US Consul General Gregory Slayton encouraged members of the insurance industry to band together for an image overhaul.

Mr. Slayton told the guests at the Insurance Day Summit, held at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess yesterday, he believed Bermuda would continue to be a good place to do business due to inroads the current Government had made with the US Congress.

"Congress is very supportive of a strong relationship between Bermuda and the US," he said. "And I don't think that will change any time soon."

He added: "I think there is a huge opportunity for you as an industry to make a coordinated effort over the coming years to improve the image. At the moment some people in the public do not have positive outlook on insurers. I don't think you have to wait for a specific event for that.

"After 9/11 you guys did a great job, and I don't think a lot of people know that, of supporting the economy and not invoking the war clause. In a way you missed an opportunity there to tell the public what you do, but then in the wake of 9/11 there was a lot of things going on.

"I think Bermuda and the industry should work to have a reputation similar to Silicon Valley, whereby knowledgeable members of the public know what you do here."