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La. Officials Urge Federal Role in Hurricane Insurance
Louisiana state senators say they will ask Congress to have the federal government insure homes against hurricane damage, as it does for floods. "Y'all won't sell it, so why not get the federal

Sen. Richardson Named to Head S.C. Department, Replacing Kitzman
South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has named Senator Scott Richardson of Hilton Head as the director of the Department of Insurance, pending Senate confirmation.Richardson, 55, was elected to the So

Alabama Senate Leader Calls for Special Session on Coastal Insurance
Alabama Senate President Pro Tem Hinton Mitchem urged the governor to consider calling the Legislature into special session to address insurance cancellations and skyrocketing costs along the Alabama

Report: S.C. Insurance Director Kitzman Resigning
Kitzman resigns as Insurance Department directorEleanor Kitzman is resigning as director of the South Carolina Insurance Department after two years, according to a published report in The (Columbia)

Fla.: Citizens Tornado Claims Payments Top $500,000
Citizens Property Insurance Corp. paid out more than $520,000 in claims payments to policyholders affected by the Feb. 2 storms according to a company official."We've paid $521,951 in damage cla

RenaissanceRe Settles Finite Risk Charges with SEC for $15 Million
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. has agreed to pay a $15 million fine to settle civil securities-fraud charges by federal regulators over what they said was a sham transaction designed to burnish its earni

Aspen to Release Q4, Full Year Results Today; Conference Call Details
Bermuda-based Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited will release its fourth quarter and year-end 2006 financial results today, Thursday, February 8, 2007, following the closing of the U.S. markets. The Com

Judge Rules that Priest Files Must be Released
A judge ordered the Roman Catholic Church to release insurance records and confidential files related to a notorious priest who had been convicted of molestation before being transferred to California

Insuring the Future Continuing Education Scheduled for April 12
The Insurance Educational Association (IEA) and Mt. Diablo Chapter CPCU will present a continuing education-approved program addressing cutting-edge insurance issues on Thursday, April 12 from 8 a.m.

Arkansas 9th in Nation in Road Fatality Rate
With nearly 650 traffic fatalities each year, Arkansas has a higher rate of deaths on streets and highways than 41 other states, according to a report released by a national transportation research gr

Mass. Halts Insurer's Auto Insurance Direct Mail Ads
Massachusetts officials ordered Liberty Mutual Group this week to halt a direct mail advertising campaign and pay back drivers who may have lost money from what the state attorney general called the c

Wash.'s Gregoire Seeks Federal Disaster Aid for Jan. Storms
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire has declared a state of emergency and has requested federal disaster aid for January windstorm damage in seven counties, her office said.The declaration covers Chela

Willis Reports Strong Q4, FY Results
Global insurance broker Willis Group Holdings Limited posted strong results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2006, reporting that commisions and fees increased by seven percent in 2006 up f

XL Q4 Net $471.1 Million; $1.72 Billion Full Year
Bermuda's XL Capital reported net income available to ordinary shareholders for the quarter ended December 31, 2006 of $471.1 million, or $2.62 per ordinary share, compared with a net loss of $821.9

Three Calif. Senior Citizens Sentenced in Financial Scam
Three senior citizens who preyed on the elderly by selling them financial products that were unregistered and unqualified for sale in California have been sentenced, according to the California Depart

U.S. Wants $309M in Katrina Hurricane Aid Returned
In the New Orleans neighborhood President George W. Bush visited after Hurricane Katrina, the U.S. government gave $84.5 million to more than 10,000 households. But official figures show fewer than 8,

Marsh Outlines Avian Flu Risks
Marsh has issued a bulletin, following an outbreak of the avian flu virus H5N1 in the UK, which, outlines the risks and insurance implications for British businesses posed by the virus and the potenti

Fla. Gov. Crist Visits Citizens Catastrophe Response Center; Claims Count Rising
Gov. Charlie Crist talked with Citizens Property Insurance Corporation catastrophe response employees Tuesday at one of four Emergency Operations Centers serving Central Florida residents affected by

Del. Regulator Backs Health Pool; Cites New Risk Retention Group
Delaware Insurance Commissioner Matt Denn urged General Assembly budget writers to fund the creation of a health insurance pool that could cover 10,000 Delawareans. He also reported that a group o

Fla. Commissioner Prohibits Cancellation of Tornado Victims' Policies
Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty issued an emergency order prohibiting insurance companies from canceling personal lines insurance policies for residents affected by last week's tornadoes

A Computer Hacker Strikes Every 39 Seconds, Warns U. of Md. Study
Are hackers trying to get into your computer right now?And what are they up to? A study by the University of Maryland's A. James Clark School of Engineering is one of the first to quantify the ne

Council of Lloyd's Confirms Member Appointments
The Council of Lloyd's has confirmed the following appointments, made at a meeting on Monday, Feb. 5:-- Lord Levene was re-appointed as Chairman of Lloyd's; -- Graham White, Executive Director o

FEMA Tripling Calif. San Joaquin River Flood Plain
The federal government will triple the size of California's San Joaquin River flood plain on maps, which could limit development and force more homeowners to buy flood insurance.The Federal Emerg

Ariz. Senate Votes to Require Affidavits for Auto Theft Reports
Approving a measure aimed at helping to curb insurance fraud, the Arizona Senate voted to require that a person reporting an auto theft also present police with a signed affidavit.The Senate appro

Dow Jones Forms N.Y. Captive
The New York State Insurance Department has licensed Bergstresser Insurance, Inc., as a captive insurance company. Bergstresser will insure the risks of Dow Jones & Co., the business and financial pub

Auditors Say Colo. Computers Unprepared for Disaster
The Colorado Governor's Office of Information and Technology failed to ensure that state agencies have recovery plans for systems on the state mainframe computer in the event of a disaster, potential

RenaissanceRe Reports Record 2006 Net Income of $761.6 Million
Bermuda's RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. bounced back strongly from last year's catastrophes to post net income for 2006 of $761.635 million, compared to a $281.3 million loss in 2005. Operating income f

First Ala. Captive Insurer Licensed Under New Law
The Alabama Department of Insurance has licensed its first captive insurance company under legislation enacted in 2006 and signed into law by Gov. Bob Riley.Chantilly Risk Management, which is loc

RenRe Finalizes Settlement with SEC
Bermuda's RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. announced that the "Securities and Exchange Commission had accepted the company's previously announced offer of settlement in connection with the its investigat

AXIS 2006 Net Income $925. 8 Million
Bermuda-based AXIS Capital Holdings Limited reported net income available to common shareholders of $925.8 million, or $5.63 per diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2006, compared wit

25 Die as Indonesian Floods Worsen
Horse-drawn carts rescued residents from flood-stricken districts in the Indonesian capital on Monday after rain burst riverbanks throughout the city, killing at least 25 people and forcing some 340,0

Georgia Lawmaker Wants to Ban Genetic Profiling by Insurers, Employers
Georgia state Rep. Ed Setzler says he's seen a glimpse into the future — and he doesn't like all he sees.The Acworth Republican has introduced a bill aimed at outlawing genetic profiling in Geor

Mass. Ski Area Gets a Lift from Prime Insurance
The Blue Hills Ski Area in suburban Boston has reopened after the private operator of the state-owned facility found new liability insurance coverage."We found a carrier that would work with us,

Willis Posts Earnings on Wednesday; Conference Details
Global insurance broker Willis Group Holdings will release earnings for the fourth quarter and full year ending December 31, 2006, after the market closes on Wednesday, February 7, 2007. Copies of the

RenRe to Post Q4, Full Year Financials; Conference Call Details
Bermuda's RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. will release its fourth quarter and full year 2006 financial results following the close of market on Tuesday, February 6, 2007. The Company will conduct an i

Utah Captive Insurers Increased 114.3 Percent in 2006
The Utah Insurance Department has announced a 114.3 percent increase in the number of licensed captive insurers in 2006. As of Dec. 31, 2006, assets of Utah Captive Insurance Companies totaled approxi

Marsh Names Former London Lord Mayor Brewer as Vice-Chairman
Marsh Ltd., the international broker's UK division, announced that Sir David Brewer CMG, until recently Lord Mayor of London, is to fill the newly created role of Non-Executive Vice Chairman, subject

Best Upgrades Swiss Re's GE Acquisitions to 'A+'
A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength ratings (FSR) to "A+" (Superior) from "A" (Excellent) and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) to "aa" from "a" of Employers Reinsurance Corporation, W

Ariz. Lawmakers Move to Raise Burden of Proof on ER Suits
Hoping for a change of heart by Gov. Janet Napolitano, the Arizona Senate narrowly approved a medical malpractice bill to raise the bar on the legal burden of proof required for malpractice lawsuits i

2.3 Million Maytag Dishwashers Recalled
The recall of 2.3 million Maytag dishwashers, which could catch on fire, generated so many calls to the company that it could not handle the volume, a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission spokesman

Texas State Senator Files Bill to Provide Tax Relief to Small Businesses
State Rep. Harvey Hilderbran (Kerrville) has filed House Bill 1022 and House Joint Resolution 54 which clarify that personal vehicles used for the production of income are exempt from ad valorem taxat

ACE Plans $500 Million Debt Issue
Bermuda-based ACE Limited announced that, "subject to market conditions, itssubsidiary, ACE INA Holdings Inc., intends to sell up to $500 million of senior notes. "The notes are fully and uncondi

Liverpool Victoria Names Colinshaw Sr. Broker to Head ABC Insurance
The UK's Liverpool Victoria's ABC Insurance has appointed Paul Colinshaw as Head of Broker Operations. He will be responsible for service delivery and developing and managing ABC's operational infrast

Best Affirms, Withdraws Ratings on Egypt's Al Mohandes
A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of "B++" (Good) and the issuer credit rating of "bbb" of Egypt's Al Mohandes Insurance Company with a stable outlook. Subsequently, Best

Lemac & Associates Offers Improved Package Market
Los Angeles-based Lemac & Associates has improved package property, boiler and machinery, crime, and general liability markets.According to the company, "A" rated carriers are quoting package bus

Levees in 27 States at Risk of Failing; Could Trigger Flood Insurance Mandate
The Army Corps of Engineers reported last week that 122 levees from Rhode Island to California are at risk of failing, potentially affecting thousands of people and requiring millions of dollars in re

Industry Forecast Predicts Slower Premium Growth, But Underwriting Profit in 2007 and 2008
Most insurance industry analysts predict slower P/C premium growth for 2007, according to an Insurance Information Institute's annual survey of Wall Street stock analysts and industry professionals re

Central Florida Clean Up Continues in Wake of Deadly, Costly Tornados
Officials in central Florida resumed search and rescue operations amid more thunderstorms Saturday, a day after powerful tornados killed at least 20 people and left a swath of central Florida in shamb

State Farm Won't Renew 2,600 Policies in Alabama Beach Towns
Facing hundreds of hurricane-damage lawsuits on the Mississippi coast, State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. cited back-to-back years of storm losses in announcing Friday it will not renew coverage for abo

Chemical Vapor Build-Up Cited in Mass. Paint Factory Explosion
A build-up of chemical vapor was the fuel for a massive explosion at a Danvers, Mass. paint and ink factory that leveled the building and forced a neighborhood evacuation, according to a preliminary c

Royal & Sun Management Buyout Clears Hurdle; Final OK Expected
A state hearing officer recommended Friday that Delaware's insurance commissioner approve the proposed management buyout and eventual dissolution of Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Group's U.S. opera

RMS Creates 'Climate Change' Position to Evaluate Impact on Risks
Newark, Calif.-based - Risk Management Solutions, a provider of products and services for the management of catastrophe risk, announced the appointment of Dr. Celine Herweijer to the position of "Prin

St. Paul Travelers Retreats on Ga. Commissions; Hearing Called Off
Georgia Insurance Commissioner John W. Oxendine announced that St. Paul Travelers Insurance Companies has changed what he alleges was the company's prejudicial agent commissions on homeowners policie

Del. Focuses on Workplace Safety for Hispanic Construction Contractors
As Delaware's rural landscape gives way to housing developments, immigrant workers who once took jobs in the agriculture and poultry industries are turning to home construction and landscaping.Wh

9 Dead, 200,000 Homeless as Floods Inundate Jakarta
Flooding that has killed at least nine people and forced some 200,000 from their homes in the Indonesian capital showed no sign of abating Sunday, as overflowing rivers sent muddy water gushing into h

Judge Refuses to Dismiss Feds, Corps From La. Flood Suit
Residents of the three areas flooded worst by Hurricane Katrina can sue the Army Corps of Engineers over claims that a poorly designed navigation channel caused catastrophic flooding during Hurricane

Judge Approves First Step of Portland Archdiocese Reorganization
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland, Ore., can expect nearly $52 million in insurance money after a federal bankruptcy judge approved the first step in the proposed reorganization plan for the

FEMA Approves Public Assistance for 22 Okla. Counties
The federal government approved public disaster assistance for 18 more Oklahoma counties on Feb. 2, a day after Gov. Brad Henry expressed frustration over its refusal to qualify all 23 counties he sou

Fight Shaping Up in Texas Over Proposed Indoor Smoking Ban
A proposed ban on smoking in all bars, restaurants and work sites across Texas is igniting a big-money fight at the state Capitol. Anti-smoking forces are lining up against the tobacco industry an

Mass. Approves Harleysville Worcester Switch to Pa. Regulation
Massachusetts officials have given the green light to the redomestication of Harleysville Worcester Insurance Co. to Pennsylvania.The company is a subsidiary of Pennsylvania-based Harleysville Ins

Severe Weather Brings State of Emergency in 4 Florida Counties
Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency in four Florida counties in response to overnight tornadoes and severe weather in Central Florida. Sumter, Lake, Volusia and Seminole Counties re under

IPCC Climate Change Report: Human Activities Linked to Global Warming
After a full week of presentations and discussions in Paris, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) adopted the Summary for Policymakers of the first volume of "Climate Change 2007", a

Allianz to Integrate Italian Units
Germany's Allianz announced that the Boards of Directors of its Italian subsidiary companies, RAS, Lloyd Adriatico and Allianz Subalpina, have adopted a project to integrate their Italian operations.

