People The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) has announced the promotion of Mike Becker to director of federal affairs. Since joining PIA, Becker has managed the day-to-day responsibilities associated with running the Professional Insurance Agents Political Action Committee, …
People McQueary Henry Bowles Troy LLP (MHBT) added Jim Anderson as senior vice president in the Dallas-based firm’s property/casualty group. Anderson will oversee the production and account management of property/casualty business accounts. With nearly 30 years of risk management experience, …
Declarations
Reaching the Peak “This is probably it. … I think we’re probably reaching the peak of rates now.” —Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. CEO John Wortman, comments in an Associated Press report on double-digit homeowners rate increases proposed by Citizens …
Yes, You Are in a ‘Flood Zone!’
The Importance of Understanding Flood Zones “I don’t need flood insurance.” “I’m not in a ‘flood zone.’” Or, “I don’t need flood insurance because my mortgage company said I don’t need it.” Those statements are made more often than any …
So Far, So Good
The Midwest is recovering from what may be some of the worst flooding in recorded history, but Texas and the Oklahoma Panhandle are suffering from drought. After a wild and wooly winter and spring, Arkansas seems to have settled into …
South Arkansas Farmers Report Fuel Thefts
As fuel costs keep climbing, farmers and police say thieves are beginning to target off-road diesel tanks kept in fields throughout south Arkansas. In Desha County, about 3,000 gallons of off-road diesel have been reported stolen in six major thefts. …
Swett & Crawford Launches New Truckers Accident Program
Risk Reducers LLC, a division of Swett & Crawford, launched a new occupational accident transportation program to address the problem of job-related injuries suffered by independent truck drivers who are not covered by workers’ compensation. Known as the Truckers Accident …
Parents Sue Companies Over Baby Bottles
Four Ohio parents have filed a federal lawsuit against makers of baby bottles, claiming the bottles were made from a harmful chemical that sparked congressional hearings and prompted the world’s largest retailer to phase out the products. The complaint filed …
Ratings Roundup: Agri-Business, Vantapro, Sooner, Intrepid, Columbia
A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to ‘A-‘ (Excellent) from ‘B++’ (Good) and issuer credit rating (ICR) to “a-” from “bbb” of American Agri-Business Insurance Company (AA-BIC), and has removed them from under review with positive …
Flood Damage Not Limited to ‘Flood Zones’
“I don’t need flood insurance; I’m not in a ‘flood zone.’” Or, “I don’t need flood insurance because my mortgage company said I don’t need it.” These statements are made more often than any insurance professional would like to admit; …
