Business Insurance articles from August 2007

Business Insurance archives from August 2007

French government to introduce legislation to allow class actions.(political activity of Nicolas Sarkozy )
August 6, 2007... Byline: RICK MITCHELL PARIS-The newly elected French president has put reform of France's consumer protection laws-and the possibility of class-action style lawsuits-back on the political agenda. The government plans to draft new...

U.K. public entities launching mutuals; Latest insurer to offer P/C coverage for fire and rescue risks.
August 6, 2007... Byline: STUART COLLINS LONDON-A second public sector mutual insurer is set to open its doors in the United Kingdom later this year, with others in the pipeline. Following the March launch of the London Authorities' Mutual Ltd.-the...

Bridge collapse claims face legal hurdles.(management of Minnesota. Department of Transportation)
August 6, 2007... Byline: DOUGLAS McLEOD MINNEAPOLIS-While a flood of liability claims from last week's disastrous bridge collapse in Minneapolis is virtually certain, potential plaintiffs face legal hurdles in any effort to recover damages, lawyers...

House panel OKs extended backstop; Measure would add 15 years to program; White House opposes.(News)
August 6, 2007... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN WASHINGTON-The House Financial Services Committee's vote to extend the federal terrorism insurance backstop by 15 years should not doom the program despite the Bush administration's opposition to expanding the...

Hospital bans holey Crocs.(End Page)(Brief article)
August 6, 2007... Hospital workers love their comfortable Crocs-those clog-style shoes with abundant ventilation that come in several bright colors. Some detractors, on the other hand, think the hugely popular, rubber-like shoes are ugly. At least one...

Employers, unions battle over payment of health premiums; Conflicting arbitration decisions send fight to Ontario courts.
August 6, 2007... Byline: GLORIA GONZALEZ TORONTO-Ontario employers with unionized workforces are engaged in legal battles against unions over costly health care premiums that the unions claim employers must pay under their labor agreements. Since the...

Bill aims to reverse court's pay-bias decision; House passes measure to eliminate time bar for employee claims.(Congress. House and Supreme Court)
August 6, 2007... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD WASHINGTON-A bill that would essentially reverse a U.S. Supreme Court decision limiting the time workers have to file claims for pay discrimination would greatly increase employers' exposure to bias suits, employer...

Prospects of pay-discrimination measure unclear in early stage of legislative process.(Congress. House)
August 6, 2007... Byline: Judy Greenwald The prospects of H.R. 2831 remain unclear, observers say. The House of Representatives passed the bill, known as the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007, on a largely party-line vote of 225-199. A companion...

Some employers wary of HDHP drug strategy.(analysis of health planning Internal Revenue Service)
August 6, 2007... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK While some employers with high-deductible health plans linked to health savings accounts have decided to exempt some "preventive'' pharmaceuticals from the deductible, others with HSA-qualified HDHPs are holding back,...

Argonaut granted temporary order barring ex-official from recruiting; Former MGA head tried to lure colleagues to First Mercury: Suit.(cases of Argonaut Group Inc.)
August 6, 2007... Byline: DOUGLAS McLEOD SAN ANTONIO-Argonaut Group Inc. has won a temporary restraining order against Kevin P. Brooks, the former head of one of its surplus lines units who left last month to join competitor First Mercury Financial Corp. of...

PREVENTIVE PRESCRIPTIONS.(News)
August 6, 2007... Prescription drug classes considered preventive by many health plans and PBMs ACE inhibitors Anti-asthmatics Anti-coagulants Antidepressants Anti-diabetics, insulin therapy Anti-hypertensives Anti-obesity ...

Employers adjust benefits for delisted health services.(International News)(Brief article)
August 6, 2007... Byline: Gloria Gonzalez TORONTO-A number of Ontario employers are adjusting their benefit programs as a result of the removal of certain health care services from the government health care system. The provincial government delisted...

Florida short-sighted about long-term threat.(forecasts and trends of hurricanes)
August 6, 2007... Byline: Regis Coccia I recently saw a startling weather statistic: 95% of hurricanes occur after Aug. 1. The traditional June 1 start date notwithstanding, the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season has had very little activity. Practically...

Usagi hits Japan, causing up to $500M in damage.(analysis of typhoons)(Brief article)
August 6, 2007... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN HYUGA, Japan-Catastrophe modelers expect insured losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars or more from the typhoon that struck the southern Japanese island of Kyushu last week. Typhoon Usagi made landfall...

