Yearly Archives: <span>2004</span>

Pennsylvania Moves to Enforce Large Deductibles in Insolvencies

Pennsylvania lawmakers have taken a major step toward clarifying how insurer insolvencies should be handled in passing a bill, which if applied in the liquidation of Reliance Insurance Co., promises to save the state’s guaranty fund and ultimately Pennsylvania consumers …

Unwillingness of Insurers to Go Near Water Causes Cape Cod HO Crisis

The homes are among the most desirable on the East Coast. Their wealthy owners have maintenance staffs and landscapers to keep the properties in shape. They install the latest fire prevention and security features and, as one agent says, they …

Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal Raises Insurance Costs for Youth Programs

Kay Johnson’s western Massachusetts Big Brothers Big Sisters agency has never been hit with a claim of child sexual abuse. Yet its cost for insurance to cover such claims has more than tripled in the past year, forcing Johnson to …

Numbering and Numbing the Risks

Looking at this issue reminds me of how things have changed over the years. I frequently listen to a “Nostalgic” music station—yes, even in France these exist—and they play Ray Charles and the Beach Boys, and recently the song from …

Willis Names Court Decisions with Greatest Impact on Management Liability

According to a recent report by New York-based Willis Group Holdings, the following key decisions of 2003 are likely to have the greatest impact on management liability in 2004. Willis predicts that these decisions may have the broadest repercussions. Each …

New Data Standards Strive for Consistency, Accuracy in London Market

The potential of underwriting risks more accurately in the London market through the use of better and more complete policy information has driven the insurance industry to develop and implement new data standards. That goal became a priority over the …

Insurance Technology Investments Yield Positive Returns for Industry

The manner in which insurance agents, brokers and companies invest their information technology spend in 2004 may well have the potential of positioning the entities for future growth and development more now than ever before. The current market cycle provides …

Technology and All That Jazz: AAMGA Automation & Tech. Conference

The American Association of Managing General Agents will hold their annual Insurance Automation & Technology Conference March 14-16, 2004, at the Marriott Hotel in New Orleans, La. The theme of the conference this year is “Technology and All That Jazz.” …

Jupiter Affirmed

A.M. Best Co. affirmed the financial strength rating of “A+” (superior) of Jupiter Insurance Limited. The outlook remains stable. The rating reflects Jupiter’s superior capital strength and operating performance. An offsetting factor is the restricted business diversification driven by Jupiter’s …

Ohio Casualty Outlook Revised

S&P revised its outlook on American Fire & Casualty Co., Ohio Casualty Insurance Co., Ohio Security Insurance Co., and West American Insurance Co., which make up the Ohio Casualty Insurance Co. Intercompany Pool (OCIP), to stable from negative. S&P also …