Best's Review articles from August 2005

Best's Review archives from August 2005

The Asian explosion.(Editor's Prologue)(Editorial)
August 1, 2005... Take a population that's rapidly expanding, consider its cultural respect for savings and education, and mix in the fact that many of its insurance needs are unmet. The result should be the perfect market, but in the case of Asian Americans,...

Whom do you trust?(Comment)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... As a 40-year veteran of life insurance sales, I could not disagree with Mr. Verzone's thesis more. ("It's All About Trust," March 2005) "Life Insurance is based on trust--that's always been honored." He's living in the past! Life...

Clarifications.(Correction Notice)
August 1, 2005... Information from the Corporate Changes section of the July 2005 magazine needs to be clarified as follows: Potomac Insurance Company of Illinois changed its name to SUA Insurance Company on Nov. 23, subsequent to the company being acquired...

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
August 1, 2005... Contributor Ira Bergman is an attorney with White and Williams LLP, Philadelphia. The firm was identified incorrectly in the July issue. The following Web-site addresses were incorrect in the Captive Domicile listings in the July 2005...

2005 hurricane season launches early.(windstorm insurance)
August 1, 2005... Forecasters predicted this year's hurricane season would be an active one, and with five named storms, including two hurricanes by mid-July, the season definitely has gotten off to an active start. "Four named storms in the first five weeks...

ISO: second quarter U.S. cat losses lowest in 10 years.(Insurance Services Office Inc.)
August 1, 2005... Insured property losses from catastrophes in the second quarter were the lowest in 10 years, according to preliminary estimates by the Insurance Services Office's Property Claims Services unit. ISO said U.S. property/casualty insurers are...

Florida fund has changed, but is pressure off?(Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund)
August 1, 2005... Four major hurricanes in 2004 hammered Florida insurers with $23 billion in insured losses, leading to changes to the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. But at least one insurer says those changes don't go far enough in addressing the strains...

U.S. P/C industry combined ration falls to 98.1.(property and casualty insurance industry)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The U.S. property/casualty industry's combined ratio for 2004 was below 100 for the first time since 1978. The industry reported improvements of 2.0 and 0.1 in its 2004 loss and loss-adjustment expense ratios, respectively, as growing premiums...

Combined ratio, top property/casualty writers, United States--2004.(property and casualty insurance industry)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
August 1, 2005... Combined Ratio, Top Property/Casualty Writers, United States--2004 Rank is based on net premiums written for 2004 ($ Thousands) Net Premiums...

Loss ratio, top property/casualty writers, United States--2004.(property and casualty insurance industry)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
August 1, 2005... Loss Ratio, Top Property/Casualty Writers, United States--2004 Rank is based on net premiums written ($ Thousands) Net Premiums Rank Group Name...

Loss and loss-adjustment expense ratio, five-year average.(insurance industry)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
August 1, 2005... Loss and Loss-Adjustment Expense Ratio, Five-Year Average State Farm Group 84.8 Amer Intl Group Inc. 79.6 Allstate Ins Group 73.7 St. Paul Travelers Cos 80.4 Berkshire Hathaway Ins 78.6 Source: A.M. Best...

Meetings.(Briefing)(Calendar)
August 1, 2005... Aug. 7-11 American Risk and Insurance Association, ARIA Annual Meeting, Sheraton City Centre, Salt Lake City. Phone: (610) 640-1997 Web site: www.aria.org Aug. 9-11 Vermont Captives Insurance Association, Annual Conference, Sheraton Hotel...

Commercial losses from U.K. bombing mount.(London Terrorist Bombings, 2005)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The terrorist bombs that hit London during the morning rush hour July 7 can be expected to generate the full range of insurance claims. According to the Association of British Insurers, likely categories include terrorism, business...

Terror loss costs tally may be months away.(London Terrorist Bombings, 2005)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... It may be months before a loss figure is available for property damage from the terrorist bombs that hit central London on July 7, according to Pool Reinsurance Co. Ltd., the U.K. government-supported mutual reinsurer that provides...

Bombings create echoes for writers.(London Terrorist Bombings, 2005)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The terrorist bombs that hit London's mass transit system July 7 presented U.K. life insurers with a scenario that has become familiar in recent years: a highly public event and a number of potential claims involving yet-to-be-identified...

