Idaho News

Mercury General Announces Second Quarter Results

Los Angeles-based Mercury General Corp. has reported net income of $37.8 million ($0.69 per share-diluted) in the second quarter 2006 compared with $73.6 million ($1.35 per share-diluted) for the same period in 2005. For the first six months of 2006, …

Thin ice

Identity theft costs American businesses and consumers a reported $50 billion and victimizes an estimated 10 million people in the U.S. a year, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Recent reports suggest those numbers are going to continue to …

Idaho, Alaska, Hawaii lead nation for drownings

A lack of fences around backyard pools and lapses in adult supervision are some of the reasons Idaho ranks fourth in the nation in drowning deaths per capita, a medical doctor says. “Almost 80 percent of children who drown, drown …

Competing on personal lines service

So, think there’s limited competition around service in personal lines? Think again. Northeast insurers are tripping over themselves to herald their latest service features, which is good news for agents and consumers. Consider these recent events: Hail to Mt. Washington …

Fighting future losses in the midst of fire season

With 68,775 blazes already this year, the 2006 wildfire season is well on its way to becoming the worst in 10 years, according to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). Its data shows 5.03 million acres have burned, eclipsing the …

New Markets

Bed and Breakfast Nuts & Bolts: Smith, Bell and Thompson and Swiss Re’s Commercial Insurance announce a new program for Bed & Breakfast accounts. The Bed & Breakfast program is designed for the innkeeper industry. Target accounts include bed and …

New Markets

Retail Carts Nuts & Bolts: General liability, including contractual liability, personal injury and advertising injury liability for retail cart vendors operating concessions and exhibits is available from K&K Insurance Group Inc. This program is specifically tailored for concessionaires, exhibitors and …

Ill. Attorney General holds identity theft summit, state ranks 10th

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan recently convened the first-ever Illinois Identity Theft Summit. The goal of the summit was to bring representatives from law enforcement, the court system, government, business and consumer advocacy groups together to brainstorm about how to …

Ark. town puts down uninsured pit bulls

Pine Bluff, Ark., officials have euthanized 85 pit bills since June 16, when a new ordinance took effect, requiring owners to obtain $100,000 insurance policies to cover dog attacks. An additional 26 pit bulls have been banished from the city. …

New Markets

Retail Shopping Centers Nuts & Bolts: Argonaut Group Inc.’s Select Markets segment is expanding its line of products and services to include the retail shopping center marketplace. Highlights include specialized benefits such as coordinated policies for comprehensive landlord-tenant liability coverage, …