Latest Trends Headlines

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

Commercial P/C Market Gets Ready for Post-Katrina Price Increases

Oct 24 2005 // Commercial insurance brokers from across the country say so far, the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita has been minimal, but they are bracing for higher prices, reduced capacity, increases in deductibles and tighter...

Pa. Governor Hails Improvements in Med-Mal Insurance Market

Oct 24 2005 // Pennsylvania Governor Edward Rendell said that his state has turned the corner on improving its medical malpractice insurance market thanks in part to recent legislative and court reforms and he urged legislators to...

RIMS Benchmark Survey Reports Major Downturn in Commercial Rates

Oct 20 2005 // Commercial insurance premiums took a sharp downward turn in the third quarter, according to the RIMS Benchmark Survey, an industry survey of current policy renewal prices as reported by corporate risk managers. But some...

Best Downgrades Rosemont Re Ratings; Outlook Negative

Oct 19 2005 // A.M. Best Co. announced that it has downgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to “B” (Fair) from “A-” (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) to “bb” from “a-” of...

Study Accuses FEMA of Lax Implementation of Flood Program Changes Passed in 2004

Oct 19 2005 // A government report has found that the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which administers the national flood insurance program, has not fully implemented reforms mandated by Congress in 2004, including improved...

Best Removes Allmerica from Under Review; Assigned Stable Outlook

Oct 18 2005 // A.M. Best Co. has removed from under review with negative implications and affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A- (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a-” of the publicly-traded holding...

A.M. Best: P/C Insurers Report Strong Gains for First Half of 2005

Oct 17 2005 // The U.S. property/casualty industry recorded an underwriting profit of $13.2 billion during the first six months of 2005, a substantial gain from the record results posted during the comparable period of 2004, according to...

Survey Finds Insurers Appointing N.J. Agents in Record Numbers

Oct 17 2005 // Insurance companies are making new agency appointments in New Jersey in record numbers, reports the Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey Inc. According to data compiled this summer, at least 10 percent of the...

WCIRB Survey Indicates California Workers’ Comp Reform is Working

Oct 17 2005 // State workers’ compensation claims and disability costs have dropped significantly since California’s workers’ compensation system was overhauled in 2003 and 2004, according to the Workers’...

Colorado’s Auto Rates Drop Up to 39% Under New System

Oct 17 2005 // Colorado automobile insurance rates have dropped between 16 and 39 percent, depending on the location of the driver and coverages purchased, according to a new Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, (PCI) and...

As Insured Acres Increase, Are Farmers Subsidizing High-Risk States?

Oct 17 2005 // As a direct result of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (ARPA), more farmers are insuring their cropland. Nationwide, insured acres have increased by 14.6 million acres, and coverage has increased by $12.2...

Survey Finds Insurers Appointing N.J. Agents in Record Numbers

Oct 17 2005 // Insurance companies are making new agency appointments in New Jersey in record numbers, reports the Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey Inc. According to data compiled this summer, at least 10 percent of the...

Mo. Health Program Reform Increases Cost for Families

Oct 17 2005 // More than 12,000 Missouri families saw health insurance on their children lapse this month when they failed to pay new premiums required by the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program. The new premiums,...

As Insured Acres Increase, Are Farmers Subsidizing High-Risk States?

Oct 17 2005 // With Katrina’s impact yet to be felt, farmers in low loss-ratio states may have to pick up the slack for the hard-hit Gulf Coast farmers in months and years to come. If anything, the aftermath of Katrina underlines...

As Insured Acres Increase Are Farmers Subsidizing High-Risk States?

Oct 17 2005 // As a direct result of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (ARPA), more farmers are insuring their cropland. Nationwide, insured acres have increased by 14.6 million acres and coverage increased by $12.2 billion...

As Insured Acres Increase, Are Farmers Subsidizing High-Risk States?

Oct 17 2005 // As a direct result of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 more farmers are insuring their cropland. Nationwide, insured acres have increased by 14.6 million acres and coverage increased by $12.2 billion over the...

As Motorcycle Theft Rates Soar, Survey Reveals Bikers’ Concern

Oct 17 2005 // With motorcycle theft rates climbing more than 55 percent and bike sales soaring at unprecedented rates, a survey of motorcycle owners revealed that a full 49 percent are concerned about bike theft and 84 percent believe...

As Insured Acres Increase, Are Farmers Subsidizing High-Risk States?

Oct 17 2005 // The hurricane [Katrina] produced catastrophic Broward and Miami- Dade counties in Florida. As a direct result of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (ARPA), more farmers are insuring their cropland. Nationwide,...

WCIRB Survey Indicates California Workers’ Comp Reform is Working

Oct 17 2005 // State workers’ compensation claims and disability costs have dropped significantly since California’s workers’ compensation system was overhauled in 2003 and 2004, according to the Workers’...

Colorado’s Auto Rates Drop Up to 39% Under New System

Oct 17 2005 // Colorado automobile insurance rates have dropped between 16 and 39 percent, depending on the location of the driver and coverages purchased, according to a new Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, (PCI) and...