Hub International Ltd.(Rick Ankesheiln appointed)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... HUB INTERNATIONAL LTD. has named RICK ANKESHEILN as senior vice president of the newly established Hub Gulf South, based in New Orleans. In this role, Ankesheiln will help build and expand business in Louisiana and nearby states....

Marsh & McLennan Co.(John T. Sinnott appointed at Marsh and McLennan Companies Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... A long-time MARSH & McLENNAN CO. executive, who retired in 2003 as chairman and chief executive officer of Marsh Inc., has been appointed to the corporation's board. JOHN T. SINNOTT will serve as vice chairman of Marsh & McLennan and a...

Ace USA.(Alfred E. Bergbauer and John S. Scales appointed)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... ACE USA has named ALFRED E. BERGBAUER as senior vice president of Ace USA International Advantage and JOHN S. SCALES as vice president of underwriting for Ace USA International Advantage. Before joining Ace, Bergbauer was at Marsh USA Inc.,...

First Kirsten Christophe Memorial Award has special significance.(Francine Semaya, Cozen and O'Connor )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Francine Semaya, a Cozen O'Connor attorney, will become the first recipient of the Kirsten Christophe Memorial Award for Excellence in Trial and Insurance Law, given by the American Bar Association Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section. ...

Citigroup Inc.(Robert Willumstad stepping down )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... ROBERT WILLUMSTAD is stepping down as president, chief operating officer and a member of the board of CITIGROUP INC., the company said. Willumstad, 59, said he is leaving Citigroup to seek a chief executive position with a public company....

Assurant Inc.(Jerome A. Atkinson, P. Bruce Camacho and Robert B. Pollock appointed)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... ASSURANT INC. has named ROBERT B. POLLOCK, who was executive vice president and chief financial officer, as president and chief operating officer, responsible for all of the specialty insurer's businesses. Pollock's appointment was among a...

Countrywide Insurance Group.(Michael S. Daoussis appointed)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... COUNTRYWIDE INSURANCE GROUP has named MICHAEL S. DAOUSSIS as senior vice president of its commercial lines national construction practice. Daoussis will work to expand the retail agency operations of Country-wide Insurance Services Inc. by...

Pan-American Life Insurance Co.(Carlos F. Mickan appointed)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... PAN-AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE CO. has named CARLOS F. MICKAN as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Previously, Mickan was senior vice president and CFO of Principal International Inc., the international division of...

Arch Capital Group Ltd.(W. Preston Hutchings)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... ARCH CAPITAL GROUP LTD. has named W. PRESTON HUTCHINGS as senior vice president and chief investment officer. Hutchings will be based in the company's Bermuda headquarters. Previously, Hutchings was senior vice president and chief investment...

E.G. Bowman & Co.(John L. Procope died )(Brief Article)(Obituary)
August 1, 2005... JOHN L. PROCOPE, the chairman of insurance brokerage E.G. BOWMAN & CO. for more than two decades, died July 15 from complications of pneumonia. He was 82. Since 1982, Procope had served as chairman of E.G. Bowman, a Wall Street insurance...

Marsh's ads get personal.(Nathan Sambul, Colonial Penn Franklin Insurance Co.)(Brief Article)(Interview)
August 1, 2005... MARSH'S Chief Marketing Officer Nathan Sambul shared his thoughts on the broker's new ad campaign that premiered at RIMS in April. What's the story behind your latest ad campaign? Is the content the result of the contingent commission...

Star Power.(Allstate Corp., Colonial Penn Franklin Insurance Co., Banker's Life and Casualty and The Lifeline Program, Betty White )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... BANKER'S LIFE & CASUALTY, ALLSTATE, COLONIAL PENN and THE LIFELINE PROGRAM are counting on celebrities to attract consumers' attention. In Lifeline's case, the life-insurance settlement company created DVDs featuring actress Betty White to help...

Two insurers are listed in Advertising Aqe's 2004.(Allstate Corp., Berkshire Hathaway Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... TWO INSURERS ARE LISTED in Advertising Age's 2004 100 Leading National Advertisers report. Berkshire Hathaway (Geico) ranked No. 58, up from 2003's 74 spot. Allstate Corp. moved up to the 93 ranking, after placing at 114 in 2003. The report...

