Business Insurance articles from July 2008

Business Insurance archives from July 2008

R.I. high court rejects lead paint cleanup suit; State can't compel paintmakers to pay under 'nuisance' law.(News)(Case overview)
July 7, 2008... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN PROVIDENCE, R.I.-The Rhode Island Supreme Court's rejection last week of the state's attempt to force three former makers of lead-based paint to fund the inspection and remediation of hundreds of thousands of...

19,500 join SHRM in Chicago.(News)
July 7, 2008... Byline: Kristin Gunderson Hunt CHICAGO-The Society for Human Resource Management's 60th Annual Conference & Exhibition held June 22-25 in Chicago drew approximately 13,500 paid attendees and 6,000 other individuals, including exhibitors,...

Internet complicates privacy issues; Employer rights often fuzzy amid growing use of e-mail, blogs.(News)
July 7, 2008... Byline: KRISTIN GUNDERSON HUNT CHICAGO-U.S. privacy law is an "incomplete and confusing patchwork'' for employers, especially when it comes to electronic communications in the workplace, according to experts. There is no single,...

Canadian ruling curbs punitives; High Court sides with employer in wrongful termination case.(International News)(Case overview)
July 7, 2008... Byline: GLORIA GONZALEZ OTTAWA-In a significant victory for Canadian employers, the Supreme Court of Canada overturned a damages award against an employer that fired a worker for not cooperating with its efforts to manage his...

Cat exposures pose tough challenge; Companies in Asia face far-reaching risks from natural disasters.(Spotlight: Emerging Markets: Asia)
July 7, 2008... Byline: COLLEEN McCARTHY Emerging markets in China, India and elsewhere in the Asia Pacific region are vulnerable to natural catastrophes and businesses operating there must take special care to mitigate their exposure to these risks,...

Employers should seek wider role in health care.(Opinions)(Viewpoint essay)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... Does it make sense for employers to expand their involvement in the health care arena? We think that a story on page 1 shows clearly that the answer is a resounding "yes.'' For example, efforts to make provider quality information more...

RULING'S KEY POINTS.(International News)
July 7, 2008... Canada's Supreme Court ruled for the employer in Honda Canada Inc. vs. Kevin Keays-a case involving the termination of a disabled employee, which said: * Employees are not entitled to compensation for "normal'' distress and hurt feelings...

Hospital risk manager set to make house calls; Stanford's Driver leads new consulting division.(News)
July 7, 2008... Byline: DAVE LENCKUS STANFORD, Calif.-The risk manager for a renowned medical center is launching a consulting division to help hospitals improve their risk management and assist other employers in addressing poor workers compensation...

AWAC to grow in U.S. with Darwin purchase; $550M deal adds professional liability book.(News)(Darwin Professional Underwriters Inc)
July 7, 2008... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD PEMBROKE, Bermuda-Allied World Assurance Co. Holdings Ltd.'s planned acquisition of Darwin Professional Underwriters Inc. would boost AWAC's U.S. business, though some analysts are concerned about the Bermuda...

Employer receives funding to start statewide wellness project.(News)
July 7, 2008... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK VALDOSTA, Ga.-A Georgia employer that co-founded a community-based health initiative has received $150,000 in state funding to launch a statewide wellness incentive research project at the end of this summer. The...

New York set to relax reinsurer collateral; Plan links amounts to financial strength.(News)
July 7, 2008... Byline: MEG FLETCHER NEW YORK-International reinsurers' campaign to relax collateral requirements on U.S. risks gained ground last week when New York Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo sent a regulatory modernization proposal to Gov....

In brief.(News)(Hurricane Catastrophe Fund arranging for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. to buy $4 billion of its bonds)(Attorney General Mike Cox has suing Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan Inc. of diverting money from subscribers' premiums)(Legislation opening the country's insurance market to competition passed)
July 7, 2008... Berkshire bond deal to back Florida fund Florida's Hurricane Catastrophe Fund has arranged for Berkshire Hathaway Inc. to buy $4 billion of its bonds in the event of severe hurricane-related losses this year. Under the put option...

