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Fitch Sees Stronger Commercial Lines But Weaker Auto, Workers’ Compensation Results Coming

The U.S. property/casualty insurance sector should see small improvements in underwriting profits in 2019 and 2020, thanks largely to commercial lines price increases, Fitch Ratings predicts in a new report. But personal auto and workers’ compensation will be two lines …

My New Markets

Relocation and Moving Insurance Programs Market Detail: RelocationInsurance.com (www.relocationinsurance.com) offers moving insurance, storagae insurance, mobile storage insurance, fine art moving insurance, military moving insurance, loading and unloading insurance, senior moving insurance, and small move insurance. Available limits: As needed Carrier: …

People & Places

National QBE Insurance Group has appointed Todd Jones as CEO North America, succeeding Russ Johnston who the company said has decided to seek opportunities outside of QBE. Jones joins QBE from Willis Towers Watson, where he was most recently head …

Jefferson City Tornado-Related Insurance Claims Rise to More than $170M

State insurance officials say Jefferson City, Missouri, residents made more than $170 million in insurance claims after a tornado hit the city on May 22. Missouri Department of Insurance data shows insurers paid out more than $122 million for those …

Political Risk Losses Up in 2019, Hitting 68% of Surveyed Firms

A survey of 41 major corporations by broker Willis Towers Watson found that 61% believe political risk levels increased in 2019 while 68% have actually suffered a political risk loss. Disruption of international trade was considered the most significant risk …

Michigan Car Insurance Fee to Drop by 55% Next July

Michigan drivers who want unlimited medical coverage for crash injuries will pay $100 per vehicle starting in July, which will be 55% less than the record high $220 annual fee they currently pay. The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association, a state-created …

U.S. Commercial Insurance Prices Were Up 4% in Q3: WTW

U.S. commercial insurance prices accelerated during the third quarter of 2019, as the aggregate price change reported by carriers exceeded 4%, according to insurance broker Willis Towers Watson. WTS’s Commercial Lines Insurance Pricing Survey (CLIPS) survey compared prices charged on …

A.M. Best Sees Personal Insurance Business Outlook Remaining Stable for 2020

A.M. Best has maintained a market segment outlook of stable on the U.S. personal lines industry for 2020, citing a significant decline in catastrophe activity, profitable underwriting performance in the private passenger auto segment and the sector’s overall strong risk-adjusted …

Officials Say Regulation Standards Factor in Alaska Quake Damage

Assessments following Alaska’s enormous 2018 earthquake showed building damage was worse outside Anchorage’s safety area because of reduced regulation, municipal officials said. There was less structural damage in the Anchorage Building Safety Service Area than in the Chugiak-Eagle River area …

Business Moves

National MetLife, PetFirst MetLife has agreed to acquire PetFirst Healthcare, a pet insurance program administrator that distributes its products through animal welfare agencies, direct-to-consumer channels and employers. Indiana-based PetFirst underwrites and administers pet health insurance policies and claims on behalf …