Report: ID Theft Down; Key Risk Factors Include Age, Income
Despite the impression given by cases in the news, identity theft appears to be actually dropping.The 2007 Identity Fraud Survey Report released by Javelin Strategy & Research provides information

QBE Acquires Cumbre Seguros
QBE the Americas, the North American subsidiary of Australia's QBE Group, announced that it has acquired 100 percent of Cumbre Seguros, a specialized insurer in Mexico from a group of private investor

Miss. Commissioner Dale Raised 40% of Campaign Funds from Insurers
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner George Dale, running for re-election amid criticism of his handling of insurance companies after Hurricane Katrina, raised about 40 percent of his campaign funds las

Pa. Insurance Mandate Violates Free Speech, White Supremacists Tell Court
A white supremacist group asked a panel of federal judges Tuesday to throw out the city of York, Pennsylvania's public-assembly ordinance, saying it violates the right to free-speech by putting an un

U.S. Judge Weighs Holocaust Victims' Settlement with Italian Insurer
A settlement between Holocaust victims, their relatives and an Italian insurance company may be the only chance for some victims to recover money, a judge said, but he delayed ruling on approval of th

AXIS Kyrill Losses at $40-$55 Million
Bermuda's AXIS Capital announced that its expects net losses related to Windstorm Kyrill to be between $40 and $55 million, principally from its reinsurance segment. AXIS noted that Kyrill "produc

Army Corps of Engineers Reports Unacceptable Levees Highest in West
Hurricane Katrina and the New Orleans Flood was a wakeup call to the nation on the vulnerability of the nation's levee systems. So after completing its notification of levee owners, the U.S. Army Cor

Okla. Supreme Court Ruling Puts new Twist on Civil Liability Debate
For Dr. David Russell, an Enid radiologist and president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, the debate over civil justice reform in Oklahoma isn't about the politics that has kept many reform

Feds Extend Moratorium on Nonfinancial Firms' Entry into Banking
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on Wednesday extended for one year a moratorium on considering nonfinancial companies' applications to establish or acquire banks.The decision puts on hold pen

St. Paul Travelers Settles Stun-Gun Suit Against Pa. Suburb
A Pittsburgh suburb's former insurance carrier paid $100,000 to an ex-pizzeria owner who sued the municipality after being subdued by police with a stun gun in 2005.Mount Lebanon police used a 50

Missoula County Fair Officials Suspend Horse Racing
The Missoula County, Mont., Fair Commission voted unanimously to suspend horse racing this year, citing inadequate insurance coverage for jockeys.Commissioners said the issue this year is differen

Mass. Settles with Employers Re Over Inflated Workers' Comp Charges
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has setttled a case brought by the state against Employers Reinsurance Group (ERC), a former subsidiary of General Electric, for unlawfully hiking the pri

Severe Weather Brings State of Emergency in 4 Florida Counties
Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency in four Florida counties in response to overnight tornadoes and severe weather in Central Florida. Sumter, Lake, Volusia and Seminole Counties re under

IPCC Climate Change Report: Human Activities Linked to Global Warming
After a full week of presentations and discussions in Paris, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) adopted the Summary for Policymakers of the first volume of "Climate Change 2007", a

Allianz to Integrate Italian Units
Germany's Allianz announced that the Boards of Directors of its Italian subsidiary companies, RAS, Lloyd Adriatico and Allianz Subalpina, have adopted a project to integrate their Italian operations.

Report: ID Theft Down; Key Risk Factors Include Age, Income
Despite the impression given by cases in the news, identity theft appears to be actually dropping.The 2007 Identity Fraud Survey Report released by Javelin Strategy & Research provides information

QBE Acquires Cumbre Seguros
QBE the Americas, the North American subsidiary of Australia's QBE Group, announced that it has acquired 100 percent of Cumbre Seguros, a specialized insurer in Mexico from a group of private investor

Miss. Commissioner Dale Raised 40% of Campaign Funds from Insurers
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner George Dale, running for re-election amid criticism of his handling of insurance companies after Hurricane Katrina, raised about 40 percent of his campaign funds las

Pa. Insurance Mandate Violates Free Speech, White Supremacists Tell Court
A white supremacist group asked a panel of federal judges Tuesday to throw out the city of York, Pennsylvania's public-assembly ordinance, saying it violates the right to free-speech by putting an un

U.S. Judge Weighs Holocaust Victims' Settlement with Italian Insurer
A settlement between Holocaust victims, their relatives and an Italian insurance company may be the only chance for some victims to recover money, a judge said, but he delayed ruling on approval of th

AXIS Kyrill Losses at $40-$55 Million
Bermuda's AXIS Capital announced that its expects net losses related to Windstorm Kyrill to be between $40 and $55 million, principally from its reinsurance segment. AXIS noted that Kyrill "produc

Army Corps of Engineers Reports Unacceptable Levees Highest in West
Hurricane Katrina and the New Orleans Flood was a wakeup call to the nation on the vulnerability of the nation's levee systems. So after completing its notification of levee owners, the U.S. Army Cor

Okla. Supreme Court Ruling Puts new Twist on Civil Liability Debate
For Dr. David Russell, an Enid radiologist and president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, the debate over civil justice reform in Oklahoma isn't about the politics that has kept many reform

Feds Extend Moratorium on Nonfinancial Firms' Entry into Banking
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on Wednesday extended for one year a moratorium on considering nonfinancial companies' applications to establish or acquire banks.The decision puts on hold pen

St. Paul Travelers Settles Stun-Gun Suit Against Pa. Suburb
A Pittsburgh suburb's former insurance carrier paid $100,000 to an ex-pizzeria owner who sued the municipality after being subdued by police with a stun gun in 2005.Mount Lebanon police used a 50

Missoula County Fair Officials Suspend Horse Racing
The Missoula County, Mont., Fair Commission voted unanimously to suspend horse racing this year, citing inadequate insurance coverage for jockeys.Commissioners said the issue this year is differen

Mass. Settles with Employers Re Over Inflated Workers' Comp Charges
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has setttled a case brought by the state against Employers Reinsurance Group (ERC), a former subsidiary of General Electric, for unlawfully hiking the pri

Severe Weather Brings State of Emergency in 4 Florida Counties
Gov. Charlie Crist declared a state of emergency in four Florida counties in response to overnight tornadoes and severe weather in Central Florida. Sumter, Lake, Volusia and Seminole Counties re under

IPCC Climate Change Report: Human Activities Linked to Global Warming
After a full week of presentations and discussions in Paris, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) adopted the Summary for Policymakers of the first volume of "Climate Change 2007", a

Allianz to Integrate Italian Units
Germany's Allianz announced that the Boards of Directors of its Italian subsidiary companies, RAS, Lloyd Adriatico and Allianz Subalpina, have adopted a project to integrate their Italian operations.

Report: ID Theft Down; Key Risk Factors Include Age, Income
Despite the impression given by cases in the news, identity theft appears to be actually dropping.The 2007 Identity Fraud Survey Report released by Javelin Strategy & Research provides information

QBE Acquires Cumbre Seguros
QBE the Americas, the North American subsidiary of Australia's QBE Group, announced that it has acquired 100 percent of Cumbre Seguros, a specialized insurer in Mexico from a group of private investor

Miss. Commissioner Dale Raised 40% of Campaign Funds from Insurers
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner George Dale, running for re-election amid criticism of his handling of insurance companies after Hurricane Katrina, raised about 40 percent of his campaign funds las

Pa. Insurance Mandate Violates Free Speech, White Supremacists Tell Court
A white supremacist group asked a panel of federal judges Tuesday to throw out the city of York, Pennsylvania's public-assembly ordinance, saying it violates the right to free-speech by putting an un

U.S. Judge Weighs Holocaust Victims' Settlement with Italian Insurer
A settlement between Holocaust victims, their relatives and an Italian insurance company may be the only chance for some victims to recover money, a judge said, but he delayed ruling on approval of th

AXIS Kyrill Losses at $40-$55 Million
Bermuda's AXIS Capital announced that its expects net losses related to Windstorm Kyrill to be between $40 and $55 million, principally from its reinsurance segment. AXIS noted that Kyrill "produc

Army Corps of Engineers Reports Unacceptable Levees Highest in West
Hurricane Katrina and the New Orleans Flood was a wakeup call to the nation on the vulnerability of the nation's levee systems. So after completing its notification of levee owners, the U.S. Army Cor

Okla. Supreme Court Ruling Puts new Twist on Civil Liability Debate
For Dr. David Russell, an Enid radiologist and president of the Oklahoma State Medical Association, the debate over civil justice reform in Oklahoma isn't about the politics that has kept many reform

Feds Extend Moratorium on Nonfinancial Firms' Entry into Banking
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. on Wednesday extended for one year a moratorium on considering nonfinancial companies' applications to establish or acquire banks.The decision puts on hold pen

St. Paul Travelers Settles Stun-Gun Suit Against Pa. Suburb
A Pittsburgh suburb's former insurance carrier paid $100,000 to an ex-pizzeria owner who sued the municipality after being subdued by police with a stun gun in 2005.Mount Lebanon police used a 50

Missoula County Fair Officials Suspend Horse Racing
The Missoula County, Mont., Fair Commission voted unanimously to suspend horse racing this year, citing inadequate insurance coverage for jockeys.Commissioners said the issue this year is differen

Mass. Settles with Employers Re Over Inflated Workers' Comp Charges
Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has setttled a case brought by the state against Employers Reinsurance Group (ERC), a former subsidiary of General Electric, for unlawfully hiking the pri

ACE Europe Global Markets Study Highlights Political Risk Concerns
According to a new report the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), sponsored by ACE, "nearly 30 percent of senior executives and risk professionals surveyed said their companies had been forced to cance

Marsh Sells Putnam to Canada's Great-West Lifeco for $3.9 Billion
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (MMC) announced today that Great-West Lifeco Inc., a financial services holding company controlled by Canada-based Power Financial Corp., has signed a definitive agree

Fla. Gov. Crist Persuades Cabinet to Block Insurers' Exit
In a forceful rebuke to insurance companies, Gov. Charlie Crist cajoled fellow Cabinet members into approving a rule Tuesday that will prevent property insurers from canceling Florida policies for muc

USAA Defends Its Katrina Response Against Comments by Miss. AG Hood
In response to a recent pending settlement involving State Farm Insurance, certain victims of Hurricane Katrina and the State of Mississippi, USAA or United Services Automobile Association, came forwa

No Punitive Damages in Wyeth Hormone Drug Case
A Pennsylvania judge ruled that Wyeth will not pay punitive damages to a woman who alleged that the pharmaceutical giant's menopause drug was responsible for her breast cancer. A jury on Monday a

Maryland Told It Must Comply with Federal Real ID Driver's License Act
Maryland must comply with the federal Real ID Act, Transportation Secretary nominee John D. Porcari told the Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. The Real ID Act mandates that states verify documents p

Zurich Increases Microinsurance Focus
Zurich Financial Services Group announced that it has entered into a partnership with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), for "a joint implementation of Zurich's new cross-regional

Kentucky Asks Judge to Reverse Ruling on Christian Health Plan
The Kentucky Office of Insurance has asked a judge to reconsider his decision to allow a Christian-only health care plan to continue operating in the state. Other states recognize Medi-Share as in

