The American Property Casualty Insurance Association has appointed Sam Whitfield as senior vice president of federal government relations and political engagement in its Washington, D.C., office.
Whitfield previously served as senior vice president and head of congressional affairs at the Consumer Bankers Association. Prior to that role, he was deputy chief advocacy officer for congressional relations with the Credit Union National Association.
Whitfield also served as senior legislative representative at the National Association of Realtors and legislative analyst and public affairs specialist at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Additionally, he spent five years as deputy press secretary for former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.).
Whitfield received a bachelor's degree in science and business administration from the University of Mississippi.
APCIA president and CEO David A. Sampson said Whitfield understands how trade associations represent the interests of private markets and consumers and will be central to advancing APCIA's federal advocacy efforts.
In its released agenda for the current year, the APCIA said that it will emphasize efforts to address factors affecting insurance affordability and availability.
The association’s agenda also includes curbing legal system abuse, promoting risk-based pricing, and encouraging innovation in insurance markets, Sampson said.
APCIA also plans to advocate for preserving insurers’ use of risk-based pricing tools. At the federal level, APCIA said that it will monitor the evolving tax debate to ensure the taxation structure aligns with the property-casualty insurance business model.
“Litigation is becoming more expensive and more prevalent, with the injured party’s percentage of recovery declining as lawsuits are financed by outside parties,” Sampson said.
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