Washington News

Republican Win in Massachusetts Could Jeopardize Healthcare Bill

In a stunning blow to President Barack Obama, Republican Scott Brown won a bitter U.S. Senate race in Massachusetts Tuesday and promised to be the deciding vote against his sweeping healthcare overhaul. Brown’s win robbed Democrats of the crucial 60th …

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 …

Former N.D. Regulator Possibly a Candidate to Lead Insurance Lobby

U.S. Rep. Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota is not seeking the presidency of a Washington lobbying group for life insurers, a spokeswoman said, although an industry representative called the North Dakota Democrat a “natural” candidate for the job. The American …

The Hanover Insurance: Focused on Niches, Says More Acquisitions Likely

The Hanover Insurance Group Inc.’s CEO Frederick H. Eppinger expects the western United States to be a key growth driver for the super-regional insurer in the next several years. Having just entered into a renewal rights agreement with OneBeacon Insurance …

Ex-AIG CEO Greenberg Sees Hope for Overhaul of Bailout

Former AIG CEO Maurice “Hank” Greenberg said the rising tide of questions about the government’s 2008 rescue of the insurer could be the catalyst for a dramatic overhaul of the bailout. “I believe that for the first time there is …

Trans Cal Sells Zurich Transportation Accounts to Cochrane & Co.

Trans Cal has sold all Zurich transportation accounts of Trans Cal to Cochrane & Co. Inc., the Spokane, Wash., company announced. The sale became effective on Dec. 31, 2009, and applies to existing Zurich accounts and to all open quotes. …

Labor & Industries: Washington’s Workers’ Comp System is Sound

Judy Schurke, director of Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), said the state’s workers’ compensation system is not at risk of going insolvent and that characterizing it as such is wrong. Schurke said she is concerned that characterizations of …

Mississippi-Based Hurricane Hunters Also Patrol Winter Skies

On a bitterly cold morning in Anchorage, Alaska, the Hurricane Hunters lift off to scout a weather track that may bring snow to the Northeast or flooding rains in California in the next five days. The winter mission of the …

Insurance Agents Fined for Not Having Written Security Plans

Recent headlines underscore the importance of agents having written security plans to protect the privacy of their clients’ personal information. Not only could a breach of clients’ personal information devastate an agency’s reputation; it is likely to result in the …

It Figures

8.1% After reviewing statewide data for insurance claims paid by employers for injured workers in 2009, the Missouri Department of Insurance is recommending an overall 8.1 percent decrease in workers’ compensation loss costs for 2010. The department’s recommended decrease is …