Daily Quote: "What matters is not the idea a man holds, but the depth at which he holds it." - - Erza Pound
1. Allstate loses $2.8 mln hurricane case verdict Tue Apr 17, 2007 12:14AM EDT NEW YORK, April 16 (Reuters) - A federal jury ruled against Allstate Corp. (ALL.N: ) in a "wind versus water" case that awarded a New Orleans area man more than $2.8 million for damage to his home from 2005's Hurricane Katrina. The verdict included a $1.5 million penalty for the insurer's failure to pay the claim quickly. "Allstate is shocked with the jury's verdict in favor of the plaintiff and believes it acted in good faith," said Mike Siemienas, a spokesman for Allstate, the largest publicly- traded home insurer in the United States. Siemienas said the verdict would not impact future lawsuits because it involved issues specific to the customer's claim. Neither the plaintiff, Robert Weiss, nor his attorney could be reached for comment. The decision in U.S. District Court in Louisiana comes at a time when cases in another state, Mississippi, appear to be winding down, and settlements are being negotiated there by the state insurance commissioner. A class action settlement in Mississippi fell apart when the judge there was dissatisfied with the terms. In the Weiss case the insured claimed the winds from the August 2005 hurricane blew his house down. Winds are covered by private insurers, while storm surge is covered by federal flood insurance. Allstate lawyer Judy Barrasso said there was plenty of evidence to show the winds were not strong enough to topple the house, while the storm surge was. Weiss claimed Allstate owed him nearly $600,000, but the Northbrook, Illinois insurer said he had already received $350,000 from federal flood insurance and more than $40,000 from the insurer for damage and living expenses. Hurricane Katrina, the most expensive storm in U.S. history, cost insurers more than $38 billion in damages, mostly in Mississippi and Louisiana. Two other storms, Rita and Wilma, brought the damage total for the nation to nearly $70 billion. ((Reporting by Ed Leefeldt, editing by Toni Reinhold (C) Reuters 2007. All rights reserved. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 2. Allstate to appeal $2.8 mln hurricane case verdict NEW YORK, April 16 (Reuters) - Allstate Corp. (ALL.N: ) said it would appeal a federal jury verdict that awarded a New Orleans area man more than $2.8 million for damage to his home from 2005's Hurricane Katrina. The verdict included a $1.5 million penalty for the insurer's failure to pay the claim quickly. "Allstate is shocked with the jury's verdict in favor of the plaintiff and believes it acted in good faith," said Mike Siemienas, a spokesman for Allstate, the largest publicly- traded home insurer in the United States. Siemienas said the verdict would not impact future lawsuits because it involved issues specific to the customer's claim. Neither the plaintiff, Robert Weiss, nor his attorney could be reached for comment immediately. The decision in U.S. District Court in Louisiana comes at a time when cases in another state, Mississippi, appear to be winding down, and settlements are being negotiated there by the state insurance commissioner. A class action settlement in Mississippi fell apart when the judge there was dissatisfied with the terms. The Weiss case was a "wind-versus-water" affair, where the insured claimed the winds from the August 2005 hurricane blew his house down. Winds are covered by private insurers, while storm surge is covered by federal flood insurance. Weiss claimed Allstate owed him nearly $600,000, but the Northbrook, Illinois insurer said he had already received $350,000 from federal flood insurance and more than $40,000 from the insurer for damage and living expenses. Hurricane Katrina, the most expensive storm in U.S. history, cost insurers more than $38 billion in damages, mostly in Mississippi and Louisiana. Two other storms, Rita and Wilma, brought the damage total for the nation to nearly $70 billion. © Reuters 2007. All rights reserved. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 3. Scruggs Katrina Group - State Farm Employee Takes Fifth Amendment The information below was taken from the Scruggs Katrina Group website on Thursday, 04/18/07. State Farm Employee Takes Fifth Amendment The State Farm employee in charge of overseeing engineer reports, Alexis “Lecky” King, has refused to answer questions in court proceedings, on the basis that her testimony may be self-incriminating. Watch the video obtained by the Sun Herald hi-res|med|dial-up (QuickTime) About the Scruggs Katrina Group The Scruggs Katrina Group is a legal team consisting of Mississippi attorneys from the following firms: Don Barrett and Marshall Smith of the Barrett Law Office; Johnny Jones, Steve Funderburg, and Stewart Lee of Jones, Funderburg, Peterson, Sessums, and Lee; Dewitt Lovelace of the Lovelace Law Firm; David Nutt, Meg McAllister, and Derek Wyatt of Nutt & McAllister, PLLC, and Richard Scruggs, Sid Backstrom, and Zach Scruggs of the Scruggs Law Firm. For more information go to http://www.scruggskatrinagroup.