Illinois News

Public Brokers’ Stocks Trading Down While M&As Fall in February, March

Stock Prices: Brokerage stocks have started 2008 in a downward spiral. Year-to-date the sector is trading down 13 percent. M&A Activity: With 29 acquisitions announced in February and March, the year-to-date total is 56, which is down 14 percent from …

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. Liquor Liability Coverage Nuts & Bolts: Advanced E&S Insurance Underwriters recently announced the offering of …

State Farm, Allstate Report Few Claims in Earthquake Aftermath

Despite a sizable earthquake event in the Midwest on Friday, April 18th, Bloomington, Ill.-based State Farm and Northbrook, Ill.-based Allstate Insurance say they haven’t heard of much damage from the southern Illinois earthquake, where both companies have homeowners insurance customers. …

It Figures

$45 Billion The rate of obesity in the United States has doubled in the last 30 years, and those extra pounds weigh on companies’ bottom lines, according to a new report from The Conference Board. Today, 34 percent of American …

People Michigan-based J.M. Wilson recently announced three new staff members, Danielle Crandell, Eric Maus and Jeanne Callan. Crandell was hired as a transportation underwriter. She will service commercial trucking accounts for customers in Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. She …

Study: Workers’ Comp Costs Per Claim in North Carolina Rising Rapidly

Workers’ compensation costs per claim in North Carolina grew 6-14 percent annually throughout the study period, according to the Workers Compensation Research Institute. The Cambridge, Mass.-based WCRI study of 14 states found that double-digit growth in medical costs per claim …

Sen. Martinez Denies He’s Obstacle to Catastrophe Fund Bill

Republican Sen. Mel Martinez of Florida is in a position to help move along a bill that could lower property insurance rates in disaster-prone states, but hasn’t been aggressive enough in doing so, said the two Democratic House members sponsoring …

Earthquake Rocks Illinois; Causes Minor Damage in Several States

An earthquake that measured 5.2 on the Richter Scale rocked buildings in Chicago and damaged roads in Ohio and Kentucky. The quake hit Friday morning at 4:37 a.m. The epicenter was in the town of West Salem, Ill., which is …

WKF&C Agency Expands to Texas

Melville, New York-based managing general agent, WKF&C Agency Inc., announced it is expanding its nationwide casualty underwriting platform with the opening of a new office in Dallas, Texas. Industry veteran and Dallas native Rodger Young will serve as president of …

California Judge Approves Ford Explorer Settlement

A California judge on Tuesday approved the settlement of a class-action lawsuit that will compensate about 800,000 Ford Explorer owners whose vehicles lost value because of a perceived rollover danger. The settlement ends lawsuits against Ford Motor Co. in California, …