Calif. Commissioner to Examine Broker Disclosure, Workers' Comp Issues
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner may have three major priorities for his office — to make his office non-partisan, to fight insurance fraud and to prepare the state for the next major d

Calif. Permanently Disabled Return-to-Work Rates Up 5%
California's Division of Workers' Compensation (DWC) has released return-to-work rate information on permanently disabled workers that shows a more than five percent average increase in return-to-wo

Judge Approves Deal Over Katrina-Related Urban Oil Spill in La.
A federal judge on Jan. 30 approved a settlement between Murphy Oil Corp. and about 6,000 St. Bernard Parish, La., homeowners over an oil spill that happened during Hurricane Katrina. In a three-p

Converium Estimates Kyrill Claims between $32 to $46 Million
Swiss-based reinsurer Converium has estimated that its gross claims for winter storm Kyrill will be around €25 to €35 million ($32.5 to $46.5 million). Converium said its estimates were "based on an

Victims of Calif. Flooding Seek $1 Billion in Lawsuits
Victims of last winter's flooding in Marin County, Calif., are seeking more than $1 billion in a suit filed against government agencies they blame for the devastation.Each of the 265 individuals

PGI Commercial Adds Restaurant Program, Branch Office in Mich.
Morristown, N.J.-based PGI Commercial (PGIC), the U.S. program manager of Bermuda-based insurance distributor Primary Group Limited, has added an underwriting team and opened a branch office in Troy,

Texas Governor Proposes $50 Million Disaster Contingency Fund
Texas Gov. Rick Perry has proposed the creation of a $50 million Disaster Contingency Fund to help state and local governments respond to public emergencies. "As we have learned from disasters li

Judge Reduces State Farm's Punitive Damages in Miss. Katrina Case
The federal judge overseeing the Katrina claims cases in Mississippi has reduced a recent $2.5 million jury award of punitive damages against State Farm to $1 million.U.S. District Judge L.T. Sent

Study Shows Texas Economy Vulnerable to Cat-Sized Coastal Storm
A study commissioned by the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas (IIAT) shows that the economy of the entire state of Texas would be severely impacted if a Category 3-type hurricane were to hit heavi

ACE: Q4 Net $665 Million; $2.3 Billion Full Year; Conference Today, Details
Bermuda-based ACE Limited reported strong fourth quarter and full year net earnings of $665 million - $1.99 per common share - and $2.305 billion respectively. Full year net operating income was $2.35

Allianz Kyrill Losses Around $452 Million
Germany's Allianz Group announced that "based on the current state of knowledge," it estimates net claims of around €350 million ($452 million) before taxes. "The amount of claims is within the scope

Fla. Emergency Rule Would Freeze Insurers' Moves Until June
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist proposed an emergency rule Monday to guarantee insurers do not raise property insurance rates or cancel policies before a law he signed last week to lower rates goes into ef

Pa. Couple Awarded $1.5 Million Against Hormone Drug Maker Wyeth
A couple who contended that a hormone-replacement drug caused the woman's breast cancer was awarded $1.5 million (euro1.16 million) this week in a jury verdict in Philadelphia against drug maker Wyet

Everest Re: Q4 Net Income $206 Million; $840.8 Million Full Year
Bermuda's Everest Re Group, Ltd. recovered strongly from 2005 losses, posting fourth quarter 2006 after-tax operating income (which excludes realized capital gains and losses) of $201.2 million, or $3

Many La. Residents Reluctant to Rebuild on Coast
More than 16 months after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita forced an unprecedented exodus from the Louisiana Gulf Coast, tens of thousands of homeowners have decided not to rebuild or have yet to make up t

Okla. Lawmakers Riled Over Delay in Emergency Declaration
The Bush administration's delay in issuing a "major disaster declaration'' after this month's devastating ice storm has angered some lawmakers in eastern Oklahoma, where local governments have be

California AG Reaches $8 Million Settlement with Bayer Corp.
California Attorney General Jerry Brown has reached an $8 million, 30-state settlement with Bayer Corp. that will resolve an enforcement action initiated because of Bayer's failure to adequately discl

California Surplus Line Premiums Top $6 Billion
The Surplus Line Association of California (SLA) has released its analysis of annual filed premium, which indicates that $6.02 billion in California surplus line insurance premiums were processed in c

Freon Leak Sends More than Two Dozen to Washington Hospitals
A freon leak at a drug and alcohol counseling center sent more than two dozen people to hospitals in Sumner, Wash., Monday night after they complained of shortness of breath and irritated eyes, a fire

Arizona Lawmakers Move to Raise Burden of Proof on ER Suits
Hoping for a change of heart by Gov. Janet Napolitano, the Arizona Senate on Monday narrowly approved a medical malpractice bill to raise the bar on the legal burden of proof required for malpractice

Mercator Advises Risk Managers to Prepare for World Without TRIEA
With the Terrorism Risk Insurance Extension Act (TRIEA) set to expire in December 2007, experts are speculating whether Congress will renew TRIEA as is, scale back its provisions or scrap it altogethe

Washington Commissioner Issues Multiple Fines, Enforcement Actions
Washington's Office of the Insurance Commissioner has ordered UnitedHealthcare Insurance Co. of Minneapolis to pay a $59,000 fine following an agency investigation into the company's use of unapprove

Allianz Lecturers Urge EU Lead on Climate Change
The global debate on Climate Change has gone from a sideshow to the main event, taking over the front pages of many newspapers. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Conference, current

Virginia Panel Endorses Lowering Penalty for Riding without Helmet
A Virginia House of Delegates committee endorsed legislation Friday to significantly reduce the penalty for riding a motorcycle without a helmet.The Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee vot

Alabama Considers Tougher Teen Driving Laws
A state committee looking for ways to save lives on Alabama highways wants to get young drivers off cell phones and put new restrictions on how many passengers they can carry. The State Highway Sa

Health Execs' Group Disbands Under Antitrust Settlement with Conn.
A national organization of health care executives has agreed to disband amid an investigation by Connecticut authorities into whether it illegally gave preferential treatment to vendors who joined the

Driver's Ed Now Required, Georgia Teens Line Up for Classes
Driver's education programs across Georgia are experiencing traffic jams of their own because of a new state law requiring 16-year-olds to undergo behind-the-wheel training before getting a license.

State Alleges Cover-Up in Pa. Coal Mine Worker's Death
Pennsylvania coal industry regulators have revoked the operating permit of a coal mine where a worker died in an explosion three months ago, alleging that a cover-up of a similar 2004 blast might have

Hannover Re Estimlates Kyrill Losses Between $155-$233 Million
Hannover Re said it expects a net loss of €120 to €180 million ($155 to $233 million) before tax as a result of windstorm Kyrill. The bulk of the expenditure is attributable to claims in Germany.H

RMS Finds Repeat of 1607 Floods Could Cost UK Insurers $25.5 Billion
Newark Calif.-based Risk Management Solutions has issued a study, which concludes that, a "repeat of the tide and wind-driven storm surge that caused the Bristol Channel floods of 1607 would result i

Safeco Reports Fourth Quarter Net Income of $216.4 million
Seattle-based Safeco hosted a conference call on its fourth quarter and year-end results today, noting it had fourth-quarter net income of $216,4 million, or $1.96 per diluted share. Net income for th

La.'s Blanco and Donelon Travel to Calif. for Outreach to Insurers
Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco kicked off a three-day insurance outreach mission Jan. 29 in San Francisco, part of her continuing efforts to bring affordable insurance home to Louisiana,

Mass. Universal Health Connector Pays Executives Well
More than half of the people working for the new state agency charged with providing health insurance for Massachusetts' low-income residents make more than $100,000 a year — and six earn more than G

Calif. Workers' Comp Reforms Reducing Physical Therapy, Chiropractic Utilization
Workers' compensation reform legislation has helped to reduce physical therapy and chiropracting manipulation in California, according to the California Workers' Compensation Institute.CWCI rece

Corporate Governance, Capital Drive D&O Liability Prices Down
Changing corporate governance practices and excess capital in the insurance market have made directors and officers (D&O) liability premiums drop in recent years, according to Advisen Ltd., a provider

S&P Puts British Marine Ratings On CreditWatch/Positive
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has placed its "A" long-term counterparty credit and insurer financial strength ratings on Luxembourg-based marine insurer British Marine Luxembourg S.A. (BM) on

Best Affirms Mitsui Sumitomo 'A+' Ratings
A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of "A+" (Superior) and the issuer credit rating of "aa" of Japan's Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company Limited (MSI) with a stable outlook.

Now Is No Time to Ease Up on Loss Prevention, Warns Risk Expert
The insurance industry and its customers must not let down their guard concerning loss prevention despite a mild hurricane season and a quiet time on the terrorism front in the U.S., advises an expert

Munich Re Estimates Kyrill Losses at $775 Million
Based on current estimates, Munich Re expects pretax losses from Windstorm Kyrill to be around €600 million ($775 million). The estimates include claims relating to the Group's primary insurance subsi

Fla. Pols Ready to Lead Lobbying Effort for National Catastrophe Fund
Now that the Florida Legislature has passed a bill that lawmakers say will address the state's insurance problems, Gov. Charlie Crist and legislative leaders said Thursday their attention will be on

Maine Legislature Protests Federal Driver's License Law
The Maine Legislature declared that it would refuse a congressional order to change its drivers' licenses so they can serve as national identification cards.Supporters of last week's nonbinding

Study: Young Have More Workplace Accidents But Lower Costs Per Claim
On average, younger workers have higher incidence rates of workplace injuries and illnesses than older workers while older workers have higher costs per claim, according to the industry's National Co

Bond Insurer MBIA to Pay $75 Million to End Reinsurance Probe
MBIA Corp., a large insurer of municipal bonds, has agreed to pay $75 million to settle an investigation by federal and New York state authorities into its accounting for a 1998 transaction, people fa

S&P Publishes Lloyd's Syndicate Review
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services reported that it has preliminarily reviewed its Lloyd's Syndicate Assessment (LSA) coverage for 2007. S&P said it will "undertake a full review of the LSAs upon re

Eqecat Analysis Predicts Risk for Insured Losses from U.S. Hurricanes Higher
Oakland, Calif.-based Eqecat Inc. is predicting that in the next decade, the risk for insured losses from hurricanes in the United States will be higher than the long-term average derived from 100 yea

Feds Approve Emergency Loans for Snowbound Colorado Ranchers
The federal government agreed Friday to make emergency loans available to ranchers and farmers in 10 southeastern Colorado counties after devastating snowstorms left thousands of cattle dead.The l

Safeco Fourth Quarter Conference Called Changed to 12 p.m EST
Seattle-based Safeco (NYSE:SAF) has updated the time of its fourth-quarter and year-end conference call to Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 12 p.m., Eastern Time.A live Webcast of the presentation will be avai

FERMA Urges Members to Develop Environmental Liability Products
Warning that "European businesses face uninsurable environmental impairment risks," the Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA) called on insurers to be less "risk averse." It urge

Miss. Could Have Policyholder Bill of Rights by April
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner George Dale held a public hearing on a proposed insurance bill of rights, saying the provisions would help policyholders understand exactly what coverage they have.

