California News

Truth or Lore? Insurance ‘Factorama’ Explores the Known and Little-Known

It’s the end of the decade that apparently has no name as yet, but that doesn’t stop those of us at Insurance Journal from looking back at the past 10 years and beyond for known and little-known insurance “factoids.” Why? …

The Best Independent Agencies to Work For … And Why

The results are in from the “2009 Best Independent Insurance Agency to Work For” survey by Insurance Journal. The common theme resonating from the winning responses is one of family ideals. Regardless of size or geographic region, employees of the …

People

Beecher Carlson expanded its National Energy practice by appointing Jacklyn Kearns senior vice president. Kearns has 28 years of insurance and risk management experience. She joins Charlie Pierpont in Beecher Carlson’s Darien, Conn., office. Prior to that, she served as …

2009 P/C Insurance Mergers, Acquisitions Large and Small

Large insurers AIG, Farmers and The Hartford made moves in 2009, as did large brokers Marsh, Aon, Willis, Gallagher, Brown & Brown, Hub and Wells Fargo. So, too, did, many regional insurers and Main Street agencies. Here are the headlines …

It Figures

0 The number of Atlantic hurricanes that came ashore the U.S. this past storm season, a season that turned out to be the quietest since 2006. Since June, just nine named storms developed. Only three of them became hurricanes, and …

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. Surety and Fidelity Bonds for Hard-To-Place Clients Market Detail: Gilbert Trujillo Insurance Services offers a …

Six Factors Create Volatility in Calif. Workers’ Comp Insurance Market

“Since insurance rates were partially deregulated in 1995, the California workers’ compensation insurance market has been very volatile. For reasons that go beyond price deregulation, there have been dramatic swings in insurers’ underwriting profits and the share of coverage written …

California Commissioner Sends Out Warning of Elderly Scams

Elderly Should Be Vigilant to Avoid Scams, California State Insurance Commissioner Poizner Warns. The warning comes on the heels of a $15,000 fine against Annuity Services Insurance Center for deceptive advertising practices targeting senior citizens in California. Poizner said seniors …

Superior Access Introduces Aviation Insurance Services

Irvine, Calif.-based Superior Access Insurance Services Inc. (SAIS) announced it will be providing aviation coverage products with support from more than 20 carriers. SAIS now has the ability to place and service a number of aviation-related exposures including corporate and …

Ratings: NIPPONKOA, Russian Re, Lemma, Lakeside Re, Inter Hanover

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of “a” of Hong Kong-based NIPPONKOA Insurance Company (Asia) Limited, both with stable outlooks for both ratings is stable. “The ratings reflect NIPPONKOA …