Arkansas News

After 100-plus Deliberate Fires, Ark. Town Starts Arson Hotline

Fire officials in Pine Bluff, Ark., say arsons are on the increase and authorities are seeking the public’s help through a new hotline for reporting fire bugs. On a recent weekend the town had “seven fires and that’s way too …

Risky Business

It’s risky business selecting the top stories of the year. One’s choices are limited — they basically have to consist of real news. Predicting headlines for the coming year, however, is pure speculation. It’s kind of fun to imagine the …

People The Louisiana Medical Mutual Insurance Co. named Thomas H. Grimstad, M.D., as its new president and chief executive officer. Grimstad will succeed John E. Lemoine, M.D., effective Jan.1, 2008. Since its founding in 1982, only three other physicians have …

Declarations

The Worst Storm “This is without question the worst ice storm in state history, and it will require a historic response from all levels of government.” —Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry, following severe ice storms that hit his state in December …

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. Small Residential General Contractors Nuts & Bolts: NSM Insurance Group is offering coverage for general …

Weather blows through top stories of 2007

Weather, directly or indirectly, was a driving force in the insurance markets for the South Central states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas in 2007. With the exception of Arkansas, throughout the year the South Central states dealt with insurance …

Figures

$247 Billion U.S. tort costs totaled $247 billion in 2006, which is $57 less per person than in 2005 at approximately $825 per person, according to an update on U.S. Tort Cost Trends from the Tillinghast insurance consulting practice of …

Dallas National Insurance Company Strengthens its Board of Directors and Posts a Strong Third Quarter

Nehls cites profitable growth and positive changes December 20, 2007 – Dallas National Insurance Company has recorded another strong quarter, ending the first three quarters of 2007 with net income of $9.4 million on net premiums of $66.7 million. Dallas …

Ark.’s Commissioner Bowman Re-elected to NAIC Position

Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Julie Benafield Bowman was re-elected to the position of vice chair of the Southeastern Zone of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) at the association’s quarterly meeting held in Houston. The Southeastern Zone includes commissioners and …

Ark. Woman Settles with Insurer in Agent Theft Case

A settlement in the amount of $435,298.25 has been reached between Reba Irons of Fort Smith, Ark., and Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America in a case involving John Phillip Middleton, an insurance agent who sold annuities for the …