Latest Agencies Headlines

All the headlines from our Agencies Topic Page, ordered by recency.

People

Sep 1 2008 // Swiss Re appointed Walter A. Bell chairman of Swiss Re America Holding Corp. Bell, whose appointment with Swiss Re is effective Sept. 2, is currently insurance commissioner of the Alabama Department of Insurance, a...

Broker Liability: Scope of Coverage

Sep 1 2008 // Agents Liable for Failing to Obtain Promised or Reasonably Anticipated Coverage Absent any express representations of coverage by the agent or broker, when the insured accepts a policy without objection, the general rule...

Simmon to Lead Michigan’s Agents

Sep 1 2008 // Says Independence, Flexibility Still Key in Serving Policyholders Dale Simmon of the Simmon Insurance Agency in Lansing was recently named president of the Michigan Association of Insurance Agents (MAIA). The Michigan...

Eight Reasons Agencies Need a Strong Database Effort

Sep 1 2008 // A solid, up-to-date, well-managed database is the No. 1 factor in stimulating and maintaining business growth. The word “marketing” may conjure up images of the fast-paced world of television advertising, a...

Little Big Stuff

Sep 1 2008 // Like much else in life, when it comes to catastrophes, it’s the little things that count. Thousands of homeowners and business owners who will spend the coming months recovering from the after-effects of Tropical...

Bird Prepares to Land After 20 Year Flight with North Carolina Big ‘I’ Agents

Sep 1 2008 // Retiring Leader Sees Agency Management Education Program at Appalachian State as Top Achievement After 20 years as an advocate for independent agents, Bob Bird, chief executive officer of the Independent Insurance Agents...

People

Sep 1 2008 // Swiss Re appointed Walter A. Bell chairman of Swiss Re America Holding Corp. Bell, whose appointment with Swiss Re is effective Sept. 2, is currently insurance commissioner of the Alabama Department of Insurance, a...

Ballinger Keeps the Beat at the Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas

Sep 1 2008 // SLSOT Celebrates its 20th Anniversary This Year Phil Ballinger, executive director of the Surplus Lines Stamping Office of Texas, knows a lot about rhythm. He was a drummer with the Van Wilks Band long before he joined...

People

Sep 1 2008 // Community Financial Insurance Center, Monroe, La., hired Jeanette F. Credo as senior vice president for its new Financial Institutions Division for the states of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi. Credo will establish and...

Declarations

Sep 1 2008 // Agent-Broker Duties “It’s important to understand this bill doesn’t change anything for brokers that want to continue doing business as usual. Yet it really creates an opportunity for producers to have a...

People

Sep 1 2008 // General Star Management Co. appointed Gregory J. Diorio chief operating officer and Joseph L. Majsak chief marketing officer. Diorio will oversee all underwriting divisions while Majsak will oversee the new marketing...

Little Big Stuff

Sep 1 2008 // In a disaster, people often lose access to things they weren’t thinking about losing. Like much else in life, when it comes to catastrophes, it’s the little things that count. Thousands of homeowners and...

Broker Liability

Sep 1 2008 // Liability for Failing to Obtain Promised or Reasonably Anticipated Coverage Author’s note: This is part II in a series on broker liability. Part I appeared in the Aug. 4, 2008, issue. Absent any express...

California Legislature Passes Agent-Broker Bill

Sep 1 2008 // California Assembly Bill 2956, which will clarify the duties of an agent versus those of a broker, has passed both the state Assembly and Senate. The bill will now be held at the Assembly desk until the state budget is...

Lloyd’s in the 21st Century

Sep 1 2008 // The Modernization of Lloyd’s and the London Market Any institution — and there aren’t many — that survives and thrives for 320 years must find ways to adapt to changing conditions. Lloyd’s of...

Lessons in Globalizing an Insurance Brand

Sep 1 2008 // Chubb: Understand Local Culture and Rely on Local Staff When Abroad Chubb Insurance, founded in 1882 in New York, today sells in 28 countries and has about 120 offices throughout North America, Europe, South America and...

Brokers’ Stocks Up Slightly for the Year; Banks Active in Brokerage M&As

Sep 1 2008 // Stock Prices: The brokerage sector as a whole is up 2 percent for the year. Arthur J. Gallagher’s (NYSE:AJG) stock has faired well compared to peer Brown & Brown (NYSE:BRO). Gallagher’s stock is up 6.5...

A Winning Culture

Sep 1 2008 // Lots of companies claim to have a great working environment, but when a company backs up its claim with awards, who can deny it? Insurance Journal Top 100 Agency Profile The IMA Financial Group Inc. RANKING: No....

Surplus Lines Results Remain Strong, Despite Heightened Competition

Sep 1 2008 // Brokerage M&As Expected to Continue for the Near Term; Time’s Almost Up for Congress to Pass Reform Bill Surplus lines insurers continued to outperform the property/casualty industry in underwriting and...

The Complete Condo Package, Part 2

Sep 1 2008 // How to Fit the Right Pieces Together for an Association or Unit Owners’ Coverage Picture Piecing condominium association and unit-owner insurance programs together necessitate determination and complete information....