Best's Review articles from January 2009

Best's Review archives from January 2009

Advertising's future.(From the Editor's Desk)(Editorial)(Brief article)(Conference notes)
January 1, 2009... Insurance marketing's equivalent of rock stars revealed the secrets of their success at A.M. Best's third annual Insurance Marketing and Advertising Summit, held in New York City on Nov. 6. If you couldn't attend the conference, our cover...

Non-U.S. reinsurers get relief from NAIC.(Briefing: Highlights From BestWeek)(National Association of Insurance Commissioners)
January 1, 2009... The National Association of Insurance Commissioners last month adopted a new reinsurance framework that promises--if it wins federal approval--to significantly reduce or eliminate collateral requirements for non-U.S, reinsurers. With just...

Balk called.(PLAYING HARDBALL)(ACE American Insurance Co. v. Jason Schmidt)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: BALK CALLED: The Los Angeles Dodgers sued insurer Ace American last month, alleging the firm balked at paying more than $9 million under a disability policy the club has on right-handed pitcher Jason...

Worth repeating.(Briefing: Highlights From BestWeek)
January 1, 2009... "This is a home run for us." --Bob Deutsch, Ironshore's founding chief executive on recruiting two top Lexington Insurance Co. executives.

NAIC approves $73 million budget.(Briefing: Highlights From BestWeek)(National Association of Insurance Commissioners)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... The National Association of Insurance Commissioners formally ratified its $73.1 million 2009 budget last month. NAIC leaders defended the budget, saying its 7% increase over 2008 is needed to fund important statistical and technology-based...

NAIC may establish agency to rate insurers' investments.(Briefing: Highlights From BestWeek)(National Association of Insurance Commissioners)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... A nonprofit rating agency proposed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners probably would focus on investments made by the companies, rather than insurance companies per se, NAIC officials said. Incoming NAIC President Roger...

A 2006 class action.(Health/Benefits)(Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey v. insurers)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... A 2006 CLASS ACTION suit against Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey by parents of children with eating disorders was settled last month in U.S. District Court. Horizon had restricted coverage because "New Jersey law does not identify...

New York state-licensed.(Regulatory)(law for health insurance)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... NEW YORK STATE-LICENSED insurers must treat same-sex couples who marry outside the Empire State the same as heterosexual couples who marry elsewhere, Insurance Superintendent Eric Dinallo said. Insurers' refusal to extend health insurance or...

Hong Kong insurers.(International)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... HONG KONG INSURERS posted a 54% drop in underwriting profit for the first three quarters of 2008, mainly on falling motor and property business in the nonlife sector. Motor insurance business reported a loss of HK$223 million (428.7 million),...

Matter of opinion.(Best's Review's STATS & NUMBERS)
January 1, 2009... Americans seem to favor less regulation of insurers even though public regard for them remains low. [GRAPHICS OMITTED]

Economy impacts variable annuities.(By the numbers: Recently published Special Reports from A.M. Best Company)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Due to 2008's unprecedented capital-market volatility, variable annuity operating trends are likely to be negative, but fixed annuities--especially traditional fixed products--should improve. (Variable Annuities Under Siege; Fixed Products to...

Asian insurers weigh liquidity, interest rates.(By the numbers: Recently published Special Reports from A.M. Best Company)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Asian insurers are expected to avoid major liquidity problems from the global financial crisis, but investment income will drop as interest rates fall in the medium term. (Asia's Insurers Avoid Liquidity Woes but Pressures Mount, Dec. 1, 2008)...

D&O underwriting erosion foreseen.(By the numbers: Recently published Special Reports from A.M. Best Company)(directors & officers)(Brief article)(Company rankings)
January 1, 2009... The directors and officers liability insurance market appears headed for a sharp underwriting downturn beginning with 2008 results. A.M. Best believes the adverse fundamentals currently affecting D&O loss costs are likely to cause calendar-year...

