Economy News

The Complete Condo Package, Part 2

How to Fit the Right Pieces Together for an Association or Unit Owners’ Coverage Picture Piecing condominium association and unit-owner insurance programs together necessitate determination and complete information. A lot of pieces must be snapped together to assure a complete …

Commerzbank Poised to Buy Allianz’s Dresdner Bank Subsidiary

Allianz SE is set to sell control of Dresdner Bank to Commerzbank AG, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said on Friday. The deal would fuse Germany’s second and third largest banks. Taking over Dresdner, which analysts estimate …

Connecticut Says Use of Fake Auto Insurance Cards Growing

Counterfeit auto insurance cards have been a problem for years, say Connecticut insurance officials, but recently, the department’s fraud and investigations’ divisions have been seeing seen a lot more of the cards. All Connecticut drivers are required to carry the …

Soft Market Exposes Value of Risk Control for Golf Insurers

For the golf industry, 2008 business is at best a bogey — probably worse. And for the agents, carriers and program managers who cater to the golf and country club world, that’s made for a rough market, lately. Three key …

Heartland Analyst Likes Insurance Broker Brown & Brown

There’s value to be found in this rangebound market in areas like insurance brokerages, North American natural gas as well as some industrials, a fund manager said. Brad Evans, who helps manage more than $2 billion in assets at Heartland …

S&P Report Says Oman Insurance Market Still Strong After 2007 Losses

In its latest report on the insurance market in the Sultanate of Oman, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services says that despite the heavy losses from Cyclone Gonu in 2007, the sector has much to commend it. “Oman has developed a …

New York Workers’ Comp Rates to Drop 5 Percent

Premiums for workers’ compensation insurance in New York will drop 5 percent in 2009, said Gov. David Paterson, marking the second straight annual decline since landmark reform legislation was passed in 2007. The drop in rates follows a 20.5 percent …

How Agencies Can Access Capital in the Current Credit Crunch

Every morning, stories of financial sector gloom and doom fill the airwaves. A slowing economy has affected the ability of individuals and businesses to pay their bills. The term “credit crunch” has become a part of the daily lexicon, with …

Financial Regulation Reform — But Not Paulson’s — Likely in 2009

Efforts to overhaul U.S. financial regulation are seen gathering pace early next year, as a new Congress and administration seek to safeguard public money put at risk by recent rescue measures. The Federal Reserve’s extension of emergency credit to investment …

Berkshire’s Buffett Sees Economy in Recession, Weak Until 2009

Warren Buffett said the U.S. economy is still in a recession and unlikely to improve before 2009 but that stocks appear better valued than a year ago. The billionaire investor also said there is a “reasonable chance” shareholders of Fannie …