Monthly Archives: <span>July 2012</span>

ND Insurance Agents Banned From Business in State

North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm has ordered agents in Dickinson and Fargo to stop doing business in the state. Scott Biggs in Dickinson is accused of taking client money for personal use. Robert Medhus (MAY’-hoos) in Fargo is accused …

Gregoire Releases $500,000 For Tsunami Debris

Gov. Chris Gregoire is releasing $500,000 from her emergency fund to address costs associated with potential debris washing up on the state’s beaches from the Japanese tsunami. Gregoire said Tuesday that the money will be released to the state’s Military …

NDOT Considers Rail Crossing Safety Upgrades

The Nevada Department of Transportation is considering safety improvements at some railroad crossings on roads with fast speed limits, including the site of last year’s deadly crash between an Amtrak passenger train and a tractor-trailer that killed six and injured …

Virginia Insurance Regulator Offers Post-Storm Advice

The series of deadly storms that struck much of the mid-Atlantic last week left 12 people in Virginia dead and extensive damage in their wake. Virginia Insurance Commissioner Jacqueline Cunningham is advising consumers to contact their insurance company or agent …

Great Falls, Mont. Bans Cell Phones For Drivers

Great Falls banned hand-held cell phones for motorists and cyclists, hoping to make navigating the streets of this central Montana town a bit safer from distracted drivers. The Great Falls Tribune reported commissioners favoring the ban sought to underscore expectations …

Two Montana Counties Declare Drought Disasters

Yellowstone and Stillwater county commissions in Montana have declared drought disasters in their counties. Officials say low rainfall and warm temperatures have created conditions that one farmer says are not usually seen until mid-September. Yellowstone County agricultural agent Steve Lackman …

Derecho-Related Claims Pouring In; 22,000 Claims in Maryland So Far

As the mid-Atlantic states continue to recover from last week’s destructive “derecho” storm system, insurance claims have been pouring in by tens of thousands. In Maryland, approximately 22,000 derecho-related claims have been filed by Maryland policyholders as of July 5, …

Ratings Recap: Kuwait Re, Ageas, Al Fajer Re, Generali (Notes)

A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of “a-” of Kuwait Reinsurance Company K.S.C. (Closed), but has maintained a negative outlook on the ratings. Best said …

North Carolina Lawmakers Pass 4 Year-Ban on Sea Level Policy Changes

After North Carolina lawmakers were ridiculed for their attempts to ignore a state-sponsored science panel that predicted a sharp rise in sea levels, they agreed this week to forbid any state agency to make policies on sea-level change until 2016 …

Smalling, Muller Join Tennessee’s Lexon Surety

Lexon Surety Group. a Hermitage, Tenn.-based surety bonds firm, has added two people to its executive team. Jeffery Smalling will be joining as assistant vice president of commercial surety. William Muller will be joining the executive team as assistant chief …