Liberty Mutual Group is throwing in the towel on direct distribution of insurance to middle market businesses. Since it couldn’t beat independent agents and brokers — who dominate sales in this segment — Liberty Mutual has decided to join them. …
Omaha’s Physicians Mutual has announced it has laid off 50 employees because of tough economic times. Before the announcement, the insurance company employed about 1,000 people at its corporate office. Company spokeswoman Deb Walton says the actions are difficult but …
Volunteers preparing to respond to disasters in Nebraska have the same immunity from liability as those in paid positions. That’s the legal opinion of Attorney General Jon Bruning’s office in response to questions from Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy. The opinion …
Nebraska has fallen out of the mainstream when it comes to smoking-related laws, but that could change. Thirty-seven states have passed laws requiring that all cigarettes sold in their states be fire-safe. Nebraska is not among them, but the state …
Editor’s Note: For a comprehensive report of mergers and acquisitions for 2008, see Special Report: Agency Mergers in 2008 in the Dec. 22, 2008, edition of Insurance Journal. Euclid Insurance, Illinois American Insurance Agency Euclid Insurance Services Inc., has acquired …
A national consumer group says state insurance departments vary in the quality of the information they provide consumers online, with differences in the usefulness of information such as the rates and practices of individual insurance companies. According to the Consumer …
Availability and affordability in Florida’s voluntary workers’ compensation market overall is good, although small firms, new firms and construction firms might face affordability issues due to unique characteristics such as lack of historical risk experience and the nature of the …
A.M. Best Co. has downgraded the financial strength rating (FSR) to ‘B+’ (Good) from ‘B++’ (Good) and issuer credit rating (ICR) to “bbb-” from “bbb” for Omaha-based Cooperative Mutual Insurance Company, and has revised its outlook on both ratings to …
A lot happened in the world of insurance agency/brokerage mergers and acquisitions in 2008. Willis made the biggest slash with its $2.1 billion acquisition of Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Co. (HRH), one of the world’s largest insurance brokers and risk …
Progress made to better protect the country from disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and bioterrorism is now at risk, due to budget cuts and the economic crisis, according to a new report. The report concludes that major gaps remain in many …
