Latest Trends Headlines
All the headlines from our Trends Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Traffic Fatalities Up in South Dakota in 2012, Down From Average
Feb 27 2013 // South Dakota officials say the number of traffic fatalities in the state were up in 2012, but below the average for the last 10 years. State Department of Transportation figures show there were 134 people killed on the...
Teen Driver Deaths Increased in First Half of 2012
Feb 27 2013 // Deaths of younger teen drivers increased sharply in the first six months of last year, reversing a decade-long trend, according to a report released Tuesday by state highway safety officials. Deaths of 16- and 17-year-old...
More Good News/Bad News for Florida Insurance Market
Feb 26 2013 // Floridians would face about $7.19 billion in post-hurricane taxes to make up the funding shortfalls of state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund should even a 1-in-50-year storm...
Mobile Technology Gaining with Insurers: Survey
Feb 25 2013 // While much of the attention around use of mobile devices in insurance has centered on consumer apps offered by large personal lines insurers, other property/casualty insurers and life/annuity insurers are rolling out...
Allianz Reports Revenue, Operating Profit and Net Income Growth for 2012
Feb 22 2013 // Germany’s Allianz Group, Europe’s largest insurer, reported strong results for the financial year 2012. Revenues reached €106.4 billion [$140.66 billion] for the year, an increase of 2.7 percent compared to...
Despite Uncertainty, Momentum Building for M&As in 2013: PwC
Feb 21 2013 // While 2012 was a flat year for financial services mergers and acquisitions (M&A) overall, there was a surge in the fourth quarter and there is reason to think activity will pick up in 2013, according to a new...
Swiss Re Posts $4.2 Billion 2012 Net Income; Premiums & Fees up 15%
Feb 21 2013 // Swiss Re reported strong 2012 results with net income for the year of $4.2 billion for full-year 2012, compared to $2.6 billion in 2011. The report said the “result was driven by strong premium and fee income growth...
Survey: Most Texas Voters Support Licensing Roofers
Feb 20 2013 // A recent survey shows that most registered Texas voters support the licensing of roofers in the state. According to the survey by the Insurance Council of Texas (ICT), when asked if roofing contractors should be licensed...
RSA Posts $1.047 Billion 2012 Operating Profit; 5% Premium Growth
Feb 20 2013 // The UK’s RSA posted a solid operating profit of £684 million [$1.047 billion], compared to £727 million [$1.113 billion in 2011; while registering a five percent increase in net written premiums to £8.353 billion...
Extensive Corrosion: Report on 2012 Chevron Fire in California
Feb 14 2013 // The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health released a technical evaluation report on piping samples taken from the Chevron Refinery in Richmond,...
International Chamber of Commerce Survey Finds Improved Economic Climate
Feb 13 2013 // The Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the Munich-based Ifo institute for economic research have released findings, which conclude that the “world economy is showing signs of brightening after...
Insurers: False Auto Claims on the Rise in Minnesota
Feb 12 2013 // Auto insurance companies say false and exaggerated injury claims are on the rise in Minnesota. The National Insurance Crime Bureau says suspicious personal injury claims have tripled since 2008. Minnesota ranked tenth in...
Mobile Technology Gaining with Insurers: Survey
Feb 11 2013 // While much of the attention around use of mobile devices in insurance has centered on consumer apps offered by large personal lines insurers, other property/casualty insurers and life/annuity insurers are rolling out...
New MGA Ascent Underwriting Launched in London; Targets Emerging Cyber Risks
Feb 11 2013 // Ascent Underwriting, a specialist Managing General Agent (MGA) providing coverage for emerging cyber risks, has been launched in London, targeting clients ranging from micro businesses to international corporations. The...
Florida’s Workers’ Comp Market Outlook Remains Positive
Feb 11 2013 // The outlook for Florida’s workers’ compensation market continues to be strong as a competitive market offers affordable rates, although costs could be reduced further if the state addressed prescription drug...
A Future Filled With Driverless Cars
Feb 11 2013 // Visions of robotic self-driving cars may appear like something from a George Lucas film but in June 2011, this vision took a giant leap toward becoming reality when Nevada became the first state to enact legislation that...
The Hanover Posts $55M Q4 Loss, but Full-Year 2012 Profit Up 52% to $56M
Feb 8 2013 // The Hanover Insurance Group in Worcester, Mass., reported a net loss of $55.0 million for the 2012 fourth quarter, in contrast to $49.6 million profit posted for the fourth quarter of 2011. The Hanover’s latest...
Beazley Posts Strong Growth; Pretax 2012 Profits $251.2 Million
Feb 8 2013 // Beazley plc announced strong growth for the year 2012. Highlights of its recently released earnings report include the following: •Profit before income tax of $251.2 million (compared to $62.7 million in 2011) •Return...
Catlin Group’s $339 Million 2012 Profit Less than Forecast as Sandy Loss Widens
Feb 8 2013 // Bermuda-based insurer Catlin said its profit fell short of analysts’ forecasts because of a bigger than expected claims bill from Superstorm Sandy and the Costa Concordia shipwreck. Catlin, operator of the biggest...
Best Affirms Validus’ ‘A’ Ratings; Outlook Stable
Feb 8 2013 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a” of Validus Reinsurance, Ltd., as well as the ICR of “bbb” and debt...