Calif. Farmers and Workers Get Aid after Freeze Destroys Crops
Aid has cropped up for California workers and growers hurt by a devastating cold snap that froze more than $1 billion in crops and left thousands jobless.Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he ha

Ex-NFL Star Terrell Davis Settles Lawsuit against Insurance Company
Former Denver Broncos star Terrell Davis has settled his lawsuit against an insurance company stemming from a scuffle at an Emmy Awards afterparty, his attorney said.Davis sued Liberty Mutual Fire

S&P Puts Munich Re Sidecar Aiolos on CreditWatch/Negative
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has placed its "BB+" senior secured debt rating on the €110 million ($142 million) variable-rate notes issued by Aiolos Ltd. on CreditWatch with negative implicatio

Federal Judge Puts Part of State Farm Katrina Settlement on Hold
The federal judge who must sign off on a proposed $50 million class action settlement involving State Farm's handling of Hurricane Katrina claims has said he needs lots more information before agreei

State Farm Storm Surge Settlement Could Scare Insurers from Mississippi Market
A landmark legal settlement with State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. promises to jump-start the rebuilding process for thousands of Mississippi homeowners devastated by Hurricane Katrina, but critics warn

AAMGA Leaders Conclude 'Fact-Finding' London Trip
Insurance may be local, but it doesn't have to be handled exclusively in the state, or even the country, where it's needed. For the surplus lines market that means Lloyd's, which explains the annua

Supreme Court to Hear Case on Environmental Cleanup Costs
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to tackle an environmental case that could clarify when companies which have incurred industrial cleanup costs can seek to force the government or other companies to

Bankers Report Fraudulent Purchases Following TJX Credit Data Theft
Customer data stolen from TJX Cos. outside Boston by computer hackers has been used to make fraudulent debit card and credit card purchases in the United States and overseas, according to the Massachu

N.H. Researchers Develop Tool to Measure Cyber Attack Threat
Hackers, terrorists and nations all use computers, but who really is capable of damaging the critical infrastructure of the United States? The University of New Hampshire has unveiled the UNH Cyber Th

Mass. Auto Insurance Fraud Crackdown Paying Off for Drivers
High-profile crackdowns on auto insurance fraud have resulted in dramatic savings for drivers in some Massachusetts communities.The statewide average premium is scheduled to drop by nearly 12 perc

Swiss Re Estimates Kyrill Losses at $181 Million
Swiss Re's preliminary estimates of its potential net losses from Windstorm Kyrill are around €140 million ($181 million) before tax. Its gross claims estimate is around €220 million ($284 million), b

W. Va. Judge Dismisses 400 Flood Claims Against Coal Firms
A circuit judge has dismissed the claims of about 400 victims of a devastating flood in southern West Virginia in 2001. Ohio County Circuit Judge Arthur M. Recht said in last week's ruling that t

Miss. AG Hood Turns Up Heat on Insurers to Settle Katrina Disputes
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, fresh from a settlement with State Farm over a class action lawsuit and thousands of other disputed Hurricane Katrina property insurance claims, wants other insu

Marsh Granted First 'Wholly-Owned' License in China
Marsh announced it has been awarded China's first ever Wholly-Owned Foreign Enterprise (WOFE) insurance broking license. The bulletin said the "new license provisions, subject to tax and regulatory ap

Bermuda Monetary Authority Confirms Increased Incorporation Activity
A bulletin from the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) confirmed that the island had "recorded a three-year high for (re)insurance company incorporations during 2006, with an almost 10 percent increase

Calif. Commissioner, Governor Assess Damage from Agricultural Freeze
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner toured the Central Valley with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday, meeting with area leaders and assessing the needs of the agricultural community

Colo. Ranchers Still Struggling to Reach Cattle Stranded By Snow
A month after the first wave of devastating winter storms hit Colorado, some eastern Colorado ranchers still haven't been able to get feed to their cattle, state Agriculture Commissioner John Stulp s

S&P Cuts Italy's Cattolica Ratings to 'A-'; Off CreditWatch
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services announced that it has lowered its long-term counterparty credit and insurer financial strength ratings on Italy's composite insurer Società Cattolica di Assicurazio

Federal Judge Puts Part of State Farm Katrina Settlement on Hold
The federal judge who must sign off on a proposed $50 million class action settlement involving State Farm's handling of Hurricane Katrina claims has said he needs lots more information before agreei

State Farm Storm Surge Settlement Could Scare Insurers from Mississippi Market
A landmark legal settlement with State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. promises to jump-start the rebuilding process for thousands of Mississippi homeowners devastated by Hurricane Katrina, but critics warn

AAMGA Leaders Conclude 'Fact-Finding' London Trip
Insurance may be local, but it doesn't have to be handled exclusively in the state, or even the country, where it's needed. For the surplus lines market that means Lloyd's, which explains the annua

Supreme Court to Hear Case on Environmental Cleanup Costs
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to tackle an environmental case that could clarify when companies which have incurred industrial cleanup costs can seek to force the government or other companies to

Bankers Report Fraudulent Purchases Following TJX Credit Data Theft
Customer data stolen from TJX Cos. outside Boston by computer hackers has been used to make fraudulent debit card and credit card purchases in the United States and overseas, according to the Massachu

N.H. Researchers Develop Tool to Measure Cyber Attack Threat
Hackers, terrorists and nations all use computers, but who really is capable of damaging the critical infrastructure of the United States? The University of New Hampshire has unveiled the UNH Cyber Th

Mass. Auto Insurance Fraud Crackdown Paying Off for Drivers
High-profile crackdowns on auto insurance fraud have resulted in dramatic savings for drivers in some Massachusetts communities.The statewide average premium is scheduled to drop by nearly 12 perc

Swiss Re Estimates Kyrill Losses at $181 Million
Swiss Re's preliminary estimates of its potential net losses from Windstorm Kyrill are around €140 million ($181 million) before tax. Its gross claims estimate is around €220 million ($284 million), b

W. Va. Judge Dismisses 400 Flood Claims Against Coal Firms
A circuit judge has dismissed the claims of about 400 victims of a devastating flood in southern West Virginia in 2001. Ohio County Circuit Judge Arthur M. Recht said in last week's ruling that t

Miss. AG Hood Turns Up Heat on Insurers to Settle Katrina Disputes
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, fresh from a settlement with State Farm over a class action lawsuit and thousands of other disputed Hurricane Katrina property insurance claims, wants other insu

Marsh Granted First 'Wholly-Owned' License in China
Marsh announced it has been awarded China's first ever Wholly-Owned Foreign Enterprise (WOFE) insurance broking license. The bulletin said the "new license provisions, subject to tax and regulatory ap

Bermuda Monetary Authority Confirms Increased Incorporation Activity
A bulletin from the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) confirmed that the island had "recorded a three-year high for (re)insurance company incorporations during 2006, with an almost 10 percent increase

Calif. Commissioner, Governor Assess Damage from Agricultural Freeze
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner toured the Central Valley with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday, meeting with area leaders and assessing the needs of the agricultural community

Colo. Ranchers Still Struggling to Reach Cattle Stranded By Snow
A month after the first wave of devastating winter storms hit Colorado, some eastern Colorado ranchers still haven't been able to get feed to their cattle, state Agriculture Commissioner John Stulp s

S&P Cuts Italy's Cattolica Ratings to 'A-'; Off CreditWatch
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services announced that it has lowered its long-term counterparty credit and insurer financial strength ratings on Italy's composite insurer Società Cattolica di Assicurazio

State Farm Storm Surge Settlement Could Scare Insurers from Mississippi Market
A landmark legal settlement with State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. promises to jump-start the rebuilding process for thousands of Mississippi homeowners devastated by Hurricane Katrina, but critics warn

AAMGA Leaders Conclude 'Fact-Finding' London Trip
Insurance may be local, but it doesn't have to be handled exclusively in the state, or even the country, where it's needed. For the surplus lines market that means Lloyd's, which explains the annua

Supreme Court to Hear Case on Environmental Cleanup Costs
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to tackle an environmental case that could clarify when companies which have incurred industrial cleanup costs can seek to force the government or other companies to

Bankers Report Fraudulent Purchases Following TJX Credit Data Theft
Customer data stolen from TJX Cos. outside Boston by computer hackers has been used to make fraudulent debit card and credit card purchases in the United States and overseas, according to the Massachu

N.H. Researchers Develop Tool to Measure Cyber Attack Threat
Hackers, terrorists and nations all use computers, but who really is capable of damaging the critical infrastructure of the United States? The University of New Hampshire has unveiled the UNH Cyber Th

Mass. Auto Insurance Fraud Crackdown Paying Off for Drivers
High-profile crackdowns on auto insurance fraud have resulted in dramatic savings for drivers in some Massachusetts communities.The statewide average premium is scheduled to drop by nearly 12 perc

Swiss Re Estimates Kyrill Losses at $181 Million
Swiss Re's preliminary estimates of its potential net losses from Windstorm Kyrill are around €140 million ($181 million) before tax. Its gross claims estimate is around €220 million ($284 million), b

W. Va. Judge Dismisses 400 Flood Claims Against Coal Firms
A circuit judge has dismissed the claims of about 400 victims of a devastating flood in southern West Virginia in 2001. Ohio County Circuit Judge Arthur M. Recht said in last week's ruling that t

Miss. AG Hood Turns Up Heat on Insurers to Settle Katrina Disputes
Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, fresh from a settlement with State Farm over a class action lawsuit and thousands of other disputed Hurricane Katrina property insurance claims, wants other insu

Marsh Granted First 'Wholly-Owned' License in China
Marsh announced it has been awarded China's first ever Wholly-Owned Foreign Enterprise (WOFE) insurance broking license. The bulletin said the "new license provisions, subject to tax and regulatory ap

Bermuda Monetary Authority Confirms Increased Incorporation Activity
A bulletin from the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) confirmed that the island had "recorded a three-year high for (re)insurance company incorporations during 2006, with an almost 10 percent increase

Calif. Commissioner, Governor Assess Damage from Agricultural Freeze
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner toured the Central Valley with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday, meeting with area leaders and assessing the needs of the agricultural community

Colo. Ranchers Still Struggling to Reach Cattle Stranded By Snow
A month after the first wave of devastating winter storms hit Colorado, some eastern Colorado ranchers still haven't been able to get feed to their cattle, state Agriculture Commissioner John Stulp s

S&P Cuts Italy's Cattolica Ratings to 'A-'; Off CreditWatch
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services announced that it has lowered its long-term counterparty credit and insurer financial strength ratings on Italy's composite insurer Società Cattolica di Assicurazio

Small Quakes Shake Old Faithful Area
A series of small earthquakes shook the Old Faithful area but caused no damage.The quakes occurred just before midnight Monday."It woke up a lot of people," said Henry Heasler, Yellowstone'

Fla. Gov. Crist Signs Property Insurance Bill
Three days after a Florida special legislative session on insurance rates for homeowners, Gov. Charlie Crist signed legislation that promises to provide insurance reform, including rate reductions and

Conn. AG Bill Targets Steering Customers to Select Body Shops
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has drafted legislation that he says would strengthen the state's anti-steering law prohibiting insurers from forcing consumers to use a preferred auto

N.C. Will See a 5.4% Average Increase in Homeowners Insurance
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Jim Long has approved an average 5.4 percent increase in homeowners insurance rates beginning May 1. Long said the "increase is significantly lower than what

Florida Insurance Vote Reflects Political Shift Against Insurers' Wishes
The difference in how the state Legislature approached Florida's insurance problems this year compared to last year are like the differences between night and day, hot and cold, black and white, and

Mass. Panel Seeks More Low Cost Health Plan Options
The panel assigned with turning Massachusetts' groundbreaking health care law into a reality sent insurers back to the drawing board this week, saying they need to do a better job at coming up with

Aon Unifies Global Company Risk Management in Bermuda
Aon has announced a major realignment in its London and Bermuda offices that handle major corporate global risks. The world's number 2 broker is centralizing those operations in Bermuda, and is moving

Tenn. Traffic Deaths Down Since Enactment of DUI, Seat Belt Laws
Traffic fatalities in Tennessee have gone down slightly over the past two years following the passage of two important driver safety laws, according to preliminary statistics from 2006.The state l

RMS Puts Kyrill Insured Losses at $3.9 to $6.5 Billion
Risk Management Solutions (RMS), has released its initial estimate for insured losses from Windstorm Kyrill, indicating that it expects them to be between €3 billion and €5 billion ($3.9 billion and $

Study: Many Teens Tired and Distracted While Driving
Teen drivers are often behind the wheel when they are tired or being distracted by cell phone chatter or others' behavior, according to a new national survey of high schoolers. In the survey, 5,6

Previously-Rejected Cell Phone Ban on Redial in Maryland Legislature
A cell phone ban for Maryland drivers has been considered — and rejected — many times by state lawmakers.However, two new plans before lawmakers have some asking if this is the year Maryland will

FSA Lauds UK Insurers for Achieving 90% Contract Certainty
The UK's Financial Services Authority (FSA) announced that "the insurance industry has met the challenge laid down to achieve a solution to contract certainty in the UK. This has resulted in a more ef

UK Insurers Comment on Achieving FSA Contract Certainty Goal
The Contract Certainty Steering Committee (CCSC), the London market's insurance industry body responsible for leading the contract certainty initiative, welcomed the FSA's announcement confirming that

Court Reverses $20 Million Jury Award to Ex-State Farm Agents
The Missouri Court of Appeals on Tuesday threw out a $20 million jury award to five former State Farm Insurance agents who claimed they were improperly terminated for criticizing the company's treatm

Only 2 Fla. Lawmakers to Oppose Insurance Bill Out as Chairmen
The only Florida lawmakers to vote against a massive proposal to lower property insurance rates in Florida have relinquished chairmanships of two House committees. Reps. Don Brown of DeFuniak Spri

Calif. State Fund Offers Credit Extension for Cold Snap
California's State Compensation Insurance Fraud said it will be extending credit terms to policyholders who have suffered a financial loss or business disruption from the widespread freezing weather

