Zurich Financial Services Group appointed Francis Bouchard head of the Climate Office. Bouchard will succeed Mike Kerner, who was appointed CEO of Global Corporate in North America. Bouchard will work to institutionalize the company’s climate-related expertise across the organization and …
A wildfire that began on May 5 in Santa Barbara County, Calif. — during Wildfire Awareness Week May 3-9 — continued to burn as of press time, having burned 8,733 acres and destroyed 77 residences as of May 10, 2009, …
The skies are filled with smoke, and hundreds of homeowners were evacuated from their homes in Santa Barbara earlier in May. During November 2008’s Tea Fire, which occurred in roughly the same areas as this year’s Jesusita Fire in Santa …
At least the global depression has focused people’s minds on some important issues. The Group of 20 (G20) meeting in London acknowledged the need for more capital to shore-up the world’s financial system — essentially the U.S./UK view — as …
How a Flu Pandemic Impacts Workers’ Comp Influenza is nothing new. Seasonal flu epidemics — disease outbreaks with more cases than normal— occur annually killing between 250,000 to 500,000 people worldwide. While most deaths associated with influenza in industrialized nations …
Proposals to arm sailors on commercial shipping vessels to battle pirates could lead to an “arms race” on the high seas, a senior maritime official said on Monday. Some shipping companies want their crews to have arms or use mercenaries …
Prepare Clients for Premium Audits by Knowing the ABCs of Audits Insurance agents and brokers are charged with many duties on behalf of their clients. One often neglected duty is working with insureds to prepare them for the annual workers’ …
W. R. Berkley Corp. appointed Richard M. Baio to the newly created office of vice president – treasurer. He will manage the investment accounting and tax departments, global currency, banking relationships and all related treasury functions. Baio, 40, has over …
Obesity Weighs Heavy on Workers’ Compensation Claims It’s time to face facts about our nation’s fat. About a quarter of our nation can be characterized as obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And while that …
A.M. Best Co. has revised the outlook to positive from stable and affirmed the financial strength rating of ‘B++’ (Good) and issuer credit rating of “bbb+” of Medical Mutual Insurance Company of Maine (MMIC). Best said the “revised outlook reflects …
