Lawsuits and legislation about natural gas harvesting in the Marcellus Shale region and nationwide is underway and expected to spread, eventually reaching the insurance industry.

An organization that educates legislators on insurance issues is working with insurance associations to create a model legislation for states concerning misuse of certificates of insurance.

Legislation proponents say will improve Pennsylvania’s tort climate passed the state’s House June 26 in a 116-83 vote, and is headed to Gov. Tom Corbett’s desk for his signature.

The use of agency-company interface technology has improved the insurance agent-carrier relationship, and must continue to grow for agents to remain competitive as insurance marketers.

A bipartisan bill that would provide broader workers’ compensation coverage to previously ineligible business entities in Pennsylvania is scheduled for a hearing before the state’s House Labor and Industry Committee March 23.

Two Pennsylvania insurance associations say they do not expect that a bill that calls for electing rather than appointing the state’s insurance commissioner to earn Pennsylvania General Assembly approval this year.

A business council and insurance trade coalition in Pennsylvania are pushing for passage of the Fair Share Act this year to improve the state’s tort climate and “retain high-quality, family-sustaining jobs.”

The new minimum liability limits for auto insurance in Maryland, which took effect Jan. 1, could spark calls to Maryland’s insurance agents, a trade group leader suggests.

An insurance industry trade group representing agents in Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania has expanded a tool to help its members better protect their books of business and its value.

Like many states, Maryland faces a multi-billion dollar budget shortfall for the current fiscal year, but legislators don’t appear to be closing that gap in the same manner as their counterparts in Connecticut.