California News

Calif. Insurance Commissionr Insurance Says His Post Should Be Appointed

California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner said that his position has become too politicized and should return to being one that’s appointed by the governor. Poizner, who is seeking the Republican gubernatorial nomination, made the comments during a meeting of the …

Lawmakers Turn Up Heat on Treasury Chief Geithner Over AIG

U.S. lawmakers challenged Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner’s credibility on Wednesday after he said he was not involved in a decision by bailed-out insurer AIG to withhold details about $62 billion paid to banks. Geithner held his ground at a hearing, …

Californians To Vote On Auto Insurance Persistency Discount

Californians for Fair Auto Insurance Rates has gained enough support to place a voter initiative on the June 8, 2010 ballot, aimed at rewarding drivers who have had insurance for some time to be eligible for a “persistency discount,” even …

The Woodlands Financial Group Opens 6 New Locations

Texas-based retail insurance and managing general agency, The Woodlands Financial Group Inc. (TWFG), has opened six additional branch locations. A new office in Houston is led by Jerome Magana, who has more than 17 years’ experience in the insurance industry. …

CSE Sponsors Essay Contest To Promote Driver Safety

San Francisco-based Civil Service Employees Insurance Group (CSE Insurance) has launched the 2010 CSE Youth Scholarship Program, an annual essay competition designed to promote awareness of driver safety among young people. As part of the program, CSE will designate $12,000 …

U.S. Businesses Face Increasing Threats From Chinese Cyber Attacks

U.S. businesses and government agencies are facing increasing risks of potential cyber attacks from China, according to a recent report. And IT departments that react defensively to such attacks may not be doing enough to prevent a “long term, sophisticated …

Agricultural Injuries Account for 5.5% of Calif. Workers’ Comp Claims

Agricultural claims cost the California workers’ compensation system $1.46 billion in loss payments, according to a recent “Industry Scorecard. According to the Scorecard, which provides data on accident year (AY) 2000 to 2008 claims experience among agriculture workers in California, …

Jordan Sells California Insurance Agency to Daughter

Elmer R. Jordan, past president of the Independent Agents and Brokers Association of the San Fernando Valley, Calif., has sold his agency to his daughter Karen Jordan-Quigley. The new name of the agency is Karen & Michael Quigley Insurance Agency. …

BB&T Insurance Services of California Names Justyn Senior VP

San Francisco-based BB&T Insurance Services of California Inc. announced that Wesley G. Justyn has joined its San Francisco office as a senior vice president. Justyn, who has more than 25 years of sales experience, will be responsible for business development …

Ironshore Names Fitzmaurice in Southeast Region, Koller in California

Specialty insurer Ironshore Inc. has appointed Scott Fitzmaurice as regional executive for the Southeast and John Koller as branch executive in San Francisco, California. The appointments expand Ironshore’s U.S field operations. Fitzmaurice will report to Steve England, executive vice president, …