State Farm Settles Miss. Katrina Lawsuits; Agrees to Reopen Other Miss. Claims
State Farm Insurance has agreed to settle a Mississippi class action brought by more than 600 policyholders involving property claims related to Hurricane Katrina and reopen thousands of additional Ka

Survey: Commercial Prices Continue Declining in Non-Catastrophe Areas
Commercial insurance premiums continued their decline in all but catastrophe-exposed areas during the fourth quarter of 2006, with insurers willing to lower prices and place fewer restrictions on cove

Fla. Insurance Bill On Gov. Crist's Desk Comes with Risks
The Florida Legislature on Monday overwhelmingly passed a bill members hope will lower Floridians' skyrocketing property insurance rates and sent the measure to Gov. Charlie Crist, who has demanded m

Miss. Commissioner Dale to Run for Eighth Term
Mississippi Insurance Commissioner George Dale said he will seek re-election to the post he has held since 1975.Dale, 66, had been considering retiring from public office, but felt the needs of M

R.I. High Court Throws Out Lawsuit Based on Bad Job Reference
Rhode Island's highest court this week dismissed a lawsuit filed by a licensed nurse who sued her former boss over a bad job reference.Paula Kevorkian said Judith Glass, her former supervisor at

Mass. Ski Area Closes After Losing Insurance Coverage
The Blue Hills Ski Area in suburban Boston has shut down indefinitely while the private operator of the state-owned facility scrambles to find new liability insurance coverage.The ski area hopes t

Calif. Citrus Growers Expected to File 3,000 Claims from Cold Snap
Freezing temperatures that destroyed a wide swath of crops in California are expected to bring in a flood of claims, according to California regulators. With a $1 billion agricultural damage estimate,

Rare Snow Storm Surprises Arizona, While Colorado Struck Again
More than a foot of snow fell on parts of northern Arizona, and several more inches were possible while children as far south as Tucson got a rare chance to play in the snow.Sunday's storm was th

Oregon Ski Fatality Raises Concerns about Safety
The recent death of a skier who collided with a snowboarder at Mount Hood Meadows is triggering demands for safety on the slippery slopes of Oregon ski areas."People are constantly asking me abou

Kingsway Acquires St. Paul Travelers' Non-Standard Auto Unit, Mendota
Canada's Kingsway Financial Services, Inc. has agreed to acquire Mendota Insurance Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. The transaction includes Mendota's wholly

LRA Asks for Public Response to South La. Planning Poll
The Louisiana Recovery Authority is asking south Louisiana residents to weigh in on their ideas for how the region should address growth, economic development, transportation and coastal restoration i

Austin-based Watkins Insurance Group Acquires AIC-Sun Belt
Watkins Insurance Group, based in Austin, Texas, announced it has purchased a local insurance agency, AIC-Sun Belt Group Inc., for an undisclosed a

More Federal Disaster Aid Offered to Kansas for Storm Damage
Federal officials have expanded the disaster relief available for areas of western Kansas hit by severe winter storms in late December, Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts said Monday. The Federal Emergency M

Mich. Court Orders $10 Million Settlement in Sterling Heights Suit
In a written opinion issued January 19, 2007, United States District Court Judge Nancy G. Edmunds of the Eastern District of Michigan has ordered United National Insurance Co. to pay the city of Sterl

Bikers Push for No-helmet Law in Neb. Capitol
The tailor-cut suits and clean-shaven profiles favored by many lobbyists were replaced by leather jackets and scraggly beards in the halls of the Capitol this week. More than 100 bikers piled into

China Backs Reinsurer with $4 Billion in Preparation for IPO
Chinese insurer gets $4 billion capital injection to prepare for share sale China's biggest reinsurance company, China Reinsurance Group Co., has received a $4 billion capital injection from a gove

Fla. Lawmakers Agree on Insurance Relief Plan; Bil Sent to Gov. Crist
Florida homeowners could see property insurance rates cut by as much as 40 percent under a plan finalized by lawmakers hoping to reverse hurricane-fueled increases many residents say have threatened

Earthquake Rattles Indonesia, But No Major Destruction
A 7.3-magnitude earthquake rattled buildings in northeastern Indonesia Sunday, causing panicked residents to flee homes, churches and shopping malls in fear of a tsunami that never came, officials and

Vermont Captive Insurance Industry Continues to Expand
"Steady and sustained growth," is how Vermont officials described 2006's final tally for captive insurance as 37 new captive insurance entities were licensed. New to the nation's largest captive i

Swiss Re Backs Independent European Agency to Assess Nat Cat Risks
Swiss Re has issued a "focused report," which assess the growth of the catastrophe bond market and calls for the establishment of an independent agency to "aggregate European claims data and provid

Ky. Plane Crash Details Could Boost Case for Punitive Damages
When Comair Flight 5191 crashed shortly on takeoff in August at Kentucky's Blue Grass Airport , the parents of 16-year-old Paige Winters thought she died instantly.Documents released this week sh

Ex-State Farm Adjusters Tell Miss. Grand Jury of Katrina Claims
A Mississippi grand jury probing State Farm Insurance Co.'s handling of claims after Hurricane Katrina heard testimony this week from two sisters who turned over reams of internal claims records to i

Miss. Commissioner Sets Hearing for Consumer Bill of Rights
Mississippi Commissioner of Insurance George Dale twill hold a public hearing for the his proposed regulation regarding a homeowner insurance policyholder bill of rights.The hearing will be held

Mass. Auto Insurer Tops in Spending on Beacon Hill Lobbyists
Lobbyists trying to influence Massachusetts legislation on Beacon Hill raked in a record $64.3 million in 2006, as they plied their trade on issues ranging from education and insurance to tobacco and

Barrette Takes over as Chairman, CEO of White Mountains
The Bermuda-based White Mountains Insurance Group has elected Ray Barrette as Chairman and CEO, effective immediately. He succeeds Jack Byrne, who has retired from the Company, as Chairman and Steve F

Calif. Issues Declaration of Insurance Emergency in Agricultural Freeze
A recent proclamation by California's Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner is allowing out-of-state insurance adjusters to be dispatched to California's agricultural community to assist in the state o

La. Insurance Regulators, Already Weakened, Face Extinction
Of all the obscure parts of state government, the Louisiana Insurance Rating Commission is among the most ignored and misunderstood. And the panel may now be in its death throes. The commissioners

Partisan Politics Influenced Katrina Response, Says Former FEMA Chief
Political storm clouds gathered again over the federal government's response to Hurricane Katrina as former Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Michael Brown said party politics played a rol

Even Consumer Reports Fallible As Retraction on Car Seats Shows
Consumer Reports once mismeasured the ingredients in dog food. Just last year, it screwed up the depreciation rates of hybrid cars.But it's rare for the trusted, independent Consumer Reports to g

PartnerRe Reports on January Renewals
Bermuda's PartnerRe Ltd. announced that it had written and bound approximately $1.8 billion of estimated Non-Life premium during the January renewal season."On a constant foreign exchange basis, t

Florida Lawmakers Near Agreement; Vote Expected Today on Insurance Plan
Florida lawmakers tentatively agreed Saturday on a comprehensive proposal aimed at lowering Floridians' skyrocketing property insurance rates, saying they'd finalize the plan with a vote on the pack

AIR Estimates Europe Storm Insured Losses at $5 to $10 Billion
Catastrophe risk modeler AIR Worldwide has issued a bulletin estimating insured losses from Winter Storm Kyrill (or Cyril) at between €4 billion and €8 billion ($5.18 billion and $10.37 billion). The

Georgia Chief Vows Hearing into Commission Cuts by St. Paul Travelers
St. Paul Travelers has reduced commissions paid to insurance agents on homeowners policies sold in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Glynn, Liberty, and McIntosh Counties, according to Georgia Insurance Commiss

Fla. Mortgage Lenders Unlikely to Back Homes Without Wind Coverage
Florida homeowners might want to go without wind coverage, and may decide on a higher deductible in return for lower rates, but mortgage companies could keep these options from producing what the Flor

State Farm Settles a Miss. Katrina Lawsuit Before Trial
State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. settled out of court last Friday with a Mississippi policyholder whose lawsuit over Hurricane Katrina damage was scheduled to be tried next week in federal court.Sta

Mass. Gov. Patrick Derails Romney's High Risk Pool Changes
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said he will comprehensively review the state auto insurance system after the acting insurance commissioner on Friday suspended rules changes made in the system during

Conn. AG Files Bill to Block Insurers from Requiring Storm Shutters
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has submitted draft legislation to the General Assembly that would prohibit insurers from requiring that consumers install hurricane shutters as a condi

Royal & Sun Alliance Management Buyout Faces Opposition
A proposed management buyout and eventual dissolution of Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Group's U.S. operations could leave policyholders in jeopardy, according to critics trying to halt the deal tha

Fla. Places Vanguard Fire & Casualty Under State Control
Maitland, Fla.-based insurance company Vanguard Fire & Casualty Co. agreed to be placed under state control last Friday, following its announcement earlier this month that it wouldn't continue writin

Pres. Bush to Propose Health Insurance Tax Break
President Bush will propose a tax deduction of $7,500 for individuals and $15,000 for families regardless of whether they buy their own health insurance or receive medical coverage at work.The pro

Kentucky Judge Permits Christians-Only Health Plan to Continue
A Christians-only health plan that serves nearly 20,000 churchgoers nationwide can continue operating in Kentucky, a judge ruled Thursday.Franklin County Circuit Judge Thomas D. Wingate said the M

Mercury General To Announce Q4 Results on Feb. 12
Los Angeles-based Mercury General Corp. will be hosting a webcast and investor conference call on its 2006 fourth quarter and 12-month results on Monday, Feb. 12, 2007. The conference call will be hel

Blanco Administration Admits Error in La. Insurance Rebate Letters
The Blanco administration mailed 1.8 million letters to Louisiana homeowners with incorrect information about credits for post-Katrina surcharges on their property insurance policies, a Blanco aide sa

MySpace Sued by Families of Children Abused by Adults Met on the Site
Four families have sued News Corp. and its MySpace social-networking site after their underage daughters were sexually abused by adults they met on the site, according to lawyers for the families.

Study: Many California Hospitals Will Not Meet Deadline for Earthquake Safety Measures
Nearly half of California hospital buildings in danger of collapsing during a major earthquake will not meet a state deadline for safety improvements, according to a new study.Tough standards pass

Biggest U.S. Property Cat Losses in 2006 Were Away From Coasts
Property casualty insurers increasingly steered clear of the water out of fear of catastrophe losses during the past year. But while they were keeping a wary eye on the coasts in 2006, and escaped rel

Fla. House and Senate Expected to Meet Through Weekend to Merge Bills
Laboring to comply with Gov. Charlie Crist's call for lowering Florida insurance costs by at least 25 percent during a quick, seven-day special session, both the House and Senate have passed bills pr

28 Die as Storm Lashes Europe; Transport Chaos, Widespread Damage
The mild winter weather that much of Europe has been enjoying for the last month came to a sudden halt earlier this week when the most violent storm to hit the continent since 1999 swept in from the A

Kingsway to Acquire Robert Plan Renewal Rights
Toronto-based Kingsway Financial Services announced that it has entered into an agreement with The Robert Plan Corporation (RPC) to acquire the renewal rights of RPC's assigned risk business. "As

ING Presents New Belgium Structure; Exclusive Focus on Bancasssurance
The Netherlands' ING Group has announced a major change in strategy and a restructuring of its Belgian insurance business. ING intends to focus exclusively on its on bancassurance distribution in Belg

Supreme Court Won't Hear IBM Pension, Worker Retaliation Cases
The Supreme Court this week refused to consider an appeal brought by a group of IBM Corp. employees who accused the company of age discrimination when it altered its pension plan. The lawsuit could ha

W. Va. Tackles Mine Safety Rules to Address Sago Tragedy
Members of the state Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety say the panel may have a tough time crafting regulations to address the cause of the Sago Mine accident.The process of writing those rules

Ark. Injured Trucker Wins Court Order for Workers' Comp Rehearing
The Arkansas Court of Appeals says the state Workers' Compensation Commission did such a poor job of considering an injured trucker's claim that it was "impossible'' for the court to properly rev

Lloyd's Chairman Praises Indian Initiative to Open Markets
Gordon Brown, The UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister) and odds-on favorite to succeed Tony Blair as Prime Minister, has apparently come away with some success during his working visit

Oregon Task Force Aims to Improve Construction Environment
Oregon's Construction Claims Task Force has released a report noting 11 recommendations to help protect homeowners from construction defects and ensure affordable liability insurance for contractors.

