Business Insurance articles from July 2003

Business Insurance archives from July 2003

Guaranty funds suing Reliance liquidator.(News)
July 7, 2003... Byline: GAVIN SOUTER PHILADELPHIA-Guaranty funds in 25 states are suing the Pennsylvania insurance commissioner, seeking reimbursements for claims payments they have made to Reliance Insurance Co. policyholders with large-deductible...

U.S. court rules on Hawaiian pollution cover.(News)
July 7, 2003... Byline: DAVE LENCKUS HONOLULU-With no Hawaii court rulings to guide it and without deciding the meaning of the sudden-and-accidental pollution exclusion, a federal district court has ruled that general liability insurers must defend...

You've got to know when to fold 'em.(News)
July 7, 2003... Byline: Paul Winston How refreshing it was to hear a judge essentially tell a group of investors last week that they have no one but themselves to blame for their stock market losses. Such candor from the bench is all too rare as...

Employers to benefit from Medicare Rx plan; Subsidies would bring retiree plan savings.(News)
July 7, 2003... Byline: JERRY GEISEL WASHINGTON-Employers that agree to continue providing retirees with prescription drug benefits that are as generous as those provided under Medicare expansion legislation passed by the House and Senate last month would...

Australian regulators charge Adler, others.(International)(Rodney Adler, a director of HIH Insurance Ltd.)
July 7, 2003... Byline: Sarah Veysey SYDNEY, Australia-Australian authorities have charged Rodney Adler, the former head of FAI Insurance Ltd. and a director of HIH Insurance Ltd., with stock market manipulation and making false statements about HIH...

Surgery raising cost of health care.(News)
July 7, 2003... Byline: KATIE MERX Demand for procedures that make life easier is rapidly increasing the cost of health care, according to executives at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Michigan. Among the most expensive procedures for the Blues plan are...

Market offers opportunity.(Opinions)(Forecast for property/casualty insurance rate increases may be cloudy, but there's a silver lining for risk managers.)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... THE FORECAST for property/casualty insurance rate increases may be cloudy, but there's a silver lining for risk managers. As our Midyear Market Report beginning on page 10 notes, rates are still rising across most lines of business, and in...

Editorial: Drug benefit fair to all.(Opinions)(House and Senate recognize importance of encouraging employers to retain retiree prescription drug benefit plans)(Editorial)
July 7, 2003... While a final congressional agreement on adding a prescription drug benefit to the Medicare program still is a ways off, we're encouraged that both the House and Senate recognize the importance of encouraging employers to retain their retiree...

Flood of e-mails to company is not illegal trespass: Court.(News)
July 7, 2003... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK SAN FRANCISCO-The California Supreme Court's ruling that unauthorized use of company e-mail systems is not a form of trespassing doesn't mean that employers can't protect themselves from unwanted e-mail, attorneys...

Employers to review diversity policies; Supreme Court guidance on affirmative action.(News)
July 7, 2003... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD Employers should re-examine their diversity and affirmative action policies in light of the U.S. Supreme Court's decisions in two cases involving the University of Michigan's admissions policies. In its 5-4...

Judge dismisses dotcom investors' suit; Federal securities laws not intended as 'speculators' insurance'.(News)(Investors had sought to recover their losses from Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... Byline: GAVIN SOUTER NEW YORK-Investors who lost money on Internet stocks during the market boom cannot recoup their losses from analysts who recommended the stocks, a federal judge has ruled. The investors, who sought to recover their...

Wal-Mart anti-discrimination policy extended to homosexual workers.(News)
July 7, 2003... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS BENTONVILLE, Ark.-Wal-Mart Stories Inc. has expanded anti-discrimination protections to its gay and lesbian employees, but still has no plans to extend health benefits to domestic partners of those employees, the...

Policyholder wins pollution dispute; New York high court says exclusion doesn't apply in bodily injury case.(News)(New York State Court of Appeals ruling related commercial general liability policy written by TIG Insurance Co. for Belt Painting Corp.)
July 7, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD ALBANY, N.Y.-A ruling by New York's highest court that the total pollution exclusion is ambiguous and cannot be used to deny coverage for bodily injury from paint fumes is being called a significant policyholder...

World Updates.(International)(Joint committee working to develop revised risk management standard for Australia and New Zealand has circulated a draft for public comment; notes other news)
July 7, 2003... Revised risk standard proposed Down Under A joint committee working to develop a revised risk management standard for Australia and New Zealand has circulated a draft for public comment. A final version by the Standards Australia/Standards...