Swiss revamp system for financial regulation; Single authority will oversee banks, insurers.(International News)
July 7, 2008... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD BERN, Switzerland-Swiss insurers and banks are moving with little fanfare toward a new single-authority regulatory system. Most market sources see little change as a result of the new regulatory regime that...

U.K. group works to develop risk management standards; Move to define role seen as way to grow buyers' influence.(International News)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... Byline: STUART COLLINS BIRMINGHAM, England-The public sector risk management association in the United Kingdom plans to launch two new sets of standards later this year in a bid to increase its influence. The Assn. of Local Authority...

Risk management in India sees significant advances; But foreign firms must still adapt to business culture.(Spotlight: Emerging Markets: Asia)
July 7, 2008... Byline: TONY DOWDING Many U.S. and European companies have established operations in India to take advantage of the nation's rapidly growing economy, where risk management practices may not match Western standards. Kavita Pandey,...

Soft rates, few lawsuits cut risks for Vietnam operations; While progress has been made, many development issues remain.(Spotlight: Emerging Markets: Asia)
July 7, 2008... Byline: DAVE LENCKUS Foreign companies investing in Vietnam face risk management issues that are far less challenging than some of the economic, infrastructure and social issues they will encounter in the rapidly developing Southeast Asian...

Trademark beef? Sue it-sue it good.(End Page)
July 7, 2008... Members of the band Devo are singing anything but a happy song about a toy being offered with McDonald's Happy Meals. The band, which reached its peak popularity with the 1980s song "Whip It,'' told the Australian Associated Press that...

Safety standards lack bite.(Spotlight: Emerging Markets: Asia)
July 7, 2008... Byline: Dave Lenckus Workplace safety is much less of a problem for companies expanding into Vietnam than for local enterprises, insurance market executives say. Companies entering the country import safety standards that, unlike...

Alabama proves no sweet home for comp exec.(End Page)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... Both sides claim a partial victory in a dispute between an insurance executive and some high-ranking Alabama officials. John Goff, who owned the Montgomery, Ala.-based Goff Group, sued Alabama Gov. Bob Riley, former Lt. Gov. Steve Windom...

Atlanta hopes to drive consumers to health museum.(End Page)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... Dr. C. Everett Koop may be a little disappointed that the National Health Museum's first physical home will be Atlanta instead of Washington's Capitol Mall as he envisioned during his time as surgeon general. But with 62% of Georgia's...

Exxon Valdez ruling should have influence.(Opinions)(Exxon Shipping Co.)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... SOMETIMES, PARSING Supreme Court opinions can be a bit difficult. The language used may be English, but the words don't carry their customary meaning. Fortunately, that was not the case in the high court's recent opinion in Exxon Shipping...

Demand rises for political risk cover; Increased investment in emerging nations drives need for protection.(Spotlight: Emerging Markets: Asia)
July 7, 2008... Byline: GLORIA GONZALEZ Surging foreign direct investment and rising commodity prices are driving increased demand for political risk insurance in emerging markets in Asia. Investors in China and Vietnam have strong demand for...

Soft insurance market, sufficient capacity helps firms spread risk of Asia investments.(Spotlight: Emerging Markets: Asia)
July 7, 2008... Byline: Gloria Gonzalez The political risk insurance market for Asian countries has sufficient and reasonably priced capacity for most exposures, although capacity can be temporarily constrained in particular countries, industry experts...

Diverse benefits needed; Differing concerns require varied approach.(News)
July 7, 2008... Byline: KRISTIN GUNDERSON HUNT CHICAGO-Benefit managers need to ensure that their companies offer the most cost-effective programs that appeal to employees' diverging needs, a consultant says. Gary B. Kushner, president of Kushner &...

