Business Insurance articles from September 2008

Business Insurance archives from September 2008

On the web.
September 1, 2008... BI VIDEO Video looks at lessons New Orleans learned In "Protecting New Orleans," leading risk manager Warren Perkins discusses lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina, the city's recovery and how the Crescent City has improved its risk...

International reinsurers look to Brazil after end of monopoly; Relative market isolation, absence of large natural catastrophes make South American nation attractive.(Spotlight: Global Reinsurance Markets)
September 1, 2008... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD Eager reinsurers are beginning to open their doors in Brazil after a 69-year reinsurance monopoly by Instituto de Resseguros do Brasil S.A. came to an end in April. About 20 reinsurers have been given approval to...

Market conditions thin managed care margins; Shrinking enrollment, economy hit results.(News)(Financial report)
September 1, 2008... Byline: KRISTIN GUNDERSON HUNT Major U.S. managed care companies were profitable in the second half of 2008, but earnings margins generally were far smaller than the first half of 2007 as commercial enrollments continued to shrink. ...

Democrats pledge universal coverage; Plan sparse on details, but job-based coverage likely key component.(News)
September 1, 2008... Byline: JERRY GEISEL DENVER-Amid the soaring rhetoric at the Democratic National Convention last week, in which presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., promised to fight for universal health care coverage if elected, observers...

Appeals court rules twice for employers with 'honest suspicion' of workers on leave.(News)(Case overview)
September 1, 2008... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD CHICAGO-A federal appeals court in Chicago has twice sided with employers who used surveillance to observe employees suspected of abusing the Family Medical and Leave Act. According to a July 21 decision by the...

Firms use private eyes to track FMLA abuse; Experts urge caution as privacy concerns rise.(News)(Family Medical Leave Act)
September 1, 2008... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD A growing number of employers are turning to surveillance to catch employees suspected of abusing the Family Medical Leave Act, some observers say. The trend may be encouraged by a recent federal appeals court...

In brief.(News)(hurricane gustav as serious threat to U.S.)(class action lawsuits filed against Nokia Inc. for radio frequency radiation from wireless phones )
September 1, 2008... Modelers see Gustav as serious threat to U.S. Energy companies late last week prepared to evacuate workers from oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico as Hurricane Gustav appeared headed toward the U.S. coast. The storm, which passed over Jamaica...

Comp fraud lands jailer in the clink.(End Page)(worker's compensation fraud)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... A former Folsom prison guard will be seeing the other side of the cell door after being sentenced to seven years for fraud in a workers compensation and disability case. Former guard June Ann Lucena collected workers comp benefits and a...

Market moves.(Genworth Financial Inc. is launching a new wealth management division)(Companion Global Health Inc. merged with CIMA Hospital)(Gallagher and Co. acquires Wm. W. George & Associates Inc.)
September 1, 2008... Health care company expands overseas network Columbia, S.C.-Companion Global Health Inc. has expanded its network of accredited overseas hospitals by adding CIMA Hospital in San Jose, Costa Rica. Companion Global Healthcare's clients...

State hashes out smoking policy.(End Page)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Employers in California may have the choice of whether to allow medical marijuana users to smoke pot in the workplace under guidelines issued last week by California Attorney General Jerry Brown. The attorney general drew up the guidelines...

Ladbury named general manager of BI Europe.(News)
September 1, 2008... LONDON-Business Insurance Europe Editor Adrian Ladbury has been named general manager of the biweekly newspaper, with increased responsibility for overseeing sales, marketing and online operations. Mr. Ladbury's promotion was announced by...

Bipolar damages upheld; Canadian court rules worker suffered bias.(International News)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Byline: KRISTIN GUNDERSON HUNT OTTAWA-The Ontario Superior Court of Justice's Ottawa Divisional Court upheld an $80,000 judgment in favor of an information technology specialist dismissed from his job just days after disclosing to his...

Solvency II's impact on reinsurance industry uncertain; Small, midsize companies likely to turn to reinsurers to comply with new capital requirements.(Spotlight: Global Reinsurance Markets)
September 1, 2008... Byline: STUART COLLINS Solvency II, the European Union's proposed capitalization regulation, is likely to affect the way insurers buy reinsurance in the not-too-distant future, observers say. It is too early to tell whether insurers...

