In the face of the worst year on record for natural catastrophes, European reinsurers showed the necessary restraint in top-line growth to produce bottom-line results, according to the latest quarterly report by broker Benfield Group.In “Rewards of Restraint”, Benfield says…
AIG will be audited for “years of alleged improper booking” of workers’ compensation premiums, New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and Insurance Superintendent Howard Mills announced Tuesday.Authorities say a consultant will be appointed by the insurance department to look into…
Hannover Re saw its insurer financial strength rating upgraded to “A3” from “Baa1” by Moody’s Investor Service on the back of continued strong results. Despite the company’s “aggressive financial profile”, it has shown discipline in underwriting and strong market acceptance…
The Consumers Association of Canada (CAC) is hailing a report by Quebec’s insurance regulator, but brokers in the province have a different view.The report, released by the Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), says broker practices in the damage insurance sector…
Ontario’s insurance regulator had its hands full last week, issuing several “cease and desist orders”.The first came on Wednesday, when insurers Security National and TD General both Meloche Monnex companies – were cited for charging rates for coverages of categories…
Lombard General Insurance Co. of Canada will replace Kingsway as underwriter for Pethealth’s “PetCare” insurance program.Lombard has signed an agreement with Oakville, Ontario-based Pethealth’s PetCare Insurance Brokers to underwrite 50% of the program, which offers coverage health care coverage for…
Despite the strong results posted by the U.S. p&c insurance industry in 2004, this year will likely see loss costs significantly outpace premium growth, according to a special report by A.M. Best.The rating agency says the US$6.3 billion underwriting profit…
Restoration network Disaster Kleenup International (Canada) Ltd. has launched a software pilot program with Symbility Solutions Inc. The pilot is to determine the effectiveness of Symbility’s software in estimating property claims. The 60-day test begins on June 1. “By removing…
Groups representing brokers and agents in the U.S. have come to blows following a speech at the recent Risk & Insurance Management Society (RIMS) Conference by Willis CEO Joe Plumeri.In the speech, Plumeri said contingent commissions should be abolished for…
While commercial buyers were reporting price stabilization, brokers are reporting significant softening across accounts in the first quarter of 2005.The results of the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB) contrast with views expressed by risk managers in the RIMS/Advisen…
The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is teaming up with researchers at the University of Calgary to study the impact of cell phone use by novice drivers. IBC will sponsor the research project which includes two phases – a simulation…
Four Canadians are members of the newly-restructured board of the Risk & Insurance Management Society (RIMS). RIMS decided last year to merge its large former board and executive committee, with new president Ellen Vinck pointing to the much smaller board’s…