Employers often face preventable lawsuits.(News)
July 7, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL PRINCE ORLANDO, Fla.-Organizations get sued for many reasons not under their control, but sometimes they get themselves into trouble, says an attorney who has represented employers in suits for decades. Often, an...

Late News; Allegheny buys E&S unit from RSA.(Allegheny Corp. buys excess and surplus lines underwriting agency Royal Specialty Underwriting Inc. from Royal & SunAlliance Insurance Group P.L.C.; notes other news)
July 7, 2003... Allegheny Corp. has acquired excess and surplus lines underwriting agency Royal Specialty Underwriting Inc. from Royal & SunAlliance Insurance Group P.L.C. for about $115 million. The acquisition, through the company's Allegheny Insurance...

15,000 attend conference.(News)(Society for Human Resource Management conference)(Brief Article)
July 7, 2003... ORLANDO, Fla.-Nearly 15,000 people descended on Orlando, Fla., last month to attend the 55th annual conference of the Society for Human Resource Management. Besides soaking up the Florida warmth, attendees strolled the meeting's vast...

Double-digit rate hikes continue for workers comp; Terrorism coverage is a new consideration at renewals for many buyers.(Spotlight: Midyear Market Report)
July 7, 2003... Byline: MEG FLETCHER Workers compensation coverage is seeing double-digit price increases, largely due to rising medical costs, and the issue of terrorism coverage is complicating the renewal process somewhat. From a coverage...

Products & Services; Disaster recovery classes now available online.(Briefs)
July 7, 2003... FALLS CHURCH, Va.-DRI International is offering its entry-level business continuity training courses online. DRI, formerly known as the Disaster Recovery Institute, provides coursework to risk managers and others who are seeking the...

U.K. asbestos exclusions likely to spread; Insurers cite reinsurer withdrawal of coverage.(International)
July 7, 2003... Byline: CAROLYN ALDRED LONDON-Recent moves by some U.K. public liability insurers have risk managers concerned that they may soon find it difficult to obtain coverage for asbestos liabilities. Compounding buyers' worries are new...

New approach urged for employee benefits; Consider company goals: Consultant.(News)
July 7, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL PRINCE ORLANDO, Fla.-Employers need to develop a strategic approach to providing employee benefits, examining each offering to determine whether it advances the company's larger goals, a benefit consultant says. ...

Punitives ruling at center of last high court term; Health care cases also affect business.(News)
July 7, 2003... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN WASHINGTON-Employers will long remember the just-ended Supreme Court term for a single decision among the various rulings handed down by the justices. In an otherwise lackluster term for liability cases, the...

Pension plan sponsors vocal on benchmark proposal.(News)
July 7, 2003... Byline: VINEETA ANAND WASHINGTON-Corporate America is waging a lobbying campaign to avert a Treasury Department proposal that could require many of the nation's top companies to report higher pension liabilities and shovel more money into...

Tight market conditions continue for reinsurers; Ceding insurers making demands for additional security.(Spotlight: Midyear Market Report)
July 7, 2003... Byline: DOUGLAS McLEOD and JUDY GREENWALD Market conditions remain tight at midyear for property/casualty reinsurance as reinsurers deal with an emerging trend: demand by ceding insurers for additional security to back reinsurance...

Public sector market tough; Assn. of Local Authority Risk Managers conference.(International)
July 7, 2003... Byline: NEIL HODGE MANCHESTER, England-The public sector insurance market is dominated by a handful of insurers, and rates are unlikely to decrease anytime soon regardless of risk mitigation efforts, say local authority risk managers. ...

Between the Lines.(News)(Pima County, Ariz., Risk Manager Dave Parker becomes pro bono public adjuster following recent fires that destroyed about 320 homes and eight businesses )
July 7, 2003... Byline: Compiled by Joanne Wojcik Risk manager lends a helping hand Pima County, Ariz., Risk Manager Dave Parker became a pro bono public adjuster following recent fires that destroyed about 320 homes and eight businesses in the Mount...

New rules to boost asbestos exposures; Assn. of Local Authority Risk Managers conference.(International)
July 7, 2003... Byline: NEIL HODGE MANCHESTER, England-Local government authorities could face prosecution and unlimited fines if they fail to comply with new regulations that will require them to locate and manage any trace of asbestos in owned premises,...