Cost-cutting boosts retention levels.(Spotlight: Global Reinsurance Markets)
September 1, 2008... Byline: STUART COLLINS European insurers are increasing their retention levels while turning more often to excess-of-loss cover to mitigate peak exposures, experts say. "The main overriding theme (for direct insurers' buying patterns)...

Executive Life case heads back to trial court.(News)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD SAN FRANCISCO-The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco last week affirmed an order that vacated $700 million in punitive damages awarded to the California Insurance Commissioner in connection with the...

Employers offer benefits to offset higher fuel prices.(News)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Colleen McCarthy Employers plan to offer a variety of benefits to alleviate the impact of higher gasoline prices on employees, including a compressed work week and increased use of telecommuting, a new study reveals. Within the...

Buyers' market looks to extend its run; Despite property losses and the credit crunch, some say only a storm will alter the tide.(Spotlight: Global Reinsurance Markets)
September 1, 2008... Byline: STUART COLLINS Despite above-average catastrophe losses and lower investment gains, reinsurers' still-strong results and plentiful capacity suggest that European reinsurance buyers will see prices fall further, experts say. ...

Archived ERM webinar available; Expert panel discusses how to eliminate obstacles to success.(News)
September 1, 2008... An archived version of Business Insurance's Online Executive Forum on "Enterprise Risk Management'' Eliminating Obstacles to Success'' is now available at www.BusinessInsurance.com/web inars. This free 60-minute webcast, conducted live...

Errors & Omissions.(Correction notice)
September 1, 2008... Due to an editing error, an Aug. 25 story on a federal appellate ruling upholding a pollution exclusion in a policy written by James River Insurance Co. omitted a quote: "Obviously we are pleased. It indicates our position about the breadth of...

Cat risks rising: exec; Swiss Re chief calls for public/private approach.(International News)
September 1, 2008... Byline: RICHARD MILLER DAVOS, Switzerland-New forms of private-public partnerships are needed, particularly for developing nations, to deal with risks and costs related to climate change, Swiss Reinsurance Co.'s chairman said last week....

Platform pushes mandatory enrollment for 401(k) plans.(News)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Jerry Geisel DENVER-The Democratic Party's platform would mandate what an increasing number of employers are already voluntarily doing: automatically enrolling employees in their 401(k) and other defined contribution plans. ...

Pollution exclusion upheld in dispute; Employer not shielded under FELA, 5th Circuit rules.(News)(Federal Employers Liability Act )
September 1, 2008... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS NEW ORLEANS-A liability policyholder does not have coverage for Federal Employers Liability Act violations arising from the inhalation of pollution despite policy language that implies the opposite, a federal appeals...

Asia opens prospects, but packs competition; Questions & answers.(Spotlight: Global Reinsurance Markets)(dialogue with Chris Klein)(Interview)
September 1, 2008... Chris Klein, London-based global head of business intelligence at Guy Carpenter & Co. L.L.C., spoke with Business Insurance Associate Editor Colleen McCarthy about global reinsurance trends and emerging markets in Asia. While the market is...

Workers reject changes to Boeing pensions; Fight with union over move to DC plan may influence others.(News)
September 1, 2008... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS CHICAGO-Boeing Co.'s failure last week to convince labor negotiators to allow the aerospace giant to phase out a defined benefit pension plan for union employees doesn't bode well for other employers wanting to do...

Vanpools cut costs, increase some risks; Commuting aid adds to liability exposures.(News)
September 1, 2008... Byline: NICK WHITFIELD As more businesses help their workers find lower-cost commuting options, employers need to be aware of the risks such programs can raise. An employer's risk can depend on the option chosen. One option that a...

Business Insurance adds N.Y. reporter.(News)(appointment of Zack Phillips )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... NEW YORK-Business Insurance has added to its editorial staff in New York. Zack Phillips has joined the magazine as an associate editor. He succeeds New York Bureau Chief Gloria Gonzalez, who resigned to pursue other professional...

Encourage employers to offer health cover.(Opinions)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... IS THE GLASS half-empty or half-full when considering the latest Census Bureau figures on the percentage of the U.S. population without health insurance? On the positive side, the report shows the percentage of the population without...

