July 21, 2003
With the regular session of the Texas Legislature now mercifully over (special sessions notwithstanding), it is instructive for the surplus lines industry to take a hard look at what occurred at the Capitol. In particular, the evolution of Senate Bill …
July 21, 2003
With national and state efforts at altering medical liability rules once again failing to hurdle the predictable political roadblocks and the commercial insurance marketplace struggling to provide the coverages so many long-term care (LTC) facilities require at a price they …
July 21, 2003
This is the first in a three-part series on captive premium financing. Part Two will run in the August 18 issue of Insurance Journal. Agents and managing general agents continue to reap the benefits of a growing excess and surplus …
July 21, 2003
Coverage B, the lesser-known part of the standard commercial general liability policy, provides coverage for personal injury and advertising injury. Coverage is defined by certain enumerated “offenses.” In regard to advertising injury, the offenses include misappropriation of advertising ideas or …
July 21, 2003
Texas Insurance Commissioner José Montemayor and the Texas Department of Insurance have a big job ahead of them in implementing the regulatory reforms put in motion by the 78th Texas Legislature. In a recent interview with Insurance Journal, Montemayor shared …
July 21, 2003
Responding to the lack of availability in the construction market, AIG Excess Casualty recently introduced a new excess casualty practice for builders and contractors, AIG Construction Specialty. AIG Construction Specialty provides commercial umbrella liability insurance against events such as construction …
July 21, 2003
In past articles we have recommended that agencies perform a SWOT Analysis on themselves as part of the firm’s yearly business planning. SWOT Analysis is a very effective way of identifying a business’ Strengths and Weaknesses as well as examining …
July 21, 2003
Paula Burnes, CEO of the Texas Surplus Lines Association (TSLA), recently sat down with Insurance Journal senior writer Dave Thomas to discuss the Association’s role in the industry, its plans for the future, and more. Dallas-based Burnes was recently promoted …
July 21, 2003
When it comes to buying and selling insurance, there is a common thread intertwined in all transactions—service. Whether it be the consumer purchasing auto insurance, or the agent securing the coverage on behalf of the customer, when it comes down …
July 21, 2003
S&P lowered its long-term counterparty credit and insurer financial strength ratings on U.K.-based insurer International Insurance Co. of Hannover Ltd. to “A+” from “AA-.” The outlook is negative. The downgrade reflects that S&P now considers Inter Hannover to be strategically …