Latest Trends Headlines

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

S&P Ups Eureko Outlook to Positive

Mar 20 2006 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services announced that it has revised its outlook on the holding companies and core operating entities of Netherlands-based insurance group Eureko to positive from stable,...

Texas, Louisiana surplus lines premium decreases in 2005

Mar 20 2006 // Insurance Journal South Central–Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas–vary widely in the amount of premium written in any given year. Texas has the biggest surplus lines market, followed by Louisiana,...

Harleysville Group Inc. Outlook Revised To Stable

Mar 17 2006 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has revised its outlook on Harleysville, Pa.-based Harleysville Group Inc. to stable from negative. Standard & Poor’s also said that it affirmed its...

Insurance Educational Association Forecasts the Future

Mar 17 2006 // The Insurance Educational Association and Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters Society’s (CPCU) Mt. Diablo chapter will be hosting its 7th Annual Educational Forum, “Forecasting the Future,” on...

Best Affirms FSR of Hang Seng Insurance Co. Ltd.; Outlook is Stable

Mar 16 2006 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A+ (Superior) and assigned an issuer credit rating of “aa-” to Hang Seng Insurance Company Limited (Hang Seng Insurance) (Hong Kong). The outlook for...

Best Affirms FSR for Lloyd’s Syndicate 609; Outlook is Stable

Mar 16 2006 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a+” of Lloyd’s Syndicate 609 (United Kingdom), which is managed by Atrium Underwriters...

AIG Issues 2005 Annual Report; Net Income for Year was $10.48B

Mar 16 2006 // American International Group Inc. (AIG) has filed its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2005 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Net income for the full year 2005 was $10.48 billion or $3.99...

Survey Explains Why Drivers Are Not Turned on By Using Signals

Mar 15 2006 // A new national survey reveals that 57 percent of American drivers admit they don’t use their turn signal when changing lanes, but what is most startling are the excuses drivers gave. According to Response Insurance,...

Hiscox Weathers Hurricanes, But 2005 Profits Decrease

Mar 14 2006 // Hiscox Plc, the U.K.-based Lloyd’s and specialty insurer, released its 2005 preliminary results on Monday, March 13. Although Hiscox was one of many companies whose earnings were adversely affected by last...

Increasing Cost of Insuring Mont. Jockeys Threatens Racing

Mar 14 2006 // Costs for insuring jockeys at Montana race tracks are going up, and some communities say the expense threatens their ability to continue holding races. Miles City, Mont., which hosts three days of horse racing, two of them...

JLT 2005 Profits Down 20%

Mar 8 2006 // Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc. has reported a 20 percent drop in pretax profits in its preliminary earnings report. The U.K.’s largest insurance broker said that profit “before tax, exceptional items and...

Generali Posts 15% 2005 Profit Rise to $2.3 Billion; Unveils Growth Plan

Mar 7 2006 // The Generali Group announced impressive preliminary results for 2005 and an ambitious growth plan at a general meeting yesterday, March 6, in Milan. 2005 profits rose 15 percent to €1.918 billion ($2.3 billion). The...

AUGIE Extends National Tech Survey Deadline Through March 19

Mar 7 2006 // In order to get the best possible results from this national survey, the ACORD-User Groups Information Exchange (AUGIE) has extended the period for agents, CSRs and other agency staff to complete the Agency Technology...

SCOR Premium Income up 25%

Mar 6 2006 // France’s SCOR Group noted a 25 percent rise in worldwide premium income follwing the January renewal season. Non- life and credit & surety treaties totaled €1.041 billion ($1.256 billion). The reinsurer said...

Best Affirms FSR for Lloyd’s Syndicate 1225; Outlook is Stable

Mar 6 2006 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the Best’s Syndicate Rating of A (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a” of Lloyd’s Syndicate 1225 (United Kingdom), which is managed by AEGIS Managing Agency...

Colo. wants industry to account for rising rates

Mar 6 2006 // The insurance industry came out strongly against a Colorado measure that would require it to disclose claims, payouts and rates, telling lawmakers a plan to increase regulation of their industry would drive up costs and...

Reinsurance treaty renewals show some premium increases

Mar 6 2006 // With the January renewal season now behind them, the world’s global reinsurers are collectively breathing a small sigh of relief. While premium increases in the U.S. met or exceeded expectations, especially along the...

Quanta Reports Increased Q4 Loss; Best Lowers Ratings

Mar 3 2006 // Quanta Capital Holdings Ltd. has reported preliminary financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year ended Dec. 31, 2005, “subject,” the company said, “to completion of review by its...

N.D. Survey Says Insurers Slow to Pay for Medicare Prescriptions

Mar 3 2006 // North Dakota pharmacists say they have been forced to borrow money because insurers are slow to pay the bills under a new Medicare prescription drug program. Nearly one in five pharmacists was forced to borrow money and...

Florida Auto No-Fault Claim Costs Climb as Injury Seriousness Declines

Mar 3 2006 // Florida personal injury protection (PIP) claim costs (claimed economic losses and actual claim payments) increased at double-digit rates between 2002 and 2005, far outpacing the rate of inflation, according to a new...