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The Insurance Council of Texas (ICT) elected Craig Sparks chairman of its board of directors. Sparks has been president of the Union Standard Insurance Company in Irving since 2000. Sparks’ insurance career began the day he graduated from the University …

Business Moves

TAPCO Insurance agents in Alabama and Louisiana may now access the services provided by TAPCO Underwriters Inc. (TAPCO), a Burlington, N.C.-based MGA that specializes in high-volume, middle-market excess and surplus insurance lines. The company says it has the ability to …

From Zero to 200 in 5

The Rise of Kansas City-based Ascension Insurance Len Kline and his business partners, the private equity firms Parthenon Capital and Century Capital Management, had an ambitious goal when they created Kansas City, Mo.-based Ascension Insurance Inc. in late 2007. They …

Lockton Re Adds Executives in Kansas City and New York

Privately owned, independent reinsurance brokerage Lockton Re has expanded its presence in the United States with the appointments of three new executives – Larry Hunter-Blank, Joe Zuk and Scott D. Polkinghorne at its offices in New York and Kansas City. …

Kansas Insurance Department Recovers $15M for Consumers

The Kansas Insurance Department reports that it helped consumers recover more than $15 million through resolution of disputes with insurance companies in 2009. This is the second time in three years the department has topped the $15 million figure. The …

Johnson Joins WRM America as Midwest Regional Marketing Officer

WRM America, a New York-based specialty insurance and alternative risk management company, reports that Jeffrey S. Johnson has joined WRM America Indemnity Company (WRMAI) as regional marketing officer for the Midwest region. Johnson will be responsible for the planning and …

Premium Financing Specialists Acquires Universal Premium Acceptance

Premium Financing Specialists Inc. (PFS) has closed the acquisition of another Kansas City metro area-based premium finance company, Universal Premium Acceptance Corp. (UPAC). The combined company of almost 300 employees will support approximately 13,000 insurance agent and broker clients and …

Few Lawmakers Support Tougher Nebraska Liquor Liability Law

Few Nebraska lawmakers participating in an Associated Press survey say they support legislation making liquor license holders liable for serving intoxicated customers who leave their establishments and hurt themselves or others. But one lawmaker has plans to introduce a proposal …

States Get Tough on Distracted Drivers in 2010

Illinois, Kansas, New Hampshire and Oregon will bring in the new year with new state laws aimed at cracking down on distracted driving, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI). Of the four states with stronger laws …

Kansas Commissioner Fines Progressive Direct, Calls for Premium Refunds

The Kansas Insurance Department (KID) reported Dec. 21 that Commissioner Sandy Praeger has levied a $5,000 fine against a Kansas-licensed insurance company and has ordered premium refunds for those consumers affected by the company’s statute violations. In an order issued …