COMBINED INSURANCE CO. OF AMERICA.(News)(Brief article)
August 6, 2007... Founded: 1922 2006 premiums: $1.95 billion* Offers: Supplemental insurance coverage, including accident, health, life, disability, cancer, Medicare supplement, long-term care and critical illness insurance. *Includes...

Hurricane predictions have little impact on preparedness, policies.(analysis of disaster planning)
August 6, 2007... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD Seasonal hurricane predictions are interesting but have little practical impact on how risk managers, insurers, catastrophe modelers and others go about their business, observers say. This is largely because of...

Risk managers prepare for the worst in areas prone to hurricanes.(analysis of disaster planning)(Brief article)
August 6, 2007... Byline: Judy Greenwald When it comes to hurricanes, risk managers and others say it's important to be ready for the worst regardless of what the prognosticators say. Scott Clark, risk and benefits officer for Miami-Dade County Public...

Hurricane forecasting improves, but predictions are far from perfect.(Air Worldwide Corp. and Insurance Services Office Inc. and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
August 6, 2007... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD Devising hurricane predictions is a difficult, highly complex exercise that has improved over the years but still remains an educated guess, observers say. It involves research, global observations and computer...

Ontario Health Premium.(analysis of health planning)(Brief article)
August 6, 2007... The Ontario government introduced the Ontario Health Premium-an individual income tax-on July 1, 2004, to generate revenue to improve the health care system by reducing wait times for services and increasing the number of doctors and nurses in...

Confidential evidence discounted in lawsuit; 7th Circuit dismisses securities fraud suit over verification issues.(Baxter International Inc.)
August 6, 2007... Byline: DAVE LENCKUS CHICAGO-Attorneys expect that securities fraud plaintiffs nationwide will pay close attention to a federal appeals court's dismissal of a case that relied heavily on statements of confidential witnesses. After...

Hotelier, insurer tap university.(Spotlight: Catastrophe Management)
August 6, 2007... Byline: Roberto Ceniceros Marriott International Inc. is collaborating with the University of Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute to simulate guests' hotel room use to make real safety improvements. Separately, Factory Mutual Insurance...

Aon underwriting unit set for spinoff or sale; Brokerage again eyes new ownership for Combined Insurance.(Aon Corp.)
August 6, 2007... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS CHICAGO-Aon Corp. is renewing efforts to divest itself from the underwriting business. The Chicago-based brokerage announced last week that it is exploring strategic alternatives for Combined Insurance Co. of...

Skip the meat and earn a premium discount.(service introduction of Animal Friends Insurance Services Ltd.)(Brief article)
August 6, 2007... Brits who would take a newspaper-wrapped batch of fish and chips over other traditional Anglo fare like bangers or shepherd's pie may be eligible for a discount on their life insurance. U.K.-based Animal Friends Insurance Services Ltd....

Business interruption losses may be tough to prove.(analysis of risk management)
August 6, 2007... Byline: Roberto Ceniceros MINNEAPOLIS-Obtaining proceeds from business interruption claims stemming from the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis could be challenging for policyholders, observers say. It was too early...

Veteran brokerage exec seeks to restart firm where he made his name; Tom Sharkey Sr. funding renewal of Meeker Sharkey.(Summit Bancorp. and Meeker Sharkey Associates )
August 6, 2007... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS CRANFORD, N.J.-Dissatisfied with the direction Bank of America Corp. was taking with its insurance agency subsidiary and sensing opportunity, Tom Sharkey Sr. is resurrecting his family's agency more than seven years...

Market moves.
August 6, 2007... ACE expanding to Peru, Bahrain LIMA, Peru-ACE Ltd., with approval from Peru's superintendent of banks and insurance, has begun operations in Lima, Peru, under the badge of ACE Seguros S.A. ACE Seguros, which consists primarily of the...

Surveillance catches oily truth.(usage of surveillance system by Neighbors Food Market )(Brief article)
August 6, 2007... A woman slipped up on her alleged attempt to scam a supermarket last week when the store's surveillance system caught her opening a bottle of olive oil and drizzling in on the floor just minutes before she faked a fall. Luis Diaz, owner of...

TRIREA extension deserves passage.(Opinions)(Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision and Extension Act)
August 6, 2007... THE BAR IS SET HIGH in the version of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Revision and Extension Act that was approved last week by the House Financial Services Committee. And as far as we're concerned, the committee was right to approve the bill...

