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

Minnesota Workers’ Comp Claims Decrease

Minnesota workers’ compensation claims have fallen 44 percent relative to the number of employees from 1997 to 2009, according to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI). According to the “2009 Minnesota Workers’ Compensation System Report,” “Minnesota’s workplaces have …

A.M. Best Downgrades Ratings of Dallas National Insurance

A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to B (Fair) from B++ (Good) and issuer credit rating to “bb” from “bbb” of Dallas National Insurance Co. (DNIC) in Dallas, Texas. The outlook for both ratings is negative. The …

Konstantinidis Picked to Lead Swett & Crawford’s New Houston Office

Swett & Crawford has opened an office in Houston, Texas, headed by Senior Vice President and Property Specialist John Konstantinidis. Konstantinidis has relocated from Swett’s New York office to Houston. Swett Executive Vice President Michael Ruhe cites Houston’s strong economy …

A.M. Best Downgrades Springfield Fire & Casualty Ratings

A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating to A- (Excellent) from A (Excellent) and issuer credit rating to “a-” from “a” of Springfield Fire & Casualty Co. of Springfield, Ill. The outlook for both ratings has been revised …

Michigan’s Hastings Mutual Insurance Continues Partnership with Olivet College

Michigan-based Hastings Mutual Insurance Co. committed $100,000 over four years towards an endowed scholarship fund for Olivet College insurance students. To date, $75,000 has been contributed to the fund with the remaining $25,000 installment to be completed in February 2012. …

Medicus Insurance Lowers Rates in 6 States

Austin, Texas-based medical professional liability insurance carriers Medicus Insurance Co., has lowered its base rates for physicians and medical professionals in Arizona, Kansas, Nevada, Ohio, Texas and Virginia. Medicus sells insurance in 24 states from coast to coast. Medicus lowered …

Wildfires Burn 3 Dozen Homes Across Texas

Firefighters in Texas are attempting to contain more wildfires after several blazes broke out across the state and destroyed more than three dozen homes. Hundreds of people were told to evacuate June 19 after fires swept through eastern and central …

Many Changes Expected in New Louisiana Flood Map

A new flood map for Louisiana’s Lafayette Parish is expected to offer a mixed bag, shrinking flood zones in some areas while making large tracts of vacant land more difficult to develop. The final version of the Federal Emergency Management …

Hurricane Beatriz Hits Mexico’s Pacific Coast

Hurricane Beatriz bore down on Mexico’s Pacific coast Tuesday, putting tourist areas and major ports on alert for heavy rainfall and flash floods, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. The eye of the hurricane was about 50 miles [80 kms] …

Even Low Blood Alcohol Level ‘Buzz’ Unsafe for Driving: Study

In the United States, the blood-alcohol limit may be 0.08 percent, but no amount of alcohol seems to be safe for driving, according to a University of California, San Diego sociologist. A new study has found that blood-alcohol levels well …