Latest Property Casualty Headlines

All the headlines from our Property Casualty Topic Page, ordered by recency.

Totals: U.S. Spring Tornado Losses for P/C Carriers

Jul 1 2011 // Record-breaking tornadoes devastated parts of the United States in April and May, generating substantial losses for insurance companies. Following is a list of maximum losses reported by some insurers and reinsurers for...

Mitsui Sumitomo at Lloyd’s Names Rayner to Head P&C Underwriting

Jun 29 2011 // Mitsui Sumitomo at Lloyd’s has appointed Graeme Rayner as Head of Underwriting, Property and Casualty, in a move it described as designed to drive “growth in the UK and Irish markets.” Rayner, who was...

Analysts Debate Outlook for Reinsurance Stocks

Jun 23 2011 // With reinsurance stocks trading below book value, equity analysts basically agree on the factors affecting these stocks but differ on their outlook on the sector. Property/casualty insurance analysts Meyer Shields, analyst...

Best Upgrades ACE Limited and Subs Issuer Credit Ratings; Affirms FSR’s

Jun 22 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the issuer credit ratings (ICR) and senior debt ratings to “a” from “a-” for Zurich-based ACE Limited and ACE INA Holdings Inc. Best has also upgraded the ICR to...

P/C Insurers’ Profits Fell in Q1 as Underwriting Losses Grew

Jun 22 2011 // Private U.S. property/casualty insurers’ net income after taxes dropped to $7.8 billion in first-quarter 2011 from $8.9 billion in first-quarter 2010, with insurers’ annualized rate of return on average...

People

Jun 20 2011 // Iowa-based United Fire & Casualty Co. announced new executive appointments and the election of four new directors for full terms on its 12-member board. Denver Regional Office Underwriting Manager Jolene Grow was...

As Small Business Shrinks, Small P/C Insurers Lose

Jun 20 2011 // The property/casualty small business sector – those accounts with less than 50 employees – has shrunk substantially since 2007, and there has been a dramatic shift in market share among small, mid-sized and...

Bill to Update Small Insurers’ Tax Option Introduced in House

Jun 16 2011 // Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to adjust the tax code for about 600 small property/casualty insurance companies. The change will increase access to insurance for rural communities and...

Smith to Join Swiss Re as President, CEO Americas; Ozendo Retiring

Jun 15 2011 // The Directors of Swiss Re Group and the Directors of Swiss Re America Holding Corporation announced that J. Eric Smith will join Swiss Re as President and CEO, Americas effective July 11. He will replace Pierre Ozendo who...

China Approves Capital Increase for Liberty Mutual China Subsidiary

Jun 14 2011 // Liberty Insurance Company Limited (LICL) has been granted approval by the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) to increase its registered capital by $17.5 million. LICL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty...

Last Chance: Submit Today to be a Top 100 Independent Agency

Jun 10 2011 // Don’t miss your chance to participate in the 2011 Top 100 Property/Casualty Independent Insurance Agencies report. The extended deadline is now Friday, June 17! Insurance Journal’s Top 100 identifies the...

P/C Insurance Industry Wins, Loses in Scott’s First Session

Jun 10 2011 // It is axiomatic in Florida that when it comes to the legislature and insurance issues, the power brokers play for the last 72 hours. No matter how many committee meetings, no matter how many press conferences, no matter...

Best Upgrades State Farm General Insurance Co.’s Ratings

Jun 9 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to ‘A’ (Excellent) from ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) to “a” from “a-” of State Farm General...

People

Jun 6 2011 // The IMA Financial Group Inc. promoted three in the company’s employee benefits division to vice presidents. Gregg Kamas was promoted to vice president of IMA Financial Group and national practice leader of health...

People

Jun 6 2011 // Marsh & McLennan Cos. appointed Daniel S. Glaser to the newly created position of group president and chief operating officer. Glaser previously had been chairman and CEO of Marsh. He will continue to report to Brian...

P/C Insurers Facing Record Losses from Weather

Jun 6 2011 // Devastating tornadoes, floods, earthquakes overseas and a busier-than-usual hurricane season have U.S. insurance companies bracing for record losses in 2011. Insurers could suffer as much as $10 billion from...

Don’t Forget: Top 100 Independent Insurance Agencies

Jun 3 2011 // Once again, Insurance Journal is on the search for leading privately-held property casualty independent agencies and brokerages for its annual Top 100 Property/Casualty Independent Insurance Agencies report. Top Overall...

Ustun Inan Insurance Joins The Iroquois Group

May 31 2011 // Ustun Inan Insurance, an agency celebrating its 29th year of business in Fremont, Calif., has joined The Iroquois Group, according to agency principal Ustun Inan. Inan has been in the property and casualty insurance...

Ariz. Insurance Premiums Written Decline

May 31 2011 // Property/casualty insurance premiums written in Arizona have declined in 2009 to $7.6 billion, down from $8.1 billion in 2008, according to a recent economic impact report. According to the Arizona Insurance Council, which...

Best Affirms Travelers and Subsidiaries Ratings

May 27 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings (FSR) of ‘A+’ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “aa” of Travelers Group and its property/casualty members, and affiliates,...