The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America is in great shape as he makes an exit, outgoing Chairman Robert Restrepo said.

Mr. Restrepo, who is chairman, CEO and president of State Auto Insurance Cos. of Columbus, Ohio, said that's because PCI President David Sampson has “recruited and developed a terrific staff,” which has allowed the group to be a thought leader in the industry.

That's been particularly important during the year of Mr. Restrepo's chairmanship. Working toward PCI's top priority — reauthorization of the federal terrorism insurance program created by the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 — has not been easy. Congress has yet to renew the program, which is slated to expire on Dec. 31, but appears likely to vote on the issue during next month's lame-duck session.

“We would have preferred to have the bill passed and signed earlier,” Mr. Restrepo said. There is a “great need for the type of security TRIA will provide,” he said, adding that he's reasonably confident it will be renewed before the end of the year.

He said PCI has been able to provide information to senators and congressmen regarding what would happen if TRIA were not passed by Congress.

“I'm very proud of the association being a thought leader in providing information,” he said.

Another issue that has continued to evolve this year is global regulatory convergence. “As an industry, we used to be concerned about Washington” becoming more involved in insurance regulation, he said. Now the issue is international regulation, he said.

PCI has been trying to educate regulators about why the state-based regulatory system is best. “Why would we want to adopt what we think is a bank-centric regulatory system when the current system is working fine?” Mr. Restrepo said.

PCI also has had to respond to economic developments such as the emergence of commercial ride-sharing ventures, he said. The result has been the creation of what he calls “real gaps in insurance coverage for both the folks who are driving as part of this transportation network, as well as people riding,” he said. PCI has been “very aggressive” in working with regulators and legislators about confronting the risks involved, Mr. Restrepo said.

“To a large degree PCI's challenges reflect the challenges of its members,” he said. “The rate of change has accelerated on all fronts.”

In addition to regulatory trends, insurers must deal with a changing workforce.

The property/casualty insurance industry is “going to lose hundreds of thousands of people over the next five to 10 years,” he said.

Recruiting is a challenge for all of PCI's members, Mr. Restrepo said, and he sees the industry group continuing to provide role models and information to a new generation of professionals entering the industry.