In brief.(Beacon Mutual Insurance Co.)(forecasts and trends of hurricanes)(influence of hurricane katrina)
August 6, 2007... Colorado State team cuts storm projection The Colorado State University hurricane forecasting team has lowered its 2007 hurricane estimate to eight for this year's Atlantic hurricane season from the nine forecast on May 31. The team also...

Clarity lacking in IRS rules.(News)(Brief article)
August 6, 2007... Byline: Joanne Wojcik Many benefit consultants feel the Internal Revenue Service's description of prescription drugs considered preventive is too vague and are dissuading their employer clients from adding drug coverage to their...

Adjust safety practices to retain older workers.(Perspective)
August 6, 2007... Byline: Joseph Gillian Older workers bring a lifetime of skills and experience to their jobs, making valuable contributions into their 50s, 60s and 70s. But the normal aging process may impact an older worker's ability to perform a job...

Gauging catastrophe risk; Models offer risk managers valuable information.(analysis of risk management)
August 6, 2007... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN Every risk manager knows that knowledge is power. And for an increasing number of risk managers, a new source of knowledge is one in which underwriters have relied on for quite some time-catastrophe modeling. ...

Fire standards include input from many points of view.(Spotlight: Catastrophe Management)
August 6, 2007... Byline: Roberto Ceniceros National Fire Protection Assn. codes and standards that often govern building safety typically evolve from a very formalized yet "open consensus-based process,'' said Christian Dubay, NFPA vp and chief engineer in...

Fighting fire with fire and research helps install appropriate defenses; Sometimes, 'burning down the house' is the best corporate test.(Factory Mutual Insurance Co.)
August 6, 2007... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS With businesses continually innovating, insurers, engineers and risk managers must regularly test new building designs, building contents, and sprinkler systems to see how they react in a fire. Larger...

Public scrutiny just part of the job, ruling says.(End Page)(Brief article)
August 6, 2007... A Pennsylvania public official can't blame the messenger for his psychological injuries. Joseph Rosenfeld, a community affairs assistant working for the mayor of Allentown, Pa., filed a workers compensation claim alleging that negative...

Risk managers turning more often to catastrophe models to gauge risk; Aside from premiums, data also being used for mitigation efforts.(Spotlight: Catastrophe Management)
August 6, 2007... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN Catastrophe modelers are reporting an uptick in interest in their products and services from risk managers. "We are seeing a dramatic increase in interest-a 500% increase in inquiries from risk managers thus far...

Tornado exposures not entirely predictable; Risk managers advised to combine advance, on-the-spot planning.(analysis of risk management)
August 6, 2007... Byline: BETH MURTAGH Risk managers in tornado-prone areas can prepare for this unpredictable exposure with communication, education and identifying business exposures, observers say. Tornadoes can strike with little or no warning. The...

Food contamination claims place company brands at risk.(Perspective)
August 6, 2007... Byline: Zachary Finn and Timothy Anderson For most people, purchasing products at their local grocery store is a mundane event. For those with a culinary spirit, it may be a task that is accomplished with a sense of satisfaction and...

Employer must take steps to ensure benefit change notice was sent: Court; Company loses case due to lack of proof it mailed documents.(News)
August 6, 2007... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD NEW ORLEANS-An employer must present evidence that workers were informed about a benefits plan change to prove the employer complied with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act's reporting and disclosure...

On the web.
August 6, 2007... BI WOMEN TO WATCH See expanded profiles of women leaders online The 2007 Women to Watch feature profiles of 50 women working in risk management, insurance, employee benefits and related fields. To read their full profiles and learn...

Forty years of BI.(business insurance)(Brief article)
August 6, 2007... On Oct. 8, 2007, Business Insurance will celebrate its 40th anniversary of publication. Each week until then, BI will offer a peek at news we reported during the past four decades. AUG. 2, 1993: Midwestern U.S. towns and cities coped with...

Online Poll at www.businessinsurance.com.(Opinions)(Brief article)
August 6, 2007... Will high-deductible health plans that give deductible credits to employees meeting specified health standards help bring down costs? Yes: 25.0% No: 75.0% Next week's poll: How worried are you about a terrorist attack using...

