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

Federal Court Upholds Umbrella Insurer in Asbestos Coverage Dispute

A federal appeals court has agreed that Continental Insurance Co. did not have a duty to defend asbestos injury claims against the automotive supplier Federal–Mogul Corp. as its umbrella carrier because the primary coverage provided by three other insurers had …

U.S. Hurricane Season Could Be Market Tipping Point: Marsh

Reacting to the recent spate of major natural catastrophes, insurers are being more selective in the capital they deploy and have in some cases withdrawn from catastrophe affected regions and loss-making sectors of business, according to leading insurance broker Marsh. …

Alabama Governor Names Insurance Market Study Commission

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley has appointed 24 people to a panel that will examine the state’s insurance market and suggest improvements. The commission will be led by Baldwin County Probate Judge Tim Russell. Bentley has said he’ll hold a special …

California Workers’ Comp Doctors Take Aim at State Fund Contract

A controversy in the California workers’ compensation market over a revised provider contract threatens to erupt into an all-out legal brawl as doctors for injured workers and applicants’ attorneys take aim at the state’s largest carrier. The nonprofit State Compensation …

California Completes Majestic Insurance Transfer to AmTrust

California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones announced on July 8 the “successful implementation” of a court-approved rehabilitation plan for Majestic Insurance Co., a plan that has been opposed by New York officials and some of Majestic’s contractor customers. Designed to protect …

Group Gives Vermont High Insurance Ranking

A conservative think tank is giving the state of Vermont high marks for insurance regulation. The Chicago-based Heartland Institute says that Vermont has the best property and casualty insurance marketplace and the best regulators. The institute annually rates the states’ …

Small Earthquake Felt in Eastern Maine

A small earthquake across Maine’s Blue Hill peninsula prompted a handful of calls to law enforcement officials, but no damages were reported. According to the Weston Observatory at Boston College, the magnitude 2.3 quake happened at 5:23 a.m. Thursday and …

Frierson Named Young Agent of the Year by Texas Independent Agents

Matt Frierson, a partner at Pierson and Fendley Insurance Agency in Paris, Texas, was named the André P. Juneau Young Agent of the Year by the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas. Frierson has served on both the young agents and …

U.S. Considers Removing All Tariffs for Poor Nations

The U.S. government said on Friday it is investigating the probable economic effects of eliminating all tariffs and quotas on goods from the world’s least-developed countries (LDCs). The U.S. International Trade Commission said it would report its findings to the …

Alterra Bermuda Approved for Reduced Collateral Status in New York

Alterra Capital Holdings Limited announced that the State of New York Insurance Department has approved Alterra Bermuda Limited “as an eligible reinsurer for reduced collateral status, which allows lower collateral requirements for non-domestic reinsurers that are highly rated and financially …