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 4. NAMIC Launches McCarran-Ferguson Online Resource Center INDIANAPOLIS (April 16, 2007) — The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC) today unveiled a resource center dedicated to addressing the concerns and misconceptions about the McCarran-Ferguson Act. The McCarran-Ferguson Act Resource Center found online at http://www.namic.org/policy/mfa.asp offers a plethora of objective information on the law that is vital to assuring a competitive insurance marketplace and stable rates for consumers. Included at the resource center are:
During the past few months, legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Congress to repeal or alter the existing limited antitrust exemptions afforded under the Act. “NAMIC opposes any change to, or repeal of, the existing antitrust exemptions afforded under the McCarran-Ferguson Act,” said Chuck Chamness, NAMIC’s president and CEO. “Such actions could place smaller and regional firms at a distinct disadvantage, increase consumer costs, reduce consumer choice, and seriously undermine competition.” Included in the Act is a narrow exemption to federal antitrust laws. The existence of the exemption promotes competition in the insurance marketplace by allowing companies to exchange critical data regarding losses and other factors, allows development of standardized policy language, facilitates participation and oversight of state guaranty funds, permits state control over liquidations, and enables the development and operation of assigned risk plans. It establishes a careful and well working balance between regulation and antitrust enforcement for the state regulated insurance industry and ensures parity with other financial services industries. “This resource is invaluable for anyone interested in the McCarran-Ferguson debate,” Chamness said. “We encourage visitors to peruse the available information carefully so they have a thorough understanding of the issue and why it is imperative for insurance consumers, the public, and the insurance marketplace to keep McCarran-Ferguson intact.” Enacted in 1945, the McCarran-Ferguson Act entrusts states with the authority and responsibility to regulate the business of insurance. States regulate virtually every aspect of insurance, from licensing to market practices and financial solvency. Additionally, every state has an Unfair Trade Practices Act providing the authority to investigate and, if appropriate, correct and punish unfair practices. www.namic.org Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 5. NAIC TO PRESENT INSURE U TO U.S. TREASURY NAIC President–Elect Sandy Praeger to Discuss Consumer Protection and Insurance at Financial Literacy Conference WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 16, 2007) — National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) President–Elect and Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger will participate at the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s inaugural meeting of the National Financial Education Network on Tuesday, April 17 in Washington, D.C. The conference, entitled Taking Ownership of the Future: The National Strategy for Financial Literacy, will bring together representatives from different areas and levels of government to share ideas and resources, with the goal of advancing financial education at the state and local levels. Praeger will be part of a panel discussion regarding consumer protection and insurance, and will share highlights of the NAIC’s Insure U — Get Smart about Insurance public education program. “We are proud to participate in this important conference on consumer financial education,” Praeger said. “With our Insure U program, the NAIC is deeply committed to educating the public about insurance and consumer protection issues.” Insure U’s educational curriculum helps consumers evaluate insurance options that meet different life stage needs. Available in English and Spanish, the educational content can be accessed at www.InsureUonline.org. Who: Sandy Praeger, NAIC President-Elect and Kansas Insurance Commissioner What: Inaugural meeting of the National Financial Education Network When: Tuesday, April 17 Where: Cash Room, U.S. Department of the Treasury, Washington, D.C. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article
4freequotes.com, now offers filtered leads on 6 lines of insurance to better meet your specific needs and a total of 15 lines! To learn more about the services offered and to reserve your area, please visit http://www.4freequotes.com/leads/?=ipn.
