United States News

The Weather Goblins

Who let the weather goblins out? Tornadoes, wildfires and floods, oh my! With all the weather related disasters out in full force this (and seemingly every) spring, there should be some kind of scary, Halloween-type holiday to acknowledge the violent …

Corporate Defaults, Bankruptcies and D&O Claims

Deteriorating economic conditions threaten a massive wave of corporate defaults. Corporate borrowers’ inability to fulfill debt obligations could prompt a bankruptcy filing surge and lead to lawsuits as creditors and shareholders seek to recoup their losses. These claims could present …

People

Mike Grushon of Thomas & Grushon Agency in Bellbrook, Ohio, has been honored by the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) as its 2009 PIA National Professional Agent of the Year. Grushon was honored for his contribution to the …

Business Moves

INSURICA North America Group, a privately held independent insurance agency headquartered in Oklahoma City, is bringing each of its insurance management partners together to form INSURICA, The Insurance Management Network. The company, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, felt the …

People

Ron Wright, chief operating officer of Texas Mutual Insurance Co. since 1997, is set to become president and CEO of the company effective Sept. 1, 2009. Wright will succeed Russell R. Oliver, who announced his retirement in February. Oliver has …

The Weather Goblins

Who let the weather goblins out? Tornadoes, wildfires and floods, oh my! With all the weather related disasters out in full force this (and seemingly every) spring, there should be some kind of scary, Halloween-type holiday to acknowledge the violent …

Agents Sue Brooke Corp.

More than 80 former insurance agents for bankrupt Brooke Corp. have sued the company’s lending arm, accusing it of civil racketeering and fraud. The lawsuit against Overland Park, Kan.-based Aleritas Capital Corp., filed in federal court in Kansas City, Kan., …

People

Thoits Insurance of San Jose, Calif., promoted Paul Saich to CEO. Saich replaces Don Way, who had been with Thoits for 44 years, and will remain as chairman of the board. Saich joined Thoits Insurance in 1996 and most recently …

Crime Warp: Recession Driving a Rise in Vehicle Give-Ups

As America’s economy slogs through this once-in-a-generation recession, stressed-out consumers are literally being driven to desperation. Growing numbers of drivers around the U.S. are illegally dumping their vehicles for insurance money. Blackened hulks are turning up in remote deserts outside …

Special Delivery: Added Value with Cargo Insurance

As Cargo Theft Rises, Carriers’ Special Investigative Units Offer Relief A driver pulls into a truck stop, heads inside to shower and eat — and then discovers his fully loaded trailer gone when he returns. A truck disappears from a …