Maine News

Declarations

New England Wind “The barn was completely flattened.” —Kati King, of Gorham, Maine, where 54 mph winds destroyed her 150-year-old, 40,000-square-feet cow barn. Similar scenes were recorded throughout New England and New York as unusually powerful windstorms battered the region …

Private Firm WSI Cuts U.S. Hurricane Forecast to 19 Named Storms

Private weather forecaster WSI Corp cut its forecast for named storms in the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season on Tuesday, but still sees an active season with water temperatures and wind conditions conducive to violent storms. In its latest tropical storm …

Business Moves

First Mercury, Valiant Michigan-based First Mercury Insurance Co. is acquiring New York-based Valiant Insurance Group Inc. in a transaction valued at approximately $55 million. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter. Valiant’s existing classes of business to …

Business Moves

NetComp NetComp Insurance, a newly-formed program manager based in Columbia, S.C., has opened its online program (www.netcompinsurance.com) for small to-mid size workers’ compensation business to all independent agents in Arkansas, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. NetComp said it …

Maine Man Arrested for Arson After Posting Burned Car on Facebook

Photo Courtesy of Belfast Facebook Page A Belfast, Maine, man is facing charges he set a Mercedes-Benz on fire and then posted photos of the burning vehicle on Facebook. Belfast police say 36-year-old Asgard Tarick Gilbert was arrested on a …

Ratings Roundup: Valiant, Mass. Homeland/York

A.M. Best Co. has placed under review with developing implications the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a-” of Valiant Insurance Company and Valiant Specialty Insurance Company, both domiciled in Wilmington, Del., following the …

10 Most, Least Affordable States for Car Insurance

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. Closure/Post Closure for Landfills Market Detail: Sloan Mason Insurance Services provides closure and post closure …

People

The Excess Line Association of New York has appointed Jasmin Chen Johnson as financial director. She will be responsible for conducting financial analysis, review and monitoring of all New York-eligible excess line insurers. She has over 15 years of experience …

Safety Advocates Propose National Database to Track Jockey Injuries

Horse racing safety advocates are proposing national systems for tracking jockey injuries and sharing horse pre-race medical records in an effort to reduce accidents. The third annual Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit, sponsored by the Jockey Club, focused …