National News
News for May 2007
May 31, 2007
- Hurricane Forecaster Gray, Like Others, Expects Above Normal Activity
- Congressional Democrats to Try to Overturn Court's Pay-Bias Ruling
- Ratings Roundup: Safeco; GNY Group; American Road; Auto Owners
- Bond Capacity for Main Street America's NGM Expands
- Arch Promotes Kmetz for Global Property, Manahan for E&S
- HCC Appoints Moore VP - Human Resources
May 30, 2007
- Risk Managers Take Strong Stand Against Contingent Commissions
- National Cat Fund Gains Congressional Support ... But Is It Enough?
- U.S. Supreme Court Upholds 180-Day Period for Pay Bias Claims
Greenberg: TRIA Necessary But National Disaster Insurance Plan Isn't- U.S. Highway Traffic Deaths Decline Slightly
- Ratings Roundup: AIG
- Oesterreicher Joins HCC Board of Directors
- Argonaut Appoints Given as Gen. Counsel, LeFlore as Executive Counsel
- 3 Agencies Earn Target Markets Best Practice Designation
- U.S. Oil Industry Preps for Gulf Storm Season
May 29, 2007
- Study Highlights Industry's Potential Climate Change Liabilities
- Jury: Brightpoint Risk Manager Guilty in Insurance Scheme with AIG
- Utilities, Insurers Say They're Better Prepared for Hurricane Season
- Greenberg Growing C.V. Starr at Home and Abroad
- S&P Assigns 'B' Ratings to Hub Int'l.
- Unitrin Appoints Boschelli as VP, Treasurer
- Aetna Buys Schaller Anderson Inc. for $535 Million
- Swiss Re, Big 'I' Ink 5-Year Pact On E&O Coverage
- Kaufman Financial/Burns & Wilcox Realign Senior Managment Team
May 25, 2007
- U.S. Securities, Insurance Firms Gain Greater Market Access in China Talks
- Greenberg: No Good Has Come from Spitzer Probes
- Sens. Sununu, Johnson Reintroduce Optional Federal Charter Legislation
- Detailed Database of Global Terrorism Attacks Now Available Online
- Ratings Roundup: Nationwide Notes
- Navigators Opens Specialty Program Division; Cullen Named Unit President
May 24, 2007
- Greenberg Criticizes AGs over Contingent Commissions
- Study: Homeowners Could Save $11.6 Billion with Catastrophe Protections
- Titan Acquires Eastwood Insurance
- SCOR Balks at World Trade Center Claims Settlement
- Recent Ratings Roundup: Travelers; Hanover; Amica Mutual
- AMIS Offers Coverage for Security Guards, Private Investigators and Adjusters
- Max Specialty Now Eligible in N.Y., N.C., Kan. for Total of 45 States
May 23, 2007
- Let Ground Zero Rebuilding Begin: Spitzer Brokers Settlement with 7 Insurers
- NOAA Predicts Busier-Than-Average East, Gulf Coast Hurricane Season
- Insurance Exec Greenberg Praises U.S., China Leaders
- Sen. Clinton Favors Federal Disaster Backup Fund, 'Rebuilding' FEMA
- Federal Judge in Fla. Rejects Fraud Plea by Asbestos Attorney
- BISYS Finalizes SEC Settlement
- Ratings Roundup: American Federated; Berkshire Hathaway Homestate
- HRH to Acquire Denver Broker Urman
- Aon Announces CFO David Bolger To Leave Company
- The Hartford Taps Brown to be Executive VP for P/C Sales
- Business Risk Partners, Praetorian Offer Small-Middle Market D&O
May 22, 2007
- Survey: 75% of Consumers Satisfied with Insurance Agents; Prefer Personalized Service
- Officials Plan for Fewer Hurricane Hunter Flights this Season
- House Passes Bill Blocking Giant Retailers' Entry into Banking
- New 'GREEN' Captive Insurer Promises Savings for Eco-Friendly Businesses
- Ratings Roundup: Cincinnati; Travelers, StanCorp
- Stokes, Sexton to Lead Marsh Renewable Energy Unit
May 21, 2007
- Hurricane Chief: Millions Wasted on NOAA Publicity Campaign
- U.S. Grand Jury Subpoenas Allstate, Nationwide over Katrina Claims
- Forecasters to Test 3-D Radar Hurricane Tracking Technique
- Agents Using 'Real Time' Really Save Time, IVANS Survey Says
- S&P Lowers RVI Guaranty Ratings
- Ratings Recap: Horace Mann, American Physicians, Ophthalmic Mutual
- CRM Shows Benefits of Majestic Acquisition, Twin Bridges Reinsurance
- Choices Introduces Real Time Agency Software
- Hull & Co.'s Calabrese to Retire; Riordan and McGrew Promoted
May 18, 2007
- U.S. Chamber: 'Broken Lawsuit System' Hurts Small Businesses
- RMS Withdraws Five-Year Hurricane Model from Florida
- Senate Panel Advances Vehicle Backover Safety Bill
- Director: FEMA More Prepared than Ever for Hurricane Season
- Bank of America Considers Selling its Insurance Brokerage Division
- Study: 1927 Mississippi Flood Would Cost Up To $160 Billion
- Ratings Roundup: American Family
- TowerGroup Adds West to Insurance Research Practice
May 17, 2007
- Allstate CEO: Shift to Less Risky Business Will Take Years to Do
- Merkel: P/C Lessons from Bermuda
- On Eve of Hurricane Season, U.S. Mandates Safety Labels on Generators
