Allstate to Buy GE Unit

On Tuesday it was reported that Allstate Corp. has agreed to acquire a General Electric Co. unit whose operations include being one of the nation’s biggest providers of roadside assistance. Terms weren’t disclosed for the planned purchase of the Partnership Marketing Group unit of GE Money. The deal is set to close by month’s end… Continue reading Allstate to Buy GE Unit

AIA Reinforces Commitment to Help Midwest Hit by Storms

Gov. Marc Racicot, president of the American Insurance Association, today reassured the residents of the Midwest region that the insurance industry is committed to helping them recover from the powerful storms and the deadly tornadoes that have torn through parts of Iowa and Illinois in recent days.     “Even as the after-effects of the… Continue reading AIA Reinforces Commitment to Help Midwest Hit by Storms

Recent Flooding in Midwest Highlights Lack of Coverage

The record widespread flooding that the Midwest has been experiencing this past week has underscored the catastrophic damages that flooding can cause. Yet a survey conducted for the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) reveals that only 17 percent of Americans have a flood insurance policy.    The number of Americans with a flood insurance policy is… Continue reading Recent Flooding in Midwest Highlights Lack of Coverage

Tornadoes, Related Weather Events Cost P/C Industry an Average of $4.9B in Last Eight Years

According to an A.M. Best study, tornadoes and related weather events caused an average of $4.9 billion in property/casualty claims each year from 2001 to 2007. The costliest year was 2006, with more than $8 billion in insured damages.     The study foresees high tornado losses in 2008, based on first-quarter estimates, with about… Continue reading Tornadoes, Related Weather Events Cost P/C Industry an Average of $4.9B in Last Eight Years

Mortgage Insurer MGIC Has New Reinsurance Deal with HCC

Under a reinsurance agreement reached with HCC Insurance Holdings Inc, mortgage insurer MGIC Investment Corp. announced that it will receive up to $50 billion a year of coverage on newly written insurance policies. The agreement affects new insurance written annually between April 1, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2010 and includes two one-year extensions that may… Continue reading Mortgage Insurer MGIC Has New Reinsurance Deal with HCC

NYC Receives More than $497M in Claims from March Crane Accident

The office of Comptroller William Thompson of New York City stated on Friday that it has received more than $497 million of claims for personal injury, property damage and wrongful death due to a construction crane collapse on Manhattan’s East Side on March 15.    The 90-day filing deadline ended on Friday, and out of… Continue reading NYC Receives More than $497M in Claims from March Crane Accident

Report: Total Insured Value of Properties in Hurricane Prone States on Pace to Double in 10 Years

A report recently completed by catastrophe risk modeling firm AIR Worldwide Corporation estimates that during the past three years the insured value of properties in coastal areas of the United States continued to grow at a compound annual growth rate of just more than 7 percent. Despite the recent weakening of the real estate market… Continue reading Report: Total Insured Value of Properties in Hurricane Prone States on Pace to Double in 10 Years

As Gas Prices Rise, Claims Frequency Could Drop but Severity May Offset Any Benefits

The average price of gas throughout the country is $4 per gallon, with some spots in the country hitting $5.00. As a result people are hitting the road less, and the automobile insurance industry might expect the frequency of claims to drop. Fewer miles driven equal fewer claims, and recent data suggests the industry can… Continue reading As Gas Prices Rise, Claims Frequency Could Drop but Severity May Offset Any Benefits

Changes at AIG as CEO Sullivan is Replaced

This morning Wall Street welcomed Sunday’s resignation of American International Group (AIG) CEO Martin Sullivan as stocks of the world’s largest insurer rose in early morning trading. Sullivan has been replaced by Robert Williamstad.    Former CEO Sullivan had come under intense criticism since AIG recently announced billions of dollars in write-downs from losses after… Continue reading Changes at AIG as CEO Sullivan is Replaced