P&C Companies News

Munich Re Analyzes 2009 Nat Cats; A Lot, But Few Big Ones

A report from Munich Re confirms that losses from natural catastrophes “were far lower in 2009 than in 2008 due to the absence on the whole of major catastrophes and a very benign North Atlantic hurricane season.” However, the reinsurer …

Captives Fuel Growth and Income for Agency Owners

In times like these, where the insurance industry is now in its fifth year of a soft market, the use of an agency captive insurance company can spark both revenue and profits to improve an agency’s overall financial performance. The …

ABI Finds Trade Credit Insurers Paid ‘Record Amount’ in Q3 Claims

According to the latest figures compiled by the Association of British Insurers (ABI), trade credit insurers paid out a record amount in claims in the third quarter of 2009. The total amount paid in claims was £125 million ($200 million), …

Munich Re CEO Slams Copenhagen Failure; Calls for ‘Small Party’ Talks

Munich Re’s CEO Nikolaus von Bomhard issued a statement on the reinsurer’s web site that left no doubt concerning the disappointment he (and the Group) feel following the failure of the UN’s Copenhagen Climate Conference to achieve any major agreement. …

Swiss Re Forecasts Increasing Demand for Natural Catastrophe Coverage

Swiss Re has concluded that, despite the unusually quiet 2009 hurricane season, “overall natural catastrophe losses have increased significantly over time and are expected to grow further. “The premium for our book of natural catastrophe covers reached $1.8 billion. Due …

States Get Tough on Distracted Drivers in 2010

Illinois, Kansas, New Hampshire and Oregon will bring in the new year with new state laws aimed at cracking down on distracted driving, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI). Of the four states with stronger laws …

Zurich Obtains $225 Million Calif. Quake Backup from Lakeside Re II

The Zurich Financial Services Group announced that it has obtained, through its subsidiaries, Zurich American Insurance Company and Zurich Insurance Company Ltd, a 3-year $225 million catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance protection from Lakeside Re II Ltd. to cover the …

New York Orders Two Insurers to Reinstate 260 Policies

The New York State Insurance Department has ordered insurers Homesite Insurance Co. and Security Mutual Insurance Co. to offer to reinstate at total of 260 homeowners’ policies across the state. Regulators say the insurers improperly cancelled or non-renewed the policies. …

Report: Deregulation Made Massachusetts Auto Insurance Market Worse

The deregulation of the Massachusetts auto insurance market has driven up prices, boosted insurer profits, reduced consumer protections and generally created confusion in the marketplace, according to a new report by the state’s attorney general. The report, which comes roughly …

Michigan Auto Insurance Bills Stall As Senate Adjourns Without Acting

The Michigan Senate adjourned before Christmas without taking action on a property/casualty insurance bill package already passed by the House of Representatives. The package would, among other things, give the insurance commissioner more authority over rates and strip insurers of …