Latest Trends Headlines
All the headlines from our Trends Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Commercial Auto Claims on the Rise – Will Rates Come Next?
Jul 4 2011 // An increase in claims from cargo theft and freight physical damage is expected to lead to higher insurance rates in the commercial auto class, a welcome development for some insurers after years of prices going...
Lloyd’s Sees Opportunities in Emerging Markets
Jul 1 2011 // As levels of international trade and the importance of emerging economies increase, Lloyd’s has been very active in its efforts to open up access to overseas markets. However, in an article on its web site it called...
Survey Shows Europe’s Top 10 P&C Insurers Grew Premiums by 5.2% in 2010
Jul 1 2011 // Spain’s MAPFRE has published its 7th annual survey of Europe’s non-life insurers, ranking them by gross premiums written. The survey found that “all the companies achieved an increase in premium revenues...
Ohio Posts Largest Decline in Unemployment Claims
Jul 1 2011 // Ohio is reporting the nation’s largest decline in new applications for unemployment benefits, while the government says the number of claims nationwide is mostly unchanged. That’s seen as evidence that the...
UK’s Legal Expense Insurers Say Referral Fees Cause for Claims Increase
Jun 30 2011 // The UK’s Legal Expenses Insurance Group (LEIG) has taken issue with claims that the rise in lawsuits over automobile accidents are responsible for the car insurance rate rises. The Group, which was formed in April...
Survey: Law Firms Face Rising Number of Malpractice Claims
Jun 30 2011 // The recent economic recession and prolonged real estate market slump are triggering a rise in the number of malpractice or professional liability claims lodged against law firms this year. A new study by insurance broker...
Wisconsin Health Insurance Program Participation, Claims on the Rise
Jun 29 2011 // A new report shows more people are joining a Wisconsin state program that provides health insurance for the seriously ill. The Legislative Audit Bureau reviewed the financial status of the Wisconsin Health Insurance...
Calif. Cost Per Workers’ Comp Claim Rising, CWCI Says
Jun 28 2011 // The number of California workers’ compensation insurance claims fell 13 percent between policy years 2007 and 2008 to 358,077 claims. However, a new report by the Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau...
Ascot Syndicate 1414 Increases 2011 Capacity to $1.038 Billion
Jun 27 2011 // Lloyd’s insurer Ascot Underwriting Ltd. announced that it has increased its capacity from £600 million [$958 million] to £650 million [$1.038 billion] “to support its 2011 business plan.” Andrew Brooks,...
Private Sector Fuels May Job Growth in Louisiana
Jun 24 2011 // The private sector continued to lead non-seasonally adjusted nonfarm job growth in May for the state and in most of Louisiana’s metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), the Louisiana Workforce Commission has...
Best Upgrades Lancashire’s Ratings to ‘A’; Outlook Stable
Jun 23 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating to ‘A’ (Excellent) from ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) to “a” from “a-” of the Bermuda-based...
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...
Boating Deaths in New Jersey Rise in 2010
Jun 23 2011 // Coast Guard figures show New Jersey bucked a national trend of record low recreational boating deaths in 2010. Eight people died in boating accidents in the Garden State last year, two more than in 2009. There have been no...
State Farm Wants 8% Homeowners Rate Increase in Louisiana
Jun 22 2011 // State Farm Fire & Casualty Co., Louisiana’s largest insurer of homes, is asking state insurance regulators for permission to boost premiums by an average 8.5 percent. In a filing released by the state insurance...
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...
Mobile Food Vendor Market Explodes as Insurance Market Evolves
Jun 21 2011 // In just about every metropolitan area nationwide hungry customers can appease their appetites by visiting the neighborhood taco truck. The traditional taco truck sells more than just tacos these days – a lot more....
Minnesota Workers’ Comp Claims Decrease
Jun 21 2011 // Minnesota workers’ compensation claims have fallen 44 percent relative to the number of employees from 1997 to 2009, according to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). According to the “2009...
Survey: Insurers Say Mergers Yield Stronger Competitive Position
Jun 20 2011 // More than 60 percent of insurers say that their most recent merger accomplished the desired objective of competitive position strengthening— double the success rate reported by non-insurers involved in mergers. While...
Calif. Workers’ Comp Total Temporary Disability Rates to Increase
Jun 20 2011 // California workers’ compensation total temporary disability (TTD) rates are likely to rise, thanks to new U.S. Department of Labor data that shows California’s State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) rose more than...
Commercial Insurance Prices Still Flat But Workers’ Comp Moving Up
Jun 20 2011 // Commercial insurance prices were relatively flat for the ninth consecutive quarter, and new data confirm the deterioration of loss ratios in accident-year 2010. Price reductions continued for commercial property and...