Liability market tightens; Buyers boosting retentions.(Spotlight: Midyear Market Report)
July 7, 2003... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK and SALLY ROBERTS Many casualty insurance buyers are experiencing a lot more pain this renewal season than in prior years, especially when purchasing first-layer excess or umbrella liability coverage. The extent...

Federal regulation of P/C industry unlikely anytime soon; Lack of consensus in industry a large barrier to federal charter.(Agent/Broker Topics)(property/casualty insurance industry)
July 7, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD There is a clear consensus on the prospects for federal regulation of property/casualty insurers: It won't happen any time soon. Beyond that, there is a sort of civil war over the issue, with camps of federal...

A/BT briefs.(Agent/Broker Topics)(National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research names state winners of its 2003 Outstanding CSR of the Year Award)
July 7, 2003... Educational organization to honor industry CSRs AUSTIN, Texas-The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research has named the state winners of its 2003 Outstanding CSR of the Year Award. The award, created in 1991 to recognize...

Agent helps lobbying efforts take root; IIABA, Georgia association issue legislative award.(Agent/Broker Topics)(Lobbying effort to deal with farmers' crop insurance problems)
July 7, 2003... Robert E. Fulwider, this year's recipient of the Sidney O. Smith Award, has worked for years to establish what he considers to be the most successful grassroots lobbying effort to deal with farmers' crop insurance problems. As an authority...

Tort reforms at top of industry wish list; Producer, insurer groups back reform of asbestos, med mal, class actions.(Agent/Broker Topics)
July 7, 2003... Byline: ALLISON REYNOLDS Agents, brokers and insurers have a long list of legislative concerns this year, and at the top of that list is litigation reform. From asbestos to medical malpractice to class-action litigation, tort reform is...

Employers focus on cost control for health savings; Disease management programs gain favor for improving care, lowering costs.(Spotlight: Midyear Market Report)
July 7, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL PRINCE To rein in rising health care costs, more employers are turning to where the big expenses are. More than in past years, employers in 2003 are adding disease management programs to their toolbox of cost-control...

Rate hikes continue for D&O; E&O stabilizing for many risks.(Spotlight: Midyear Market Report)(Directors and officers liability insurers )
July 7, 2003... Byline: DAVE LENCKUS and RODD ZOLKOS Directors and officers liability insurers continue to hit buyers with significant rate hikes-albeit somewhat lower than last year-and have begun imposing tougher policy terms and conditions. Beyond...

Property policyholders hoping to build on rate decreases.(Spotlight: Midyear Market Report)
July 7, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD and MARK A. HOFMANN It's a good time to be a good property risk. While many property buyers are still seeing moderate rate increases, risk managers with clean property loss histories are finding that...

Employee Benefits Communication Awards July 28 deadline for entries approaching.(News)
July 7, 2003... The deadline is nearing for the 31st annual Employee Benefits Communication Awards. Business Insurance launched the EBC Awards in 1972 to address concerns about the need for better communication on complex benefit issues between employers...

Enron recordkeeper not named in suit; DOL sees no liability for directed trustee.(News)(Northern Trust Co. )
July 14, 2003... Byline: ARLEEN JACOBIUS Houston-The Labor Department may be softening its position on the fiduciary liability of defined contribution plan providers. Noticeably absent as a defendant in the Labor Department's June suit against...

Med mal reform measure fails to reach Senate vote; Effort stalled for now, but backers vow to push on.(News)(medical malpractice liability reform)
July 14, 2003... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN Washington-Advocates of medical malpractice liability reform will continue pushing for reform despite Senate supporters' failure last week to get enough votes to bring a reform bill to a vote. A motion to invoke...

How to submit an article for Perspectives.(Opinions)
July 14, 2003... Business Insurance accepts articles from experts in commercial insurance, risk management and employee benefits management for publication in its Perspectives section. The section is intended to be a forum for readers' opinions and a forum...

Safety, liability concerns prompt reconsideration of smallpox vaccinations; Federal law doesn't end all worries.(News)
July 14, 2003... Byline: MEG FLETCHER The number of civilians being voluntarily inoculated for smallpox has slowed to a trickle due to several factors, including liability and safety concerns. Despite a new federal law that contains some protections...

Comings & Goings: Buyers.(News)(personnel appointments in the insurance industry)
July 14, 2003... John Bell has joined Union Bank of California in San Francisco as senior vp of insurance and risk management. Mr. Bell replaces Chris White, who joined Seattle-based Washington Mutual Bank as risk manager. Mr. Bell is responsible for the...

