Business Insurance articles from January 2009

Business Insurance archives from January 2009

People Watch.(Spotlight Report)(Business Insurance )(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... As part of our series of annual review features, Business Insurance takes a look at the people and stories that had a significant impact over the past 12 months and identifies some of the people who we think are likely to make headlines this...

In Brief: Mass. ups penalties for lack of health cover.(Briefs)
January 5, 2009... Massachusetts residents who are not covered under a health insurance plan in 2009 face higher financial penalties under newly proposed rules. The maximum penalty for those with incomes exceeding 300% of the federal poverty level would be $89...

Insured catastrophe losses hit $45 billion in '09: Report; Busy hurricane season, U.S. tornadoes help drive up losses, Munich Re says.(News)
January 5, 2009... Byline: JEFF CASALE MUNICH, Germany-Catastrophes caused more than $200 billion in economic losses in 2008, while insured losses totaled $45 billion, according to research from Munich Re Group. Overall losses for 2008 were up more than...

Snowman heats up holiday season.(End Page)(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... A jumbo-sized snowman snow globe seems harmless-until it causes something in your home or office to catch fire. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced a recall of 7,000 jumbo-sized snowman snow globes made by Kansas...

AIG sells HSB to Munich Re for $742 million; Sale of first major insurance asset shows difficulties AIG sell-off plan faces: Analysts.(News)
January 5, 2009... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN NEW YORK-American International Group Inc.'s recent decision to sell its HSB Group Inc. subsidiary to Munich Reinsurance Co. for $742 million-far less than the $1.2 billion AIG paid for HSB in 2000-shows the...

Students finding market for skills in risk, insurance.(News)
January 5, 2009... Byline: JEFF CASALE The role of insurance and risk management is evolving at the college level, with universities offering more courses and putting greater emphasis on such fields' role in business-and students are taking note. ...

History repeats itself.(Commentary)(Viewpoint essay)
January 5, 2009... Byline: Joanne Wojcik A former colleague of mine who went in and out of the insurance publishing business several times during his career once said that every time he returned he felt like he had never left because the issues remained the...

Coverage protects small hotels, motels.(Market Moves)
January 5, 2009... NOVATO, Calif.-Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. has introduced a coverage line for the hospitality industry to assist small business hotel and motel owners. The bundled coverage offers protection from losses associated with assets, income and...

Maurice R. Greenberg.(C.V. Starr & Co. Inc)
January 5, 2009... Byline: Douglas McLeod Chairman and Chief Executive Officer C.V. Starr & Co. Inc. New York His role: Working to build C.V. Starr's managing general agency and investment business while dealing with the fallout from his 2005...

U.S. regulators seek to increase visibility; New reinsurance regulations adopted.(National Association of Insurance Commissioners)
January 5, 2009... Byline: MEG FLETCHER U.S. state insurance regulators are taking several steps to increase their visibility and involvement in international regulatory affairs. They want to steer global insurance policy to encourage a proper level "of...

Doctor cuts fat from gas costs.(End Page)(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... A Beverly Hills medical doctor's reported efforts to convert patients' liposuction fat into biodiesel fuel might well have captivated the imagination not just of lawyers but also surplus lines underwriters, who have been on the hunt for...

Timothy F. Geithner.(Spotlight Report)(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... Byline: Mark A. Hofmann Secretary-designate U.S. Treasury Department Washington HIS ROLE: Barring unforeseen developments, Mr. Geithner (pronounced gyte-nerr) should breeze through the confirmation process to become head of...

On the Web.(Briefs)(Podcast)
January 5, 2009... BI VIDEO Latest video in risk series focuses on ERM In the latest "Issues in Risk Management" video, enterprise risk management experts Jack Hampton of St. Peter's College and Bob Morrell of Riskonnect discuss the state of ERM and how...

Market may turn in late 2009: Study; If economic conditions persist, next hard market may last awhile.(News)
January 5, 2009... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS Underwriting losses and anemic investment returns are putting pressure on rates, and absent a major catastrophe, insurance buyers should expect to start paying more for their commercial insurance beginning in the...

Michael S. McGavick.(Spotlight Report)
January 5, 2009... Byline: Colleen McCarthy Chief Executive Officer XL Capital Ltd. Hamilton, Bermuda HIS ROLE: Michael S. McGavick took over the reins at XL Capital Ltd. in May with hopes of turning the struggling Bermuda-based insurer and...