6. KKR, pension funds in talks to take BCE private Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:45AM EDT TORONTO (Reuters) - BCE Inc. (BCE.TO: )(BCE.N: ), Canada's top telecommunications group, said on Tuesday it was in talks with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR.UL: ) and three big Canadian pension funds that could lead to taking the company private. Shares of BCE jumped 6.6 percent, or C$2.39, to C$38.65 on the Toronto Stock Exchange soon after the market opened. The stock has leapt more than 25 percent since March 28. BCE, which has a market value of about C$29.3 billion ($25.9 billion), has long been one of Canada most widely-held companies, and taking it private would amount to the country's biggest buyout. The pension fund managers leading the talks are Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec and Canada's Public Sector Pension Investment Board. KKR, a New York-based private equity concern, is a minority partner in the consortium. ($1=$1.13 Canadian) © Reuters 2007. All rights reserved. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 7. CAMICO and HRAnswerLink Renew Agreement with Upgrade to Branded HR Support Center CAMICO Mutual Insurance Company extended its long-term partnership with HRAnswerLink to provide online Branded HR Support Center, information and tools to CPA firms nationally This new agreement allows CAMICO clients to access HR-related information and tools directly from the CAMICO website. Through HRAnswerLink’s Single-Sign-On technology, the transition between CAMICO’s website and its HRAnswerLink-powered HR Support Center is seamless. The HR content is presented as an integrated part of CAMICO’s web site, and appears as if it is developed and delivered by CAMICO. Premium HR content includes: employee handbook and policies extensive database of HR forms, job descriptions and letters federal and state-specific employment laws database of questions and answers provided by our HR Pros monthly HR business articles comprehensive glossary of technical terms HR posters and training materials and monthly HR-focused newsletters, soon to be branded with the CAMICO logo and message. “Our first agreement with CAMICO was signed in 2003. Their interest in extending this relationship well into the future is a great testament to the success of our partnership. We work hard to sustain our industry-leading HR content and commitment to customer service. It is rewarding to know that clients like CAMICO notice the difference,” said Dennis Abraham, President and CEO of HRAnswerLink. “We recognize that the new single-sign-on technology will mean fewer of CAMICO’s clients will know our name. But that’s fine with us—we know this strategy will make CAMICO more valuable to their clients—and that is our goal.” HRAnswerLink, Inc. builds branded Human Resources Support Center websites for businesses and organizations who wish to offer their small to mid-sized clients a strategic HR service, either as a value-added service or revenue-generating activity. With corporate offices in Fremont, California, HRAnswerLink provides its branded HR web and consulting services through its network of affiliates, including associations, chambers, franchises, insurance and payroll companies, HR consultants, and independent business people. CAMICO Mutual Insurance Company is the nation’s largest CPA-owned provider of professional liability insurance and risk management programs for the accounting profession. The company serves approximately 6,800 accounting firms and nearly 50,000 staff members in 44 states. CAMICO is sponsored by state CPA societies across the US. www.hranswerlink.com, www.camico.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 8. Fed's Plosser says inflation uncomfortably high Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:52AM EDT By Tamawa Kadoya CHERRY HILL, New Jersey (Reuters) - Inflation is uncomfortably high and the U.S. central bank needs to remain vigilant about it, Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank President Charles Plosser said on Tuesday. Plosser, regarded as one of the more hawkish among Fed policy-makers, said that inflation was not coming down fast enough. "Inflation is uncomfortably high from my perspective and not declining as rapidly as I'd like to see it," he told a meeting of business executives hosted by Rutgers School of Business. He said he was not sure if the annual inflation rate would moderate toward 2 percent, but did not specify what inflation gauge he was referring to. In the past, he and a number of Fed officials have gauged inflation in public comments by the core personal consumption expenditures. The core PCE, which strips out volatile food and energy costs, rose 2.4 percent in the 12-month period ending February. "It's very important that the Fed maintains its vigilance about inflation, that we not let inflation expectations get out of hand," he said. Plosser is not a voting member of the Fed's rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee this year. Asked about consumer price index data for March released earlier Tuesday, Plosser said it was better news on inflation than in the past few months, but the important issue was whether the trend continued. "It's hard to say too much," he told reporters after his speech, referring to the core inflation consumer reading for March. "But 0.1 (percent) is better than 0.3 (percent). The important question is whether it will continue." The CPI excluding volatile food and energy rose 0.1 percent in March from a month earlier, below market expectations and less than