Business Insurance articles from March 2007

Business Insurance archives from March 2007

Keys to better health programs; IT applications bolster efforts to advance consumer-driven models.(Cover Focus Benefits & Financial Services)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Rodd Zolkos As health plans work to move participants to a more consumer-driven model, various technology tools are proving essential to the goal of enabling plan members to play a greater role in directing their medical care. ...

RAA volunteers lend a helping hand in rebuilding New Orleans.(Industry News)(Reinsurance Association of America)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... NEW ORLEANS-Participants in a recent Reinsurance Assn. of America conference in New Orleans took advantage of their presence in the city to assist local volunteer relief efforts. Prior to its February catastrophe modeling program in New...

Fireman's offers GridPoint product discount.(Industry News)(Fireman's Fund Insurance Co.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... NOVATO, Calif.-Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. has struck an alliance with intelligent energy management product provider GridPoint Inc. under which the insurer will offer policyholders a discount on GridPoint products. Through its Prestige...

New York Life, AARP team for retirement income protection.(Industry News)(AARP Financial and New York Life Insurance & Annuity Corp. joins hands to provide AARP Lifetime Income Program)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... NEW YORK-New York Life Insurance Co. has joined with AARP Financial, a Tewksbury, Mass.-based subsidiary of AARP Services Inc., to provide the AARP Lifetime Income Program, a program designed to generate a secure stream of retirement income for...

ING Re opens access to ROSE newsletter, ROSEBUD Fast Facts.(Industry News)(ING Reinsurance )(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... MINNEAPOLIS-ING Reinsurance is now providing access to two publications offered through its ROSE program-the ROSE Resource Newsletter and the ROSEBUD Fast Facts-online via its Web site. No user ID or password is required to gain access to...

Chubb's modular policy to fill coverage gaps.(Industry News)(Financial Institution Portfolio, a modular insurance policy for midsize financial institutions)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... WARREN, N.J.-Chubb Corp. is offering a new modular insurance policy for midsize financial institutions that the insurer says will prevent potential coverage gaps that might occur under separate policies bought from different companies. ...

Runoff insurers' plan effectiveness a struggle.(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... NEW YORK-A new study suggests that while U.S. insurance companies are having success with developing strategies to manage runoff business, they're having difficulty implementing effective operational plans to meet their goals. The study by...

Three questions.(Industry News)(interview with Derek Blum of Risk Management Solutions Inc.)(Interview)
March 1, 2007... Last month, catastrophe risk modeling firm Risk Management Solutions Inc. introduced a new probabilistic model for assessing the risk of influenza pandemics across multiple countries. Recently Derek Blum, vp of emerging risk models for Newark,...

Battling back with good works.(First Word)(insurance industry and Hurricane Katrina)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Rodd Zolkos The insurance industry continues to battle a war of perception over its performance in response to Hurricane Katrina, and you start to wonder whether the war can ever be brought to a satisfactory conclusion. Late...

The quote.(Industry News)(Mike Skiens, President, MasterCare Solutions Inc. on long term care)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... `Employers are finally beginning to understand where long-term care fits. Long-term care functions as a firewall around an employee's retirement plan.' -Mike Skiens, President, MasterCare Solutions Inc.

IMCA accepting marketing award nominations.(Industry News)
March 1, 2007... Entries are being accepted through March 30 for the 2007 IMCA Showcase Awards competition sponsored by the Insurance Marketing Communications Assn. In its 49th year, the IMCA awards program recognizes outstanding marketing communications...

Camford National to provide cover for excess, surplus and hard-to-place risks.(Industry News)(Camford National Insurance Brokers L.L.C.)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... LEBANON, N.J.-A new specialty lines wholesale insurance brokerage, Camford National Insurance Brokers L.L.C., will serve excess and surplus lines and hard-to-place risks both in the United States and internationally. David O'Keefe is...

TSR enhances forecast power of Storm Tracker.(Industry News)(Tropical Storm Risk consortium, Tropical Storm Tracker)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... LONDON-The Tropical Storm Risk consortium has added quantitative and probabilistic rainfall forecasts for tropical storms worldwide to its Tropical Storm Tracker. The London-based TSR consortium includes experts on insurance, risk...

Enterprisewide view of data proves value, convinces leaders.(Tech Focus)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Rodd Zolkos As financial services businesses grow, often becoming global in scope, pressures from both consumers and regulators increase as well. But, according to a report from consultant BearingPoint Inc., an enterprise...