Retirement outlook: rocky.(Prudential Financial Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Prudential Financial has found in a new study, "Roadblocks to Retirement," that daily financial demands and discretionary spending are slowing down retirement saving in the United States. And the past five years haven't helped: Some 59% of...

Current age of involuntary retirees.(Brief Article)(Illustration)
August 1, 2005... Current Age of Involuntary Retirees 50-59 34% 60-64 40% 65-69 15% Under 50 11% Source: Prudential Financial Note: Table made from pie chart.

Chubb ups bond for construction.(Chubb Group of Insurance Cos.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The Chubb Group of Insurance Companies has announced SuretyPlus, which can provide up to $250 million in excess surety-bond protection for construction projects over $500 million. Construction companies and surety agents and brokers have...

New EPL program for food industry.(employment practices liability, Monitor Liability Managers Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Monitor Liability Managers Inc., a subsidiary of W.R. Berkley Corp., has launched InsurePak, an employment practices liability program for frill-service restaurants, fast-food restaurants, cafeterias, food-service contractors and vendors. ...

Hazard coverage for vehicle dealers.(MBA Holdings Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... MBA Holdings Inc., Scottsdale, Ariz., has introduced a national road hazard tire and wheel protection program for dealers of motorcycles and autos. Great American Assurance Company handles the underwriting. In each of the past few years,...

Cash value product from nationwide.(Nationwide Financial Services Inc.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Nationwide Financial Services has introduced Options Select, a variable universal life insurance product designed for cash-value accumulation. It replaces the company's Options Premier contract. The new product is targeted at individuals...

Fixed annuities sold by banks.(insurance companies)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Top 1 0 writers of fixed annuities sold through banks. ($ Billions) American General Allstate Financial New York Life Aegon/ Transamerica Jackson National Genworth MetLife investors American National Western-Southern Nationwide ...

Best's rating changes.(insurance industry)(Illustration)
August 1, 2005... This edition of Best's Rating Changes reflects all rating changes--assignments, changes or placed under review--that occurred for life, health and property/casualty insurers domiciled in North America, as well as international insurance...

Guide to best's financial strength ratings.(Ratings)
August 1, 2005... GUIDE TO BESTS'S FINANCIAL STRENGTH RATINGS A Best's Rating is an independent opinion, based on a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation, of a company's balance sheet strength, operating performance and business profile....

Perfect prospects: insurers are stepping up their courtship of Asian Americans, the fastest growing--and most affluent--race in the United States.(Asian-American Market: Agent/Broker)(Cover Story)
August 1, 2005... A COMMON BOND: Nan Yin Juan, left and her daughter, Yufang Carolyn Juan, both Axa Financial advisers, find that sharing their history as immigrants from Taiwan helps them relate to Asian-American clients from all cultures. Yufang Carolyn...

No Wiggle Room: with reinsurers' increased scrutiny on claims, underwriters are sticking to their guidelines--and agents feel the pressure.(Selling Insight: Life)
August 1, 2005... A top producer with a solid track record as a competent, meticulous and scrupulously accurate life insurance agent submitted the application. Yes, the agent and the brokerage general agency realized the client was five pounds overweight by the...

Alien forces at work.(Regulation: Reinsurance/Capital Markets)
August 1, 2005... Now that the European Union has agreed to a single reinsurance protocol to regulate the industry, some say the United States will face increased pressure to simplify its regulatory structure, including reducing or eliminating its collateral...

Then there was one: when companies merge, blending their risk management operations requires planning, foresight and tough choices.(Risk Management: Property/Casualty)(Caesars Entertainment Inc. acquired by Harrah's Entertainment Inc. )
August 1, 2005... The June takeover of Caesars Entertainment Inc. by Harrah's Entertainment Inc. forged the largest casino operator in the world. Months before the deal was completed, the companies were bringing in consultants to evaluate their separate...

Reviewing the situation.(mergers & acquisitions)
August 1, 2005... Companies planning to merge often will call for assistance from Accenture, the global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing firm. When that happens, Accenture will recommend that its clients consider five key points, said...

