Latest Market Headlines

Federal insurance antitrust exemption: Insurer, consumer friend or foe?

Jul 3 2006 // Congress opened debate on the insurance industry’s exemption from federal antitrust laws, with some larger insurers indicating a willingness to relinquish the exemption in exchange for regulatory reform that would...

Things that should keep you awake at night

Jul 3 2006 // The integration of the U.S. insurance market and global financial market will have a profound impact on business, according to Dave Zwiener, president and chief operating officer of Property and Casualty Operations for The...

Federal insurance antitrust exemption: Insurer, consumer friend or foe?

Jul 3 2006 // Congress opened debate on the insurance industry’s exemption from federal antitrust laws, with some larger insurers indicating a willingness to relinquish the exemption in exchange for regulatory reform that would...

Jul 3 2006 // People Trindl Reeves joined Barney & Barney, San Diego, as a principal, responsible for the ongoing growth of Barney & Barney in San Diego and Orange County. She will be based in San Diego. Reeves, formerly...

Mich. Creates Pool to Reduce Premiums in Detroit, Flint

Jun 30 2006 // Four insurance companies have told state officials they want details on bidding to represent a pool of up to 200,000 good drivers and responsible homeowners in Flint and Detroit. The companies are among more than 65 the...

California Commissioner Questions Homeowners’ Insurance Rates

Jun 30 2006 // California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi has announced he will approve an 18 percent decrease in homeowner and renter premium rates by The Hartford Insurance Co. The Hartford’s filing for a decrease contrasts...

Swiss Re Economists Analyze Global Situation; Insurance Outlook

Jun 28 2006 // Swiss Re’s economists held their “Mid-year Economic and Insurance Industry” teleconference yesterday, June 27, covering concerns on inflation, interest rates, high oil prices and the outlook for the...

Bogardus Named 2006 IMCA Golden Torch Award Recipient

Jun 28 2006 // In recognition of his lifelong contributions to the insurance industry, the Insurance Marketing Communications Association (www.imcanet.com) awarded its Golden Torch Award to John A. (Jack) Bogardus, Jr. Bogardus, former...

U.S. P/C Industry Posts Record 1Q Profits; Net Gain on Underwriting Rises Nearly 21%

Jun 28 2006 // The U.S. property/casualty industry’s net gain on underwriting rose $1.4 billion, or 20.8 percent, to $8.4 billion in first-quarter 2006 from $6.9 billion in first-quarter 2005. The combined ratio — a key...

Ind. Economic Development Corp. Rolls Out Funded Training Program

Jun 23 2006 // The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) today announced the roll-out of a new incentive aimed at encouraging growth in the insurance industry by establishing a $2 million fund to help companies defray the costs...

Insurance Industry Pay Increases Running Slightly Above Others

Jun 23 2006 // Pay increases for most salaried workers will average only 3.5 percent this year and stay at that level through 2007, The Conference Board reports. Pay increases in insurance were slightly higher than projected; diversified...

Federal Insurance Antitrust Exemption: Insurer, Consumer Friend or Foe?

Jun 22 2006 // Congress opened a fresh debate on the insurance industry’s exemption from federal antitrust laws this week, with some larger insurers indicating a willingness to relinquish the exemption in exchange for regulatory...

Things that should keep you awake at night

Jun 19 2006 // The integration of the U.S. insurance market and global financial market will have a profound impact on business, according to Dave Zwiener, president and chief operating officer of Property and Casualty Operations for The...

Lloyd’s forecast for Northeast: Storms, global warming threats are real

Jun 19 2006 // The prospect of another nasty hurricane season has everyone in the insurance industry braced for a white-knuckle ride. The spectre of a hurricane hitting a major Northeast population center is hardly the stuff of Hollywood...

Keeping tabs on transparency

Jun 19 2006 // “In life there are lines that shouldn’t be crossed — but when they are, great drama is born.” Quoting from the “Desire Under the Elms” playbill at the Lesher Regional Center for the Arts...

Legal and effective incentive compensation still under fire

Jun 19 2006 // There is a critical need to preserve the right of insurance companies to determine how best to compensate the insurance agents and brokers who sell their products. In this regard, the insurance industry is like virtually...

Editor’s Note: Florida PIP, no-fault, rescue only temporary until 2007

Jun 19 2006 // The insurance industry was on pins-and-needles in early May when the Florida Legislature passed SB 2114 and extended when the state’s no-fault auto insurance law would sunset—but then the bill went onto the...

By William G. Stiglitz

Jun 19 2006 // Legal and effective incentive compensation still under fire There is a critical need to preserve the right of insurance companies to determine how best to compensate the insurance agents and brokers who sell their...

Florida’s home insurance market: domiciled insurers persist

Jun 19 2006 // At the outset of 2006, the 21 Florida-domiciled insurers rated A or better by Demotech Inc., had an 18 percent share of the voluntary market. Their total 2005 writings were $977 million. Over a dozen have begun writing...

News Currents

Jun 19 2006 // Showing the money: Insurance industry ranks high in political giving Insurers and associations give to Republicans, Democrats and Independents in state-level politics In the 2004 election cycle, the insurance industry was...