Washington News

IBA West Pacific Northwest Chapter Joins Big ‘I’ Washington

Insurance Brokers and Agents of the West (IBA West) has disbanded its Pacific Northwest Chapter and joined forces with the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Washington (Big “I” Washington). According to IBA West, “In light of continuing fiscal and …

Only 20% of Oregonians Insured for Earthquake Risks

Although Oregon is among the states at highest risk for a major earthquake, only about 20 percent of Oregonians have earthquake insurance, according to a Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) survey. “Consumers may want to think about their …

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. Public Officials Liability Market Detail: Apogee Insurance Group a Berkshire Hathaway Group offers agents access …

SeaBright Insurance Appoints Maw Senior VP, Chief Financial Officer

Seattle-based SeaBright Insurance Holdings Inc. has appointed Scott H. Maw senior vice president and chief financial officer. Maw has knowledge of finance, accounting and insurance. He also has experience with publicly traded companies and the investor community. He has spent …

iPeople to Offer Merger, Acquisition Services

iPeople LLC will launch a new merger and acquisition service for insurance agencies, brokerage firms and managing general agents throughout the United States. iPeople, a Washington, D.C.-based insurance consulting firm, will now assist firms with any details when considering buying, …

Washington Man Pleads Guilty to Workers’ Comp Fraud

A Ritzville, Wash., man has pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property in connection with illegally collecting workers’ compensation benefits while collecting wages from a nursing home managed by his wife. Ronald E. Newton was ordered to repay the state …

AIG Retention Bonuses Will Be Completed in March, Says Pay Czar

President Barack Obama’s pay czar Wednesday predicted the issue of hefty bonuses for AIG employees would end in March and denied a Republican claim that the firm outmaneuvered the Obama administration. “It ends this March with the last of these …

Study: Distracted Driving Laws Don’t Stop Crashes

A new insurance industry study has found that state laws banning the use of handheld devices to make calls or send text messages while driving have not resulted in fewer vehicle crashes. The study, released Friday by the Highway Loss …

Obama’s Budget Shows Only Modest Changes in Health Reforms

The Obama administration’s latest spending plan calls for modest changes to the U.S. health care system but does little to incorporate sweeping moves called for Democrats’ larger plan to increase access and cuts costs. In releasing his fiscal 2011 budget …

Bithell Named Farmers Insurance VP and Chief Underwriting Officer

Los Angeles-based Farmers Insurance Group of Companies has appointed Susan Bithell vice president and chief underwriting officer. In her new role, Bithell will oversee the continued alignment of the company’s underwriting strategy, processes and methodology across a number of business …