In his most recent Atlantic hurricane prediction for the 2004 season, Prof. William Gray of Colorado State University says there is a 71% probability of a major hurricane making landfall somewhere on the U.S. coastline this year.Gray builds on earlier…
Rating errors could cost U.S. auto insurers as much as US$13 billion annually, says a report from QPC. In fact, in an audit of 12 million policies from 10 insurers over the past two years, QPC estimates the rating error…
A.M. Best has placed the “B++” (very good) rating of Federated Life under review with developing implications as a result of its sale to Western Financial Group by parent Northbridge Financial. The rater says it will meet with Western management…
Swiss Re has seen its financial strength and long-term debt ratings cut by Moody’s to “Aa2”, although the reinsurer’s short-term rating was affirmed at “prime-1”. Among the conditions cited in the downgrade are possible further adverse development for the years…
GE has priced the IPO of its investment/life insurance spin-off, Genworth Financial (NYSE: GNW), which could net US$2.5-2.9 billion. After the offering, GE will own about 70% of the company. More than 500 people have been killed by flooding in…
Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) has introduced a new deductible payment plan which allows claimants to finance the payment of their deductible after an accident over a period of 10 months. While SGI does not charge interest, it will charge claimants…
Insurers need to be aware of a potential new geohazard which could increase the likelihood of extreme weather events, according to research by the Benfield Hazard Research Center (BHRC). Gas hydrates, ice-like deposits of water and gas, are being influenced…
French reinsurer SCOR reported overall net income of EUR31.8 million for the first quarter of 2004, with its non-life sector posting a combined ratio of 98.8%. This compares with 121.3% for the segment a year ago. However, operating income in…
On the eve of the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirms expectations of an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year.The outlook is for 12-15 tropical storms, with six…
A class action complaint has been filed in a Baltimore, Maryland court against seven insurers over their handling of homeowners’ claims stemming from last fall’s Hurricane Isabel.The suit, filed by law firm Cohen, Milstein, Hausfeld & Toll, names seven plaintiffs,…
Citigroup and its Travelers Insurance Co. have had their debt ratings affirmed by Moody’s following settlement of claims relative to the WorldCom class action lawsuit. Citigroup announced a US$4.95 billion special charge for the suit and other litigation reserves. With…
California’s insurance regulator and the state’s insurers are waging a war of words over last year’s firestorm, just as new fires rage in Riverside County.Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi announced his intention to push forward a “homeowners’ bill of rights” in…