FINE-TUNING CONSUMER-DRIVEN PLANS; Companies revamp financing, improve communications.(Wendy's International Inc.)
August 13, 2007... Byline: KAREN PALLARITO With a few years of experience under their belts, employers and health plans are adjusting their consumer-driven health plan offerings in an attempt to make them more attractive to plan sponsors and employees. ...

Comings & goings.(Old Lyme Holding Corp.)(Plexus Group)(ABD Insurance and Financial Services Inc.)
August 13, 2007... Brokers: Jeff Cox has been named president and chief executive of Haake Cos., an Overland Park, Kan.-based insurance brokerage. Charlie Haake, who previously held those titles, becomes chairman. Mr. Cox most recently was president and...

Judge may lose more than pants.(cases of Roy L. Pearson )(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... The strange and terrible saga of the District of Columbia administrative court judge who initially sought $65 million from a mom-and-pop dry cleaner for temporarily misplacing a pair of suit pants may be coming to a long-overdue end. In a...

Health care debit cards remain convenient tool despite high-profile exit; Withdrawal by AmEx not expected to signal exodus of other issuers.(American Express Co. and CIGNA Corp.)
August 13, 2007... Byline: LOUISE ESOLA Despite American Express Co.'s decision to stop offering its health care-related debit cards at the end of the year, other major issuers will continue offering the credit cards to pay health care bills using employees'...

Donkey derby risky for kids.(reports of British Broadcasting Corp.)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... A risk management tactic in Wales left children watching from the sidelines as inflatable sheep and a toy orangutan took on jockey duties in an annual donkey derby. Insurers refused to cover the 39th running of the Llandudno Rugby Club's...

Airline passengers face the summertime blues.(analysis of air travel)(Viewpoint essay)
August 13, 2007... Byline: Rodd Zolkos If it's summer, no doubt someone is waiting out a flight delay. Over the past few years, as much as a time for sharing such seasonal experiences as baseball and barbecues, summer has become a time for groaning...

Court claims jurisdiction in out-of-state Internet libel case; California resident accused of defaming pair in New Jersey.
August 13, 2007... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD TRENTON, N.J.-The case of a California resident accused of libeling two New Jersey residents and making direct references to the state in Internet newsgroup postings does come under New Jersey courts' jurisdiction, a...

UP CLOSE: Mark Montgomery.(Frank Crystal & Co. )
August 13, 2007... New job title: Director of the Palm Beach, Fla., office of Frank Crystal & Co. Previous position: Vp of Marsh's private client services division. I ran the new-business development practice for the Palm Beach, Fla., market. Reason for...

HEALTH PLAN REPLACEMENT STRATEGY.(Deloitte Consulting L.L.P.)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... Successfully implementing a full replacement consumer-driven health program requires observing key points. Patrick Travis, senior manager in Chicago with Deloitte Consulting L.L.P.'s Human Capital Practice, suggests the following: * Set...

Natural catastrophe bill a step in right direction.(analysis of risk management)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... We certainly welcome the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee's recent approval of the Commission on Natural Catastrophe Risk Management and Insurance Act of 2007. The bill, which was introduced by the committee's chairman,...

Ex-employee can sue after 401(k) cash out; More plans could face mismanagement charges.(News)
August 13, 2007... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD PHILADELPHIA-A former employee who has cashed out of his 401(k) plan can still sue the plan's administrator for mismanaging the plan's assets, says a federal appellate court, in a decision that observers says...

Brokers refuse some revenues.(Aon Corp.)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... Byline: Sally Roberts Although the world's two largest brokerages have not fully denounced supplemental commission programs, neither has accepted them, according to the firms' chief executive officers. "We've been offered (supplemental...

RECALLED PRODUCTS.(Menu Foods Income Fund)(RC2 Corp.)(Mattel Inc.)
August 13, 2007... Numerous defective or tainted food products originating in China have been recalled in recent months. Among the recalls have been: March 16: Menu Foods Inc. of Streetsville, Ontario, recalls 60 million cans and packages of pet food over...

Buyers must be wary of broker payments.(prices and rates of brokers)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... It's still too early to tell whether the latest attempt by brokers to wring extra payments from insurers will result in conflicts of interest, but insurance buyers should be cautious before they OK the new fees. As we report on page 1,...

China recall crisis underscores risks; Better supply chain management urged.(Mattel Inc.)
August 13, 2007... Byline: DAVE LENCKUS While better risk management controls cannot prevent all product liability claims-such as those linked to U.S. companies' suppliers in China-they can help the producer whose brand reputation is at risk resolve claims...

