Arkansas News

Mid-America Business Conditions Index at Highest Level in Four Years

The May Business Conditions Index for the Mid-America region advanced for a sixth straight month, pointing to a growing economy in the months ahead, according to the May Business Conditions survey of supply managers in the nine-state region. The index …

Smart Choice Agency Market Program Expands to 6 More States

The North Carolina-based Smart Choice Agents Program, which says it currently provides personal and commercial lines markets for some 3,000 independent agencies in 32 states, is expanding into six additional states. The program is moving into Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New …

Road Hazard: 20% of U.S. Drivers Would Flunk If Given Driving Test

The nation’s most knowledgeable drivers are in Idaho, Wisconsin, Montana and Kansas, while the least knowledgeable are in New York, New Jersey, Hawaii and California. That’s according to results from the 2009 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test, which found that …

Arkansas Supreme Court: Class Action Suit Against Insurer Can Proceed

The Arkansas Supreme Court has affirmed a lower court order certifying class action status in a case involving an insurer’s depreciation practices in property claims against “actual cash value” homeowners policies. In Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Company v. Randall and …

Arkansas Suspends License of Agent Accused of Embezzlement

The Arkansas Department of Insurance has suspended the producer and agency licenses of Timothy Walley and the Tim Walley Insurance Agency Inc. of Little Rock for multiple alleged violations, including embezzlement and misappropriation of premium. According to the department, Walley …

Arkansas Insurance Agent Wins GOP Nomination for Lt. Gov.

A Springdale, Ark., insurance agent has won the Republican nomination in Arkansas for lieutenant governor. Mark Darr will face state Sen. Shane Broadway in the fall to take over the No. 2 spot vacated by Bill Halter, who’s challenging U.S. …

People

Alternative market insurance provider, Safety National in St. Louis, Mo., promoted Senior Vice President John Csik to the position of chief financial officer and treasurer. Csik takes over these positions from Duane Hercules, who will continue in his position of …

People

Alternative market insurance provider, Safety National in St. Louis, Mo., promoted Senior Vice President John Csik to the position of chief financial officer and treasurer. Csik takes over these positions from Duane Hercules, who will continue in his position of …

Arkansas Church Awarded $43.6M in Unlicensed Insurance Case

A federal jury has awarded a Jonesboro, Ark., church $43.6 million in its lawsuit against an insurance group that wasn’t licensed or authorized to sell insurance. Old St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in West Memphis sued First Nation Insurance Group …

Ratings Recap: Zenith, BancInsure, First Chicago, Town & Country, Rural Community

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of Zenith National Insurance Group and its members, Zenith Insurance Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, ZNAT Insurance Company. Best …