Minnesota News

Business Moves

Western National, Arizona Auto, Legacy Western National Insurance Group (WNIG) of Edina, Minn., signed an agreement for the purchase of 100 percent of the stock of Arizona Auto Insurance Co. and Legacy Insurance Services, both headquartered in Phoenix. The purchase …

FEMA to Give Funds to 21 Flooded Minnesota Counties

The federal government has declared 21 counties in southern Minnesota disaster areas, prompting Gov. Tim Pawlenty to convene a special session for Oct. 18. The Federal Emergency Management Agency says funds are available to local and state government and some …

Western National Insurance to Purchase Arizona-Based Companies

Western National Insurance Group (WNIG) of Edina, Minn. has agreed to purchase 100 percent of the stock of Arizona Auto Insurance Co. and Legacy Insurance Services, both headquartered in Phoenix. The purchase has been approved by the board of directors …

Texas Regulators Issue More than $832K in Fines in August

The Texas Department of Insurance announced enforcement actions taken by Commissioner Mike Geeslin that became final during August 2010. The actions include 14 license revocations, four license denials and fines and restitution totaling $832,708. Copies of Geeslin’s orders may be …

Business Moves

Palmer Miller Nelson, Keystone Insurers Group Palmer Miller Nelson Insurance Agency Inc. (PMN) of Columbus, Ohio, has become Keystone Insurers Group’s 24th franchise partner in Ohio. In business since 1855, PMN was the first agency appointed by Ohio Farmers Insurance …

People

Salt Lake City-based The Buckner Co. named Mark A. Oligschlaeger executive vice president/chief operations officer. He joins the insurance firm after having spent the past 12 years working for Leucadia National Corp., where he most recently served as the vice …

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. Trucking Market Detail: USAssure Insurance Services. Inc. provides monoline or package program for commercial automobile. …

Best Affirms QBE US Subsidiaries Ratings; Upgrades Praetorian and NAU

A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength ratings (FSR) to ‘A’ (Excellent) from ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) to “a” from “a-” of Pennsylvania-based Praetorian Insurance Company and Minnesota-based NAU Country Insurance Company. Both are operating companies …

Iowa-based Principal Financial to Exit Health Insurance

Principal Financial Group Inc., an insurance, retirement and financial services company, said it is getting out of the health insurance business. It said the move will eliminate 150 jobs initially and more later. Principal’s health insurance division employs 1,500 workers …

Independent Agent Association Names New Leadership

The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big “I”), named J. Michael “Mike” Miley as the new chairman of the association. Mike Donohoe was named as the chairman elect, Bobby Bramlett as vice chairman and Randy Lanoix as …