Yearly Archives: <span>2004</span>

Sales of Variable Annuities Bounced Back in 2003

New Jersey to Unveil Online Auto Insurance Planner Today New Jersey Banking and Insurance Commissioner Holly C. Bakke will unveil the Auto Insurance Purchasing Planner today. This Internet-based program is designed to help New Jersey drivers understand the insurance coverage …

Allmerica CEO: Mass. Personal Lines Capacity Woes Could Spread to Other Lines

Massachusetts has a capacity crisis not just an auto market crisis which is being played out most vividly on Cape Cod and could spill over into other lines if more and bigger companies are not attracted to the state, according …

PCI, AIA Oppose Mass. Bill Requiring Insurers to Report to Tax Authorities

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America and the American Insurance Association have both gone on record as opposed to a bill being considered by the Joint Committee on Taxation that places insurers in the awkward position of assisting the …

Best Comments on Catlin Group’s IPO

A.M. Best Co. has issued a comment acknowledging the announcement by the Bermuda-based Catlin Group Limited (CGL) of its intention to proceed with an initial public offering of common shares and admission to the London Stock Exchange. Best said it …

Montpelier Re’s CEO Adopts Rule 10b5-1 Plan

Bermuda-based Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. announced that its Chairman, President and CEO, Anthony Taylor, has adopted a written plan in accordance with Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the purpose of selling limited amounts of his …

Best Affirms Zurich Specialties ‘A’ Rating; Assigns Stable Outlook

A.M. Best Co. announced that it has affirmed the financial strength rating of “A” (Excellent) of Zurich Specialties London Limited (ZSL); has removed the rating from under review with negative implications, and has assigned a stable outlook. “The rating reflects …

RenRe Ups Dividend 27%

The Board of Directors of Bermuda’s RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. voted to increase the Company’s quarterly dividend to $0.19 per common share on its common stock, from $0.15 per common share. The dividend is payable on March 15, 2004 to shareholders …

Best Affirms GE Frankona ‘A’ Rating; Lowers Outlook

A.M. Best Co. announced that it has affirmed the financial strength rating of “A” (Excellent) of the GE Frankona Group’s reinsurance subsidiaries, and has revised its outlook to negative from stable. “The rating is based on the explicit financial support …

Fla.’s Brown & Brown Adds Manchester Insurance Agency to List of Operations

Kenneth Kirk, regional executive vice president of Florida-based Brown & Brown Inc., and Paul Manchester, president of Manchester Insurance Agency, of Santa Barbara, California, announced the asset acquisition of Manchester Insurance Agency by Brown & Brown Inc. The transaction is …

Palmer & Cay Appoints Sachs as CFO

Georgia-based Palmer & Cay Inc., one of the nation’s privately-held insurance brokerage and benefits consulting firms, has named Christopher Sachs as chief financial officer, according to John Cay III, chairman and CEO. Sachs, a 27-year veteran of the corporate finance …