BOONE—The Richard S. Brantley Risk & Insurance Center at Appalachian State University is sponsoring the insurance symposium “Insuring Coastal Properties” July 20-21 at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center on campus.

The symposium is designed for insurance agents, insurance regulators, legislators and others who work in the insurance industry, as well as students and faculty who are interested in the topic.

The symposium registration is $50 and includes breakfast and lunch; however, the fee will be waived for students, state employees, elected officials and members of the media. Continuing education credits will be available for those with a current insurance license.

Online registration is available at https://ssl1.appstate.edu/confinst/ins.php. For additional information, call David C. Marlett at (828) 262-2849.

“The state’s coastal areas have been fortunate to avoid the destruction of hurricanes like those that have hit Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana during past years,” said Marlett, chair of the Department of Finance, Insurance and Banking at Appalachian. “But with our coastal exposure growing so much year to year, it’s just a matter of time. We want to provide a forum where we can discuss and learn from people from other states.”

Speakers include N.C. Insurance Commissioner Jim Long, former Mississippi Insurance Commissioner George Dale, Eleanor Kitzman with Goldman Sachs Reinsurance Group and former director of insurance for South Carolina, Smitty Harrison with the S.C. Wind and Hail Underwriting Association, Steve Weisbart, chief economist with the Insurance Information Institute, Carolina Director of Insurance Scott Richardson and Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty.

“A healthy insurance market is critical to the economic development of our coastal counties,” Marlett said. “Without insurance on homes, the homeowners can’t get home mortgage loans. That hurts the lending sector and the real estate construction market.”

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