Business Insurance articles from December 2008

Business Insurance archives from December 2008

On the web.(News)
December 1, 2008... BI WOMEN TO WATCH Read complete profiles online Business Insurance's annual Women to Watch report features women who are leaders in commercial insurance, risk management and benefits. To read the complete profiles of BI's 25 Women to...

WRITE.(Opinions)
December 1, 2008... Business Insurance welcomes letters to the editor. The section is intended to be a forum for readers' opinions and comments. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity or space. We will not publish unsigned letters. Please send your...

VOTE in the BI Online Poll at www.businessinsurance.com; This week's results.(Opinions)(Survey)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Q. Should undocumented workers be eligible for workers comp benefits? Yes: 56% No: 44% Next week's question Q: Should insurers be allowed to buy banks to access bailout funds? BI Online Poll tool is sponsored by Wausau...

Comings & Goings online.(Comings & Goings)
December 1, 2008... Visit www.BusinessInsurance.com/ComingsandGoings for a full list of this week's personnel moves and promotions. While at the site, sign up for a weekly email of comings and goings. Check our Web site daily for additional postings. POSTINGS...

Bermuda collaborates on insurer supervision; Domicile moves to comply with E.U. directive.(News)
December 1, 2008... Byline: COLLEEN McCARTHY HAMILTON, Bermuda-Bermuda's regulatory authority is hosting its first series of meetings of international regulators for the insurance sector to collaborate on assessments of some of the island's largest companies,...

Group calls for action on health care quality; Outlines targets for improvement efforts.(News)
December 1, 2008... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK The National Priorities Partnership is calling on all employers, health insurers, medical professionals, labor and government organizations and other interested parties to commit to a core list of six objectives its...

NATIONAL PRIORITIES PARTNERSHIP GOALS.(News)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... 1. Engage patients and families in managing their health and making decisions about their care. 2. Improve the health of the population. 3. Improve the safety and reliability of America's health care system. 4. Ensure patients...

Christa Davies.(Women to Watch)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Chief Financial Officer Aon Corp., Chicago 37 The company's first female chief financial officer, Christa Davies is responsible for helping Aon's president and chief executive officer drive strategic business decisions and working...

LoriAnn Lowery.(Women to Watch)(Lloyd's America Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... President, North America, Lloyd's America Inc. New York 41 LoriAnn Lowery has spent approximately six months in her position as president, North America of Lloyd's America Inc. She is responsible for North American business...

Peg Warner.(Women to Watch)
December 1, 2008... Partner McDermott, Will & Emery L.L.P. Washington 52 An accomplished trial attorney, Peg Warner litigates cases for large insurance-related companies such as Allianz Global Risks US, Travelers Cos. Inc. and Aon Corp. Ms....

Diane Larrivee.(Women to Watch)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Corporate Risk Manager, S&B Engineers & Constructors Ltd. Houston 50 Diane Larrivee is responsible for the procurement of all property/casualty and specialty lines of insurance as well as benefit programs at S&B. Within the...

Alison Borland.(Women to Watch)
December 1, 2008... Retirement Outsourcing Strategy Leader Hewitt Associates Inc., Nashville, Tenn. 35 During Alison Borland's eight-year tenure at Hewitt Associates Inc., she has helped large organizations navigate the challenges and risks...

Curb on CGL coverage creeping into market; Surplus lines terms seen in admitted policies.(News)
December 1, 2008... Byline: DAVE LENCKUS Restrictive commercial general liability insurance policies that are moving into the admitted market worry some experts that more policyholders with tough risks-particularly construction contractors-could unexpectedly...

Sarah Dalgarno.(Women to Watch)
December 1, 2008... Chief Risk Officer Arthur J. Gallagher (UK) Ltd., London 40 Sarah Dalgarno plays a significant role in implementing Arthur J. Gallagher U.K.'s international strategy and development plans. She is responsible for regulatory...

Holly Meidl.(Women to Watch)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Managing Director and National Health Care Practice Leader, Marsh Inc. Nashville, Tenn. 46 Holly Meidl is responsible for directing 550 Marsh colleagues who provide daily service to more than 1,900 health care clients. With more...

