It Figures

30

The number of third quarter mergers and acquisitions of insurance brokerages, according to Audra M. Szollosy, senior vice president with Hales & Co., one of the oldest and most experienced advisory and investment banking firms solely dedicated to the insurance industry. “This quarterly activity follows a relatively active first quarter with 51 transactions followed by a less active second quarter with 41 transactions. Deal momentum and deal volume have slowed dramatically compared to last year. With only three months left in the year to transact, 122 transactions have been announced through September versus 224 last year,” she said.

19

The number of passenger cars the Virginia-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded its “top safety pick'” to for the 2010 model year. Eight sport utility vehicles received that designation. Ford Motor Co. and its Volvo unit received the most awards with six, followed by five awards apiece for Japanese automaker Subaru and German automaker Volkswagen AG and its Audi unit. Chrysler Group LLC received four awards followed by two each for Honda Motor Co. and General Motors Co. Toyota Motor Corp., BMW AG, Mazda Motor Corp. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. were shut out in the annual IIHS review. (AP)

3

The number of hurricanes Colorado researchers say formed in the Atlantic this year — two fewer than they predicted before the season and one less than their August update called for. Colorado State University researchers William Gray and Phil Klotzbach said their preseason forecasts called for 11 named storms, including five hurricanes, two of them major. Their Aug. 4 update called for 10 named storms, including four hurricanes, two of them major. They say the final numbers were nine named storms and three hurricanes, including two major hurricanes. The 1950-2000 average is 9.6 named storms and 5.9 hurricanes. The Atlantic season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. (AP)

16%

Percentage of workers’ compensation claims in California that resulted from professionals and clerical workers. A new study from the California Workers’ Compensation Institute shows that claims from white-collar workers have assumed greater relative importance as the economy has sputtered. The report said average payments on these claims have risen. In 2005, first-year losses on professional/clerical claims were an average $9,710. In 2007, that climbed to $13,879.

Topics Hurricane