Economy News

Delaware Court Rebuffs D&O Insurer on Proportionate Defense Costs

The Delaware Superior Court has ruled that a directors and officers insurance company must pay defense costs on behalf of its policyholder to the full policy limits against a criminal indictment alleging many wrongful acts over an extended period involving …

Study: U.S. Entrepreneurs More Optimistic on Taking Risks

Despite a weakened economic market, a new study from Hiscox shows that 46 percent of American small business owners still feel that they can make more as entrepreneurs than the traditional corporate world. The Hiscox study, “DNA of an Entrepreneur,” …

Challenges and Strategies for the 21st Century Independent Agency

The letter from the Palatine Insurance Co. to the independent insurance agency, written in the dawn of a new century began: “The insurance business is experiencing perilous and unprecedented challenges …” The date: 1921. As the saying goes, everything old …

Mid-Year 2008: Securities Lawsuit Filings Remain Up

Subprime and Credit Crisis Filings Show No Sign of Abating Is litigation stemming from the subprime- and credit crisis-related activity increasing directors’ and officers’ insurance premiums? Despite the steady flow of new securities litigation during the first half of 2008, …

Road Danger: Thousands of Medically Unfit Commercial Drivers Still Trucking on U.S. Roads

Hundreds of thousands of tractor-trailer and bus drivers in the United States carry commercial driver’s licenses despite also qualifying for full federal disability payments, and some of those drivers have suffered seizures, heart attacks or unconscious spells, according to a …

Challenges and Strategies for the 21st Century Independent Agency

The letter from the Palatine Insurance Co. to the independent insurance agency, written in the dawn of a new century began: “The insurance business is experiencing perilous and unprecedented challenges …” The date: 1921. As the saying goes, everything old …

French Agriculture Minister: China, India Thwarted WTO Negotiations

France’s agriculture minister said Wednesday that “big emerging countries” were to blame for the collapse of World Trade Organization talks on opening up the global economy. The president of a leading French farmers’ union, meanwhile, hailed the outcome of the …

International Chamber of Commerce ‘Deeply Regrets’ Trade Talk Failure

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), which represents thousands of businesses in more than 130 countries, issued a bulletin stating that it “deeply regrets the failure announced last night of the key ministerial meeting in Geneva intended to arrive at …

Acquisitions, Lower Premiums Affect Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Q2

Richmond, Virginia-based insurance broker Hilb Rogal & Hobbs, which is in the process of being acquired by bigger insurance broker Willis, reported revenues were up 5.3 percent while net income plummeted for the second quarter. Net income for the second …

Kentucky Insurance Legislation Affects Compensation and Investments

Kentucky lawmakers adopted insurance legislation during the 2008 regular legislative session that will affect agents and carriers working in the state. The Insurance Producer Modernization bill (HB 334) allows an agent to receive compensation from an insurer or client for …