Barack Obama; President-elect of the United States.(Spotlight Report)(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... Byline: Jerry Geisel HIS ROLE: Former U.S. senator from Illinois Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States. WHAT'S AHEAD: President-elect Obama is serious about health care reform. On the presidential campaign...

Rep. Pete Stark.(Spotlight Report)(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... Byline: Jerry Geisel Chairman House Ways and Means Health subcommittee D-Calif. HIS ROLE: Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., chairman of the House Ways and Means subcommittee has made clear what he thinks of health savings accounts....

Tom Daschle.(Spotlight Report)(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... Byline: Jerry Geisel Secretary-designate U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Washington HIS ROLE: President-elect Obama has named Tom Daschle to run a soon-to-be-created White House office for health reform, and has...

Paula Rosput Reynolds.(Spotlight Report)(American International Group Inc.)(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... Byline: Judy Greenwald Vice Chairman and Chief Restructuring Officer American International Group Inc. New York HER ROLE: American International Group Inc. Vice Chairman and Chief Restructuring Officer Paula Rosput Reynolds,...

Tough times a chance to step up to the plate.(Viewpoint essay)(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... 2009 IS FORECAST to be a challenging year for risk managers and benefit managers-hardly a surprise given the ongoing global economic turmoil. As we report on page 1, buyers are steeling themselves for a year where they must do more with...

Errors & Omissions.(Correction notice)
January 5, 2009... A risk management consulting firm listing in the Dec. 29 Market Sourcebook contained an incorrect address and telephone number. Risk Resources Inc./Corporate Policyholders Counsel can be reached at 185 S. York St., Elmhurst, Ill. 60126 and at...

Health care reformers should look to Mass.(Viewpoint essay)(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... IT ISN'T OFTEN that a state so quickly reaches a broad policy goal through legislation, so Massachusetts' groundbreaking health care reform law is worth noting. Enacted in 2006, the law was intended to move the state close to universal...

U.S. authorizes ship war risk cover; Department of Transportation program offers coverage for Black Sea risks.(News)
January 5, 2009... Byline: ZACK PHILLIPS A little-known U.S. government program offers marine war risk insurance for commercial vessels when private insurance is essentially unavailable. Late last month, the program through the Department of...

Ramani Ayer.(Spotlight Report)(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... Byline: Judy Greenwald Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. Hartford, Conn. HIS ROLE: Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ramani Ayer, who has held...

Appeals court rules against Unum Group; LTD provider faulted for coverage denial.(News)(First UNUM Life Insurance Co.)
January 5, 2009... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS NEW YORK-A unit of Unum Group abused its discretion and operated under a conflict of interest when it denied disability benefits to a cancer sufferer, a federal appeals court has ruled. The 2nd U.S. Circuit...

More employers embrace captive benefits funding; Government OKs record number of proposals.(News)(Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center)
January 5, 2009... Byline: JERRY GEISEL WASHINGTON-Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center last week became the latest employer to receive final authorization from the Labor Department to fund benefits through a captive, in a record year for such approvals....

Eric Dinallo.(Spotlight Report)(New York State Insurance Department)(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... Byline: Colleen McCarthy Superintendent New York State Insurance Department New York HIS ROLE: New York Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo is in his second year of duty leading the state's insurance department. The...

Cost-cutting in benefits; Uncertainties shadow health care, retirement plans.(News)
January 5, 2009... Byline: KRISTIN GUNDERSON HUNT Benefit managers have entered 2009 with a host of concerns regarding their departments' operations and their employee benefits offerings in the wake of the dismal economy. From curbs on benefits offerings...

Burress has wild ride in 2008.(End Page)(Plaxico Burress)(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... It's not like New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress doesn't have enough to worry about. After all, a few weeks ago he managed to shoot himself accidentally during a visit to a Manhattan nightclub. That led to felony weapons...

Brian Duperreault.(Spotlight Report)(Brief article)
January 5, 2009... Byline: Sally Roberts President and Chief Executive Officer Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc. New York HIS ROLE: The former ACE Ltd. CEO came out of retirement in January 2008 to become president and CEO of Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc....

