Economy News

Guess Who’s Coming to Washington?

It’s a long way from Main Street America to Capitol Hill, a distance most small business owners prefer not to travel. But greater numbers of business owners than ever before will be packing up and moving to Washington, D.C., next …

Use Digital Marketing to Attract Smart Young Producers

Young Hires Serve as Both Teachers and Student In one way, today’s high unemployment rate is helpful in the agency business. It assists when it comes to recruiting new, youthful producers. There are tons of young, smart, educated people out …

Fight the Gloom and Doom

The recovery will not be led by those who are ruled by gloom and the fear of doom. It’s a cat-chasing-its-tail scenario. Or maybe a Catch-22. Chicken-and-egg? Whatever it is, it’s a mess. The scenario is this: The economy takes …

Business Moves

AIM, Quincy Mutual A.I.M. Mutual Insurance Cos. and Quincy Mutual Group will join forces to create the Commercial Solutions Underwriting Alliance, a business arrangement designed to meet the commercial lines product needs of small to medium-sized employers in Massachusetts A.I.M. …

Fireman’s Fund Ready to Rally

Company Progressing on Mass Market Strategy Fireman’s Fund’s financials, like other insurance carriers’, got bruised a little in the first half of 2010, following some heavy catastrophe losses. But company President and CEO Mike LaRocco said he’s “very bullish” about …

Competition Picks Up in Insurance Market for the Rich

U.S. insurers are targeting the wealthy as one of the few client groups willing to pay higher rates and buy more policies, and competition to serve those people is increasing. From life insurers to property and casualty underwriters, the story …

Business Risk Partners Offers Distressed Banks Coverage

For banks under regulatory oversight, Business Risk Partners (BRP) is now offering professional and management liability protections for distressed community banks, including hard-to-find Regulatory Defense Cover for directors and officers as a result of regulatory proceedings and investigations. While the …

Key Facts and Provisions of U.S.-South Korea Trade Deal

The United States and South Korea are working to resolve beef and auto trade issues blocking U.S. congressional approval of a free trade agreement while President Barack Obama is in Seoul for the Group of 20 summit. An announcement is …

Public Workers Require More Days Off Due to Injuries Than Private Workers

Local and state government workers have much higher rates of injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work than workers in private industry, the government reported. The rate among local and state government workers was 180 to 185 cases per …

Washington Wants to Raise Workers’ Comp Rates 12%

Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has announced a 12 percent average increase in workers’ compensation insurance premiums for 2011. Average premiums would go up by 6.5 cents per hour worked. The new rates take effect Jan. 1, 2011, …