Massachusetts News

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. International Energy Package Market Detail: MarketScout provides a market for clients needing coverage for foreign …

Allstate Study: Sioux Falls Safest Driving City for Third Year

An insurance study has once again found that Sioux Falls has the safest drivers in the nation, marking the third straight year that South Dakota’s largest city has topped the list. Researchers with Allstate Insurance Co. analyzed two years of …

Mass. State Police Report 70% More Drunk Driving Arrests

State police are crediting an increased number of sobriety checkpoints for a 70 percent rise in drunk driving arrests since 2005. Last year, state police arrested 4,879 people for operating under the influence, compared to 2,869 in 2005. During that …

Arbella Reduces 2008 Mass. Auto Rates Again

The Arbella Insurance Group reported that it has received approval for new private passenger auto rates in Massachusetts that will result in another one percent average drop on top of an earlier 7.7 percent decrease. The company estimates that this …

Progressive Now Offering Boat Insurance Online in Mass.

Progressive announced that it is now offering boat insurance in Massachusetts for customers who shop online. Progressive began writing car insurance for online shoppers in Massachusetts in May of this year, and has been offering commercial auto insurance to business …

Texas Workers’ Comp Division Assesses More Than $81K in Penalties

Administrative penalties for April and May 2008 assessed by the Texas Department of Insurance Division of Workers’ Compensation (TDI-DWC) totaled $81,667. The disciplinary actions taken by Commissioner of Workers’ Compensation Albert Betts were for violations of the Texas Workers’ Compensation …

Arbella Mutual Expands to N.H. and Conn. Commercial Lines Markets

The Arbella Insurance Group said it has received regulatory approval to offer commercial insurance policies in New Hampshire and Connecticut, doubling the number of New England states where the Massachusetts-based insurer sells commercial insurance. Arbella will begin selling commercial auto, …

National Atlantic Shareholders Approve Merger with Palisades in N.J.

National Atlantic Holdings Corp., parent of Proformance Insurance, reported that its shareholders have approved the proposed merger with Palisades Safety and Insurance Association of Berkley Heights, N.J. Freehold, N.J.-based NAHC said vote totals were 72.1% in favor, 27.8% against, and …

Vermont Diocese with $8.7M Abuse Verdict Can’t Find Insurance Policy

Many Roman Catholics believe that the worst of the clergy sex abuse scandal is over. But in the Diocese of Burlington, it’s deepening. The case of one cleric, assigned to Vermont parishes in the 1970s despite warnings from an Indiana …

Massachusetts Won’t Pay Docs to Fix Medical Mistakes

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its largest private health insurer have announced policies that prohibit hospitals and doctors from billing for costs relating to fixing medical errors. Health policy analysts say the directives outlined separately on Wednesday by the state …