Productivity research is food for thought.(End Page)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... If it's true that we are what we eat, then it would seem logical that employees who eat healthy diets have more energy and are more productive than their junk food-binging counterparts. The findings of the "2008 Health & Productivity...

Emerging market strategies; Questions & answers.(Spotlight: Emerging Markets: Asia)(interview with Joe Greco director of the Center for the Study of Emerging Markets)(Interview)
July 7, 2008... Byline: Gloria Gonzalez Joe Greco is director of the Center for the Study of Emerging Markets-formed in 1998 to promote research and education about and trade with international markets-at the Mahalo College of Business and Economics at...

Corporate governance drives need for risk management.(Spotlight: Emerging Markets: Asia)(Brief article)
July 7, 2008... Byline: Tony Dowding Observers say corporate governance is increasing in importance in India because so many corporations are listing their shares on Indian stock exchanges, which is driving the need for risk management standards. The...

Employers collaborate to improve health care.(News)
July 7, 2008... Byline: Joanne Wojcik Employers are banding together in communities across the country to effect change in their local health care delivery systems. In Kansas City, Mo., the Mid-America Coalition on Health this year began expanding its...

Products & services.(green building endorsement of XL Insurance)(new insurance policy by AIG Executive Liability)(new claims administration program by Sedgwick Claims Management Services Inc)
July 7, 2008... XL endorsement backs green rebuilding NEW YORK-XL Insurance, a unit of XL Capital Ltd., has added a green building endorsement to its property portfolio to encourage customers who experience property losses to rebuild using environmentally...

Out-of-date arbitration clause can't be enforced: Court; Employment law ruling shows need for review of worker contracts.(News)
July 7, 2008... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS SAN FRANCISCO-A state appeals court ruling that a worker is not bound by the terms of an employment arbitration clause crafted nine years ago is a clear reminder that such clauses should be reviewed and updated,...

Rating agencies eye XL's exposure to SCA; Pledge to back some losses sparks concerns.(News)(Security Capital Assurance Ltd)
July 7, 2008... Byline: DOUGLAS McLEOD HAMILTON, Bermuda-Credit market turmoil last week brought more headaches for XL Capital Ltd., as concerns about potential losses from former financial guarantee operations led Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor's...

UnitedHealth settles suits over backdating; Pacts remove distraction, but challenges remain.(News)
July 7, 2008... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK MINNETONKA, Minn.-UnitedHealth Group Inc. last week lowered its 2008 earnings projections more than 15%, said it plans to eliminate 5% of its workforce and will pay hundreds of millions to settle options backdating...

Wellness efforts need CEO support; Focus on value of healthy workers can help gain execs' attention.(News)(chief executive officer)
July 7, 2008... Byline: KRISTIN GUNDERSON HUNT CHICAGO-Risk managers promoting wellness programs must sell top management on the plan, educate everyone in the organization and keep the focus on the value of healthy workers, a benefits expert says. ...

Employers unlocking health care expertise; Community outreach efforts benefit both sides.(News)
July 7, 2008... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK In the continuing battle against rising health care costs, some employers are finding they can best help themselves by helping others. Increasingly, employers are engaging with local providers, inviting outsiders...

AXIS makes its mark.(Questions & Answers)(interview with insurance executive John Charman of AXIS Capital Ltd)(Interview)
July 7, 2008... Byline: Regis Coccia Longtime insurance executive John Charman made a name for himself at Lloyd's of London before he launched AXIS Capital Ltd. in Bermuda in 2001. AXIS' story is one of phenomenal growth and profit achieved through...

On the web.
July 7, 2008... BI PHOTO GALLERIES Share your industry news through photos Is your business or organization involved in charitable endeavors, or do you have other highlights you'd like to share? To submit photos of these events for BI's online photo...

Retail clinics rise with high-deductible health plans; Cost and convenience aside, one employer finds the quality of certain in-store care at least equal to traditional providers.(Benefits Management)
July 14, 2008... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK Much of the growth in the retail medical clinic industry has been attributable largely to insurers adding them as in-network providers in traditional health plans, but the consumerism movement is expected to further...

