Iowa News

California Commissioner Sends Out Warning of Elderly Scams

Elderly Should Be Vigilant to Avoid Scams, California State Insurance Commissioner Poizner Warns. The warning comes on the heels of a $15,000 fine against Annuity Services Insurance Center for deceptive advertising practices targeting senior citizens in California. Poizner said seniors …

Des Moines Named Best City for Business

Des Moines, Iowa, has been named “America’s best city to do business,” according to an annual survey by MarketWatch. Des Moines beat cities such as Washington D.C., Omaha, Neb., and Minneapolis/St. Paul in the survey that compared economic strength and …

Cedar Falls, Iowa, Expands Flood Insurance Requirements

The city of Cedar Falls, Iowa, has approved a new ordinance expanding the number of residents who have to get flood insurance. The approved ordinance takes effect Jan. 1. It says that everyone living in the 500-year flood plain, instead …

Kansas Regulators: State’s Auto Insurance Rates Among Lowest in U.S.

The Kansas Insurance Department reports that Kansas ranks sixth lowest in the nation for average auto insurance expenditures, according to figures released by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). This is the fifth consecutive year the state has been …

National Association of Insurance Commissioners Elects New Officers

Members of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) have elected their 2010 officers at their Winter National Meeting in San Francisco. The new officers are: President: West Virginia Insurance Commissioner Jane Cline; President-Elect: Iowa Insurance Commissioner Susan Voss; Vice …

Business Moves

USAA Military insurance company USAA is expanding its customer base by nearly 35 million prospects by opening up eligibility for its products to all veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time. More than 18 million …

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 …

People

Des Moines, Iowa-based Principal Financial Group announced that John Aschenbrenner, president of its insurance and financial services division, will retire at the end of 2009 after more than 37 years with the company. Aschenbrenner joined The Principal in 1972 and …

A Cup of Contagion

Dhananjay Nayakankuppam, a professor of marketing in the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa, is an expert in what is known as the contagion effect, an irrational belief that the qualities of something can somehow rub off …

A Cup of Contagion

Dhananjay Nayakankuppam, a professor of marketing in the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa, is an expert in what is known as the contagion effect, an irrational belief that the qualities of something can somehow rub off …