Michigan News

Progressive Insurance X-Car Race Coming Down to Finish Line

The team led by Charlottesville, Va. real estate developer Oliver Kuttner is the only one left in the running for the multimillion-dollar X Prize competition to build a four-seat car that can achieve 100 miles per gallon. Two of the …

Michigan Auto Insurance Rates Rise

The median six-month auto insurance rate in Michigan has increased approximately 5.4 percent over the last six months to reach $688, according to online insurance provider InsWeb. InsWeb also reported some findings of Michigan median auto insurance rates segmented by …

First Mercury Financial to Acquire Valiant Insurance Group

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 equal to Valiant’s …

Karlen Named President, COO of Michigan-Based FinCor Holdings

John R. Karlen has been appointed president and chief operating officer of FinCor Holdings Inc. (FinCor), a Lansing, Mich.-based subsidiary of Medical Professional Mutual Insurance Co. In this role, Karlen will lead all of the FinCor subsidiaries including MHA Insurance …

Declarations

Don’t Text, Just Drive “Txt Back L8R” —Billboards going up around Michigan are reminding drivers to hold off on text messaging. The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning said that the billboards in major metropolitan areas will carry the phrase …

Business Moves

Arthur J. Gallagher, Joseph James & Associates Illinois-based insurance brokerage and risk management services firm, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., has acquired Joseph James & Associates of Dublin, Ohio. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Established in 1989, Joseph …

Michigan Court Rules Liability Waivers for Kids Do Not Bar Lawsuits

A parent’s signature doesn’t waive the legal rights of a child who is hurt at play, the Michigan Supreme Court said in a decision that has consequences for businesses, schools and other groups offering recreation activities for minors. The court …

People

Donald D. Larson has been named president and chief operating officer of the Great American Property and Casualty Group and Great American Insurance Co. Larson is the 16th president in Great American’s history. He assumes the title from Carl H. …

People

Donald D. Larson has been named president and chief operating officer of the Great American Property and Casualty Group and Great American Insurance Co. Larson is the 16th president in Great American’s history. He assumes the title from Carl H. …

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 …