Maine News

Business Moves

Gallagher/Gresham National insurance brokerage Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has acquired two New England offices of Atlanta-based Gresham & Associates Inc. for an undisclosed sum. The offices — which are in Portland, Maine and Cranston, Rhode Island — are managing …

People

ProMutual ProMutual Group has promoted José R. “Joe” Zorola to vice president of underwriting. Zorola previously served as director of underwriting for the Boston-based medical liability insurer. In this new capacity, Zorola will continue to oversee the department and will …

Business Moves

Grain Dealers/Main Street Grain Dealers Mutual Insurance Co., an Indiana-domiciled regional property/casualty insurance company, will become an affiliate of Florida-based Main Street America if approved by the Indiana Department of Insurance. Financial terms were not disclosed. Grain Dealers Mutual operates …

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. Waste Operations Program Market Detail: Five Star Specialty Programs’ waste operations program offers a comprehensive …

Hurricane Bill Drenches Eastern Canada; Two Die in U.S.

Hurricane Bill brought rain and heavy winds to eastern Canada Sunday after pounding the U.S. East Coast with heavy seas that killed two people. A seven-year-old girl died in a hospital after she was pulled unresponsive from the sea by …

Private Health Insurance Competition Weak in Many U.S. Markets

One of the most widely accepted arguments against a government medical plan for the middle class is that it would quash competition — just what private insurers seem to be doing themselves in many parts of the U.S. Several studies …

Enforcement Stepped Up; Trends Show More Women Driving Impaired

At an event today kicking off a nationwide anti-drunk driving enforcement campaign, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood released a new study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that shows an increasing trend among women driving under the influence …

NTSB: No Mechanical Problems with Maine Helicopter

A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board on the emergency landing of a helicopter in Maine says there were no mechanical problems reported before the crash. WCSH reports the NTSB states a representative of the pilot, Lord Irvine …

Hacker Indicted in Huge ID Theft: 130 Million Credit Cards

Federal officials announced the indictment of a Miami man in what they say is the largest identity theft ring ever exposed in the U.S. Albert Gonzales, 28, was indicted for conspiring to hack into computer networks supporting major American retail …

Mississippi Commissioner Offers Alabama Advice on Coastal Insurance

The keys to holding down insurance premiums on the Alabama coast are strong enforcement of building codes, proper land use and mitigating homes against future disasters, Mississippi Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney told an Alabama House of Representatives subcommittee this week. …