New Mexico News

Flood Program Must Consider Salmon and Whales

The federal government’s flood insurance program that had mostly been concerned with protecting homes and businesses must now protect salmon and killer whales. Federal fisheries experts have told the Federal Emergency Management Agency that — by underwriting thousands of flood …

New Mexico City Makes Sure Residents Able to Get Insurance

Farmington, N.M., city councilors have passed an ordinance that will keep residents eligible for flood insurance coverage backed by the federal government. The vote came less than a week after the northwestern New Mexico community was hit by heavy rain …

10 Most, Least Affordable States for Car Insurance

InsWeb, an online insurance comparison provider, recently released its 2010 Car Insurance Affordability Index — a list of the most and least affordable states in which to insure a vehicle. To develop the list, InsWeb ranked all 50 states and …

New Mexico Apoints Franchini Insurance Superintendent

The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission has appointed John G. Franchini Superintendent of Insurance by a 4-1 vote. Franchini, a New Mexico native, boasts nearly four decades of insurance industry-related experience and said he looks to use that experience to …

Business Moves

First Mercury, Valiant First Mercury Financial Corp., based in Southfield, Mich., reported that its principal insurance subsidiary, First Mercury Insurance Co., is acquiring Valiant Insurance Group Inc., a subsidiary of Ariel Holdings Ltd. The purchase price for Valiant, an amount …

Business Moves

Insight Insurance Consulting Laurie Zangwill-Infantino, former president of the Insurance Skills Center (ISC), has formed a new consulting firm, Insight Insurance Consulting. The company will focus on professional development for agents and brokers, as well as insurance companies, staff and …

10 Most, Least Affordable States for Car Insurance

Business Moves

Arthur J. Gallagher, Joseph James & Associates Illinois-based insurance brokerage and risk management services firm, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., has acquired Joseph James & Associates of Dublin, Ohio. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Established in 1989, Joseph …

West Faces High Wildfire Potential

Arizona Wildfire Incurs $1.8 Million in Claims An Arizona wildfire that has burned 15,075 acres and incurred $6.9 million in claims to date might be the first example of the fire risks the Western United States are facing in 2010. …

U.S. Launches Pre-Existing Condition Health Insurance Plan

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today the launch of a Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) that will offer coverage to uninsured Americans who have been unable to obtain health coverage because of a pre-existing health …