College grads enter real world with caution; Job opportunities in insurance industry scarce, competitive.(News)
January 5, 2009... Byline: JEFF CASALE When Eric Tonn took a summer internship with a major brokerage firm in Atlanta, he expected to handle copy machine duties for his first week. He was wrong. Instead, the insurance broker put him to work on the...

ERNIE CSISZAR.(Comings & Goings)(Bridge Strategy Group L.L.C.)
January 5, 2009... NEW JOB TITLE: Director of insurance at Chicago-based Bridge Strategy Group L.L.C. PREVIOUS POSITION: President and CEO of Property Casualty Insurers Assn. of America CHANGE THE INDUSTRY: I'm a former regulator, and I truly understand...

MARKET MOVES: Swett unit switches to Darwin from Lexington.(Briefs)(Managed Care Services appointing Darwin Professional Underwriters Inc)(Edgewood Partners Insurance Center acquiring Complete Insurance Inc.)(BB&T Insurance Services Inc acquiring J. Rolfe Davis Insurance)
January 12, 2009... FARMINGTON, Conn.-Managed Care Services, a division of Atlanta, Ga.-based Swett & Crawford Group, has changed underwriters after 35 years with Lexington Insurance Co. Effective Feb. 15, Managed Care will use the services of Darwin...

Gallagher settles suit against Edgewood; Dozens of employees left Gallagher for California startup.(News)(Arthur J. Gallagher and Co.)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS ITASCA, Ill.-Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. said last week that it reached a "mutually agreeable and confidential resolution'' to a conspiracy lawsuit it filed against a start-up broker that recruited dozens of Gallagher...

Sears suspends match for 401(k) contributions; Makes third change to retirement program.(News)(Sears Holdings Corp.)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... Byline: JERRY GEISEL HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.-Sears Holdings Corp. is suspending its 401(k) plan match as the giant retailer continues to cut back on its retirement plan benefits. In a memo to employees, Sears Interim Chief Executive...

Property coverage rates reach the basement.(Spotlight Report: Property/Casualty Market Report)
January 12, 2009... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN The lengthy free fall of commercial property rates may be coming to an end. Although rates in general still are lower than they were a year ago, risk managers, brokers and underwriters see some signs of firming...

E&O prices begin to firm during year-end renewals.(Spotlight Report: Property/Casualty Market Report)(errors and omissions liability insurance )
January 12, 2009... Byline: DAVE LENCKUS Brokers and insurers disagree over whether professionals could negotiate rate cuts during year-end renewals, but they concur that the errors and omissions liability insurance market is not as soft as it was a year ago....

More risk managers test liability market; Buyers question financial stability of existing insurers.(Spotlight Report: Property/Casualty Market Report)
January 12, 2009... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS Most risk managers are shopping their programs during the latest renewals, often out of concern about the financial stability of their incumbent insurer, experts say. Although many buyers stuck with their existing...

Insurers seek more details on risk changes.(Spotlight Report: Property/Casualty Market Report)
January 12, 2009... Byline: Mark A. Hofmann Information is king as risk managers renew property insurance programs, particularly as the tough economy results in more vacant properties, underwriters and brokers say. The economic downturn means...

Insurers vie for big comp accounts despite other pressures.(Spotlight Report: Property/Casualty Market Report)
January 12, 2009... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS Workers compensation insurance buyers are witnessing a market in transition. Some still are seeing lower prices, although the declines are far less than in recent years. The poor economy, meanwhile, is...

Rising tide of higher rates seeps through marine sector.(Spotlight Report: Property/Casualty Market Report)
January 12, 2009... Byline: ZACK PHILLIPS Large losses and higher reinsurance rates have begun to harden marine insurance pricing, market observers say. The firming market comes at an inauspicious time for shippers, as the shipping boom recedes in the...

Autistic kids need help in getting care covered.(Commentary)
January 12, 2009... Byline: Regis Coccia As economic turmoil grips the nation and increases the ranks of those without health care insurance, making coverage more affordable is certain to occupy Congress and the Obama administration. One group, however, has...

Cleanup coverage win may aid many buyers.(News)
January 12, 2009... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS RIVERSIDE, Calif.-A California appellate court ruling that allows policyholders to "stack'' coverage limits over multiple policy years will affect insurance recovery cases beyond the environmental liability issues...

