Agricultural News

Premium Growth: Top 25 Premium Gainers in 2008 Versus 2007

What is the impetus for growth? Why do some insurers emphasize growth and others do not? In his Sept. 25, 1961, address to the United Nations, President John F. Kennedy described conformity as “the enemy of growth.” This implies that …

Obama Financial Reform Plan Faces Tough Road Ahead

The Obama administration’s ambitious draft plan to redraw U.S. financial regulation has been panned by banking groups, setting the stage for a bruising months-long battle among lawmakers and federal agencies. Signs have already emerged that political reality is forcing the …

Outside the Beltway-Big ‘I’ CEO on Carrier Relations, AIG and Agent Grassroots

Bob Rusbuldt, president and CEO of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big “I”), sat down with Insurance Journal‘s Andrew Simpson at the association’s recent legislative conference in Washington, D.C. The following excerpts are from the complete interview, …

Spring Storms Tear Up Midwest, Claim 3 Lives in Missouri

Citizens in four Midwestern states are cleaning up after violent storms killed three people in northern Missouri, damaged hundreds of homes and left thousands without power. Authorities reported at least two tornadoes touching down in Adair County, the first hitting …

Florida Rejects Extending Surcharge Ban for Not-At-Fault Accidents

Florida officials have rejected a rule that would have expanded a ban on auto insurance surcharges for drivers involved in collisions where they were not found at fault. The state currently prohibits insurers from surcharging existing customers with not-at-fault accidents …

Engineer Distances Himself From Storm Damage at Cowboys’ Facility

A structural engineer maintains he had limited involvement with the Dallas Cowboys’ training facility that collapsed during a thunderstorm on May 2 and left a team employee paralyzed. “I was there just a few months,” said Enrique Tabak in a …

People

Joseph Tracy was named president of Travelers Inland Marine business unit. Tracy, who joined Travelers in 2006, most recently served as chief underwriting officer for the Inland Marine business unit. He previously was the head of OneBeacon Insurance’s Inland Marine …

Business Moves

Farmers, American International Group (AIG), 21st Century Insurance Co. Los Angeles-based the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies announced it will acquire American International Group’s (AIG’s) Personal Auto Group, which includes 21st Century Insurance Co. The acquisition price is $1.9 billion, …

Study Links Wildfires in Sierra to Climate Change

A warming climate will fuel larger, more frequent wildfires in the Sierra Nevada and other parts of the West, and the fires will contribute to climate change, according to a new study. More than 20 international scientists, in the report …

How Climate Change Affects GDP

Southeast Asia faces one of the world’s highest climate change bills, the Asian Development Bank said on Monday, unless the region adapts to climate change and joins the rest of the world in cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The destructive effects …