Economy News

Time to Invest Infrastructure

U.S. District Judge Stanwood Duval recently dismissed a lawsuit against the U.S. Corps of Engineers over levee failures in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Duval ruled the Corps had immunity from the lawsuit, not because he didn’t believe …

‘Managing the Cycle’ Remains No. 1 Priority, Lloyd’s Survey Finds

Lloyd’s of London has published its fourth annual underwriting survey, which reveals that “managing the insurance cycle” remains the most important issue for the industry in 2008 with 93 percent of underwriters believing the industry is currently in a softening …

Navigate Policy Waters to Get Boat Owners the Right Type of Coverage

Boats are not just luxury items for the rich, but they are also items that families with less than extravagant incomes can enjoy together away from the distractions of everyday life. Whether the boat owner is wealthy, or a middle …

IRS Agrees to Drop Captive Insurance Tax Change

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has dropped plans to change the way that captive insurance companies are taxed. U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., said that the IRS informed them it has decided to withdraw …

Flood Map Changes Worry Sacramento Officials, Builders

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s plans to designate Sacramento’s fast-growing Natomas sector, north of the Sacramento and American rivers, as a Special Flood Hazard Area AE Zone in December is stirring up widespread concern that the new requirements could amount …

IRS Tax Code Change Called Threat to Captive Insurance States

U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., is asking the U.S. Treasury to block a pending tax code change seen by some as a threat to Vermont’s captive insurance industry. Welch and three Democratic colleagues from states that also have captive insurance …

N.Y. Court: Insureds Can Sue For Consequential Damages

A new ruling by the New York Court of Appeals could open the door for breach of contract suits against commercial property insurers – a move two dissenting judges warned could raise the price of insurance for everyone in the …

Swiss Re Stresses Role of Insurance at Climate Change Conference

Rick Murray, Managing Director at Swiss Re, made some important observations on the insurance industry’s role in dealing with problems caused by the changing climate. Speaking at a United Nations Climate Risk Summit (also addressed by Al Gore) in New …

‘Managing the Cycle’ Remains #1 Priority Lloyd’s Survey Finds

Lloyd’s has published its fourth annual underwriting survey, which reveals that “managing the insurance cycle remains the most important issue for the industry in 2008 with 93 percent of underwriters believing the industry is currently in a softening stage of …

Lawmakers Blast Spitzer’s $15 Charge on Auto Insurance

A proposal to charge New Yorkers a $15 fee on their auto insurance faced a road block Wednesday in the state Legislature. Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s proposal would help pay for bridge maintenance and repairs that lawmakers agree are overdue. But …