Massachusetts News

Pa. Broker Arrested For Alleged Premium Finance Fraud

A former Bucks County, Pennsylvania insurance broker has been arrested by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office for allegedly defrauding four insurance premium companies and the state’s bureau of unemployment compensation out of more than $1 million. Attorney General Tom Corbett …

Inspections to Target Small Firms in Mass. Handling Dangerous Materials

State inspectors in Massachusetts will target small companies handling dangerous materials in residential areas to try to prevent a repeat of a Danvers explosion that was blamed on a build up of chemical vapor. The state fire marshal’s finding released …

Court Upholds $2 Million Libel Judgment Against Boston Herald

Massachusetts’ highest court has upheld a $2 million verdict against the Boston Herald won by a Superior Court judge who said the newspaper libelously depicted him as soft on crime and insensitive to the suffering of a 14-year-old rape victim. …

Safety Insurance 1Q: Net Income Dips; Written Premiums Rise Slightly

Safety Insurance Group, Inc., a Massachusetts-based personal lines insurer, reported first quarter 2007 net income was $24.6 million, or $1.53 per diluted share, compared to $30.8 million, or $1.94 per diluted share, for the comparable 2006 period. Safety’s book value …

People and Places

Insurance broker Marsh Inc. has appointed Rob McGinnis as the leader of its U.S. Consumer Business, which includes the U.S. operations of the firm’s Affinity, Program, and Private Client Services businesses. Previously, McGinnis was president and chief executive officer, Life …

My New Markets

Outdoor Recreation and Hospitality Nuts & Bolts: The Great Outdoors Insurance Program written by Gillingham & Associates provides comprehensive coverage for Outdoor Recreation and Hospitality industries. Classes: guest ranches, guides & outfitters, resorts, hunting & fishing lodges, RV parks & …

Business Moves

Biron Agency Jane Biron Siviski has reactivated her former exclusive bond-only agency in Newington, Conn. Biron Siviski, owner of The J. Biron Agency Inc., announced that her company has separated from Sinclair Insurance Group of Wallingford, Conn., which purchased the …

People

Steve Taylor has been promoted to regional sales director for Encompass Insurance in New York and New Jersey. Taylor joined Allstate in 1978 as an underwriter trainee. He was promoted to various management positions in underwriting and sales, including regional …

My New Markets

Earthquake Nuts and Bolts: Wholesale Connection Insurance Services, located in Woodland Hills, Calif., added a new carrier to its list of Earthquake markets in California. Dollars: Capacity in zones A, B and E is $2,500,000 for primary and $5 million …

News Currents

Mass. ruling revives possibility of auto assigned risk plan Whether Massachusetts will implement an assigned risk plan for its private passenger auto market was considered a dead issue when in January the incoming Patrick administration suspended rules to create one, …