Case Study: Coalition Management

Coalition Management

The Client

Formed in 2002, the Texas Coalition for Affordable Insurance Solutions (TCAIS) believes that a stable, competitive auto and homeowners insurance marketplace will best serve both buyers and sellers of insurance. TCAIS advocates legislative, regulatory, and individual action aimed at:

—Increasing consumer choices of insurance companies, products and services;
—Spurring price competition among insurers
—Providing appropriate regulatory oversight;
—Minimizing costs in the system
—Fighting insurance fraud and abuse and
—Providing an environment to attract new businesses and jobs to Texas.

TCAIS promotes these goals by engaging elected officials, regulators, the media and the public through ongoing research, communication, education and advocacy.

The Environment

Faced with skyrocketing mold-related claims, growing discussion of increased Texas insurance regulation and increasingly acrimonious debate on the issue of credit scoring, TCAIS retained Quorum Public Affairs in 2003 to help define the issues and promote Texas insurers’ positions. The coalition members—Allstate Insurance, American Insurance Association, Nationwide Insurance, State Farm Insurance Companies® and USAA—sought Quorum’s assistance in driving awareness, educating stakeholders and regulators, and monitoring and influencing the legislative environment.

In the 79th Texas Legislature’s 2005 session, the Texas Legislature was considering legislation that would undo major 2003 reforms designed to reduce regulation and enhance competition. Quorum’s first task for TCAIS was to build awareness of the unintended negative consequences of such legislation.

The Strategy

Working as a strategic partner with TCAIS, Quorum designed and executed a targeted communications plan in key legislative districts. The communications strategy highlighted the risks of reversing earlier regulatory reforms and the potentially negative consequences for insurers, policy holders and the competitive business environment if proposed legislation was enacted as drafted. Quorum identified key committee members, preparing detailed district profiles on each. The profiles defined key points of contact, enabling Quorum to mobilize TCAIS supporters. The allies joined TCAIS in opposing the proposed legislation and included stakeholders, non-traditional allies like the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and more than 3,500 grass roots supporters. Together with TCAIS, the supporters joined to generate high-level communications supporting the messages crafted by Quorum for TCAIS.

The Results

The carefully designed and highly targeted communications initiatives produced the desired outcome: the proposed legislation died in committee, and key committee members exited the session with a much deeper understanding of issues, challenges and opportunities facing insurers and policy-holders in Texas. TCAIS has emerged from the mold crisis, changed the dynamic of the debate, and successfully transitioned from a reactive to pro-active public and governmental affairs strategy. With a Quorum-crafted approach that aligns with TCAIS’ consumer-driven insurance marketplace, TCAIS now has productive, active relationships with key legislators to help ensure a favorable regulatory structure, now and in the future.