ACORD launches London certification facility.(Tech Focus)(Association for Cooperative Operations Research and Development)(SunGard Data Systems Inc. releases assumed reinsurance administration solution)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... LONDON-The Assn. for Cooperative Operations Research and Development has launched a testing and certification facility in London. According to Pearl River, N.Y.-based ACORD, the new facility will make it easier for ACORD members to test the...

The buyer is more than a number.(Last Word)(insurance claims management)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Paula Francis and Abe Drayer It's said that insurance buyers never know the true value of an insurance company until they file a claim. For insurance companies, it's wise to keep that thought in mind, because the way a company...

Establishing Boundaries.(Feature: Operations)(Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America Inc.)(legal liability)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America Inc. recommends in a recent white paper that an insurance agent take these steps to help decrease his or her legal liability related to certificates of insurance: * Provide the client...

New twists on a building problem; Agents, lenders face off in continuing battle over certificates.(Feature: Operations)(certificates of insurance)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Meg Fletcher Insurance agents and mortgage lenders each are trying to gain ground in a tug of war over certificates of insurance that is exacerbating a longstanding problem and creating new concerns. Agents should analyze their...

On the move.(Thomas J. Elliott III joins Mercer Human Resource Consulting)(S. Ming Lee to be president and chief executive officer of AIR Worldwide Corp.)(Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. appoints Roger M. Nulton Jr.)
March 1, 2007... Novato, Calif.-based Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. has named Roger M. Nulton Jr. president of the company's commercial business. Mr. Nulton, who previously was chief operating officer of the company's commercial business, succeeds Gary Bhojwani,...

Wise pruning will keep last year's growth healthy.(Feature: Perspective)(property and casualty insurance)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Jim Quallen and Rolf Thrane Property and casualty insurance executives have entered 2007 fresh from a year in which profitability is likely to be among the highest in the past 50 years. The combined ratio for the first nine months...

Long-term care: Selling the benefit.(Cover Focus Benefits & Financial Services)
March 1, 2007... Byline: Meg Fletcher You see your aged father's physical health declining gradually, despite his sharp mind and strong will. But you don't realize how much he needs help until you discover that he has a sore on his heel because he is...

A question of privacy; Lawmakers look to safeguard individuals from possible genetic discrimination.(Cover Focus Benefits & Financial Services)(Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007 )
March 1, 2007... Byline: Meg Fletcher Most U.S. residents are shying away from genetic testing because they fear that information may fall into the hands of employers or insurers who might use it to discriminate against them, experts say. The Genetic...

Legislation Summary.(Cover Focus Benefits & Financial Services)(Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2007 proposes to prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information in health insurance and employment. Identically named bills pending in both houses of Congress also propose to...

Work-Life gathering draws 380 to Phoenix.(News)(2007 Work-Life Conference & Exhibition)(Alliance for Work-Life Progress)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... Byline: Sally Roberts PHOENIX-About 380 work-life professionals came to Phoenix last month to attend the 2007 Work-Life Conference & Exhibition presented by WorldatWork and the Alliance for Work-Life Progress. In addition to various...

Enhanced dental offerings.(Benefits Management)(U.S. dental insurance)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... Highlights of dental coverage offered by various insurers: Aetna Inc., Hartford, Conn. Name of program: Dental/Medical Integration Program Start date: January 2007 Covered conditions: Pregnant women, members with diabetes and...

Optimistic reception to Spitzer-backed plan.(Opinions)(New York Governor Eliot Spitzer)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... INSURERS AND EMPLOYERS alike have good reason to be cautiously optimistic about New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's proposed workers compensation reforms. Even as the governor's compromise package would raise weekly benefits for injured workers,...

Innovative solution answers hospital's nontraditional needs; Children's Healthcare babysitter assistance a win-win for everyone.(News)(Children's Healthcare of Atlanta)
March 5, 2007... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS PHOENIX-After administering an employee survey in 2002, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta realized it needed to do a better job of addressing the dependent care needs of its primarily female employee population. ...

Cat pool backed by World Bank would help Caribbean nations; Bermuda joins list of 18 nations forming mutual in Cayman.(International News)(Caribbean Catastrophic Risk Insurance Facility)
March 5, 2007... Byline: RUPAL PAREKH WASHINGTON-Creation of the world's first multinational catastrophe insurance pool will help countries in the Caribbean-an area hit by one major hurricane about every two years-receive cash quickly to recover from...

Employers welcome Spitzer comp reforms; N.Y. governor sees sharp rate declines, increased benefits.(News)(New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's workers compensation reforms)
March 5, 2007... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS ALBANY, N.Y.-New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer says he would make certain that savings from the proposed workers compensation reforms he unveiled last week get passed on from insurers to employers beginning with 2008...

