| 02/06/2012
12:56 PM Nationwide Adds Software Protection to Identity Theft Insurance
Nationwide Insurance has extended its ID theft insurance coverage by providing help with protecting personal information on home computers. The carrier’s newest product includes free access to software that helps thwart criminals from stealing information, even if they have virtual access to … |
| 02/06/2012
12:54 PM N.Y. Attorney General Sues Banks in Foreclosure Effort
New York’s attorney general on Friday, Feb. 3, accused some of the nation’s largest banks of deceit and fraud in using an electronic mortgage registry that he said puts homeowners at a disadvantage in foreclosures while saving banks over $2 … |
| 02/06/2012
12:53 PM Torus Appoints Rousseau to Develop General Property in France
Global specialty insurer Torus has appointed Gilles Rousseau as Senior Underwriter, General Property. He is based in Paris and has more than 30 years of underwriting experience, as well as “extensive knowledge of the French industrial property market.” Rousseau is … |
| 02/06/2012
12:51 PM Mercury General Corp.’s 4Q Net Premiums Up Slightly; Declares Quarterly Dividend
Mercury General Corp. announced on Monday that net premiums written were $618.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, a 0.2 percent increase compared from the fourth quarter of 2010, and net premiums were $2.6 billion for the year, a … |
| 02/06/2012
12:43 PM Best Upgrades Validus Re’s Ratings; Outlook Revised to Stable
A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to ‘A’ (Excellent) from ‘A-’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) to “a” from “a-” of Bermuda-based Validus Reinsurance, Ltd., as well as the ICR to “bbb” from “bbb-”and debt … |
| 02/06/2012
12:40 PM Brown & Brown Chief Takes Leave for Health Reasons
Powell Brown, president and chief executive officer for global insurance agency Brown & Brown, has taken a temporary leave of absence citing an undisclosed health reason. Hyatt Brown, former company CEO from 1961 until he semi-retired in 2009, will take … |
| 02/06/2012
12:39 PM Minor Earthquake Shakes North-Central Utah
Scientists say a minor earthquake has shaken the Utah Valley, but apparently causing no injuries or property damage. The University of Utah Seismograph Stations report the magnitude 3.7 quake occurred around 4:27 a.m. Saturday. The epicenter of the shock was … |
| 02/06/2012
12:39 PM New Hampshire, Other States Reach Settlement With Prudential
New Hampshire insurance officials are announcing a $17 million settlement reached by seven states and Prudential Insurance over the company’s use of the federal government’s master death files. New Hampshire was one of seven lead states that investigated Prudential’s use … |
| 02/06/2012
12:38 PM Close Look at Leak Due at California Nuke Plant
Inspectors are waiting for the 105 degree temperature inside a nuclear reactor to drop enough to make it safe for workers and equipment to get inside and inspect a tube leak that prompted operators to shut down a nuclear plant … |
| 02/06/2012
12:35 PM Louisiana Senator Co-Sponsors Bill to Protect Agent Health Commissions
Two U.S. senators have filed a bill to clarify that agent compensation should be excluded from the federal health reform Medical Loss Ratio (MLR) requirement for the individual and small group markets. Sen. Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., chair of the … |
| 02/06/2012
12:35 PM Oregon Jury Takes Second Look At Tobacco Suit Damages
A Portland jury is reconsidering a $100 million damage award against Philip Morris in a suit over low-tar cigarettes that goes back more than a decade. In 2002, a jury awarded $150 million in punitive damages after finding Philip Morris … |
| 02/06/2012
12:24 PM Maryland-based Avon-Dixon Agency Appoints Selective Exec as COO
Maryland-based Avon-Dixon Agency appointed industry veteran Donna Sposa as chief operating officer and vice president. Sposa has an extensive background in the property/casualty insurance industry, most recently serving as territory manager with Selective Insurance. She held various positions at Selective … |
