Don Jergler on Feb 06, 2012 02:01PM

Long-time California Lobbyist Looks to 2012 Legislation That May Impact Insurance

John Norwood is one of California?s best known legislative advocates for the insurance and financial services sectors. Norwood, principal of Norwood & Associates, has garnered recognition for his political work dating back to the early 1980s, including political battles to …

admin on Feb 06, 2012 11:25AM

Accident Fund Holdings Launches Narcotics Program for Injured Workers

Accident Fund Holdings has created a comprehensive narcotics program to help reduce the health risk of drugs on injured workers and provide a mechanism for them to get back to work sooner. The primary components of the program include early …

admin on Feb 06, 2012 10:56AM

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 …

admin on Feb 06, 2012 10:54AM

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 …

admin on Feb 06, 2012 10:53AM

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 …

admin on Feb 06, 2012 10:51AM

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 …

admin on Feb 06, 2012 10:43AM

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 …

admin on Feb 06, 2012 10:40AM

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 …

admin on Feb 06, 2012 10:39AM

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 …

admin on Feb 06, 2012 10:39AM

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 …