FAA extends war risk coverage for airlines; Commercial-market alternative authorized through end of August.(News)(Federal Aviation Administration)
January 12, 2009... Byline: ZACK PHILLIPS President Bush has authorized the Department of Transportation to continue a program to write war risk insurance for U.S. airlines, extending a government program that has become the sole avenue by which major...

New Vermont captives to get tax break.(News)
January 12, 2009... Byline: JERRY GEISEL MONTPELIER, Vt.-Organizations that set up captives in Vermont this year and next would receive a one-time $7,500 credit to offset their premium taxes and sponsors of smaller captives would receive a one-time exemption...

Transparency lowers risk for risk advisers.(United Kingdom. Financial Services Authority investigating corrupt business practices)(Viewpoint essay)
January 12, 2009... AON CORP.'S multimillion-dollar fine by the U.K. Financial Services Authority over past placement practices reminds us of the aphorism, "Physician, heal thyself.'' As we report on page 1, the FSA is investigating U.K. brokers' trading...

Greenberg wants answers in sale of HSB to Munich Re.(News)(HSB Group Inc. acquired with Munich Reinsurance Co.)(Maurice R. Greenberg )(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... Byline: Judy Greenwald NEW YORK-Former American International Group Inc. chairman Maurice R. Greenberg said he wants answers to questions about the announced deal to sell AIG subsidiary HSB Group Inc. to Munich Reinsurance Co. for $742...

RIMS lobbying efforts remain on right course.(Opinion)(Risk & Insurance Management Society Inc.)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... IF THE RISK & INSURANCE Management Society Inc.'s legislative agenda for the new Congress looks familiar, that's just what it should be. As we report on page 4, RIMS plans to continue pushing for a series of reforms it has lobbied for in...

COBRA subsidy proposal has support in Congress.(News)
January 12, 2009... Byline: JERRY GEISEL WASHINGTON-Congressional negotiators trying to assemble a mammoth economic stimulus bill are considering including a provision to have the federal government subsidize COBRA health care continuation premiums for...

FMLA rule tweaks help ease concerns; Questions remain over sporadic leave, medical definitions.(News)(Family and Medical Leave Act )
January 12, 2009... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD WASHINGTON-Recent regulations governing the Family and Medical Leave Act, which take effect this week, will help ease employers' administrative burden in some respects, say observers. But the regulations fail to...

FMLA REGULATION UPDATES.(News)(Family and Medical Leave Act)
January 12, 2009... Changes in Labor Department regulations governing the Family and Medical Leave Act, which take effect Friday, include: Military Caregiver Leave. Eligible employees who are family members of covered service members will be able to take up to...

In Brief; Marsh taps Eslick to chair agency unit.(Briefs)(Marsh & McLennan Companies Inc.)
January 12, 2009... David L. Eslick, a former top executive at USI Holdings Ltd., has been named chairman of the soon-to-be launched Marsh & McLennan Agency L.L.C. The agency, which will serve U.S. companies with less than $75 million in revenues, will begin...

Financial crisis pushes some D&O rates sharply higher; But many buyers outside of finance see prices fall further.(Spotlight Report: Property/Casualty Market Report)
January 12, 2009... Byline: DAVE LENCKUS The financial crisis has driven up the frequency and severity of securities fraud claims, but directors and officers liability insurers were taking a measured response at year-end renewals, market executives and risk...

Comings & Goings: BRIAN KUHLMAN.(Up Close)
January 12, 2009... NEW JOB TITLE: Senior vp, Aon Risk Services Inc., Tampa, Fla. PREVIOUS POSITION: Senior vp, Wachovia Corp., Tampa. VITAL STATISTICS: I've been in the industry for 21 years. CHALLENGES FACING THE INDUSTRY: The big challenge right now...

New TSA uniforms prompt rash of complaints.(End Page)(Transportation Security Administration )(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... Transportation Security Administration employees could be itching their way toward workers comp claims, given rashes they blame on new uniforms. The agency responsible for U.S. airport security recently switched from white shirts to blue...

Hack attack is such tweet sorrow for Twitter.(End Page)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... An 18-year-old hacker calling himself GMZ gained access into 33 Twitter accounts last week, including those used by Barack Obama, Britney Spears, CNN's Rick Sanchez (see posted image below) and Fox News, news reports said. According to the...

