Articles by Young Ha

New York, Pennsylvania Rank High for Opioids Among Injured Workers

Editor’s Note: This is part of a team report on opioid use by injured workers. For the national story read: Opioid Epidemic Plagues Workers’ Comp The epidemic of opioid abuse and its impact on workers’ compensation in the Northeast is particularly …

Liberty Mutual Q1 Profit Falls 31% to $318M Amid Investment Losses

Boston-based Liberty Mutual reported Thursday its net income fell 30.7 percent to $318 million for its 2013 first quarter, compared to $459 million income reported during the prior year first quarter. The company’s quarterly underwriting and operating results both improved …

Experts Weigh Boston Bombings’ Impact on Government-Backed Terrorism Insurance

The April 15 Boston bombings could have an impact on the efforts to renew the federal government’s terrorism insurance backstop. Some experts say the Boston Marathon tragedy could help the cause of supporters of the government program by reminding lawmakers …

W.R. Berkley Corp. Divests, Connecticut Bank Acquires InsurBanc

InsurBanc, a federal savings bank founded by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America and W.R. Berkley Corp. a dozen years ago, has joined Connecticut Community Bank N.A., based in Westport, Conn. In the merger deal, the Farmington, Conn.-based …

W.R. Berkley Corp. Divests, Connecticut Bank Acquires InsurBanc

InsurBanc — a federal savings bank founded by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America and W.R. Berkley Corp. a dozen years ago — has joined Connecticut Community Bank N.A., based in Westport, Conn., effective April 1. Under the …

Transitioning Jobs at MetLife

Insurance giant MetLife Inc. recently announced a plan to move some 2,600 positions into newly created facilities in North Carolina by the end of 2015. And this means a lot of folks in the Northeast could be facing some tough …

Agency M&A Advisory Firm Sees ‘Lack of Quality Acquisition Opportunities’

A mergers and acquisitions advisory firm focusing on the insurance agency sector says it is hearing more this year about “a lack of quality acquisition opportunities,” which could lead to fewer deals this year compared to 2012. MidCap Advisors, a …

Agency M&A Landscape

Insurance Journal recently had a chance to chat with executives from MidCap Advisors, a New York-based mergers and acquisitions firm. The firm focuses on small- and mid-size brokers and agencies, offering advice on issues ranging from raising capital to selling …

Closing Sandy Claims

It’s been more than three months since Superstorm Sandy wrought havoc across the East Coast last fall. And since then, the property/casualty insurance industry has stepped up to deliver its promise to customers and assist them in rebuilding their lives. …

Insurers Say Latest CFA Study Is Flawed; Marketplace Is Highly Competitive

The new auto insurance pricing study from the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is getting roundly criticized by insurance industry representatives. The representatives say that states’ auto insurance marketplaces are highly competitive, with most drivers having dozens of auto insurers …