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AXA, Japan Post Top Best’s List of World’s Largest Insurers

France’s AXA S.A. has again topped the list of the world’s 25 largest insurance companies, based on premiums written, compiled by A.M. Best. The lists, which were compiled both on asset value and on net premiums written, reflects the dominance …

Drunk Driver Test? There’s an App for That

A drunken driving test may not seem the likeliest place to come up with a mobile phone app, but that’s when inspiration struck Nashville, Tennessee resident Clay Bradley. Bradley said he was following a policeman’s pen with his eyes when …

Catlin Forms Partnership with Crisis Management Consulting Firms

Catlin Group Limited has formed a partnership with two specialist risk management consulting firms, which, it said, would “enhance the services it offers to clients with hijack, kidnap, extortion and wrongful detention exposures.” The partnership with Drum Cussac and Compass …

Ecuador Court Upholds $18 Billion Judgment against Chevron

An Ecuadorean appeals court on Tuesday upheld a ruling that Chevron Corp should pay $18 billion in damages to plaintiffs who accused the U.S. oil giant of polluting the Amazon jungle and damaging their health. A local judge ordered Chevron …

Lloyd’s Ascot in Underwriting Deal for Power Generation with Brit, QBE, Sciemus

lloyd’s insurer Ascot Underwriting Ltd. announced that it has formed the Strategic Power Consortium, which it described as a “dedicated technical underwriting vehicle for the power and utilities industry.” It began writing business as of January first. Together Ascot, Brit …

IAG Finalizes $4.86 Billion Reinsurance Program for 2012

Insurance Australia Group Limited announced that it has finalized its catastrophe reinsurance program for the period commencing January 1, 2012 with up to A$4.7 billion [US$4.86 billion] in coverage, compared to A$4.1 billion [US$4.24 billion] in 2011. “Our reinsurance program …

Traffic Deaths Continue to Decline in Florida

State officials say the number of traffic deaths in Florida has continued to drop. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported that through Monday there were 2,312 traffic deaths in Florida, compared with 2,444 in 2010. Officials say …

Safeco Names Mitchell Regional General Manager For California

Safeco Insurance named Diane Mitchell as the company’s new regional general manager for California. The change was effective Jan. 2. During her time at Safeco, Mitchell has held a variety of roles. Most recently, she led Seattle, Wash.-based Safeco’s Seattle …

Peel Joins Swantner & Gordon Insurance Agency in Houston

Swantner & Gordon Insurance Agency has added Thomas Peel in the marketing department of the firm’s Houston office. As a marketing representative, Peel will be responsible for analyzing and placing risk with appropriate insurers and negotiating rates for commercial clients. …

Austin Mutual Names Kirkendall Commercial Lines Underwriting Director

Minnesota-based Austin Mutual Insurance Co. has promoted Kody Kirkendall to director of commercial lines underwriting. Kirkendall will continue to oversee the agribusiness division underwriting and will add Austin Mutual’s other commercial lines of business to his jurisdiction. Kirkendall joined Cooperative …

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