Iowa News

A.M. Best B+ (Good) Rated Contractor GL Insurance Carrier Expanding to 35 States

National Contractors Insurance Company, Inc., a Risk Retention Group (“NCIC”), A.M. Best Rated B+ (Good), is expanding from 25 to 35 states, with their Commercial General Liability coverage now being made available in Alabama, Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, Mississippi, …

Letter from Iowa Governor Prompts Wellmark to Delay Rate Hike

Iowa’s largest health insurance provider will delay a planned premium increase after Gov. Chet Culver raised questions about the higher rates to the state insurance commissioner. Culver sent a letter to Insurance Commissioner Susan Voss, expressing concern about Wellmark Blue …

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. Outbreak Extra Expense Market Detail: American Underwriting Managers offers a product designed to provide businesses …

Will Gay Marriage Bring Marketing Opportunities for Agents?

In business, change brings opportunity. And when it comes to the wave of states that have recently legalized gay marriage, some see a marketing opportunity in selling insurance products for same-sex couples. And why not? The “gay market” in the …

Strong Attitude Backed by Superior Knowledge

Top 100 Agency Profile Agency Name: Mesirow Financial Services Inc. Headquarters: Chicago, Ill. Year Founded: 1937 2008 Total Premium Volume: $1.4 billion Property/Casualty: $397.5 million Other than P/C: $1.0 billion % Commercial: 24% % Personal: 12% 2008 Revenues: $90.5 million …

InsureZone Acquires Nevada Based CMS Agency

InsureZone Inc. announced that it has purchased 100 percent of the assets of CMS Agency Inc. a wholesaler based in Las Vegas. The transaction gives InsureZone, through its wholesale subsidiary AgentSecure, the opportunity to further expand its national platform in …

Nebraska-Based Survey Suggests Midwest Economy Is Improving

The February Business Conditions Index for the Mid-America region, a leading economic indicator from a survey of supply managers in a nine-state area, rose for a third straight month pointing to improving economic growth in the months ahead, according to …

Will Gay Marriage Bring New Marketing Opportunities for Agents?

In business, change brings opportunity. And when it comes to states that have recently legalized gay marriage, some see a marketing opportunity in selling insurance products for wedded gay couples. The “gay market” in the United States is huge, according …

Golden State Mutual Policies To Be Transferred to IA American Life Insurance

To protect policyholders, Golden State Mutual Life Insurance Co. has entered into a letter of intent with IA American Life Insurance Co. to negotiate a reinsurance agreement to transfer all in-force insurance policies of Golden State Mutual, the California Department …

Iowa House Approves Ban on Texting While Driving

The Iowa House has approved a measure which would ban drivers from writing and sending text messages while driving. The House approved the measure Feb. 23 on an 64-31 vote, sending it to the Senate for more debate. Democratic Rep. …