Flexible work rules vary across E.U.(analysis of labor laws)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD Workers in Finland and Sweden are more likely to be employed at companies with highly flexible working arrangements, while those in Greece, Hungary and other southern European nations are apt to be working in the...

Assurant terminates two amid probe.(Assurant Inc.)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS NEW YORK-Assurant Inc. said it has terminated a senior vp and a risk manager who previously were placed on administrative leave amid a federal investigation into finite reinsurance arrangements. Assurant's...

In brief.(reports of National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration)(Hawkpoint Partners Ltd. and Heath Lambert Group )(reports of workplace injuries)
August 13, 2007... NOAA reduces storm forecast The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center has scaled back the number of named tropical storms it is forecasting for the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season to 13 to 16, down from...

Updated U.K. rehab code seen as aid to employers' return-to-work policies.(U.K. Risk Management Association)
August 13, 2007... Byline: SARAH VEYSEY and BEN NORRIS LONDON-The U.K. risk management association has welcomed updates to a code of practice designed to improve access to rehabilitation for personal injury insurance claimants. The voluntary...

Arch fires back in battle for rival's former execs; Suit says Gen Re used courts to stifle competition.(Arch Capital Group Ltd. and General Re Corp.)
August 13, 2007... Byline: DOUGLAS McLEOD STAMFORD, Conn.-Arch Capital Group Ltd. has struck the latest blow in a noncompete dispute with General Re Corp., accusing Gen Re of misusing the courts to stop four former Gen Re executives from developing Arch's...

Buyers debate insurer competition; European Commission may halt exemption allowing cooperation.(European Union. European Commission)
August 13, 2007... Byline: RICHARD MILLER Risk managers are divided on whether the insurance industry's block exemption from certain European rules hinders competition in the sector. The European Commission is set to release conclusions of its inquiry...

Devine tapped to head Aon Re Global; Joins CEO Case, other ex-McKinsey leaders holding top positions at Aon.(Aon Corp.)
August 13, 2007... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD CHICAGO-Aon Corp.'s promotion of Ted T. Devine to chief executive officer of Aon Re Global marks the ascension of another former McKinsey & Co. consultant to the brokerage's top ranks, and observers say the infusion...

More employers offering only consumer-driven health plans; Small but growing number of businesses abandon traditional managed care approach as consumerism gains traction.(Deloitte Consulting L.L.P.)
August 13, 2007... Byline: RUPAL PAREKH Plagued by high health costs, more employers are embracing the concept of replacing all existing medical insurance plans and implementing a full replacement consumer-driven health care program. But, they are proceeding...

Marsh, N.Y. alter pact to permit insurer fees; Broker gets OK to collect payment for services.(Marsh Inc.)
August 13, 2007... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS NEW YORK-Marsh Inc. soon will begin accepting certain fees from insurers for brokerage transactions under an agreement with New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and Superintendent of Insurance Eric Dinallo. The...

AMENDMENT TERMS.(Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc.)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... Pursuant to its January 2005 settlement with New York authorities, Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc. has the right to request modifications to the terms and conditions of the settlement if compliance proves impracticable. MMC has amended its agreement...

FLEXIBLE BENEFIT PLAN RULES.(Internal Revenue Service)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... The Internal Revenue Service's proposed regulations clarify that Section 125 flexible benefit plans "are generally the sole method of preserving the nontaxable nature of employer-provided benefits where employees are allowed to elect between...

Employers beef up efforts to increase worker participation in wellness programs.(analysis of health planning)
August 13, 2007... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK Concerned that not enough employees would use wellness and preventive services when Bacou-Dalloz USA Inc. introduced its consumer-driven health plan last year, the Smithfield, R.I.-based manufacturer promoted the...

Do CDHPs increase use of wellness services? Insurers, consultants differ over takeup rate estimates for preventive-care options.(analysis of health planning)
August 13, 2007... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK Although most consumer-driven health plans are designed to emphasize wellness and prevention to reduce future health care costs, experts say it is too early to tell whether plan members are using those kinds of...

IRS issues guidance on flex benefit plans; Proposed regulations clarify how to conduct discrimination tests.(Internal Revenue Service)
August 13, 2007... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS WASHINGTON-Proposed Internal Revenue Service regulations provide employers specific guidance for the first time on certain practices for operating and administering Section 125 flexible benefit plans, consultants...