Direct premiums written by line, property/casualty, United States--2004.(Risk Management: Property/Casualty)
August 1, 2005... Direct Premiums Written Line, Property/Casualty, United States--2004 ($ Thousands) Direct Written Total % of % of Business Line Premiums Total ...

Total auto.(Risk Management: Property/Casualty)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Total Auto 2004 Direct Premiums % Change in Written ($ Thousands) Premiums State Farm Group $30,305,861 -0.4% Allstate Ins Group ...

Total auto, top writers, United States--2004.(Risk Management: Property/Casualty)
August 1, 2005... Total Auto, Top Writers, United States--2004 Rank is based on 2004 direct premiums written. ($ Thousands) 2004 Direct % Premiums...

Commercial multiple peri.(Leading Writers: Property/Casualty)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Commercial Multiple Peril 2004 Direct Premiums % Change in Written ($ Thousands) Premiums St. Paul Travelers Cos $3,069,344 -2.5% Hartford Ins...

Homeowners multiple peril.(Leading Writers: Property/Casualty)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Homeowners Multiple Peril 2004 Direct Premiums % Change in Written ($ Thousands) Premiums State Farm Group $11,916,227 9.8% Allstate Ins...

Commercial multiple peril, top writers, United States--2004.(Leading Writers: Property/Casualty)
August 1, 2005... Commercial Multiple Peril, Top Writers, United States--2004 Rank is based on 2004 direct premiums written. ($ Thousands) 2004 Direct % ...

Medical malpractice.(Leading Writers: Property/Casualty)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Medical Malpractice 2004 Direct Premiums % Change in Written ($ Thousands) Premiums Amer Intl Group Inc $916,126 0.6% MLMIC Group ...

Workers' compensation.(Leading Writers: Property/Casualty)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Workers' Compensation 2004 Direct Premiums % Change in Written ($ Thousands) Premiums State Comp Ins Fund CA $8,216,405 5.4% Amer Intl Group...

Homeowners multiple peril, top writers, United States--2004.(Leading Writers: Property/Casualty)
August 1, 2005... Homeowners Multiple Peril, Top Writers, United States--2004 Rank is based on 2004 direct premiums written. ($ Thousands) 2004 Direct % ...

Medical malpractice, top writers, United States--2004: Rank is based on 2004 direct premiums written.(Leading Writers/Property/Casualty)
August 1, 2005... Medical Malpractice, Top Writers, United States--2004 Rank is based on 2004 direct premiums written. ($ Thousands) 2004 Direct % ...

Workers' compensation, top writers, United States--2004: Rank is based on 2004 direct premiums written.(Leading Writers/Property/Casualty)(Illustration)
August 1, 2005... Workers' Compensation, Top Writers, United States--2004 Rank is based on 2004 direct premiums written. Thousands) 2004 Direct % Premiums...

On the verge: equity indexed life insurance has been around for a decade in the United States. It finally may be poised for a breakout.(Equity Indexed Universal Life)
August 1, 2005... The concept sounds so enticing: Design a cash-value life product that, over the long term, should outperform whole life and universal life, but without the catastrophic downside potential of variable life. Actually, the product has existed...

Equity indexed life.(National Life Insurance Co., Old Mutual Financial Network and American General Life Insurance Co.)
August 1, 2005... If potential is in the eye of the beholder, then Mike Pinkans and the National Life Insurance Co. of Montpelier, Vt., should win a prize for their optimism about equity indexed universal life insurance. National Life is committing resources to...

8 rules of consolidation: creating a single online touch point for policyholders and producers lowers operating costs and promotes good customer service.(insurance industry technology application)
August 1, 2005... The insurance industry has been investing in automation since the early 1960s, when insurance companies adopted punch-card systems. The nature of the insurance business, as well as a need for data analysis, have driven the use of technology....

A time for change: insurers are making strategic investments in information and technology and transforming IT into a business enabler.(insurance companies investments)
August 1, 2005... Insurers often are hamstrung when it comes to investing wisely in information and technology. For many, their information technology capability is all too often a barrier to business success rather than a key enabler. However, insurers can...