Patricia Kagerer.(Women to Watch)(C.F. Jordan Construction Services)(Interview)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Vp-Risk Management and Safety C.F. Jordan L.P., El Paso, Texas 43 Patricia Kagerer directs C.F. Jordan's risk management functions, including safety management systems, wellness initiatives, insurance and litigation. Her specialty...

Bonnie Boone.(Women to Watch)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Senior Vp and Practice Leader Alliant Health Care Solutions, Alliant Insurance Services Inc., Chicago Bonnie Boone, who has more than 30 years of industry experience, leads teams of professionals in Chicago and New York that act as...

Illegal workers pose comp care challenges; Cultural, administrative issues test case workers.(News)
December 1, 2008... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS Guiding illegal immigrants injured on the job to appropriate medical care requires workers compensation case managers and claims handlers to take on the role of social worker, detective and translator. Even...

Australian risk manager honored; David Husdon of Leighton Holdings wins RMIA annual award.(International News)(Risk Management Institution of Australia)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD PERTH, Australia-David Hudson, executive general manager, risk management for Leighton Holdings Ltd., was named the 2008 Risk Manager of the Year by the Risk Management Institution of Australasia. Mr. Hudson...

In brief.(News)(briefs)
December 1, 2008... MMC to raise $500M through stock sale Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc. plans to raise $500 million through the sale of 22.6 million shares of common stock, with the proceeds to be used for "acquisitions of other businesses, assets or...

Progressive's pet pageant proves popular with public.(End Page)(Progressive Group of Insurance Cos.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Contributing: Jeff Casale, Mark A. Hofmann, Mike Tsikoudakis Progressive Group of Insurance Cos. had a winning idea last year when it became the first auto insurer to offer free pet injury coverage to its policyholders to pay up to...

Susan Cross.(Women to Watch)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Executive Vp and Global Chief Actuary XL Capital Ltd., Hamilton, Bermuda 48 Susan Cross oversees all actuarial functions for XL Capital worldwide. She has served in multiple roles at XL, including senior vp and chief actuary of XL...

Women to watch.(briefs )
December 1, 2008... Business Insurance's Women to Watch feature is our attempt to identify some of the women who do outstanding work in commercial insurance, risk management, employee benefits and related fields. This year, 25 women are profiled, beginning on...

Jacqueline Kosecoff.(Women to Watch)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Chief Executive Officer Prescription Solutions, a unit of UnitedHealth Group Inc., Cypress, Calif. 59 Jacqueline Kosecoff has led Prescription Solutions' growth since joining the company in 2002 as executive vp. Then, it was a...

Australian storm losses could hit $161 million; Insurers take toll after deadly catastrophe.(International News)
December 1, 2008... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS BRISBANE, Australia-Severe storms that swept through southeast Queensland, Australia, during several days in November generated 28,000 property damage claims totaling $256 million Australian ($161.4 million), the...

Products & services.(briefs )
December 1, 2008... Zurich offering green endorsement SCHAUMBURG, Ill.-Zurich North America is offering an endorsement for builders and contractors to address loss exposures and expenses related to green building construction and renovation projects. ...

Coke uncaps captive plan; New tack for retiree care.(News)(Coca-Cola Co. (Atlanta, Georgia))
December 1, 2008... Byline: JERRY GEISEL ATLANTA-Coca-Cola Co., in a potentially groundbreaking move, plans to seek approval to fund retiree health care benefits through its South Carolina-domiciled captive insurance company. In a complex transaction,...

Diane Askwyth.(Women to Watch)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Senior Director of Risk Management and Insurance Schering-Plough Corp. Kenilworth, N.J. Diane Askwyth was named senior director of risk management and insurance at Schering-Plough in 2005, bringing more than 25 years of risk...

Judy Gonsalves.(Women to Watch)
December 1, 2008... Senior Vp, Excess Liability Division ACE Bermuda Insurance Ltd., Hamilton, Bermuda 42 Charged with managing ACE Bermuda's excess liability division since 2004, Judy Gonsalves was the first Bermudian woman to reach that level in...

