Latest Trends Headlines
All the headlines from our Trends Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Big ‘I’ 2013 Best Practices Study Finds Increases in Specializations, Profitability
Nov 15 2013 // The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) released its 2013 Best Practices Study which found an increase in agencies with specializations, expansion of technology...
Survey: Colorado Employers Seeing 10.9% Hike in Health Plans
Nov 14 2013 // It may still be considered the leanest state and among the nation’s healthiest, but Colorado employers are seeing a large increase in the cost of medical benefits in the coming year, a survey released on Thursday...
Investors to Double Catastrophe Bonds by 2018: BNY Mellon
Nov 14 2013 // The amount of insurance-linked securities outstanding may reach $150 billion by the end of 2018 as institutional investors including pension funds search for yield, Bank of New York Mellon Corp. said in a report. Of the...
MarshBerry Survey Reveals an Optimistic Marketplace: Part 1
Nov 13 2013 // In June of this year, MarshBerry launched its 28th Annual Market & Financial Outlook Survey in conjunction with Insurance Journal. The survey compiled anonymous general independent agency information along with...
Much of Eastern Asia Underinsured for Weather As Risk, Values Rising
Nov 13 2013 // Insured losses from weather-related events in Eastern Asia amount to only about 10 percent of the $700 billion in total losses accumulated over the last three decades, according to an analysis by Munich Re. According to...
Central Texans’ Interest in Flood Insurance Rises Along with Claims
Nov 13 2013 // Insurance agents in Austin, Texas, report the interest in homeowners obtaining flood insurance coverage has risen dramatically after two recent rains that have flooded portions of Austin and neighboring communities....
Select Insurance Markets Adds Paschali
Nov 12 2013 // Select Insurance Markets LP (SIM) has added Leila Paschali to its marketing team. Paschali is based in Austin, Texas. Her responsibility will include marketing and adding additional new agents in both Texas and Louisiana....
Older Drivers Catching Up with Younger in Distracted Driving: Survey
Nov 12 2013 // Cell phone use and texting while driving are on the rise along with accessing the internet while driving — and it’s not just young people engaging in these dangerous activities behind the wheel. State Farm today...
Florida Outpatient Costs for Injured Workers Rising Rapidly: WCRI
Nov 11 2013 // The average cost per claim of outpatient hospital care for injured workers in the Florida workers’ compensation system continued to grow rapidly and was a main driver of growth in medical payments per claim in the...
Insurance Kiosks the Wave of the Future?
Nov 8 2013 // Milk…check; Eggs…check; Bread…check; Car insurance…wait, what? Most Americans’ grocery lists don’t typically read this way, but a new approach to selling personal auto insurance from...
Use of Predictive Models Widespread in P/C Insurance: Survey
Nov 7 2013 // A survey of North American insurance professionals reveals widespread use of predictive analytics in the property/casualty insurance industry, with as many as 82 percent responding that they use predictive modeling in one...
Neutral El Nino Condtions Forecast Through Spring: NOAA
Nov 7 2013 // The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said on Thursday it expects neutral El Niño weather conditions to persist in the Northern Hemisphere through spring. In its monthly report, NOAA’s...
Swiss Re Q3 Net Beats Analyst Forecasts as Non-Life Sales Jump
Nov 7 2013 // Swiss Re Ltd., the world’s second- biggest reinsurer, reported better than expected third-quarter profit after non-life premiums rose by a fifth. Net income fell 51 percent to $1.07 billion from a year ago, the...
Florida Approves NCCI’s Revised Filing for 0.7% Workers’ Comp Rate Increase
Nov 5 2013 // Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation recently issued a final order approving the rate increase of 0.7 percent for workers’ compensation rates in Florida. The approval was issued after the National Council...
About Those ‘Huge’ Flood Insurance Rate Increases
Nov 4 2013 // Recent news reports on the roll-out of reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program have focused on astronomical increases in rates faced by some home and business owners. This language from an ABC News report has been...
Illinois Workers’ Compensation Medical Care Costs Declining: WCRI
Nov 4 2013 // The costs of medical care to treat injured workers in Illinois are declining, the result of regulatory change enacted in 2011, according to a new study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). The report,...
Increasing Retentions: The Hidden Premium Increase
Nov 4 2013 // Is the market hardening? A Google search shows that most experts think it is, and it is nearly impossible to find a professional journal without an article discussing the topic. The premium increases that are being...
Wyoming Traffic Fatalities Decrease In 2013
Nov 4 2013 // The Wyoming Highway Patrol says traffic fatalities in the state have decreased this year. According to Sgt. Steve Townsend, 120 people died in traffic accidents in Wyoming last year. There were only 67 traffic deaths...
AIG’s Q3 Profit Advances 17% to $2.17B; Property/Casualty Sales Decline
Nov 1 2013 // American International Group Inc., the insurer that repaid a U.S. rescue last year, said third- quarter profit climbed 17 percent as underwriting margins improved at the property-casualty business. Net income rose to $2.17...
Emerging Economies Nearing Half of Global Warming Emissions
Nov 1 2013 // Total greenhouse gas emissions by China and other emerging nations since 1850 will surpass those of rich nations this decade, complicating U.N. talks about who is most to blame for global warming, a study showed on...
