Arkansas News

Kentucky Among States Considering Ban on Texting While Driving

Motorists would be forbidden to send text messages while behind the wheel under proposals awaiting legislative action in Kentucky early next year. Two lawmakers have filed bills that would add Kentucky to a growing list of states — 18 so …

Homeowner’s Insurance Rates to Rise 10% In Arkansas

Homeowner insurance premiums in Arkansas are expected to rise this year by an average of 10 percent as the industry works to rebound from 2008’s dual blows of foul weather and nasty financial markets. The Arkansas Insurance Department said the …

States Give a ‘Thumbs Up’ to Fingerprinting Insurance Producers

Regulators Say Fingerprinting Keeps Criminals Out of the Business Don’t be alarmed, but there are convicted criminals roaming around the country acting as insurance producers. They could be robbers, forgers, possibly even rapists. They got their producer licenses in states …

Business Moves

Grain Dealers/Main Street Grain Dealers Mutual Insurance Co., an Indiana-domiciled regional property/casualty insurance company, will become an affiliate of Florida-based Main Street America if approved by the Indiana Department of Insurance. Financial terms were not disclosed. Grain Dealers Mutual operates …

Declarations

On Notice “This settlement … should put all federal contractors on notice that the Labor Department is serious about eliminating systemic discrimination,” —U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis, commenting on an agreement with Gerber Products Co. in Fort Smith, Ark., …

Arkansas Among States Said to Be Lax on Motor Carrier Safety

A new analysis of government data reveals that more than 28,000 motor carrier companies that operate 200,000 trucks have violated federal safety regulations. The trial bar association, the American Association for Justice (AAJ), said it found commuters are sharing roads …

New Markets

The following markets were selected from the MyNewMarkets database of 25,000 coverages and programs. To find additional markets, or to submit markets, go to www.MyNewMarkets.com. Waste Operations Program Market Detail: Five Star Specialty Programs’ waste operations program offers a comprehensive …

Burke Joins Arkansas’ Stephens Insurance

Patrick J. Burke has been appointed as a senior vice president with Stephens Insurance LLC, based in Little Rock, Ark. Burke has spent the last 30 years advising select utilities and utilities mutual insurance companies. He has designed risk coverage …

Missouri Sues Arkansas Insurer

Missouri insurance regulators have gone to court to stop an Arkansas-based life insurance company from illegally changing the terms of its cancer insurance policies, the Missouri Department of Insurance announced. The DOI alleges Central United Life Insurance Company is trying …

Motor Carriers Hit Over Safety; Are Insurance Limits Too Low?

A new analysis of government data reveals that more than 28,000 motor carrier companies that operate 200,000 trucks have violated federal safety regulations. The trial bar association, the American Association for Justice (AAJ), said it found commuters are sharing roads …