Latest Trends Headlines
All the headlines from our Trends Topic Page, ordered by recency.
Best Affirms NIPPONKOA’s ‘A’ Ratings; Outlook Stable
Dec 27 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a+” of Japan’s NIPPONKOA Insurance Company Ltd, both with stable outlooks. The ratings...
Consumer Group Hammers Mercury Rate Increase Filing in California
Dec 22 2011 // A California consumer group is challenging a rate hike bid by Mercury Insurance because the group claims the company is trying to pass along the costs of its political campaigning. But the insurer says those costs are not...
Kansas Insurance Regulator Rebuffs Proposed Workers’ Comp Rate Increase
Dec 22 2011 // Kansas’ top insurance regulator has refused a proposed workers’ compensation rate increase and actually got the rate to drop slightly, the state insurance department announced. Insurance Commissioner Sandy...
Willis Report Highlights P&I Market’s Record Financial Results in 2011
Dec 22 2011 // The Protection & Indemnity (P&I) market “delivered a blockbuster financial performance last year,” according to a report from Willis. However, the report also found that P&I Clubs are “faced...
Report: Fewer Traffic Deaths in Nevada In 2011
Dec 21 2011 // Despite a slight increase in pedestrian deaths, the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety says the number of people killed in traffic accidents in Nevada plunged in 2011 and will end the year at slightly more than half of the...
Study: Reforms Impacted Growth in Texas Workers’ Comp Claim Costs
Dec 21 2011 // The average cost of a workers’ compensation claim in Texas grew 5 percent in 2009, reflecting the impact of recent medical fee schedule increases and possibly some effect of the recession, according to a new study by...
Best Upgrades Swiss Re’s Ratings to ‘A+’; Outlook Stable
Dec 20 2011 // A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to ‘A+’ (Superior) from ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) to “aa-” from “a+” of Swiss Reinsurance...
Hurricane Forecaster Delays 2012 Prediction Until Spring
Dec 20 2011 // Hurricane forecaster William Gray will wait until spring to predict how many storms will form in the Atlantic. Gray and his research partner at Colorado State University, Philip Klotzbach, usually start making predictions...
Best Affirms Lloyd’s Syndicate 2001 Ratings; Amlin AG, Amlin plc; Outlook Stable
Dec 20 2011 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A+’ (Superior) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “aa-” of Lloyd’s Syndicate 2001, which is...
Swiss Re Sees Continued Emerging Market Growth; Profitability Squeeze
Dec 20 2011 // Insurance in emerging markets has “experienced strong growth over the past decade and the outlook for the next decade remains promising,” a Swiss Re sigma study concludes. However, it also notes that...
Allstate Rates for Texas Homeowners Could Go Up
Dec 19 2011 // Allstate Insurance has asked Texas regulators to allow the company to raise homeowner rates by nearly 10 percent for some customers. Allstate spokesman Joe McCormick told the Dallas Morning News that the industry is...
Best Affirms Ratings of Inter Hannover UK; Outlook Positive
Dec 19 2011 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a+” of UK-based International Insurance...
IMF’s Lagarde Warns No Country is Immune from Rising Risk
Dec 16 2011 // The world economic outlook is “quite gloomy” and will require action by all countries, starting with those in Europe, to head off an escalating crisis that carries risks of a global depression, the head of the...
Property Rates on the Rise
Dec 16 2011 // Nearly half of the U.S. property insurance policies renewed in the current quarter have been at higher prices, brokerage Marsh said, adding fuel to an industry turnaround after years of declining rates. Marsh said 48...
The 2011 Survey Issue
Dec 16 2011 // Together Again: 3-in-1 What are the industry’s young agents thinking? What are typical salaries and benefits in agencies? What issues do agencies have with their errors and omissions (E&O) coverage and...
Fitch Says Insurers’ Capital Position Is Strong, Issues Stable Outlook
Dec 15 2011 // Fitch Ratings said in its new 2012 outlook report that the P/C insurers’ capital position remains strong. It observed that most P/C insurers have sufficient capital to manage through significant future adversity. The...
Texas Work-Related Injuries, Illnesses Decrease Again in 2010
Dec 14 2011 // Private industry employers in Texas reported a 5.8 percent decrease in nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work during 2010 for a total of 56,720. With the 2010 decrease, Texas has seen a...
Regulatory Investigations Top Directors’ List of Concerns: Willis/Overy Survey
Dec 14 2011 // The liability risks facing company directors and officers are intensifying in the wake of the economic crisis. At the head of the list are “regulatory investigations and enquiries,” which pose the greatest...
Best Affirms West of England Ship Owners ‘A-‘ Ratings; Outlook Negative
Dec 14 2011 // A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of “a-” of the Luxembourg-based West of England Ship Owners...
Hub International Enters Latin American Market with Harmonia Tie-up
Dec 13 2011 // Hub International is expanding into the Latin American market as the result of a merger agreement with Brazilian broker Harmonia Corretora de Seguros Ltd. The deal marks the first expansion for Hub outside the U.S. and...