Risk managers can steer safe commuting options.(Opinions)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... COMMUTERS everywhere are facing higher transportation costs. Fueled by an interest in reducing the financial pinch of soaring gasoline prices, some employers are arranging or directing workers to vanpool arrangements-a good means of cutting...

Today's reserve releases may spell t-r-o-u-b-l-e.(Commentary)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Regis Coccia Property/casualty insurance market conditions continue to be very favorable for buyers, but that's not in buyers' interest over the long term. While insurers are competing aggressively on price, and sometimes...

Reinsurers not neutral on Swiss advantages; String of Bermuda-based companies move for favorable taxes and European market access.(News)
September 1, 2008... Byline: COLLEEN McCARTHY MARTIGNY, Switzerland-Flagstone Reinsurance Holdings Ltd.'s decision to merge its operating units in Bermuda and Switzerland into one Swiss-based company highlights Switzerland's growing appeal and more companies...

Britain considers bigger role for private health insurance; Change would lift bar on offering private care in conjunction with NHS.(International News)
September 1, 2008... Byline: JONATHAN GARDNER Long the home of publicly funded health care, Britain's health system may be taking on a more private-sector look, with employers potentially picking up more of the tab. Top government officials are discussing...

Up Close JOHN HAMILTON.(Comings & Goings)
September 1, 2008... NEW JOB TITLE: Senior vp and division manager of the Atlanta office for Thomas Rutherfoord Inc. PREVIOUS POSITION: Chairman of Wachovia Insurance Services for Georgia. GOALS FOR NEW POSITION: I would like to leverage the tremendous...

Disney dreams up fake hurricanes for Fla. tourists.(End Page)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Florida visitors and residents who for some reason want to face a hurricane now can safely get a thrilling sense of Mother Nature's power and learn how to better prepare for it at a new 3-D interactive theme park attraction. The...

Uninsured toll falls despite dip in job-based coverage; Increase in people covered by government programs offsets other trends.(News)
September 1, 2008... Byline: JERRY GEISEL WASHINGTON-Fewer U.S. residents lacked health insurance in 2007 than in 2006, as an increase in coverage through government programs offset a decline in employment-based coverage, according to the U.S. Census Bureau....

Brazil encourages long-term investment for reinsurers.(Spotlight: Global Reinsurance Markets)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Judy Greenwald International reinsurers are entering the Brazilian market under a new law designed to encourage responsible foreign reinsurers, while simultaneously protecting and preserving the local reinsurance market, observers...

Buyers gain multiple benefits from opening Brazil's market; New players boost expertise and flexibility; lower rates seen as likely.(Spotlight: Global Reinsurance Markets)
September 1, 2008... Byline: JUDY GREENWALD Both insurers and insurance buyers will ultimately benefit from the Brazilian reinsurance market's liberalization, observers say. Effective April 17, a 69-year reinsurance monopoly by Rio de Janeiro-based...

British ballplayer can't get coverage while traveling.(End Page)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng is uninsurable-at least that's what he and the British Basketball Federation have been told. The reported $80 million man, Mr. Deng can't find an insurer to cover his recently signed six-year contract with...

Technology options enhance efficiency.(Cover Focus: Boosting Productivity)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Meg Fletcher Property/casualty insurers have more technology options to help them improve productivity during the current soft market than life/disability insurers, an expert says. For example, a Connecticut municipal risk...

On the money; Insurers turn to professional asset managers to improve their investment portfolios.(Cover Focus: Boosting Productivity)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Rodd Zolkos Looking to make their investment portfolios more productive, insurers and reinsurers are turning more and more to outside asset management. Various factors are driving the trend, including turbulent credit markets,...

Errors & omissions.
September 1, 2008... In an August Industry Focus article about reinsurance pricing, "Playing to Win," the value of catastrophe bonds issued in 2007 was stated incorrectly. The correct amount was $7 billion, up from about $2 billion in 2005.

The quote.(Industry News)
September 1, 2008... "Carriers that do not step up and meet the challenge will watch their bread and butter disappear.' -Karen Pauli, senior insurance analyst, TowerGroup Inc. CAPTION(S): Karen Pauli

NAS expands business interruption eligibility.(Industry News)(NAS Insurance Services Inc.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... ENCINO, Calif.-Underwriting manager NAS Insurance Services Inc. has expanded eligibility for its regulatory business interruption insurance program to health care and medical risks such as hospitals, long-term care facilities and public health...

