Thursday, June 7, 2012

Daily Headlines: Thursday, June 7, 2012

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Insurance Journal Daily Headlines
June 7, 2012
News By Region  National  International  East  Midwest  Southeast  South Central  West Video

Today's Headlines

National

Consumer Group Says Auto Insurers ‘Lowball’ Injury Payments with Computerized Systems

A report by the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) raises concerns that computerized claims systems used by many of the nation's ...

Nasdaq Offers $40 Million to Cover Facebook IPO Losses

Nasdaq OMX Group Inc. said it will offer cash and rebates totaling $40 million to compensate clients affected by the problems with Facebook ...

Bear Stearns $275 Million Claims Settlement Reached

A $275 million settlement has been reached in a nationwide shareholder lawsuit stemming from the near-collapse of the former Wall Street ...

U.S. Insurers’ Reserves Redundant by $11.7B: Aon Benfield Study

Insurers' reserves were redundant at year-end 2011 by $11.7 billion – or 2 percent of total booked reserves – compared with $22.0 ...

Best Affirms Fireman’s Fund Ratings, Removes from Review; Outlook Stable

A.M. Best Co. has removed from under review with negative implications and affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of 'A' (Excellent) ...

Best Affirms AXA U.S. FSR; Upgrades ICR; Off Review; Negative Outlook

A.M. Best Co. has removed from under review with negative implications and upgraded the issuer credit rating (ICR) to "a+" from "a" ...

Dowdy Elected President of Insurance Premium Auditors Society

The National Society for Insurance Premium Auditors (NSIPA) announced a new slate of officers at its annual seminar at the Paris Hotel in ...

From MyNewMarkets.com Insurers Incentivize Policies to Combat Cargo, Equipment Theft

Several years of construction equipment and cargo theft claims have some carriers in the inland marine and equipment insurance classes...
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East

New York City at Greatest Financial Risk from Hurricanes: CoreLogic

When people think of hurricane damage they usually think of Miami or New Orleans, but a new report suggests the greatest financial risk of ...

Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation Plans Expansion to Boston

The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) is planning to expand its volunteer and charitable services to the Boston and New ...

Philadelphia Archdiocese’s Legal Bill Reached $11.6M in Past 2 Years

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia spent $11.6 million on legal fees in the past two fiscal years, most of it on priest sex ...

Stahlka Agency Acquires Historic Square Agency's Western N.Y. Practice

Stahlka Agency, an independent insurance agency and member of the EMS Group, based in Williamsville, N.Y., acquired the Western New York ...

Travelers’ Career Program Reaches Out to Underrepresented Students

Six years ago, Lorena Martinez arrived in Hartford, Conn., seeking opportunity. A native of Peru, able to speak little English, Martinez ...
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Midwest

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Acquires Grossman & Associates

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has acquired Grossman & Associates Inc. in Beachwood, Ohio. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. ...

North Dakota Woman’s Sentence for Theft from Insurance Agency Deferred

A woman who was accused of stealing almost $17,000 from the Devils Lake, N.D., insurance agency where she worked has been given a one-year ...

Judge Orders Iowa Contractor to Repay Customers

A Polk County, Iowa, judge ordered a West Des Moines contracting company to reimburse dozens of customers more than $160,000, barred the ...
Southeast

Western Kentucky Goes from Flood to Drought in Year

Last year was the wettest on record in Kentucky going back to 1895, bringing widespread flooding last spring in some areas. But state ...

West Virginia Ban on Drivers’ Texting Begins June 1

The days of legally driving while texting in West Virginia are numbered. A new ban on texting that also targets hands-on cell phone chatter ...
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South Central

Louisiana Lawmakers Lower Costs for Citizens Customers Along Coast

A last-minute provision added to legislation headed to the governor's desk will give some relief to coastal property owners who get ...

Forecasters: Arkansas Records 11th Twister of Year

Forecasters say storms that swept Arkansas on June 3 and 4 included at least one tornado, which touched down southwest of Carlisle in ...

Louisiana Cities' Feud Threatens Fire Response

Broussard, La., officials say the city's fire department will continue to respond to calls in rural Lafayette Parish, but city-parish ...
West

New Mexico Wildfire Now 30% Contained

The Whitewater-Baldy Complex fire in New Mexico's Gila National Forest is now 30 percent contained, according to an official fire report ...

WSU To Pay $650K To Settle Discrimination Lawsuit

Washington State University has agreed to pay $650,000 to settle a racial discrimination lawsuit brought by two former employees of Chinese ...

Mcgraw Appoints Cohen CEO

Menlo Park, Calif.-based McGraw Group of Affiliated Cos., which includes Pacific Specialty Insurance Company (PSIC), named Brian Cohen ...

New Lawsuit For Southern California Officer In Homeless Death Case

A disabled man has filed a lawsuit against Fullerton police, saying he was abused by the same officer charged in the beating death of a ...

PG&E To Check Gas Pipeline Vulnerability

Pacific Gas & Electric is checking for leaks in 180 segments of its natural gas pipeline system which may be vulnerable to corrosion, ...

Atlas Expands Commercial Auto Insurance Underwriting to Utah

Atlas Financial Holdings, Inc. has started selling its core commercial automobile insurance products in Utah, becoming the 31st state where ...

