Latest Trends Headlines

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

Study claims U.S. ‘tort tax’ amounts to $865 billion cost each year

Apr 9 2007 // News Currents America’s legal system imposes an economic cost of more than $865 billion, or more than $9,800 per family, every year, according to a new study released by the Pacific Research Institute (PRI), a...

Oil drilling risks rise with novice crews

Apr 9 2007 // As the oil industry cycles into a drilling boom, the shortage of experienced workers raises safety issues that smart companies are working hard to address. Oil production has always been a boom-and-bust industry. At the...

‘Free agents’ and other 2007 management trends

Apr 9 2007 // What are the trends agency management owners should pay attention to? Here is a list of the key issues that many firms are struggling with today and a few suggestions on how to handle these trends. 1. “Free...

Large Property Insurance Market Remains Unsettled, Wholesaler Reports

Apr 6 2007 // Even a year of profitability has not settled the large property insurance market for buyers, especially for catastrophic coverage near coastlines and in earthquake zones, finds a new research report from New Jersey...

Chubb Clears Up Confusion on Risk of Insuring Law Firm Blogs

Apr 5 2007 // The Chubb Group of Insurance Companies says it was recently the subject of some “confusing media reports about the company’s willingness to insure blogs” originated by law firms. According to James L....

Not All Gulf Coast Residents Put Stock in Latest Hurricane Forecast

Apr 5 2007 // A hurricane forecaster this week predicted a turbulent season this year, including a good chance one will hit the coast, but forgive South Carolina’s Huiet Paul if he was unimpressed. “Only the good Lord knows...

U.S. to Require Electronic Stability Control on Cars by 2012

Apr 5 2007 // In a move that the government says could ultimately save up to 10,000 lives each year on U.S. roadways, the nation’s top transportation official today announced plans to make new crash prevention technology standard...

S&P Raises British Marine Ratings To ‘A+’; Outlook Stable

Apr 4 2007 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has raised its long-term counterparty credit and insurer financial strength ratings on Luxembourg-based marine insurer British Marine Luxembourg S.A. (BM) to “A+”...

S&P Affirms Allianz Suisse ‘A+’ Ratings; Outlook Revised to Positive

Apr 4 2007 // Standard & Poor’s Rating Services has revised its outlook to positive from stable on Swiss-based life insurer Allianz Suisse Lebenversicherungs – Gesellschaft (ASL) and non-life insurer Allianz Suisse...

S&P Raises Outlook on Moroccan Reinsurer; ‘BBB’ Ratings Affirmed

Apr 3 2007 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has revised to positive its outlook on Morocco-based reinsurer Société Centrale de Réassurance (SCR), following the revision to positive of the outlook on the local currency...

Best Affirms Catlin Group Ratings; Outlook Negative

Apr 2 2007 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings of “A” (Excellent) and the issuer credit ratings of “a” of Bermuda-based Catlin Insurance Company Ltd. (CICL) and the UK-based Catlin...

Best Affirms Lloyd’s ‘A’ Ratings; Revises Outlook to Positive

Mar 30 2007 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of “A” (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a” of Lloyd’s of London, and the ICR of “a-” of the Society...

Calif. Workers’ Comp Bureau Approves 11.3 Percent Rate Decrease

Mar 29 2007 // The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California Governing Committee has approved the filing of a 11.3 percent decrease in advisory pure premium rates, effective July 1, 2007 on new and renewal...

Teen drinking – a survey

Mar 26 2007 // The Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse conducts a Texas School Survey every two years that examines alcohol and drug use among students. The following are highlights from the 2003 survey: • In 2002, alcohol...

Swiss Re sigma study details 2006 natural, man-made disasters

Mar 26 2007 // in its just released sigma study, “Natural catastrophes and man-made disasters in 2006”, Swiss Re notes that “losses due to natural catastrophes and man-made disasters were below the long-term trend in...

A.M. Best says commercial P/C outlook stable

Mar 26 2007 // Pricing remains rational for now despite increasing competition A.M. Best Co. has completed its assessment of the U.S. commercial market and revised the outlook to stable from negative for 2007. Although Best says there...

Swiss Re sigma study details 2006 natural, man-made disasters

Mar 26 2007 // In its just released sigma study, “Natural catastrophes and man-made disasters in 2006”, Swiss Re notes that “losses due to natural catastrophes and man-made disasters were below the long-term trend in...

A.M. Best says commercial P/C outlook stable

Mar 26 2007 // News Currents A.M. Best Co. has completed its assessment of the U.S. commercial market and revised the outlook to stable from negative for 2007. Although Best says there continues to be evidence of pricing deterioration,...

Teen drinking — a survey

Mar 26 2007 // The Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse conducts a Texas School Survey every two years that examines alcohol and drug use among students. The following are highlights from the 2003 survey: In 2002, alcohol was...

Lloyd’s Underwriter Survey Again Puts ‘Managing the Cycle’ as Chief Concern

Mar 23 2007 // “For the third year running, underwriters in the Lloyd’s market have identified managing the cycle as the most important challenge for the industry, and over two-thirds believe that the industry has made some...