Stock index [2/26-3/2].(Stock Index)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... Up-to-the-minute data for all 82 companies that comprise the BI Stock Index can be found at www.BusinessInsurance.com. Percentage change of BI Stock Index vs. key indicators BI Stock Index: -1.02% Dow Jones: -4.22% S&P 500:...

Congress begins work on terrorism backstop; Lawmakers differ on need for lasting program.(News)
March 5, 2007... Byline: MARK A. HOFMANN WASHINGTON-The legislative effort to retain the federal terrorism insurance backstop is formally under way with chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee vowing anew to seek "a more...

Fathers are more likely to utilize work-life programs marketed to men; Companies have been focused on providing benefit to women.(News)
March 5, 2007... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS PHOENIX-Employers that want to be more father-friendly need to provide work-life policies and programs that are tailored to men, a consultant advises. Although employers may provide gender-neutral work-life...

Converium regains A-rating from S&P; With SCOR bidding to buy it, reinsurer has turned a corner.(International News)(Standard & Poor's Corp)(Converium Holding Ltd.)
March 5, 2007... Byline: SARAH VEYSEY ZUG, Switzerland-Amid an escalating battle for ownership of Converium Holding Ltd., Standard & Poor's Corp. has upgraded its financial strength rating on the Swiss reinsurer to A- from BBB+. Zug, Switzerland-based...

Lands' End employs onsite health facility in its battle against diabetes; Employee wellness, program's top goal, also reduces costs.(Benefits Management)
March 5, 2007... Byline: LOUISE ESOLA DODGEVILLE, Wis.-Elizabeth Wiebe often jokes that she-along with the indoor running track, basketball court and Olympic-size swimming pool-came with the onsite health facility at Lands' End. Ms. Wiebe, senior...

Skip the rhetoric and stick to the facts.(Opinions)(House Financial Services Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations' review of insurance claims management arising from Hurricane Katrina)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... ANY CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY into an industry's practices deserves to be taken quite seriously. That's certainly true of the House Financial Services Committee's Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations' ongoing review of insurers'...

Hub International OKs private buyout; Additional insurance brokerages may take similar path: Experts.
March 5, 2007... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS CHICAGO-Hub International Ltd. has become the latest publicly held brokerage to take advantage of the abundance of private equity capital shopping around the insurance brokerage marketplace. The Chicago-based...

Companies continue to modify pension plans; FedEx expands cash balance; DB plan freeze at Goodyear.(News)(Defined benefit plans)
March 5, 2007... Byline: JERRY GEISEL MEMPHIS, Tenn., and AKRON, Ohio-Two large employers last week announced major changes to their pension offerings, with FedEx Corp. expanding its cash balance pension plan to cover all eligible employees and Goodyear...

3M ergonomic unit evolves.(News)(Workspace Solutions)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... Byline: Joanne Wojcik Since its founding in the mid-to late 1990s, 3M Corp.'s Workspace Solutions has been turning out ergonomic products that evolved from the St. Paul, Minn.-based manufacturer's efforts to reduce discomfort and injuries...

Company gets creative to keep full cover in place.(Benefits Management)(Workplace Essentials Inc.'s health coverage for employees)
March 5, 2007... Byline: KAREN PALLARITO For Linda Pace, there never was any question about whether to provide full company-paid health coverage for employees of her Billerica, Mass.-based restroom hygiene product company. The only question was how. ...

Programs aim to reduce at-risk pregnancies and premature births; Information, support and solutions combine in expanding offerings.(Benefits Management)
March 5, 2007... Byline: LOUISE ESOLA The costs of delivering a child too early, and with a lifetime of health complications that typically follow, can skyrocket quickly, making pregnancy and baby-related costs among the highest in the insurance arena,...

Mother and Child.(Benefits Management)
March 5, 2007... A sampling of pregnancy-related coverage available from insurers: Aetna Inc. Moms-to-Babies Maternity Management Program Incentives: Prepaid phone card and refrigerator magnet detailing signs of preterm labor. High-risk mothers who...

State workplace anti-bias law applied to school case; Burden of proof lighter than under federal statutes.(News)(Case overview)
March 5, 2007... Byline: DAVE LENCKUS TRENTON, N.J.-In applying a state workplace anti-discrimination law to a school district facing a lawsuit from a student subjected to anti-gay harassment by his peers, the New Jersey Supreme Court has shown plaintiffs...