Ironshore lures top AIG Environmental execs; AIG's bench still deep, despite string of hires by Bermuda insurer.(News)(American International Group Inc.)
January 12, 2009... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS NEW YORK-Two-year-old specialty insurer Ironshore Inc. continues to expand its operations at the expense of a struggling American International Group Inc. One month after hiring the top two executives of AIG's...

IRONSHORE HISTORY.(News)(Brief article)(Calendar)
January 12, 2009... Major events since the specialty insurer formed following Hurricane Katrina January 2007 Ironshore Inc. launches in Bermuda with more than $1 billion in capital from private equity investors as a global property catastrophe...

EXECUTIVE SWITCH.(News)(Joseph Boren selected at Ironshore Inc.)(Scott Fitzmaurice selacted at Ironshore Inc.)(Greg Flood selected at Ironshore Inc.)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... Members of Ironshore Inc.'s senior management team who came from American International Group Inc. Joseph Boren -Chief executive officer of Ironshore's environmental division -Former chairman and CEO of AIG Environmental Scott...

Got a lust for life? Buy insurance online.(End Page)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... The auto insurance advertising war has gotten a bit more punk. U.K.-based Swiftcover.com, an online-only insurance company, launched an ad campaign last week featuring a shirtless Iggy Pop, former frontman for the band The Stooges. The...

Reinsurers push hard for increased prices; Some cat insurers see rates hikes as much as 50.(Spotlight Report: Property/Casualty Market Report)
January 12, 2009... Byline: COLLEEN McCARTHY Reinsurance rates for January renewals have risen as much as 50% due to catastrophe losses and the financial crisis, but prices vary widely depending on geography and lines of business, observers say. "Overall,...

Class action suits surge in wake of credit crisis.(News)
January 12, 2009... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN The subprime mortgage crisis helped push the number of federal securities class actions up 19% in 2008 from a year earlier, according to a report last week by the Stanford Law School Securities Class Action...

RIMS keeps legislative aims in focus despite power shifts in Washington.(News)(Risk and Insurance Management Society Inc.)
January 12, 2009... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN NEW YORK-Changes in the White House and on Capitol Hill have not changed the Risk & Insurance Management Society Inc.'s federal legislative approach. "RIMS has always had a tradition of working in a bipartisan...

Congress forces AIG to delay deferred compensation.(News)(American International Group Inc.)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... Byline: Mark A. Hofmann NEW YORK-At the request of key congressional leaders, American International Group Inc. won't immediately pay out $93.3 million in employee compensation to former employees and agents and certain executives. ...

Chinese regulatory group frames insurance rating system; CIRC to classify insurers, brokers to increase openness.(News)(Chinese Insurance Regulatory Commission )
January 12, 2009... Byline: MEG FLETCHER BEIJING-Chinese insurance regulators last week outlined frameworks for evaluating and rating the financial and operational stability of all insurers and insurance intermediaries operating in China. In statements,...

U.K. regulator fines Aon for lax bribery controls; Record penalty follows warning to brokers to guard against graft.(News)(Financial Services Authority)
January 12, 2009... Byline: SARAH VEYSEY LONDON-The Financial Services Authority's record fine on Aon Ltd. for lax anti-bribery and corruption controls should sound an alarm for all insurance intermediaries, experts say. The U.K. financial regulator,...

Large losses jump-start hardening in energy market; Gulf of Mexico risks likely to be hit with highest rate increases.(Spotlight Report: Property/Casualty Market Report)(Financial report)
January 12, 2009... Byline: ZACK PHILLIPS Substantial losses in 2008 and other factors mean offshore and onshore energy insurance buyers are facing a firming market, insurers and market observers say. Onshore and offshore rates are rising by 10% or more,...

Errors & Omissions.(Corrections)(Correction notice)
January 12, 2009... An agent and broker firm listing in the 2009 Market Sourcebook contained incorrect information. Connor Strong Cos. Inc., ranked No. 35, has 346 employees. Its principal officer is is Michael Tiagwad, president/CEO.

Focused design weds planning and insurance.(Opinion)(Brief article)
January 12, 2009... Design your insurance program with the same discipline you use to run your business, says Robert L. Fogle, senior vp and corporate risk officer for HNTB Cos., an architectural, design and planning firm in Kansas City, Mo. This allows you to...