Munich Re seminar addresses shortage of adjusters.(Industry News)(Conference news)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... PRINCETON, N.J.-Munich Re America Corp. sought to help address a projected shortage of experienced claims adjusters with a two-day seminar last month at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wis. The program was presented by Munich Re...

Finding the e-balance.(Feature Trends)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Meg Fletcher Strategies to communicate better, faster and cheaper on the job abound, but how well they work depends on whether they mesh with an individual's job responsibilities and personal style of work. A diverse group of...

Chubb to back up-and-coming filmmakers.(Industry News)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... WARREN, N.J.-Chubb Corp. plans to support student and emerging filmmakers and help promote the future of filmmaking through a new alliance and scholarship program. As part of an alliance with the Council on International Nontheatrical...

Storms crash way onto party platforms.(First Word)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Rodd Zolkos From the perspective of many following the news a couple of weeks ago, coverage of the major U.S. political parties' nominating conventions alongside daily reports of the 2008 hurricane season kicking into high gear...

Industry interfaces with the future.(Cover Focus: Boosting Productivity)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Meg Fletcher Property/casualty insurers must make improvements in their system interfaces with agents and brokers or risk losing business, an expert warns. Independent agents that want to market their risks to multiple...

Mobile claims centers speed payouts in cat areas.(Cover Focus: Boosting Productivity)
September 1, 2008... Byline: Meg Fletcher Property/casualty insurers with large books of residential risks have found that specially trained adjusters and satellite-enabled vehicles have allowed them to respond faster and better to catastrophes. Prompt...

Three questions.
September 1, 2008... Businesses of all types are increasingly aware of the impact weather can have on their bottom line, and with that awareness is coming an increasing desire to find ways to transfer or mitigate those weather-related exposures. At the same time,...

A.M. Best releases details on evaluating contingent capital.(Industry News)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... OLDWICK, N.J.-A.M. Best Co. Inc. has released a new methodology, "Analyzing Contingent Capital Facilities,'' describing how the rating agency evaluates contingent capital in reviewing companies' financial flexibility and capital management. ...

On the move.(Swiss Reinsurance Co. has appointed Walter Bell)(Hewitt Associates Inc. has named Eric Fiedler and Yvan Legris )
September 1, 2008... Swiss Reinsurance Co. has named Walter Bell chairman of Swiss Re America Holding Corp. Mr. Bell, who will be based in New York, had been commissioner of the Alabama Department of Insurance since 2003. He succeeds Roger Ferguson, who left Swiss...

KC Scale assesses likely cyclone damage.(Industry News)(Karen Clark & Co.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... BOSTON-Catastrophe risk management services provider Karen Clark & Co. has introduced a new tool to assess likely insured damage from tropical cyclones. The KC Wind Damage Scale is designed to give insurance companies and others a measure...

IF sponsoring policy administration study.(Industry News)(Industry Focus )
September 1, 2008... A comprehensive study will provide a detailed look at commercial insurance companies' policy administration needs, practices and solutions. The study, being conducted by Toronto-based management consulting, advisory and research firm...

On the web.
September 8, 2008... BI KNOWLEDGE CENTER Read about candidates' platforms online Links to the presidential candidates' policy platforms are available online at the Business Insurance Knowledge Center under the Public Documents Archive section. Materials...

This week's results; VOTE in the BI Online Poll at www.businessinsurance.com.(Opinions)(Survey)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... Q. Which major party presidential nominee is most likely to cut the number of uninsured? Barack Obama: 45% John McCain: 27% Neither: 28% Next week's question: Q: Was Hurricane Gustav a good test of the Gulf Coast's...

WRITE.(Opinions)
September 8, 2008... Business Insurance welcomes letters to the editor. The section is intended to be a forum for readers' opinions and comments. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity or space. We will not publish unsigned letters. Please send your...

Editorial Reprint.(Spotlight: Surplus Lines)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... The YGS Group, formerly RMS Reprint Management Services, is the official and exclusive service provider for reprints of editorial content published in print ot online by Business Insurance and BI's Industry Focus. The YGS Group can provide...