gains of 0.2 percent in February and 0.3 percent in January. When asked what the Fed would need to do if inflation did not come down as expected, Plosser said that outright action such as raising rates would have to be weighed with how the economy was faring. "If inflation doesn't moderate as we expect, the Fed would need to think about what appropriate action will be in those circumstances," he said. In his presentation Tuesday, Plosser gave a relatively upbeat assessment about the economy, saying he still expected U.S. growth to be around 2.5 percent to 3.0 percent this year. While the housing market creates some uncertainty, there is less risk than some months ago, and he does not expect spillover from troubles in the subprime lending arena to consumer spending. Plosser said employment is strong, that it is a "bright spot" in the economy, and that consumer spending is supported by employment and wage growth. However, recent weakness in business investment was a "puzzle," and that while he expected spending to pick up, it added to uncertainty about the economic outlook, he said. (Additional reporting by John Parry and Chris Reese in New York,, editing by Walker Simon; ) © Reuters 2007. All rights reserved Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 9. Study Shows CDHP Financial Incentives Not Enough to Change Consumer Behavior Better Communications, Tools Needed to Help Consumers Save Money, Promote Health ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Consumer-Directed Health Plans (CDHP) require more than financial incentives to help consumers make smart choices about their health and prescription use, according to a new study by pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts. CDHP participants were, in fact, less likely than traditional health plan enrollees to change behavior and take advantage of cost-saving generic drugs. The Express Scripts study found that CDHP participants simply curtailed brand-medication use instead of consistently substituting generic for brand medications. “CDHPs do not automatically produce more cost-effective behavior,” said Glen Moller, vice president of product development, Express Scripts. “Our research shows that consumers need more and better tools to make prescription drug choices that maximize both health and financial outcomes. At Express Scripts, we are leveraging our success with consumer engagement in traditional pharmacy benefits to promote utilization of the most clinically-effective and cost-effective medications by CDHP enrollees.” According to the study, which is available at www.express-scripts.com/ourcompany/news/outcomesresearch/onlinepublications, the findings suggest a role for better education of CDHP enrollees. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 10. Aetna and AARP to Expand Health Care Options for Americans Ages 50-64 -- New initiative will increase availability, affordability of insurance -- -- Sustained effort to enhance care quality and outcomes, focus on prevention and wellness -- HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aetna (NYSE: AET) and AARP today announced a broad new initiative under which Aetna will provide innovative products and services and individual health insurance for AARP members ages 50–64. The announcement was made earlier today by AARP at http://www.aarp.org/research/press-center/. Under the seven-year agreement, Aetna will begin offering individual health plans no later than January 1, 2008 to the approximately 18 million AARP members aged 50-64, a significant number of whom currently have no insurance or are under-served. The goal of this relationship is to offer an unmatched breadth of affordable health insurance products and services to Americans ages 50-64 and their families. “This new initiative is a tremendous opportunity for Aetna to work with AARP in transforming the health care landscape for millions of Americans,” said Ronald A. Williams, chairman and CEO of Aetna. “We understand the substantial value that AARP provides to its growing member base; particularly the 18 million members aged 50-64 and their families, who are increasingly burdened by the growing complexity and increasing cost of health care.” www.aetna.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article
11. AARP and UnitedHealth Group to Broaden Historic Relationship to Improve the Health of Americans Exclusive Seven-Year Agreement Expands Scope of Service to Include Medicare Advantage, Part D and Medicare Supplement Products Across All Markets; Innovative Agreement Includes Commitments To Social Responsibility, Diversity and Pro-Consumer Initiatives MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) announced today that the Company and AARP have agreed to extend and broaden their existing arrangement for an additional seven years to cover AARP-branded Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D and Medicare Supplement products across all markets. The new agreement, which takes effect January 1, 2008, and will continue through December 31, 2014, provides access to AARP’s nearly 38 million members and others aged 50 and over. In addition to covering a diversified portfolio of Medicare-related and indemnity insurance products, the new relationship includes a commitment to develop and offer new products, services and technologies, with a focus on health and wellness solutions that address AARP members’ individual needs. It also provides for an expanded range of AARP-branded Medicare Advantage plans that will offer greater predictability to enrollees through a two-year marketplace commitment covering 2008-2009. Further, the agreement continues certain existing products for members aged 50 to 64. