California News

Scanlon, Guerra, Burker Insurance Brokers Adds Russell as Senior VP

Scanlon, Guerra, Burke Insurance Brokers of Woodland Hills, Calif., announced that it is becoming the master broker for California’s exclusive workers’ compensation self-insured group of home improvement and general retail stores, and added Rusty Russell in the position of senior …

Calif. Workers’ Comp Rates Inadequate, Report Suggests

The Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau of California is reporting that gross written premium for calendar year 2009 is approximatley $8.9 billion, about 17 percent below the written premium reported for 2008, and 62 percent the calendar year 2004 total. …

How Agency Helps Preserve Historic Homes, Business Districts

While other insurance agents are visiting manufacturing plants, shopping malls and office parks, Brian Phoebus is hanging out in historic homes, renovated museums, art galleries and performing arts theaters. His haunts include Montpelier in Virginia, the lifelong home of James …

Zenith To Announce Q1 Results on April 21

Woodland Hills, Calif.-based Zenith National Insurance Corp. announced that it plans to release first quarter 2010 financial results on April 21, 2010, during market hours. For more information, visit www.thezenith.com

Sexton Joins Norman-Spencer and Western Marine Insurance Services

Norman-Spencer and Western Marine Insurance Services announced that Paul Sexton has joined the organization as vice president of boat/yacht product development and distribution. He will be responsible for the development of a new boat/yacht program and national distribution strategy, primarily …

The Academy of Insurance Launches “On Demand” Classes

San Diego – (April 15, 2010) – Now in its fourth month of operation, the Insurance Journal Academy of Insurance is offering “on demand” viewing of previously held classes on topics ranging from “Social Media Marketing” to “Kidnap & Ransom …

Computer Error Kept West Virginia Mine from Receiving Safety Warning

A computer error prevented the West Virginia coal mine where 29 workers died in an explosion last week from receiving a warning about safety violations and a demand that the operator improve conditions in 90 days, according to federal officials. …

Toyota’s Legal Tactics on Claims Questioned

Toyota has routinely engaged in questionable, evasive and deceptive legal tactics when sued, frequently claiming it does not have information it is required to turn over and sometimes even ignoring court orders to produce key documents, an Associated Press investigation …

Pacific Gateway Acquires Homestate’s California P/C Division

Pacific Gateway Insurance Agency (PGIA), a wholly owned managing general agent/managing general underwriter of National Indemnity Insurance Co. (NICO), a member of the Berkshire Hathaway Group of Insurance Companies, has acquired the California property/casualty division of the Berkshire Hathaway Homestate …

AmWINS CEO DeCarlo on Colemont Merger, Texas and Going Global

The acquisition of wholesale insurance broker Colemont Insurance Brokers by its competitor AmWINS Group gives AmWINS entry into international markets for the first time and a bigger presence in Texas, where Colemont is based. The deal, for which no outside …