Catherine Corrie.(Women to Watch)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Member of Japan Production and Marketing Team Benfield Group Ltd., London 38 Catherine Corrie is a member of Benfield's London-based Japan production and marketing team. Ms. Corrie places complex, multi-billion-dollar reinsurance...

Rebecca C. Amoroso.(Women to Watch)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Vice Chairman, U.S. Insurance Leader Deloitte L.L.P. Parsippany, N.J. 52 Rebecca C. Amoroso is responsible for Deloitte's overall strategy and execution across tax, audit, consulting and financial advisory services, including...

Martha Oakes.(Women to Watch)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Senior Executive, Commercial Lines Westfield Insurance Co., Westfield Center, Ohio 44 Starting at Westfield right out of college, Martha Oakes has held numerous positions with the company. She is responsible for setting the...

Health reform must add value: NBCH; Universal cover not enough; quality should be measured, rewarded.(News)(National Business Coalition on Health)
December 1, 2008... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK WASHINGTON-Value-based purchasing should be an integral component of any health reforms the nation implements, according to the National Business Coalition on Health. "The definition of health reform is not simply...

Ann Longmore.(Women to Watch)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Executive Vp, Willis Group Holdings Ltd. New York 50 An authority on management liability and developing corporate risk and insurance, Ann Longmore is a global resource for insurers, clients and colleagues on the topics of...

Industry welcomes Obama's economic team; Pick to head Treasury played significant role in AIG bailout deal.(News)
December 1, 2008... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN WASHINGTON-Insurance industry observers give high marks to President-elect Barack Obama's new economic team. Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy F. Geithner wins praise for his grasp of international economics...

WCF draws 275 to California.(News)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Jerry Geisel INDIAN WELLS, Calif.-About 275 people from around the world attended the 18th annual World Captive Forum held Nov. 17-19 at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa in Indian Wells, Calif. The annual conference is...

Attorneys disagree on whether settlement reached, then scuttled after AIG meltdown.(News)(American International Group Inc.)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Zack Phillips NEW YORK-Attorneys for Maurice R. Greenberg verbally agreed to a settlement of New York state's civil lawsuit against the former American International Group Inc. chief executive officer before backing away after the...

Sharon Ritchey.(Women to Watch)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Executive Vp and Director, Global Operations and Technology Hartford Life Inc., a subsidiary of Hartford Financial Services Group Inc., Simsbury, Conn. 49 Sharon Ritchey is the highest-ranking female executive at Hartford...

Mary Sklarski.(Women to Watch)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Chief Operating Officer, Woodruff-Sawyer & Co. San Francisco 49 Mary Sklarski is the first female chief operating officer of insurance brokerage and consulting firm Woodruff-Sawyer. She is responsible for overseeing operations...

Ruth A. Hunt.(Women to Watch)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Principal, Communication and National Health Care Communication Strategy Leader Buck Consultants L.L.C., Minneapolis Ruth Hunt is a principal and national thought leader for organizational and change communications with Buck...

Give the gift of ERM for everyday wisdom.(Commentary)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Dave Lenckus Oh, for the days when all I wanted for Christmas was two my front teeth or some boxes wrapped in festive paper that I could tear away. Nowadays, I'm not wanting for teeth-a good thing at my age-and I've evolved...

Ex-GM exec honored.(News)(award for Bruce Bradley)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Byline: Joanne Wojcik WASHINGTON-Bruce Bradley, retired director of health care strategy and public policy for Detroit-based General Motors Corp., received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Business Coalition on Health. ...

Judge dismisses lawsuit over AIG stock price fall; Hits Starr Foundation suit as 'waste of time'.(News)(American International Group Inc.)
December 1, 2008... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS NEW YORK-A state court judge has dismissed a lawsuit by The Starr Foundation against American International Group Inc. that alleged the insurer had concealed billions of dollars of credit default swap losses, blasting...

