Illinois News

State Farm Settles with Another Mississippi Katrina Victim

State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. has settled another lawsuit with a policyholder whose home was destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. Neither side would release terms of the agreement reached Friday between the insurer and Judy Guice, of Ocean Springs. Guice …

News Currents

Oregon fines nine AIG companies $5 million The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) has imposed a $5 million fine on nine insurers in the American International Group (AIG) for numerous violations of Oregon insurance and workers’ compensation …

Despite firefighting prowess, the Russians aren’t coming

While the Southeast’s largest wildfire in more than a century was still smoldering in Georgia after burning 903 square miles, a fresh conflagration reared its ugly head in California, and an American pilot from Virginia — employed by the Russian …

Regional companies provide a competitive advantage

Agents need to build a portfolio of carriers to meet their clients needs, and that should include both regional and national carriers, according to Rick Quagliaroli, president and CEO of Strongwood Holdings Insurance Corp. and its subsidiary companies Sequoia Insurance …

State Farm to Drop 50,000 Coastal Homeowners Policies in Fla.

State Farm Insurance, Florida’s largest private home insurer, said it will drop about 50,000 homeowners policies next year in what it considers risky areas along the coast. Most of the homes and condos that will lose their coverage are within …

My New Markets

Family Entertainment Centers Nuts & Bolts: A program tailored for family fun centers and endorsed by International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions is available through American Specialty Insurance & Risk Services Inc. Types of coverages include general liability; excess/umbrella; …

My New Markets

Vacation Income Property Nuts & Bolts: Middle Oak is offering insurance designed exclusively for vacation income property. What is covered: homes, condos, short term or year round rentals, owner use, two nights, seasonal etc. In the name of a trust, …

Midwestern States Push for Truck-only Lanes

With truck traffic rising, at least nine states are considering proposals to separate big rigs from cars on interstate highways, hoping to reduce congestion, improve safety and increase commerce by moving goods faster. The highways are heavily traveled and are …

People and Places

The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. has named Thomas M. Marra to the newly created position of president and chief operating officer. Marra, currently a member of the company’s board of directors and president and chief operating officer of Hartford …

The Hartford Settlement with AGs Ends Agents’ Contingent Commissions

The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. announced it has reached a settlement with the New York, Connecticut and Illinois Attorneys General resolving matters relating to their investigations of the compensation arrangements between the insurer and its property-casualty agents and brokers. …