Fortunately for fans of the "Word of the Street" podcast, this is not a bittersweet ending. While the saying goes that all good things must come to end, you could look at the podcast's final episode this way. I've accomplished what I set out to do with "Word on the Street," and now we're moving on to something that I believe will be even better. On Sept. 23 at 3 p.m., I will co-host the premiere of a new weekly Webcast series with Paul Banuski. IIABNY Live! will feature a mix of plain talk, analysis from the experts, audience participation and a healthy dose of irreverence that I believe you will find entertaining. Yes, I'll have to share the stage with Paul. But even better, I get to share the stage with you. In the near future, you'll be able to go to IIABNY's Web site at www.iiabny.org to sign up for IIABNY Live! Stay tuned.

-- Jamie Deapo

IIABNY's Capital Event, scheduled Feb. 8 and Feb. 9 in Albany, and the prospect of 200 independent agents gathered in one place got me to thinking about what might currently be on the minds on the minds of those agents. Click here and take a few minutes to listen to these bottom line issues that I believe will be the talk of the town at the State Capitol.

-- Jamie Deapo

If you are already using a news reader or aggregator, subscribe to "Word on the Street" by clicking on the "Subscribe to my Podcast" link in the right column of this Weblog. If you want to subscribe and aren't already using a news reader or aggregator, here are links to a couple among the many software applications available: Bloglines and News Gator.

My belief is that New York State insurance regulators will mandate producer compensation disclosure no matter how ill-advised. As the final form of this unnecessary regulation takes shape, it is imperative that the state Insurance Department listens to agents and brokers, as well as their representatives, to make sure the regulation doesn't impose such burdensome requirements that it hurts the public, insurance producers and the state's overall insurance industry. Click here to hear my take on this crucial issue.

-- Jamie Deapo

One of the most frequent comments I get from agents is about the growing competition in the marketplace. Some of those agents seem lost on what they need to do to keep their clients from walking out the door and heading across the street to another agency or dialing up an (800) number or clicking on a Web site to buy a policy. The good news is there's plenty an agency can do to keep that from happening. Click here, and you'll hear the specifics on how to address the issue.

-- Jamie Deapo

Throughout the year, the denial of claims for late notice was among the top three issues New York's independent insurance agents and brokers were talking about in 2008. The other two, contingency commission and mandatory disclosure, as well as the State Insurance Fund, also generated the most attention in my discussions with insurance producers in the Empire State. It didn't matter whether I was in Garden City or New York City. Jamestown or Cooperstown. Trumansburg or Plattsburgh. Freeport or Port Jefferson. You get the picture. Check out which of these three major issues was numero uno in '08 by clicking here.

-- Jamie Deapo

Recently, the most talked-about subject among New York's independent insurance agents and brokers have been the three public hearings the state Insurance Department and attorney general's office held in July to address the issue of producer compensation and disclosure. Although I didn't sit in personally on the hearings, which were held in Buffalo, Albany and New York City, I watched the live Webcasts posted by the Insurance Department. While representatives of the producer community performed admirably as they delivered their testimony, the line of questioning they faced was another story. Check out the impression I and others felt were left behind by the hearing panelists by clicking here.

-- Jamie Deapo

The end of the New York State Legislature's session has often been, at best, a mixed bag for the state's independent insurance agents and brokers. This year is different, fortunately. A package aimed at bringing relief to the homeowner's market, especially in coastal areas, passed both houses as did legislation that limits insurers’ ability to deny coverage based on late notice of claim and addresses the current crisis among group self-insured trusts. The news was so good I had to go in front of the camera to tell you about it. Click here and also learn what else needs to happen both at the State Capitol and across the state.

-- Jamie Deapo

Volunteer leadership has a fine role model in IIABNY's outgoing Chair of the Board, Stephen R. Zogby. Over the past 12 months, Steve has led the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New York board of directors with a steady and thoughtful, if not flashy, leadership style. Just days before his one-year term as the association's top elected official ends, he sat down with me before a revealing camera lens to reflect on IIABNY's achievements and the major issues faced by the association's members since he took office in May 2007. As you'll see by clicking here, our nearly 16-minute long conversation also includes a look into the future of the Independent Agency system.

-- Jamie Deapo