South Dakota News

State Regulators Deny Life Insurers’ Bid for Looser Capital Requirements

State insurance regulators voted against a proposal to loosen capital requirements for the battered life insurance industry, shooting down hopes for up to $30 billion in relief. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), a group representing regulators in all …

Great Northwest Insurance Outlook Revised to Negative by A.M. Best

A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to negative from stable and affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of B+ (Good) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of “bbb-” of Great Northwest Insurance Co., which is headquartered in St. Paul, Minn. …

Louisiana Ranks Highly in Highway Safety Report

A report recently released by the Washington, D.C.-based Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety included Louisiana in list of 15 states to have made progress in enacting key highway safety laws. Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas did not fare so well. …

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. Mono-line Property for Coastal Exposures Market Detail: CATalyst Property Insurance from Venture Programs gives agents …

La. Ranks High For Safe Driving Laws, Other S.C. States, not so Much

A new report finds Louisiana is among 15 states to have made progress in enacting key highway safety laws. Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas did not fare so well. The 55-page study was done by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, …

Business Moves

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 …

States Rate Poorly on Consumer Insurance Information on Web

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 …

Two South Dakota Fire Departments Receive $240,000 in FEMA Grants

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded a total of more than $240,000 to two South Dakota fire departments. The McIntosh Volunteer Fire Department gets most of the money, over $180,000 for vehicle acquisition. And the Sisseton Volunteer Fire Department …

My 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. Baby Products MarketScout: www.marketscout.com gives agents access to a products liability market for baby products. …

Farmers Insurance Ranks Most Secure Places to Live; Northwest Tops List

Those seeking a place to live, work or raise a family in a safe and secure environment should consider the Pacific Northwest, according to the fifth annual Most Secure U.S. Places to Live rankings from Farmers Insurance Group of Companies. …