Research and Trends News

PIA: Agencies See Significant Underwriting Changes in Homeowners Market

The Professional Insurance Agents’ (PIA) recent survey of more than 400 independent agencies showed significant market changes in the Northeast — with the homeowners insurance and commercial property market appearing to be most affected by the shift. More than 400 …

Wage and Hour Claims Among Top Threats to U.S. Employers

Federal wage and hour lawsuits have reached a surprise record high, according to a report by law firm Seyfarth Shaw LLP. Cases filed under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in have continued to skyrocket in 2013, despite indications that …

Karen Clark’s New Program Creates Realistic Hurricane Tracks, Loss Estimates

Just in time for the 2013 hurricane season, Karen Clark & Co. (KCC), a catastrophe risk and modeling firm, has released a scientific tool for creating hurricane tracks and wind speeds. Named WindfieldBuilder, the tool enables property/casualty insurance companies to …

Developing Countries May Not Be Ready for Coming Increased Investment: World Bank

The percentage of global investment that goes to developing countries should triple in the next two decades as emerging economies catch up to richer nations and become more integrated into financial markets, the World Bank predicted in a report on …

Workers’ Comp Sees Encouraging Signs in 2012 Results: NCCI

The workers’ compensation market is seeing encouraging signs. Premiums grew for the second consecutive year, the combined ratio declined and claim frequency continued to improve at a pace slightly greater than its long-term historic rate of decline. In 2012, the …

Terrorism & Political Violence Map: Aon Risk Solutions

The continued threat of a terrorist attack or political violence worldwide persists and is not going away anytime soon. Despite 19 countries showing improved terrorism and political violence ratings, according to Aon’s 2013 Terrorism and Political Violence Map, 44 percent …

On a Leash: Dog Bite Insurance Claim Trends

Dog bites accounted for more than one-third of all homeowners insurance liability claim dollars paid out in 2012, costing more than $489 million, according to the industry’s Insurance Information Institute (III) and insurer State Farm. While the number of claims …

Alabama University Launches Cyber Threat Detection Company

In a private-public partnership, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has launched Malcovery, an intelligence company specializing in cyber threat detection, to help businesses protect themselves from cyberattacks. Malcovery uses patented forensic technology to identify the source and nature …

50 Top Apps for Independent Agents

Mobility technology is changing the way the insurance industry operates. But when it comes to working on the go, nothing is as important as mobile device applications. But what apps do independent agents use most? What apps are the most …

Medical Liability Market Profitable But Deteriorating Results Expected: Fitch

The medical professional liability insurance (MPLI) market was one of the most profitable lines of business in the United States for the past five years, according to a new report. MPLI posted an average calendar year combined ratio of 87 …