P&C Companies News

Michigan Township’s Fight Over Cottage Costs Insurer, Taxpayers

The resistance by one community in Michigan’s rural Thumb to a couple’s plans to renovate the Lake Huron shoreline cottage has led to an $860,000 federal court damage award against the township. The $100,000 limit on Worth Township’s liability insurance …

RLI To Acquire Contractors Bonding Insurance Co.

Peoria, Ill.-based RLI Corp. announcedthat it will acquire Contractors Bonding Insurance Co. (CBIC) through an acquisition of its holding company, Data and Staff Service Co. (DSS) for approximately $137 million in cash. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and …

Best Assigns Rating to Allianz Risk Transfer AG

A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A+’ (Superior) and the issuer credit rating (ICR) of “aa” of Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty AG (AGCS AG). Best also affirmed the FSR of …

Best Affirms Fireman’s Fund Companies ‘A’ Ratings; Upgrades ICR

A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the issuer credit ratings (ICR) to “a+” from “a” and affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) of Fireman’s Fund Insurance Companies, which includes Novato, Calif.-based Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company and its intercompany …

Ratings: Aspen, Allianz Risk Transfer, Inter Hannover UK, Transsib Re, Jordan Insurance

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has assigned its preliminary ‘BBB+’ senior debt, preliminary ‘BBB’ subordinated debt, preliminary ‘BBB-‘ junior subordinated debt, and preliminary ‘BBB-‘ preferred stock ratings to Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd.’s recently filed universal shelf registration program. The ratings …

Insurers’ Recent Success a Milestone in a Year of Chinese Drywall Litigation

A federal judge in Louisiana recently let 10 insurance companies being sued by Louisiana homeowners over property damage resulting from the installation of defective drywall from China off the hook for coverage from those claims. The early Christmas gift to …

Best Affirms Lloyd’s Syndicates 2623, 623, 3623, 3622 Ratings (Beazley)

A.M. Best Europe – Rating Services Limited has affirmed the financial strength ratings of ‘A ‘(Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a+” of Lloyd’s Syndicate 2623, Lloyd’s Syndicate 623, Lloyd’s Syndicate 3623 and Lloyd’s Syndicate 3622. In addition Best …

Best Affirms ‘A-‘ Ratings of Flagstone Re and Affiliates

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a-” of Flagstone Reassurance Suisse SA and its reassured affiliate, Flagstone Alliance Insurance and Reinsurance plc, which is based in Cyprus, as …

SPECIAL REUTERS REPORT: Inside AIG’s Tortuous Turnaround

During a rainstorm in Washington in early 2009, amid the furor over Wall Street’s post-bailout bonuses, an American International Group employee pulled out an umbrella that had the insurer’s name on it. “Somebody came by, grabbed the umbrella and broke …

Health Insurers Face New Scrutiny Over Price Hikes

U.S. health insurance companies that want to increase premiums by 10 percent or more next year would face tougher government scrutiny under new rules proposed Tuesday. The rules, called for under the sweeping healthcare law passed in March, would require …