Insurers integrate dental, medical benefits; Enhanced benefits aimed at specific risk groups.(Benefits Management)
March 5, 2007... Byline: LEIGH PAGE The recently found connection between oral health and medical health has led some insurers to revamp their dental benefits offerings to include integrated dental and medical products-a step that may convince some...

Fewer employers paying the entire tab for health care; But cost-cutting efforts lead to confrontations with union workers.(Benefits Management)
March 5, 2007... Byline: KAREN PALLARITO Harley-Davidson Motor Co. is among a dying breed of companies in the United States. The motorcycle manufacturer paid 100% of the health insurance premium for union workers at its York, Pa., assembly plant until...

Products & Services.(Beazley Group Ltd. launches Non-Profit Organization Management Liability Policy)(Lexington Insurance Co. increases commercial domestic property terrorism insurance capacity)(A.M. Best Co. Inc. has releases Annual Publications and Services Catalog)
March 5, 2007... Best releases 2007 products catalog OLDWICK, N.J.-A.M. Best Co. Inc. has released its 2007 Annual Publications & Services Catalog. In addition to the company's insurance industry-focused products, the catalog includes an introduction...

Heightened regulatory scrutiny increases need for D&O audits.(directors and officers)(Viewpoint essay)
March 5, 2007... Byline: Kim Marrkand With more than 150 different directors and officers coverage forms in the marketplace and increased scrutiny by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, it is now more important than ever to ensure that any policy...

Wind machines blow up a storm in south Florida.(End Page)(RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. announceS catastrophe research project)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. is creating a storm with a newly announced catastrophe research project. Dubbed the "Wall of Wind,'' the project is a joint endeavor between RenaissanceRe's WeatherPredict Consulting Inc. unit and Florida...

Oscar winner thanks Hank.(End Page)(Maurice R. "Hank'' Greenberg)(Thomas F. Lennon)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... Makers of "The Blood of Yingzhou District'' accepted an Oscar last week in the short film documentary category and promptly thanked the Starr Foundation and Chairman Maurice R. "Hank'' Greenberg. Producer Thomas F. Lennon said it was the...

New York state's comp plan.(News)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... Workers compensation reforms announced last week by New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer would: * Limit the number of years that permanent partial disability claimants can receive indemnity benefits. * Allow the Compensation Insurance Rating...

Criminal conduct exclusion upheld; Ontario court says intent not necessary to deny coverage.(News)(Ontario Court of Appeal )
March 5, 2007... Byline: GLORIA GONZALEZ TORONTO-In a decision that curtails a possible expansion in the scope of liability coverage, the Ontario Court of Appeal overturned a lower court ruling that invalidated a criminal conduct exclusion because there...

Demand for EPLI may grow due to class action.(News)(employment practices liability insurance)
March 5, 2007... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD Experts say employers are likely to face more efforts to bring class action lawsuits in light of last month's order by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals certifying as a class more than 1.5 million women who...

Hannover securitizes its retro risk.(International News)(Hannover Re )(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD HANNOVER, Germany-Hannover Re Group is securitizing e1 billion ($1.31 billion) of its reinsurance recoverable risks in an attempt to reduce its default risk. The transaction represents the first time a so-called...

Errors & Omissions.(Corrections)(Correction notice)
March 5, 2007... Two articles in the Feb. 26 issue, "Crush of Exposure Forces Wineries to Take Steps to Mitigate Losses'' and "Vintners Must Consider More Than Wine Making,'' misspelled the name of Suzie Reynolds, a Napa, Calif-based vp with surplus lines...

Bacterium stops shakes and quakes.(End Page)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... The power to give you strep throat...and prevent earthquakes? Bacteria have gotten a bad rap, but that could change-at least among property insurers-in the wake of some new research. Scientists are touting one form of the microbes based...

Market for EPL competitive but disciplined; Price usually right, but buyers must scrutinize policies.(News)(employment practices liability insurance)
March 5, 2007... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD Employers seeking employment practices liability insurance will find a market that is highly competitive, but still restrained, observers say. Securing coverage is a process that demands careful consideration...

HUB AT A GLANCE.(News)(Hub International Ltd.)(Company overview)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... Major facts about Hub International Ltd. Founded: 1998 Initial public offering: June 2002 2006 gross revenues: $543.9 m* U.S. revenues: $393.4 m Canada revenues: $148.1 m Employees: 3,820 Number of offices: 200...