Meetings.(Calendar)
January 1, 2009... Jan. 11-16 Society of Financial Service Professionals: Arizona Institute, Tucson, Ariz. Web site: www.financialpro.org Jan. 12-14 American Council of Life Insurers: Reinsurance Executive Roundtable, Palm Beach, Fla. Web site: www.acli.com...

Correction.(Correction notice)
January 1, 2009... Correction: New York state Superintendent of Insurance Eric Dinallo chairs the NAIC task force overseeing the sale of AIG subsidiaries. That information was incorrect in an article on page 91 in the November issue that reported on a speech...

Atlantic American Corp. leads AMBG stocks as Global Insurance index declines 2.69%.(Briefing: Stock Watch)(Statistical table)
January 1, 2009... Atlantic American Corp. Leads AMBG Stocks As Global Insurance Index Declines 2.69% As of the U.S. market close on Thursday, Dec. 4, the AMBG stood at 621.40. Leading A.M. Best's Global Insurance Composite Index (AMBG) were Atlantic...

AHIP challenges next congress to tackle health care costs.(Briefing: Stock Watch)(America's Health Insurance Plans)
January 1, 2009... America's Health Insurance Plans, the trade association representing most health insurers and managed care organizations, is challenging Congress to set a 30% reduction target for future growth of costs in the U.S. health care system. AHIP said...

Insurance jobs.(Briefing: Employment)(Statistical table)
January 1, 2009... U.S. insurance industry payrolls shed 1,500 positions in November, even as job losses in the broader economy topped 1.9 million in the past year, according to seasonally adjusted data released Dec. 5 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For...

Wells Fargo Insurance Services Inc.(Agent/Broker)(appointment of Bruce Anderson)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... WELLS FARGO INSURANCE SERVICES INC. has named BRUCE ANDERSON to its real estate practice as a senior vice president and account executive. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Anderson, a 30-year veteran of the insurance industry, served most...

Aon Corp.(Agent/Broker)(appointment of Jim Herbert)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... AON CORP.'s U.K. division has named JIM HERBERT as the regional director for the company's Birmingham, Leicester and Manchester offices. Herbert, a 20-year veteran of insurance, served most recently with the London-based Heath Lambert...

Donald W. Van Dyke II, chairman and chief executive of D.W. VAN DYKE & CO., retired.(Agent/Broker)(appointment of Donald Drelich)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... DONALD W. VAN DYKE II, chairman and chief executive of D.W. VAN DYKE & CO., retired from the Wilton, Conn.-based reinsurance intermediary Dec. 31. Van Dyke & Co. President DONALD DRELICH has been tapped to assume Van Dyke's post. Van Dyke...

Royal Neighbors of America.(Life)(appointment of Brian Haynes)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Fraternal insurer ROYAL NEIGHBORS OF AMERICA has named BRIAN HAYNES as its chief financial officer and treasurer. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Haynes joins the Rock Island, Ill.-based life insurer with 24 years experience in finance and...

Former GMAC Insurance president named CEO for Maiden Holdings.(People in Insurance)(appointments of Art Raschbaum and John Marshaleck )(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Art Raschbaum, former GMAC Insurance Holdings president, has been named chief executive officer of Maiden Holdings as former CEO Max Caviet stepped down. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Raschbaum also served as president of GMAC Re and general...

Aflac Inc.(Life)(appointment of Jeffrey Charney and Ronald Kirkland)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... AFLAC INC. has announced two new top-level appointments in its sales and marketing divisions. M. JEFFREY CHARNEY has been tapped to be the Columbus, Ga.-based insurer's senior vice president and chief marketing officer for its U.S....

Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.(Life)(appointment of Stephan Schinnenburg)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP INC. has named STEPHAN SCHINNENBURG as the general manager of its new retirement savings office in Germany. Schinnenburg will lead the general management of the Frankfurt, Germany-based branch office. He...

