Michigan News

Donegal Ratings ‘Unchanged;’ Michigan under Review Negative Says Best

A.M. Best Co. has issued two bulletins following the announcement that the Donegal Group has entered into an agreement to acquire all of the outstanding stock of Michigan Insurance Co., a majority-owned stock subsidiary of West Bend Mutual Insurance Co. …

Investors Face Uphill Battle with Liability Lawsuits Against BP

Shareholders angry about BP Plc’s battered stock price are heading to the courthouse in hopes of reclaiming some of their losses, but they face an uphill battle. Since the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded in April, several BP shareholders have …

Michigan Supreme Court Lifts Ban on Use of Credit Scores by Insurers

The Michigan Supreme Court has ruled that the administration of Gov. Jennifer Granholm exceeded its authority when it banned the use of credit scoring by insurance companies in the state. The decision means insurers in Michigan can continue to use …

People

Insurance Brokers and Agents of the West’s (IBA West) education division, Insurance Skills Center (ISC), entered into an agreement with Cheryl L. Koch, president and CEO of Agency Management Resource Group, to manage ISC education and training programs. In her …

Business Moves

Insight Insurance Consulting Laurie Zangwill-Infantino, former president of the Insurance Skills Center (ISC), has formed a new consulting firm, Insight Insurance Consulting. The company will focus on professional development for agents and brokers, as well as insurance companies, staff and …

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 & Gas Risks Market Detail: Towerstone Inc.’s energy practice has recently teamed with Hallmark …

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

First Mercury, Valiant First Mercury Financial Corp., based in Southfield, Mich., reported that its principal insurance subsidiary, First Mercury Insurance Co., is acquiring Valiant Insurance Group Inc., a subsidiary of Ariel Holdings Ltd. The purchase price for Valiant, an amount …

People

Steven D. Johnson has been named CEO of the Applied Systems Client Network (ASCnet). Johnson has held staff leadership roles in five associations over the last 26 years. Most recently, he was executive director of the National Association of Quick …

Donegal Group to Acquire Michigan Insurance Co.

Donegal Group Inc. has announced the execution of an agreement pursuant to which it will acquire all of the outstanding stock of Michigan Insurance Co., a majority-owned stock subsidiary of West Bend Mutual Insurance Co. Michigan Insurance Co., headquartered in …