Latest Market Headlines
All the headlines from our Market Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Analysts See Increase in P/C Mergers Ahead; Rate Climate Top Challenge
May 5 2008 // Insurance equity analysts expect a significant increase in property/casualty mergers and acquisitions this year, according to findings of a global survey by Accenture. More than two-thirds (71 percent) of all P/C analysts...
People
May 5 2008 // Charlotte, N.C.-based wholesale insurance broker AmWINS Group, Inc. has named James Drinkwater president of its AmWINS Brokerage division. Drinkwater will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the division. Prior...
Report: 2008 Insurance Agency-Broker Value Forecast
Apr 24 2008 // Marsh, Berry & Company Inc. has released an overview of the state of the insurance distribution system for 2008 and beyond. This research report documents historical and projected insurance agency/broker value, merger...
Surplus Lines Association Launches Employment Web Site
Apr 23 2008 // The National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices has launched a new online job center to help students and young professionals find employment opportunities in the surplus lines insurance...
Southeast Agents Fear Recession as Construction Woes Continue
Apr 22 2008 // Southeast insurance agents do not all agree the economy is in a recession or on the causes of the slumping economy, but they do agree the dominoes are in place that could trigger a serious economic chain reaction. Roger...
Agents in the East Find Recession Hurts Others More
Apr 22 2008 // Insurance agents across New England and the Mid-Atlantic are worried about how their customers and they will fare as the region’s economy continues to slow. “An agent’s business is a direct reflection of...
Agents and the Recession: Agents Tend to Fare Better Than Their Customers
Apr 22 2008 // Main Street independent insurance agents could take a bigger hit than their larger counterparts as an economic recession lands on top of the soft market. The soft market coinciding with a bad economy is a real challenge...
In Midwest, Recession Makes Soft Market Even Tougher
Apr 22 2008 // When it comes to dealing with a recession, independent agents in Michigan carry the dubious distinction of having more experience than their counterparts in other Midwestern states. Michigan has been knee deep in a...
Recession, Soft Market Forcing Western Agents to Refocus
Apr 22 2008 // Whether the nation is in a true recession may still be up for debate, but it’s difficult to ignore the signs of economic slowdown throughout the West — and its effect on the insurance industry. New home...
Soft On Top
Apr 21 2008 // We were reminded in our last issue’s stories on how agents are faring in the recession that the effects of the economic downturn vary by agency and region. Some agencies and customer are feeling the slowdown more...
Soft On Top
Apr 21 2008 // We were reminded in our last issue’s stories on how agents are faring in the recession that the effects of the economic downturn vary by agency and region. Some agencies and customer are feeling the slowdown more...
Apr 21 2008 // People Michigan-based J.M. Wilson recently announced three new staff members, Danielle Crandell, Eric Maus and Jeanne Callan. Crandell was hired as a transportation underwriter. She will service commercial trucking...
Federal Charter: A Future ‘Insurance Subprime’ Debacle?
Apr 21 2008 // The banking and securities industry is facing worldwide subprime mortgage-related losses which knowledgeable sources – including the International Monetary Fund — now suggest could top $1 trillion, according to...
Demand For Food, Fuel Creating Ample Need for Agribusiness Insurance
Apr 21 2008 // The need for agricultural insurance is growing like a weed. “This is the greatest time we’ve had in our business,” said Christopher Leliaert, vice president at Towers-Perrin Reinsurance, in his assessment...
Federal Charter: A Future ‘Insurance Subprime’ Debacle?
Apr 21 2008 // The banking and securities industry is facing worldwide subprime mortgage-related losses, which knowledgeable sources – including the International Monetary Fund — now suggest could top $1 trillion, according to...
Declarations
Apr 21 2008 // P/C Consolidation “The logic of consolidation within the property and casualty industry, particularly in North America, may be gaining favor as the economy slows and as rates soften. However, our research suggests...
Insurance Skills Center Celebrates 30th Anniversary
Apr 21 2008 // Founders reflect on changes in insurance industry education The schedules of working full-time and being a mom don’t always concur, but Patty Gibson Carlson and Laurie Zangwill-Infantino have proven otherwise with...
Agents’ Workload Goes Up as Economy, Compensation Move Down
Apr 21 2008 // Soft market, economic downturn, consumer advocacy translate into more work for agencies Insurance Journal‘s Editor-in-Chief Andrea Wells was at the Big “I” Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.,...
Soft Market’s Effect on Premium Volume Doesn’t Have to Hinder Revenue
Apr 21 2008 // Soft market’s effect on premium volume doesn’t have to hinder revenue Premium volume may be down for independent agencies across the country but that doesn’t mean agency revenue is down for some of the...
Prognosis Good in Medical Professional Liability Market
Apr 21 2008 // Tort reform keeping claims frequency down; surplus up, but severity still an issue Tort reform efforts seem to be working, frequency of claims for medical liability is going down, surplus is up and reinsurance capital is...
