Property/Casualty Surplus Lines of Insurance Outperforming General Commercial Insurance Market

Property/casualty surplus lines have outperformed the general commercial property/casualty insurance market in both premium growth and underwriting profit, according to a new study by Conning Research and Consulting, Inc. “The surplus lines market has outperformed general commercial lines over the past ten years. In fact, through 2006 the surplus lines market ten-year average annual direct… Continue reading Property/Casualty Surplus Lines of Insurance Outperforming General Commercial Insurance Market

Extending Terrorism Bill Could Cost $8.4 Billion Over Next 10 Years

According to an estimated released by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on Thursday, extending the federal terrorism insurance backstop could cost the government nearly $8.4 billion from 2008 through 2017. The CBO estimate came on the eve of a House Rules Committee meeting to set terms of debate for considering the Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision… Continue reading Extending Terrorism Bill Could Cost $8.4 Billion Over Next 10 Years

House Bill for State-Sponsored Insurance Programs Opposed by Administration

A senior Treasury official announced late Thursday afternoon that the Bush administration strongly opposes a House bill that would provide new federal support to state-sponsored insurance and reinsurance programs. Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy Phillip Swagel stated that the proposed measure would provide a new subsidy and implied federal guarantees that would distort prices for… Continue reading House Bill for State-Sponsored Insurance Programs Opposed by Administration

AIG Establishes New Executive Liability Brand to Market D&O, E&O, Other Products

The AIG Companies today announced that it will begin marketing its directors and officers (D&O), errors and omissions (E&O), employment practices (EPL), fiduciary (PTL) and fidelity liability insurance and services under the new AIG Executive Liability brand. These offerings, which traditionally have been marketed under the National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa. (National… Continue reading AIG Establishes New Executive Liability Brand to Market D&O, E&O, Other Products

United Health Settles with States on Claims-Paying Process

United Healthcare, United HealthGroup’s biggest health insurance division, agreed to pay as much as $20 million as part of a settlement with 36 states to resolve problems with the insurer’s claims-paying systems. As part of the settlement, the division also agreed to implement a three-year “process improvement” plan requiring it to submit quarterly reports and… Continue reading United Health Settles with States on Claims-Paying Process

FBI Arrest Twelve in New Jersey Insurance Sting

The FBI arrested 11 public officials and an official’s top staffer in New Jersey after setting up sting that established a bogus insurance brokerage. The arrested persons alleged are accused of accepting bribes ranging from $1,500 to $17,500 each to influence how municipalities and school districts awarded insurance brokerage and roofing service contracts, according to… Continue reading FBI Arrest Twelve in New Jersey Insurance Sting

AmTrust in Negotiations for Unitrin’s Insurance Unit

Chicago-based financial services company Unitrin has agreed to sell its business insurance segment to New York City-based AmTrust. AmTrust is a multinational specialty property and casualty holding company, which, through its insurance carriers, offers specialty Property and Casualty insurance, including workers compensation, commercial automobile and general liability, extended service and warranty coverage. Although the terms… Continue reading AmTrust in Negotiations for Unitrin’s Insurance Unit

Policy Language at the Core of Katrina Appeals Case

State Farm’s policy language denying Gulf Coast homeowners’ claims after Hurricane Katrina is at the center of a case scheduled to be heard today by a federal appeals court.    According to the insurer, its policies cover damage from hurricane-force winds, but not from rising water, and it has refused to pay for any damage… Continue reading Policy Language at the Core of Katrina Appeals Case