Directory deadline extended to July 23.(News)
July 14, 2003... Business Insurance will publish its online Directory of Property Loss Control Consultants in conjunction with the Aug. 4 issue. That issue of BI will contain a Spotlight report on catastrophe management, including a ranking of the 10 largest...

Legal Briefs; Court rules worker's suit not 'advertising' injury.(Perspectives)
July 14, 2003... The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that, under Ohio law, a worker's suit against his former employer for tortious interference with economic advantage was not an action for "advertising'' or "personal'' injury under a commercial...

Errors & omissions.(Corrections)(Correction Notice)
July 14, 2003... Due to an editing error, a Comings & Goings item in the June 30 issue provided the wrong location for Meadowbrook Insurance Group. Meadowbrook is based in Southfield, Mich.

Comings & Goings: Industry.(News)(recent insurance industry appointments)
July 14, 2003... Insurers: London-based Markel International Ltd. has made two senior-level appointments, effective Sept. 1. * Gerry Albanese has been named president and chief operating officer. Currently, Mr. Albanese is chief underwriting officer at...

Corporate compliance standards critical; Automated compliance system can help keep EPL, D&O rates down.(Perspectives)
July 14, 2003... Byline: Ken Thrasher Rising premiums and growing retentions for employment practices and directors and officers liability insurance are a source of escalating discomfort for risk managers-and the prognosis for the immediate future is not...

Derivatives cited in SCOR downgrade; S&P voices concerns over reserves for Bermuda unit.(News)(Scor S.A. )
July 14, 2003... Byline: CAROLYN ALDRED PARIS-SCOR S.A.'s unsuccessful foray into credit derivatives and alternative risk transfer was cited as a big factor in the group's downgrade earlier this month and is leading the reinsurer to restructure its...

Revive med mal reform.(Opinions)(medical malpractice liability crisis)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... THE SENATE RECENTLY lost a chance to do something about the medical malpractice liability crisis when too few of its members voted to cut off debate and move a medical malpractice liability reform bill to a vote. By doing so, lawmakers...

Employer wins ERISA case; Resigned exec denied severance benefits.(News)(Employee Retirement Income Security Act)
July 14, 2003... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD PHILADELPHIA-If a company's plan requires that an employee be laid off to receive severance benefits, a worker cannot resign and then pursue the benefits under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, says a...

Report grades New York HMOs; Plans beat national averages, but room for improvement seen.(News)
July 14, 2003... Byline: YVONNE TEEMS New York state health maintenance organizations compare favorably with managed health care plans nationally, according to a survey conducted by the New York State Health Accountability Foundation. But while all...

Market continues to firm Down Under; Brokers cite capacity crunch, concerns about insurer overpricing.(International)(insurance industry outlook in Australia)
July 14, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD Australia's insurance market continued to harden through June renewals, and some brokers are concerned that insurers may be taking advantage of market conditions and overpricing, a survey reveals. The survey of...

IRS issues final 401(k) catch-up regulations; Rules allay employer fears about 'universal availability' complications.(News)
July 14, 2003... Byline: JERRY GEISEL WASHINGTON-Final Internal Revenue Service rules remove the last major obstacle blocking employers from implementing a tax law provision that allows older employees to make so-called "catch-up'' contributions to their...

Reserve hike puts insurer in red.(International)(Exportni Garancni a Pojistovaci Spolecnost)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... Byline: Lubomir Sedlak PRAGUE, Czech Republic-Czech export guaranty insurer Exportni Garancni a Pojistovaci Spolecnost has had to increase its reserves by more than 1 billion korunas ($36 million) after a Serbian power utility defaulted on...

Coverage for Sudanese jet led by Amlin in London.(International)(Sudan Airways Boeing 737-200)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... Byline: Dave Lenckus PORT SUDAN, Sudan-Coverage for losses arising from a Sudanese passenger jet crash is led in the London commercial aviation market, according to sources. All but one of the 105 passengers and all 11 crew members...

Maine experiment worth watching.(Opinions)(creation of Dirigo Health public agency)(Editorial)
July 14, 2003... If health insurance coverage were extended to more people, could costs be reduced to such an extent as to finance the coverage extension? Maine legislators evidently think so, because that is the underlying assumption of a bold new plan...

BI launches conference Web site.(News)(11th Annual Business Insurance Workers Compensation & Disability Management Conference)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... Business Insurance has launched a new Web site for the 11th Annual Business Insurance Workers Compensation & Disability Management Conference. The site, www.BusinessInsurance. com/WCC, offers a wealth of resources, from online registration...

