Articles by Dave Thomas

Big ‘I’ Fields Busy Agenda at Annual Meeting in Big Apple

The Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America will convene in New York City this month for their annual national convention, Sept. 10-12. Just as agents and brokers prepare to discuss the challenges of mergers and acquisition strategies, marketing and …

IIHS Study Says Low-Cost Road Alterations Can Reduce Urban Road Crashes

Spending a small amount of money on busy roadways in cities can lead to the ultimate goal of reducing the number of crashes reports a recent study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Recently released statistics show that while …

Missouri Jury Tells State Farm to Pay

A Kansas City jury recently had some bad news for one of the nation’s top insurers in deliberations that reportedly took less than six hours. The message to State Farm–pay up. Five former State Farm Insurance agents were awarded $20 …

Louisiana State Police Warn Residents, Adjusters to Wait for Safe Conditions Before Venturing Out

As Hurricane Katrina moves out of Louisiana and into neighboring Mississippi, officials with the Louisiana State Police told Insurance Journal Monday afternoon that conditions do not warrant residents or adjusters venturing out to inspect damaged properties at this point. Lt. …

Missouri Makes Push to Rein In Medical Malpractice Payments

A recently released study from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) points out that Missouri med-mal insurers paid out much less in claims in 2004 to state doctors, yet premiums continue to rise–growing 8.4 percent as direct lossesfell some …

Golf Issue Swings into Action

Welcome to Insurance Journal’s third annual national golf issue, where a golf theme yet again graces the magazine’s cover. Readers who are breathlessly awaiting a cover story on surplus lines, contractors, commercial auto coverage, or professional liability, will have to …

87th PGA Championship Tees-Off at Baltusrol in New Jersey

Needless to say, all eyes surrounding Baltusrol are towards the skies. If the weatherman cooperates, the 87th PGA Championship in Springfield, N.J., could be one for the record books, as the game’s top golfers descend on the Garden State and …

Dennis Slams Fla. Panhandle; AIR Damage Estimate $1B to $2.5B

Hurricane Dennis slammed into the northern coastline of the Gulf of Mexico between Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach, Fla. July 10 shortly after 3 p.m. (EDT) packing top sustained winds of 120 mph. The hurricane lost momentum as it moved …

London Death Toll Tops 50; Search on for Bodies, Answers

One day after four bombs struck at the heart of London’s morning rush hour, authorities were still finding bodies and searching for clues as the death toll has reportedly topped 50 people. Al Qaeda is still the main suspect in …

He’s Now Tropical Storm Dennis; Heavy Rains, Tornadoes Main Concern Inland

Hurricane Dennis slammed into the northern coastline of the Gulf of Mexico between Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach, Fla. on Sunday afternoon shortly after 3 p.m. (EDT) packing top sustained winds of 120 mph. The storm lost momentum as it …