- Tyco to Pay $3 Billion to Settle Shareholders' Lawsuit
- Lemac Offers Catastrophe Coverage
- Ratings Roundup: Zurich (US), National Indemnity, 21st Century
- Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Names Botkin Senior VP, Healthcare Practice Leader
May 16, 2007
- Poll: Public Ready for Next Disaster But Doubts Federal Government Is
- Miami Tops Rude Drivers List for Second Year
- Candidate Obama Promises Universal Health Care by End of First Term
- Bank of America Eyes Sale of Commercial Insurance Brokerage Unit
- New Travelers U.S. Aviation Company Takes Flight
- Merger: AIG Buying Remaining 21st Century Shares for $813 Million
- USI Holdings Closes on Acquisition of Florida Broker Goldin
- Ratings Recap: Delphi, RTW, Nationwide Financial, United America
- Marsh's Ullman Joins Integro as Chief Compliance Officer
- S&P Lowers AmWINS Ratings to 'B-'
- Sweeney Appointed Tech VP at Liberty Mutual Agency Markets
May 15, 2007
- Acura, Ford Family Cars Earn Top Insurance Safety Award
- N.C. Gov. Urges Colleagues' Support in Protecting State Authority over Guard
- Fire Outlook: 2007 Wildfire Season Looks Wicked
- Baby Boomers Stay Loyal to Insurance Brand, Study Reveals
- AmWINS to Buy American Equity Underwriters
- AIG Introduces Service to Assist with Homeland Security Compliance
- K & K Insurance Offers New Event Planners' Program
May 14, 2007
- Industry Not Getting Out Truth About Katrina Claims, Soto Maintains
- Strong Demand for Weather Risk Management Contracts, Group Says
- Lloyd's Still Insures Body Parts: 'Ugly Betty's Smile' Worth $10 Million
- S&P Lowers Mercury's Ratings to 'AA-'
- Countrywide Names Cardinal President
- Rating Roundup: Genworth; ZFS Notes
May 11, 2007
- NCCI Reiterates "Optimistic but Cautious" Outlook for Workers Comp
- Spring Wildfires, Floods Wreak Havoc from Coast to Coast
- Auto Safety Backfires at NASCAR, Says Professor
- AIG 1Q: Net Income Up 29%
May 10, 2007
- Double Duty: Agent-Soldiers Who Serve Their Country and Their Customers
- Early Storm Andrea Off Florida Coast
- Survey: Geico, NY Life Rank High in Brand Loyalty
- Ratings Recaps-Chubb Notes; Intrepid; CSI; Mercer; Longpoint Re
- Bach to Lead Hiscox Business Development for U.S.
May 9, 2007
- Judge Denies State Farm Motion to Dismiss Miss. Lawsuit
- Travelers Establishes Multi-Year Catastrophe Bond Program
- J.C. Flowers to Become Biggest Investor in Direct Response
- GMAC Insurance to Buy U.K. Auto Insurer Provident Financial
- Recent Ratings Recap
May 8, 2007
- Independent Agents' and Brokers' Market Share Holds Steady
- House Bill Aims to Provide Horse Racing Jockey Coverage
- MMC 1Q: Combined Revenues Up 5%; Marsh Revenues Unchanged
- Berkshire Hathaway 1Q Net Income Up 12%; Equitas Deal Boosts Insurance
- Officials: Hold 20 Million Chickens Because of Tainted Feed
- A.M. Best Affirms Liberty Mutual, Ohio Casualty Ratings
- S&P Rates XL Capital's Notes A-; Affirms Credit, Financial Ratings
- InsurBanc Hires New Vice President of Sales and Business Development
- Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal Opens Three Offices
May 7, 2007
- Report: U.S. To Subpoena Allstate, Other Insurers in Katrina Probe
- Big 3 Brokers Still Feeling Effects of Spitzer Attack, S&P Says
- Bill Clinton Urges Politicians to Address Disaster Planning
- Liberty Mutual to Acquire Ohio Casualty for $2.7 Billion
- Home Buyers Showing Renewed Interest in Private Mortgage Insurance
- Argonaut Group Reports Increased Earnings for Q1
- Aon's 1st Quarter Profit Rises 8 Percent on Higher International Fees
May 4, 2007
- At Buffet's Diversified Berkshire Hathaway, Insurance Still #1
- White House Staffer Rethmeier Joins Insurer Trade Group, AIA
May 3, 2007
- Towers Perrin D&O Report: Spike in Demand for Personal Cover, Higher Limits, Enhancements
- Consumer Advocate: Regulate, Not Eliminate, Contingent Commissions
- NFL Players Association Countersues over Hedge Fund Liability
- Erie: 1Q Results Reflect Policy Retention, New Agencies, Price Cuts
- OneBeacon Reports Boost in Book Value, Drop in Premiums in 1Q
- The Hartford Taps Target to Manage Accountants Liability Program
- Swiss Re Now Offering Nonadmitted E&O Coverage for Big 'I' Agents
May 2, 2007
- Total Cost of Risk Continues Downward Trend, RIMS Survey Finds
- Tainted Pet Food Linked to Indiana Chickens; No Recall Yet
- Citi to Acquire BISYS for $1.47 Billion; Crump to Get Insurance Group
- Markel 1Q: Net Income Up, Combined Ratio Down; Conference Today
- C.V. Starr in Deal with Allied World to Offer New Excess Capacity
- Burns & Wilcox Offers Course of Construction Product
May 1, 2007