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co.(Life)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE CO. has made several changes in leadership, including naming a new president. Co-Chief Operating Officer and Chief Investment Officer ROGER W. CRANDALL has been named president. He assumes the role from...

Manulife (International) Ltd.(Life)(appointments of )(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... MANULIFE (INTERNATIONAL) LTD., a subsidiary of Canada-based Manulife Financial Corp., has appointed MYLES MORIN vice president. With more than 25 years experience in the financial services industry, Morin will lead Manulife International's...

Sean Shaw, a Tallahassee attorney, will be Florida's next insurance consumer advocate.(Regulatory/Law)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... SEAN SHAW, a Tallahassee attorney, will be Florida's next insurance consumer advocate, Florida Chief Financial Officer ALEX SINK announced. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Shaw replaces Interim Insurance Consumer Advocate TERRY BUTLER, who has...

The Zurich Financial Services Group.(Property/Casualty)(appointment of Kevin Whitehead)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... THE ZURICH FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP has named KEVIN WHITEHEAD to lead the company's excess casualty business in North America. Whitehead will oversee excess casualty efforts for Zurich North America Commercial, the Zurich, Switzerland-based...

Stewart Information Services Corp.(Property/Casualty)(appointment of J. Allen Berryman)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... STEWART INFORMATION SERVICES CORP. has named J. ALLEN BERRYMAN as its executive vice president, chief financial officer and secretary-treasurer. Berryman will take over his posts from the retiring MAX CRISP, who is stepping down from the...

Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.(Property/Casualty)
January 1, 2009... HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP INC. named MICHAEL CHESMAN as its senior vice president, associate general counsel and director of tax law. Chesman takes up his new posts with the Hartford, Conn.-based financial services company, and...

Liberty Mutual Group of Insurance Cos.(Property/Casualty)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... LIBERTY MUTUAL GROUP OF INSURANCE COS. announced changes to three of the company's four business units. Once the chairman and president of business unit Liberty International, THOMAS C. RAMEY is set to retire in the middle of next year. He...

Allstate's Desiree Rogers named White House social secretary.(People in Insurance)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Allstate Corp.'s president of social networking will now be planning events at the White House. Desiree Rogers has been named by President-elect Barack Obama as special assistant to the president and White House social secretary, according...

Commuting a need.(EMPLOYEE BENEFITS)(Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. appointed Dawn Tinsley )(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Commuters streaming through Chicago's Union Station recently were greeted by a familiar face. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In October, Lucy Davis, most famous for her role as receptionist Dawn Tinsley on the BBC's The Office, joined MetLife...

Meet Flo.(ADVERTISING)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... WHO IS THE WOMAN behind the counter on the Progressive commercials? It's Flo. She's the main character in Progressive's "Superstore" campaign, which began in January 2008. The Superstore is a virtual representation of www.progressive.com....

State Farm recently ventured.(SPONSORSHIP)(State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. signed a deal with A&E Television Networks)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... STATE FARM RECENTLY VENTURED into reality TV as the integrated sponsor of A&E's Jacked: Auto Theft Task Force. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As part of the new series, which airs Thursday evenings, A&E will produce in-episode bumpers and...

Aetna offers Web service in Chinese.(SPOTLIGHT)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Aetna has a new Chinese-language Web site that provides members with information and tips about health plans that best serve them and their families. The site features a glossary of common medical, dental and health insurance terms, and...

Product watches for foreclosures.(Property/Casualty)(coverage verifier)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A new product from ISO notifies underwriters when a foreclosure notice is issued to one of their policyholders. CV Foreclosure Alert, part of the company's Coverage VerifierSM, automatically alerts insurers when any...

URAC revises health standards.(Technology)(American Accreditation HealthCare Commission)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Independent, nonprofit accreditation organization URAC has revised its health information technology standards. The changes affect Health Web Site accreditation and URAC's HIPAA Privacy and Security Standards and are meant to emphasize the need...

