Illinois News

2008 Losses Lead to Record Insurance Payments to Midwest Farmers

The National Crop Insurance Services trade group says a record $8.6 billion in crop insurance indemnity payments has been made to U.S. farmers for crop losses in 2008, and a lot of that money went to farmers in the Midwest. …

Ratings Recap: QBE (US), Triangle, Zurich (US) Subsidiaries

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has assigned its ‘A+’ counterparty credit and financial strength ratings to QBE Specialty Insurance Co. (QSIC) with a stable outlook. “We view QSIC to be a core member of the QBE Group,” explained credit analyst …

The Hartford Rolls Out AARP Auto Product Through Independent Agents

The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. is now offering AARP-branded auto insurance through select, authorized independent agents. Previously, the insurance was only available directly from The Hartford by phone, Internet or mail. The decision to expand through the agent channel …

Premier Sponsors Professional Liability Insurance for Not-for-Profit Hospitals

Premier Insurance Management Services Inc. (PIMS) out of Charlotte, North Carolina, is offering a new professional medical liability insurance program to not-for-profit hospital members of the Premier healthcare alliance. PIMS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Premier, is parterning with Medical …

People

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn named Michael McRaith director of the newly created Department of Insurance (DOI), which separated from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) on June 1, 2009. Quinn also asked Brent Adams to serve as …

Business Moves

Farmers Farmers Insurance Group of Companies will build two new buildings and add an estimated 1,600 new jobs at its location in Caledonia, Mich. The company said the development is attributable in part to an attractive incentives package offered by …

Employers Direct Stops Writing Workers’ Comp Insurance in California

Citing the strain of escalating medical costs on the workers’ compensation system, increasingly intense price competition, and the uncertainty over the sustainability of the 2003-2004 legislative reforms due to recent Court decisions, Agoura Hills, Calif.-based Employers Direct plans to stop …

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. Nursing Homes/Assisted Living Facilities Market Detail: U.S. Risk Brokers Inc.‘s Houston office offers an exclusive …

Report: Alexandria, Va., Drivers Most Improved

Drivers in Alexandria, Va., are the most improved, in terms of number of auto collisions, according to Northbrook, Ill.-based Allstate Insurance Co., which has released its fifth annual “Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report.” The report ranks America’s 200 largest cities …

Lockton Companies VP Receives Safety Engineer Society Award

For her continued support of the occupational safety and health profession and her ongoing effort to protect people, property and the environment, Lockton Companies LLC Vice President – Risk Control Services Manager Christine Sullivan of Littleton, Colo., recently received the …