Judge Decides for Defendants in C.M. Meiers Preliminary Injunction

Editor's Note: Stay tuned for updates with more on the judge's opinion, comments from attorneys, as well as legal analysis. A judge has ...

Study: Spinal Implant loophole Costs Calif. Workers' Comp $67M

Workers' compensation medical costs in California were boosted by nearly $67.5 million in 2010 due to loophole in the law that allows ...
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International

U.N. Sounds Environment Alarm Ahead of Rio Summit

Population growth, urbanization and consumption are set to inflict irreversible damage on the planet, the United Nations said on Wednesday, ...

Best Announces Further Rating Actions on Euro Zone Insurers

A bulletin from A.M. Best notes that the rating agency has "been actively monitoring the financial crisis and its effects on European ...

Best Affirms Allianz SE’s Ratings, Removes from Review, Outlook Stable

Following the rating actions taken in December 2011, A.M. Best Europe announced that it has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) ...

Best Maintains AVIVA and Subs Ratings Under Review; Negative Implications

A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has reviewed and maintained the under review status of the financial strength ratings of 'A' ...

Willis Re Appoints Angelini-Hurll as Regional Director of APMETA Team

Willis Re, the reinsurance arm of Willis Group Holdings, announced the appointment of Kieran Angelini-Hurll as Regional Director of its ...

Traynor Joins Greenlight Re Ireland to Build UK, Europe Expansion

Greenlight Reinsurance Ireland, Ltd., a subsidiary of Cayman Islands-based Greenlight Capital Re, Ltd., a specialist property and casualty ...

Best Affirms MAPFRE RE FSR; Downgrades ICR; Off Review; Negative Outlook

A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has downgraded the issuer credit rating (ICR) to "a" from "a+" and affirmed the ...

Best Takes Generali, Subs Off Review, Affirms Ratings; Outlook Negative

A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has removed from under review and affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of 'A' ...

Best Affirms MAPFRE PRAICO FSR Ratings; Downgrades ICR; Outlook Negative

As Best announced in conjunction with these current rating actions, they follow a series of actions taken last December to address the ...

R K Harrison Completes Specialty Lines Purchases from Gibbs Hartley Cooper

London-based R K Harrison announced that it completed the purchase of four businesses within Gibbs Hartley Cooper (GHC), a part of Marsh ...
Insurance Journal Blogs

La. Legislature Takes Wrong Turn on Rates

The Louisiana Legislature wrapped up their 2012 session late June 4 by passing S.B. 204 , a bill that would reinstate a partial suspension ...

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New Discussions in the Forums

Certificate of Insurance Tracking - Access or Excel Database
Posted: Thu Jun 7 -- I know you said you're looking for a solution that you can manage yourself, but wanted to provide you an option that I think will help... tkbender
CA Electrical Contractor BOP/GL
Posted: Thu Jun 7 -- Good point about the Wage and Hour on the EPLI. That is a material coverage deficiency for Farmers. I am actually surprised they have not... LadyBroker
Work Comp for a Live Theater in California
Posted: Thu Jun 7 -- did you try mynewmarkets.com? Also, what about Chartis? JAM
Calling all experienced MGAs...is this a fair deal?
Posted: Wed Jun 6 -- Jump at that opportunity. I have owned several retail agencies and am a commission only employee should only make 30% since they are... haylee
Agency Management System
Posted: Wed Jun 6 -- The latest word on the street is that Applied is a bit higher on the purchase, but AMS is higher for support. That is just 2nd hand info, I... gforaker
Maryland Broker Fees
Posted: Wed Jun 6 -- Hi again, I was wondering if anyone can clarify something for me in Maryland. I have been checking on what constitutes taxable amount in... insnewbie1
Hiring a new CSR
Posted: Wed Jun 6 -- Your team is the face of your agency to your prospects and clients. They represent you and everything that you work hard to build and... johnsharp
Credit Card Processing
Posted: Wed Jun 6 -- Anyone else? Whats are some possible hidden fees or scams to watch for? JAM

Reader Comments

50 Years On, Fire Still Burns Underneath Pennsylvania Town
Posted: Fri Jun 1 -- There are only 5 remaining homeowners and they presumably have all been there since the fire started, making them all adults who can... Lisa
Arkansas Teacher Sues District Over Anger Management Course
Posted: Thu May 31 -- explaining teacher's rights vs anger... sounds like the superintendant needs to go to one... he was angry because a teacher was being told... wudchuck
Michigan Court Rules for Insurer in Tragic Hit-and-Run
Posted: Fri Jun 1 -- "The court's conservative majority"....why do we never see "The court's liberal majority" or "ZZZ is a liberal think tank?" Just... plymn
Florida's Citizens Hears Depopulation Ideas
Posted: Mon Jun 4 -- One idea. Citizens could add a disclosure on the application (similiar to the one about assesments) that reads: "There is a good possibility... SWFL Agent
Small Firms' Health Insurance Tax Break Disappoints
Posted: Thu May 31 -- Everything this bill has offered disappoints me. Small business has never been for it and it is a disincentive to hire, grow as a company... First Agent

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June 4, 2012
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