Monthly Archives: <span>June 2010</span>

Declarations

Reauthorization Needed “Congress needs to pass a long-term extension because homeowners living in flood prone regions of the country don’t have anywhere to turn should another major flood occur during this Congressional recess.” —Blain Rethmeier, spokesman for the American Insurance …

Agents: How to Avoid Traps of Selling on Price

The standard homeowners policy is increasingly a trap for consumers. Low rates!” “Lower your premiums!” “Compare and save!” Turn on the TV or search the Web on the term “homeowners insurance,” and you’ll be inundated with offers like these. To …

Ohio Revokes Insurers’ Licenses

The Ohio Department of Insurance has revoked the licenses of two troubled insurance companies: Imperial Casualty and Indemnity Co. of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Atlantic Mutual Insurance Co. (AMIC) of New York, N.Y. In March 2010, the District Court of …

The Times They Are A-Changin’

How Agents Can Manage Technology Change Many agency owners are changing their operations to survive and thrive. But change is never easy. Managing change requires two capabilities: smart decision-making and sound implementation. Deciding to make a change in the agency …

20% A little more than 20 percent of the nation’s drivers would flunk a drivers test but drivers in the Midwest are among the most knowledgeable, according to a recent survey. The 2009 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test found that …

Who’s Getting Sued in Securities Class Action Lawsuits Now?

Financial Services and Life Sciences Companies Should Be on the Lookout To find out which company will be next in line for one of these insult-to-injury lawsuits, just keep a close eye on the headlines. Securities class action lawsuits are …

People

Craig A. Payan has been elected to serve as chairman of the board of directors for Itasca, Ill.-based Associated Risk Managers International Inc. Payan is president of PA&T Insurance and Financial Services, an independent insurance agency located in Orland Park, …

Ohio: Attorney Fees Distinct from Punitive Damages

The Ohio Supreme Court recently issued a slip opinion finding that attorney fees are distinct from punitive damages and that public policy does not prevent an insurance company from covering those fees on behalf of an insured. In Neal-Pettit v. …

Business Moves

Fremont Michigan, Northern Mutual Fremont Michigan InsuraCorp Inc., a Michigan-exclusive property and casualty insurance company headquartered in Fremont, Mich., and Northern Mutual Insurance Co. (Northern), a Michigan mutual insurer, have agreed to a strategic alliance between the two insurers. Northern …

Car Insurance Mandate Begins in Wisconsin

All Wisconsin drivers were required to carry auto liability insurance beginning June 1, but the question remains as to how many will follow the law. Only about 15 percent of the state’s drivers are currently uninsured, roughly the same percentage …