Maryland News

State Auto Middle Market Open House to Celebrate Move to Texas

Announcing plans for major growth in the Texas marketplace, State Auto Middle Market Insurance (SAMMI), said it will host an open house Jan. 28 in its new office in Austin to celebrate the unit’s entrance into the state. The company …

Former Md. Deputy to Serve Home Detention for Arson

A former Frederick County Sheriff’s Deputy will avoid jail time for setting fire to his girlfriend’s sport utility vehicle in alleged insurance scheme. Thirty-eight-year-old Theodore Randolph Dorsey of Knoxville, Md. was given a suspended sentence Wednesday for his conviction on …

Flooding is ‘Next Big Disaster’ in Store for Calif., Say Engineers

While flooding in California’s Central Valley is “the next big disaster waiting to happen,” water-related infrastructure issues confront almost every community across the country, according to engineers at the University of Maryland’s Clark School of Engineering in separate reports to …

Batchelor Returning to London to Head Marsh Europe/Mideast

Marsh announced from its London office that David Batchelor will succeed Alex Moczarski as CEO of Marsh’s operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). He currently heads the Asia Pacific region for Marsh, responsible for operations in China, …

Solar Panels Would Get Legal Protection under Md. Bill

As Maryland lawmakers look for ways to boost energy conservation, one Democrat wants a law to give rooftop solar panels legal protection. House Democratic Leader Kumar Barve of Montgomery County has proposed a measure preventing cities or homeowners associations from …

Ratings Recap: Verlan, ACMAT, Heritage, Alfa, Petroleum Marketers, Berkshire (Debt), Consumers, ACA Financial

A.M. Best Co. indicated that the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “a” of Verlan Fire Insurance Company of Silver Spring, MD, are unchanged following the recently announced definitive agreement by The Hanover …

Hanover Insurance to Acquire Chemical Industry Insurer Verlan

Worcester, Mass.-based The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. has agreed to acquire Verlan Holdings, Inc., a Silver Spring, Maryland-based holding company that provides insurance to manufacturers and distributors of chemical-related products. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Verlan’s primary business, …

Travelers Settles With States Over Brokers’ Contingent Commissions

The Travelers Cos. Inc. will pay $6 million to settle investigations in nine states and the District of Columbia over how it paid brokers. The St. Paul-based company said it had reached agreements with attorneys general in Michigan, Florida, Hawaii, …

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. Jewelers Block Nuts & Bolts: Jewelers Block is offering coverage including retail, wholesale and manufacturing …

Declarations

Frankel-y Speaking “I consider the role the Mississippi Insurance Department has played in bringing Mr. Frankel and his co-conspirators to justice to be one of the finest accomplishments during my time in office.” —Long-time Mississippi Insurance Commissioner George Dale, who …