Minnesota News

Nevada Insurance Regulator to Retire

Nevada Insurance Commissioner Alice Molasky-Arman is stepping down after a long regulatory career that included approval in 2007 of a $2.6 billion deal involving Nevada’s largest health insurer — a deal that troubled Gov. Jim Gibbons. Molasky-Arman, retiring next September, …

New Jersey Regulators: Jobs, Education Are Sound Criteria to Rate Drivers

New Jersey insurers who use education and employment to rate drivers for risk are justified in doing so and the practice does not amount to racism or classism, according to a new, 581-page report released by Garden State insurance regulators. …

Minnesota Senate Approves Tougher Standards for Pools

Just ahead of swimming season, the Minnesota Senate on Wednesday, April 23rd, embraced new safety standards for more than 4,000 pools at health clubs, parks, apartment buildings and hotels. It is a response to an ultimately fatal injury 6-year-old Abigail …

Reversal Decision for Pork Plant Workers Denied Workers’ Comp

Several employees at the Quality Pork Processors plant in Austin, Minnesota who were initially denied workers compensation for a mysterious neurological illness will be paid after all, attorneys said. At least 18 workers have suffered symptoms of the illness, which …

Travelers Earnings Drop 11% in 1Q

Travelers Cos. Inc., one of the largest property insurers in the United States, said Thursday that earnings fell 11 percent in the first quarter, as catastrophe losses in the quarter more than doubled and investment income fell. The St. Paul, …

Wells Fargo Adds Staff in North Dakota Office

Wells Fargo Insurance Services recently announced the addition of staff in its North Dakota office. Deb Galt was named Insurance Brokerage supervisor for Wells Fargo Insurance Services’ Midwest region, and Gail Hayes was named as new Commercial Account representative. Both …

Liberty Mutual to Acquire Safeco Insurance in $6.2B Deal

Liberty Mutual Group has agreed to acquire all outstanding shares of common stock of Safeco Corp. for $68.25 per share in cash in a deal that will make Liberty Mutual the fifth largest U.S. property/casualty insurer and second largest surety …

3M Could Pay $56M to Clean Up Twin Cities Sites

3M Co. will probably pay between $50 million and $56 million to clean up sites in the eastern Twin Cities that have been contaminated by chemicals that were once used in some of the company’s best-known products. The plans for …

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. Liquor Liability Coverage Nuts & Bolts: Advanced E&S Insurance Underwriters recently announced the offering of …

Minnesota Governor Signs Bad Faith Legislation

A two year battle between insurers and the trial bar has ended with a compromise that insurers say protects consumers. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed on Friday, April 18th first-party bad faith legislation (S.F. 2822), that places limits on efforts …