P&C Companies News

Best Upgrades Markel International’s Issuer Credit Rating

A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the issuer credit rating to “a+” from “a” and affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) of UK-based Markel International Insurance Company Limited (MIICL), both with stable outlooks. Best said the rating upgrade reflects …

Best Affirms Ratings of Markel’s Lloyd’s Syndicate 3000

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the Best’s Syndicate Rating of ‘A’ (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of “a+” of Lloyd’s Syndicate 3000, both with stable outlooks. The ratings reflect the financial strength of the Lloyd’s market, which underpins the …

Willis Re Appoints Byng to Lead New Property Resource Group

Willis Re, the reinsurance arm of Willis Group Holdings announced the appointment of James Byng Property Resource Group Leader for its International and Specialty reinsurance business. He will assume this new position on August 1, 2010 and will report to …

Flood Insurance Program Back in Business Until Sept. 30

The U.S. Senate last night approved a temporary reauthorization of the federal flood insurance program until Sept. 30. The reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is retroactive to June 1, the date the program was halted. The unanimous …

Tower Completes Acquisition of OneBeacon’s Personal Lines Business

Tower Group Inc. has completed its acquisition of the personal lines business of OneBeacon Insurance Group for $167 million. The completed transaction includes the acquisition by Towers of Massachusetts Homeland Insurance Co., York Insurance Co. of Maine and two management …

BancorpSouth Insurance Exec Re-Elected to Louisiana Guaranty Board

BancorpSouth Insurance Services president Markham McKnight has been re-elected as treasurer of the Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association (LIGA) board. McKnight brings 28 years of experience to his position. In addition to his role as president of BancorpSouth Insurance Services, McKnight …

New York Looking to Clamp Down on Self-Insured Trusts

New York Gov. David Paterson wants to rein in the use of self-insured trusts in the Empire State, following the recommendation of task force formed in the wake of several high-profile trust collapses over the last several years. The task …

Ohio Orders Health Insurer to Refund $6M to Policyholders

More than 45,000 Ohioans will receive a refund or credit from Community Insurance Co., also known as Anthem, according to Insurance Director Mary Jo Hudson. The Ohio Department of Insurance alleges that Anthem has been charging consumers rates for health …

If Today’s Bid Fails, Next Likely Vote to Restart Flood Insurance: July 12

The future of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) remains in limbo even as Hurricane Alex makes its way to the Texas coast today. Washington lobbyists say a vote could come today but if that doesn’t happen it could be …

Catlin to Establish Swiss Reinsurer

The Bermuda-based Catlin Group Limited has announced that it intends to form a reinsurance company in Switzerland to “significantly expand the European-based reinsurance business underwritten by the Group.” Catlin said it has applied to the “Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority …