Business Insurance articles from May 2007

Business Insurance archives from May 2007

Indonesian brokerage joins Assurex Global.(Industry News)(Mitra, Iswara & Rorimpandey Insurance Brokers)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... JAKARTA, Indonesia-Indonesian brokerage PT. Mitra, Iswara & Rorimpandey Insurance Brokers has joined international broker network Assurex Global. Assurex, which invites only one independent broker per market to join its network, said it...

Guardian expands alternative treatments for group health plans.(Industry News)(Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America )(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... NEW YORK-Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America is providing its group medical plan members expanded access to discounts for a variety of alternative medical treatments. Guardian, which provides employee and voluntary benefits to small and...

California wildfire protection expands.(Industry News)(Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. alliance with FireProtec)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... NOVATO, Calif.-Fireman's Fund Insurance Co. has expanded the territory and offerings of FireProtec, a vegetation cutting crew staffed by off-duty firefighters assisting California policyholders with reducing wildfire exposures. Through its...

Wells Fargo offers flood analysis tool.(Industry News)(Wells Fargo Insurance Services Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... CHICAGO-Wells Fargo Insurance Services Inc. has formed a Flood Analysis and Placement program offering business customers tools for flood hazard analysis and insurance placement. The new program is intended to help customers choose the...

XL sponsors Grand Slam.(Industry News)(XL Capital Ltd. and Turner Network Television contract)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... HAMILTON, Bermuda-XL Capital Ltd. has entered into an agreement with Turner Network Television to be a broadcast sponsor of the 2007 PGA Grand Slam of Golf. The Oct. 16-17 event, the 25th PGA Grand Slam, will make its Bermuda debut at the...

The quote.(Industry News)
May 1, 2007... `The insurance industry has a well-known reluctance to change something that works.' -Judy Johnson, Vp and Principal Solutions Architect, Patni Computer Systems Inc.

Lloyds redefines tech role as developer of standards.(Tech Focus)(Lloyd's of London)
May 1, 2007... Byline: Rodd Zolkos LONDON-It's been more than a year since Lloyd's of London decided to pull the plug on its Kinnect Internet-based risk data platform, but the effort to promote electronic information exchange continues to move forward in...

On the move.(Hewitt Associates Inc. appoints Jay Rising)(Willis Group Holdings Ltd. appoints Tom Bartleet)(Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Co. names David M. Hofele president )
May 1, 2007... Joseph (Jay) Lughes Jr. has joined Duluth, Ga.-based Maxum Specialty Insurance Group as president and chief operating officer of Maxum Indemnity Co. and Maxum Casualty Insurance Co. Mr. Lughes previously was president of Western Heritage...

Forward view drives best decisions.(First Word)
May 1, 2007... Byline: Rodd Zolkos With the Risk & Insurance Management Society Inc. bringing its annual conference back to New Orleans for the first time since Hurricane Katrina, it's probably little surprise that the first question to a panel of top...

In focus.(technology devices)(HP Compaq TC1100 Tablet Computer, Treo 700wx Mobile Smartphone, BlackBerry 8703e Wireless Handheld)
May 1, 2007... Major information technology investments can be a key factor in a company's success in the insurance industry, but for many in the business, various personal technology devices are critical to getting the job done. Again this year, we've asked...

New e-proxy system packs rewards and risks.(Cover: Focus Information Technology)
May 1, 2007... Byline: Meg Fletcher When it begins July 1, the Securities and Exchange Commission's new program to provide proxy materials to willing shareholders by posting them on an Internet site will reward the many, though it may create some new...

The big picture: Tech transformation.(Last Word)(productivity growth tracked )
May 1, 2007... Byline: Marcus Ryu Over the past decade, the United States has been experiencing a significant surge in productivity growth, nearly doubling its pace since the 1970s. A stock market bubble, terrorist attack and recession notwithstanding,...

A solution without a problem?(contingent commissions, insurance brokers)
May 1, 2007... Byline: Key Coleman and John Bonaguro More than two years after a series of allegations surrounding contingent commissions rocked the insurance industry, the industry finds itself in a paradoxical situation with surprisingly little clarity....

Industry companies look for solutions to legacy IT issues; In the works.(Cover: Focus Information Technology)(Service-Oriented Architecture )
May 1, 2007... Byline: Meg Fletcher Modernizing legacy information systems through service-oriented architecture appears to offer many insurers real hope, not just hype. It remains to be seen, though, how many insurers will maximize SOA's potential...

Five steps toward getting your company's data under control.(Cover: Focus Information Technology)
May 1, 2007... Insurers should consider following these steps to establish a good records management program, according to CaseCentral Inc., a San Francisco-based consulting firm. 1. Establish a definable and defensible IT process. The new rules require...