Black & Decker sees retail clinic as a good tool.(Benefits Management)
July 14, 2008... Byline: Joanne Wojcik Retail clinics are a win-win for employers and employees, according to a three-year study of one employer's utilization. The analysis of preferred provider organization claims data from January 2005 through...

Materials distributor builds employee support for HDHP; BlueLinx's 'bumpy' first year with its high-deductible health plan proved 'a learning experience'.(Benefits Management)(High Deductible Health Plan)
July 14, 2008... Byline: LOUISE ESOLA Prior to introducing consumer-driven health plans at BlueLinx Co., few of the 3,600 workers at the construction materials distribution company knew the cost of going to the emergency room vs. visiting the doctor's...

At least our virtual selves will eat right, get exercise.(End Page)(Brief article)
July 14, 2008... Playing interactive video games usually isn't the first-or second or maybe even 30th-activity that comes to mind when considering how to promote a healthy lifestyle. But CIGNA HealthCare is taking just that approach by establishing a...

HSAs' reign among consumer-driven plans may come to an end; Plans could be limited in the future, despite current support.(Benefits Management)(health savings accounts )
July 14, 2008... Byline: JERRY GEISEL Washington's five-year honeymoon with health savings accounts may be coming to an end, though no one envisions a divorce. The honeymoon began after Congress-at the urging of the Bush administration-authorized HSAs...

In brief.(News)(regulation on building codes)(merger between Independence Blue Cross and Highmark Inc.)(Stefan Lippe joins Swiss Reinsurance Co)
July 14, 2008... ACE shareholders OK redomestication bid Shareholders of ACE Ltd. have voted in favor of initial steps to redomesticate the company to Switzerland. If approved, the move will transfer the insurer's place of incorporation from the Cayman...

WHAT IS CREDITABLE COVERAGE?(News)(health insurance)(Brief article)
July 14, 2008... To avoid being hit with financial penalties, Massachusetts residents, unless they receive a special waiver, will have to be enrolled in health plans that meet these standards: * Annual deductibles for in-network covered services no higher...

Humana to employees: Do the math to see the value of CDHP; Insurer turns to regular meetings, feedback sessions and 'health mentors' to answer questions and boost enrollment.(Benefits Management)
July 14, 2008... Byline: LOUISE ESOLA Even a company that sells health insurance had a tough time moving its employees from traditional offerings to complicated consumer-driven health plans. The human resources experts at Humana Inc. say times were...

Manufacturer's move to high-deductible plans requires continual employee education.(Benefits Management)(Sperian Protection USA Inc.)
July 14, 2008... Byline: LOUISE ESOLA As a company that manufactures protective equipment for workers, Smithfield, R.I.-based Sperian Protection USA Inc. saw candid information as the way to help its employees withstand the sting of high-deductible health...

IT workers know all your secrets.(End Page)(information technology)(Survey)(Brief article)
July 14, 2008... Your e-mail at work may not be as confidential as you think. One-third of participants in a recent survey of 300 senior information technology professionals admitted they had used administrative passwords to access confidential or sensitive...

Justice blind, but one judge shows he has ear for rhyme.(End Page)(Judge Ronald B. Leighton )(Brief article)
July 14, 2008... A few well-chosen words can have far more effect than an avalanche of verbiage. Judge Ronald B. Leighton of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Tacoma, demonstrated that recently when confronted with a...

High Court rules in favor of Lloyd's; Investors argued they were misled in reinsurance-to-close deals.(International News)(Lloyd's of London)(Brief article)
July 14, 2008... Byline: SARAH VEYSEY LONDON-The High Court in London has ruled that Lloyd's of London did not conceal information about the exact nature of reinsurance-to-close deals underwritten in the early 1990s from a group of individual investors....