Jodi Prohofsky.(Women to Watch)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Senior Vp Operations CIGNA Corp., Eden Prairie, Minn. 43 Jodi Prohofsky oversees all operational aspects of CIGNA's strategic health service businesses, including behavioral health, employee assistance programs, health advocacy...

Chelley Schaper.(Women to Watch)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Senior Vp and Client Service Executive, Lockton Cos L.L.C. Denver 36 Chelley Schaper has spent nine of her 14 years in the insurance industry at Lockton. She was one of the youngest employees to be named a senior vp in Lockton's...

Sheila Small.(Women to Watch)
December 1, 2008... Assistant Treasurer Risk Management and Insurance, Verizon Communications Inc., Basking Ridge, N.J. Sheila Small leads a team of 19 professionals in developing and implementing the worldwide corporate risk management programs at Verizon....

Take seven steps to speed natural disaster recovery; READ: Perspectives and expert analysis online at www.businessinsurance.com/knowledgecenter.(Opinions)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... Following simple guidelines can help an organization that is confronting loss issues navigate the claims process and maximize the company's recoveries, say John Cadarette and Jake Parsons, who are executives with Chicago-based consultant Claro...

Moves highlight need to check policy terms.(Opinions)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... RISK MANAGERS buying commercial general liability coverage for construction projects should make doubly sure of their coverage terms, regardless of whether the policies are written by admitted or nonadmitted insurers. As we report on page...

Greenberg considers another run at Stowe.(End Page)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... American International Group Inc., which has gotten in hot water for holding events at pricey resorts, now may be trying to sell a resort that's also famous among skiers. Critics and members of Congress chastised the insurance giant for...

Financial crisis to hit some captives; Extra capital may be required to shore up shrinking surpluses: Expert.(News)
December 1, 2008... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS INDIAN WELLS, Calif.-Some captives could require an infusion of capital to offset recent losses in the stock market, a consultant told the World Captive Forum. But an ongoing strategy of accumulating surplus...

Lost phone yields McSteamy photos.(End Page)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... One Arkansas couple is not "Lovin' it.'' Philip and Tina Sherman filed a lawsuit against Oak Brook, Ill.-based McDonald's Corp. and others when nude pictures of Ms. Sherman surfaced on a Web site after her husband forgot his cell phone at...

Regulatory reform efforts progress as crisis continues; NAIC pushes for closer links with federal officials overseeing financial system.(News)
December 1, 2008... Byline: MEG FLETCHER Financial market turmoil and calls for more federal oversight of the state-based system of insurance regulation come as state regulators seek closer cooperation with federal authorities to help implement several...

Systemic risk demands national solution.(Opinions)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... PERHAPS THE ONLY certainty facing the incoming Obama administration's economic team is that it will face challenges the likes of which haven't been seen for decades. That's certainly true in the area of insurance. The federal government...

Up close RICHARD SARNIE.(Comings & Goings)
December 1, 2008... NEW JOB TITLE: Senior vp and chief operating officer of ALS Group, Upper Saddle River, N.J. PREVIOUS POSITION: Director of risk management, Global Crossing Ltd. VITAL STATISTICS: I've been in the industry for 23 years. I am a...

Beatty's battle over comic book gets serious.(End Page)(Warren Beatty)(Brief article)
December 1, 2008... "Calling Dick Tracy! Calling Dick Tracy!'' Actor Warren Beatty, who played the yellow trench coat-wearing detective in the 1990 movie "Dick Tracy,'' has filed a lawsuit against a unit of Tribune Co. over the rights to the comic book character....

On the web.(News)
December 8, 2008... WOMEN TO WATCH Online package features luncheon photos, video Business Insurance's first Women to Watch luncheon honoring female leaders in commercial insurance, risk management and benefits was attended by more than 200 people in New...

WRITE.(Opinions)(Letter to the editor)
December 8, 2008... Business Insurance welcomes letters to the editor. The section is intended to be a forum for readers' opinions and comments. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity or space. We will not publish unsigned letters. Please send your...