La.'s Citizens Gets OK to Raise Rates
Louisiana's state-run insurer won approval for big rate increases on Jan. 17, meaning double- and triple-digit hikes in insurance costs for homeowners and businesses along the coast. The increase

Northeast Nuke Plants Alerted After Minn. Plant Problem
Four Northeast nuclear power plants have been alerted to check for potential safety problems following a failure at a sister plant here that caused a shutdown.The Nuclear Regulatory Commission not

Conn. Phone-y Drivers Could Be Called Upon to Pay Bigger Fines
Connecticut lawmakers are considering higher fines for people who talk on their handheld cell phones while driving.More than a year after the state's cell phone ban took effect, lawmakers say the

Freezing Temperatures Wreak Havoc on Calif. Agriculture, Water Pipes
A deep freeze that has ruined many winter crops in California's agricultural zones has also wreaked havoc on the state's urban centers in the form of frozen, broken pipes.Fire departments across

WCRI Report Examines Nevada Workers' Comp System
"The Nevada workers' compensation system has undergone dramatic change since 1993" becoming more competitive and allowing private insurers to enter the market, according to the Workers' Compensati

Biggest U.S. Property Cat Losses in 2006 Were Away From Coasts
Property casualty insurers increasingly steered clear of the water out of fear of catastrophe losses during the past year. But while they were keeping a wary eye on the coasts in 2006, and escaped rel

Fla. House and Senate Expected to Meet Through Weekend to Merge Bills
Laboring to comply with Gov. Charlie Crist's call for lowering Florida insurance costs by at least 25 percent during a quick, seven-day special session, both the House and Senate have passed bills pr

28 Die as Storm Lashes Europe; Transport Chaos, Widespread Damage
The mild winter weather that much of Europe has been enjoying for the last month came to a sudden halt earlier this week when the most violent storm to hit the continent since 1999 swept in from the A

Kingsway to Acquire Robert Plan Renewal Rights
Toronto-based Kingsway Financial Services announced that it has entered into an agreement with The Robert Plan Corporation (RPC) to acquire the renewal rights of RPC's assigned risk business. "As

ING Presents New Belgium Structure; Exclusive Focus on Bancasssurance
The Netherlands' ING Group has announced a major change in strategy and a restructuring of its Belgian insurance business. ING intends to focus exclusively on its on bancassurance distribution in Belg

Supreme Court Won't Hear IBM Pension, Worker Retaliation Cases
The Supreme Court this week refused to consider an appeal brought by a group of IBM Corp. employees who accused the company of age discrimination when it altered its pension plan. The lawsuit could ha

W. Va. Tackles Mine Safety Rules to Address Sago Tragedy
Members of the state Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety say the panel may have a tough time crafting regulations to address the cause of the Sago Mine accident.The process of writing those rules

Ark. Injured Trucker Wins Court Order for Workers' Comp Rehearing
The Arkansas Court of Appeals says the state Workers' Compensation Commission did such a poor job of considering an injured trucker's claim that it was "impossible'' for the court to properly rev

Lloyd's Chairman Praises Indian Initiative to Open Markets
Gordon Brown, The UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister) and odds-on favorite to succeed Tony Blair as Prime Minister, has apparently come away with some success during his working visit

Oregon Task Force Aims to Improve Construction Environment
Oregon's Construction Claims Task Force has released a report noting 11 recommendations to help protect homeowners from construction defects and ensure affordable liability insurance for contractors.

La.'s Citizens Gets OK to Raise Rates
Louisiana's state-run insurer won approval for big rate increases on Jan. 17, meaning double- and triple-digit hikes in insurance costs for homeowners and businesses along the coast. The increase

Northeast Nuke Plants Alerted After Minn. Plant Problem
Four Northeast nuclear power plants have been alerted to check for potential safety problems following a failure at a sister plant here that caused a shutdown.The Nuclear Regulatory Commission not

Conn. Phone-y Drivers Could Be Called Upon to Pay Bigger Fines
Connecticut lawmakers are considering higher fines for people who talk on their handheld cell phones while driving.More than a year after the state's cell phone ban took effect, lawmakers say the

Freezing Temperatures Wreak Havoc on Calif. Agriculture, Water Pipes
A deep freeze that has ruined many winter crops in California's agricultural zones has also wreaked havoc on the state's urban centers in the form of frozen, broken pipes.Fire departments across

WCRI Report Examines Nevada Workers' Comp System
"The Nevada workers' compensation system has undergone dramatic change since 1993" becoming more competitive and allowing private insurers to enter the market, according to the Workers' Compensati

Biggest U.S. Property Cat Losses in 2006 Were Away From Coasts
Property casualty insurers increasingly steered clear of the water out of fear of catastrophe losses during the past year. But while they were keeping a wary eye on the coasts in 2006, and escaped rel

Fla. House and Senate Expected to Meet Through Weekend to Merge Bills
Laboring to comply with Gov. Charlie Crist's call for lowering Florida insurance costs by at least 25 percent during a quick, seven-day special session, both the House and Senate have passed bills pr

28 Die as Storm Lashes Europe; Transport Chaos, Widespread Damage
The mild winter weather that much of Europe has been enjoying for the last month came to a sudden halt earlier this week when the most violent storm to hit the continent since 1999 swept in from the A

Kingsway to Acquire Robert Plan Renewal Rights
Toronto-based Kingsway Financial Services announced that it has entered into an agreement with The Robert Plan Corporation (RPC) to acquire the renewal rights of RPC's assigned risk business. "As

ING Presents New Belgium Structure; Exclusive Focus on Bancasssurance
The Netherlands' ING Group has announced a major change in strategy and a restructuring of its Belgian insurance business. ING intends to focus exclusively on its on bancassurance distribution in Belg

Supreme Court Won't Hear IBM Pension, Worker Retaliation Cases
The Supreme Court this week refused to consider an appeal brought by a group of IBM Corp. employees who accused the company of age discrimination when it altered its pension plan. The lawsuit could ha

W. Va. Tackles Mine Safety Rules to Address Sago Tragedy
Members of the state Board of Coal Mine Health and Safety say the panel may have a tough time crafting regulations to address the cause of the Sago Mine accident.The process of writing those rules

Ark. Injured Trucker Wins Court Order for Workers' Comp Rehearing
The Arkansas Court of Appeals says the state Workers' Compensation Commission did such a poor job of considering an injured trucker's claim that it was "impossible'' for the court to properly rev

Lloyd's Chairman Praises Indian Initiative to Open Markets
Gordon Brown, The UK's Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister) and odds-on favorite to succeed Tony Blair as Prime Minister, has apparently come away with some success during his working visit

Oregon Task Force Aims to Improve Construction Environment
Oregon's Construction Claims Task Force has released a report noting 11 recommendations to help protect homeowners from construction defects and ensure affordable liability insurance for contractors.

La.'s Citizens Gets OK to Raise Rates
Louisiana's state-run insurer won approval for big rate increases on Jan. 17, meaning double- and triple-digit hikes in insurance costs for homeowners and businesses along the coast. The increase

Northeast Nuke Plants Alerted After Minn. Plant Problem
Four Northeast nuclear power plants have been alerted to check for potential safety problems following a failure at a sister plant here that caused a shutdown.The Nuclear Regulatory Commission not

Conn. Phone-y Drivers Could Be Called Upon to Pay Bigger Fines
Connecticut lawmakers are considering higher fines for people who talk on their handheld cell phones while driving.More than a year after the state's cell phone ban took effect, lawmakers say the

Freezing Temperatures Wreak Havoc on Calif. Agriculture, Water Pipes
A deep freeze that has ruined many winter crops in California's agricultural zones has also wreaked havoc on the state's urban centers in the form of frozen, broken pipes.Fire departments across

WCRI Report Examines Nevada Workers' Comp System
"The Nevada workers' compensation system has undergone dramatic change since 1993" becoming more competitive and allowing private insurers to enter the market, according to the Workers' Compensati

Supreme Court Hears Insurers On Credit Notification Practices
Two large insurers have defended their decision not to tell customers about their less-than-perfect credit, as the Supreme Court debated the legal standard for finding the companies liable under feder

Delaware Moves Swiftly to Enact Major Workers' Comp Reform
The Delaware Senate and House moved swiftly in the past week to pass a bill containing major reforms of the state's workers' compensation system and Gov. Ruth Ann Miller immediately signed the refor

Fla. Day 2: Senate Passes 25% Rate Cut; Citizens Would Enter Commercial
Two days into a special legislative session, after debating 20 amendments, the Florida Senate voted to pass Senate Bill 4-A, a measure which promises an average 25 percent premium cut to homeowners a

Allianz Plans Buy Out of AGF Minority Shares; German Life Minorities
Germany's Allianz SE, Europe's largest insurer in terms of gross premiums written, is set to get even bigger. The Munich-based Company announced plans to acquire the remaining 42.4 percent of the shar

U.S. Appeals Court Upholds Dismissal of Maryland's Wal-Mart Mandate
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit has affirmed a lower court decision that federal ERISA law invalidates a Maryland law that would have required giant retailer Wal-Mart to off

Conn. AG Urges Release of Audit on Health Insurers' Coverage Denials
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said his office has received several reports of health insurance companies denying coverage based on questionable conclusions that patients' medical co

Report: U.S. Rails with Hazardous Materials Vulnerable to Terrorists
Train lines that carry hazardous shipments have little or no police presence and shoddy security that makes them easy targets for terrorists, according to a newspaper investigation.During a severa

AXIS Reorganizes; Reding Named COO
Bermuda's AXIS Capital has announced a strategic reorganization "to further strengthen the global operations of AXIS Insurance," starting with the appointment of Dennis Reding, currently that division

China, EU Start Trade Talks
The European Union and China on Wednesday kicked off negotiations on expanding cooperation in trade, climate change and other fields, starting a process that is expected to take at least a year to com

La. Resident Pleads Guilty to Hurricane-Related Federal Fraud Charge
A Louisiana resident pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana on a charge of fraud related to hurricane disaster relief programs, U.S. Attorney David R. Dugas of

Feds Arrive in Kentucky to Investigate Hazardous Chemical Rail Fire
Federal agents will spend the rest of the week near Brooks, Kentucky investigating what caused a train carrying hazardous chemicals to derail and catch fire, forcing nearby residents to evacuate their

Man's Cell Phone Ignites in Pocket, Causing Serious Burns
A cell phone apparently ignited in a Vallejo, Calif., man's pocket and started a fire that burned his hotel room and caused severe burns over half his body, fire department officials said.Luis Pi

Next Casper Mountain Fire Could Be Far More Damaging
Firefighters warn that the next big wildfire on Casper Mountain could be far more damaging to property than the huge fire that burned much of the area last summer.The Jackson Canyon fire covered 1

New Mexico Auditor Proposes to Conduct More Fraud Investigations
New Mexico Auditor Hector Balderas wants to send a message to the public and would-be whistleblowers in state and local government: alert his office to potential fraud, corruption or mismanagement.

Monterey County Contractor Accused of Leaving Workers Without Workers' Comp
A longtime Monterey County, Calif., construction contractor is facing charges that he has not insured his employees for on-the-job injuries, according to the California Department of Insurance. Herman

Fla. Session Day 1: Expanding State's Hurricane Cat Fund Tops the Agenda
When Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio and State Senate President Ken Pruitt slammed their gavels in opposite sides of the Florida Capitol Tuesday signaling commencement of a special legislative sessi

Fla. Officials Get to Work as Special Insurance Session Opens
In the hours leading up to the opening of a special legislative session in Tallahassee aimed at slowing Florida's rising insurance costs, lobbyists, elected officials and citizens weighed in on ways t

Nader Group Urges Improving Patient Safety, Removing Dangerous Doctors
Despite claims by business and medical lobbying interests, there is no medical malpractice lawsuit crisis in America, according to analysis released by Ralph Nader's national group, Public Citizen.