Ironshore's niche focus; Questions & Answers.(Spotlight: Surplus Lines)(dialogue with Greg Flood )(Interview)
September 8, 2008... Greg Flood is chief executive officer of Ironshore Holdings (U.S.) Inc., a New York unit of Bermuda-based Ironshore Inc. Ironshore launched in 2006 as a specialty commercial insurer to provide capacity following the 2004 and 2005 U.S. hurricane...

Comings & goings online.(Comings & Goings)
September 8, 2008... Visit www.businessinsurance.com/ComingsandGoings for a full list of this week's personnel moves and promotions. Check our Web site daily for additional postings. To Submit Items Business Insurance would like to report on senior-level...

Rising demand for renewable energy generates interest from E&S market; Surplus lines insurers offer tailored coverage to green sector.(Spotlight: Surplus Lines)
September 8, 2008... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS Surplus lines insurers say the coverage they provide will help meet the growing demand for alternative energy sources that the high price of oil is helping to fuel. Investor attraction to large solar farms,...

Congress passes test on risk management.(Commentary)
September 8, 2008... Byline: Mark A. Hofmann The 110th Congress will soon be history. Lawmakers, who spent virtually all of August and the beginning of September as far from the legendarily wretched Washington summer as they could, are back for a few weeks but...

First-half surplus lines premiums fall; Stamping office data indicates biggest decline since 1996.(Spotlight: Surplus Lines)
September 8, 2008... Byline: NICK WHITFIELD The soft U.S. market squeezed surplus lines insurers in the first half of 2008, as combined premiums reported by the 14 state stamping offices declined. Overall, state stamping offices reported a 7.6% drop in...

Bitter bottle battle capped off.(End Page)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... The battle of the beer bottles has ended in Ontario. That battle was a legal fight between Waterloo, Ontario-based Brick Brewing Co. Ltd. and Mississauga, Ontario-based Brewers Retail Inc., which operates The Beer Store. The Beer Store has...

Large plan providers report drop in 401(k) loans by workers; But hardship withdrawals on the rise as employees struggle with economic difficulties arising out of credit crisis.(News)
September 8, 2008... Byline: LISA SHIDLER Despite reports that more people have been borrowing from their 401(k) accounts in 2008 to cover daily expenses, recent data from several plan providers show that such loans have fallen in some cases. However, most...

New Virginia E&S law eliminates declinations requirement; Particularly for commercial lines, experts see more states allowing buyers to directly access the surplus lines market.(Spotlight: Surplus Lines)
September 8, 2008... Byline: KRISTIN GUNDERSON HUNT Requirements that companies or their brokers diligently search the admitted market for insurance coverage before turning to the surplus lines market have a questionable future, surplus lines experts say. ...

Up close CORY ANGER.(Comings & Goings)
September 8, 2008... NEW JOB TITLE: New York-based head of global structuring for GC Securities, Guy Carpenter & Co. L.L.C.'s investment banking arm and division of MMC Securities Corp. PREVIOUS POSITION: Senior vp of the insurance products group for Lehman...

Guardian's goal? Informed employees.(End Page)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... While a big-time "hockey mom from Alaska'' is soaking up the political spotlight, a big-time soccer playing mom is working to make sure employees understand the importance of their benefits packages. Mia Hamm, an Olympic gold medalist and...

Target settles case over Web site access for the blind; Experts say deal could trigger other lawsuits against retailers.(News)
September 8, 2008... Byline: NICK WHITFIELD While businesses have known for decades about the need to make their buildings accessible to the disabled, a recent multimillion-dollar settlement may make accessibility a greater concern in e-commerce, too. ...

Damage moderate; Some areas hit hard; New Orleans spared.(News)
September 8, 2008... Byline: ZACK PHILLIPS BATON ROUGE, La.-Damage claims from Hurricane Gustav that began to flow into insurers last week could ultimately total as much as $7 billion, according to catastrophe modeling firms. The Category 2 hurricane,...

Employers seek veto of California comp bills; Measures would drive up costs, say critics.(News)
September 8, 2008... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS Employers and insurers in California are urging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to veto two bills they say would roll back workers compensation reforms and increase costs. But supporters of the legislation say the...