Lifetime income and death benefit.(Life)(Jackson National Life Insurance Co.)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Jackson National Life Insurance Co. has launched LifeGuard Freedom DB, a guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit for life that also provides an enhanced death benefit option. Absent excessive withdrawals, the death...

Disability policy covers loans.(Life)(Guardian Life Insurance Company of America)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America has introduced Business Reducing Term, a disability policy designed to cover financial obligations that require periodic payments expiring at a given time. The product insures up to 100% of monthly...

By the numbers: group LTC cover.(SNAPSHOT)(long term care)(Brief article)(Statistical data)
January 1, 2009... 76% Unum's share of the group long-term-care insurance market 93.4% Unum policies purchased to cover some type of home care 653,038 People covered by Unum group LTC policies in 2007 43.5 Average age of purchaser 52% Female...

Rating actions.(Ratings)(insurance companies)(Statistical table)
January 1, 2009... This edition reflects all financial strength rating changes--assignments, changes or placed under review--that occurred for life, health and property/casualty insurers domiciled in North America, as well as non-U.S. insurance companies, since...

Standing out in the crowd: insurance companies use in unique approaches to brand themselves and stand out among their peers.(Agent/Broker: Marketing)
January 1, 2009... The competitive nature of the insurance industry has advertisers and marketers scrambling for ways to differentiate their companies from a field of their peers. Finding ways to stand out in the crowd was one of the themes of the Insurance...

Reputation management: the next frontier.(IMAS highlights)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Ansi Vallens, Principal, Signals & Strategies * Enterprise risk management is here to stay, and company communicators will playa vital role in its success. * ERM is the greatest challenge to marketing communication since the Internet....

When the going gets tough, the tough get communicating.(IMAS highlights)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... * A media firestorm with the potential to damage a company's reputation often is sparked by plaintiffs' lawyers, who go to the press when they aren't sure they can get the desired results from litigation. * What is in the headlines starts...

Insurance Media Hall of Fame induction.(IMAS highlights)(achievements of Alfred M. Best)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... A.M. Best Co. founder Alfred M. Best was posthumously inducted into the Insurance Media Hall of Fame at the Insurance Marketing and Advertising Summit. The award was presented by Walter Podgurski, president and CEO of the Insurance Media...

Reason to believe: National Financial Partners Chairman Jessica Bibliowicz has no doubt that better days lie ahead for her firm.(Life: Profile)(Interview)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In November, Jessica Bibliowicz was in crisis mode, but in an interview with Best's Review on Nov. 25, her faith in her company never wavered. This month, the company that Bibliowicz leads, National Financial...

C-Change.(Property/Casualty: Executives)(Torus Insurance Holdings Ltd.)(appointments of )
January 1, 2009... Name: Donald A. Guloien Position: Chief Executive Officer Succeeds: Dominic D'Alessandro Company Name: Manulife Headquarters: Toronto, Canada Main Business: Financial protection products and wealth-management services in...

Litigation without borders: business liability for globalized firms is on the rise, according to Lloyd's of London.(Reinsurance/Capital Markets: Litigation Trends)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Michael Hausfeld, principal in the law firm Hausfeld LLP, is based in Washington, D.C., but has opened an office in London he expects will be staffed soon with seven to nine attorneys. The reason? Lawsuits are going...

Building blocks: a patchwork approach for revamping policy administration systems grows more common.(Technology: Policy Administration Systems)(Survey)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Pearl Insurance executives knew something had to change. Three years ago, the Illinois-based broker, direct marketer and third-party administrator recognized that one of its legacy systems wouldn't let it tap a...

New year, new rules: fifteen states enact a variety of insurance-related laws as 2009 arrives.(Regulatory/Law: State Laws)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Several state initiatives went into effect on Jan. 1 that could affect the ways in which insurers and agents do business--and in each case, you can bet there was an insurance watchdog group waiting with bated breath...