Unbeatable coach loses insurance suit.(cases of Mr. Knight)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... College basketball coach Bobby Knight hates to lose, and he just lost a big case against his insurer. The Indiana Court of Appeals upheld a lower court decision to grant summary judgment in a lawsuit Mr. Knight filed against Indiana...

Education efforts vital in move to CDHP: Study; But employers cite need for better tools to rate cost, quality.(reports of employers)
August 13, 2007... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK Employers that educate their employees early and often about why a consumer-driven health plan is being offered see greater enrollment than those that don't, concludes a study by Watson Wyatt Worldwide and RAND Corp....

Insurer rains on parade.(End Page)
August 13, 2007... During small-town parades, many people have childhood memories of waving to the crowd while riding atop a fire truck. In Bloomsburg, Pa., residents must remain at the curb. Two years ago, the town's insurer threatened to increase rates by...

Insurers keep close eye on stars behaving badly; Off-screen antics can increase costs for making movies.(reports of Lindsay Lohan)
August 13, 2007... Byline: BETH MURTAGH Actress Lindsay Lohan's latest brush with the law has put a spotlight on the exposures movie producers and their insurers face when working with stars who have a penchant for headline-grabbing misbehavior. Ms....

Product liability coverage remains competitive.(services of insurance industry)
August 13, 2007... Byline: DAVE LENCKUS U.S. food and consumer goods makers can expect the product liability insurance market to remain competitive despite a spate of product recalls and import bans linked to Chinese suppliers, market experts say. The...

On the web.
August 13, 2007... ONLINE EXECUTIVE FORUMTM Wellness, consumerism mix in CDHP webinar Consumer-driven health care has emphasized encouraging employees to take greater responsibility for their health care needs through increased cost-sharing, but there is...

Forty years of BI.(Lloyd's of London)(CNA Financial Corp. and Chubb Corp.)(Business Insurance Corp.)(Brief article)
August 13, 2007... On Oct. 8, 2007, Business Insurance will celebrate its 40th anniversary of publication. Each week until then, BI will offer a peek at news we reported during the past four decades. Aug. 30, 1993: Lloyd's of London moves ahead with its...

Online Poll at www.businessinsurance.com.(Opinions)
August 13, 2007... How worried are you about a terrorist attack using nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological weapons? Very worried: 22.8% Somewhat worried: 38.6% Not worried: 38.6% Next week's poll: Does full disclosure of insurer...

In brief.(News)(Karen Clark's new consulting firm)(Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. is acquiring General Agents Insurance Co. of America Inc.)(appointment of Janet Frank at State Compensation Insurance Fund)
August 20, 2007... NY attorney general eyes more doc rankings The New York Attorney General's office is seeking information about programs used by Aetna Inc. and a CIGNA Corp. unit to rank doctors based on quality and cost-effectiveness. In letters sent to...

Aon keeps its focus on service to buyers; Best Retail Agent/Broker.(achievements and awards and customer relations of Aon Corp.)
August 20, 2007... Byline: Sally Roberts Aon Corp. 200 E. Randolph St. Chicago, Ill. 60601 312-381-1000; fax: 312-381-6032 www.aon.com A large helping of client service peppered with innovation are the key ingredients to Aon Corp.'s...

Pants suit should spur legal system alterations.(case filed by Roy L. Pearson on dry cleaning services )
August 20, 2007... Byline: Paul Winston For all the wretched, powerless and dissatisfied tort reform advocates everywhere, Roy L. Pearson also might be a hero. Mr. Pearson is the District of Columbia administrative law judge who is waging a...

Stability important to Lloyd's success; Best Reinsurance Company.(achievements and awards and customer relations of Lloyd's of London)
August 20, 2007... Byline: Douglas McLeod Lloyd's of London 1 Lime St. London, EC3M 7HA 44-207-327-1000; Fax, 44-207-327-2389 www.lloyds.com Lloyd's of London officials have reason to be pleased with the market's recent performance,...

Deal moves liabilities from Lloyd's; Nonlife book of business transferred to company market for first time.(services and management of Lloyd's of London)
August 20, 2007... Byline: STUART COLLINS LONDON-The first transfer of a book of nonlife business from a Lloyd's of London syndicate to outside the market is expected to be followed by other similar deals. The recent shift of a book of U.K. auto...