Delaware News

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. Fire Protection Contractors Market Detail: McNeil & Co. brings agents the FireWatch Program. This is …

Valiant Insurance Forms Excess & Surplus Lines Company

New York-based specialty insurer Valiant Insurance Group, Inc. has established a new insurance vehicle, Valiant Specialty Insurance Co., a Delaware-licensed property/ casualty insurance company to serve as the excess and surplus lines insurance carrier for Valiant’s U.S. operations. Valiant is …

Ex-Candidate for Delaware Commissioner’s Office Switches Parties

John F. Brady, a Republican who ran for insurance commissioner, has become a Democrat. Brady, the recorder of deeds for Sussex County, changed registration Tuesday afternoon. He is keeping his political options open, saying he enjoyed running for statewide office. …

It Figures

$25.2 Billion Amount U.S. property/casualty insurers expect to pay homeowners and businesses for 2008 property losses from 37 catastrophes — the fourth highest cost in a decade and the highest frequency in a decade, according to preliminary analysis by ISO’s …

Swimming Downstream: How a Regional Insurer Buy Others Through Demutualization

Donegal Group’s Strategy Has Helped It Grow From Writing in 1 State to 19 in 20 Years Even in a good economy, mutual insurers face challenges trying to raise the capital they need to grow since they don’t have any …

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. High-Value Homeowners’ Protection Market Detail: Irwin Siegel Agency Inc. brings agents access to AIG’s Private …

Auto Deaths Decline in 40 States; Less Driving, More Seat Belt Use Cited

Automobile fatalities declined in 40 states in 2008, according to a survey of state highway safety agencies, an early sign that traffic deaths could dip to their lowest levels in four decades. The Governors Highway Safety Association, which represents state …

Ratings Roundup: Aflac, Scottish Re (U.S.), Hanover Fire, Omega

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A+’ (Superior) and downgraded the issuer credit ratings (ICR) to “aa-” from “aa” of American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (Aflac) and American Family Life Assurance Company of …

FEMA Under Scrutiny for Ice Storm Response in Kentucky

In the first real test of the Obama administration’s ability to respond to a disaster, Kentucky officials are giving the federal government good marks for its response to a deadly ice storm. Yet more than 300,000 residents remained without power …

Survey: 10 Percent of Delaware Drivers are Uninsured

A new study shows about 10 percent of drivers in Delaware are uninsured, and that number could be headed higher. The survey by the Insurance Research Council suggests the reason is the economic downturn. It predicts the number of uninsured …