by NAPSLO. Six firms were considered and B&D Sagamore, a subsidiary of the law firm of Baker and Daniels, was identified as the one that provided insurance experience along with extensive contacts with Congressional staff and members of Congress. 

Ms. Berthoud's first priority will be working on the current Congressional action on the State Modernization and Regulatory Transparency (SMART) Act, which could overhaul insurance regulation and include federal standards to be used by states.

During the initial discussions on SMART NAPSLO has outlined its preference for national standards, which would be implemented by the states, as opposed to federal regulation. As part of the discussions, NAPSLO has outlined four major points the Association would like to see in future legislation: freedom of rate and form regulation; automatic export; uniform licensing; and uniform premium tax payments.  

BACKGROUND
NAPSLO is a national trade association representing the surplus lines insurance industry.  Surplus lines is a specialized segment of the insurance business that is also referred to as nonadmitted, specialty and/or excess lines.  Risks are placed with the surplus lines market when they cannot be placed in the admitted/licensed market. 

NAPSLO represents surplus lines insurance agents/brokers and surplus lines insurance companies.  NAPSLO has over 1,300 member offices in the United States, Canada, Germany, and England.