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 12. Legacy Banks Makes Investment in Bank Owned Life Insurance PITTSFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Legacy Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”or “Legacy”) (NASDAQ:LEGC), the holding company for Legacy Banks (the “Bank”) announced today that in order to offset a portion of the Bank’s benefit plan expenses, the Bank on April 12, 2007 made investments totaling $9,571,702 in additional bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”). Designated directors and officers of the Bank shall be provided with a death benefit of $100,000 while serving or employed by the Company in connection with their participation in the BOLI program. The death benefit is reduced to $5,000 upon the retirement of the directors and officers. www.legacybanks.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 13. TheStreet.com Delivers Jim Cramer’s ``Wall Street Confidential'' On Free Podcast NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TheStreet.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSCM), a leading provider of financial commentary, analysis, research, news and ratings, today announced the immediate availability of Jim Cramer’s new advertising supported podcast “Wall Street Confidential” at http://www.thestreet.com/tsc/podcast. “Wall Street Confidential” is the premier video show on TheStreet.com TV, where every trading day Jim Cramer and other top financial commentators take an in-depth look at the day’s market action and discuss important news, trends and events in the financial world. “The show is designed to provide all levels of market participants a behind-the-scenes look at the ever-changing landscape of business and the markets,” said Sandy Brown, Executive Producer and Managing Editor of TheStreet.com TV. “Listening to Cramer’s insight is both educational and entertaining, and is a big hit with our audience.” Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 14. CPCU SOCIETY NATIONAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE COURSE COMING TO FORT WORTH MALVERN, PA, APRIL 17, 2007—On May 9, the CPCU Society and the Society’s Fort Worth Chapter will be hosting a CPCU Society National Leadership Institute (NLI) course: Leadership and Ethics: The Power to Succeed. Course materials and refreshments will be included. This course has been approved for four continuing education credits in Texas. The CPCU Society National Leadership Institute (NLI) is the CPCU Society’s premier educational program for insurance industry professionals looking to advance their careers or take on leadership roles within their organizations. Both CPCU Society members and nonmembers are invited to attend NLI courses. For further information on these courses, call the Society’s Member Resource Center at (800) 932-CPCU, option 4. What Attendees Will Learn: In this course, attendees will examine the impact of ethics on the successful leader and successful organization. Proving the value of strong ethical values is the first step toward creating an ethical culture in any organization. The instructor and attendees will explore the traits of successful leaders and ethical persons to examine similarities and determine desirable traits. They will discuss how barriers impede ethical decisions and how to overcome those barriers. When: Wednesday, May 9, 2007, Registration: 8 – 8:30 a.m., Course: 8:30 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. Where: American Airlines Training and Conference Center, 4501 Highway 360 South MD 929, Fort Worth, TX 76155 Two Easy Ways to Register: Online at www.cpcusociety.org Call (800) 932-CPCU and select option 4 to speak to our Member Resource Center. For CPCU Society members, registration is $109; for nonmembers, registration is $129. For more information, call the Society’s Member Resource Center at (800) 932-2728, option 4. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 15. Converium reports strong growth of 35% in April 1 open market treaty renewals at improved profitability Zug, Switzerland - April 17, 2007 - News Release Converium recorded a very successful April 1 renewal of open-market non-life treaties. The Company wrote and bound non-life contracts of USD 142 million, an increase of 35%. New and restructured business amounts to USD 52 million, while increases due to share or price increases resulted in a growth of USD 8 million. Business of USD 23 million was not renewed as it did not meet Converium's profitability standards. Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article
Key Benefit Resources: (877) 907-5511, sbell@keybenefitresources.com, www.keybenefitresources.com 16. Converium Files Lawsuit Against SCOR S.A. and Patinex AG Alleging Violations of United States Securities Laws Zug, Switzerland - April 17, 2007 - News Release On April 16, 2007, Converium filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against SCOR and Patinex. The complaint alleges that the defendants violated Sections 13(d), 14(d), and 14(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, because, among other things, (i) SCOR has unlawfully and unfairly excluded Converium's United States shareholders, a group which we believe represents approximately 22% of Converium's outstanding shares, from participating in SCOR's unsolicited tender offer, and (ii) defendants failed to make proper disclosures in connection with their purchase and ownership of Converium securities. Converium is seeking an expedited discovery and briefing schedule so as to permit a hearing on a motion for preliminary injunction prior May 22, 2007, which (unless extended) is currently the last date on which Converium shareholders may tender shares in connection with SCOR's unsolicited tender offer. Among other things, Converium is seeking an order enjoining SCOR from consummating the offer until SCOR and Patinex have complied with their obligations under the Williams Act, including SCOR extending the offer to Converium's United States shareholders and ADS holders. www.converium.