Largest managing general agents.(Feature: Ranking)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... Companies deriving more than 50% of their wholesale premium volume from acting as a managing general agent, ranked by 2006 premium volume. 1. Burns & Wilcox Ltd. 2. Hub International Ltd. 3. Eastern America Insurance Agency Inc....

Patent awarded to InsuranceNoodle.(Tech Focus)(Brief article)
May 1, 2007... CHICAGO-InsuranceNoodle Inc. has been issued a U.S. patent for its proprietary Web-based technology platform that facilitates online application and quoting from multiple insurance companies for a variety of commercial insurance products. ...

Brokers march to New Orleans bands' rescue.(End Page)(Brief article)
May 7, 2007

Gray America presents challenge, opportunity.(Scottsdale Healthcare and its employee benefits)
May 7, 2007

RIMS attendees aid cleanup of City Park.(Risk & Insurance Management Society)(Brief article)
May 7, 2007

Risk managers' top priority: quality; President urges efforts to improve practices and relationships.(Michael Liebowitz)
May 7, 2007

Sports events raise education funds; XL Capital donates $100,000 to fund memorial scholarship.(Spotlight: RIMS 2007)
May 7, 2007

Compensation issues dominate Q&A with CEOs; Executives differ on what's appropriate in the relationship among buyers, brokers and insurers.(Spotlight: RIMS 2007)(chief executive officer)(Discussion)
May 7, 2007

Mysterious bee disappearance may sting crops.(End Page)(Brief article)
May 7, 2007

High court ruling may boost patent litigation; Case eases standard for legal challenges to existing patents.(News)
May 7, 2007

Crump to combine with rival wholesaler; Investor owner pays $650 million in deal for BISYS units.(BISYS Group Inc. contract with Crump Insurance Services Inc. and being acquired by JC Flowers and Co.)
May 7, 2007

Calif. ruling clarifies comp apportionment; Decision seen saving hundreds of millions in employer costs.(News)
May 7, 2007

Time to avoid conflicts.(Questions & Answers)(dialogue with Joe Plumeri)(Interview)
May 7, 2007

Bank deal unites Wells Fargo Insurance, ABD.(Briefs)(ABD Insurance & Financial Services)(Wells Fargo Insurance Services Inc.)(Survey)
May 7, 2007

Tough exposures test risk managers; Pharmaceutical, financial service industries seek nontraditional cover.(News)
May 7, 2007

Return-to-work strategies benefit employer and employee; The best programs balance workplace costs and connections.(Spotlight: RIMS 2007)
May 7, 2007

Few E.U. members meet pollution law deadline.(International News)(Brief article)
May 7, 2007

Security breach charges settled; CS STARS: No customer data used inappropriately in computer theft.(News)
May 7, 2007

Insurer won't recover sunken ship.(Assuranceforeningen Gard not recovering insurance for sinking of Bourbon Dolphin)(Brief article)
May 7, 2007

High-speed police chases upheld by Supreme Court.(News)(Brief article)
May 7, 2007

Two more employers freeze defined benefit pension plans.(News)(ArvinMeritor Inc.)(Lincoln Financial Group)
May 7, 2007

Marsh, Aon still mull new insurer payments; Decision by Willis may pressure rivals to spurn supplements.(Willis Group Holdings Ltd.)
May 7, 2007

IRS move boosts Roth 401(k) plans; But wide acceptance still some years away, experts say.(News)
May 7, 2007

Chubb's supplemental commissions based on performance for the previous year.(News)
May 7, 2007

Lott settles Katrina claim.(Chester T. Lott Sr. accused State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. for insurance claims for his house damaged in Katrina Hurricane)(Brief article)
May 7, 2007

Arizona makes changes to lure benefit captives; Domicile could attract offshore facilities looking to expand.(News)
May 7, 2007

Program helps American Airlines reduce workers comp costs; Lifestyle and other data helps direct loss control efforts.(Spotlight: RIMS 2007)
May 7, 2007

RIMS presents annual awards.(Spotlight: RIMS 2007)(Risk and Insurance Management Society Inc.)
May 7, 2007

Buyers advised to discuss brokers' use of premium float.(Spotlight: RIMS 2007)
May 7, 2007

Risk managers must speak up to be heard.(Brief article)(Column)
May 7, 2007

Risk managers should step up lobbying efforts; Few buyers realize potential to influence political process.(Spotlight: RIMS 2007)
May 7, 2007

U.K. hikes employer pension levy; Move made to shore up resources of backstop for defined benefit plans.(International News)
May 7, 2007

Products & Services: AIG Specialty Excess raises capacity for public entity.(AIG Specialty Excess increased capacity of excess liability insurance)(Hiscox USA introduced media liability coverage)(ACE USA Inc. introduced ACE USA Legacy Liability)
May 7, 2007

