South Dakota News

South Dakota Senate Panel Rejects Subrogation Bill

A measure aimed at changing South Dakota’s insurance law to give some injured people a better chance of receiving full compensation for their losses has been rejected by a state Senate committee. However, one of the bill’s main sponsors, Sen. …

ND, SD Auto Insurance Premiums Among Lowest

North Dakota Insurance Commissioner Adam Hamm says auto insurance premiums paid by drivers in the Dakotas remain among the lowest in the nation. Hamm cites a new report issued by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. He says in 2008, …

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. Valet Parking Companies Market Detail: Alliant Speciality Insurance Services offers errors & omissions, garage liability, …

Florida Case Is Next Test for Health Care Law

Attorneys for 20 states fighting the new federal health care law told a judge last week it will expand the government’s powers in dangerous and unintended ways. The states want U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson to issue a summary judgment …

Madison Ranked Safest Metropolitan Area to Live

Madison, Wis., is the most secure U.S. community among large metropolitan areas (population of 500,000 or greater) according to the seventh annual Most Secure U.S. Places to Live rankings from Farmers Insurance Group of Companies. Olympia, Wash., is the most …

Illinois Announces Disciplinary Actions for November 2010

The Illinois Department of Insurance announced it issued the following disciplinary orders for November 2010: Adele M. Cowell, Red Bud – Stipulation and Consent Order, effective Oct. 6, 2010. Cowell has been licensed to sell life, accident, health, property, and …

Travelers to Offer Control of Well Coverage on an Admitted Basis

Travelers is now offering control of well coverage on an admitted basis to upstream oil and gas clients. This coverage will be immediately available on an admitted basis in 25 states, and is expected to be available in most other …

Group Says Canadian Firm Unprepared for Spill Response in Midwest

A lack of equipment and personnel has left TransCanada unprepared to deal with a major spill of crude oil on its Keystone pipeline system, according to a report by a nonprofit environmental group. The 60-page report from Plains Justice says …

South Dakota Unemployment Rate Improving

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports South Dakota’s preliminary seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for October 2010 was 4.5 percent, a slight increase from the September 2010 rate of 4.4 percent. “The South Dakota unemployment rate has shown little fluctuation …

Best Affirms Assurant and Subsidiaries Ratings; Outlook Stable

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength ratings (FSR) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of the property/casualty and life/health insurance subsidiaries of Assurant, Inc. Best also affirmed the ICR of “bbb” and debt ratings of Assurant. The outlook for …