VOTE in the BI Online Poll at www.businessinsurance.com; This week's results.(Opinions)(Survey)(Brief article)
December 8, 2008... Q. Should insurers be allowed to buy banks to access bailout funds? Yes: 8% No: 92% Next week's question Q: How do you expect your company will alter its 401(k) match? BI Online Poll tool is sponsored by Wausau Insurance...

PERSPECTIVES.(Opinions)
December 8, 2008... Business Insurance accepts articles from experts in commercial insurance, risk management and employee benefits management for publication in its Perspectives section. All articles for the Perspectives page should address the concerns of...

D&O Directory deadline nears.(News)
December 8, 2008... Business Insurance will publish its first Directory of Directors and Officers Liability Insurance Providers in conjunction with the Feb. 2, 2009, issue. The issue will include a Spotlight Report on directors and officers risks. The...

BI extends nomination deadline to Dec. 15 for honor as Risk Manager of the Year.(News)
December 8, 2008... Business Insurance invites its readers to nominate candidates for the magazine's annual Risk Manager of the Year award and Risk Management Honor Roll by the extended deadline of Dec. 15. BI and the Risk & Insurance Management Society Inc....

Comings & Goings online.(Comings & Goings)
December 8, 2008... Visit www.businessinsurance.com/ComingsandGoings for a full list of this week's personnel moves and promotions. Check our Web site daily for additional postings, and sign up for the weekly e-mail. To Submit Items Business Insurance...

In brief.(News)(briefs)
December 8, 2008... Hartford shares soar on earnings guidance Shares of Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. rose significantly Friday after the insurer said it expects its 2008 core earnings per diluted share to be between $4.70 and $4.90, up from its...

Spitzer set to reform image with column on reform.(End Page)(Brief article)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Contributing: Mark A. Hofmann, Mike Tsikoudakis Eliot Spitzer has a new gig. As you recall, Mr. Spitzer, who made his name as New York attorney general as the nemesis of the insurance industry, suddenly gave up his job as...

AIG sells bank, energy unit stake; Insurer attempts to mitigate liquidity issues with new financing entity.(News)(American International Group Inc.)
December 8, 2008... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD NEW YORK-American International Group Inc. says it has agreed to sell its Swiss-based private bank and its interest in a Nebraska-based energy company while launching a financing entity intended to mitigate its...

Hardening market comes at painful time.(Commentary)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Paul Winston The global property/casualty insurance market is hardening at the very time that many of its commercial customers can least afford it. While the timing of a hard market is never convenient for buyers, it is...

Judge allows breach of duty suit as AIG, Greenberg fight over shares.(News)(American International Group Inc.)(Maurice R. Greenberg)
December 8, 2008... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD NEW YORK-A state judge last week refused to dismiss charges, including breach of fiduciary duty, against former American International Group Inc. chairman Maurice R. Greenberg and others in a battle with AIG for...

Duke sues D&O insurer for defense costs cover; Response to sports team charges sparks claim.(News)(Duke University)
December 8, 2008... Byline: DAVE LENCKUS DURHAM, N.C.-Duke University has sued executive management insurer National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburgh, Pa., for allegedly failing to cover the defense and settlement of claims Duke has faced over its...

Employers eye range of options with vision benefit plans.(Benefits Management)
December 8, 2008... Byline: NICK WHITFIELD With a range of vision benefit programs available to them, employers can offer employees choices while controlling the cost of the benefit even as general health care costs continue to rise. "If you look at the...

BIE adds Graham, Sigulla to Risk Management Honor Roll.(News)(Business Insurance Europe)(Brief article)
December 8, 2008... Byline: Michael Bradford Julia Graham, Chief Risk Officer, DLA Piper L.L.P., London Law firms are not widely recognized as organizations that stress risk management internally, but Julia Graham has spent a lot of time trying to change...

Up close STEVE MORGAN.(Comings & Goings)(Interview)
December 8, 2008... NEW JOB TITLE: Senior vp, commercial lines department, J. Rolfe Davis Insurance in Maitland, Fla. PREVIOUS POSITION: Vp, commercial lines department VITAL STATISTICS: I've got an unusual background. I started in (the insurance industry...