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 17. A.M. Best Company’s Annual Global Insurance Industry Conference to Take Place 10 May in London OLDWICK, N.J., April 17, 2007—A.M. Best Co. will host a comprehensive one-day conference in London to explore the issues facing the global insurance industry. This year’s Review & Preview—European Update Conference will be held on 10 May, from 9am to 5pm at The Grange City Hotel, located in the heart of historic London. www.ambest.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 18. Fauquier Health System Expands Relationship with UnitedHealthcare New Agreement Provides UnitedHealthcare Members Continued Access to Fauquier Health System Facilities ROCKVILLE, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fauquier Health System and UnitedHealthcare reached an agreement, effective April 1, to provide UnitedHealthcare customers in Northwestern Virginia with greater access to health care services through the Fauquier Health System. www.uhc.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 19. Rx Processing Corp. Acquires Canadian American Discount Meds Client Base and Storefront Location WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rx Processing Corporation (Pink Sheets: RXPC), a source of low-cost prescription medications and diagnostic laboratory tests for millions of Americans who are under-insured or have no medical insurance coverage, announces its acquisition of Canadian American Discount Meds. This valuable addition of resources will fortify the companies position and ultimately assist us in attaining our overall mission goal. Rx Processing Corp., pleased with the terms of this acquisition, the addition of 500 new clients, continues its expansion of its current customer base. This action brings us closer to our goal of the addition of 50,000 new clients this calendar year. www.rxprocessingcorp.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 20. INSURANCE NEWSCAST "Pictures Of The Day" -- Sponsored By:
View INSURANCE NEWSCAST "Sports Pictures Of The Day" View INSURANCE NEWSCAST "Entertainment Pictures Of The Day"
21. ARGO Tracker Announces Strategic Partnership with Global Solutions Insurance Services TUCSON, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ARGO Tracker, a provider of real-time asset tracking and cargo monitoring solutions, announced today the formation of a strategic alliance with Global Solutions Insurance Services (GSIS) for a preferred commercial transportation program. The program, which is expected to reduce insurance costs by 10-30%, bundles the availability of preferred insurance rates through GSIS with companies selecting the ARGO Tracker asset tracking and monitoring solution. www.argotracker.com www.gsis.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 22. Insurance Auto Auctions Opens in Western Colorado WESTCHESTER, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc., a leader in automotive and specialty vehicle auction services in the United States, today announced the opening of its newest auction center – Western Colorado - in Delta, located about 30 miles south of Grand Junction. The new 10-acre facility will provide service coverage to western Colorado as well as portions of southern and southeastern Utah. www.iaai.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 23. Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company Expands Wildfire Protection Services Throughout California FireProtec’s off-duty firefighters will create defensible space for policyholders NOVATO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To help protect their policyholders in California from the growing threat of wildfire, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company today announced that they have expanded their territory and offerings with FireProtec, a full service vegetation cutting crew staffed by off-duty firefighters. Through the alliance, Fireman’s Fund® is able to offer all California policyholders expert advice on wildfire mitigation techniques and clearing services at a discounted rate. FireProtec is committed to the preservation of life and property and to assisting homeowners in reducing the threat of wildfire. By clearing a defensible space around a home, the homeowner will have a firebreak that will slow down a fast moving wildfire. This proven approach decreases the available fuel that a wildfire requires in order to spread, and will help protect the home. www.firemansfund.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 24. Rockingham Group Joins the Fight Against Identity Theft - Company Offers Policyholders Identity Theft Services at No Extra Cost - HARRISONBURG, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Rockingham Group® of insurance companies announced recently an offering that provides identity theft resolution services to all its Homeowner, Mobile Homeowner, Farmowner, and Dwelling Properties policyholders, at no additional cost. This decisive move represents a significant effort by The Rockingham Group to better protect its policyholders from America’s fastest-growing crime. To supply this new service, the company has partnered with Arizona-based Identity Theft 911®, the leading provider of identity theft resolution and educational services. www.rockinghamgroup-idtheft.