Maine News

Markel American to Sell Collector Car Coverage

Markel American Insurance Co. introduced a new Collector Vehicle Insurance program. This program joins its other specialty personal lines, such as motorcycle and various boat products. The program provides coverage for a variety of collector vehicles including antique autos and …

Second Fire within Year Damages Upscale Maine Resort

The Maine fire marshal’s office is investigating a fire at the upscale Stage Neck Inn in York a year after another fire damaged the oceanfront resort hotel. York Village Fire Chief Chris Balentine estimated the damage from last week’s fire …

Maine Study: Suspended Drivers in High Number of Deadly Crashes

Suspended drivers represent a small minority of all motorists but are involved in a disproportionately large number of serious highway crashes in Maine, the Maine Sunday Telegram reported. After analyzing records from a statewide database of 160,000 motor-vehicle crashes from …

Vermont Rethinks Law Curbing Drug Firms’ Use of Prescription Data

A new Vermont law restricting the drug industry’s use of data on doctors’ drug prescribing habits is facing a federal lawsuit and a new round of scrutiny. The law, which was amended in the waning days of last year’s legislative …

Maine Records Fewest Train-Vehicle Collisions in 20 Years

Maine recorded four crashes involving trains and motor vehicles in 2007, Maine Operation Lifesaver said. It was the fewest since the nonprofit railroad safety organization started keeping records 20 years ago. The four crashes, one of them fatal, occurred at …

ISO: Insurers to Pay $6.5 Billion in 2007 Catastrophe Claims

U.S. property/casualty insurers are expected to pay homeowners and businesses $6.5 billion for 2007 property losses from 23 catastrophes — the eighth lowest cost in a decade and the seventh lowest frequency for the same period, according to preliminary analysis …

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. Small Residential General Contractors Nuts & Bolts: NSM Insurance Group is offering coverage for general …

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. Oil and Gas Well Drilling Contractors

Neighborly Advice: 10 Transition Tips for Massachusetts Agents

Massachusetts independent agents are facing a challenge to hang onto their whopping 86 percent market share in personal lines as the state embarks upon a new competitive auto insurance system that will bring some of the predictive analytics that agents …

Declarations

Surprising Amount “We are both surprised and disappointed by the amount of the fine.” —Michelle Levy, Spokesperson for Foremost, reacting to a $230,000, near-record fine levied against the company by the state of Connecticut. The fine came after regulators found …