Currents

BrickStreet hikes reserves for Sago coal miner

West Virginia’s workers’ compensation insurer may have to spend nearly $4 million more than planned on benefits for the families involved in January’s Sago Mine disaster. BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Co. had set aside $7.1 million early in the year, but …

Calif. associations take issue with broker definition, OAL to weigh in

The California Office of Administrative Law (OAL) has decided to accept a petition filed by Insurance Brokers and Agents of the West (IBA West) requesting review of the outgoing Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi’s attempt to designate a recent settlement as …

Declarations

Med mal “Stabilizing measures taken in the last few years by the Ohio Department of Insurance and the Ohio Legislature to reverse Ohio’s medical liability insurance crisis continue to show positive results.” Director Ann Womer Benjamin comments on the downward …

Declarations

Uncovered crime “Larger firms may be able to absorb the financial shocks of employee crime, but smaller firms may be faced with financial disaster. Surprisingly, our research shows that more than two-thirds of private companies do not buy crime insurance.” …

Washington’s online complaint guide deemed helpful, but incomplete

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has launched a new Web-based tool for insurance consumers, called the annual Complaint Comparison Guide. The Washington guide is designed to allow consumers to search online for their auto, health and homeowners insurance company, and …

Supreme Court races have positive outcomes

The goal of fair and balanced courts in states throughout the country was advanced in a number of state Supreme Court elections, according to the American Insurance Association. Contestable state Supreme Court elections were held in 16 states in the …

Newcomer Sink, veteran Oxendine elected key insurance players

A veteran Republican Georgian commissioner and a Democratic novice Florida financial chief promise to play key roles in insurance issues in the Southeast in the years ahead as a result of the midterm elections. When the dust settled after the …

Washington employers to save $315 million in workers’ compensation

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire announced that the state’s employers and workers could save an estimated $315 million in workers’ compensation premiums next year as the result of a six-month partial suspension of rates proposed by the Department of Labor and …

Did Green Party cost Democrats control of Michigan Senate?

Did Green Party cost Democrats control of Michigan Senate? One of the main reasons Republicans were swept from power was the Iraq war. Ironically, it may have helped preserve their long-standing lock on the Michigan Senate, an Associated Press story …

Judicial races in Southeast, nation prove contentious, costly

The midterm 2006 judicial elections saw judicial campaign contribution and advertising records smashed in numerous states holding high court elections. Voters went to the polls in 22 contested Supreme Court races in 10 states on Nov. 7. Campaigns for seats …

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