Is the nation's insurance system prepared for the "Big One"? Can consumers and businesses afford (or be willing) to pay for premiums to cover these kinds of losses? Should new storm-related legislation focus on state funds, reinsurers, or primary insurers?



Industry professionals from Florida State University's Catastrophic Storm Risk Management Center will address these questions and more at the 2009 Annual Conference of the Society of Insurance Research (SIR), happening September 20-23 at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Florida.



This all-new seminar is the result of the demand for a program that addresses the topics being faced by Florida's property insurance market, such as the role that distance-to-coast plays in insurance rates and the importance of insurance and other risk financing markets. Our experts will be sharing their insights on:



-- Expanding the level of pricing granularity in property markets -- The policy implications of subsidies in coastal areas -- Risk capital and risk securitization



The panels will be comprised of nationally recognized experts in these areas, and they have put together a series of presentations that will provide those in attendance with a view into the state of the art of catastrophe insurance analysis.

The registration rate for just the Florida State University one-day seminar is $99 (or $125 with an evening reception). Or sign up before September 8 and save $150 on registration for the entire conference, which also features a track on product development and some of the best networking in the industry!



For registration or more information, visit the SIR Web site at http://www.sirnet.org and click on the sign showing the number of days remaining before the event.



The SIR is a leading forum for insurance practitioners from all aspects and disciplines of the industry to focus on emerging research approaches and industry issues for the benefit of its individual members and their employers. SIR members have accountabilities in research, product development, competitive intelligence, actuarial science, strategic planning, and many other aspects of the business.