Illinois News

Berns Added as Account Executive at Associated Agencies

Rolling Meadows, Ill.-based Associated Agencies Inc., has hired Helene R. Berns as an account executive. Berns is licensed in all areas of insurance, offering service to those needing auto, home, commercial and other insurance. Prior to joining the Associated team, …

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. Campgrounds, Dude Ranches & Other Outdoors Risks Market Detail: Hull & Company Inc. has availability …

Top Personal Lines Agencies

Correction: Top Personal Lies Agencies The Top 2009 Personal Lines Agencies list that was published in the Nov. 16 issue of Insurance Journal was incorrect. Unfortunately, columns of spreadsheet data shifted in the process of producing that listing. Insurance Journal …

Allstate, Alfa to Drop Wind Insurance on 14,000 Alabama Coastal Homes

Allstate Corp. and Alfa Mutual plan to drop wind coverage on an estimated 14,000 homeowner policies in Alabama’s two coastal counties over the next 18 months, the latest blow to property owners seeking insurance in an area vulnerable to hurricanes. …

Texas Approves 13 Companies to Self-Insure for Workers’ Comp

The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation (TDI-DWC) approved the renewal of the Certificates of Authority for 13 companies to self-insure for workers’ compensation claims for a one-year period under the TDI-DWC Self-Insurance Regulation program. These 13 companies …

Specialty Underwriting Firm Naxos Avondale Launches

Naxos Avondale Specialty Casualty Inc., an underwriting management company focused on the specialty casualty excess and surplus lines markets, has officially launched operations and begun accepting business. The creation of Naxos Avondale was announced in August 2009 as a joint …

Best Downgrades Kingsway and Several Subsidiaries Ratings

A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the issuer credit ratings (ICR) and senior debt ratings to “ccc” from “b-” of Canadian insurer Kingsway Financial Services Inc. (KFSI) and Kingsway America Inc. (KAI), which is based in Illinois. Best also downgraded the …

Insurance Agent Accused of Peeping Pleads Not Guilty

An Illinois insurance executive accused of secretly making nude videos of ESPN reporter Erin Andrews pled not guilty during his arraignment in a Los Angeles federal courtroom on Monday. Michael Barrett is charged with one count of interstate stalking. The …

Arthur J. Gallagher Buys North Carolina’s Shuford Insurance

International insurance broker Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. reported it has acquired Shuford Insurance Agency, Inc. in Concord, North Carolina. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 1938, Shuford Insurance Agency, Inc. is an independent insurance agency offering …

Unicare to Exit Group, Individual Healthcare Market in Illinois, Texas

Healthcare provider UniCare will effectively no longer be providing healthcare coverage to commercial groups and individuals in Illinois and Texas as of the end of the year. UniCare’s parent company, Wellpoint Inc., noted in its Oct. 28 report on financial …