On equal ground: a new federal law regulates health plans and puts mental health and substance use coverage on par with physical coverage.(Health/Employee Benefits: Mental Health Parity)(Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] More than 113 million Americans soon will receive equal insurance coverage for mental health and substance abuse treatments. New federal legislation--the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and...

Data is first step in strategy plans: understanding the forces driving the life/health market can make all the difference in sales.(Life: Selling Insight)
January 1, 2009... With an aging population, a weak economy, and rapidly changing regulatory, competitive, technology and distribution landscapes, what should insurers consider for their sales strategy and operations? Knowing one's current situation is the best...

Outside in: self-directed customers are notoriously independent, but term life writers can convert them into repeat buyers.(Life: Term Life Insurance)(Company rankings)
January 1, 2009... Self-directed buyers of life insurance already have tested the immutable rule that the product is sold rather than bought. But now some in the industry are challenging the corollary that insurers cannot develop long-term relationships with...

Lessons learned: the many people implicated in the meltdown of the financial markets have work to do.(Life: Management Insight)
January 1, 2009... We all know this story. It begins with historically low interest rates, unreasonably low risk premiums and a flood of global cash looking for returns. It moves on to excessive leverage, a search for yield through opaque and risky products for...

Measuring response: an emerging academic market looks for insurance against school and campus violence.(Property/Casualty: Crisis Response Coverage)(Hiscox Insurance Group)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Steven Kazmierczak, 27, opened fire in a crowded Northern Illinois University lecture hall last February, killing five students and wounding 18 others. He then turned the gun on himself and committed suicide. ...

Improving risk-based auto underwriting: advanced analytics can allow carriers to gain insight into potential underwriting risks.(Property/Casualty: Underwriting Isight)
January 1, 2009... From a consumer perspective, global positioning system technology offers a convenient, portable means of navigation when traveling. For insurers, GPS devices ate becoming a potentially rich source of data. When used in conjunction with...

External actuary use grows while top four auditors claim 72.4% of market.(Regularoty/Law: Auditors and Actuaries)(Statistical table)(Company rankings)
January 1, 2009... Primary findings from A.M. Best's annual review of the auditor and actuarial markets show that in 2007, the top firms in the United States and Canada remained dominant. The market for actuarial firms continued to grow, with a higher percentage...

Claims against lenders will rise: bad loan claims against lenders may be the next big thing to hit the industry.(Regulatory/Law: Legal Insight)(Column)
January 1, 2009... Being a columnist for Best's Review and a member of the leadership of an ABA Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee, I am frequently asked: "What is the next big thing for insurance claims?" In some years, the question is difficult, but not...

Education is a tool: covering professional liability takes more than having customers sign a few forms.(Agent/Broker: Selling Insight)
January 1, 2009... The lawyer who loses his Blackberry, thus compromising confidential client information, needs to know his errors & omissions policy covers information-security exposure. The engineer managing a large design project on her Web site needs to...

Wait-listed: efforts to finally pass NARAB II continue, but more urgent matters currently have Congress' attention.(Agent/Broker: Agent Licensing)(National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You can almost feel me anticipation. Across the country, organizations that represent insurance producers are gearing up for the second round of the great agent licensing reciprocity debate. But whether the new...

Taking cover: analytics initiatives can help insurers weather the financial storm.(Technology: Technology Insight)
January 1, 2009... The recent financial market implosion has left insurers reeling, forcing them to defer new initiatives and focus instead on preserving existing customers, increasing productivity, complying with regulations and managing financial assets more...

A new agenda: the 111th U.S. Congress will need to consider several proposals involving insurance legislation.(Regulatory/Law: Legislation)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Congress is becoming increasingly focused on proposals to create a federal insurance regulatory system. While most proposals previously raised did not make it out of committee, the 110th Congress was committed to...

Insurance groups optimistic Obama will hear their views.(Regulatory/Law: Legislation)(Barack Obama)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Despite some stark policy differences, several insurance groups ate optimistic President-elect Barack Obama and the Democratic-controlled 111th Congress may pursue a business agenda that accommodates their members. Obama has proposed a...

