Minnesota News

Editor’s Note: Credit scoring an issue in 2007

Even though 2006 is safely behind us, some sticky issues are on the horizon as we edge our way into 2007. Case in point is the pending Supreme Court cases of Safeco v. Burr and GEICO v. Edo. The cases …

S.C. drivers face higher limits in new year

The new year will force about a third of South Carolina’s drivers to dig deeper into their wallets to pay for auto insurance. A little-debated change in state law requires drivers to buy minimum liability coverage of $25,000 for a …

It Figures

$20 billion The federal flood insurance program may be going broke after incurring $20 billion in debt from recent storms like Hurricane Katrina. But that hasn’t stopped politicians from trying to extend the taxpayer-subsidized coverage for some of the riskiest …

Fraud Roundup

Arsonists ‘light up’ in pool of gasoline Musa Shteiwi and his son Essa had a clear criminal vision for their Steak Thyme Subs eatery. According to the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, they wanted to torch the West Chester, Ohio, food …

Business Moves

Hub, Coburn Hub International Ltd. announced plans to acquire Vermont-based Coburn Insurance Agency Inc. Hub International recently expanded its transportation practice with the acquisition of Kaufman and Kaufman, a $9 million revenue brokerage based in Salt Lake City. With the …

St. Paul Travelers Agrees to Halt All Contingent Commissions

The St. Paul Travelers insurance company has agreed to stop paying “contingent commissions” to brokers and agents, according to Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. In August, St. Paul Travelers, which is based in St. Paul, Minn., settled a bid-rigging investigation …

BW Insurance Agency Acquires Contractor’s Insurance Services

Bank of the West’s subsidiary BW Insurance Agency Inc. has acquired Contractor’s Insurance Services Inc., a full-service agency that specializes in providing commercial and personal lines, risk management and asset protection services for the building industry throughout the Pacific Northwest. …

E. Coli Outbreaks Have Industry, Government Increasing Safety

In light of food poisoning outbreaks involving spinach and lettuce, the government and the produce industry are scrambling to make leafy greens safer before the spring planting season. New guidelines from the industry are due in April on how to …

New Year Brings Higher Insurance Rates, Minimums for S.C. Drivers

The new year will force about a third of South Carolina’s drivers to dig deeper into their wallets to pay for auto insurance. A little-debated change in state law requires drivers to buy minimum liability coverage of $25,000 for a …

Government, Industry Push to Protect Food Chain

In light of food poisoning outbreaks involving spinach and lettuce, the government and the produce industry are scrambling to make leafy greens safer before the spring planting season. New guidelines from the industry are due in April on how to …