THE ISSUES.(News)
July 14, 2008... New York Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo and New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo are seeking oral and written testimony addressing the following insurance-related issues: Is disclosure of compensation necessary? Should...

Investment, catastrophe losses hit Cincinnati Financial; After rating downgrade, insurer seeks to diversify stock portfolio as financial companies get hammered amid credit crisis.(News)
July 14, 2008... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD CINCINNATI-Cincinnati Financial Corp. is struggling to deal with a declining investment portfolio while simultaneously contending with the impact of catastrophes and the softening market. While the insurer has...

Federal insurance office may assist OFC effort.(News)(optional federal charter)
July 14, 2008... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN WASHINGTON-Proponents of an optional federal charter for insurers and producers may have received a boost for their cause courtesy of a House panel. That's because the House Financial Services Committee's...

BI to profile top women in industry; Nominations requested for third annual focus on outstanding leaders.(News)
July 14, 2008... Business Insurance invites readers to nominate outstanding women working in insurance, risk management and employee benefits worldwide for its third annual Women to Watch report, which will be published in the Dec. 1 issue of the magazine. ...

N.Y. comp board barred from collecting levy; Judge rules board has right to tap self-insureds, but only when trusts declared insolvent.(News)
July 14, 2008... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS NEW YORK-A New York judge, citing a technicality, has annulled millions of dollars levied on self-insured employers in the state to cover insolvent group self-insured trusts, but has yet to rule on the...

Market moves.(MJM Investigations partnering with Matrix Absence Management Inc to provide anti-fraud programs and services to Matrix's clients)(Ironshore Inc. establishing an excess casualty unit called IronSelect)(Palumbo Bergstrom L.L.P launching a special investigation and insurance fraud department)
July 14, 2008... Partnership offers special investigation program RALEIGH, N.C.-MJM Inc. said it has partnered with Matrix Absence Management Inc. to provide anti-fraud programs and services to Matrix's clients. Raleigh, N.C.-based MJM-a provider of...

Comp reforms should consider self-insureds.(Viewpoint essay)(Brief article)
July 14, 2008... Efforts to restructure the system that backstops New York's workers compensation system should take due consideration of the role of self-insured employers in the state. As has been made clear by recent disputes about who should have to...

N.Y. mulls fate of contingents; Officials to consider lifting partial ban.(News)
July 14, 2008... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS NEW YORK-The fate of contingent commissions, including whether the world's largest brokers should again be allowed to collect the incentive payments, could be determined by public hearings set to begin today in New...

Safety concern doesn't bar claim for hiring bias; Interviewer's query on medical needs triggered lawsuit.(News)
July 14, 2008... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD CINCINNATI-A supervisor interviewing a job applicant may have violated a federal disability law when he ended the interview after asking the applicant about his prescription drugs, according to a federal appeals...

Court: Insomnia can be a disability; Effect on a person's daily activities not needed to qualify, judge rules.(News)
July 14, 2008... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD WASHINGTON-Sleeping is a major life activity and sleeplessness can be a disability under federal law, a federal appeals court ruled in an employment discrimination case involving a student at the FBI Academy who was...

Mass. plans revisions to health reform rules; Changes would let more plans pass muster.(News)
July 14, 2008... Byline: JERRY GEISEL BOSTON-More employer plans will meet the requirements of Massachusetts' health care law if draft rules approved last week are put in place. The Massachusetts Health Insurance Connector Authority, the state agency...

So who really needs ERM? Prioritized, focused plans are essential to successfully mitigate risks.(Emerging Risk Strategies)
July 14, 2008... Byline: John J. Hampton At April's RIMS 2008 conference in San Diego, a considerable buzz existed around the topic of enterprise risk management. At the same time, the question persisted, "Who needs it?'' My answer is, at least four...

Cat losses hit $13B in first half; Increased weather losses reflect climate change: Report.(News)(Brief article)
July 14, 2008... Byline: RICHARD MILLER Some 400 natural catastrophes in the first half of 2008-one of the deadliest such periods in terms of its human toll-led to overall losses of roughly $50 billion, with about $13 billion of that total insured,...