World Updates.(International)(insurance industry news)
July 14, 2003... Munich Re obtains license in China Munich Reinsurance Co. has been granted a countrywide composite license to do business in China. The license, the first of its kind to be given to an international reinsurance company, gives the...

Downgrade shakes SCOR; Sale, spinoff of units among retooling efforts.(News)(reinsurer SCOR S.A.)
July 14, 2003... Byline: SARAH VEYSEY PARIS-French reinsurer SCOR S.A. suffered a serious blow last week when Standard & Poor's Corp. downgraded the group to BBB+ from A-. SCOR executives expressed disappointment about the downgrade and sought to ease...

Companies, senior executives charged over U.K. rail crash.(International)
July 14, 2003... Byline: NEIL HODGE LONDON-In the same week that U.K. authorities announced that two companies and six senior directors have been charged with manslaughter over the 2000 Hatfield rail crash, significant differences of opinion still remain...

Pension funding changes proposed; Part of reform plan draws concerns.(News)
July 14, 2003... Byline: JERRY GEISEL WASHINGTON-The Bush administration's endorsement of a pension funding reform package increases the likelihood that Congress will finally answer employers' call for an overhaul of funding rules. Last week, the...

Pennsylvania regulator seeks reversal of Legion ruling.(News)(defunct insurer Legion Insurance Co. )(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... Byline: Gavin Souter HARRISBURG, Pa.-Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Diane Koken is seeking to reverse a court ruling that four large policyholders of defunct insurer Legion Insurance Co. can obtain direct payments from Legion's...

Reserve practices complicate funding plan.(News)(Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act brings questions on funding responsibility)
July 14, 2003... Byline: MEG FLETCHER WASHINGTON-A bill that would replace the current asbestos litigation system with a no-fault trust fund is raising questions about how to assess insurers their share of the funding responsibility. The bill, the...

E.C. determines aviation insurance extensions valid.(News)(European Commission)(Brief Article)
July 14, 2003... Byline: SARAH VEYSEY BRUSSELS, Belgium-The European Commission ruled late last week that government extensions to aviation insurance guarantees made last year were valid. Following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World...

Senate panel OKs asbestos reforms; Insurer group slams measure after funding burden increased.(News)(Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act)
July 14, 2003... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN WASHINGTON-An ambitious asbestos liability reform bill approved last week by the Senate Judiciary Committee faces an uncertain future when it goes to the full Senate. Amendments made to the Fairness in Asbestos...

Florida Supreme Court upholds Benlate award.(News)(E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co.'s Benlate DF fungicide)
July 14, 2003... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD TALLAHASSEE, Fla.-The Florida Supreme Court has reinstated a $4 million jury verdict against E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. in which the jury concluded that a pregnant woman's exposure to the company's Benlate DF...

Late News; EEOC to allow disparity in retiree benefits.(United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)
July 14, 2003... Employers will be able to provide less generous health care benefits to Medicare-eligible retirees than to younger retirees without being sued by federal regulators for age discrimination. Proposed regulations, which will be published today by...

Lost policies require insured to share defense costs: Court; Connecticut rules on long-tail claims.(News)
July 21, 2003... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS HARTFORD, Conn.-Policyholders are responsible for their share of defense costs in long-tail liability cases unless they have proof of insurance, according to the Connecticut Supreme Court. Following a trend among...

Amended asbestos bill losing industry support; Unwelcome changes in Senate bill.(News)
July 21, 2003... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN WASHINGTON-The often-fractious property/casualty insurance industry finds itself in agreement on one major issue: An amended asbestos liability reform bill heading toward the full Senate must not become law. ...

United seeks cover for revenues lost in wake of 9/11.(News)
July 21, 2003... Byline: DOUGLAS McLEOD NEW YORK-United Airlines Inc. is suing an American International Group Inc. unit to recover earnings lost after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks under a $25 million property terrorism and sabotage policy. ...

CIGNA faces more challenges; Health care operation continues to drag on earnings.(News)
July 21, 2003... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD PHILADELPHIA-Employers can expect CIGNA Corp. to overcome its current financial struggles, though the turnaround may take up to three years and mean higher health care costs for clients. CIGNA announced on July...