Contribute your expert opinions and knowledge; Perspectives.(Opinions)
September 8, 2008... Business Insurance accepts articles from experts in commercial insurance, risk management and employee benefits management for publication in its Perspectives section. All articles for the Perspectives page should address the concerns of...

Lloyd's hits U.K. taxes; Leader also criticizes insurers' pricing 'madness'.(International News)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... Byline: STUART COLLINS LONDON-Lloyd's of London Chairman Lord Peter Levene has called on the U.K. government to amend the tax treatment of Lloyd's insurers or risk losing out to lower-tax domiciles. The future success of Lloyd's is...

Insurer must defend siding maker; Texas construction-defect ruling seen as influencing other U.S. courts.(News)
September 8, 2008... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS AUSTIN, Texas-A commercial liability insurer must defend any claim of physical property damage that occurs during the policy term regardless of when the damage is actually discovered, the Texas Supreme Court has ruled...

Employers face worker 'presenteeism': Study.(News)(Survey)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... Byline: JEFF CASALE Nearly half of U.S. workers were absent from work at least once in the past six months, but a trend of greater concern was the number of ill or otherwise distracted workers going to work and not being able to perform up...

R.I. nightclub owners settle with fire victims; Many claims settled, but some issues remain in court.(News)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... Byline: DAVE LENCKUS PROVIDENCE, R.I.-A surplus lines unit of Markel Corp. would cover the $813,000 settlement that two nightclub owners have agreed to pay to resolve claims stemming from a deadly fire at the Rhode Island club in 2003,...

Products & services.
September 8, 2008... Riskonnect launches RMIS product MARIETTA, Ga.-Riskonnect has launched a Web-based risk management information system. Marietta, Ga.-based Riskonnect says the system offers users the ability to manage policies, claims, litigation and...

Maintain status quo on federal tort reform.(Opinions)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... THE BEST DEFENSE may, indeed, be a strong offense under most circumstances, but there are some cases in which the best defense is simply the best defense. Unfortunately, that appears likely to be the case regarding tort reform on the...

Is disco inferno a covered peril?(End Page)
September 8, 2008... An insurance executive in upstate New York is keeping up the "Saturday Night Fever'' with the World's Largest Disco party. The annual sell-out event in Buffalo, N.Y., features an evening of groovy tunes, leisure suits and platform...

Surplus lines insurers take on the most difficult-to-place risks; Large, complex accounts often seek cover outside admitted market.(Spotlight: Surplus Lines)
September 8, 2008... Byline: SALLY ROBERTS Although risk managers regularly tap the excess and surplus lines market for specialty risks and excess casualty coverage, they also often turn to nonadmitted insurers for needed capacity for large property programs,...

Government publication assesses probability, effects of U.K. risks; Despite general praise, report faulted for not including financial threats.(News)
September 8, 2008... Byline: TONY DOWDING LONDON-The U.K. government has published a National Risk Register that sets out its assessment of the likelihood and potential impact of a variety of risks that could affect the United Kingdom. The government said...

Ratings stable in Europe.(International News)(Brief article)
September 8, 2008... Byline: MICHAEL BRADFORD European insurers have escaped much of the fallout from the recent global credit market turmoil and are expected to survive the crisis in good shape, Moody's Investors Service says in a report. Moody's said it...

Workplace violence rate continues to decline; On-the-job assaults, however, show volatility.(News)
September 8, 2008... Byline: ROBERTO CENICEROS Rates of workplace violence continue to drop, according to research released last week. The report, by NCCI Holdings Inc., shows that cab drivers, chauffeurs, security guards and workers with access to cash...

GOP health reforms rely on tax credits; McCain outlines policy to offset premium costs.(News)
September 8, 2008... Byline: JERRY GEISEL ST. PAUL, Minn.-If Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., wins the presidency, he likely will propose a radical change in the way health care coverage is taxed, but observers say health care reform proposals likely to pass...

Losses from Gustav won't shift market; Ample capital can easily absorb storm's hit.(News)
September 8, 2008... Byline: DOUGLAS McLEOD Hurricane Gustav may turn out to be one of the costliest U.S. storms on record, but it will take bigger losses than Gustav's to turn the softening property/ casualty insurance market, industry observers agree. ...