Agents & Brokers News

12 Days of Riskmas: An Insurance Broker’s Story

In giving her Christmas gifts for 12 straight days, a true love inspires his girlfriend to build a whole new life. It’s a joyful story for the holidays but one that comes with risks. According to the popular Christmas carol, …

Catlin Raises Estimates of NZ Quake Losses to $45 Million

Catlin Group Limited announced that, “based on total insured losses from the New Zealand earthquake of US$5.5 billion to US$6 billion, its loss amounts are approximately US$45 million, net of reinsurance and reinstatements. The revised estimate increases Catlin’s previous exposure …

Best Affirms Lloyd’s Syndicates 2623, 623, 3623, 3622 Ratings (Beazley)

A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength ratings of ‘A ‘(Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a+” of Lloyd’s Syndicate 2623, Lloyd’s Syndicate 623, Lloyd’s Syndicate 3623 and Lloyd’s Syndicate 3622. In addition Best …

State Inaction Risks Loss of Surplus Lines Premium Tax Revenue

The States appear poised, through inaction, to leave untold millions of dollars in premium tax revenue “on the table” when the Nonadmitted Insurance and Reinsurance Reform Act (NRRA) becomes the law of the land on July 21, 2011. Under Subtitle …

Torus Strengthens European Service Delivery with Senior Appointments

Global specialty insurer Torus announced the appointment of Jason Mortimer as European Client Relationship and Business Development Director. He formerly headed European Property operations. Mortimer will now direct client and broker relationship development across continental Europe. He joined Torus as …

J.M. Wilson Hires Craycraft as Branch Manager in Ohio

Managing general agency J.M. Wilson has added Chuck Craycraft as branch manager in Westerville, Ohio. Craycraft will oversee the staff and day-to-day operations of the Ohio office. His territory includes Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia and Pennsylvania. He is a …

It Figures

4,000 The number of independent agencies founded in 2008, 2009 or 2010, which represents approximately 11 percent of the more than 37,500 total independent agencies in the United States today, according to the 2010 Agency Universe Study by Future One, …

Business Moves

Ryan Specialty Group, Oakbridge R-T Specialty LLC, the wholesale brokerage unit of Ryan Specialty Group LLC, acquired Bloomfield, Conn.-based Oakbridge Insurance Services LLC, an insurance intermediary focused exclusively on executive and professional liability exposures and insurance solutions. Terms were not …

Young Agents Survey:

Why Young Agents Stand by Their Career Choice Most enter the insurance business by accident but for young independent insurance agents, the decision to stick with insurance as a permanent career is a matter of choice. A healthy 84 percent …

People

Insurance broker Marsh appointed Peter Mavraganis as U.S. leader of its renewable energy practice. Mavraganis, based in New York, will oversee Marsh’s support for its clients in renewable energy development, including solar, wind, biomass, and biofuel energy projects. He has …