Taking a lesson from the financial crisis: it's time to revisit some fundamental assumptions.(Property/Casualty: Loss Risk Management Insight)
January 1, 2009... The current financial crisis is too complex for instant diagnosis, but we can nonetheless identify some time-honored assumptions that need serious scrutiny. Here are some likely candidates and implications. First, the world is considerably...

The thin green line: insurers and design professionals rethink risk management on environmentally friendly projects.(Property/Casualty: Construction Liability)
January 1, 2009... As developers target environmentally conscious consumers, building design professionals are being warned to toe the thin green line that has formed in sustainable development. Green-related claims over owners' unmet expectations, subpar...

Measuring up: new standards help insurance companies determine their true value in a changing world.(Regulatory/Law: Company Valuation)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Management creates economic value if return on capital equals or exceeds the cost of capital. However, it always has been difficult to quantify the financial health of insurance companies in an accurate and...

Insurance Australia Group Ltd has formed a joint venture with State Bank of India.(Asia/Pacific)
January 1, 2009... INSURANCE AUSTRALIA GROUP LTD. has formed a joint venture with STATE BANK OF INDIA to set up a new nonlife insurance company in India in 2009. IAG initially will hold 26% of the joint venture, the maximum investment level allowed for a...

HISCOX.(Bermuda)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Specialist insurer HISCOX is closing the Bermuda-based specialist insurance and reinsurance team, set up in July, citing unanticipated market changes. "It's a change of focus. We created the team when we thought that the world was going...

Swiss Life.(Life/Health)(new office in dubai)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Switzerland-based insurer SWISS LIFE has opened a new office in Dubai to deal with insurance intermediation. The company said it hopes to benefit from the growth of the insurance market in the Middle East and that it is expanding its business...

Generali China Life Insurance Co. Ltd., a joint venture between Italy-based Assicurazioni Generali S.RA. and China National Petroleum Corp., has been granted permission by China's insurance regulator.(Life/Health)
January 1, 2009... GENERALI CHINA LIFE INSURANCE CO. LTD., a joint venture between Italy-based ASSICURAZIONI GENERALI S.RA. and CHINA NATIONAL PETROLEUM CORP., has been granted permission by China's insurance regulator to operate in central China's Shaanxi...

Max New York Life Insurance Co. Ltd., a joint venture between Indian conglomerate Max India Ltd. and New York Life Insurance Co., has formed a strategic alliance with Mimo Finance for the distribution of its microinsurance products in India.(Life/Health)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... MAX NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE CO. LTD., a joint venture between Indian conglomerate MAX INDIA LTD. and NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE CO., has formed a strategic alliance with Mimo Finance for the distribution of its microinsurance products in India....

Aon Corp. has launched a new global unit combining its specialty brokerage businesses with Benfield Corporate Risk.(Property/Casualty)
January 1, 2009... AON CORP. has launched a new global unit combining its specialty brokerage businesses with BENFIELD CORPORATE RISK. The move comes after Aon completed its $1.43 billion acquisition of BENFIELD GROUP LTD., the London-based reinsurance broker....

Fidelity and LandAmerica deal creates largest U.S. title insurer.(Companies)(Fidelity National Financial Inc. merges with LandAmerica Financial Group Inc.)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Just days after calling off a $126 million merger with LandAmerica Financial Group Inc., Fidelity National Financial Inc. said it instead will purchase LandAmerica's primary underwriting units for $298 million in a deal that would create the...

Tour de Hurricane Force: RenRe's storm attraction at Disney World lets visitors ride out a Category 3 tropical cyclone.(THE LAST WORD)
January 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Thunder rolls. Rain hits the windows hard. Hurricane-force winds howl and tear at the roof. Then, whoosh--your neighbor's roof is flying pastas you watch helplessly. Are you going to make it through the storm? ...