Some terror cover hard to find: GAO; Large urban buildings require complex programs to cover risks.(News)(Government Accountability Office)
July 14, 2008... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN WASHINGTON-Certain commercial property policyholders continue to face problems finding terrorism coverage at prices or limits they consider reasonable, according to the Government Accountability Office. In a...

State liquidation bureau makes improvements; Auditors analyzed New York bureau's procedures in several areas, many deficiencies corrected.(News)
July 14, 2008... Byline: DOUGLAS McLEOD NEW YORK-An audit of the New York Liquidation Bureau's internal controls found that dozens of past shortcomings in its procedures for managing insolvent insurers' estates have been corrected or are in the process of...

Cash balance pensions not age-biased: Court; 2nd Circuit rules for Equitable, Verizon.(News)
July 14, 2008... Byline: JERRY GEISEL NEW YORK-Joining three other federal appellate courts, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last week that cash balance pension plans do not violate federal age discrimination law. In a unanimous decision,...

Iraq events reawaken experience in Vietnam.(Column)
July 14, 2008... Byline: Dave Lenckus Risk managers increasingly are paying attention to how our nation's soldiers should be welcomed back to the workplace from their tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Americans are showing they can disagree vehemently...

Insurers face antitrust scrutiny; Italy's larger policyholders concerned about lack of competition.(International News)
July 14, 2008... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD ROME-Italy's antitrust authority is looking further into whether links among the country's rival insurers and banks are impeding competition in a marketplace that large policyholders confirm is short on choice of...

Doc's itchy palm leads to bogus surgeries.(End Page)(Brief article)
July 14, 2008... A California doctor convicted of health care fraud for performing needless "sweaty-palm'' surgeries and bilking insurers of more than $9 million has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Between 2002 and 2004, William W. Hampton performed...

RRGs hail bill to study regulators' authority; Measure also would allow property coverage.(News)(Risk retention group)
July 14, 2008... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN WASHINGTON-Risk retention group advocates say they hope that a measure directing the federal government to examine whether states are trying to unlawfully regulate RRGs becomes law. The provision is contained in...

On the web.
July 14, 2008... BI VIDEO New series highlights specialty risks Business Insurance begins its Specialty Risks video series with a look at Lloyd's of London as it celebrates its 320th anniversary. Lloyd's Chairman Lord Peter Levene and Julian James,...

Rank 9: BROWN & BROWN Inc.(Spotlight: 37th Annual Broker Trends and Profiles)(Financial report)
July 21, 2008... Byline: Dave Lenckus Unrelenting soft insurance market conditions and a particularly tough Florida market have slowed revenue growth for Brown & Brown Inc. as it heads into its final year before a major change in top management. ...

Rank 3: Willis Group Holdings LTD.(Spotlight: 37th Annual Broker Trends and Profiles)(Financial report)
July 21, 2008... Byline: Gloria Gonzalez Willis Group Holdings Ltd.'s version of a Best of Both Worlds tour aims to demonstrate the advantages of the latest blockbuster brokerage industry transaction: Willis' $2.1 billion acquisition of Hilb Rogal & Hobbs...

Rank 4: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.(Spotlight: 37th Annual Broker Trends and Profiles)(Financial report)
July 21, 2008... Byline: Regis Coccia As a brokerage with diverse business areas and a deeply embedded sales culture, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has unlimited potential to grow, its top executive says. Itasca, Ill.-based Gallagher remains the...

U.S. brokerages eye U.K.-style 'garden leave' for defectors; Employment pacts attempt to stem flow of talent and clients.(Spotlight: 37th Annual Broker Trends and Profiles)
July 21, 2008... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS As the talent wars within the brokerage industry go on, brokers are looking at a variety of techniques to restrict defecting producers' ability to leave and take clients and colleagues with them to competitors. ...