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 25. Oklahoma Insurance Department Hosts Industry Day Event with Sircon Corporation Oklahoma to Use ''Sircon for States™'' Solution for Producer Licensing OKEMOS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oklahoma Insurance Department and Sircon Corporation, teamed up today to host Oklahoma Industry Day - an educational day featuring presentations by Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner, Kim Holland and Sam Meyer of Sircon Corporation. At this event, the Department also announced that all insurance carriers, agencies and individual producers will be able to process insurance license applications, renewals, appointments and other compliance-related tasks, online through Sircon’s web-based platform. www.oid.state.ok.us/sircon/index.html Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 26. Professional Underwriters Launches New “SafetyFirst” School Bus Contractors Program Exton, Pennsylvania, April 16, 2007: Professional Underwriters, a national program administrator focused on public entity insurance, announces the launch of their new program, “SafetyFirst”, for independent school bus contractors. According to Tom Ruddy, vice president, marketing, “At Professional Underwriters, we believe we offer the most comprehensive insurance programs for public entities in the country. The addition of the SafetyFirst program is another indication that we are responsive to the needs of the public entity market.” This program is available in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York and offers auto liability, general liability, employee benefits, property, crime, garage liability, and umbrella liability. www.professionalunderwriters.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 27. Assurex Global Partner Brokers Weigh Opportunities, Pitfalls of Asian Insurance Market HONG KONG (April 16, 2007)—With more than $17 billion in U.S. premium volume last year in Hong Kong alone, according to Clement Cheung, Hong Kong Commissioner of Insurance, it’s evident that more global firms doing business in the burgeoning Chinese and Pacific Rim marketplace need insurance and advice. But the brokers assisting these clients must have regional knowledge, experience, positioning, foresight, and global presence in order to effectively cover their risks. More than 100 Assurex Global Partners from six continents discussed the intricacies of doing business in this part of the world during Assurex Global’s annual Spring Partners’ Conference, held recently in Hong Kong. www.assurexglobal.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 28. Amy Pollock of Atlanta Announces Webcast to Help Companies Cope with Absenteeism, Attrition, and Reduced Productivity Associated with the Aging of the American Workforce Atlanta, Georgia , April 17 – On April 24th at 1 PM (EST) LTC Financial Partners, the nation's most experienced long term care insurance brokerage, will sponsor a webcast titled “Helping Employees and Pre-Retirees: Managing Productivity and Finances." As the American workforce continues to mature, the inevitable increase in the need for long term care services threatens to undermine the productivity of many of our nation’s employers. The impact due to working caregivers already costs businesses as much as $34 billion a year, according to a recent survey by the National Alliance of Caregiving, a non-profit coalition, and the MetLife Foundation. www.ltcfp.us/AmyPollock Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 29. Frank Crystal & Company Recognized With PAR Excellence & Robert P. Ashlock Quality Awards New York, April 16, 2007-Frank Crystal & Company, one of the largest privately-owned insurance brokerage firms with more than 70 years of service, announced today it has been awarded both the 2007 Robert P. Ashlock Quality Award and the 2007 PAR Excellence Award. Both awards are given by PAR, an insurance industry organization, for excellence in internal quality control. The PAR Program is a subsidiary of Assurex Global. www.frankcrystal.com Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article 30. FSP’s Financial Education Partners Now Working with Clients of Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America Newtown Square, Pa. – The Foundation for Financial Service Professionals and the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Inc. (MGFA) have announced a partnership that will provide financial education and counsel to clients of MGFA free of charge. These services are offered via the Financial Education Partners (FEP) program, a national pro bono initiative supported by the Foundation for Financial Service Professionals, the charitable arm of the Society of Financial Service Professionals (FSP). Through MGFA’s nationwide network of chapters, people with myasthenia gravis (MG) and their families will be referred to the FEP program for pro bono financial counseling and educational programs designed to help people with the condition understand and address their financial challenges. Volunteer members of the Society of FSP will be matched with requests for one-on-one financial counseling and for speakers at educational programs. www.myasthenia.org www.FinancialProFoundation.org Return to Headlines - - Print Article / Read Entire Article / E-Mail Article
|