A second paradigm: the level of protection provided by state guaranty funds hasn't kept pace with inflation. Spreading the risk in tiers among additional insurers may restore the safety net.(State Property and Casuality Insurance Fund)
August 1, 2005... Imagine that you are a physician with insurance problems. The medical malpractice insurance industry has been experiencing convulsions, your premiums have been skyrocketing, and you have just received news that your carrier has been declared...

Where there's smoke: commentators have suggested that similar to other mass torts, such as asbestos, welding rod litigation may mushroom.(National Manufacturers Association, Gulf Underwriters Insurance Company, United States Fire Insurance Co. and Clendenin Brothers Inc.)
August 1, 2005... Around for a number of years, welding rod claims involve allegations of exposure to manganese fumes by industrial workers, or bystanders, resulting in permanent neurological impairment akin to Parkinson's disease. Welding rod litigation gained...

Back to work: as more post-retirees return to the workplace, insurers and benefit brokers are designing benefit packages that incorporate their needs.(American Association of Retired Persons, Metlife Inc.)
August 1, 2005... After retiring four years ago from a state job at a developmental center and then going through a divorce, Janice of North Dakota found herself in need of additional income. Now, the 69-year-old said she's back in the work force part time at a...

New challenges: if baby boomers continue to work during retirement, underwriters may need to rethink group disability benefits.(group insurance)
August 1, 2005... The notion of signing off from full-time work at age 65 for an unfettered retirement is about to be redefined by the outsized demographic bubble that has changed nearly every part of society it has bumped up against in its almost 60-year...

In reserve: Triple-X securitization represents an emerging class of structured products for life insurers.(First Colony Life Insurance Co., Banner Life Insurance Co., William Penn Life Insurance Company of New York and Scottish Re Group Ltd.)
August 1, 2005... Triple-X securitization can be characterized as the "securitization of the business of an enterprise," in contrast with traditional securitization, which is the "securitization of assets of an enterprise." A securitization structure provides...

Litigating from the driver's seat: managing claim litigation wisely heads off unnecessary costs unwelcome surprises.(litigated claims management)
August 1, 2005... It's been said there are three kinds of people: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who don't know what is happening. In managing litigation involving property/casualty claims, if you are a property/casualty...

Thinking the unthinkable: to effectively underwrite any potentially catastrophic peril, it's important to understand the dynamics of that peril.(terrorism risk insurance management)
August 1, 2005... It has been said that there are three types of people in the world: people who make things happen, people who wait for things to happen, and people who say "What happened?" Unfortunately, the entire insurance industry fits into the third...

Partners in service: when trying to build successful partnerships between agencies and service centers, principals need to remember not all service centers are created equal.(St. Paul Travelers Cos.)
August 1, 2005... Superior customer service is critical to an agency's success. So, when independent agents want increased capacity without hiring additional staff, partnering with a carrier's customer service center seems like a reasonable solution. Seems...

Cracking the life code: banks have lagged in their ability to sell life insurance, but more effective application processing is one of several factors that are building sales.(Kenneth Kehrer Associates, Limra International and Nationwide Life Insurance Co.)
August 1, 2005... For nearly a decade, banks have been free to sell life insurance. Most banks have not made a serious effort, and they still have a long way to go before they become significant distributors, but they have increased sales in the past couple of...

No strings attached: Jackson National champions independent distribution, supported by after-sales service and strong products.(Distribution: Q&A Life)(Interview)
August 1, 2005... Insurance distribution is a broad subject, and every life insurance company has different views, challenges and opportunities. Jackson National Life Insurance Co. is one of the few companies to decide long ago not to use captive agents. "It's a...

Trial by fire: insurers are using technology to manage wildfire risk more effectively.(FireLine model for risk management)
August 1, 2005... Brush fires are common in Southern California from late summer into fall. The native thickets of shrubs, known as chaparral and coastal sage scrub, become dry by late summer and many species are especially combustible. When Santa Ana winds fan...

The Agents Council for Technology.(web site resource)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The Agents Council for Technology recently unveiled new design and functionality for ACTtech, a Web site resource to help independent agents and brokers leverage the latest real-time interface, download and other technology capabilities that...