Other brokers may follow path taken by Hub and USI.(News)(Hub International Ltd.)(USI Holdings Corp.)
March 5, 2007... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS With so much private equity capital ready to invest in the insurance brokerage market, a number of other large insurance brokers will follow down the same private equity ownership path as Hub International Ltd. and...

Deal or No Deal risk simulation.(End Page)(risk tolerance and chance)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... A business student at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville has learned a financial lesson about risk tolerance and chance during a research project on how both impact the business world. As part of the project conducted by two...

In Brief.(News)(Standard & Poor's Corp. to introduce ratings system)(United States Life Insurance Co. to pay compensation over reinsurance dispute)(Evan G. Greenberg appointed as chairman of ACE Ltd.)
March 5, 2007... S&P to introduce runoff ratings system New York-based rating agency Standard & Poor's Corp. plans to introduce a new ratings system for runoff insurers and reinsurers later this year. The new ratings criteria will be used to gauge the...

Aon restates to correct option grants errors; Broker says review of practices reveals past mistakes, though no deliberate manipulation.(News)
March 5, 2007... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS and RUPAL PAREKH CHICAGO-Aon Corp. said last week that it would restate its financial results for several periods after a review of its options granting practices revealed unrecognized compensation expenses. ...

Airline problems really aren't anything new.(airline passenger bill of rights )(Column)
March 5, 2007... Byline: Paul Winston Some Americans seem to be warming to the concept of an airline passenger bill of rights in the wake of high-profile airline blunders. Several airplanes full of passengers were stranded for hours on the tarmac in...

Some employers see benefit innovations as ripe for export; Sharing programs offers opportunity to boost bottom line.(News)
March 5, 2007... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK When Dole Food Co. announced recently that it would share its successful wellness program with other employers, it joined a handful of employers trying to capitalize on the success of their benefits- and...

On the web.
March 5, 2007... BENEFIT MANAGER OF THE YEAR' BI seeking nominees for benefit award Business InsuranceAEs Benefit Manager of the Year' award salutes outstanding performance in the field of benefits management. Nominations are now being accepted for...

Next BI webinar spotlights CDHPs.(News)(Mapping Consumer-Driven Health Care: Strategies to Drive Enrollment and Employee Understanding)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... Business Insurance is hosting a free Online Executive ForumTM webcast on March 20 on "Mapping Consumer-Driven Health Care: Strategies to Drive Enrollment and Employee Understanding." Consumer-driven health plans are the newest weapon in...

Online poll at www.businessInsurance.com.(Opinions)(Survey)(Survey)(Brief article)
March 5, 2007... What do you think of the recent Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform ActAEs "qualified risk manager" requirements, including academic degrees and/or professional experience? Too stringent - 11.43% About right - 28.57% Not stringent...

Ranking: Largest case management providers; Ranked by 2006 gross revenues from case management services.(Benefits Management)(Brief article)(Company rankings)
March 5, 2007... Charts: Largest case managers by employer clients: Ranked by the number of employer clients in 2006 Broadspire Services Inc., a Crawford Co.* - 2,270 Concentra Inc. - 1,700 HealthCorp - 300 Intracorp/CareAllies - 290 ...

Ranking: Largest prescription benefit managers; Ranked by 2006 revenues from unbundled PBM services.(Benefits Management)(Industry ranking)
March 5, 2007... Charts: Largest PBMs by number of prescriptions: Ranked by the number of prescriptions filled in 2006 Medco Health Solutions Inc. - 553,400,000* Express Scripts Inc. - 519,500,000 Caremark Rx Inc. - 516,507,000 ...

Online poll at www.businessInsurance.com.(Opinions)
March 5, 2007... What do you think of the recent Nonadmitted and Reinsurance Reform Act's "qualified risk manager" requirements, including academic degrees and/or professional experience? Too stringent - 11.43% About right - 28.57% Not stringent...

How state health insurance reform proposals affect employers.(News)(Brief article)
March 12, 2007... Laws: Maryland: Annual assessment equal to 8% of payroll on employers with 10,000 or more employees in the state that do not offer health coverage and spend at least 8% of payroll on those benefits.* Massachusetts: Annual assessment up...

Cat bond activity spikes in 2006; Big hurricane losses drive record year for capital markets deals.(News)
March 12, 2007... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD A record total of $4.69 billion in new catastrophe bonds were issued in 2006, a 136% increase from 2005's record performance of $1.99 billion, a study shows. The report, produced by New York-based reinsurance...

