With the start of hurricane season, AXA Art Insurance issued a reminder to collectors on ways to prepare for the worst and save valued possessions and important symbols of cultural heritage. Recognizing that ensuring the safety of one’s home and …
The U.S. property/casualty industry’s net gain on underwriting rose $1.4 billion, or 20.8 percent, to $8.4 billion in first-quarter 2006 from $6.9 billion in first-quarter 2005. The combined ratio–a key measure of losses and other expenses per dollar of premium–improved …
A New Jersey jury found in favor of Merck & Co. Inc. earlier this month, rejecting the claims of a patient who blamed her heart attack on nearly three years of Vioxx use. The jury found that Merck acted responsibly …
Swiss Re, the world’s biggest reinsurer since it completed the acquisition of GE Insurance Solutions, has lost no time in reducing its workforce. In a move it characterized as a “process to capture efficiency gains,” the company announced that it …
If a mandatory or even an optional Federal Charter is implemented in Washington, D.C., it will be a “recipe for disaster,” says Charles E. Symington Jr., Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America’s senior vice president of Government Affairs and …
If investors think they’re safe from the scandal involving the suspicious timing of executive stock option grants, they may want to consider this: Even if they aren’t invested in companies caught up in that mess, it could still cost them …
With fewer large books of business changing hands recently, insurance agencies are relying on staff-driven, organic growth to expand their operations. Compensation packages and new recruitment and training strategies have shifted to reflect this trend, and also to address the …
The Doha Round at the World Trade Organization has been a serious failure for the insurance sector, despite strong efforts by many parties. Instead of increasing the consensus for free trade, the Round has served to divide the developed countries, …
Some producers never seek out fresh prospects. Instead, their managers employ list services and telemarketers to spoon-feed them their leads. Still, this is the exception in the agency business and not the rule. Most producers must uncover their own prospects, …
Stock Prices: Insurers’ stock prices remained relatively stable during the second quarter of 2006. In a time of the year when stock prices tend to fluctuate depending on the weather forecast, companies were able to offset the fear of another …