Many Canadian companies' defined benefit pensions severely underfunded.(International)
July 21, 2003... Byline: YVONNE TEEMS Following the downturn in worldwide stock markets over the past two years, Canadian companies face significant funding shortfalls for defined benefit pension plans, according to a study by UBS Securities Canada Inc....

Hedge your bets on court outcomes.(News)(Letter to the Editor)
July 21, 2003... Byline: Paul Winston Earlier this year, I had the brilliant idea of creating fantasy insurance pools for friendly wagering (BI, April 7). Given the popularity of fantasy sports pools year round, I figured there might also be demand for...

Irish proposal sets corporate standards for health, safety; Violators could be denied coverage.(International)
July 21, 2003... Byline: NEIL HODGE DUBLIN, Ireland-Irish companies that flout health and safety regulations could be denied employers liability coverage under a proposed plan being drawn up by the Irish Health and Safety Authority and the insurance...

Brokers look ahead to market turn; Largest brokers feasting now, but some are planning for leaner times.(Spotlight: World's Largest Brokers)
July 21, 2003... Byline: DAVE LENCKUS On the back of a continued hard market, each of the world's 10 largest brokers reported double-digit revenue growth in 2002, with a combined revenue increase of 14.1%. Yet, as sure as blizzard conditions will blow...

Opinions diverge on how to fix a broken system; Varied groups favor continued state regulation, federal control, a mix of both.(Insurer Topics)(Property/casualty insurers)
July 21, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD There is a clear consensus on the prospects for federal regulation of property/casualty insurers: It won't happen any time soon. Beyond that, there is a sort of civil war over the issue, with camps of federal...

When producers switch teams, it's clients who lose.(News)(Insurance producers are leaving one brokerage firm for another at a fast clip )
July 21, 2003... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS Insurance producers are leaving one brokerage firm for another at a fast clip these days, and the changes can be disruptive for risk managers, especially if legal battles over restrictive covenants develop as a...

Communicating expectations key to quality service.(Spotlight: World's Largest Brokers)(Risk managers and brokers get closer to pinning down element of quality in their relationships)
July 21, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD Risk managers and brokers are getting closer to pinning down the elusive element of quality in their relationships. After years of trying to improve the way they deal with each other, both sides have come to...

4: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.(Spotlight: World's Largest Brokers)
July 21, 2003... Byline: Dave Lenckus 2 Pierce Place Itasca, Ill. 60143 630-773-3800; fax: 630-285-4000 www.ajg.com J. Patrick Gallagher likes using baseball metaphors to describe the goings-on at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., but he would...

8: Alexander Forbes Ltd.(Spotlight: World's Largest Brokers)
July 21, 2003... Byline: Carolyn Aldred Alexander Forbes Place, 61 Katherine St., Sandown, 2196 South Africa 27-11-269-0000; fax:27-11-269-1111 www.alexanderforbes.com Alexander Forbes Ltd. has quietly established itself as one of the...

Errors & omissions.(News)
July 21, 2003... * Due to an editing error, a Comings & Goings item in the July 14 issue provided the wrong headquarters location for Swett & Crawford Group. Swett & Crawford is based in New York.

9: Hilb, Rogal & Hamilton Co.(Spotlight: World's Largest Brokers)
July 21, 2003... Byline: Mark A. Hofmann 4651 Lake Brook Drive, Glen Allen, Va. 23060 804-747-6500; fax: 804-747-6046 www.hrh.com 2002 was yet another record year for Hilb, Rogal & Hamilton Co. The Glen Allen, Va.-based brokerage...

3: Willis Group Holdings Ltd.(Spotlight: World's Largest Brokers)
July 21, 2003... Byline: Sally Roberts 10 Trinity Square London England EC3P 3AX 44-207-488-8111; fax: 44-207-481-7096 www.willis.com Three years ago, the future of Willis Group Holdings Ltd. was up in the air. While it avoided being...

1: Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc.(Spotlight: World's Largest Brokers)(Marsh Inc. is insurance brokerage unit of Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc.)
July 21, 2003... Byline: Douglas McLeod 1166 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10036 212-345-6000; fax: 212-345-3833 www.marsh.com The hard market and how to deal with it is the chief topic at Marsh Inc., the insurance brokerage unit...

5: Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group P.L.C.(Spotlight: World's Largest Brokers)
July 21, 2003... Byline: Sarah Veysey 6 Crutched Friars London EC3N 2PH, England 44-207-508-4444; fax: 44-207-528-4185 www.jltgroup.com For London-based Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group P.L.C., 2002 represented another consecutive year of...