Montana News

Surplus Lines Group Contests Montana’s Right to Stamping Fees

The surplus lines industry is taking issue with the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance over its decision to take over the collection of stamping fees from the Surplus Lines Stamping Office, previously part of the Montana Surplus Lines Agents …

Enforcement Stepped Up; Trends Show More Women Driving Impaired

At an event today kicking off a nationwide anti-drunk driving enforcement campaign, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood released a new study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that shows an increasing trend among women driving under the influence …

States Give a ‘Thumbs Up’ to Fingerprinting Insurance Producers

Regulators Say Fingerprinting Keeps Criminals Out of the Business Don’t be alarmed, but there are convicted criminals roaming around the country acting as insurance producers. They could be robbers, forgers, possibly even rapists. They got their producer licenses in states …

Why Bankruptcy Rates Vary By State

State Policies, More Than Differences Among People, Tend to Influence Bankruptcy Rates Twenty-four percent of agents and brokers have had business customers go into bankruptcy in the past two years; another 24 percent have had customers file for personal bankruptcy, …

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. Vacant Property Market Detail: American Management Corp. offers property protection to owners of residential 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. Nursing Homes/Assisted Living Facilities Market Detail: U.S. Risk Brokers Inc.‘s Houston office offers an exclusive …

Ratings Roundup: Castle Key, Preferred Contractors

A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to ‘B-‘ (Fair) from ‘B+’ (Good) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) to “bb-” from “bbb-” of Castle Key Group and its members, formerly known as Allstate Floridian Insurance Group (headquartered …

Lawmakers Told Montana’s Workers’ Comp Costs Too High

A new study given to lawmakers shows that Montana’s workers’ compensation costs are among the most expensive in the country. The National Council on Compensation Insurance report says that Montana ranked near the bottom in a number of different cost …

Fireworks Explosions Kill 5 Across U.S.

Five people working on Independence Day fireworks shows were killed by explosions, four of them by a single blast that rocked Ocracoke, a remote village on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The fifth died after an explosion at a fireworks show …

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. Fire & Water Restoration Contractors Market Detail: USAssure Insurance Services Inc. offers a fire and …