Guns N' Roses battles over pop promotion.(End Page)(Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc)(Brief article)
December 8, 2008... A promotion caused Guns N' Roses' lawyers to lash out at Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. In March, the Plano, Texas-based soft drink company challenged the rock band in a marketing campaign, promising a free soda for everyone in the U.S....

Court rules woman's health care cover claim a bust.(End Page)(Brief article)
December 8, 2008... A court in west-central Germany declared extremely large breasts are not an illness. The case was of a 38-year-old woman who suffered back pain and other physical problems because of the weight of her breasts, reported BILD.com. ...

Hungarian Web site provides daily updates for the ghoulish.(End Page)(Brief article)
December 8, 2008... If you don't already have enough to worry about, the AlertMap Web site might be worth a visit. The Web site, which is maintained by the Budapest, Hungary-based National Assn. of Radio-Distress Signalling and Infocommunications, provides...

Risk management honor for Thierry van Santen; Named BIE's 2008 Risk Manager of the Year.(News)
December 8, 2008... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD PARIS-A career defined by vision and innovation has earned Thierry van Santen the 2008 Business Insurance Europe Risk Manager of the Year(tm) award. The honor by the sister publication of Business Insurance...

P/C rates may begin to firm in '09; Poor results seen as possible driver for moderate rate increases.(News)(property and casualty insurance)(Survey)
December 8, 2008... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD Commercial property/casualty insurers, reeling from the double whammy of investment and catastrophe losses in the midst of a soft market, may begin to firm up overall rates next year, some observers say. The...

Second Marsh bid-rigging trial gets under way; Former broker execs allegedly had key role in steering scheme.(News)(Marsh Inc.)
December 8, 2008... Byline: COLLEEN McCARTHY NEW YORK-New York prosecutors last week accused three former Marsh Inc. executives of playing a "specific role'' in a conspiracy to steer clients to favored insurers in a bid-rigging scheme for excess casualty...

High Court to rule again in Oregon punitives case; Decision could set bar on excessive damages.(News)
December 8, 2008... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN WASHINGTON-The U.S. Supreme Court may use an Oregon case it's already ruled on twice to provide more guidance on when punitive damage awards violate the Constitution's due process provision, Chief Justice John...

Marsh in the market for another big buy? Analysts say $2B deal possible, differ on targets.(News)
December 8, 2008... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS NEW YORK-While Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc. may be shopping the brokerage marketplace with $2 billion to spend, analysts' opinions vary about what the New York-based firm may buy. MMC said late last month that it...

Hotels expected to upgrade already stringent security.(News)
December 8, 2008... Byline: ZACK PHILLIPS MUMBAI, India-Terrorist attacks at two luxury hotels among other locations in Mumbai, India, will prompt the hospitality industry to review and increase already stringent security regimes, risk managers and security...

Automakers get break on retiree health trust; Union OKs tune-up for VEBA funding schedule.(News)
December 8, 2008... Byline: JERRY GEISEL DETROIT-Last year's agreement between the United Auto Workers union and the Big Three Detroit automakers to offload tens of billions of dollars in retiree health care obligations may be retooled. Experts cited the...

Questions on punitives need to be settled soon.(Opinions)(Brief article)
December 8, 2008... THE SUPREME COURT may have another opportunity to clarify when punitive damages are so disproportionate to underlying compensatory damages as to be unconstitutional. But before the high court even considers making the most of that opportunity,...

Few employers drop vision plans despite benefits squeeze; Low coverage costs save eye care plans from cutbacks.(Benefits Management)(Survey)
December 8, 2008... Byline: NICK WHITFIELD Many employers have altered their health care plans to cope with rising costs, but the effect on vision plans has been less pronounced, due largely to their relatively low cost and far lower cost increases. ...

Market moves.(News)(briefs)(Willis Commercial Network)(Medical Arts Insurance Affiliates Ltd.)(Horton Group)
December 8, 2008... 10 British brokers join Willis network LONDON-Willis Group Holdings Ltd. said 10 British brokers have joined the Willis Commercial Network, a partnership between the London-based broker and 79 independent brokers. The newest members...