Insurer to Investigate Vermont Diocese's Handling of Priest Sex Abuse
An insurance company for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington wants to investigate the church's conduct in 27 cases of alleged child sex abuse by a former priest before paying the costs of litiga

FSA Warns Insurers on Misleading Advertising
The UK's Financial Services Authority (FSA) has issued a warning to insurance firms to stop using savings claims which could mislead consumers in their advertising or face regulatory action. The F

Largest Ill. Medical Malpractice Insurer Lifts Moratorium on New Business
The largest medical malpractice insurer in Illinois plans to lift a four-year-old moratorium on new business, citing an improved economic and legal climate. ISMIE Mutual Insurance Co., which provi

Fountains, Pipes Freeze as Las Vegas Endures Record Chill
Chilly Las Vegas is shivering beneath a blanket of cold the likes of which it hasn't seen for a decade.A fountain at a casino east of the Las Vegas Strip froze into a four-tiered ice sculpture an

Pa. Maternity Clothier Settles Suit Alleging Bias Against Pregnant Workers
A Pennsylvania maternity-clothing retailer has agreed to pay $375,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging it refused to hire qualified applicants because they were pregnant — and then fired an assistant mana

Fla. Insurance Costs Seen Behind Shorter Stays by Snowbirds
Florida's mild climate and world-class beaches continue to draw Northern retirees seeking temporary refuge from harsh winter weather, but tourism experts say many of these snowbirds are shortening th

W.Va. Building Where Fire Killed 7 Lacked Sprinklers
There was no sprinkler system in the five-story apartment building where fire killed at least seven people, including a child, fire officials said."I think they would have made a huge difference,

Report: 148 Places around Hawaii Lack Emergency Sirens
More than 100 spots around Hawaii, from Oahu's Sunset Beach to Kihei Commercial Center on Maui, lack emergency sires needed to warn people about tsunami and other natural disasters.A state Civil

Silicon Valley Oenophiles on Alert after Brazen Wine Heist
Silicon Valley oenophiles are on alert after a brazen robbery Jan. 4, when thieves broke into a posh home here and stole more than 150 bottles of wine. Estimated value: $500,000.The heist -- thoug

Hannover Re Securitizes $106 Million
Hannover Re has increased its underwriting capacity for catastrophe risks through a $106 million capital market securitization, which "boosted the volume of last year's "K5" risk securitization to

Sen. Ensign Introduces Federal Malpractice Award Cap Legislation
Senator John Ensign, R-Nev., has introduced the Medical Care Access Protection (MCAP) Act of 2007, which would set a cap on non-economic damages in medcial mapractice lawsuits. "Medical liability

NAS Offers its EPLI Insureds Stand-Alone D&O
Encino, Calif.-based NAS Insurance Services has a new stand-alone, simplified D&O writeNOW! insurance program for its EPLI insureds. The D&O program features limits up to $1 million with a self0in

Lloyd's 2007 Capacity up 10% to $31.5 Billion; Franchise Director Comments
Lloyd's capacity for the year 2007 has increased to approximately £16 billion ($31.42 billion at current conversion rates), compared to the 2006 figure of £14.8 billion ($29 billion) in terms of gross

Tiner to Leave FSA
John Tiner, CEO of the UK's Financial Services Authority (FSA), has announced that he intends to step down later this year. He will continue as CEO and a member of the FSA board until July 2007. "

Virginia Bill Would Require Notice When Personal Data Is Lost or Stolen
Two Virginia lawmakers said this week that they will introduce legislation requiring government agencies and businesses to notify Virginians if their personal information is lost or stolen.Del. Ro

Goldman Sachs to Buy USI Holdings
Big insurance broker USI Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: USIH) has agreed to be acquired by GS Capital Partners, a private equity affiliate of Goldman, Sachs & Co., in a transaction valued at approximately $1

Massive Malaysian Floods Leave 17 Dead, 100,000 Evacuated
More than 100,000 people have been evacuated in southern Malaysia to escape massive flooding, which has raised the specter of water and mosquito-borne diseases, officials and news reports said Monday.

Kentucky Survivors Recall The Ohio River Valley Flood of 1937
Ohio River valley residents who still remember the rising waters 70 years ago simply call it "The Flood.''The memories of the massive flood that hit the banks of the Ohio in January 1937 are sti

California Citrus Growers Face Big Losses as Cold Snap Continues
California's $1 billion citrus industry suffered record-low temperatures this past weekend, and agriculture officials continue to worry about widespread crop destruction.Counties where most of th

Bush Declares Federal Disaster for Deadly Oklahoma Ice Storm
President Bush declared a federal disaster in Oklahoma in the wake of an ice storm that has killed at least 15 people and knocked out power to more than 122,000 homes and businesses. Residents in

Fire at Conn. Yacht Club That Destroyed 26 Boats Being Probed
Local authorities are investigating whether a yacht club fire that heavily damaged 26 boats was intentionally set.The fire swept through the Miamogue Yacht Club's boat yard off Seaview Avenue in

AXA Ratings 'Unaffected' by Paris Re Sale says S&P; Comments on Guarantee
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has stated that its rating and outlook on French reinsurer AXA Re (currently "AA-"/Stable) "are unaffected by the completion of the sale of AXA Re's business to ne

Arrowhead Wholesale Offers Trucking Insurance
Arrowhead Wholesale Insurance Services LLC of San Diego, Calif., is announcing a new "A-" VIII rated admitted trucking carrier in California. The program provides coverage for physical damage, motor

Burns & Wilcox To Offer Commercial Earthquake Coverage
Burns & Wilcox, a Farmington Hills, Mich.-based national specialty insurance wholesaler, underwriter and managing general agent, is offering of a new commercial "all risks" property program that inc

Zurich Ireland Opens Branch Offices in Belgium and Italy
Zurich Financial Services Group announced that its subsidiary, Zurich Insurance Ireland Limited (ZIIL), which functions as an EU-wide risk carrier for Zurich's general insurance business, has opened

Wanna Get Away? See the USA? Insurance Journal Tracks '07 Meetings
Looking to rub elbows with industry leaders? Maurice "Hank" Greenberg will be in Atlanta and Lord Peter Levene of Lloyd's will be in Singapore. Feel like networking among the stars? Fox News co

Ark. Work Comp Commission Gets New Labor Representative
Philip Alan Hood on Jan.9, 2007, was named by Gov. Mike Beebe as the labor representative for the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission, AWCC announced.He was appointed by the governor to a s

Fla. Lawmakers Face Balancing Act in This Week's Insurance Session
Florida lawmakers wish they could simply outlaw hurricanes. That would solve the state's insurance crisis.Unfortunately, changing the weather seems easier than what legislators have on their hand

After Record 2006, P/C Insurers See Promising 2007 Ahead
Property/casualty insurers should be able to build on the momentum of 2006 to deliver another profitable year in 2007 if they maintain discipline on price, a group of industry observers told insurance

Tenn. Gov. Bredesen Names Newman as Insurance Commissioner
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen has named a Nashville attorney, Leslie Shechter Newman, as commissioner of the Department of Commerce and Insurance; She succeeds Paul Flowers, who recently resign

U.N. Climate Expert Says Leadership Needed on Global Warming
The chief of the United Nations' effort against climate change said this week there is widespread recognition of the seriousness of global warming but a lack of leadership has created a sense of help

Congress Prepares to Tackle Global Warming Legislation
Potential presidential rivals Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama are joining with newly independent Sen. Joe Lieberman on a plan they say would reduce global-warming gases by

Rep. Thompson: Miss. Katrina Ruling Will Prompt Probe of Insurers
A federal judge's ruling in favor of a Biloxi couple in a Hurricane Katrina insurance lawsuit will prompt a congressional investigation into insurance companies' denial of claims, Rep. Bennie Thomps

Casino Magnate Wynn Pokes Lloyd's Over Damaged Picasso Offer
The casino magnate who accidentally poked a hole in a Picasso painting said insurer Lloyd's of London has offered to settle his $54 million claim of lost value, but the talks aren't going the way he

London Market Reform Group Unveils 2007 Business Process Plan
The Market Reform Group (MRG) has produced its plan for continuing to modernize London market processes throughout 2007 and beyond."Following full consultation with market firms, the plan sets out

Police Increase Patrols as Fires Hit 2 Churches in N.C.
Police increased their patrols of churches across the city after fires broke out at two Baptist churches during the night and a break-in was discovered at a third — all within an hour."We're goin

CEO Storms Seeks Bigger Role in Risk Management for Marsh
Marsh Inc. already is one of the world's largest insurance brokers, but its chairman and chief executive, Brian M. Storms, wants to increase its role in the risk management business.As Storms see

Washington Rep. Wants To Require Drivers to Purchase Vehicle Liability Insurance
Washington Rep. Dean Takko has introduced a House Bill 1046 that would make drivers show proof of financial responsibility or motorvehicle liability insurance. According to the bill, the departm

Wyoming Last in Highway Safety Laws
Wyoming is the worst state in the nation in terms of enacting highway safety laws, according to a group that advocates such laws.Wyoming had only four of 15 critical safety laws that the Advocates

Best Affirms Lloyd's Syndicate 2007 Ratings; Syndicate 1007 Withdrawn
A.M. Best Co. has affirmed its Syndicate Rating of "A" (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of "a" of Lloyd's Syndicate 2007 (formerly known as Lloyd's Syndicate 2147), managed by Novae Syn

Texas Rep.'s Disaster-Related Bills Include Insurance Changes
State Representative Joe Deshotel (Beaumont) on Jan. 12 filed a package of six bills with the Texas Legislature, many of which relate to disaster recovery and would make changes to residential propert

Abram Interstate Offers Employment Practices Liability Insurance
Abram Interstate Insurance Services Inc. in Rocklin, Calif., is announcing a new "A+" XII rated admitted employment practices liability carrier. The program provides coverage for workplace harassmen

Prosecutors Seek Severance Paid Former Md. Insurance Fund Chief
Federal prosecutors pursuing public corruption charges against former Maryland state Sen. Thomas Bromwell are trying to seize the $400,000 buyout he received when he stepped down as head of the state

Key Federal Katrina Ruling Favoring Homeowners Surprises Industry
In a Hurricane Katrina claims decision that surprised the insurance industry, a federal judge ruled that State Farm did not provide sufficient evidence to prove what damage to a Mississippi family's h

Lloyd's Chief Says Insurers Must Take Action on Climate Change Issues
Insurers must address global climate change as they cope with the growing cost of extreme natural disasters, said Lord Peter Levene, chairman of Lloyd's, the London insurance market."We cannot ris

Mass. Diocese Ordered to Release Sex Abuse Documents to Insurers
A judge has ordered the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Mass. to release thousands of pages of documents in a dispute between the church and seven of its insurance carriers over settlements wit

Vietnam Joins WTO
Nearly 32 years after Vietnam's communists chased U.S. forces from their soil, the southeast Asian nation joined the capitalist club as the World Trade Organization's 150th member on Thursday, signa

IBC Aims to Convince Canadian Drivers' to Pay Attention
The Insurance Bureau of Canada asks the rhetorical question as to whether Canadian drivers are "prepared to give up their cellphones and other distractions while driving?" The IBC noted that "d

Catlin Updates Progress on Wellington Acquisition/Integration
Bermuda-based Catlin Group Limited has announced further details on progress relating to the acquisition and integration of Wellington Underwriting plc (See IJ web site Oct. 30, Dec. 19, 2006 and rela

D&O Insurers Not Worried About Stock Options Backdating Probes...Yet
The insurance industry does not think the emerging scandal over backdating of stock options will reach a point where it will pose a major claims problem for insurers of directors and officers."If

Lawmakers Pushing FEMA to Speed Up Aid for Colorado Plains
Colorado lawmakers are trying to put pressure on the federal government to speed up aid to ranchers and county governments digging out from back-to-back blizzards on the southeastern plains.Sens.

Report: More Insurance Costs Being Shifted to Montana Workers
The number of businesses in Montana that offer health insurance to their workers is roughly unchanged since 2003, but higher costs are increasingly being shifted to employees, a new report shows.A

Allianz Buys 2 German Wind Farms
At first glance it may not seem a very logical investment for an insurance company, but Germany's Allianz Group has taken a strong stance in support of renewable energy. So the acquisition of two more

R.I. Gov. Carcieri Adds to Control Over Beacon Mutual
Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri has increased his influence over the operations of the state's largest workers' compensation insurer by naming two new board members, a week after one of his busine

California Hosts Hearing on Workers' Comp Medical Fee Schedule
California's Division of Workers' Compensation will be holding a public hearing on the Official Medical Fee Schedule – Physician Fee Schedule regulations on Jan. 24 in Los Angeles. The public he

Washington Warns Against Unqualified Contractors
In the wake of a fierce windstorm that left many Wenatchee, Wash.-area homes damaged, the state Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is reminding the public to be mindful and not to take shortcuts

S&P Puts NZ's Simply Insurance on CreditWatch
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has placed its "BB-" rating on Simply Insurance New Zealand Ltd. (SINZ) on CreditWatch with developing implications. "The CreditWatch placement follows Australi

Key Federal Katrina Ruling Favoring Homeowners Surprises Industry
In a Hurricane Katrina claims decision that surprised the insurance industry, a federal judge ruled that State Farm did not provide sufficient evidence to prove what damage to a Mississippi family's h

Lloyd's Chief Says Insurers Must Take Action on Climate Change Issues
Insurers must address global climate change as they cope with the growing cost of extreme natural disasters, said Lord Peter Levene, chairman of Lloyd's, the London insurance market."We cannot ris

Mass. Diocese Ordered to Release Sex Abuse Documents to Insurers
A judge has ordered the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Mass. to release thousands of pages of documents in a dispute between the church and seven of its insurance carriers over settlements wit

Vietnam Joins WTO
Nearly 32 years after Vietnam's communists chased U.S. forces from their soil, the southeast Asian nation joined the capitalist club as the World Trade Organization's 150th member on Thursday, signa

IBC Aims to Convince Canadian Drivers' to Pay Attention
The Insurance Bureau of Canada asks the rhetorical question as to whether Canadian drivers are "prepared to give up their cellphones and other distractions while driving?" The IBC noted that "d

Catlin Updates Progress on Wellington Acquisition/Integration
Bermuda-based Catlin Group Limited has announced further details on progress relating to the acquisition and integration of Wellington Underwriting plc (See IJ web site Oct. 30, Dec. 19, 2006 and rela

D&O Insurers Not Worried About Stock Options Backdating Probes...Yet
The insurance industry does not think the emerging scandal over backdating of stock options will reach a point where it will pose a major claims problem for insurers of directors and officers."If

Lawmakers Pushing FEMA to Speed Up Aid for Colorado Plains
Colorado lawmakers are trying to put pressure on the federal government to speed up aid to ranchers and county governments digging out from back-to-back blizzards on the southeastern plains.Sens.