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska.(Web News You Can Use)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska announced the availability of new electronic enrollment and data exchange tools, provided by Benefitfocus.com Inc. BluesEnroll and eExchange offers the Blues plan's customers benefit enrollment and...

The Hartford.(Web News You Can Use)(risk management information system)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... The Hartford unveiled a Web site custom designed for risk managers at large organizations with a work force of more than 500-employees. Via the site, organizations can evaluate their total cost of risk. The site provides easy access to...

Kemper Auto and Home.(web services)
August 1, 2005... Kemper Auto and Home has integrated ISO HomeValue into its agent policy-quoting system for a streamlined underwriting workflow. ISO HomeValue is a highly flexible Web-based residential replacement cost estimator that can be integrated into...

File-sharing decision raises questions about third-party liability.(Technology Notes: Technology)
August 1, 2005... In a ruling that could have liability implications for a host of technology firms and their insurers, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that providers of file-sharing software and networks could be held responsible for their users'...

4 ways to Save an IP license: companies must protect their rights to intellectual property and information technology they have licensed from another insurer in case that insurer becomes insolvent.(Intellectual Property: Regulatory/Law)
August 1, 2005... When corporate counsel are called in to plan for the acquisition of an insurance company or a line of business from an insurer, they are unlikely to rank intellectual property issues as a top priority. But intellectual property and information...

Reducing crime risks: agents can assess their clients' risks by asking how they protect their homes and families.(Impulse Research Corp., risk management)
August 1, 2005... When a home is burglarized, homeowners lose a sense of security and comfort. If a homeowner has the misfortune of being there when a thief breaks in, he or she will be even more shaken. While a homeowners insurance policy will pay to replace...

Driver training, seat belts can reduce van accidents.(Loos/Risk Management Notes: Property/Casualty)
August 1, 2005... Vans that can carry 15 people are often used by schools, churches, community organizations and even airport shuttle services. Vans are more likely to roll over, however, and when they do roll, they're more likely to be filled with...

Wearing genes to work.(Loos/Risk Management Notes: Property/Casualty)(genetic testing )(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Add genetic testing to the list of potential worries for risk managers. Federal law bars discrimination based on age, race, gender and other protected characteristics, but is now considering adding "genetic makeup" to the law. The...

Sun Life acquires Australian Bank's Hong Kong unit.(Companies)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Canada's Sun Life Financial Inc. said it agreed to buy the Hong Kong insurance and pension operations of Commonwealth Bank of Australia, a move Sun Life said will make it the seventh-largest life insurer in Hong Kong. Under the agreement,...

Hannover Re to focus on specialty lines in U.S.(Companies)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Germany's Hannover Re said it plans to reorganize its operations in the United States, pulling out of some business areas there, including the commodity-like homeowners business in Florida. Among the planned changes, announced at an...

UnitedHealth Group to merge with PacifiCare in $8 billion deal.(mergers and acquisitions)
August 1, 2005... UnitedHealth Group Inc., the nation's second-largest health insurer based on membership, will merge with PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. in a cash and stock deal that is valued at roughly $8 billion, the companies said. Under the terms of...

Aetna to acquire Regional Health Network for $390M.(Companies)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Aetna Inc. said it would acquire HMS Healthcare, a regional health-care network, for about $390 million in cash, which the health insurer said would strengthen its market presence, especially in Michigan and Colorado, by providing access to...

Amlin calls off acquisition of fellow Lloyd's insurer.(mergers and acquisitions)(Amlin plc)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Declaring that the acquisition of fellow Lloyd's underwriter Chaucer Holdings plc wouldn't generate enough value for shareholders, Amlin plc said it wouldn't go ahead with the proposed purchase. Amlin said in a statement that it reserves...

Arkansas, Fla. Blues combine life products, form company.(alliances and partnerships)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield and Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Florida Inc. completed an alliance that combines their life and diversified business products under a new, jointly owned holding company, the Florida Blues said. The holding...

Joint Life venture wins two more licenses in China.(Companies)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2005... CITIC Prudential Life, the joint venture between London-based Prudential plc and China International Trust & Investment Corp., has been awarded two more licenses in the Chinese market. The licenses, in Nanjing and Shenzhen, bring to 10 the...