Monthly Archives: <span>February 2011</span>

S&P Announces Rating Actions in Wake of Bahrain Unrest

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services announced that it has affirmed its long-term counterparty credit and insurer financial strength ratings on Hannover ReTakaful B.S.C. (Hannover ReTakaful), Trust International Insurance & Reinsurance Co. B.S.C. (c) (Trust Re), and Saudi National Insurance Co. …

Industry Files Dog Exclusions for Homeowners Policies

A national insurance advisory organization is filing three endorsements to allow insurers to exclude personal and umbrella liability coverage for injury or damage arising from dogs. The American Association of Insurance Services (AAIS) develops standardized policy forms and rating information …

Mortgage Crisis Author Lewis Sued for Defamation by Asset Manager

Michael Lewis, best-selling author of “The Big Short” about the mortgage meltdown, has been sued for defamation by an asset manager featured in the book. Other targets in the lawsuit are Lewis’ publisher and prominent hedge fund manager Steven Eisman …

Crump Reaches Standstill Agreement with Former Employee, R-T Specialty

Dallas-based Crump’s Property & Casualty Insurance Services Division (Crump P&C), which is part of insurance wholesaler Crump Group Inc., announced that it has reached a standstill agreement with a former employee and his new employer, R-T Specialty LLC (RTS) pending …

No D&O Insurance at Berkshire, Other Notes from Buffett’s Letter

Giant Berkshire Hathaway, which makes much of its money on insurance and investing insurance premiums, does not provide liability insurance for its own directors. Warren Buffett, the 80-year-old chairman of Berkshire Hathaway and billionaire investor, issued his annual letter to …

Liability Charges for Amex Adding Up

American Express Co. said it could face up to an additional $500 million in losses from lawsuits and governmental examinations, on top of what it has already reserved for them. The credit card lender and processing network did not say …

Woman Awarded $1.14 Million After Atlanta Sidewalk Fall

A Fulton County, Georgia jury has awarded $1.14 million in damages to a woman who fell after getting her heel caught in loose concrete on a downtown Atlanta sidewalk. Don Edwards, a lawyer for 35-year-old Miriam Nichole Hancock, said his …

North Carolina Senate Panel Alters Malpractice Awards Cap Bill

A legislative committee debating a measure that would place limits on awards in medical malpractice lawsuits and change some rules for the litigation could vote on the measure early this week. The Senate Finance Committee last Thursday wrapped up a …

Author’s Libel Suit Against Comedian Seinfeld Thrown Out

A judge has thrown out a lawsuit by a cookbook author who accused Jerry Seinfeld of hurting her reputation by mocking her on national television. In a ruling filed with the court last Friday, state Justice Marcy Friedman said it …

Michigan Lags in Snowmobile Safety: Report

Michigan’s snowy winters and 6,200 miles of groomed trails make it a magnet for snowmobilers, but all that fun comes at a price. The Detroit Free Press reported that more than 130 snowmobilers have been killed in Michigan since 2005 …