Monthly Archives: <span>May 2009</span>

Another Go-Round on Tort Reform in Oklahoma

Oklahoma lawmakers have forged a compromise on a long sought comprehensive lawsuit reform package, despite the sniping of Democratic and Republican leaders in the Senate. Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee and House Speaker Chris Benge announced May 11 …

Windstorm Insurance Bill Passes Texas Senate

Texas Windstorm Insurance Association policyholders could see an estimated rate increase of 5 percent per year for three years if Senate Bill 14, authored by Republican Sen. Troy Fraser of Horseshoe Bay, makes it all the way to the governor’s …

Office Oddballs Make Everyone Better

Insurance agency managers could learn a lot from a beet-farming, volunteer sheriff and paper salesman like Dwight Schrute. Schrute, the character played by Rainn Wilson on NBC’s “The Office,” is an oddball whose eccentricities and awkward interactions leave his coworkers …

Insurers Slowing Launch of Insurance Verification System in Oklahoma

Five police departments across Oklahoma are using an electronic insurance verification system designed to crack down on uninsured motorists, and state officials said the computerized system should be fully operational in less than two months. State tag agents have been …

Louisiana Legislation Targets Homeowners, Surplus Lines

Several bills of interest to both homeowners and the insurance industry are making their way through the Louisiana legislative session, which convened April 27. House Bill 166 was sent to the full House of Representatives after being approved by committee. …

Sailor Sues Owner, Crew Company of U.S. Ship Hijacked By Somali Pirates

A member of the crew on the U.S.-flagged ship hijacked by African pirates is suing the owner and another company, accusing them of knowingly putting sailors in danger. Richard E. Hicks alleges in the suit that owner Maersk Line Limited …

Sailor Sues Owner, Crew Company of U.S. Ship Hijacked By Somali Pirates

A member of the crew on the U.S.-flagged ship hijacked by African pirates is suing the owner and another company, accusing them of knowingly putting sailors in danger. Richard E. Hicks alleges in the suit that owner Maersk Line Limited …

It Figures

$120,000 According to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigative report, the amount two Georgia insurance companies with the same boss funneled to John Oxendine’s campaign for governor. Documents obtained from Georgia and Alabama state agencies show the money, which is nearly 10 …

Peachtree City Mayor Joins Georgia Insurance Commissioner Race

Peachtree City Mayor Harold Logsdon wants to be Georgia insurance commissioner. “I believe that life is not about self, but about service to others.While I have enjoyed my time as mayor of Peachtree City, I knew about mid-way through my …

Business Moves

The Hartford As reported from sources by Reuters, Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. is trying to sell its property/casualty insurance business, as it reels from massive losses. The Hartford has retained Goldman Sachs, which has been calling potential bidders for …