United States News

Lloyd’s CFO Comments on Lower Profits, Investments, Russia Office

As Lloyd’s published its first half results, Luke Savage, the chief financial officer, had a busy day on Tuesday. But he spoke briefly with Insurance Journal on some of the issues the report on the first half raised. As detailed …

Willis Appoints Damiron to Head Mexican Retail Operations

Willis North America, a unit of Willis Group Holdings, has appointed Hilaire Damiron as the new CEO of Willis Mexico, effective immediately. He has been serving as the interim CEO since August 2009. He is based in Mexico City, Mexico, …

Help Wanted: U.S. Insurance Chief; Salary to $179K, Good Benefits; D.C. Office

The U.S. Treasury is looking for a Director of the Federal Insurance Office. The full-time job pays $119,554 to $179,700 per year depending on experience. Applications will be accepted from all qualified individuals until Oct. 20. Those are some of …

Texas Sets Workers’ Comp Interest Rate at 3.75%

The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation has set the interest or discount rate provided for in the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act at 3.75 percent for the period of Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2010. This rate is …

Southwest Insurance Partners, Lightyear Delos Acquisition to Merge

Lightyear Delos Acquisition Corp. (LYDAC) and Southwest Insurance Partners Inc. (SWIP) announced they are merging in a transaction that is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year. The merged entity will be led by Stephen L. Way. …

Liberty Mutual Blames Market for IPO Delay; Analysts Cite High Valuation

Liberty Mutual Agency Corp. postponed indefinitely its planned initial public offering, quashing hopes that the planned $1.2 billion flotation could give a needed jolt to the U.S. IPO market. The property and casualty insurer announced the delay on the day …

Ratings Recap: Alterra (notes), Gulf Ltd., Barents Re, Middle East Insurance

A.M. Best Co. has assigned a debt rating of “bbb” to the recently issued $350 million 6.25 percent senior unsecured notes due 2020 of Delaware-based Alterra Finance LLC. The senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Alterra Capital Holdings …

U.S. Regulator Says Global Derivatives Rules Will Be Similar

A top U.S. regulator said on Tuesday that transatlantic trading requirements for derivatives were likely to vary somewhwat but that the differences should be kept to a minimum. The United States has approved a reform of Wall Street which requires …

Grand Island, Nebraska, Renews Terrorism Insurance Rider

The Grand Island, Neb., City Council has decided to continue a terrorism rider on the city insurance plan again next year. Utilities director Gary Mader said the city’s general policy doesn’t cover terrorism, so the rider had to be added. …

TDI Names Associate Medical Advisor for Workers’ Compensation

Edwin R. Buster III, MD has joined the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation as an associate medical advisor. Since 1970, Dr. Buster has been in private practice at Capital Neurosurgical Association in Austin. Currently he is a …