How to keep new moms a part of the workforce.(Perspective)
May 7, 2007

Terrorism backstop law requires a tight focus.(Column)
May 7, 2007

401(k) rules require separate Roth, traditional accounts.(News)(Brief article)
May 7, 2007

On the Web.(News)(Brief article)
May 7, 2007

Forty Years of BI.(News)(Brief article)
May 7, 2007

Online Poll at www.businessinsurance.com.(News)
May 7, 2007

Insurers improve timeliness and quality of policy issuance; More focus needed on specialty, excess coverage areas.(Spotlight: RIMS 2007 Trends & Developments)
May 14, 2007

NCOIL raps NAIC on closed meetings; NAIC says it's exempt from open-meeting laws; more debate expected.(News)(National Conference of Insurance Legislators, National Assn. of Insurance Commissioners)
May 14, 2007

SCOR, Converium reach friendly takeover deal.(International News)(acquisitions)
May 14, 2007

Former HIH exec sent to prison; Company document left out key information from financial transaction.(International News)
May 14, 2007

Big employers continue defined benefit exodus; Defined contribution plans the only offering at 42% of companies.(News)(Survey)
May 14, 2007

Supplemental pay debate heats up; Some risk managers advocate avoiding commission business.(Spotlight: RIMS 2007 Trends & Developments)
May 14, 2007

Hockey player's comp claim sent to the penalty box.(End Page)
May 14, 2007

Court ruling favors asbestos contractors; Premises liability coverage tapped for claims.(News)(Robert A. Keasbey Co.)
May 14, 2007

Be clear and document employee privacy restrictions; How to avoid pitfalls but build protections.(Spotlight: RIMS 2007 Trends & Developments)
May 14, 2007

Market moves.(Global Special Risks L.L.C., contracts)(briefs)
May 14, 2007

Risks faced by mobile employees require 'systems approach'; Specific objectives, tracking results back successful programs.(Spotlight: RIMS 2007 Trends & Developments)
May 14, 2007

The Lloyds of London: A relentless appetite for...rock?(End Page)(Brief article)
May 14, 2007

Building an insurance program in China poses challenges; Risk managers must be aware of differences in policy wording, laws.(Spotlight: RIMS 2007 Trends & Developments)
May 14, 2007

Drugmaker ready for outbreak.(Spotlight: RIMS 2007 Trends & Developments)(F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. preparations for a deadly pandemic)(Brief article)
May 14, 2007

Liberty Mutual to acquire Ohio Casualty; Purchase of regional rival brings significant book of agency-based commercial business.(News)(acquisitions)
May 14, 2007

Private buyout deals produce new D&O risks; More claims expected as directors' decisions face increased scrutiny.(News)
May 14, 2007

Regulator-legislator tiff will benefit no one.(Opinions)
May 14, 2007

Broker pay, policy delivery dominate industry issues; Issuing accurate and timely policies is ongoing challenge.(Spotlight: RIMS 2007 Trends & Developments)
May 14, 2007

Who is responsible?(Spotlight: RIMS 2007 Trends & Developments)(risk manager's responsibility)
May 14, 2007

New broker compensation business model needed.(Spotlight: RIMS 2007 Trends & Developments)
May 14, 2007

On the web.
May 14, 2007

Wells Fargo deal raises questions; ABD chief quits after bank parent agrees to sale.(News)
May 14, 2007

Brokerage sees changes.(News)(Acordia Inc.)
May 14, 2007

Policyholders to be heard on Capitol Hill.(Opinions)(Brief article)
May 14, 2007

'Excellent' comp results; Workers comp insurers post best year in decades.(News)
May 14, 2007

'Women to Watch' nominations open; List will focus on leaders in insurance, risk and benefits.(News)
May 14, 2007

NASCAR confronts risks head-on; Death of racing legend Dale Earnhardt sparks safety system overhaul.(Spotlight: RIMS 2007 Trends & Developments)(National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Inc.)
May 14, 2007

Katrina settlements mostly problem free; Policyholder, insurer disagree on whether civil disorder a separate event.(Spotlight: RIMS 2007 Trends & Developments)
May 14, 2007

Court finds brewer liable for taster's alcoholism.(End Page)(Companhia de Bebidas das Americas)(Brief article)
May 14, 2007... While experience is generally considered a desirable commodity by employers when recruiting, one Brazilian brewer probably should have more closely questioned a beer taster's drinking habits. According to the Associated Press, a Brazilian...

Reputations on the line; Risk managers advised to take leadership role.(Spotlight: RIMS 2007 Trends & Developments)
May 14, 2007