Latest Trends Headlines
All the headlines from our Trends Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Swiss Re Chief Economist Sees Rising Rates by Year End
Jun 22 2012 // On the heels of the decision by the U.S. Federal Reserve to maintain the target fed funds rate at zero to 25 basis points Swiss Re’s Chief Economist, Kurt Karl, commented: “The US economy has been weak...
Rise of Gadgets Doubles Costs of Lightning Damage – I.I.I.
Jun 21 2012 // The cost of insurance claims for lightning strikes nearly doubled between 2004 and 2011, even as the actual number of claims shrank dramatically, and an industry trade group says fancy new TVs and videogame consoles are to...
Best Revises Alterra Capital and Operating Subs Outlook to Stable
Jun 21 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to stable from negative and affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of Alterra Bermuda Limited...
Facebook Fiasco, ‘Blank Check’ Companies Disrupt IPO Insurance Market
Jun 21 2012 // The Facebook initial public offering (IPO) fallout is just getting started, but its effects are already being felt in the insurance community when it comes to covering directors and officers for future social media...
NOAA In Midst Of Tsunami Debris Survey
Jun 20 2012 // Government scientists are in the midst of a 10-day trip, surveying southeast Alaska beaches for debris from last year’s deadly tsunami in Japan. While there have been several high-profile instances of debris from the...
Actuaries: Health Costs to Go Up No Matter What Court Decides on Law
Jun 20 2012 // As the country awaits the highly anticipated ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold or overturn the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), the actuarial experts who price are warning that health insurance...
Best Affirms Argo Re, Argo Group and Subs Ratings; Outlook Stable
Jun 20 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of Bermuda-based Argo Re Ltd. and its subsidiaries, as well as the ICR of...
Chartis Increases Commercial Property Per-Risk Capacity
Jun 18 2012 // Chartis has increased its commercial property per-risk capacity to $1.5 billion on a worldwide basis. This level of capacity had previously been available to Chartis’ North American domiciled clients, underwritten by...
Public Companies Underestimate Risk of Directors and Officers Lawsuit: Survey
Jun 18 2012 // Public company executives may be in for a surprise lawsuit. Despite the odds that they and their directors will be sued in the next 12 months, a new Chubb Public Company Risk Survey has found that more than 80 percent...
Best Affirms Aioi Nissay Dowa and Subs Ratings; Outlook Stable
Jun 18 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a+” of Japan’s Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Company Limited (ADI) and its...
Best Affirms General Reinsurance Corp’s ‘A++’ Ratings; Outlook Stable
Jun 18 2012 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A++’ (Superior) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “aa+” of General Reinsurance Corporation and its core property/casualty and life...
The Future of Producer Compensation
Jun 18 2012 // It is a fact that many people with the title “producer” don’t produce. They service and they accept what comes to them, but they do not produce. It is also a fact that companies are going to find a way to...
Commercial Insurance Prices Continue to Rise: Towers Watson
Jun 18 2012 // Commercial insurance prices in aggregate increased by nearly 5 percent during the first quarter of 2012, the fifth consecutive quarter that prices rose. In addition, commercial insurers’ loss ratios stabilized for...
Future Vision: Will Driving Become Too Safe to Insure?
Jun 18 2012 // What would happen to the auto insurance industry if automobile safety improves to the point that vehicle collisions become relics of the past? That’s the question explored by global consulting and research firm,...
Outlook Is Cautious As Some States See Major Construction Projects
Jun 18 2012 // Apartment Communities May Be Key to Revival The overall construction industry appears to be making a recovery, albeit, a very slow one. Industry watchers say the outlook is better for big utility and public works...
Atlantic Storm Forecast Raised
Jun 18 2012 // Colorado State University researchers have raised their forecast for the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season to 13 tropical storms, with five hurricanes and two major hurricanes. In April they forecast 10 tropical storms, with...
Small Business Owners Dismiss Risk of Data Breach: Survey
Jun 14 2012 // As the number of data breaches involving smaller businesses continues to grow, a new survey by The Hartford finds 85 percent of small business owners believe a data breach is unlikely, and many are not implementing simple...
Storms Increase Insurance Costs In Cheyenne Area
Jun 13 2012 // Severe weather including hailstorms is driving up the cost of homeowners insurance in Wyoming’s Cheyenne area. James Mitchell with the Wyoming Insurance Department says many Wyoming property owners are set to see...
Law Firms Facing Rise in Large Malpractice Claims: Study
Jun 13 2012 // Although the frequency of malpractice claims brought against law firms in the U.S. appears to be leveling office, the number of large claims is rising sharply. A new study by insurance broker Ames & Gough finds a...
Commercial Insurance Prices Continue to Rise: Towers Watson
Jun 11 2012 // Commercial insurance prices in aggregate increased by nearly five percent during the first quarter of 2012, the fifth consecutive quarter that prices rose. In addition, commercial insurers’ loss ratios stabilized for...