Economic crisis increases collateral concerns.(Spotlight Report: Property/Casualty Market Report)
January 12, 2009... Byline: Sally Roberts Firming rates and heavy marketing of accounts had company during the Jan. 1 general liability renewals. Collateral discussions also took center stage, brokers and insurers say. While insurers have not necessarily...

On the Web.(News)
January 12, 2009... AIG IN CRISIS Online coverage includes AIG asset sale updates Business Insurance continues its online coverage of the breakup of global financial services giant American International Group Inc. The package includes up-to-date coverage...

Insurers seek more details on risk changes.(Spotlight Report: Property/Casualty Market Report)
January 12, 2009... Byline: Mark A. Hofmann ***** Correction: A story in the Jan. 12 issue, "Insurers Seek More Details on Risk Changes,'' misstated loss control advice provided by Randy Schreitmueller, vp at Johnston, R.I.-based Factory Mutual Insurance...

P/C sector 'in good shape:' Forum.(News)
January 19, 2009... Byline: RODD ZOLKOS NEW YORK-The property/casualty insurance industry performed far better than other sectors of the financial services industry in 2008, according to a group of industry insiders and experts gathered in New York last week....

Texas pulls uninsured motorists off the road.(End Page)(Brief article)
January 19, 2009... If you live in Texas and your auto insurance premium is sky high, blame your neighbor who may be uninsured. According to a Jan. 11 report by the Dallas Morning News, Texas insurance officials estimate that 20%, or about 4 million, of all...

N.Y. physician pay deal may hike costs: Experts; Settlement over reimbursement rates could hit employers.(News)
January 19, 2009... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK NEW YORK-Employers likely will pay more for health care as a result of an agreement reached last week between New York's attorney general and UnitedHealth Group Inc. The agreement will see UnitedHealth spin off...

Group effort needed for health care reform.(Opinion)(Brief article)
January 19, 2009... Sixteen years ago, the Clinton administration embarked on what became its ill-fated drive to revamp the nation's health care delivery and financing system, and employers by and large stayed on the sidelines. That reticence to get involved...

11-hour truck driver limit focuses on fatigue.(News)
January 19, 2009... Byline: JEFF CASALE WASHINGTON-Jeff Izer was 17 years old when his car was run over by a tractor-trailer truck after the driver fell asleep at the wheel. On Oct. 10, 1993, Mr. Izer and four other teenagers were in the breakdown lane of...

Counting them out; Employers struggle to comply with diverse leave requirements.(Benefits Management)
January 19, 2009... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS Whether President-elect Barack Obama will expand the Family and Medical Leave Act as promised during his race for the White House could depend on the nation's economic health, consultants say. But even without...

Coca-Cola seeks OK for retiree captive plan; VEBA-based program could provide model for other companies.(News)
January 19, 2009... Byline: JERRY GEISEL WASHINGTON-If Coca-Cola Co. wins regulatory approval to fund retiree health care benefits through a special trust and its captive insurance company, it could blaze a trail for other employers looking to do the same....

Energy capacity shrinks as storm losses mount.(News)
January 19, 2009... Byline: ZACK PHILLIPS The departure of a Lloyd's of London insurer from the Gulf of Mexico offshore windstorm market illustrates the sector' s shrinking capacity in the wake of the 2008 hurricane season, brokers and observers say. ...

New truck driving rule needs risk management.(Opinion)(Brief article)
January 19, 2009... A FEDERAL TRUCK DRIVING hours of service rule that goes into effect this week leaves plenty of room for risk management. While the restriction on the time truck drivers are allowed behind the wheel during their workday goes some way toward...

On the Web.(Briefs)
January 19, 2009... BI VIDEO Program trains vets for jobs in risk, insurance Finding and keeping talent is an ongoing challenge for the insurance industry. Business Insurance explores that in a new video report on the "Wounded Warrior'' project, which...

Sabbatical programs aid work/life balance; Time-off benefits seen as retention tool by some employers.(Benefits Management)
January 19, 2009... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS In addition to family and medical leave programs, some employers offer their employees extended leaves of absence to pursue personal endeavors or just rejuvenate. The purpose of such leaves or sabbaticals is...

Big brokers target smaller accounts; Marsh, Aon, Willis revamp strategies to expand business.(News)(Company overview)
January 19, 2009... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS Although the world's biggest brokers may be known for their large-account focus, they have their sights set on the smaller commercial account marketplace as an area for future growth. Brokerage executives and...