Terrorism News

UK’s Chartered Insurance Institute to Hold Counter Terrorism Workshop

The UK’s Chartered Insurance Institute Group’s London Market Faculty has teamed up with the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) and the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command to hold a counter terrorism workshop for all businesses in the insurance industry. …

Bright Spots and Challenges Go Hand in Hand in Louisiana

Despite the challenges faced by the state of Louisiana since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita wrought their havoc in 2005, there are bright spots in the state’s property casualty insurance industry, says Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon. The workers’ compensation …

Business Moves

State Auto, Rockhill Insurance Group State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company has agreed to acquire Rockhill Insurance Group of Kansas City, Mo. Closing is expected in the first quarter of 2009, subject to approval by regulatory authorities. Rockhill Insurance Group, which …

Why Hijack a Plane When You Can Seize a Supertanker?

When pirates armed with little more than AK-47s and rope ladders seized a supertanker last week, they showed how simple it is to storm a ship — a vulnerability that al Qaeda could exploit to attack the global economy. Security …

Somali Strategy Could Spur Asian Pirate Attacks

In high seas and heavy rain, the supertanker Kasagisan was steaming through the Malacca Strait in February when it was suddenly surrounded by six small boats. The crew of the vessel, heading from Saudi Arabia to Japan with a cargo …

Mississippi Rebuilds Its Insurance Markets

Wind Pool Modernization, Better Building Code Enforcement and Carrier Recruitment Efforts Begin to Pay Off Back in January, when Mike Chaney was getting ready to be sworn in as Mississippi insurance commissioner after his November victory at the polls, he …

Ratings Roundup: Park, Atradius, Lackawanna, Farmers Mutual (MI & KS)

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit rating of “a-” of Park Assurance Company of Burlington, VT, both with stable outlooks. “The ratings reflect Park’s strong balance sheet, excellent liquidity and conservative …

Political Risk Rises But Risk Experts, Insurers Face Crunch Too

Fear of conflict, instability, crime and increasing state intervention arising from the financial crisis might sound like good news for political risk consultancies that have sprung up in recent years — but in reality the industry is feeling the crunch, …

Marsh’s Bowring Supports Clients with Innovative Risk Transfer Products

Bowring, Marsh’s International Specialist Broker, announced new efforts to make its placement leadership meet the requirements of its clients by creating “five bespoke risk transfer products covering property, casualty and terrorism risks.” The bulletin described each product as incorporating “unique …

New York Insurance Chief Seeks Contract Certainty for Large Policies

New York officials are putting pressure on insurers and brokers to sew up the details of most large commercial insurance policies and deliver finished contracts to customers within 30 days of inception to avoid uncertainty over what’s covered and what’s …