New York News

New York Agents Lose Court Battle over Compensation Disclosure

New York agents failed to make their case that insurance regulators cannot require agents and brokers to disclose their commissions, a Supreme Court judge has ruled. That decision by Supreme Court Justice Richard M. Platkin ends for now a legal …

People

Aon Corp. reported that Andrew Appel, the firm’s chief operating officer, will be leaving the company at the end of the year. The company said there are no plans to fill the position upon Appel’s departure. Appel has held multiple …

Connecticut Employee Fired Over Facebook Comments

Federal labor officials have taken aim at a Connecticut ambulance company they allege fired a union employee who posted negative comments about her supervisor on her personal Facebook page. The complaint issued by the Hartford office of the National Labor …

Business Moves

USI, Kinloch New York-based insurance broker USI Holdings has acquired the New Jersey operation of Kinloch Holdings Inc. The unit, based in West Orange, New Jersey, specializes in commercial property casualty and employee benefits insurance for middle-market businesses and is …

Insurance Mergers Complicated by Economy, Low Valuations, Hidden Risks

With organic growth difficult in the current economy and soft market, there could be an increase in insurance industry merger and acquisition activity over the next 12 to 18 months, according to mergers and acquisitions experts. But the experts at …

Best Affirms Aviva USA, Subsidiaries Ratings; Outlook Revised to Positive

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of ‘A’ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a+” of Iowa-based Aviva Life and Annuity Company (ALAC) and its wholly owned subsidiary, Aviva Life and Annuity Company of New …

New York Plans to Reduce Red Tape in Insurance Filings

The New York Insurance Department said it implement recommendations aimed at streamlining and improving the process for insurers to file their rates and forms with regulators. The recommendation comes from a new report by an industry working group that began …

Ratings: Cherokee/Oakland, Wayne Mutual, Executive, United Fire, Mercer

A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating to ‘A’ (Excellent) from ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) to “a” from “a-” of Cherokee Insurance Company. In addition Best has upgraded the ICR to “bbb” from “bbb-” of …

New York Dinner for Insurance Charitable Fund Tops $1 Million

The Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF) New York division has surpassed the $1 million mark for ticket sales for its 2010 benefit dinner, which will be held Wednesday Dec. 8, 2010, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. “The …

Nearly 20% of Drivers in Fatal Crashes Test Positive for Drugs: Report

About 1 in 5 drivers who were killed last year in car crashes tested positive for drugs, raising concerns about the impact of drugs on auto safety, according to a new government report. Researchers with the National Highway Traffic Safety …