National News for May 2004 ACT Unveils Agent-Broker ‘One-Stop’ Web Site for Real-Time Interface Information NAIC Comments on A.M. Best Insurer Solvency Study HomeInfoMax Adds New Features to Web site AIG Introduces “iClaims” — New Imaging Technology PCI Says Recent Midwest Floods Show Need to Reauthorize NFIP Beware Termites! Berkshire to Acquire 16% Stake in White Mountains S&P Affirms GEICO and Subs ‘AAA’ Ratings AIG Small Business Introduces New Online Services for Insurance Brokers and Agents NAMIC Urges NAIC to Table ‘Sarbanes-Oxley’ Proposals Union Pacific Announces Derailment Settlement Allstate Study Warns on Coastal Floods Best Expands E-Fusion Award to Six Categories IOM Study Reports Limited Adverse Health Consequences from Mold Arch Insurance Announces $25 Million in New Capacity for Railroad Industry Hartford Announces New eSubmission Capabilities Aon to Outsource Most U.S. IT Infrastructure to CSC St. Paul Travelers Announces Settlement of Common Law Asbestos-Related Direct Actions Accenture Survey Targets Industry Fraud AIMU Board Backs Revisions to Cargo Clauses Xerox Survey Reports Productivity as Top Business Priority for ACORD LOMA Attendees Chubb Survey: One in Four Private Companies Sued by Employees, Former Employees ACORD Demos Newly Released Fillable Forms at Conference ACORD Launches New Advantage Web Site ePolicy Solutions Reports Findings of Online Industry Systems Open Forum Best’s 34-Year P/C Insolvency Study Finds Industry Remarkably Resilient Progressive Offers Real-Time Claims Info to Independent Agents, Brokers Using Applied Systems Marine Underwriters Association Revises Cargo Clauses; First Revision in 38 Years Survey Shows Majority of Risk Managers Say Contingent Commission Practice is Conflict of Interest CalSurance Adds Rush to Sales Team Report: Auto Premium Errors Cost Insurers $15 Billion CEO Ayer Touts ‘Tremendous’ Year for The Hartford CIS Enters Into Deal with FinancePro First Premium Insurance Group Unveils ‘Supplemental Natural Disaster Protection’ Beneducci Promoted to COO at Fireman’s Fund Best Releases Latest Version of Underwriting Guide Fallout from MMC’s Kroll Acquisition Best Downgrades NIPPONKOA Insurance Co. of America OnlineBenefits to Purchase Captiva Systems InVEST Names Afni’s Roy to Board of Directors U.S. House Passes OSHA Changes for Employers S&P Affirms AFG Ratings; Raises Outlook PCI Hosts Mini-Seminar on Sarbanes-Oxley Act PIA Calls on All State Departments to Protect Returning U.S. Soldiers from Rate Hikes, Coverage Denials PCI Says Regulatory Modernization, Credit Scoring Continue to Be Top Issues U.S. Investment Slowing in Europe Says RiskProNet Conference Speaker MMC to Buy Kroll for $1.9 Billion MONY Shareholders Approve $1.5 Billion AXA Merger Arch Introduces Environmental Multi-Line Policy Bookman, Trought to Head American Collectors PIA Lauds N.D. Commissioner for Helping Returning GI’s Insurers Urge Senate Panel to Extend TRIA Allenbrook Unveils New ‘Express’ Version of Phoenix Management Cybernetics Notes Release of Omni7 Deloitte & Touche Names Spruell, Thaler to Posts Hastings Mutual Reports Full Deployment of Guidewire ClaimCenter PCI White Paper: Insurer Profitability Must Be Viewed Over Long Term Background Checks, Fingerprinting System Should Be First Priority, Says PCI Primary Group Forms U.S. Distribution Team Wachovia Open to More Insurance Acquisitions PCI Spurs Need for Medical Liability Reform; House Approves Legislation IBHS Makes Available New Checklist to Make Manufactured Homes More Secure TechAssure Partners with Euclid Managers CARH Praises House Vote on Med-Mal Reform S&P Report: Property Catastrophe Reinsurance Shows Good Year, Despite Higher Losses Best Announces Ratings Actions on Aon Subsidiaries The Doctors Co. Adds Starcher to Board of Govs. Fitch Downgrades ACA Financial Guaranty to ‘BBB’ Great American Insurance Group Joins AIA Physician Group’s Study Claims Cost to Society of Lack of Health Insurance in U.S. Tops $100 Billion ISO Launches Major New Microsoft® .Net-Ready Version of ISO Claims Outcome Advisor Solution S&P Reports on U.S. P/C Industry Financial Condition Standard Insurance Co. Unveils New Online Tools ALEC Civil Justice Task Force Adopts NAMIC Model Law Correction: 100 Largest P/C Independent Agencies AIG Excess Casualty Unveils AIG ExcessPrime Marshall Named President/CEO at Camelback Assurant Employee Benefits Sells WorkAbility Division Insurer Groups Say Multistate Credit Scoring Study Likely to Be Biased Life Actuaries Should Put Consumers’ Interests First, Says Watchdog Organization President ISO Launches .NET-Ready Version of Claims Software Asbestos Negotiations Die in U.S. Senate Fireman’s Fund Selects Kavitsky to Succeed Post as CEO and President PCI Statement on Breakdown in Asbestos Negotiations CPCU Society to Present Reinsurance Symposium PCI Workshop Targets Top Causes of Construction-Related Injuries, Fatalities NCCI Unveils 2003 Workers’ Comp Numbers CDS Unveils Slope/Aspect/Elevation Report MarketScout: Rates Adjusted Downward Later in Summer PCI Welcomes Three New Member Companies RMS, Marshall & Swift/Boeckh Form Partnership to Enhance Property Valuation for Risk Analysis ACE USA Appoints Cook as VP- ACE Captive Solutions Fitch Places ACA Financial on Rating Watch Negative OneBeacon Joins E&S Property Market Questions of Coverage for Terrorism IIABA Study Warns on “Electrical Hazards” Chubb Introduces an Intellectual Property, Privacy and Communications Liability Risk Management Handbook PIAA, NPDB Data Show Med-Mal Costs Still Rising The Hartford Adds New Program to Help Employees, Claimants Overcome Disability-Related Challenges PCI Expresses Concerns on States’ Credit Scoring Study Imaging at a Glance Study PublishedFireman’s Fund Picks American Collectors Insurance to Provide Collector Vehicle Coverage Jury Rules For Swiss Re in WTC Recovery Case PCI Cites ISO Action as Supporting TRIA Renewal PCI Comments on Allstate Class Action Verdict TowerGroup Study Finds U.S. Insurers Invest in Response to Infrastructure Weaknesses Uncovered in Sarbanes-Oxley Audits ACE USA Creates New Healthcare Practice Allstate Wins Class Action Suit on Diminished Value Hooper Holmes Buys Mid-America Agency Services ISO Files Conditional Terrorism Policy Endorsements Big I Board Nominates Stiglitz as President-Elect Swiss Re Completes Admin Re Acquisition of CNA’s Individual Life Insurance Business Best Offers Its Suite of Reinsurance Information for P/C and Life/Health Insurers on CD-ROM and Online National News Archives