Sporadic leave hard to manage under FMLA.(News)(Family and Medical Leave Act)
March 12, 2007... Byline: Judy Greenwald Observers say the primary problem associated with diabetes and the Family and Medical Leave Act is intermittent leave. Under FMLA, an employee at an organization with at least 50 workers can take up to 12 weeks...

Cavemen pitchmen so popular even a network thinks prime time.(News)(GEICO Corp.'s advertising characters inspire television program)(Brief article)
March 12, 2007... GEICO's insulted cavemen have reason to cheer-they may be going prime time. ABC is exploring development of a TV series based on the insurer's popular characters featured in some of its commercials. Tentatively titled "Cavemen,'' the...

Norway eyes insurer commission ban; Broker compensation would be limited to buyer payments.(International News)
March 12, 2007... Byline: ADRIAN LADBURY OSLO, Norway-Norwegian insurance brokers would be banned from taking commissions from insurance companies next year, under rules the government is expected to introduce. Norway's neighbors Denmark and Finland...

E.U. commissioner mulls introducing mass torts; 'Collective redress' suits not class actions: Aide.(International News)
March 12, 2007... Byline: RICK MITCHELL BRUSSELS, Belgium-The new European Commissioner for consumer affairs is mulling a consumer protection system that could bring a form of class actions to European law. Though the Commissioner's office declines to...

Greater transparency needed in pension fees.(Opinions)(Brief article)
March 12, 2007... It isn't often that we agree with Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., who chairs the House Education and Labor Committee. But in calling for greater transparency of defined contribution plan fees paid by participants, Rep. Miller is right on...

Merchant ship total losses decrease.(International News)(International Union of Marine Insurance)(Brief article)
March 12, 2007... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD NEW YORK-Improved design and enhanced safety regulations have helped bring total losses of merchant ships sharply lower over the past seven years, according to the International Union of Marine Insurance. But...

Illinois joins bandwagon on health care reform; Business groups slam plan to expand coverage.(News)
March 12, 2007... Byline: JOANNE WOJCIK SPRINGFIELD, Ill.-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich last week became the third governor in as many months to propose sweeping health care reform legislation to vastly reduce the number of uninsured. The Illinois...

Southwest domiciles expand at rapid pace; Arizona, Nevada, Utah growth rates exceed competition.(Spotlight: Self-Insurance & Captive Management)
March 12, 2007... Byline: DAVE LENCKUS More than 150 years after writer John Soule and newspaperman Horace Greeley advised America's young men to "go west,'' their advice is not lost on today's new captive insurer owners. Boasting captive laws modeled...

NAPSLO meeting draws 650.(News)(National Association of Professional Surplus Lines Offices)(Brief article)
March 12, 2007... Byline: Roberto Ceniceros While surplus lines insurers and wholesale brokers attending the National Assn. of Professional Surplus Lines Office Inc.'s Mid-Year Educational Workshop described 2006 as a "phenomenal year'' for their industry,...

Onshore domiciles gain ground: U.S. sees big captive growth; Tough conditions in med mal market helps drive formations.(Spotlight: Self-Insurance & Captive Management)
March 12, 2007... Byline: JERRY GEISEL When it comes to attracting captive insurance companies, the newest domiciles, largely in the United States, are taking center stage. Captive growth rates last year in Arizona, Nevada and Utah-states with captive...

Ex-actor vs. ex-actor in single-payer effort.(End Page)(Brief article)
March 12, 2007... Will Dobie Gillis' true love prevail over "The Terminator'' in attempting to solve California's health care conundrum? Calling GOP California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's health reform proposal a giveaway to insurers, Sen. Sheila Kuehl,...

Flippin out for flippin' off his flippin' boss. He's not flippin' happy.(End Page)(Kenneth Flippin)(case on employment termination)(Brief article)
March 12, 2007... A Los Angeles Department of Water and Power employee, who was caught napping in a hammock suspended under his city-owned truck-and then gave a supervisor the finger when he was awakened-was rightfully fired, a state appellate court has ruled....

BACKSTOP ESSENTIALS.(News)(Charles Schumer on federal government backstop protection for terrorism risks )(Brief article)
March 12, 2007... According to Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., federal government backstop protection for terrorism risks should: * Be made permanent, or last a minimum of 15 years * Provide coverage for nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological...

Convicted thief to lose pension to restitution.(End Page)(Raymond P. Novak )(Brief article)
March 12, 2007... Crime victims can get restitution for their losses by tapping their assailant's pension funds, says the 9th U.S. Court of Appeals in a divided opinion. The issue in the Feb. 22 decision by the San Francisco court in United States vs....