Declarations
Lighting Up “We are hoping this will reduce the number of fire fatalities.” —Iowa State Fire Marshall James Kenkel comments on a new law that he and others hope will reduce the number of fatal fires in the state. The …
Business Moves
Editor’s Note: For a comprehensive report of mergers and acquisitions for 2008, see Special Report: Agency Mergers in 2008 in the Dec. 22, 2008, edition of Insurance Journal. Euclid Insurance, Illinois American Insurance Agency Euclid Insurance Services Inc., has acquired …
Texas, Oklahoma Among States Requiring Fire-Safe Cigarettes
Laws mandating stores only sell cigarettes that are slow-burning and fire-safe went into effect in five states on New Year’s Day, including Texas and Oklahoma. Those two states, plus Delaware, Iowa and Pennsylvania, joined 17 others in mandating the fire-safe …
States Rate Poorly on Consumer Insurance Information on Web
A national consumer group says state insurance departments vary in the quality of the information they provide consumers online, with differences in the usefulness of information such as the rates and practices of individual insurance companies. According to the Consumer …
Texas Workers’ Comp Div. Assesses $285K in Fines June – Oct. 2008
The Texas Department of Insurance Division of Workers’ Compensation (TDI-DWC) from June through October 2008 assessed administrative penalties totaling $285,775 in disciplinary orders issued by Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation Rod Bordelon. Commissioner’s orders are subject to appeal to state district …
Iowa Judge Certifies Retirees’ Class Action in Deere & Co. Lawsuit
A federal lawsuit against Deere & Co. filed by a group of retirees is scheduled to go to trial in September, and a judge has ordered class action certification in part of the case. The retirees of the Moline, Ill.-based …
Iowa Lawmakers to Focus on Flood Recovery Despite Economic Concerns
Despite a state budget crisis and a crumbling national economy, Iowa legislators will nonetheless take on one of the most expensive problems in state history–flood recovery. No one is sure of the price tag, but all agree it’s enormous. And …
Iowa Safer Cigarette Law Starts Jan. 1
An Iowa law requiring the sale of new cigarettes that are less likely to start fires goes into effect Jan. 1. The state Legislature voted earlier this year to approve the sale of the cigarettes that are less likely to …
FEMA Announcs $10 Million in Flood Recovery in Eastern Iowa
FEMA has announced it will give more than $10 million for flood-recovery projects in eastern Iowa. Projects in Lake Delhi, Iowa City, Anamosa, Bluffton and Cedar Falls will split the FEMA dollars. Among those receiving funding are repairs to damaged …
Ratings Roundup: Cooperative Mutual, Great Northwest
A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to ‘B+’ (Good) from ‘B++’ (Good) and issuer credit rating (ICR) to “bbb-” from “bbb” for Omaha-based Cooperative Mutual Insurance Company, and has revised its outlook on both ratings to …
