Latest Trends Headlines
All the headlines from our Trends Topic Page, ordered by recency.
2012 Fire Season Among Worst On Record In Wyoming
Oct 25 2012 // This year’s wildfire season was among the most destructive on record in Wyoming, with as many as 1,400 wildfires charring more than a half-million acres, state forester Bill Crapser said. Normally Wyoming will see...
Louisiana Employment, Wages Increased in 2011
Oct 25 2012 // Employment in Louisiana increased by a modest 0.8 percent in 2011 compared with 2010, but wages grew by 3 percent during the same period, according to data released by the Louisiana Workforce Commission. The data covers...
Survey: 4th of Nevada Drivers Use Hand-Held Phones
Oct 24 2012 // A statewide survey shows 27 percent of Nevadans still use hand-held telephones while driving, despite a state law banning the practice that took effect Jan. 1. University of Nevada, Reno, researchers say the third annual...
Rising Medical Costs Lead to Hike in Cost Per WC Claim in N.J.: Study
Oct 23 2012 // The cost per workers’ compensation claim in New Jersey rose following the end of the recession, according to a new study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI). The study said a 10 percent increase in...
W.R. Berkley Posts $101M Q3 Profit; Rates on Renewed Policies Up 7%
Oct 23 2012 // Commercial lines insurer W.R. Berkley Corp. reported $100.95 million net profit for its third quarter, up 32.1 percent from $76.41 million reported during the same period one year ago. The Greenwich, Conn.-based insurer...
Lower Catastrophe Losses, Better Rate Environment Increase P/C Net Income: A.M. Best
Oct 22 2012 // The U.S. property/casualty industry’s underwriting and operating performance improved substantially in the first half of 2012 according to a special report by A.M. Best Co. Catastrophe losses, while remaining...
Rebounding Economy Spurs Growth in Cargo, Supply Chain Risks
Oct 22 2012 // A slow trend toward economic recovery in the U.S. may mean good news/bad news for insurance agents and brokers who handle commercial accounts with cargo and supply chain vulnerabilities. The good news is growth in sales...
Homeowners Insurance Claims Cost Rising Rapidly, Study Says
Oct 22 2012 // The cost of homeowners insurance claims has been rising rapidly because of the combined effects of rising claim severity and increases in claim frequency, according to an insurance industry report. A recent Insurance...
U.S. Weather Forecast: Winter to Continue Hot Weather Trend
Oct 19 2012 // After a hot spring and a scorching summer, this winter is likely to continue a U.S. warming trend that could make 2012 the hottest year since modern record-keeping began, U.S. weather experts said Thursday. Drought that...
Non-Financial Risks Are Real for Technology Firms: Survey
Oct 18 2012 // Financial performance of technology companies is tied to certain “red zone” risks, critical non-financial risks where a company must take action to become adequately prepared. These critical non-financial risks...
Last Chance: Be a Part of This Year’s Agency E&O Survey
Oct 17 2012 // Once again, Insurance Journal is polling its readers asking for their thoughts on today’s agency errors and omissions market. Don’t miss your chance to find out what’s been going on with insurance...
Iowa on Pace for Slowest Tornado Year in 5 Decades
Oct 17 2012 // Iowa is on pace to see its least active tornado season in nearly 50 years, thanks to the drought. There have been only 16 recorded tornadoes this year, the fewest since 1963, according to State Climatologist Harry...
Chairman Nelson Talks About the Future of Lloyd’s
Oct 16 2012 // Lloyd’s of London Chairman John Nelson knew when he acceded to his post one year ago that his predecessor, Lord Peter Levene, would be a hard act to follow. Levene served for nine years and oversaw significant...
Rising Rates Not Enough to Ease Pressure on UK Insurers
Oct 15 2012 // Market conditions for UK non-life insurers remain challenging as the difficult economic environment curbs demand for coverage and insurers can no longer rely on reserve releases to improve profitability, according to a...
NOAA Opens Center for Weather and Climate Prediction at U. of Maryland
Oct 15 2012 // The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is opening its new Center for Weather and Climate Prediction, located at the University of Maryland in College Park. NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction. Photo...
Md. Woman Convicted of Disability Fraud, Faces Up to 5 Years in Jail
Oct 12 2012 // Prosecutors say a woman who collected federal disability benefits while operating a fitness center has been convicted of making false statements to obtain those benefits. A jury convicted 48-year-old Darlene Altvater of...
Survey: New Orleans Attracting More Tourists, Spending
Oct 12 2012 // A new survey finds New Orleans hosted 4.9 million visitors in the first half of 2012, a 2 percent increase over the same period in 2011, with spending increasing 11 percent to $3.45 billion The Advocate reports the survey...
Drought Holds Steady in Midwest, Clouding Winter Crop Outlook
Oct 12 2012 // The nation’s worst drought in decades showed no signs of improvement last week in parts of the Midwest and Plains where the corn harvest is about two-thirds complete, clouding the prospects for the winter wheat crop,...
2012 Agency E&O Survey: Participate Now
Oct 11 2012 // Once again, Insurance Journal is polling its readers asking for their thoughts on today’s agency errors and omissions market. Don’t miss your chance to find out what’s been going on with insurance...
Best Reports Italy’s Non-Life Insurance Sector Faces Shifting Landscape
Oct 11 2012 // The Italian non-life insurance market faces changes as the sector is subject to new legislation and industry consolidation, while the country’s ongoing economic challenges constrain demand for coverage, according to...
