California News

Tapco Opens Underwriting Service Center in Dallas

Tapco Underwriters Inc. (TAPCO), a Burlington, N.C.-based MGA specializing in high-volume, transaction-based excess and surplus insurance lines, is opening an underwriting service center in Dallas, Texas. Tapco veteran Ellen McBride will manage the Dallas office. McBride has more than 25 …

SEC Considered National Security Status for AIG Bailout Details

U.S. securities regulators originally treated the New York Federal Reserve’s bid to keep secret many of the details of the American International Group bailout like a request to protect matters of national security, according to emails obtained by Reuters. The …

Insurance Surcharge Proposed to Fund Calif. Fire Suppression Efforts

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has submitted to the Legislature his proposed 2010-11 budget – calling for “greater reductions in nearly every aspect of state government than were necessary in 2009.” Among the proposed cuts is a decrease of $32.8 million …

Insurance Inc. of Southern California Opens Riverside Office

Insurance Inc. of Southern California has opened an office in Riverside, Calif. The new office is part of an effort to expand operations and continue growth through appointed carriers and to provide consumers and business owners in the Inland Empire …

Calif. Insurance Commissioner Poizner Trailing in Governor’s Race

Former eBay chief executive Meg Whitman has opened up a sizable lead over state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner in the race for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, according to a Field Poll. The poll found 45 percent of likely GOP voters …

TV Networks, Talent Firm Reach $70 Million Settlement With Older Writers

Seventeen major television networks and production studios and seven talent agencies have reached a $70 million settlement of complaints brought by 165 writers aged 40 or older who alleged age discrimination. Approximately two-thirds of the $70 million settlement payment will …

People

Zenith National Insurance Corp. has hired Janet Frank as president and chief operating officer of the workers’ compensation writer’s principal operating subsidiary, Zenith Insurance Co. She will also be an executive vice president of Zenith National Insurance Corp. Frank most …

People

Grange Insurance, based in Columbus, Ohio, named Robert V. James president and CEO. Retiring president and CEO Phil Urban will serve in an advisory capacity until Feb. 26 to ensure a seamless transition. James has more than 36 years of …

Securities Lawsuit Filings Decline in 2009

What a difference a year makes. Just 12 months ago, the subprime and credit crisis litigation wave was in full spate, and the onslaught of Madoff and other Ponzi scheme lawsuits had just begun to surge. While both of those …

Will Gay Marriage Bring Marketing Opportunities for Agents?

The Market Is Huge, but Some Independents Say It’s Difficult In business, change brings opportunity. And when it comes to the rapid wave of states that have recently legalized gay marriage, some see a marketing opportunity in selling insurance products …