Report: More Insurance Costs Being Shifted to Montana Workers
The number of businesses in Montana that offer health insurance to their workers is roughly unchanged since 2003, but higher costs are increasingly being shifted to employees, a new report shows.A

Allianz Buys 2 German Wind Farms
At first glance it may not seem a very logical investment for an insurance company, but Germany's Allianz Group has taken a strong stance in support of renewable energy. So the acquisition of two more

R.I. Gov. Carcieri Adds to Control Over Beacon Mutual
Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri has increased his influence over the operations of the state's largest workers' compensation insurer by naming two new board members, a week after one of his busine

California Hosts Hearing on Workers' Comp Medical Fee Schedule
California's Division of Workers' Compensation will be holding a public hearing on the Official Medical Fee Schedule – Physician Fee Schedule regulations on Jan. 24 in Los Angeles. The public he

Washington Warns Against Unqualified Contractors
In the wake of a fierce windstorm that left many Wenatchee, Wash.-area homes damaged, the state Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is reminding the public to be mindful and not to take shortcuts

S&P Puts NZ's Simply Insurance on CreditWatch
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has placed its "BB-" rating on Simply Insurance New Zealand Ltd. (SINZ) on CreditWatch with developing implications. "The CreditWatch placement follows Australi

New Hope Pa. Hopes New Hydrants Lower Insurance Rates
Fifty-five new hydrants will help fight fires faster and may lower insurance rates for New Hope, Pa. residents, officials said.Fifteen of the 55 hydrants are already operating and 40 more are expe

Key Federal Katrina Ruling Favoring Homeowners Surprises Industry
In a Hurricane Katrina claims decision that surprised the insurance industry, a federal judge ruled that State Farm did not provide sufficient evidence to prove what damage to a Mississippi family's h

Lloyd's Chief Says Insurers Must Take Action on Climate Change Issues
Insurers must address global climate change as they cope with the growing cost of extreme natural disasters, said Lord Peter Levene, chairman of Lloyd's, the London insurance market."We cannot ris

Mass. Diocese Ordered to Release Sex Abuse Documents to Insurers
A judge has ordered the Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Mass. to release thousands of pages of documents in a dispute between the church and seven of its insurance carriers over settlements wit

Vietnam Joins WTO
Nearly 32 years after Vietnam's communists chased U.S. forces from their soil, the southeast Asian nation joined the capitalist club as the World Trade Organization's 150th member on Thursday, signa

IBC Aims to Convince Canadian Drivers' to Pay Attention
The Insurance Bureau of Canada asks the rhetorical question as to whether Canadian drivers are "prepared to give up their cellphones and other distractions while driving?" The IBC noted that "d

Catlin Updates Progress on Wellington Acquisition/Integration
Bermuda-based Catlin Group Limited has announced further details on progress relating to the acquisition and integration of Wellington Underwriting plc (See IJ web site Oct. 30, Dec. 19, 2006 and rela

D&O Insurers Not Worried About Stock Options Backdating Probes...Yet
The insurance industry does not think the emerging scandal over backdating of stock options will reach a point where it will pose a major claims problem for insurers of directors and officers."If

Lawmakers Pushing FEMA to Speed Up Aid for Colorado Plains
Colorado lawmakers are trying to put pressure on the federal government to speed up aid to ranchers and county governments digging out from back-to-back blizzards on the southeastern plains.Sens.

Report: More Insurance Costs Being Shifted to Montana Workers
The number of businesses in Montana that offer health insurance to their workers is roughly unchanged since 2003, but higher costs are increasingly being shifted to employees, a new report shows.A

Allianz Buys 2 German Wind Farms
At first glance it may not seem a very logical investment for an insurance company, but Germany's Allianz Group has taken a strong stance in support of renewable energy. So the acquisition of two more

R.I. Gov. Carcieri Adds to Control Over Beacon Mutual
Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri has increased his influence over the operations of the state's largest workers' compensation insurer by naming two new board members, a week after one of his busine

California Hosts Hearing on Workers' Comp Medical Fee Schedule
California's Division of Workers' Compensation will be holding a public hearing on the Official Medical Fee Schedule – Physician Fee Schedule regulations on Jan. 24 in Los Angeles. The public he

Washington Warns Against Unqualified Contractors
In the wake of a fierce windstorm that left many Wenatchee, Wash.-area homes damaged, the state Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) is reminding the public to be mindful and not to take shortcuts

S&P Puts NZ's Simply Insurance on CreditWatch
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has placed its "BB-" rating on Simply Insurance New Zealand Ltd. (SINZ) on CreditWatch with developing implications. "The CreditWatch placement follows Australi

New Hope Pa. Hopes New Hydrants Lower Insurance Rates
Fifty-five new hydrants will help fight fires faster and may lower insurance rates for New Hope, Pa. residents, officials said.Fifteen of the 55 hydrants are already operating and 40 more are expe

Swiss Re Global Risks 2007 Report Highlights Increasing Threats
Swiss Re's newly issued "Global Risks 2007" report highlights "a growing disconnect between the power of global risks to cause major systemic disruption, and our ability to mitigate them." Th

Judge Orders 83 Katrina Claims Cases, Including Sen. Lott's, to Mediation
A federal judge on Wednesday ordered into mediation dozens of lawsuits policyholders filed against insurance companies after Hurricane Katrina.Several of the cases sent to mediation, which accuse

U.S. Cities to Receive $445 Million to Protect Against Terror Attacks
Nearly half a billion dollars will be given to U.S. cities and regions to help reduce the risk of terror attacks on ports, transit systems and chemical plants, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Cher

P/C Execs Expect Terrorism Insurance Renewal, Win in Katrina Suits
Leaders of the property/casualty insurance industry expect Congress to extend the Terrorism Risk and Insurance Act in 2007, according to a survey conducted by the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.

Miss. House Votes $30 Million for Wind Pool; Bill Moves to Senate
Trying to keep a lid on rising commercial insurance costs along the Gulf Coast, the Mississippi House approved a bill Wednesday to put $30 million into the wind pool program.The House vote was 119

Del. Governor Hopes Workers' Comp Reform Will Influence Chrysler
Pomp and circumstance ruled the day as Delaware lawmakers began a new session of the General Assembly on Tuesday, with only a smattering of legislative business.Families and friends packed into th

Delaware Agents Groups to Merge
The Independent Agents Association of Delaware (IIAD) and the Insurance Agents & Brokers of Delaware (IA&B of DE) have agreed to merge their memberships."Our members have clearly told us that the

Sen. Kennedy Urges Universal Health Plan, Solicits Recommendations
The federal government should join the state of Massachusetts in enacting universal health coverage, according to Sen. Edward Kennedy, D- Mass., the new chairman of the Senate committee with jurisdict

101 Indicted in Calif. Insurance Fraud Sting
A two-year undercover sting operation by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office has resulted in 101 indictments, of which 88 have been arrested to date. Following a tip from a confiden

Oregon Proposal on Auto Insurance Surcharge Losing Support
With his proposed surcharge on auto insurance going nowhere fast, Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski is pressing state lawmakers to find another way to fund 139 additional state troopers so the state can have

Fla.'s Citizens Board Recommends Wallace as New President
Citizens Property Insurance Corp.''s board of governors voted unanimously this week to recommend interim President Scott Wallace be appointed to the post permanently. "I think Scott Wallace will

Mass. High Court: Paralyzed Patron Can Sue Bar
A man paralyzed in a car crash after a night of underage drinking can sue the bars that served him alcohol, the state's highest court has ruled.The Supreme Judicial Court rejected claims by Rober

Best Affirms All Hiscox Ratings
A.M. Best Co. announced that it has affirmed all of its applicable ratings on Hiscox and its separate operating entities, following the move of its corporate domicile to Bermuda from the UK. Best gave

ACE Europe Management Changes; New Roles for Pryce, Furgueson, Furby
The London-based ACE European Group has announced three significant management and organizational changes with immediate effect as follows: Richard Pryce, currently President of ACE Global

California Community Colleges Offer Entry-Level Insurance Classes
The California Insurance Careers Program and the state's community college system are offering insurance classes online and on select college campuses. Classes are being geared to prospective or curre

Moss to Succeed Harvey as Aviva Group Chief Executive
Aviva plc, the U.K.-based savings, investments and insurance group, announced that Group Chief Executive Richard Harvey intends to retire July 11, 2007. The Company's Board of Directors has named Andr

Miss. Jury Hears Opening Statements in Katrina Suit Against State Farm
Even as the Mississippi attorney general negotiates a potential settlement with State Farm Fire & Casualty Co., an eight-person jury began hearing opening statements Tuesday in one of hundreds of insu

Conn. Communities Pressured to Repair Flood Control Systems
Federal scrutiny of levees around the country increased after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, prompting several community in Connecticut to begin repairs on their flood control infrastru

Miss. Congressman Calls for Federal Probe into Insurers' Katrina Practices
U.S. Rep. Gene Taylor has called for a congressional investigation into the post-Hurricane Katrina practices of private insurance companies. Taylor, D-Miss., made the announcement Monday at a publ

Tony Markel Comments on Lloyd's
Tony Markel, president and COO of Markel Corporation, has expressed his satisfaction at the progress Lloyd's has made and the London market's current strong financial condition. In a comment on th

Fla. Senate Proposal Would Give Citizens Customers Relief
Customers of the state's largest insurer, Citizens Property, would be spared a recent proposed 55 percent increase and see their rates frozen for a year under a massive bill proposed Monday by a stat

Ark Bill Seeks to Stop Teen Cell Phone Use While Driving
Cell phones already drive teens to distraction. But behind the wheel, the distraction can mean car crashes and injuries for drivers who already lack experience being on the road and an Arkansas st

UN Climate Chief Decries Lack of Leadership on Global Warming
By Jenny Barchfield (AP)The chief of the United Nations' effort against climate change said Monday there is widespread recognition of the seriousness of global warming but a lack of leadership ha

UK's ArmorGroup to Acquire Neil Young Associates
The UK-based ArmorGroup International plc, a provider of protective security services, announced the acquisition of Neil Young Associates (NYA), a leading specialist kidnap and extortion consultant, f

FEMA Offers Aid to Colorado Storm Victims
The head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal aid has been made available to supplement state and local response efforts in

'Apprentice' Reject Accuses Trump of Age Bias in Hiring
Richard J. Hewett never heard "You're fired!'' -- but he's suing Donald Trump anyway. The rejected applicant for NBC's "The Apprentice'' is suing the real estate mogul claiming he was turne

Health Savings Account Firm Exits W. Va. in Dispute with State
Indiana-based insurer is pulling out of West Virginia, saying regulatory action taken against it by the state forced the decision. Medical Savings Insurance of Indianapolis notified customers this

AXA, India's Bharti to Form P/C Group
Following the successful launch of their joint venture life insurance operations, France's AXA Group and India's Bharti Enterprises have signed a preliminary agreement to establish a joint Indian P/C

Dakotas Senators Push for Permanent Disaster Aid Program
Senators from the Dakotas are pushing for a permanent program to pay farmers and ranchers who have suffered devastating crop losses.North Dakota Sens. Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad, both Democrats,

Converium's CFO Comments on Company's Financial Progress
Paolo De Martin, CFO of Converium, speaking at the Cheuvreux Insurance Conference in Paris, stressed the Company's commitment to "future value drivers" and its approach to "integrated asset & liabilit