Washington News

Study: Arkansas Ranks High in Road Safety Improvements

A national study indicates Arkansas ranks second nationally in advancing its road safety laws during the past two years. The national scorecard produced by the Emergency Nurses Association noted Arkansas has passed laws requiring a tougher graduated driver’s license for …

US Sees Progress in Easing Climate Change Row with China

Washington claimed progress Monday in easing rifts with Beijing on ways to fight global warming as U.N. climate talks got under way in Mexico with warnings about the rising costs of inaction. The United States and China, the world’s largest …

Auto, Homeowners Insurance Costs in Ohio Well Below National Average

Ohio consumers pay $226 less for homeowners insurance than the U.S. average and nearly $167 less for auto insurance than the U.S. average, according to a report updated by the Ohio Insurance Institute (OII). The homeowners insurance average for Ohio …

Washington Regulator Wants to Review Health Insurer Surpluses

Washington Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler is asking state lawmakers to preserve his authority to scrutinize health insurance rates, boost transparency, and to let him — for the first time — consider some insurers’ surpluses when reviewing rates. “Some non-profit insurers …

Washington L&I Appoints Dupre Assistant Director for Insurance

Washington’s Department of Labor and Industries has appointed Beth Dupre assistant director for insurance services. She will oversee approximately 1,000 employees involved with L&I’s State Fund workers’ compensation functions including claims administration, employer services (policy and account management), health services …

Melting Siberian Permafrost Raises Tricky Climate Issue

The Russian scientist shuffles across the frozen lake, scuffing aside ankle-deep snow until he finds a cluster of bubbles trapped under the ice. With a cigarette lighter in one hand and a knife in the other, he lances the ice …

North Korea Shells South in Fiercest Attack in Decades

North Korea on Tuesday fired dozens of artillery shells at a South Korean island, killing two soldiers and setting houses ablaze, in one of the heaviest attacks on its neighbor since the Korean War ended in 1953. The attack, with …

Health Insurers Win Some Breaks with Medical Loss Ratio Rule

New U.S. health insurance spending rules aimed at ensuring more customer dollars go toward medical care were finalized on Monday, ending a source of uncertainty for investors in the sector. Although the limits are mandated in the new healthcare law, …

NAPSLO, The Council, AAMGA Urge States to Bring Laws Into Compliance with NRRA

November 22 2010 – The National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Organizations (NAPSLO), the American Association of Managing General Agents (AAMGA), and The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers (The Council), released a joint letter on November 16, urging state …

Farmers Appoints Shriver Senior VP Field Operations in Southwest

Farmers Insurance has appointed Rick Shriver senior vice president of field operations, Southwest Zone. The Zone includes Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Shriver has more than 24 years of experience in a variety of operations, including marketing, sales, …