Latest Trends Headlines
All the headlines from our Trends Topic Page, ordered by recency.
S&P Reports Munich Re’s ‘A+’ Ratings, Outlook ‘Unaffected’ by Q1 Results
May 12 2005 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services announced that its ratings and outlook on Germany’s Munich Reinsurance, (currently “A+”/Stable) and its related entities–collectively known as the...
S.C. Malpractice Premiums Going Up 12.7 Percent in July
May 12 2005 // Despite a bill signed into law last month in South Carolina capping pain and suffering awards in medical malpractice lawsuits, two of the state’s largest malpractice insurers have announced plans to increase...
‘Mixed Feelings’ Result as Fla. Legislature Passes SB 1486; Carriers’ Burdens Could Increase Overall Costs
May 9 2005 // The Florida Legislature debated SB 1486, an 83-page insurance bill, until the early morning hours on Saturday and approved a document that makes major changes in how claims will be handled, starting with the next storm....
Sarbanes-Oxley Rules Drive Up Large Insurers’ Audit Costs
May 9 2005 // Fortune 1000 companies’ auditing costs have increased by $1.4 billion collectively so far, and much of this increase is in response to the corporate governance act known as Sarbanes-Oxley, according to University of...
Hurricane Forecast: New Jersey To Get Hit Sooner or Later
May 9 2005 // For decades, New Jersey has been spared the wrath of major hurricanes, the storms usually veering out to sea before they can wreak havoc on the densely developed coast. But eventually the state’s luck will run out,...
AIA Urges Lawmakers to Defeat Maine Premium Tax Increase
May 5 2005 // The American Insurance Association (AIA) is urging Maine lawmakers to reject a proposal (LD 1021) that would increase the premium tax by 25 percent. “This tax increase would damage the state’s economy by making...
NCCI State of the Line Report: Workers’ Comp Combined Ratio Best Since 1997
May 5 2005 // The workers’ compensation calendar year combined ratio dropped four points to 105 percent, the best performance for the first time since 1997, according to NCCI Holdings Inc.’s State of the Line preliminary...
Guy Carpenter Publishes Specialty Program Survey
May 3 2005 // Guy Carpenter & Company Inc., a global risk and reinsurance specialist and a part of the Marsh & McLennan Companies, has announced the results of its premier survey of domestic insurance companies that write a...
Best Affirms Ratings for Erie’s P/C Companies; Outlook Stable
May 3 2005 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A+ (Superior) of Pennsylvania-based Erie Insurance Group’s property and casualty companies (Erie), which are managed by its publicly-traded company, Erie...
W. Va. Insurers React to Passed Legislation, Five Companies Decreasing Auto Rates
May 2 2005 // Insurers in West Virginia, reacting to the legislation singed last week that eliminates third-party, bad-faith lawsuits, have begun to take the first steps toward lowering insurance rates. State Farm Insurance Friday...
R&M Reports on Global Insurance Market Regulators
Apr 28 2005 // Dublin-based Research and Markets has announced the addition of a study on Global Insurance Regulators to their offering. “Rapid growth in financial services regulation in many countries has led to demand for high...
Sarbanes Oxley Drives Up Large Companies’ Audit Costs by $1.4 Billion
Apr 28 2005 // Fortune 1000 companies’ auditing costs have increased by $1.4 billion collectively so far, and much of this increase is in response to the corporate governance act known as Sarbanes-Oxley, according to University of...
S&P Raises Aioi Rating Outlook to Positive
Apr 27 2005 // Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services announced that it has revised its outlook to positive from stable on the “A-” financial strength and long-term counterparty ratings on Aioi Insurance Co. Ltd.,...
California’s WCIRB Report on Dec. 31, 2004 Insurer Experience Released
Apr 26 2005 // California’s WCIRB has completed its quarterly report summarizing the most current insurer loss and premium experience as of Dec. 31, 2004. Among the highlights of the report are the following: The average statewide...
Sierra Notes Continued Growth in Nev. Market
Apr 25 2005 // Sierra Health Services Inc. reported that income from continuing operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, was $28.6 million or $0.85 per diluted share, compared to $26.3 million or $0.75 per diluted share for the...
Best Downgrades Zurich Specialties; Outlook Negative
Apr 22 2005 // A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to B++ (Very Good) from A (Excellent) of Zurich Specialties London Limited (ZSL) (United Kingdom). The rating has been removed from under review with negative...
Fitch Affirms Horace Mann’s Ratings, But Maintains Negative Outlook
Apr 20 2005 // Fitch Ratings has affirmed the ‘BBB+’ long-term issuer rating on Springfield, Ill.-based insurer Horace Mann Educators Corp. and the ‘BBB+’ senior debt ratings. Additionally, Fitch has affirmed the...
Best Affirms Rating of TT Club; Revises Outlook to Positive; Assigns ICR
Apr 19 2005 // A.M. Best Co. announced that it has affirmed the financial strength rating of “B++” (Very Good) of Bermuda-based Through Transport Mutual Insurance Association Ltd. (TT Bermuda) and its wholly owned subsidiary...
Everest Re Q1 Operating Income up 9% to $165.2 Million; 14.5% Drop in Gross Premium
Apr 19 2005 // Bermuda’s Everest Re Group reported good first quarter results. The company’s after-tax operating income (which excludes realized capital gains and losses) was $165.2 million, or $2.90 per diluted share, a 9...
