Recent topics included risk retention group regulations, a proposed computerized risk exchange in the works by the New Jersey Insurance Commissioner and Hawaii's new no-fault auto bill. You can brainstorm about matters of common interest, pick up gossip, share observations and float trial balloons. For example, recently I needed to locate firms which provide temporary claim services. Within 48 hours, I had the names and phone numbers of two companies which provide adjuster temps. A few days later, a client called me asking about how to locate an insurance archaeologist, someone who specializes in locating old insurance policies for additional coverage.
Costs vary according to usage, and each service offers a variety of plans.
With moderate use, you might end up spending about as much as you currently lay out for your monthly cable TV bill. Of course, if you can justify it as a business expense, perhaps you can get your company to build it into your budget, or write business usage off on taxes as a business expense. Cost is a factor when weighing on-line services, but it is not a huge impediment. Often, it is easy for risk managers to feel isolated, like they're the only ones in the world who understand their problems. In an age of rampant corporate cutbacks, downsized risk management staffs are increasingly the norm.