Inside This Issue

Special Report: Top 100 Agency Profile

IMA Financial Group: A Winning Culture

NATIONAL COVERAGE

U.S. Commercial Lines Outlook Revised To Negative

S&P: Price Deterioration, Decreased Investment Income Prompt Change

U.S. Insurers' Exposure to Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac Manageable

A.M. Best: Few Carriers Affected; Substantial Write-Downs Unlikely

Labor Dept: Fewer Workers Killed on Job in 2007

Worker Deaths Decline 6% Over 2006

U.S. Doctors Say Lawsuits Help Guarantee Drug Safety

Doctors Tell Supreme Court Suits Protect Consumers

Feds Charge 11 in Biggest-Ever Identity Theft Case

Involves More Than 41 Million Credit, Debit Card Numbers

Spotlight: Top Performing Workers' Comp Insurers

Top 25 P/C Premium Gainers

Surplus Lines Results Remain Strong, Despite Competition

E&S Insurers Outperform Overall P/C Industry Again

Special Report: Salute to Surplus Lines – London Market

Lloyd's in the 21st Century

SPECIAL REPORT: Top 100 Agency Profile

IMA Financial Group: A Winning Culture

Closer Look: Homeowners/Condos

The Complete Condo Package, Part 2

WEST COVERAGE

California Legislature Passes Agent-Broker Bill

Bill Requires Brokers Disclose Their Fees in Writing

Hawaii Order Liquidation of AG Airgroup Insurance

Policies Can Be Cancelled

First Insurance Co. Of Hawaii Lowers Rates 8.5%

Applies to First Select Portfolio Package That Includes Homeowners, Auto, Umbrella

California Proposes 16% Workers' Comp Rate Increase

Could Increase Another 3.7% if Permanent Disability Rating Schedule Changes Adopted

New Mexico Court: Class Actions Can't Be Barred in Small Claims

Court Says Class Action Critical to Enforcement of Consumer Rights

Idaho Seatbelt Use Declines More Than 3%

Dropped from 80% High in 2006 to 78.5% in 2007

Montana Launches Driver's Ed/Insurance Classroom Training

Will Cover Basics of Auto Insurance Coverage

Montana Fire Suppression Efforts Expected to Grow

Costs Could Reach $15 Million to $23 million by 2025

Fires Bring California to the Brink

Schwarzenegger Proposes Insurance Surcharge

U.S.-Mexico Cross Border Trucking Project Extended for Two More Years

Extended Timeline Hopefully Will Boost Return on Investment

Jungle Love

Risk Management Strategies Based on Emulating Animals in the Jungle

IDEA EXCHANGE

What's All the Fuss About?

Time Is Right for E&S Market to Get Back to Its Roots

Lessons in Globalizing an Insurance Brand

Chubb: Understand Local Culture and Rely on Local Staff

Minding Your Business

Business Planning in a Snap!

Wholesaler Value is a Story That Needs to Be Told

Soft Market or Not, Stay Focused on Superior Service, Value to Agents

Brokerage Watch

Stocks Up Slightly; Banks Active in Brokerage M&As

Legal Beat: Broker Liability Part 2

Liability for Failing to Obtain Promised or Reasonably Anticipated Coverage

Managing and Using Information to Grow an Agency

Eight Good Reasons to Get Your Database Efforts Underway

Speak Up If You Care

The Case for Risk Management and Insurance Education

Closing Quote: Innovating Insurance

Women Play Important Role as Insurance Industry Change Agents

DEPARTMENTS

Opening Note
MyNewMarkets
Business Moves
People

Available Issues

Insurance Journal West

Salute to Surplus Lines Brokers/NAPSLO; London Report; Top Workers' Comp Writers