Court: Garden-leave contract unenforceable.(Spotlight: 37th Annual Broker Trends and Profiles)(breach of contract case)(Brief article)
July 21, 2008... Byline: Sally Roberts Although case law is still developing in the United States, a federal judge in Massachusetts ruled recently that a 90-day garden-leave provision was not enforceable. The case involved Douglas A. Sharon, a former...

Rank 8: HILB ROGAL & HOBBS CO.(Spotlight: 37th Annual Broker Trends and Profiles)(Financial report)
July 21, 2008... Byline: Mark A. Hofmann The acquirer has become the acquisition. That pretty much sums up what has happened to Glen Allen, Va.-based Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Co. Known for its aggressive growth by acquisition, HRH announced last month that...

Soft prices, tough economy and privatization slow acquisitions; Ruling on contingents seen having marginal overall market effect.(Spotlight: 37th Annual Broker Trends and Profiles)
July 21, 2008... Byline: KRISTIN GUNDERSON HUNT Just as banks are less interested in buying insurance brokers, mergers and acquisitions between brokerages have become less frequent, experts said. And, with some notable exceptions, that's not likely to...

Risk managers caught in the middle when producer, brokerage part ways; Personal relationships often trump the company placing the coverage.(Spotlight: 37th Annual Broker Trends and Profiles)
July 21, 2008... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS Although risk managers are not party to the employment contract between a producer and an insurance brokerage, if that contract contains a restrictive covenant and it is breached by a defecting producer, it is the...

EMPLOYMENT PROVISIONS.(Spotlight: 37th Annual Broker Trends and Profiles)(Brief article)
July 21, 2008... Types of restrictive employment covenants within the insurance industry: Noncompete agreements: An agreement prohibiting a departing producer from working for another firm in the insurance brokerage industry for a specified period of time,...

Green insurance grows as environmental concerns rise; Efforts to reduce buildings' emissions improves risk profiles.(News)
July 21, 2008... Byline: NICK WHITFIELD As more U.S. businesses move to "green'' their buildings, more insurers are offering tailored coverage to make the transition. At least five insurers already offer products designed to fund rebuilding damaged...

Floods prompt officials to issue guidance on financing losses; U.K. local authorities urged to examine levels of insurance.(International News)
July 21, 2008... Byline: STUART COLLINS BIRMINGHAM, England-Local governments in the United Kingdom are under increased pressure to revisit insurance and business continuity arrangements in the wake of last year's floods. Following last summer's...

Panel advances anti-arbitration bills; Some see current efforts as tune-up for the next Congress and president.(News)
July 21, 2008... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN WASHINGTON-Action on anti-arbitration bills during the waning days of the current Congress could be setting the stage for major battles over binding arbitration agreements in the next Congress, arbitration...

Rank 10: Lockton Cos. L.L.C.(Spotlight: 37th Annual Broker Trends and Profiles)
July 21, 2008... Byline: Judy Greenwald The soft market may create some problems for brokerages in terms of revenue growth, but it can also create opportunities, according to executives at Lockton Cos. L.L.C. Chairman David M. Lockton said during the...

Chilly economy cools some banks' interest in intermediaries; Some financial institutions hit integration, cross-selling roadblocks; others tap clear internal message to smooth the ride.(Spotlight: 37th Annual Broker Trends and Profiles)
July 21, 2008... Byline: KRISTIN GUNDERSON HUNT When Congress passed legislation in 1999 lowering the barriers that kept the banking, insurance and securities industries separate, banks seized the opportunity to diversify their operations by acquiring...

Big plans for small firm; Questions & answers.(Spotlight: 37th Annual Broker Trends and Profiles)(Bob Dubraski)(Interview)
July 21, 2008... As M&As have resulted in larger insurance brokerages with wide-ranging capabilities, Bob Dubraski went the opposite direction three years ago in forming a small boutique focused solely on health care. Mr. Dubraski, president and CEO, formed New...