Utah News

Building of Unique Disaster Research Facility in South Carolina Begins

The property/casualty insurance industry today officially broke ground for the building of a disaster safety research center in Chester County, South Carolina. The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) said its new lab will have the ability to subject …

Health Rates Rose Fast in West

Family health care premiums rose an estimated three to five times faster than earnings for workers in Western states from 2000 through 2009, according to a report issued by the consumer health organization Families USA. In California, for example, family …

Kentucky Among States Considering Ban on Texting While Driving

Motorists would be forbidden to send text messages while behind the wheel under proposals awaiting legislative action in Kentucky early next year. Two lawmakers have filed bills that would add Kentucky to a growing list of states — 18 so …

Rates, Claim Frequency Still Declining in Workers’ Comp; Medical Costs Rise

States Are Not Equal in Handling Worker Injuries Prices for workers’ compensation insurance in the United States declined in 2008 and, in general, that trend is likely to continue in throughout 2009, according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance …

People

Colorado Casualty, a Liberty Mutual Agency Markets regional company headquartered in Centennial, Colo., has appointed Brent Irving to regional vice president for the company’s Arizona territory, which includes Nevada and New Mexico. Prior to this appointment, Irving was vice president …

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. Waste Operations Program Market Detail: Five Star Specialty Programs’ waste operations program offers a comprehensive …

Ratings Recap: Western National, Westminster, Carolina Casualty, MedPro, Tower Hill

A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating to ‘A’ (Excellent) from ‘A-‘ (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings to “a” from “a-” of Western National Insurance Group (WNG) and its members. The group’s ratings are based on the consolidated …

Western National Insurance Group and Members Upgraded

A.M. Best Co. has upgraded the financial strength rating to “A” (Excellent) from “A-“(Excellent) and issuer credit ratings to “a” from “a-” of Edina, Minn.-based Western National Insurance Group (WNG) and its members. The group’s ratings are based on the …

California Fire Still Rages in L.A. Mountains

A massive fire in the Angeles National Forest nearly doubled in size overnight, and threatened 12,000 homes Monday in a 20-mile-long swath of flame and smoke and surging toward a mountaintop broadcasting complex and historic observatory. The fire had burned …

Enforcement Stepped Up; Trends Show More Women Driving Impaired

At an event today kicking off a nationwide anti-drunk driving enforcement campaign, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood released a new study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that shows an increasing trend among women driving under the influence …