Illinois News

Figures

103 The number of Mississippi cases relating to Hurricane Katrina claims included in a settlement with State Farm Mutual Insurance Co. last month. Terms of the settlement are confidential, said attorney Chip Merlin. Forty-seven of the 103 policyholders involved had …

News Currents

Former franchisees challenge Brooke agent dealings But fast-growing franchisor denies misleading any agents Overland Park, Kan.-based insurance agency franchisor Brooke Corp. has been hit with a number of lawsuits that raise questions about its business dealings with agents who bought …

People and Places

The National Association of Mutual Insurance Cos.(NAMIC) named SECURA Insurance President and CEO John Bykowski as the chairman of its board of directors during the association’s annual convention Sept. 16-19 at Grapevine, Texas. Before joining SECURA in 1997, Bykowski served …

Former franchisees challenge Brooke agent dealings

Overland Park, Kan.-based insurance agency franchisor Brooke Corp. has been hit with a number of lawsuits that raise questions about its business dealings with agents who bought into its nationwide operation, which now boasts some 800 locations. Brooke Corp. itself …

From the Big Apple to the Corn State

From the executive office of the Greater New York Mutual Insurance Companies on Madison Avenue in the heart of New York City, Warren Heck, chairman and chief executive officer, can see Illinois. “It’s fantastic, unbelievable. I get very excited when …

My New Markets

Workers’ Comp, Security, Investigative Agencies Nuts & Bolts: A guaranteed cost workers’ compensation program for security guard and investigative agencies is available from The Mechanic Group. Dollars: Up to $1 million. Carrier: The Hartford rated “A+” XV by A.M. Best. …

Former franchisees challenge Brooke agent dealings

Overland Park, Kan.-based insurance agency franchisor Brooke Corp. has been hit with a number of lawsuits that raise questions about its business dealings with agents who bought into its nationwide operation, which now boasts some 800 locations. Brooke Corp. itself …

Sparking fire safety

Jackson Holland was smoking a cigarette around 4 p.m. one weekend day outside his Mount Ivy, N.Y., home when he dozed off, police said. While asleep, the 74-year-old man dropped his cigarette, which ignited the padding in his chair and …

Fired-up over safer cigarettes

Now 21 states require cigarettes to be self-extinguishing Cigarettes sold in 21 states will be self-extinguishing after a strikingly high 15 states passed new laws this year to combat smoking-related blazes, the No. 1 cause of home-fire deaths. “Fire-safe” cigarettes, …

My New Markets

Trade and Professional Associations Nuts & Bolts: Aon Association offers coverage to 56,000 nonprofit organizations and their members throughout the U. S. Clients range in size and needs from an Elks Lodge seeking general liability coverage to a long-term care …