Latest Underwriting Headlines

Appalachian Underwriters Acquires CRC Workers Comp Unit

Sep 18 2006 // Appalachian Underwriters Inc. said it has purchased CRC Insurance Service’s guaranteed cost workers compensation program. The program mirrors that of Appalachian’s existing state and carrier footprint very...

Fla. Orders Universal Underwriters Return $5.3M in Overcharges

Sep 17 2006 // The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has ordered Universal Underwriters Insurance Co. to return what the state says are $5.3 million in overcharges to 526 commercial policyholders. According to Florida Insurance...

Best Affirms NZ’s Pioneer ‘B+ Rating; Revises Outlook to Negative

Sep 14 2006 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of “B+” (Very Good) of New Zealand’s Pioneer Insurance Company Limited, but it has revised the outlook to negative from stable. Best also assigned...

Professional Underwriters Launches New Public Entity Program

Sep 14 2006 //

RLI Names New Vice President, Home Office Underwriting

Sep 13 2006 // Peoria, Ill.-based RLI Corp. announced it has hired Andrew McCray as the company’s new vice president, home office underwriting. McCray will report to RLI Insurance Co. President & COO Michael J. Stone....

Yates & Associates Names Vo Underwriter/Broker

Sep 12 2006 // Yates & Associates, Santa Ana, Calif., has appointed Lani Vo underwriter/broker. Vo began her insurance career in 1984 with Reliance Insurance Co. After working as an underwriter assistant at AIG, she moved to...

MassMutual Enhances Disability Product, Eases Underwriting

Sep 8 2006 // To increase its market share in the competitive executive and professional market, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. has introduced what it says is one of the industry’s first comprehensive disability income...

Shutter Diplomacy: Conn. Regulator Plans Coastal Insurance Forum

Sep 7 2006 // Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Susan Cogswell plans a public forum on Sept. 21 to air concerns over availability of property insurance in the state’s coastal areas. The forum is being called following reports of...

Fitch: P/C Insurers’ Performance Exceeding Estimates for ’06

Sep 6 2006 // The U.S. property/casualty insurance industry showed continued favorable and improved operating performance in the first half of 2006 and, based on first-half results and barring any unusual events going forward, the...

The Mass. liquor JUA serves up misleading market information

Sep 4 2006 // As a managing general agent for liquor liability insurance for over 20 years, I took great interest in a recent article in Insurance Journal titled, “Raising the bar on liquor liability training.” (See...

Sep 4 2006 // People RISC, based in Dallas, promoted Beth Winstead to senior vice president in its Brokerage Department. Winstead joined RISC in 1997 as a casualty broker and has been one of its most consistent performers since that...

Also, Phillip Hill was elected chief financial officer and vice president of operations. Hill has been part of Ogilvy-Hi

Sep 4 2006 // People Ogilvy-Hill Insurance elected Mark Shipp president and CEO. Shipp has been with Ogilvy Hill for 11 years. In addition to his new role as president/CEO he will continue to build new relationships in the field. The...

By Michael Foster

Sep 4 2006 // Understanding the surety process The surety underwriting process is often looked upon with disdain by insurance agents. It is frequently considered to be a futile exercise wrought with frustration, delays and...

The Mass. liquor JUA serves up misleading market information

Sep 4 2006 // As a managing general agent for liquor liability insurance for over 20 years, I took great interest in a recent article in Insurance Journal entitled, “Raising the bar on liquor liability training.” (See...

Bass Underwriters Offers New Markets in California

Sep 1 2006 // Bass Underwriters of California has a new market. Target markets include, but are not limited to, contractors (occurrence form), restaurants and bars (can include A&B), hotel/motel, equipment rental with operator,...

Washbourn Named New Head of London Market’s JWC

Aug 30 2006 // The London Market’s Joint War Committee, which represents the interests of London underwriters who insure ships sailing into dangerous waters, has appointed Clive Washbourn as its new chairman. He is currently head...

Wellington Launches U.S. Marine Reinsurance Business

Aug 30 2006 // Wellington Underwriting Inc. (WU Inc.), the wholly owned US underwriting agency of U.K.-based Lloyd’s and general insurer Wellington Underwriting plc (Wellington), has launched a new marine reinsurance business for...

Chicago Group Designs Test Study for Underwriting in Urban Markets

Aug 30 2006 // Insurers seeking a competitive edge in diverse markets are in the final stages of designing a study that will test a wide array of traditional and non-traditional information. Chicago-based Urban Insurance Partners...

Best Affirms Gen Re’s ‘A++’ Ratings

Aug 17 2006 // A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings (FSR) of “A++” (Superior) and the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “aa+” for the Delaware-based General Re Group. Best said the ratings apply...

Martin Joins The Republic Group as Director, Personal Lines

Aug 17 2006 // Dallas-based The Republic Group announced that Lisa R. Martin has joined the company as director, Personal Lines. Martin will be in charge of the underwriting functions for Republic’s Personal Lines and will have...