New Mexico News

‘Poor’ Albuquerque Levees Could See Insurance Premium Hikes

Questions about aging river levees in metro Albuquerque, N.M., could mean insurance premium hikes as high as $2,000 annually for thousands of property owners. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has rated the condition of the 1950s-era levees as poor, …

Illinois Outlines Expected Changes Resulting from Health Insurance Reform

The Illinois Department of Insurance has developed a “Top Ten” list of changes to the performance, transparency and accountability of health insurers and health insurance products in Illinois expected to result from national health care reform. “While speculation and mythology …

West Virginia to Create Electronic Auto Insurance Verification System

West Virginia lawmakers want to give police and the courts an easy way to verify whether a driver has required liability insurance. The House has approved a measure previously backed by the Senate to instruct the Division of Motor Vehicles …

A.M. Best B+ (Good) Rated Contractor GL Insurance Carrier Expanding to 35 States

National Contractors Insurance Company, Inc., a Risk Retention Group (“NCIC”), A.M. Best Rated B+ (Good), is expanding from 25 to 35 states, with their Commercial General Liability coverage now being made available in Alabama, Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, Mississippi, …

People

Lockton Dunning Benefits appointed Sheri Pixley to the newly created position of executive vice president and practice leader of the Dallas-based health and welfare practice. Pixley has been involved in consulting with employers on employee benefit programs for the past …

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. Outbreak Extra Expense Market Detail: American Underwriting Managers offers a product designed to provide businesses …

Appeals Court Reinstates Lawsuit over Hot Sandwich

It’s been nearly five years since carnival operator Frank Sutton bit into a chicken sandwich at a McDonald’s at a truck stop in Virginia. The legal world is still dealing with the ramifications. In February month, a federal appeals court …

Tax Proposals Derailed in New Mexico

Two tax proposals that would have had negative consequences for insurers and policyholders were averted last week as the New Mexico legislature wrapped up its 2010 regular session, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI). Facing a …

Idaho Home Insurance Costs Lowest in Nation

Idaho homeowner insurance is the least costly in the nation, averaging $422 per year, according to a nationwide survey. This compares to an average $822 countrywide. The Gem State also had among the lowest average rates for renters insurance, at …

Private Crop Insurers Oppose Funding Cuts

The private crop insurance industry is blasting a proposed restructuring in the crop insurance program it says would cut $4 billion — or $800 million a year — over the next five years. The proposal by the U.S. Department of …